Does Clint Hurdle have something against the Cubs?
I thought it was curious that Clint Hurdle's initial selection as an All-Star Assistant Coach was Willie Randolph, instead of Lou. Given Randolph's firing, of course, he did select Lou to fill in. But should Lou have been a fill-in? I know that the Manager from last year's pennant winner gets to pick whom he wants, but why Randolph over Lou? Lou's team won its division last year, and Randolph's choked.
That alone wasn't enough to make me wonder. But now I see that Hurdle picked Ben Sheets to start the All-Star game, over Big Z. I'm bummed because it would have been neat to have an all-Cubs battery start the game for the NL. Rahula Strohl, at ChicagoSports.com has an interesting blog entry where he compares stats for Sheets vs. Big Z, and they are virtually identical. He wonders why Sheets over Zambrano.
Finally, Hurdle announces his batting order and the two Cubs remaining as position starters, Fukudome and Soto, are batting eighth and ninth, respectively.
Does he have something against the Cubs? Or is this just coincidence? Although I'd prefer Marmol got some rest and didn't pitch, will Aramis Ramirez get in? I suspect Aram is just too good to leave on the bench. Just ask Albert Pujols! ;-)
Just something to spice up an off-day.
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.
0 recs |
28 comments
Comments
You know...
I think you’re making way too much of nothing. Fukudome and Soto - aka the slow and the slugging challenged - hitting at the bottom of the order is fairly consistent with AL lineups. And if I were to hazard a guess, Lou is probably doing alot of whispering in Clint’s ear about how he’d prefer those players are used; most notably the pitchers.
Oh, and Willie Randolph? It would have been an insult not soon forgotten to not have the manager from the host city on the staff.
by Damen Jackson on Jul 14, 2008 11:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Imagine if...
... Hurdle started Zambrano and he came up hurt.
Of course the outcome of this game could impact the Cubs, IF the Cubs get into the World Series, but as it is do you really want extra pitches thrown in “anger” on Zambrano’s arm (shoulder)?
Zambrano is on the AS team so he gets the respect, but you may perhaps be glad if he did not pitch on Tuesday.
by DrCrawdad on Jul 14, 2008 11:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why would it be in "anger"
Yeah, we all know Carlos is an emotional guy, but I wouldn’t call him an angry guy. He’s kept his emotions in check on the mound for the most part, and he’s far from the first guy in the history of baseball to get a little heated and beat up on a water cooler.
I agree with your general point but not the gratuitous swipe at Z. I’m also curious how in the world a fan of a team managed by Ozzie Guillen can have anything to say about anger issues….
by SuperContext on Jul 15, 2008 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly...
... I didn’t mean it at all about Zambrano’s temper. I’ve heard the expression about pitches thrown in anger mentioned by several media/baseball guys.
The comment was not meant at all as a “gratuitous swipe at Z.”
However, if “gratuitous swipes” were nixed on discussion boards it would seriously reduce the number of comments.
by DrCrawdad on Jul 15, 2008 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's an example...
The pitch count is the number of pitches an individual pitcher throws in a game. It does not include warm-up pitches or pick-off attempts, only pitches thrown in anger, as it were.
From Wikipedia on “pitch count.”
by DrCrawdad on Jul 15, 2008 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When do the games start again?
Really searching for topics now.
by rlpete on Jul 14, 2008 11:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously...
Eight All-Stars, and Zambrano was picked by Hurdle. No Cubs fan should have any beef about the All-Star game.
by Damen Jackson on Jul 14, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Making a mountain out of nothing
It’s the friggin All Star game. I could care less where Clint Hurdle bats Soto and Kosuke. I saw his lineup card and it looks about right given the other primetime names on hand. The best thing in the world to happen is for Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to never take their jackets off on Tuesday night. I’m happy Ben Sheets is starting.
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!
by MDBNIU on Jul 14, 2008 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
The ideal outcome is for as few Cubs to play as possible while the NL still wins.
Hopefully Soto calls for lots of breaking balls when Sheets is pitching…
"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermatrician...
by Curtain Jerker on Jul 15, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because Randolph
was the Mets manager (the New York Connection) and was also a hero and long-time player and coach for the Yankees.
Not only that, but All-star coaches usually aren’t picked for the success of their team on the field. Ask Bud Black, whom Hurdle picked because he’s a friend.
Some people are just looking to get offended. There is no story here. Hurdle has nothing against us.
By the logic you use, Hurdle should have picked Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, since they beat us in the playoffs last season. (And the Diamondbacks had the best record in the NL too, when the coaches were picked in early May.)
Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?
by Josh77 on Jul 14, 2008 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
NO
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jul 14, 2008 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Get. Over. It.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 15, 2008 6:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Look at that lineup
I’d bat them 8th and 9th, too.
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 15, 2008 6:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hurdle said he picked Sheets...
Because he wanted to pick from the group the fans voted in. That seems like a very reasonable statement.
No one on the team got the memo that this game is supposed to count. I think we’re learning that players and managers really don’t care about home field.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 15, 2008 6:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
An addendum...
I disagree with your premise, but thank you for bringing a happy smile to my face with the memory of LaRussa leaving his best player on the bench!
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 15, 2008 6:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, it wasn't from the group the fans voted in...
... because fans don’t vote for pitchers. Sheets was in the group the PLAYERS voted in, that’s why Hurdle said he chose him. Z was added to the team at Hurdle’s choice.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jul 15, 2008 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course...
But I think the premise is still sound. Reward the person the other guys picked, not the one you hand-selected.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!
by DaBard on Jul 15, 2008 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you...
... just nitpicking.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jul 15, 2008 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not an issue.
The only thing I would have done differently is put Fukudome in the 9 spot as a 2nd leadoff hitter. It’s unfortunate he has to play CF, but that’s the way it goes.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
by Bildo1805 on Jul 15, 2008 7:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps...
Hurdle already saw multiple Cubs starting and wanted another team to have a starter. Better call Oliver Stone to research this conspiracy.
by N Oakley on Jul 15, 2008 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
oops - should say two starters.
Forgot about Braun.
by N Oakley on Jul 15, 2008 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I fail to see what the problem is
I would honestly have our players play for a little bit of time and really rest up for the second half. But eight all stars from the team is fair enough. Ben Sheets is a great pitcher and despite having an ERA that is .01 higher than Z, there isn’t really a crisis. I suspect Z will still pitch and some reserves will have an at-bat, but thats enough for me. The honor is being an All-Star, it doesn’t really matter who starts.
"I wish I had a dollar for every time I spent a dollar, because then I'd have all my money back."
-Jack Handey
by deepthoughtsbyjackhandey on Jul 15, 2008 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Me too
With Z coming off an injury I’d rather not see him pitch at all. And if you look at the lineup Fukudome belongs t the bottom, in my opinion he shouldn’t even be a starter.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 15, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I am a little surprised at Soto batting ninth, not because it is any “disrespect”, but from a pure baseball perspective. In any case, I think he will do some damage tonight – I’m going to go ahead and predict that he will have a homerun in the game.
by SuperContext on Jul 15, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
After reading everyone's posts....
I have to say that my initial premise is probably wrong. It’s not like I thought that Hurdle is a bad guy (I see him a lot, living in Denver), but it just seemed weird that all of these things happened the way they did. The explanations I’ve seen here make sense.
I do agree that I’d rather make sure no Cub gets hurt tonight (for that matter, no PLAYER). I sense that some people who posted would almost rather no Cub played tonight. But it’s also a lot of fun to see the Cubs getting some respect from the rest of the league, and indeed, many sports commentators.
Here’s hoping they do us proud. Soriano’s homer at the end of last year’s game was the first big moment for a Cub I can remember in an All-Star game in quite some time (i.e., a GOOD moment).
IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!
by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 15, 2008 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Like people have said, the cubs have 8 all-stars. They have more then any other team, and if they had the starting pitcher as well, I think that would be slight overkill. Lets just enjoy what we have, get some rest the next couple days and worry about the 2nd half. I could care less how much the Cubs players play in the all-star game. I want the home field advantage for sure in the world series, and I see a high scoring game coming here tonite.
Prediction:
NL 12 – AL 8
by D-Bone on Jul 15, 2008 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

by 



















