Saturday was all on Lou.
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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PrintWent to Saturday's game. Had a great time with one of my longest, bestest friends, Goodie1969. The sun turned me into a lobster. Couldn't even have a cigarette for almost 5 hours! We all know how the game turned out, and thank God it turned out positive, or there might have been a mutiny. I was there.
Harden was impressive, in fact, he was beyond impressive. Great velocity, and he just seemed to throw with no effort. Ed got a double & a 2-run HR, with 4 rbi. I was happy.
Then... suddenly, the game was tied. Marmol has really been struggling, but he wasn't that bad on Saturday. I know what you all are saying. Marmol did hit a batter, walk a batter, but only two of the hits were really solid. And both of those two were ground balls. The other hits given up were ground balls that just squirted under the glove. Marmol should have just tried to make the play at first, and let the run score from third on the dribbler to the first base line. Theriot should have ate the ball. By that time though, you could see & sense that the Cubs were playing frantically- wondering how they blew the lead. Lou always talks about putting a player in a position to succeed. I understand that Marmol is the type of pitcher that needs to get regular work, (bordering on over-use). When he gave up a run, or even when he did the splits trying to get that dribbler, LOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM OUT. Woody, unknown to us, was unavailable. However, Marshall was up warming with one out. Lou should have taken Marmol out to save the game, and his psyche. Saturday's near loss was all on Lou. I think Lou knew it as well, since he had to have a beer before he was interviewed after.
With all this being said, kudos to Marshall. He set down 6 in a row impressively, and got a hit to start the winning rally in the 11th. Fontenot really laid down a crappy bunt. It was to the third baseman, (where it should have been), but far too hard. Marshall didn't stand a chance. Thank God that Hendry picked up both ED and RayJay. When Johnson hit the single that won the game, I saw it go just under the 2nd baseman's glove and immediately turned around, started jumping up and down, screaming, "CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN." I had no idea it would be that close at home, and DeRo made a great slide.
All in all what a great day. When the game was over, not many wanted to sing "Go Cubs Go", me included. It was more of a relief that they won, not time to celebrate. Let's hope Gaudin can continue to pitch well, and that Hendry picks up another arm for the bullpen- Fuentes? I think Marmol will be fine. I hope Marmol will be fine. Can't wait for the second half.
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.
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Paragraph breaks are your friend.
I cannot even begin to read this. Try editing it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Agreed
I looked at this and got dizzy.
Could be an interesting read, just need some paragraphs.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
+1
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
by carolinacub on Jul 14, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
oops
Forgot he isn’t a +1 fan
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
by carolinacub on Jul 14, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for fixing this.
This is basically what I wrote in Saturday’s recap. Marshall should have been in the game to pitch to the LH-hitting Bowker.
That said, the game was extended because of Theriot’s bad throw. If he eats that ball, it’s 7-6; the next hitter hit a fly ball to right field—game would have been over.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I haven't had a chance to read your recap.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and I should have known better...
as I am was a Journalism/Philosophy major.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Now that my vertigo is gone ;)
I agree, Harden was fun to watch, he made it look so effortless. I was really encouraged by the fact that, while he was consistently in the low 90s with his fastball, he was able to touch 96-98 when he wanted to.
While Marmol was bad, I put the loss on Theriot myself. He is smarter than that. There is no way you attempt that throw, especially with the Wonder Hampster at second (that’s not a big target to hit). As Al said, the next batter hit a weak fly to right and we win the game without the heroics of Johnson.
I was surprise when DeRosa rounded third to head home. When Johnson’s ball got under the second baseman, the right fielder was playing very shallow and got to that ball in a hurry. The right fielder didn’t need a perfect throw to get DeRosa, so thankfully his throw was far from perfect.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
As I wrote on Saturday...
... the guy in RF, Emmanuel Burriss, had never played OF in his professional career before. It’s not surprising the throw was off target.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
It wasn't that far off...
Just a little to the 1st base side. If not for a great slide by DeRo, I think I would have looked stupid for jumping up and down and screaming CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN when I saw the ball go under the 2nd baseman’s glove…
Jimmyeatworld
Saturday on Lou?
WE WON THE FREAKING GAME!!!!!!
So, Sean Marshall and Reed Johnson were “on Lou” as well, right?
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
If Saturday was all on Lou
Give me more of it, please. I like to win.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 14, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Give me more of it as well.
Just not the almost heart attack…
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Nothing worthwhile
ever comes easily. :)
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 14, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
So true.
Just wish my pack a day heart, and emphysema throat didn’t almost kill me Saturday. Just kidding. It was just a very tense day after the Giants tied the game.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
No kidding. I was there.
I was talking about how the Cubs almost lost the game. Marshall and RayJay are on Lou; in a positive sense.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Let me be clear
There is no loss almost as good as a win.
There is no win almost as bad as a loss.
If Lee, A-Ram and Fuku go 0-15 with 15Ks and we win, I will cheer.
If Lee, A-Ram and Fuku go 15-15 with 15 HR and we lose, I will mourn.
If Marquis gives up 25 runs and we score 26, it’s a win.
If Zambrano strikes out 25 batters and we lose 1-0, it’s a loss.
Marmol, Theriot and Pinella had bad days. Reed Johnson and Sean Marshall (among many others) had good days and picked them up.
That’s what winning teams do. That’s what teams that play for a winner like Pinella learn to do.
Enjoy it. Even if this season turns out as magical as we hope it will, there are still likely to be 65-70 losses. That’s more than enough to deal with without turning the 100-110 wins into losses.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 14, 2008 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Let me be clear:
I am the most ardent supporter of Lou there is. There is a reason he gets paid millions to manage, because he is a great manager who knows the game inside and out. With that being said, I am sure that Lou had his reasons for staying with Marmol. However, I am saying that I do not understand the reasoning behind it. I did enjoy it. I just didn’t enjoy the tense atmosphere in the stands. I didn’t enjoy how a great day at the ballpark almost turned into a bad day at the park with a loss.
Marmol himself didn’t have a particularly bad day. That was the point I was trying to make. Theriot made a bone headed play. His 3-4 more than made up for it. Marshall was outstanding in every sense of the Word. Believe me I know that good teams pick up the other guy. I just wish Lou had taken Marmol out sooner, giving him a chance to feel good about his performance instead of getting booed off the field at the end of the inning.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
You can only criticize managers if the team loses
If the team has one then you can only sing their praises.
I wasn't criticizing...
I was questioning. I know that Lou has his reasons. Wishing that Lou had done this or that is not criticizing. Saying things like, “Lou made a bone-headed decision”, or “Lou almost lost the game for the Cubs” is criticism. I simply feel that with Marshall warmed up, Lou should have taken out Marmol for Marshall while he still had a chance to feel as though he did a good job. That’s all, nothing more, nothing less. There are also times when the team loses, that I question the moves made by the manager. Questioning doesn’t equate with criticism. I may know a lot about baseball, but I am also the first one to say that I don’t have the answers, I have the questions.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Let me be clear...
...I was half-joking. I mean, I can’t completely disagree with you. As you say, winning teams find a way to pick each other up when someone drops the ball either figuratively or literally (or both). And RJ and DeRo bailed out Marmol big time. I was absolutely relieved (if not overjoyed) by the win – particularly because I had a feeling the Cubs weren’t going to get past Lincecum on Sunday. (Tiny Tim is a babyfaced demon.)
Nonetheless, I still had a sickly sense of guilt after Saturday’s game, as if the Cubs had gotten away with one. But maybe it was because I’d just been so looking forward to watching them seal the deal on another dominant win (even after Hart gave up the two runs). And I really wanted Harden to get his first W in a Cubs uni. But, no…no…you’re right. A win’s a win.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
You're going to get away with some from time to time
Just like you feel like some are going to be stolen from you or you let some get away.
I get the wanting it to be more. Maybe if we were the Red Sox, or the Yankees or even the Cardinals, we could worry about style points. Let’s deal with that next year, when we’re trying to repeat. :)
Not to belabor the point, because I know you’re mostly with me, but I thought of this thought experiement.
Cubs win the World Series in 7 games.
In the four games they win, each game goes to extras and they win four games on fluky plays. (Hit batsman bringing in the go-ahead run, for instance, or error leading to two runs. That kind of thing)
In the three games they lose, they are outscored 45-3. No pitcher lasts past the third inning. Infielders are pitching just to save arms. Hitters give up. It’s atrocious.
But in Game 7. 15th inning in a tie game. Soriano gets hit. Pitcher balks while Fuku is up. Fuku then intentionally walked. Passed ball moves them over. Intentional walk to Lee.
And then A-Ram strikes out. Then Soto strikes out.
0-2 count on Edmonds and he hasn’t even been close, and all of a sudden there is a wild pitch. We win. No Cub batter even makes contact and we score the World Series winning run.
You going to give it back? :)
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
For some odd reason...
...that scenario sounds eerily feasible. And, no, I wouldn’t give it back. I’d probably shrug and say something like, “Well, the Baseball Gods finally gave in.” Then I’d run screaming into the street.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
I don't think I'd stop to talk...
Before I screamed
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
wait
you’re saying we’re NOT going to win it that way? I thought the committee voted on this…
"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 14, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Of course I wouldn't give it back.
Just as if the Cubs won the wild-card this year, I wouldn’t give it back. (As much as I hate the Wild Card). I think that daver is right. I had the same sick feeling that Cubs had gotten away with one. I think I, and many others in the stands, felt this way. They felt this way, well, because if we are being honest; they did get away with one. The point being, some wins are dominant, some are not, some are by the hair of your chinny, chin chin. This one was a win, and I felt great about it. At the same time, I felt like they had gotten away with this one.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
+1!!!!!
I recommend you, sir!
"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 14, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
So you went on Sunday, eh drew?
Good for you. Best wishes to your wife on upcoming surgery.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I did
which turned out to be a worse choice, game-wise, but we did save some $$$.
She should be fine; I’ll make sure everyone know’s she’s ok. It’s scheduled for wednesday.
"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 14, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
That's alright.
A day in Wrigley is always a good choice, (even if the sun does turn you into a lobster). I’ll keep your wife in my prayers. We Cub fans have to stick together.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Laura got burned worse
than I did.
the top of one knee hurts to the touch. My arms, of course. The rest of me, not so much. Bizarre.
"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 14, 2008 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I got burnt to a crisp.
Goodie was already tan, and didn’t burn at all. Bizarre for me? I had my arms burnt on one side, kind of like an improperly grilled piece of chicken.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
You could have had some sunscreen from me if you had asked.
Figured you guys had some.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Silly me, I didn't think I would burn...
I was wrong. That’s ok, I appreciate the thought. Looked for ya, I think I spied ya. Couldn’t figure out how to get over there without being the ushers giving me the third degree.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I told her to ask. She didn't want to.
I thought I’d be fine, myself—I don’t usually burn.
"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 15, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Taking this a step further............
.............could it be a reflection of Lou’s handling of the Friday game?
Let’s say DeRo is not in LF to botch the fly ball. And because this ball would have been caught by Johnson, let’s say Woody only throws a dozen pitches instead of more than 20.
Might that mean Kerry would have been available to close out the near-disaster on Saturday?
I’ll grant you, there are a lot of “maybes” and “let’s says” in this one, but connecting the dots from one game to the next has some validity.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
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