Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Diego Sanchez and the Dangers of Fame in MMA

Don't boo Marmol - this is all on Lou's head.

Lou broke Marmol.  It's that simple.  Enough of the He-Must-Be-Oveworked-To-Be-Effective theory.  It was never likely.  No.  Marmol was overworked and now he is ineffective.  It's all on Lou.  If we can't get Marmol back on track, we are now less likely to win in the playoffs because of Lou's management. 

Star-divide

This is what I've meant when I've warned about the Win Now ("now" defined as the game immediately in front of you and not the 2008 WS) mentality.  Baseball is a marathon and Lou had Marmol sprint through the entire first half of the season.

This team is a historically good team whose odds of making the post-season are greater than 9 out of 10.  It's way past time to start taking care of the players and making sure we have the best team on the field, not in July, but in October.

Poll
What's happened to Carlos Marmol?
Lou broke him.
80 votes
It's Marmol's fault. He's a head case like every pitcher that breaks down from Mark Prior to Rich Hill.
29 votes
Lou's done the best he can; it's Larry Rothschild's fault.
5 votes
It just happened. It's no one's fault.
104 votes

218 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Comment 344 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

I agree

This is about Lou’s mismanagement of the bullpen. This is quite surprising because I thought he did a decent job last year.

There was no reason for Marmol to even pitch today. Marshall or Lieber could have handled that just fine. Howry could have even gone 2 innings (if he wasn’t PH for).

Hopefully after the break Marmol will be rested but it won’t surprise me if he isn’t in some sort of pain.

Any word on Kerry and why he couldn’t close out?

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 4:00 PM CDT reply actions  

Heck..

..even Gaudin could have finished the freaking game.

by bikemonkey on Jul 12, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've been surprised, too.

Lou’s management decisions last year were superior to this year’s I believe. Last year, for example, he took the long view of things, even in the playoffs, saving Zambrano in that first game. I think he was surprised by the flak he caught for that, and I wonder if he’s been managing more for the immediate moment because of the flak he got for that.

Last Wednesday, John Perotto reported scouts were saying about Marmol:

He looks really tired to me, his arm is dragging, and his stuff isn’t as crisp. He’s a helluva young pitcher but [manager] Lou Piniella has been forced to ride him really hard this season and the wear and tear is showing.
The only problem is that Lou was not forced to ride him really hard. Lou just chose to do it.

I’m glad we got the win; is it asking to much to wish Harden had gotten the W?

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOU was forced to use him.

Bob Howry was a lot worse early in the season that marmol is now…...all those early games we had no choice as that scout said…if lou had not continued to use him early and we lost all of you guys would have been complaining where is marmol? We need to win now to have less wins needed later in year? You guys are unbelievable, and are never happy? How many games have you guys won in the major leagues? How many of you guys played any baseball at a serious level? In high school? College? Minor Leagues? Independent or Cape Cod? You guys need to relax he will get a long break and we will go from there with howry being a notorious slow starter and lights out in second half marmol will not be used as much. You guys are un-real? If it were up to you guys you guys would run Lou out of town…no one is perfect. If marshall came in and gave up game you guys would be screaming for lou’s head not having marmol pitch the ninth. Marmol had not pitched in three days and marmol says he is more effective when being used, and with the break even bob acknowledged it was a good time to get him an inning of work before the break. As lou said the big mistake of that inning was marmol booting that tapper. He fields that its 7-3 two outs no one on. You cannot give any major league baseball team – inlcuding the giants extra outs. he will be okay. Lou has done a fantastic job, although I agree at some points lou could have some middle relief pitch deeper I have more faith in him than me or anyone of you idiots on here. You guys cannot be pleased it is baseball being played at the highest level and when you give major league team extra outs like marmol did things like this happen. Look at the brewers last night in there game vs the reds they gave a team with less talent many many outs and the got beat by it. Just relax it was a learning experience—for those of you who scream lou stunts young growth, he learned from it and in a win. he will get his rest and be the marmol of old in the second half with bobby howry throwing smoke as well in the 7th/8th/9th(in games like these). I think at least 25+ plus teams would take lou in a blink of an eye, except for the great baseball minds here on the north side. Relax guys lou is a proven winner with multiple world series rings? How many do you have? How long have you been associated with baseball at the highest level in the world, with the most talented baseball players in the world? Thats what I thought. SO PIPE DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP!

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Learn paragraphs

Very hard to read something you probably spent some time putting together…

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

do we need

the f-bombs???

Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 12, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

No, we do NOT.

This has been addressed.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

I thought you were alright with the occasional profanity?

"I think Hendry still has a few years to serve on his 'grand larceny' sentence before he can shop in Pittsburgh again" - ballhawk

by NittanyCub on Jul 12, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sure.

But not in that way. “STFU”, as the other poster said, is NOT acceptable.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

I apologize.

I guess I got caught up in the writing.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

I can understand getting caught up in it.

I can also see how my post might frustrate someone. It was written in a spirit of frustration at what’s happened to Marmol. I wanted to defend him after he got booed.

Mikey, I appreciate what you can bring to the discussion. For me, part of the fun of enjoying this season is in taking apart some of the tactical decisions that are made, wondering how they are working or not working. If one of my posts frustrates you, just remember I’m a fan like you, smiling at this season day in and day out. I come here to throw out ideas and to hear other fans of the Cubs offer theirs in return. I change my mind all the time as I read well-put opinions and arguments on this board. That’s part of the fun for me.

Anyway, we won today and despite the frustration about Marmol, it’s a good day.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

Mikey, why are we back to this?

How many times do I have to say that I’d take Lou over most other managers in baseball? That doesn’t make him infallible. And questioning his decisions is not disloyal or disrespectful. If I’ve done it in a disrespectful manner, then I’ll apologize, but it’s only because I’m upset about Marmol getting booed when all he’s done is go out there and throw as hard as he can in 52 innings of work. Carlos Marmol should not be disrepected by Cub fans given all he’s done.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree he is not infallible.

But you guys over react it is baseball even the best teams ever lose 60 games these other guys are pretty good too. I agree that he should use middle relief longer in games like these but he does know more than us. Additionally, some relief guys get rusty and with the all star break and a 7 run lead and dempster vs lincecum tomorrow I am sure he viewed today as a good day to get a lot of guys an inning of work before the break so as they are not too rusty.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

The Giants manager knows more than us, too.

But last night he made a mistake walking Lee to get to Ramirez. It seems, not just to me, but to scouts watching baseball that Marmol has been overused. That’s a serious concern.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes he has pitched more than even lou would like.

But early in the season he was seriously ham stringed do you agree? howry was his typical early season self. Wuertz was not who he was last year. He used hart at times and he fell apart. He even used a lieber a few times and it backfired. We also won a lot of close games early in the year and when your in games late tied or with 1 or 2 run leads—set up guys log a lot of innings. As howry continues to pitch well I see his innings starting to rise especially being a veteran as we get deeper into the season whose done it before as opposed to a young kid.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree there was a ton of temptation

for Lou to overuse Marmol, but everytime the temptation came, he needed to say, sure Howry/Eyre/Lieber or whomever may be a little more likely to give up a run here, but that doesn’t mean they will and I have to make sure Marmol is still lights out in the playoffs.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

There's a balance.

An unbalanced approach is willing to lose too many games. On the other side, you can also go too far – if it was not so, wouldn’t we start Z every three days?

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

can't read that, sorry

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well, I won't "shut the fuck up"

Marmol has NO fastball. Period. If that is NOT a sign of overuse, I don’t know what is.

Ted Lilly had a bad inning against the Reds. He was NOT given a chance to get out of it, even though it was early in the game. He is a veteran and should have been given a little more leeway. After all, we are not the 62 Dodgers here, a team that, if they scored one run, that one run was considered an outburst.

Lou is mismanaging what SHOULD be a great pitching staff. He seems to be afraid to let any of the middle relief men BE middle relievers.

Don’t you tell me to “shut the fuck up”.

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

While the first poster was wrong to say "STFU"...

.... you don’t have to stir the flames, either. Ignoring it would have been a better choice.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

The flames were already stirred, Al

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Got to agree with crazymountain here Al,

there are too many guys who bait other guys into arguments. I think you and I can ignore it, but some guys can’t, or won’t. Hammer started baiting Mikey and it just escalated from there. They were both wrong, but I understand why Mikey went off on the guy.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

+1

It’s always better to ignore the guys who seem to just be here to provoke-but it’s not always easy.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 12, 2008 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

My apologies to you, Al and everyone else who might have been offended

by my use of the “STFU”, as you want to call it. However, your guidelines say “if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, you probably do not want to type it”, paraphrased, but my memory isn’t what it used to be.

That being said, I can almost guarantee that lil’ Mikey wouldn’t DARE say that to my face or, for that matter, to most of the posters that type on this site. It is my feeling that he is an egocentric LITTLE man, the term “man” being used loosely in his case.

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

When's this coming out on paperback? haha, easy Mikey!

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed...

...and look at how much they backed off using him in June. Marmol’s IPs are down drastically in June compared to the prior months. So, het gets a lot of rest in June compared to the first 2 months and still is dragging.

Hmmmmm…...Next step is MRI…..

Lous has done a porr job with this pen. When you carry so many freakin’ pitchers then use them in a way that spreads the load. This way you lower the risk of wearing guys out AND you get a position player on the bench. The only saving part of this with Pinella is I don’t have to listen to the B.S. excuse making like I did from Baker, but they both seem to be poor (Baker’s a disaster) at handling pitchers.

by DudeVf11 on Jul 12, 2008 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wood couldn't

close out because he was deemed unavailable before the game due to his pitch count yesterday

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 12, 2008 4:08 PM CDT reply actions  

deemed unavailable because of his blister.

He will not pitch tomorrow and most likely not pitch during all-start game. Not due to his pitch count from yesterday. If it was pitch count and he was unavailable today due to that fact he would be available tomorrow and the all-star break. He is not cause of a blister or lou & woody deciding that its better for woody to rest and use the blister as an excuse to not pitch in all star game(hes been an all-star b4) knowing he has not had a full season in awhile and the rest will benefit him greatly for the second use.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

no, due to his blister

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Today is certainly Lou's fault

Anyone could see Marmol didn’t have anything from the beginning and Lou decided to go all Billy Martin on him and see if Marmol was macho enough to pitch through it. Marshall and Lieber were available.

But we won. So that’s good.

But I think Hendry needs to DL Marmol so he can get some rest.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 12, 2008 4:12 PM CDT reply actions   2 recs

I agree

Hendry needs to step in.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

You guys know so much about baseball huh? (See Above)

How long have you guys been involved with the game of baseball at the highest level? even 1 year?

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

How much do you know about the English Langauge?

Fracking moron can’t even write a simple sentence or paragraph.

I’m not taking advice from someone less literate than a third grader. You’ve got the name of a third grader to boot.

Pretty sure you know less than I do.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 12, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Really have you played college baseball?

When you were watching the College World Series finals this year I was in Omaha playing. You ever play at that level.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

lol....big fricken deal

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

thanks

“Mikey”

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

playing ball

longer than some of the rest of us….honestly… means diddly….

Paul Sullivan is a big giant dweeb and he never played ball and probably knows much more than you. The I PLAYED BALL or AM PLAYING BALL arguement is idiotic.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ronny Cedeno agrees

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 13, 2008 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions  

Funny thing.

I don’t see Mikey06’s name in any of the College World Series boxscores.

So let’s have some truth here, Mikey06. You a ballplayer? Or just a wannabe?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

If you would like my name and my e-mail address and proof.

Be Glad to put this too bed right now and get back to the Cubs. Check my IP Al

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

to=too

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nothing to Say now Al.

Be glad to offer proof so people know i am not a phony even though they think i am a prick.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

You may be playing college ball, punk

but you are right….you ARE a prick

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

I was just agreeing with you.

Your attitude sucks, “I am the only one who can speak to such matters”...is your attitude, and for that I judge you. Your teammates must love you, you are an egocentric little man, Mikey…..

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

I know it's not always easy...

but the best thing to do with people who just want to start trouble is to ignore them-when they realize they’re not getting a rise out of people, they’ll probably lose interest and go away.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 12, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

actually, I've found the best thing to do is laugh

laugh long and laugh hard. And don’t worry about whether you’re laughing at them or with them – that’s up to them, not you.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well, being a Cubs fan was fun while it lasted, but since I didn't play in college I guess the road ends here.

Bye everyone. It was a great 22 years.

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

You didn't happen to play

at Northwestern did you?

I like Lou as a manager but he does misuse his pen. he did it in Seattle when he would trot Bobby Ayala, aka, The Arsonist, in all the time. He is doing it here. He would be better served letting Rothschild handle the pen.

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 13, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

Mikey06 -

I have been hoping someone with baseball experience would show up. I never played baseball – I was a basketball and track man in H.S. and College – show I would love to hear your perspective on Lou’s use of the bullpen. I have heard that he got away with it in Cincinnati because of that teams outstanding pen, but it doesn’t work elsewhere. Do you agree with that assessment?

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

On the Cincinati pen in the early 90's.

I was two years old so from my lack of knowledge on the nasty boy’s—I believe that was the nickname of the three guys that closed at the back end of the pen.

As far as this year I feel at times lou has been ham stringed at times. I applaud him for sticking with wood. Early in the year with howry’s in effectiveness who else did he have? I think howry being a notorious second half player will help. Wuertz was very good last year he has not been this year. I just think like a lot of people today there are times in games where lou does not have guys pitch more than 1 inning when they are capable off. I think he tried to have hart do that today and in his second inning he struggled and hes a starter. A lot of bull pen guys struggle in more than one inning of work. I have not seen enough of gaudin but I would have liked to seem him pitch another inning. If hart got through the 8th I feel this would have been avoided. Even so If marmol fields that weak tapper theres two outs 7-3 bases cleared.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks Mikey,

that helps me a little more. The Cincinnati bullpen of 1990 was Norm Charlton, Randy Meyers, and Rob Dibble – the “Nasty Boys.” Lou could practically bring anyone of those guys in any inning and it was lights out. That’s why they swept the previous WS champion A’s so easily. I was just wondering if Lou had a tendency to stubbornely think he can repeat that success with other pitchers who are not as talented as those three were.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

Rec'd.

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

+1

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'd shut him down for like a month.

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Oh, don't forget Theriot

not eating the damn ball like he was supposed to.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 12, 2008 4:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Well, Theriot is Theriot.

That’s a separate matter, and one not nearly as likely to change as how the team uses the ‘pen.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree, that IS a separate matter.

His hitting and intangibles aside, he needs a position OTHER than SS.

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm a Theriot supporter

But that wasn’t the smartest idea with his error. He saved the ball from going the outfield. The game could have ended with the fly ball to the outfield. Regardless, he did get on base 5 times and that’s contributing more than the error.

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

It was a terrible decision.

He save the tying run by getting to that ball but than he coughed it up.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Absolutely

But atleast he did his part in the batters box today. In the end we won right?

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

yes exactly my point we won.

I am a big theriot supporter. If you look at some of our biggest innings, he is the spark and instigator of those. You do not want a lineup of home run hitters, you need a balance. If you disagree see the Tigers.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agree again

I’m also one of the 5 Theriot supporters on here. I think he made the third out in the 9th for the first time all season earlier this week. I can’t seem to understand why people have to bury the .BA and .OBP leader of the team.

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

Me either it goes back to my point about these people never happy THIS A GOOD TEAM.

How good is yet to be determined. But Theriot is in the top 3 I believe(could be wrong) but definitely in top 10 in multi hit games. He still is young and has made some base running mistakes some of which may or may not have been ordered steal’s by lou who likes to put pressure on teams on the base path. He made a mistake today and up to that throw had a heck ( I caught myself that time AL-once again sorry for the F-Bomb will remove it if I can edit it) of a ball game. Still did he just made a mistake with that throw.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Muti-Hit

I think he’s tied for #1 in National League actually.

And as for base-running replays show 4 of his CS were wrong by the umpire including the one from I think last night.

by ak123 on Jul 12, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Meaning of multi-hit games

I don’t see why multi-hit games are inherently valuable. I mean, obviously, a game with multiple hits is a good thing, but why would we value a game with two hits followed by a game with none over two games with one hit each? Runs are scored on an innning-to-inning basis, a player rarely bats twice in an inning, and the relative importance of scoring in each inning seems to me to be pretty random (that is, there’s no reason that getting a hit in one inning makes an at-bat in a later inning in that game any more important than an at-bat in the next game).

Theriot does have a lot of hits, and that’s the most obvious reason that he has a lot of multi-hit games. A large number of hits is a good thing. It might be interesting to know: Is his multi-hit game rate above what one would expect given his number of hits per game? If so, is there a reason? I’ve never heard much said about multi-hit games, but, for example, Sammy Sosa is notorious for having many multi-HR games, even relative to his high career HR total. I can come up with many more explanations for Sosa’s multi-HR games than Theriot’s multi-hit games.

by aldimond on Jul 13, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Theriot

needs to be at 2nd and not short. Then he is an asset with his bat and not as big a debit with his glove.

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 13, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thank you Josh.

As well as marmol booting the easy out

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

BUT HE GETS LOTS OF HITS AND ON BASE!!!!!!!!

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

This game

This game was Lou’s fault…but Marmol in general pitched way way over his head for about a year and a half, he’s just coming back down to earth. He’s better than 5 runs in an inning but chances are he’s not as good as he was for 07 and the first part of 08. Batters are starting to realize that the only pitch he can throw for a strike is his slider. He just needs to get his fastball over enough to make the batters think.

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 4:13 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't know.

I watched Marmol, and hitters just sat there amazed as if there was no way they could hit him. I don’t think he was over his head. Maybe I’m wrong. But now hitters can definitely hit him, waiting and waiting for a strike to come.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think that's true.

His stuff was unhittable. He threw about 50% fastballs and 50% sliders- both for strikes. The issue is that his movement and velocity are down and that makes him a very different pitcher. Used correctly, he probably stays nearly as tough to deal with.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

do you think

he’s afraid of his fast ball? That’s the impression I have.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Maybe.

It looks like the speed and movement on it are off- so it gets hit more than before- so he stays away from using it.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Use long relievers correctly!!

This is NOT a one inning and done bullpen, Lou! You’ve got Marshall, Gaudin, and Leiber in the pen, all of whom are starters and can give you multiple innings.

Can we please put these guys into the game with 4+ run leads and leave them there! They can handle the workload; hell, it might even keep them stretched out enough to allow them to spot start if need be also.

by smoldering on Jul 12, 2008 4:13 PM CDT reply actions  

+100

Thank you. What the hell is the point of having Lieber on the team if you’re barely going to use him?

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Marmol

Here’s a link to an article from the Hardball Times from a few days ago that takes a look at Marmol’s movement and velocity and basically agrees that it appears that either over work or injury is the culprit. Decent article and lot’s of info about Carlos. No Lou bashing and includes the writer’s suggested plan going forward.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 4:14 PM CDT reply actions   2 recs

Thanks for the link "The Lip"

I assume that is in reference to our beloved Leo? Anyway, that was an excellent article on Marmol, I recommend everyone read it, for it does a good job of pointing out what has gone wrong with Carlos. Hopefully, Lou and Rothschild listen.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thank you for reading it!

I thought the article at least dealt with some facts that could be a starting point for discussion. Yes, Leo is the inspiration for the screen name. I went to my first game in ‘69 and Durocher was what I baseball was all about as a 7 year old.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

No question about it,

That article was well researched! I admit, although I have enjoyed watching baseball for 45 years, I’m flying by the seat of my pants on much of this stuff. It is a tremendous privilege to read such a well written piece that explains many of the questions I have had. If you know any more sites like that, please let me know.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

Here is a link...

... to a fanpost from a few days ago that lists a bunch of great resources. I’ve only been following baseball using the internet for a couple of years- who knew there was all this out here! I used to work and do research on the net and watch baseball on TV and read about it in print. Now- well my work has suffered, but my baseball is top notch!

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

yes he was what baseball

was about if it means abandoning your team in the middle of the season to run off on a honeymoon, if it means pitting your players against each other, if it means overplaying the same guys day after day, if it means blowing a sure series appearance, then yes he was what baseball is about.

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 13, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lighten up Francis!

AS A 7 YEAR OLD. Did you see that phrase in my reply to Mr. W.

But feel free to vent on me whenever you like- or take your meds.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 16, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've been hoping for the past week or two

for a phantom Marmol injury, or at least some sort of extremelt minor non arm-related injury that could give him some rest. He was used waaay too much by Lou earlier in the year.

From what I remember he had a bad stretch last year too, before coming back as his usual self down the stretch

Zambrano viciously attacked a pair of watercoolers for the crime of being within his line of vision. It was a classic battle of man versus inanimate object.

by berselius on Jul 12, 2008 4:14 PM CDT reply actions  

I think they should just shut him down

til after the break or give him light, light work at AAA.

by tigerhawk61 on Jul 12, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions  

Hard to disagree

Lou’s use of the bullpen, the long releivers in particular, has been the most baffling aspect of this season thus far. Obviously Marmol is out for tomorrow, which means the earliest he’d pitch again is next Friday in Houston, six days from now. All we can do is hope the time off is enough to clear his head and his arm and that he looks like the Marmol of April and May. He’s had glimpses, even recently, but the consistency is gone. He has to get it back if this is to be a special fall. He has to be used more sparingly in the 2nd half.

by DonnyDonovan on Jul 12, 2008 4:17 PM CDT reply actions  

Lou post game

Lou said that Wood is out until after the all star break with blisters.

Chalked Marmol’s 9th up as a ‘learning expereince’ said that if he would have made the play on the dribbler the inning would have been alot easier. Either Lou isn’t saying anything or they really don’t believe there is any problem with Marmol. Very strange.

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 4:23 PM CDT reply actions  

The league has caught up with Marmol by all indications

Marmol’s top pitch is his slider. His slider sets up the fastball, which is opposite traditional theory. But it has worked very well for Marmol. The problem now? Well, his slider still seems to have the same nasty bite. And his fastball still has a lot of giddy up and movement on it.

Marmol has been getting hit hard by

1.) bout of wildness

2.) the “one dumb pitch syndrome”

Other than that his stuff remains terrific and there has been no downshift in his velocity. Which leads to a another conclusion

3.) National League hitters have gotten wise to his pitching tendencies, rhythm, etc… and are using it to their advantage

Ball is in Marmol’s court to make adjustment. It is the life of a major league pitcher.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 12, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Do you have reports

to contradict the scouting take or the stat take that says Marmol’s stuff is down?

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

His movement and velocity are undeniably down....

....but don’t let facts get in your way. And they are real live facts not disputable by reasonable people anyway.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Would you like to spin, or buy another vowel?

No, I’d like to go ahead and solve the puzzle, Pat. Is it “MDBNIU IS WRONG”?

That’s correct!

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

from the HT article linked to above
Notice how correlated the horizontal movement and speed plots are, especially after May 25. It is almost as if at that point Marmol or the Cubs realized that he wasn’t getting the same bite on his fastball and he consciously altered his arm angle back to what it was in the beginning of the year to get that movement back. What happened, though, was the velocity suffered so he now he has decided to go back to the higher arm slot, regaining the speed at the cost of the movement. This points to Marmol possibly tiring in mid-May hiding it by slightly increasing his arm angle until May 25, when he tried to go back. It also seems to show that even after a light workload in June, Marmol hasn’t fully recovered.

So, no, his fastball doesn’t have the same “giddy up and movement” on it. And it’s because he was overworked early in the season and never recovered.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

His velocity and movement ARE down.....

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think Lou is mum

on whatever the real problem is

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

This discussion is insane

It doesn’t even dignify debate. Lou Piniella did nothing to ruin Carlos Marmol. Nor has he been overworked.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 12, 2008 4:23 PM CDT reply actions  

Finally, someone who understands

I fully agree with you. Batters aren’t chasing the slider out of the zone as often. His control is off lately.
Too many people here think they are baseball experts and that they shouldeither be the GM or manager. Sometimes it is truly laughable.

by cubswin on Jul 12, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yep

Clueless wonders run amok. They talk about Marmol as though he is a Nintendo set that little Lou played with SO MUCH that it wore out and broke. They have no fucking idea what they are talking about. In their eyes Lou is a dumb ass. Just like Dusty was falsely accused of being a dumb ass via his “overuse” of the china doll formerly known as Mark Prior.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 12, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

basically agree

I basically agree MDBNIU that Marmol is getting hit due to batters figuring him out, but isn’t your boy Harden just as much of a china doll as Prior was/is?

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

Strawmen.

I say above and have many times before said that I respect Lou. You can respect someone and disagree with them. This is especially the case when other baseball people point out the problem as well.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Facts are truly laughable?

His movement and velocity are down. Measured by the Pitch/fx system.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jul 12, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Woe is us

The season is over. When do the Bears open camp?

This is ridiculous. Marmol is struggling. Batters have also learned how to approach him. He needs to adjust.

Did Lou also break Fukudome who is struggling after a hot start?

by rlpete on Jul 12, 2008 4:37 PM CDT reply actions  

Different situations

The stress on a position player is not comparable to the stress on a pitcher’s arm. How many other relievers have logged as many innings as Marmol? How many have logged as many high-stress outings?

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree

sorry I didn’t have the sarcasm font.

Seriously, I don’t think Lou broke Marmol. Marmol doesn’t appear hurt or injured. He’s struggling, batters are adjusting. Time for Lou and Larry to get him figured out.

by rlpete on Jul 12, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Crazy idea here

how about learning a different pitch or even something as simple as a different pitch sequence. I don’t want to rag on Marmol because the guy is a stud and has great stuff but it seems so easy to predict his pitches. I know I’m not a batter facing him but still I don’t think it would be to tough to put together a scouting report for Marmol. Slider, slider, slider until he gets in trouble or up 0-2 then comes the heat.

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 12, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Another Thing to Remember.

IN the ninth yesterday Derosa miss played a ball that should have been an out. When you give major league teams extra out’s—things like this happen. Woody was able to pitch around it luckily. When you take out’s that are given things like this are less likely to happen. Two days in a row mis plays on outs caused problems in the 9th.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:10 PM CDT reply actions  

I can't disagree more.

Marmol needs to be put into non-critical situations to figure out what’s wrong and fix it. He’s not going to get that in AAA. He’s NOT being overworked, he hadn’t pitched in three days!

Sorry. I think you’re wrong. But that’s ok—because we won, and I have faith that Lou and Marmol will figure things out.

"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 12, 2008 5:11 PM CDT reply actions  

Agreed...

on letting him sort things out in non-pressure situations. I believe, however, the issue is that he WAS overworked, not IS being overworked.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jul 12, 2008 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lou didn't break anybody

Marmol is going through a tough stretch. It isn’t from overwork. (Heck, K-Rod has 35-something saves. Is he being overworked?) Anybody remember 2006, when he was a starter and couldn’t find the strike zone with both hands? He’s regressing into some of those bad habits, plus opponents are getting a better book on him. It’s called “regressing to the mean.”

Also remember today at least three SF hits in the ninth were infield bleeder-type ones. Lou’s point about Marmol not trying to be a hero and get the sure out is a good one.

He’ll have six days to clear his head and get some rest. Drewishdrewid is absolutely correct.

The way some of you are overreacting, it’s as if you’ve just started watching baseball games last week. Why don’t you try relaxing and enjoying the season?

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions  

Totally relaxed here.

Although this refrain of “overreaction” is starting to grate.
I didn’t post this when Marmol gave up 3 runs at Petco on Jun 2.
I didn’t post this on June 19 when Marmol couldn’t record an out while giving up 4 runs to TB.
But now Marmol has been torched by one of the worst hitting teams in baseball every time he’s faced them (3xs in July). Over his last 25 innings, Marmol’s ERA is 6.04 not including today’s blow-up.

6.04 ERA? It’s time to react, I think.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

He pitched well in St. Louis.

Remember Dempsters problems vs the mets. Some times teams have your number and I think that’s in the back of there heads and that contributes as well.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

So if he hadn't pitched well in St. Louis

The 6.04 ERA would be higher.

That strengthens your argument how?

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bullpen ERA.

Is not the most telling of statistics sometimes. See wuertz’s.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Other stats

Again, not including today
Marmol’s first 26 innings:
OBP against .194
SLG against .176
K/IP 1.346
BB/IP 0.231

Marmol’s last 25.1 innings:
OBP against .321
SLG against .391
K/IP 1.383
BB/IP .711

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's another question

I think it might be time to rest him for a while to let him clear his head or send him down to try to get things straightened out.

But what is done now doesn’t really change the question of whether Lou’s past actions were to blame for Marmol’s meltdown.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

+1

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

maybe Marmol should pitch in the CWS

thats make he great and all knowing like you and your counterpart BlueMike

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

Whats your baseball IQ consist of Hammer?

these guys around here—you think your so cool because you are popular on a blog.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Im popular on this board? IM COOL

Really? I guess because I am “Hammer” (quotes deserved)

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

im lefty

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sweet Dude.

Nice comeback there. I wish I could be as cool as the “Hammer” That is my new goal. When I graduate I want to become you, can I please mentor you? I have so much to learn

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

true....lots to learn

If only I was able to play past HS. That would make me as knowledgable as you.

Afterall…how long you play = how much you know. Aghh no. I only responded because you did the funny thing that is aruge that you know more because you played at the CWS…..that means little to me.

Cedeno is in the majors….and Id bet my cat knows more than him…...chilllax

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

baseball

....but you have to had played in the CWS to know that.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Old Man

Shut it. Why don’t we stick to the Cubs.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

ive been saying it for a while

im getting old. 28.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think I got it.

Your jealous of me aren’t you? Just like we all would want to be in the Cubs dug out or be lou? I feel sorry for you.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

wow....you hate me..

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lets just stick to the Cubs man.

Unless Ill be in chicago this week ill meet you anywhere you want and talk face to face old man.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOL!!

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jul 12, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Is this a joke?

Seriously? Threatening people on a freaking blog?

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 12, 2008 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

my keyboard can beat up your keyboard....

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

mines a badass!!!

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

grow up

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

what are you?

Bluemike’s roommate? alter ego? son?

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

lol Emelie

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

try not. do.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Of course to some people any kind of negative comment about the Cubs is

automatically an “overreaction”.

I think we need to all just mindlessly cheer everything like the “true” Cubs fans

by bluekoolaide on Jul 12, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Could not agree more.

Not too many hard hit balls. That lead off double. The other one I recall was right at D lee

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

This all said

Lou’s bullpen management today wasn’t the greatest. Gaudin and Cotts certainly could have seen more batters.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2008 5:17 PM CDT reply actions  

Could not agree more.

You have hit the nail right on the head.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bunk

Marmol was actually pitching better when he pitched more than he has lately. I personally think he’s tipping his pitches.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:18 PM CDT reply actions  

I have been dumbfounded by new all season

and posted on this regularly. Just back from game and can’t read all the thousands
of post but today has to be linked to using Marmol WITH A SIX RUN lead back in May
and the whole pattern of overuse. What’s more even if you let him start the 9th why did he let him finish it with Marshall all warmed up. This is NOT on Hendry. Lou refused to use the bench and bullpen properly with the players he has, you give him different ones and he will screw them up too. Basically he manages EVERY inning as it was a playoff game, using pitchers for a single batter in the 7th, using pinch hitters in the 6th etc and then is out of both the right pitcher or batter by the 8th inning let alone the 9th.

Mine is an extreme minority view but I believe it even if the Cubs win the World Series
( assuming it is in the manner they are currently playing) the Cubs win DESPITE Lou not
because of him. They are a very good team, so hopefullly they can survive like they did today ( and that infamous game in Philly that really set me off)

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 12, 2008 5:19 PM CDT reply actions  

you're= you are

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

So where did you go to college, mikey?

Seems like you need remedial English. Were any of your papers graded, or did you pay folks to write them for you. Or to put it at your reading level:

wer ani uf ur papeers gr8ed r yu pay peeple tu rite dem fer ya?

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

We sure did FYI

Eventually Dusty drove us all INSANE but in 2003 he got players to play way over their
presumed abilities. Dust was generally a terrible in game manager but he did really inspire guys
with his trust in them. Lou is a bad in game manager and he does not inspire his players, he just
misuses them. Dusty’s best quality was getting a lot of often marginal players but he took to insane
extremes ( Neffi at lead off) but he had a lot less to work with especially after 2003 than Lou does now. I am NOT a Dusty fan but he does deserve the credit for 2003

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 12, 2008 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

What do you think about Fontenot, Theriot.

You think lou did not help with that a little a bit. If dusty where here they would still be in Iowa.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um LOU not NEW

Typing too fast in the internet cafe. Oh and yes mikey06 I am a TERRIBLE person. I kill puppies, put
wooden nickels in Salvation Army kettles and criticize Lou for gross misanagement all year.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 12, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Your argument is Awful.

Not you as a person. I just did not see the reason to repeat myself my ideas are fairly well known.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks Mikey

We all needed a dead horse to beat…..thanks….now lie down

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

Good post there Hammer.

You must feel really cool being Mr. Blog.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

I swear he's mini-MDB

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Might be MAXI MDB, Emelie

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

"my ideas are fairly well known"? LOL

now who’s being Mr. Blog?

tell you what – this thread is much better than SNL. Crack me up…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lou

It is kind of weird that one of Lou’s strength ina macro-sense, not sticking with players the way Dusty would, was his weakness today in a micro-sense not getting Marshall in the game and Marmol in the showers.

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Again.....

....what Right Handed hitter could be had via trade to come off the bench and get Cedeno out of the game of baseball, where he belongs? Aurillia? Loretta?

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:20 PM CDT reply actions  

You're going to complain about the only guy besides the backup catcher...

...who DIDN’T play?

Did you get stupid on special, or are you just rich enough to buy it in bulk?

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

In case you haven't noticed

I’ve been complaining about Cedeno since forever. The biggest need to this team right now is the lack of a rightie coming off the bench.

Eckstein???

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

You've been complaining

about everything since forever. Please go away.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jul 12, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

grudzielanek

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why don't you two take it to the shower.

Get a life, this is a message board and I think you two might take it a tad too serious. Life does exist outside your 12 inch apple monitor.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am rarely on here.

I play college baseball all the way to last day of season. Trust me I have a life.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

NO ONE CARES..

..By the way I am Josh Beckett a WS hero….I cant type it….doesnt mean its true.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Which means....?

you know more about baseball???

How come?

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well it didnt come from playin in the CWS

...........I guess Im a baseball moron.

DAMNIT

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey Old Man?

You probably like hiding behind the computer don’t ya? you sure talk a lot of smack Id like to see you say it to my face old man.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

ha....OK

im old…..youre 20? Im 28…im old

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

How do we know how old you are?

You could type anything you want. Huh? Huh ?

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

ha BUT you were in the CWS...

.....you could type that too

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

i dont care

my point stands. Just because you played in “college: (lol—-bluemike) doenst mean you know more about baseball than me/us.

Anyways--off to Central—its in Wrigleyvill on Clark….just in case you thought I was too scared to hide behind PC

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

See above.

Ill be in Chicago this week I am not scared of you old man Ill meet you anywhere you want to

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wow....typical dumb jock

Fight? Really? From an internet discussion? You’re a tool, dude.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

Im not a dumb jock either.

Ever heard of hope scholarship 1290 SAT. I just don’t like being mocked and ill be in chicago this week anyone wants to meet and talk I wont back down.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Best way to settle it....

Yep, you’re a tool.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey fellas-

I’m 58, have 4 beautiful children and a wonderful wife. I teach Junior High English. I’m older than both of you put together. If you were in my class, I would tell you to knock it off – or send you to the principles office.
Come on, we’re all Cub fans here no need to get nasty.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

that's what you're saying?

who suggested fighting in person, meat?

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

and I quote

“You probably like hiding behind the computer don’t ya? you sure talk a lot of smack Id like to see you say it to my face old man.”

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Take it how you want.

If thats what your suggesting I am not scared.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

you're = you are

There’s no other way to take that comment, meat! Come on!

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Meat?

whats with the name calling.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

it's slang, it is a blog...

it means “really cool, dude”.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well Mikey,

you let Hammer bait you into this. Sometimes its better just to ignore somebody.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

so because

my ‘name’ is Hammer Im a ‘tool’

Dont know how you stay awake with all the college sport meeting…..like “Im bett er than you” or “i played sports and you suck” or “i wasnt picked and you were” or “im good and youre not” or…..OR you get it

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hammer is not

a tool. You and your condescending attitude make you a tool. You are not making friends in here with that attitude.

by sue369 on Jul 12, 2008 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

BEST POSTER EVER

love ya Sue….thanks

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

i am a lure guy

i dont use live bait

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

good for you, who the hell cares?

quit sniping at everyone and either post something worthwhile or go away….please

by JB 23 on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

I was just responding to his comment about no life.

Unlike YOU I am not addicted to a blog to serve my ego and make myself feel good.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

could have fooled me..

...Mr College Baseball Player

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

flagged again

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

profanity is not the only reason

baiting and inappropriate behavior is.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Who am I baiting.

I am speaking my mind Hammer is baiting.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

You know people have more than one account.

Flagging does not do much. You guys do not like me cuz I think independently and freely/

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

No people don't

like you because you come across as a know it all smart ass.

by sue369 on Jul 12, 2008 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hammer?

Does this Blog boast your self-esteem every time you log on?

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes, thanks

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Life does exist outside

but it sure would be a lot better inside the monitor if you weren’t around spouting your nonsense.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jul 12, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I noticed.

You’ve been wrong since about forever, too.

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

I got it.

Jose Lopez.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

We've had our differences of opinions in the pas Cryers

and that is I don’t think you’ve ever played the game in your life and think the game is played on a piece of paper (as your hatred in the past for Theriot and your man love for Hill can attest) but we have to atleast agree on the fact that the Cubs MUST add a Right Handed bat to come off the bench and very soon. Cedeno will not cut it.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Okay.

Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to go find an organizational depth chart, take a look at everyone on the 40-man roster and AAA, and tell me this:

If the Cubs give Cedeno his outright release or place him on waivers – because he is out of options – who plays shortstop on this team if Theriot gets injured?

Next question:

Are you aware that Ryan Theriot has a chronic back condition?

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

How about Christian Guzman???

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ok, point taken.

How about Christian Guzman??

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Is this Jeopardy?

I’m going to go with… “Shortstops who are better than Ryan Theriot.”

How’d I do?

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm not talking about a SS to replace Theriot

Because I am perfectly fine with Theriot, I’m talking about Right Handed hitting Middle Infielder’s that can come off the bench to replace Ronda Cedeno.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well I don't see the point in going out to get a shortstop...

...if we’re not going to bother to get one that isn’t better than Ryan Theriot. (Presuming that there are any – and to be fair, there’s Julio Lugo.) And then if we do get a better shortstop than Ryan Theriot, is seems a shame to make him a bench player.

by cwyers on Jul 12, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

Atleast I'm throwing options out there

and trying to keep this topic to baseball and not acting like a juvenile who didn’t get an XBox for christmas.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Jul 12, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um how bout Reyes, or Hanley Ramirez

Not that Christian Guzman is that desired but he is one the best players
the Nats have so what do you want to trade for him that they would take
not to mention the Dodgers nees a SS a hell of lot more than we do.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Appearances in baseball this year

1. L Ayala, WSH 49
1. B Boyer, ATL 49
1. C Marmol, CHC 49
4. P Feliciano, NYM 48
4. W Ohman, ATL 48
4. R Pinto, FLA 48
7. D Brocail, HOU 47
7. A Heilman, NYM 47
9. J Affeldt, CIN 46
9. H Bell, SD 46
9. C Meredith, SD 46
9. C Qualls, ARI 46
9. J Rauch, WSH 46

So Marmol is tied for first in appearances this year (per MLB), has more appearances than any other pitcher on a contending team, and has been in three more games than the most-used pitcher on Dusty Baker’s staff. (Since we all like to blame him for overusing pitchers.)

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:26 PM CDT reply actions  

Eh, granted

Still, Marmol has been used more than anyone else in baseball, save two guys.

That point stands.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Of these ten guys (MLB doesn't allow you to view IP in relief)

Marmol has the most

Marmol 52.1
H Bell 50.1
Pinto 50.0
All others below 50

But, with relievers, the appearances can be just as important, because they can take the mound several days in a row (or 4 days out of 5, for example) instead of resting between starts.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

many of us have been warning and screaming about this for months

it appears are worst fears may be realized with Marmol. Fortunately we’re good enough as a team to overcome these as a whole. But I’m obviously in agreement that Lou is responsible here.

I’ve been saying it since we hired Lou, there’s more similarities between he and Dusty than anyone on this site would ever admit. The difference is Lou inherited the team and they were willing to spend at all costs, whereas Dusty inherited a team that always came up short on their FA signings

the big differences in our improvements from ‘06 to ‘07 were the contributions from FA signings like Soriano, Lilly, etc as well as a healthy DLee.

Dusty isn’t a great manager by any means but he’s not as bad as he’s made out to be around here, and Lou isn’t as great as he’s made out to be. They’re much closer than anyone would admit

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:36 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

You guys were also sayinig.

Marmol time or marmolade every 8th inning with a lead.

by Mikey06 on Jul 12, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

ummm... no

we weren’t.

I don’t post in the game threads so I don’t know who you’re referring to, but DGU and I (as well as others) have been on the Marmol overuse train for a while. It’s the elephant in the room no one wanted to acknowledge early in the season

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Pitchers Spot Due Up First in the Bottom of the Nineth

You don’t figure Marmol will give up the lead or blow the game. He sweated it out and it was his ballgame at that point. He’s being groomed as a future closer, so why not let him get out of his own mess.

Marshall was ready in the pen with the bases loaded. But, if you bring him in you have to insert a defensive replacement and most likely Marshall doesn’t face more than one batter. Who you gonna take out? and where do you put Ward if the game goes extras?
And who’s left in the pen? Granted, I don’t get to follow the game much while working and I don’t know who was burned when, but that was Marmol’s mess. I shuttered to think that homer-loving Lieber or Lilly might be used late.

I think Lou was right to keep Marmol out there. If he’s tired, he had the trainer’s visit to say so. Further, if he’s tired now and blows a five run lead, where’s he gonna be in October? I’m sure marmol’ll be ineligible tomorrow, so now he’s got almost a week to rest and forget.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 5:36 PM CDT reply actions  

bottom of the 9th?

There is no bottom of the 9th if Marshall gets in there for the Bowker at bat or even after that.

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

we had Marshall hit in the 11th

why wouldn’t he have hit in the 9th in your scenario?

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um, we had a 7-2 lead

If Lou was worried about who was going to bat in the bottom of the 9th, he’s insane.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

Having Marshall hit in the 11th...

helps my point, I think. In Lou’s shoes, I expect ward to contribute at some point this season. Having Marshall bat indicates that he doesn’t trust anybody else in the bullpen and wants the innings from Sean.

and, um, Marshall didn’t start throwing until it was 7-4 with two on.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

My point was you don't worry about batting in the bottom of the 9th with a five-run lead

You expect your relievers to get out of it

And if there was no one throwing with the way Marmol’s been lately, that just looks worse for Lou.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Point taken.

You do expect your relievers, especially Marmol, to get out of it. But, by the time Marshall was ready to go in, the tying run was on-base. At that point, you have to consider extras.

My point is that it was Marmol’s mess. When would you have pulled him?

And, the bullpen does look bad for Lou these days. Woody misses the ASG. Cotts, Gaudin, Lieber, Hart— either beat up or just beat. Howry is all that’s left after Marshall, unless you want Lilly. And Lilly looked beat against the Reds.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um, Lieber also hadn't pitched

I can’t talk to whether Marshall was ready or not, b/c I wasn’t there and couldn’t watch on TV. Al seems to think it was a little bit quicker than when the tying run was on base.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

I have no problem with being wrong...

it’s possible that Marshall was ready w/ the tying run coming up.

I stand by my thinking that Marmol is being groomed as future closer, and this was a good experience for him. However, I still booed the outcome of the inning. We’re a long way from win-or-go-home games, and we got the win.

And, as much as I would love Lieber to be a come home and done good story, I think his future right now lies in being the straight man in the Lieber-Dunn comedy tour.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

also the booing was senseless

I was at the game, making my annual trip up to Chicago from FLA, and it’s ridiculous that you’d boo a guy that was this valuable to the club early in the season. This game was horribly mismanaged from the 7th inning on and the fault should be on Lou’s shoulders. We were lucky to get out of it in 11 after the atrocious bunt call with Marshall running at 2B. I had a 9 year old in the stands next to me agreeing with me that it was an easy force play at 3B if Fontenot laid the bunt down

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:37 PM CDT reply actions  

bunt was the right call...

...it was a bad bunt. Would you rather have Fontenot ground into a double play in that situation or, with a good bunt, runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out?

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

if you're bunting there

you pinch run with Cedeno, its ridiculous that you can’t foresee how a 6’7 lanky not so fleet-footed Marshall wouldn’t make it to 3rd in time without a Perfect bunt

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why not have Cedeno pinch hit for him in the first place then?

I see what you’re saying, but Marshall was pitching well and Lou was probably conceiving his out when he had him bat. Then when he got a hit, well, it didn’t change his strategy. I think, bottom line, he wanted Marshall on the hill as long as possible in extra innings.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

then don't bunt

look if your primary goal is to try to keep Marshall in the game as long as you can, you simply can’t expect Marshall to beat out a force play at 3B unless its a PERFECT BUNT

if the goal is to maximize your chances at scoring a run, you PR with Cedeno in that situation. The reason the scenario may change once the base-runner gets to 2B is because of the bunt situation. Because if you’re bunting its an EASY force play at 3B with a slow lead runner

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think this booing is well understood.

Marmol wasn’t booed when he came in. It was only after giving up a five run lead in the ninth. At the time, nobody really cared what he’s done for the team this year. And, the booing was directed at everyone one that field and in both dugouts.

Z’s been booed, Wood’s been booed, Sosa’s been booed, and I’m sure the list of valuable Cubs contributers who have been booed can go on and on.

If you care enough to cheer, why not boo? They’re both expressions of emotion.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

because its short-sighted and reactionary

this is OUR team, we as fans in the crowd are supposed to do everything we can to HELP our team

if you want to boo effort i’m fine with that

but booing poor performance from a guy that has helped carry this team to this level of success is short-sighted and reactionary

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

How would cheering Carlos after his performance help this team win?

the idea you can boo a team after the type of performance they displayed in the top of 9th is crazy. And of course it reactionary, as is any expression of emotion. We don’t have to treat these players like they are 8 year olds.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 12, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

you don't have to cheer him either

but if the goal as a fanbase is to do everything in your power to help your team win, I don’t see how boo-ing a player who is giving their best effort out there helps

its not like he wants to blow the lead…

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

I can understand the booing.

Marmol got the standing O’s from everyone when he performed well. Getting booed when he doesn’t is part of the game.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

but how does this help

isn’t your goal as a fan to help your team in any way possible?

i don’t see how it helps

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think there are times when booing helps the team

blind support is useless. It reminds me of the culture of suppressing all “failure” in the school system, i.e. everybody wins to “enhance their self esteem.” Competition is good, elitism is good, booing sometimes is good. It grounds you and communicates expectations.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well said, Emelie

The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound

by crazymountain on Jul 12, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

i guess that's a fair point

but again i’m not suggesting “blind support”, i’m not suggesting cheering for him when he comes off the mound to enhance his self-esteem. I’m simply suggesting there’s no need to boo

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

many a ballplayer has said...

“they had every right to boo me today. I was horrible.”

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

and then there's this...

After Saturday’s outing, when he was booed off the mound after giving up five runs in the ninth to let San Francisco tie the game, Marmol was as down as he’s ever been in a Cubs uniform.

“They were all booing me,” he said. “I don’t know why. I didn’t try to do that.”

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 14, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

Some Cubs have been quoted

on the boos they faced during game three of the NLDS last year as being supreme motivation for them this year. They even hung a sign in the clubhouse related to it, something about “winning in our house”. Seems to have worked.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 13, 2008 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yes.

I see your point regarding the shortsided reaction.

However, the fans (and invested employees) are acting as a mob. And, I’m not getting at mob as in lynching or mafiaoso or looting, but more of an electorate. I booed today because of many various reasons. Some was directed at Marmol. Some was directed at Lou. Some was directed at Theriot. Some was directed at the current state of our bullpen. Half was directed at the vaGiants. In sum, it was my expression of my disappointment of a monumentally bad half inning at home. I vote to remove Marmol from #1 reliever (beside the closer) and suggest Howry for the second half. I am also looking forward to the return of S. “Stevie” Eyre, who was in the ballpark today.

HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, CUBS FANS!!!!

by section229beer on Jul 12, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

I thought Eyre pitched in Peoria on Saturday

maybe he took a chopper back to Wrigley after his inning.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 13, 2008 7:03 AM CDT up reply actions  

I dont think fan reaction can significantly hurt a team, but I don't like booing at Wrigley

because of the way it is perceived (or mis-perceived for that matter even if it was intended as “helpful’). I want the rest of the world, including the folks at Fox, and ESPN, and Joe Morgan, to know that we support and love our Cubbies 100%. I curse at my TV and, at times, criticize my favorite cubbies, when I’m at home or in my car. But NOT when I’m at a Cubbie game.

It’s kinda like my gf. She can criticize and boo my performance at home, but don’t share it publicly with my friends and especially not with my enemies.

Make sense?

by West Coast Diehard on Jul 12, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

no, not really.

I understand what you’re saying, but I think what you’re saying also includes a certain level of hypocrisy. Which one is the real you – the one who curses at the TV or the one who bites his tongue at Wrigley? Outside of bosses, future in-laws, and your bank loan officer, are appearances really that important?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

This is what I don't get

Anytime anyone says anything to question Lou’s moves, they are somehow perceived as being anti-Lou or anti-Cubs.

I’m neither.

I think Lou has done a good job of managing this team. But some of his decisions have been puzzling. And the way he used Marmol earlier this year was irresponsible.

Lou has faults. Just because he’s a good manager doesn’t mean nothing he ever does can be criticized.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Blasphmer!

Your logic and reason are unwarranted! Be gone, devil!

by Arbusto on Jul 12, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

seems obvious

But thats the truth. Lou has been very good, is very good but in the area of bullpen management he’s definitely left alot to be desired. Today either Marshall or Leiber could have pitched the 8th and the 9th without much problem.

by jeff_pico on Jul 12, 2008 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

This is what I was asking Mikey above,

Lou had a fantastically gifted bullpen in 1990 with the Reds, is it possible he tries to duplicate that success elsewhere? He could bring in Charlton, Meyers, or Dibble in practically any inning and it was lights out, but not every team has the “Nasty Boys.” I don’t know, but the meltdown of the 2000 Seattle Mariners – they had one of the best records in the history of baseball and lost to the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs that year – and his use of our bullpen makes me wonder.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 12, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

agree

but, being a manager, I’m also aware of the fact that we don’t have all of the facts. There’s so much more that we don’t see—we see only 18O degrees, there’s the other 18O that influence decisions.

Nonetheless, I do agree that Lou has blind spots.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

What we don't know is very relevant to the discussion

and I’ll temper anything I say, anyday with that fact. There are things Lou knows about Marmol and the rest of his squad none of us know. That said, we can see tendencies and what happens when players are used the way Marmol has been used this year and Eyre and Howry in year’s past. I believe we’re paying now on both Eyre and Howry for usage over the past two years.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agree

It’s an interesting dynamic as it is in any management situation … we don’t have all the facts and therefore don’t completely understand the dynamics, yet we are objective enough to see what those close to the situation do not. The difficult challenge to all organizations/managers is to find a way to blend the two perspectives and run with the winning formula. It’s what we are all looking for … the elusive elixir.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 12, 2008 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

If Marmol had fielded his position correctly

and the Cubs would have won 7-3, I am quite sure the professional second guessers would have found something else to complain about.

by cubswin on Jul 12, 2008 5:53 PM CDT reply actions  

pro second guessers CLASSIC

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 12, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um, no

I’ve been saying for a while that Marmol looks to be falling apart from overuse. Today just strengthens the case.

by cocknfire on Jul 12, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah

I had been preparing a fanpost on the stupid grounds crew and how they were going to cost us the WS. I could still post that if you want.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

those damn rusty rakes!

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 12, 2008 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I guess Hendry deserves some blame

for not trading Murton for a new infield rake when he had the chance. Silly GM, holding out for something better.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

and the batboy - don't forget the batboy...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think Lou "broke" Marmol.

However, he was overused. For whatever reason all the screws have loosen for Marmol. His control is off - but his velocity is still up there. If he does have an injury either Marmol is thinking it isn’t a big deal or it’s all mental. Or hell - it maybe alittle bit of both.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 12, 2008 6:42 PM CDT reply actions  

i dont get it

if he was overused and you’re suggesting there’s a chance at injury, how is Lou not responsible????

It’s not like Marmol was making the pitching changes

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

See, I do think it's a chance of injury,

but I don’t think that’s what it is. But it’s hard for me to blame Lou .. the rest of the bullpen was struggling in the beginning of the season. We really didn’t have any other option.

Me, personally, I wouldn’t trot Marmol out there as much as Pinella does, but I see the mindset Lou had.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 12, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

we had options

you can’t develop trust in other players without letting them pitch

there were numerous games Marmol was asked to pitch multiple innings in and plenty of games which Marmol closed out with 5+ run leads. It was blatantly obvious to a number of the posters on this site that there was significant overuse

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Options such as who?

Michael Wuertz? Bob Howry? Kevin Hart? Jon Lieber?

Who in the bullpen would you trust? Marmol won us games because he stopped any bleeding we had on the bases. I don’t / didn’t trust anyone in that bullpen when we needed to hold on to one or two run leads.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 12, 2008 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

again

you can’t develop trust if you don’t allow guys to pitch. There were a number of games early in the season where other pitchers weren’t trusted before leaning on Marmol. There were also a number of games where it wasn’t 1 or 2 run leads and it was instead 5 and 6 run leads and Marmol was left in for multiple innings or brought in to finish it off, unnecessarily

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Develop trust in who?

tell me who? Who in that bullpen was producing in April and May in clutch situations. Howry was given chances, but blew them. Same for Wuertz. Cotts wasn’t even called up yet. Marmol was the guy that he counted on because no one else could get the job done as successfully as Marmol.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 12, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

reply

didnt hit the reply button… argh

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

they weren't given chances

i’ll try to go through the game logs at some point during the ASB, but there were a number of situations in which guys other than Marmol weren’t given a chance

you can’t develop trust in someone if you don’t put them out there. If they fail once, you can’t just hide them for weeks on end. You need to put guys out there and maybe sacrifice a game once in a while

lose the battle, win the war

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 12, 2008 7:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Ugh.

You still fail to tell me who you are talking about. Guys like WHO?

Now, I can see your point. We have Neal Cotts, Bob Howry and hopefully Chad Gaudin that can step in a get a big out. Those guys have performed. But name me a guy that you felt confident in for the beginning of the season.

Yes, Marmol was over worked. We agree on that, but to say Lou broke him—is alittle harsh. No one else performed like we needed them to so we had to use Marmol so often.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 12, 2008 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Or

the other perspective is – no one can perform like Marmol so we needed to use him less in order to make sure he could do what he alone can do in the playoffs.

by DGU on Jul 12, 2008 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

again

very simply, the guys you’re saying “didn’t prove they could perform” werent given an opportunity

every guy you’re saying we have now (with the exception of Gaudin) was on the roster early in the season when Marmol was being overworked, EVERY ONE

its not like they couldn’t pitch then and can pitch now all of the sudden. They’ve proven they can have success at this level. Its simply that Lou sent them out there once and they didnt get it done, then they didnt get to pitch for a while

every one in that pen is capable of getting outs in big spots, Lou just chose to go to Marmol every time out and those choices were to win small battles, but risk losing the war (overworking Marmol to the point of ineffectiveness)

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 13, 2008 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions  

Wrong.

Neal Cotts was in AAA. And Howry was in mop-up duty, and he deserved that.

And I disagree - Kevin Hart hasn’t proved he could do it at this level - Jon Lieber is our long guy - Sean Marshall is new to the bullpen - and like previously mentioned, Bob Howry takes until May until he starts pitching like himself.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 13, 2008 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

Good job.

You’ve persuaded me.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 13, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions  

Rec'd

This should be required reading for every Cubs fan and if I had been on my game initially, I would have looked at these game logs in the original fanpost. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting for us.

by DGU on Jul 13, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

I sent your post to many news agencys…

Suntimes, PaulSullivan, Jayson Stark, Buster Olney, MacJurkoHarry & Bruce Levine…

lets see if anyone pick this up

by Reed's Johnson on Jul 13, 2008 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

IMO,

He has been over used, and maybe the hitters have figured him out.

If I were the cubs, he would end up on the 15 Day DL.

I Know you cant force a player on the DL….

15 Days of rest & light throwing, Clear his head and back for the 2nd half fresh!

But seeing how they wont do that.. He will have 6 full days off til he might pitch again

In the mean time we should be looking for an insurance policy in the trade market

by Reed's Johnson on Jul 12, 2008 8:44 PM CDT reply actions  

Gordon Beckham. LOL

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 12, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think so...

His post name is “Mikey06” he told me he was two in 1990, and the 06 probably refers to the year he graduated from high school. Thus, I think “Mikey06” is Michael Demperio. Born in 1988, graduated from high school in 06, and his first name is Michael – “Mikey. He’s a 5-10, 170 lbs. infielder.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 17, 2008 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Finally made it through this thread!

Excellent entertainment value, especially the Mike(y) Hammer episode. Much better than SNL. Of course, that’s a pretty low bar to be compared to so don’t strain your shoulder patting yourself on the back. Otherwise, you’ll have to do towel drills until after the ASB…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 12, 2008 11:24 PM CDT reply actions  

He's an employee.

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 13, 2008 1:14 AM CDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Chicago Cubs blog for the SB Nation, created on February 9, 2005 by Al Yellon

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Jazz Up Your Recs!
Img_0001_small
Value of Various Plate Approaches
284_small
Cubs' Fantasy Camp 2012 as seen by a Player's Wife
P7200073_small
Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp 2012

Recent FanPosts

Castro_small
Getting Excited For Baseball Season
Small
Arguably OT: Aussie Baseball Finals Go To Decisive Game Three
Small
New Cubs draft strategy player development
Jeffnewwork_small
What I Expect From The Cubs In 2012
Wrigley_scoreboard_small
What To Do With Alfonso Soriano
Small
A quick update from the 2012 concessions orientation
Caray_small
Is there any FA left worth going after?
Marvin_the_martian_small
Thoughts On Gerardo Concepcion: Trust The Scouts
Star_small
What if Hendry were still our GM instead of TheoJed?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Nice article about Ernie Banks
Yankees Hire Jim Hendry
Dale Sveum Meets Early Arrivals At Camp Buss

Recent FanShots

Cubs stepping up pursuit of Soler
MLB 12 The Show Marlins Park Trailer, complete with the monstrosity and the fish. Here's the link...
Construction on the party patio and new LED board has begun. Taken from the Wrigley webcam, 11:35 am CT, 2/12/12
The Rickettsification of Wrigleyville has begun!
Marlins' Cespedes Offer 6 years, under $40M (MLBTR Link)
BCB Fantasy Baseball 2012
Former Cubs Blogger Interviewed on The Score
Cubs vs. Rangers In Las Vegas Tickets On Sale Monday 2/13
Hoyer driving to Spring Training with his dog
Hoyer-Soriano likely a Cub to start 2012, Garza extension talk a possibility

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Featured Poll

Poll
How many games will the Cubs win in 2012?

  466 votes | Results

It Is Only...

It Is Only...

Cubs By The Numbers

Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.

Click here to order your copy, available now!

Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges


Managing Editor

Alyellontoppscard_small Al Yellon

Front Page Contributors

Primary_fc_small Josh Timmers

Marvin_the_martian_small Shawn Domagal-Goldman

B_w_avatar_small Brett Taylor

Other Contributors

Dsc_0139_small David Sameshima

Toonmike_small Mike Bojanowski