Near Masterpiece: Cubs 5, Reds 1
by Al Yellon on Jul 10, 2008 7:49 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintTwo plays.
One ball hit by Jeff Keppinger that Aramis Ramirez couldn't handle, and which went under his glove for a first-inning error.
And another, one bad pitch from Carlos Zambrano to Adam Dunn that was deposited into the center-field juniper bushes for a brief 1-0 Reds lead in the second.
Other than that, Carlos Zambrano was perfect last night, retiring all 20 batters he faced after the Dunn HR. So what would you have done? The Cubs had, thanks to a Ramirez HR and some other timely hitting, extended the lead to 5-1 (which would be the final, a 5-1 win over the Reds, the Cubs' third in a row), and Z was at 103 pitches. Do you leave him in to finish what would have been the first CG one-hitter of his career?
There are conflicting reports. Bruce Miles writes that Lou felt 100-105 pitches was enough:
"He wanted to go out and finish it, but it was only his second time out since being off the DL, and we were on a game plan of 100-105 pitches," Piniella said. "We let him hit (in the eighth). That appeased him a little bit."
But, even Z himself acknowledged, in Carrie Muskat's cubs.com recap, that taking him out was the wise thing to do:
"I was thinking about that," Zambrano said about going the distance. "It's been a long time since I pitched a complete game. But not in this situation. I came off the DL one start ago, and it's too soon. Hopefully, in the second half of the season, I will have a chance to throw a complete game."
It was a near-perfect weather night, too, the kind you want to bottle up and let out on some blustery January day when you think it's never, ever going to get warm again. Unlike Tuesday night, the wind had pretty much died completely not long after game time, and just a few clouds on the horizon made the sunset pink and orange over the Yard. While Z was firing blanks at the Reds -- and in his best 2003-style form, not trying to blow hitters away, but instead getting ground balls, eleven of the twenty consecutive outs being on the ground -- the Cubs were methodically putting up runs. Dunn's HR was matched in the bottom of the 2nd when Jeff Keppinger's error on Mark DeRosa's grounder allowed Geovany Soto to score.
Later, Ramirez homered to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead, and then in the seventh, the Cubs batted around and extended it to 5-1 on RBI hits from Kosuke Fukudome (double), Derrek Lee (single), and A-Ram again (double). It could have and should have been more -- Z had attempted a sacrifice bunt after Reed Johnson led off the inning with a single, and replays showed that Z was safe after Cueto double-clutched. (It wasn't even close; 1B umpire Eric Cooper must have taken his eyes off the play.)
But that last is nitpicking. This isn't: we hope Carlos Marmol isn't hurt. He got the first two outs in the 9th easily, including one on a spectacular stop by D-Lee on Paul Bako's grounder past 1B, but appeared to have been spiked. He took a few warmup tosses and stayed in the game, getting the second out (a fly ball from PH Corey Patterson, who was roundly booed), but then on a similar play to Bako's, Jay Bruce was ruled safe (that one, unlike the one on Z, appeared to be a correct call). Then Marmol fell apart, throwing a wild pitch and walking the bases loaded, forcing Lou to summon Kerry Wood to finish it off.
Which he did, running the club record at Wrigley Field to -- how many more superlatives can you find? I can't -- an absolutely stunning 35-10, the best home winning percentage in baseball in a year when many teams have played exceptionally well at home.
Finally, after his news conference welcoming him to Chicago, new Cub Rich Harden (who will start on Saturday vs. the Giants, despite the headline on Bruce Miles' article that says "No word yet on Harden's first start") came out to left field to throw a few pitches in front of Larry Rothschild and a couple of his teammates:
Photo by Tim Shockley. As Tim said in his email: "We told him to take it easy and not throw so hard..." Amen. (Click on photo to open a larger version in a new browser window)
Finally, the Cubs picked up a game on both Milwaukee and St. Louis -- the Cardinals lost Mark Mulder again after 16 pitches, and the Brewers lost a pitching matchup (Ben Sheets vs. Glendon Rusch) that "on paper" was a no-brainer for them. But that's why they play the games. Today's pregame thread will be up at 11:30 am CDT.
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Great win, crazy that Sheets came out on fire with 11k’s but got no run support from the Brewers in the beginning of the game.
"Look at it this way: If you're a Cubs fan, the Greatest Day of Your Life is yet to come." ~ Cubs Forever
That is what happens...
When your team relys on the HR ball so much.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
And further, note that...
... the crappy Brewers bullpen took a 4-3 game and made it an 8-3 game.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I thought...
CC was gonna pitch out of the bullpen too? No?
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
Guess not.
And what a surprise, Ned Yost is still managing there. Badly, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
this is why
I’m not worried about the Brewers.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
actually the Brewers will probably be talking Lunch Pail JOE, plus
they should be talking to SD about Hoffman seeing they gave away their AA team to the Indians.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
And CC didn't pinch hit in the ninth...
...and hit a six-run homer to win the game?! Very disappointing.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Let's sweep the series
and get down to some serious winning ways against the Giants.
Baseball is too much of a sport to be a business and too much of a business to be a sport.
William Wrigley Jr
by bubbamike the one and only on Jul 10, 2008 8:03 AM CDT reply actions
Doesn't really look like Rich is "taking it easy" there, does it?
If he’s throwing Saturday, that means he’ll miss Cain and Lincecum, right? I think they go Fri/Sun.
Another note: If Lilly gets the W today, that’s 3 10 game winners we will have before the all-star break, and we will again reach our high watermark of 20 games over .500. Not to put my foot in my mouth before the game starts, but that’s pretty damn good.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
I watched Harden throw in the OF last night.
He was taking it easy. Hard to tell from one still image, I acknowledge, but it was just a quick session, maybe 10 minutes.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
This is why...
We cannot freak out about Harden and his injury plagued past. It is out of everyones control. Enjoy what is going on with the team right now.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
Harden
is really the icing on our proverbial cake, isn’t he? We’re a good team, best record in the NL, leading the division, etc. We’ve done that all with the same group of guys that we still have. Murton/Patterson/Gallagher contributed minimally, if at all, to our success. So even if Harden does go down, we’re still the same as before. If Harden stays healthy, then we’re even better.
"We are not equations with hats." -Dean Young
by Kegler on Jul 10, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
He's a fine pitcher
when he is healthy and that’s the rub. He has to stay healthy. We don’t have the best record in keeping our pitchers off the DL. But let’s hope that with Dusty ruining Harang rather than Cubs that we’ll turn it around. I’m hoping that we’ve learned from the past and encouraged by Lou’s paying attention to pitch counts.
Baseball is too much of a sport to be a business and too much of a business to be a sport.
William Wrigley Jr
by bubbamike the one and only on Jul 10, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Can we all just please forget about Dusty...
Stop blaming him for ruining pitchers. Back in the day pitchers threw way more innings than they do now, substantially more innings. It is up to a pitcher to tell his manager when he is getting tired, and not try to push it. Dusty may not be the best manager, however the thought that he ruins pitchers is a fallacy. Dusty is no longer the manager of our beloved Cubs. Let it go. Move on. We’ve got plenty to talk about without dredging up this issue again and again, dude…
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 10, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
back in the day?
it was five years ago, wasn’t it? :D
I’m not getting in on the Dusty hate, but it does appear that he mismanaged Prior, if nothing else.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Prior.
I am of the belief that Prior was somewhat damaged goods when we got him. This combined with how quickly he came back from both the shoulder injury when he was tossed by Giles, and the line drive off his elbow. Now we know that in Prior’s haste to return and show he was healthy, he was only hurting himself more. Major Damage in the shoulder. It’s really a sad story, but Prior could have avoided this…
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 10, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
interesting quote in the Trib today regarding Harden....
Scouts say
So why is Harden such a frequent visitor to the disabled list?“He always tried to throw too hard,” a veteran scout said. “You just can’t throw every pitch as hard as you can every time. It’s not good for the arm. His stuff was always good enough he could have gotten people out without over-throwing.”
this is/was Kerry's problem.
His entire career he wanted to throw the ball not pitch. He finally found a spot where he could do that.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
Well, you'd think that this could be fixed easily, then.
If, as that scout says, his stuff is good enough to get people out without overthrowing, maybe he can be convinced to do just that.
Sometimes a change of scenery is all a pitcher needs.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
yeah but
six DL stints in 4-5 years because of it? What, no one else noticed?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe no one else...
... was able to convince him that he didn’t need to throw that hard.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
ok
but why would Lou and or Larry be able to do that when no one else has?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe
after all this time on the DL he’ll be more open to the message.
We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez
I hope
that’s true.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Rothschild and Piniella are no nonsense
Piniella will approach him and tell him all he has to do is contribute, not be the savior or leader, not over throw and give him 6-7 good innings every time out. Z is a great example…examples are stronger than words…..103 pitches and your done.
Soto and Blanco will also monitor the overthrow thing.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Maybe Kerry
Can pull him aside, ask him if he likes being a starting pitcher, and let him know that throwing every pitch as hard as you can is the short road to being a relief pitcher. Maybe that reality will be enough to sink in when the opinions of coaches have not been able to get through.
Have Z there too
since he has said already this year that part of his success and ability to pitch deeper into games this year is due to the fact that he consciously doesn’t throw as hard as he can because then he gets more movement on his pitches.
Those two should be able to convince Harden that it is in his best interest to not try and throw too hard.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
I've been thinking about this, too.
If Lilly can get a win today, that means three Cubs pitchers will reach 10 victories in three consecutive games. Pretty dang cool.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
...and not one of them is the new Canadian who’s causing the big stir of late.
by Shawon O Meter on Jul 10, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Different Subject
Does anybody know the guy who has the season ticket 1st row behind home plate? He looks like he is 60 or so and wears a pink hat all the time. He is always yelling at the up when he thinks bad calls are made. I was just wondering.
by CubFaninStLouis on Jul 10, 2008 8:25 AM CDT reply actions
Pink Hat Guy...
That’s his alias
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Jul 10, 2008 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions
He is a potential
future Cubs owner a/k/a Pink Hat Guy (forgot his real name though)
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Right.
Search this site—he’s been written about here many times before.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I have been "lucky" enough
to sit next to this guy. I can assure you that he will not be purchasing the team. Even if he has $ to do so.
Any chance we can get a more detailed report?
Obviously the guy screams and yells at the umpire the whole game, but is it really that bad to the people around him?
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 10, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Pink Hat guy
is Mark Cuban’s uncle. If Mark can’t buy the team and yell at the umps, then maybe pink hat guy can do for him.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
It didn't post the rest of my comment
and now I forgot what I said. OH, well.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Suffice it to say
That he knows everything about everything. And exactly what is wrong with the Cubs and exactly how to fix it
Good morning!
What a great game last night. Loved the defense by Lee, Ramirez & even the riot. Loved Z’s pitching last night. The time on the DL definitely made Z stronger. I have heard reports that Marmol was getting hosed on some calls. St. Louis loses, Sheets & the beer drinkers lose. 4.5 up on the Cards, 5 on the beerboys. I like it, I like it a lot.
Jimmyeatworld
Marmol
In AGAIN with a four run lead? Seriously? This is getting friggin ridiculous. Where was Wuertz, Cotts or Lieber.
Lou is not Dusty- but he is showing some pigeheadedness with Marmol that I just don’t get. I know Lou wants Marmol to get his groove back, but putting him out there every two days doesn’t make sense.
Maybe Lou should give Carlos a week off, because this is crazy to me.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
Marmol...
Seems to pitch better the more work he gets. I think he got into his little funk after he didn’t pitch for a few days.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Jul 10, 2008 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
So maybe he should go again today?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Not unless his foot is hurting...
I don’t know if he got spiked or twisted his ankle
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Jul 10, 2008 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
If he does
that’ll be five games in a row over a six day period. Maybe today would be a good day to rest Marmol, especially given his foot probably hurts a bit today.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Last night
Lou said Marmol won’t pitch today, he won’t even be in the pen.
by salparadise23 on Jul 10, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
probably not today
but he doesn’t need a week off, either.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree
we already saw what happened when he had time off … not good. Seems to me the only way he’ll get his groove back is by fighting his way to it, much to our consternation.
We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez
he was doing pretty well
till the foot thing.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
But it seems
as though he is using Marmol too much. What benefit is there to getting Marmol back into a groove now by pitching him every day, when he’s likely to then have nothing left in the tank by September?
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Jul 10, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions
why do you think that's likely?
right now, his IP are on track to be close to what he did last year (including minor league time).
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Marmol has given up 9 runs in his last 11 appearances
since June 19th.
Tell me more about this theory
by IllinoisCubs on Jul 10, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions
how shall he get better?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Tampa Bay game, right?
You mean the game immediately after his 5 day rest that everyone was clamoring for?
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
by slcathena on Jul 10, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Tampa Bay game, right?
You mean the game immediately after his 5 day rest that everyone was clamoring for?
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
Ahh Dusty.....you mean the guy who left
Cueto in the game to face D Lee in the 7th with a runner in scoring postion when he had already thrown 110 pitches?
I just had to laugh watching that one….
Same thing with Harang
the night before in the bottom of the 5th, let’s him face Soto with DLee in scoring position at 2nd, having already thrown over 100 pitches in just 4 1/3 inn. Only to take him out right after the HR….. what was the point by then? Very typical Dusty.
Go ahead, Z me.
Counts
Just because you subscribe to the theory of the all importance of pitch counts doesn’t mean everyone does, or should. I admire Dusty for keeping Cueto in during the 7th. To turn into a good pitcher, a young pitcher needs to learn how to pitch through adversity in the late innings, not just to look over his shoulder to the pen every time he gets into a jam. I’m not a huge Dusty fan, but I think he’s been taken to the woodpile way too often on his handling of pitchers. And most people wouldn’t say that 110 pitches is a huge amount.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
There are many factors
when deciding to leave in or take out a pitcher. More than just pitch counts, I agree. It was obvious Harang didn’t have his best stuff when it takes him 100 pitches to get through 4…. matter of fact he hasn’t had his best stuff all year. So those are games when you make use of that bullpen, specially if the game is close and you still have a chance to win.
We’re talking about Dusty here, so I have to agree to disagree with you. He’s got a record that speaks for itself when it comes to this.
Go ahead, Z me.
understand, but the game was still very much in question at that point
...so your saying that Dusty was conceding the game in an effort to develop Cueto?
At what point do you draw the line?
Cueto
Not sure if he was ceding the game. He may have felt that Cueto, who had been pitching great, was still his best option at that point. I would have removed him just about when Dusty did – maybe one batter earlier.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
It was even STUPIDER to let Harang hit...
just before that with men in base. It was obvious to me he was laboring too hard….personally I like Dusty—his in game decision making is where I think he derserves criticism, even more so than high pitch counts.
"Red Sox Nation: In your opinion, who’s the best player not in the HOF?
Bill James: Ron Santo" October 2004.
It seems like a pattern of
If the Cubs are winning (no matter by what margin), it is Howry/Marmol/Wood.
If it’s tied, you might see a couple others added to the list, but those three are definitely in there.
If the Cubs are losing, then you might see Wuertz, Cotts, Lieber, etc.
''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella
Nice to wake up this morning and see that the cubs won overnight. From what I’ve been reading today, a lot of people now are predicting the cubs to do well, and maybe go to the series. Let’s hope they can live up to the expectations now. This team is better then the 03 team, and we all painfully remember what happened to that team. I’m excited about Harden, hope he does well for us, and tonight I’m going to go and see if I can’t stream the game. I have a spot that I can go to here on the camp. But I have to wait for the early games like this to use it.
This is the best Cubs team since 1984.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Without a doubt, Al
I agree with you on this wholeheartedly. Do you think this team is deeper than the ‘84 boys?
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 10, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Hiyo
Jimmy!
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Guten morgen.
drew. How ya’ doing today?
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 10, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
not bad
yerself?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Good.
Except that my boss is torturing me by listening to the Rush Limbaugh podcast! I can’t wait to get on the phone, so he’ll turn it off.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 10, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I worked for a guy
who listened to Rush ALL the time.
Needless to say, my political direction was significantly changed. In the OPPOSITE direction…
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I can top that one...
I went to college in Rush’s hometown of Cape Girardeau, MO – the buckle of the Bible Belt, Ladies and gentlemen! Went to college a conservative, then… well, let’s just say I live in southern California.
by socalicubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
nice.
I was a conservative in college for about six weeks, then I met this wonderful bi girl… :P
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
A side note...
Rush dropped out of SEMO – even failed a speech class! ‘course he went on to make millions flappin’ his gums (and poppin pills!)
by socalicubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
And didn't he come clean, admit his mistake, and go into rehab?
Let it go.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Yes, absolutely.
It has a far better bench and deeper bullpen.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
This is a best team in my lifetime (1957) most balance, most depth, most talent
This team is playing in the reflection of its Manager, good smart fundamental baseball and playing to win.
On paper they have the best offensive and defensive balance I have ever seen. When Soriano plays all three starters (Edmonds) have good arms. Soriano is suspect retreating on balls but compensates to his side and coming in with is natural speed. He has the deadliest arm in the OF. Fukudome has the best all around defensive game and Edmonds is a smart CF’er in a small park, all three limit advancing bases. They are also all offensive players.
IF defense is average, Ramirez is limited in range, DeRosa is fair, Theriot is barely sufficient and Lee is excellent and compensates for Theriot and Ramirez’s inaccurate arms. That said the four infielders comprise the best offense around the horn. Soto is a good defensive catcher, calls a great game and Blanco is even better defensively. Soto is a man-child offensively.
Their lineup is extremely balanced where there is no holes in it, power, OBP and when Soriano returns it has good speed with Sori, Fukudome, Lee, Theriot, and no clods. They are patient this year and yet they can attack. They hit for power but don’t rely upon it.
Pitching with Harden gives the Cubs five solid starters, all give the Cubs a better than 50/50 chance to win, Marquis is not the most suspect. Bullpen is actually their strength.
Only hole is a experienced middle infield utility player.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on Jul 10, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Stronger at the corners,
stronger in the outfield and behind the plate. Probably not as strong up the middle. Much better rotation and pen. Best Cub team I’ve seen in my time. All we’re missing in a big banger like a young Banks or a Sosa. That and defense up the middle is what is lacking. But all teams have their weak points. They have to make up for them somehow.
Baseball is too much of a sport to be a business and too much of a business to be a sport.
William Wrigley Jr
by bubbamike the one and only on Jul 10, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Dead on-totally agree on all points
1969 had three good starters-‘08 has 5-‘69 had a slightly better infield-but we’ll see how the season progresses-this outfield, bench and pen are better then ‘69’s.
"Red Sox Nation: In your opinion, who’s the best player not in the HOF?
Bill James: Ron Santo" October 2004.
This is the best Cubs team since 1935
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945
Wow, that's a strong statement.
I think I’d wait till later in the season to say something like that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Best since 35
I’ll stick with that – the only three others that can be put up are the 1938, 1969, and 1984 teams. I think the 89 team was a happy illusion, and the 45 team was a bi-product of the war. This Cubs team has no holes – the 69 team had no depth, and the 84 team was probably a little over their heads. We’ll see!
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945
by flyingdonut on Jul 10, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
Except I don’t think the 84 team was in over its head. They were supremely talented. The only fault was a lack of depth in the rotation. After Sutcliffe and Trout, it was a bit of a crapshoot. Never quite knew what kind of game you’d get from Eck or Sanderson, and fifth starter was a big problem all year. Dick Ruthven, anyone? Rick Reuschel (during his mid-career slump)?
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
This is the best Cubs team since the Mongol Empire of the early 13th century
No doubt about it, at all.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Disagree
The Mongol Empire team was very good and they did beat the Visgoths for European series
but the DuSable era team of the late 1700s was better. They beat the Indians for the WS 3 years in
a row and the first one was Maddux’s rookie year.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 10, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
The Yankees also had a good run in the late 1700's, IIRC
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 10, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
No one out managed Washington
His in-game strategies weren’t always good, but he got the most out of his team.
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 10, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe even longer
That Mongol lineup had some question marks in the rotation, if you ask me. Ok Genghis Khan was a bona fide ace, no doubt about it, but what about the rest of the staff? Retrosheet doesnt go back that far (yet), but Ogedai, Hulagu et al? Hardly household names.
want a Twinkee
Genghis Kahn?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Excellent!
Soh-crates always had trouble running the bases in that robe and sandals getup…
by Shawon O Meter on Jul 10, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Four score and...
seven minutes ago…
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Here, I'll give you a topic:
The Mongol Empire of the early 13th century was neither Mongolese nor an empire. Discuss.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Hardens count
Will the “L” brothers Lou & Larry limit Harden in Saturdays game.
I think it makes sense
I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers
We can't trade for this guy and then baby him. They aren't gonna put him on a pitch count.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
That's not babying, it's protecting your asset.
Hendry said himself on The Score yesterday that this was a trade made with the playoffs in mind. If that means Harden works on a strict pitch count, and misses the odd start now and then(and Hendry warned in the same interview that this will happen), so be it. As long as he can make 4-5 starts in October, I’m fine with it.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Zambrano...
...just came back from a stint on the DL w/ a shoulder strain.
Do you limit him for the rest of the year, also? If so, I vote that Gary be the one to tell him in-person. Let me know how THAT goes!!
Are you also going to use that same precaution with Dempster since he hasn’t logged a starter’s quantity of innings for the last handful of years?
Of course, if you’re limiting a bunch of your starters…that means your bullpen gets taxed more heavily. Good thing Marmol and Wood haven’t worked very much to this point…
by Shawon O Meter on Jul 10, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Um, Zambrano's pitch counts HAVE been limited.
They probably won’t be for the rest of the year, but they’ve been limited thus far upon his return. And as slcathena has pointed out, Big Z doesn’t have nearly the injury history of Harden.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Obviously...
...Lou’s not going to let Harden go for 140 pitches in an outing.
It’s just not very feasible to think that they’ll be using a “strict pitch count” with an (gasp) uninjured starting pitcher.
What would be the correct number of pitches at which to set his limit? 85? 90? It took Mulder seventeen pitches to hurt himself last night.
Setting a hard limit’s no guarantee that he’s not going to have problems. A common sense limit might help reduce the chance of injury, but Lou uses a common sense limit with EVERYONE on the staff – save a ‘normal, healthy’ Zambrano.
by Shawon O Meter on Jul 10, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Z
Z looked great from what I could see on the highlights. I was really impressed to see that on one pitch, the radar gun said 97. Good to know he can still let it rip when he wants to. Cubs look really good this past week.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
P.S.
Did anyone see Zambrano’s absolutely SICK REALLY slow curve? (To Phillips, I think?)
It had to have been going 60. Then he struck him out that at-bat with a 95 mph fastball, I think.
Just a great slow curve.
Len and Bob
loved it.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
I saw that. That was awesome.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
Z
I imagine Z would have come back for the 9th if he hadn’t wasted all those pitches (it seemed like at least 10) on that one at-bat by the pitcher in I believe the 6th inning. That hurt.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
Cueto
was trying to win the game all by himself, since he was getting no help.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
clocked at 68 or so
if I recall correctly. It was beautiful.
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
It was my favorite part of last night's game
Z even smiled in @ Phillips afterward, then he caught him looking with a heater. Vintage Z
by TheRamZamDLEE on Jul 10, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Home record
BTW, heard this this morning coming in – the last team to outscore their opponents by a 2.5 run per game margin at home was the 1947 Yankees. The last CUBS team to do it was the 1887 Cubs, so this is pretty special.
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945
Ah, the '87 team.
I used to take my covered wagon to see them all the time. Man, that thing was tough to parallel park.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by daver on Jul 10, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
fuel-efficient,
tho
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Depends on what kind of fuel you were using.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Rusty!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
of course
if you’re driving a Pinto, all bets are off.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Good morning!
What a great game last night. Loved the defense by Lee, Ramirez & even the riot. Loved Z’s pitching last night. The time on the DL definitely made Z stronger. I have heard reports that Marmol was getting hosed on some calls. St. Louis loses, Sheets & the beer drinkers lose. 4.5 up on the Cards, 5 on the beerboys. I like it, I like it a lot.
Jimmyeatworld
Yep. Solid, dominating game (and series) victory.
This was another one of those games where I was never really worried. OK, I gotta little concerned in the ninth – but it worked out as a nice notch in Woody’s belt to come in and get the final out with the bases juiced.
For some reason, I’m not overly worried about Marmol. His stuff looked fine at first; I think the weird plays at first base just threw him off his rhythm. He obviously coulda done better -but I’m not gonna panic.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
I'm dissappointed Mulder only lasted 16 pitches (while recording 1 out).
I was looking forward to seeing him stink up the mound for weeks in his return.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
It's a sad story, IMO.
Once upon a time, Mark Mulder was a really good pitcher.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Then he became a Cardinal.
where even the good pitchers still suck, on principle.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cards were doing fine without him...
I’m kind of hoping that Carpenter and Clement also come back… and pitch like you would expect from a guy coming off major injury. It takes a while to get back to form.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Carpenter's a ways off.
And I’m not sure what Clement’s status is. They will get wainwright back, though, and if Anthony Reyes can ever get his head right, they might have a serviceable rotation, given the quality of the defense and Duncan’s ability to maximize the talent given to him.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
There's nothing wrong with Anthony Reyes...
...except for the fact that he has a four-seam fastball instead of a two-seam fastball.
Totally agree
It must be frustrating to watch him every game.
Also, his 4 seamer has a bad tendency to show up in the middle of the plate.
The Cardinals' have a book on how pitchers should throw...
...and they aren’t willing to make any exceptions to it. Their book says you throw a two-seam fastball. So they keep trying to shoehorn him into being a pitcher that he isn’t.
Wainright still can't grip a ball right now
So… it might be a while longer.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Hey! Don't dis a former Spartan!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)
So.... if Harden's going on Saturday.
Those of us outside of Chicago are pretty much screwed then, right? Usually the noon Saturday games aren’t on EI because they interfere with the Fox-strosity.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:19 AM CDT reply actions
Unfortunately, that's probably true.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Come on, now.
Don’t the Cubs know they should rearrange their pitching rotation around the availability of their fans Maybe I’ll check out spending $20 on MLB.TV for the month of July, just to watch the game.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
DONT DO IT!!!
It’ll be blacked out for sure! If you buy anything (if you don’t have XM), I’d suggest MLB radio – nothing like hearing Santo’s color commentary!
by socalicubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Thank god for XM
It’s the only way we’ve been able to keep up with the blacked out games. BTW, does anyone know why XM doesn’t carry the WGN radio pregame show? They cut into the coverage about the time Pat gives the line-ups. We’re missing a whole BUNCH of content there prior to that. What gives?
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)
Do you know what's up with the early Fox games?
Are the early Saturday Fox games only shown in select markets?
MLB.tv, as of now, shows the 3:55 games blacked out, as expected, but the 1:05 game doesn’t appear to be blacked out.
by John Q Freejazz on Jul 10, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
As someone
who has had mlb.tv for four years all games that have ever been on fox are blacked out and it sucks because my local fox usually shows Yankees ahead of Cubs, but you can still listen to Pat and Ron on mlb audio not a total loss.
But it's not a Fox game.
It’s on at noon, but those aren’t shown on EI either, because the end interferes in the 2:55 Fox start. (TANGENT: Ya think this is why the games start at 2:55 and not 3:00, because seriously, that’s cattle excrement.) But if I can watch the game on MLB.TV I might do it.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't think
it was on Fox saturday i thought it was CSN but everyone was talking it was on Fox got me scared.
Saturday's game is NOT on Fox.
This Saturday is the game that Fox swapped for the May 10 game vs. Arizona that did wind up on Fox—that’s why the game time was changed.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al Yellon on Jul 10, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ah, thanks
I guess I had seen it listed with the FOX symbol on the Cubs calendar a little while ago and it struck me as odd given the time.
by John Q Freejazz on Jul 10, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
So
does anybody know if it will be blacked out on MLB.TV since it’s not a FOX game?
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
PLEASE
say the answer is no!!!! These black outs KILL me!
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
FWIW
I just went to MLB.com and found this:
“Regular Season Weekend U.S. National Live Blackout: Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, live games occurring each Saturday with a scheduled start time after 1:10 PM ET or before 7:05 PM ET and each Sunday with a scheduled start time after 5:00 PM ET, will be blacked out in the United States (including the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Live Audio of such games is available as part of any MLB.TV subscription or as part of the MLB.com Gameday Audio Package. Each game will be available 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game as an archived game (archived games are blackout free). “
I hope I didn’t violate any copyright laws by pasting that. My understanding of this is as long as it starts before 1:10 PM ET, it shouldn’t be blacked out.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
So what channel will it be on?
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
by californiachicagoan on Jul 10, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey Al --
just a note—really beautifully written article here, just read before work, wanted to give a shout-out.
Yes, wish we could bottle up a night like last night for winter.
by nervousCUBlover on Jul 10, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply actions
I'll definitely agree...
...that it was a well-written recap as always. The only minor quibble I would have is with the phrase, ” While Z was firing blanks at the Reds…” I’m not sure “firing blanks” is really the metaphor you want to go with here. I’d say those pitches were armor-piercing rounds right to the target.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
What a great time to be a Cubs fan!
That’s all I got.
Lets do it Cubbies
by slocs55 on Jul 10, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
That's all you need
Current temperature in hell: 45 degrees F - and falling!
Question while it's slow
Weird play, last night I think —Fukudome was on first… 3-2 count to Lee… Ball Four called by Ump, so he slows down going to 2nd… they appeal. It was upheld as Ball 4 - but if it WAS reversed to being a strike by the 1b ump, couldn’t the runner say, “Hey, i saw you call ball 4, how would i know you were gonna change it, i would’ve kept running!” Would they let him go back to first, or just too bad, runner???
Question #2 – another near play—we had runners 1st and 2nd 1 out… grounder to SS for a DP… ever heard of a runner on 2nd being heads up enough to try to let himself get hit by the ball to take ONE out and avoid the DP?
by nervousCUBlover on Jul 10, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply actions
going to send
question #1 to a coworker who’s husband is a college ump. hopefully we can get an answer. interesting situation. my guess would be that the runner is out… the umps could also claim that he stole the base and was hoping that it would be ball 4. didn’t see the game so i’m not sure if Dome left before the call was made
the answer to...
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
except
cedeno could be interpreted as “advancing to 3rd” a little different situation. like marquis the other night against the sox when he turned toward 2nd.
if it's a right hander
batter, which is the case last night with Lee at the plate. the college ump i asked said the 1st base umpire would immediately call strike 3 on the checked swing, so if Dome left after the home plate called ball 4, he could return safely to first. if Dome left before the call he’s out because he was attempting to steal.
by cubbiefanTN on Jul 10, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know the answer to #1
But I’d think #2 was intefereance.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
Reggie Jackson '77 or '78 World Series...
the “hip” play… i think it’s a judgment call if the runner is intentionally trying to get hit… i’m saying, act like it’s an accident.
by nervousCUBlover on Jul 10, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I think that's harder to do
than it probably seems.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I am almost positve if a runner gets hit with batted ball he is out like 99.9% sure
thats why they always jump over balls and avoid being hit
Right
but if a runner is hit, it’s also a dead ball I think. So, if the runner gets hit, he essentially breaks up the possible double play. Very interesting.
by Great Odin's Raven on Jul 10, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, if the runner is in fair ground, then he is out
That wasn’t the question, though, I don’t think. The question was is the guy running to first out.
I think that the answer to this question is a judgement call by blue. If in his judgement the double play would have happened then he can rule that the batter is out too. (How in the world would that look on a scorecard, Al?) If the ump doesn’t think that the DP would be turned, though, then he can rule only one out from interference.
That is just my recollection, though. Didn’t look it up. Maybe I’ll go do that.
My bad read the question wrong
I think it is a dead ball.
The runner is out. Had that happen twice here in my softball league in Kuwait. the Runner is out, and it’s a dead ball, runners stop where they are.
Correct
Runners must return to the base they were at before the hit. FYI, it goes down as a hit on the record book.
When was the last time we had 3 10-game winners before the ASG?
If ever?
That is your trivia question for the day, folks. I don’t have the answer. LOL.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 10, 2008 10:00 AM CDT reply actions
The answer appears to be 1969.
At the 1969 ASB, Fergie Jenkins was 13-7, Bill Hands was 11-8 and Ken Holtzman was 11-5.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
very good Al. (totally not surprised he found it)
Mind if I ask where you found that ?
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 10, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
what are you talking about?
he was THERE, man… :D
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jul 10, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
It's AL, man!
Trade secrets. Trade secrets…
by socalicubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
We don't have 3 10 game winners yet!
Don’t jinx it!!!
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
Yes, he does, but the Cubs only have three outfielders on their roster right now.
If Edmonds sits, then Reed Johnson plays CF and Mark DeRosa LF. This isn’t a bad thing, except that Johnson really can’t hit RHP at all.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Don't forget DWard...
some consider him an actual outfielder. In emergency situations only, of course.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 10, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Game time change Saturday?
I thought I heard that it’s a 1:05EST start instead of 4:05EST? And on Comcast?
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 10, 2008 10:01 AM CDT reply actions
Hmm, so will it be on EI?
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
by californiachicagoan on Jul 10, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't need no stinking rest!!!
Just kidding. ED definitely needs a rest. He’s been playing hurt because we needed him for weeks now.
Jimmyeatworld
This is funny.
Just read online and am shamelessly stealing to post here for enjoyment…
Top of the first, Jay Bruce strikes out. Brenly comments that Bruce has been scuffling and made a typical mistake of a young hitter, chasing the high fastball. Brenly goes on to say that his manager would have preferred he clog up the bases than to swing at that pitch.
Dear Bob Brenly: Don’t ever change
LOL.
Bob’s great. I’m gonna miss him if he ever gets a manager’s job again. His “reading the mind” of the St Pauli Girl who was on camera gettting hit on by a guy was too funny.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Jul 10, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
On ESPN last night, sportscenter I believe
I thought I heard a quick comment about Bob Brenly, did anybody catch it. It was something I believe in regards to what he would have said in that situation, I didn’t catch it, wish I had DVR
"God will squeeze really hard, but he will never choke you" - Carlos Zambrano
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I so caught that...
unfortunately I was in my Computer room which doesn’t have the DVR. It was something like don’t tell Bob Brenly that. It was about a catcher (I know shocking). I definitely heard one of the anchors say his name though.
Another Brenly moment last night. A dude on a rooftop had a Bob Brenley fan club shirt on. Yes it was spelled Brenley. “I hope he didn’t pay to much for that shirt” Bob said.
by TheRamZamDLEE on Jul 10, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Hilarious
“No, I have to wash my hair that night.”
This was, of course, preceded by the guy who had the “Bob Brenley [sic] Fan Club” t-shirt, and Bob ripping him for spelling his name wrong, then noting his own baggage tag for road games has his last name spelled incorrectly.
Please, Bob….don’t ever leave. Being a Cubs fan is richer with you and Len in the booth (although I admit, I’d love to see WGN switch up Len/Bob and Pat/Ron for one broadcast – let Pat/Ron do TV, and Len/Bob do the radio)
Like your idea
Ron should definitely be on TV (long term in my opinion). But not to replace Len or Bob. A 3 man booth?
Go ahead, Z me.
I like the Idea of having Ron sing the strech
on a permanent basis.
I’ve seen it suggested here before.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel
+1
Sometimes I feel like I’m watching TMZ instead of a game. Brenly even previously admitted that he would much rather Ron just do it every game partly b/c of the nonsensical direction some of the renditions and post-interviews take. For instance, last night was excruciating to listen to Montoya speak about soccer in Colombia while the Cubs were rallying.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
Thank goodness
I was at the game and missed that on TV. His singing was awful enough.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
I heard that during the game
and almost fell out of the chair! Brenly is awesome. It was a direct shot at Dusty. He knows Dusty is a all-or-nothing boob .
i hate hate hate
bob brenly…i know i’m in the minority on this site, but i really hate listening to him
That was so funny.
I laughed out loud when he said that.
These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"
In light of my Ryne Sandberg jersey I am busting out of the closet today, I found this pretty interesting and neat
"God will squeeze really hard, but he will never choke you" - Carlos Zambrano
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:09 AM CDT reply actions
You don't need Cubs Therapy
when you have bleedcubbieblue.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 10, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Marmol - next week
3 weeks ago we probably all felt he should be in the All Star Games
Time off should do him well (hopefully)
I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers
yea we could have had 8
But relievers dont get noticed all that much
"God will squeeze really hard, but he will never choke you" - Carlos Zambrano
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
i posted this last night
but i thought it was worth saying again
jeff samardzija had a “complete” (minor league rules for double headers limit games to 7 innings) game last night and looked AWESOME until the bottom of the 7th
and jason “remember me?” dubois was 3 for 3 with 3 MONSTER homeruns….the 3rd one had to be over 410 ft on the first pitch….think someone is making a case to be called up?
Yes, they showed them on TV
Crane Kenney was with them at the time they showed them on TV.
Current temperature in hell: 45 degrees F - and falling!
Great game
last night. Hope they get the sweep today.
Z is on the cover of Sporting News this week but I haven’t read the article yet. Also included in the mag this week is a picture of TheRiot batting and under the picture it says he should be in the ASG Home Run Derby.
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