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This Time It Counts... And Counts... And Counts... AL 4, NL 3

This is the sixth year since Bud Selig decreed that the All-Star Game result would determine home field in the World Series.

And you know what? In the previous five years it hasn't made a single bit of difference. The AL won the World Series in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and all of those were four-game sweeps, so each team had two home games. And the NL won the World Series in 2003 and 2006 without the home-field advantage -- in 2003, each team had three home games, and in 2006, the winning Cardinals played three games on the road and two at home. (And note, no World Series in this time period has gone the full seven games.)

Now, in 2008, when home field seems to be more of an advantage than ever before in major league baseball -- at the All-Star break, only three teams, the Cardinals, the Phillies and the Angels, have winning records on the road -- maybe the AL's 15-inning, 4-3 win over the NL will make a difference in the World Series result. But that's far from certain, so save your angst, especially since it's also far from certain what teams will be playing beginning Wednesday, October 22 in the AL city.

About the game itself, since it went into those long extra innings -- tying the ASG record for innings and becoming the longest one by time -- I didn't see anything past the 9th inning, when Ryan Dempster struck out the side (Cubs pitchers looked good last night, Cubs hitters, not so much). Seeing replays this morning, it appeared that Dioner Navarro got his foot to the plate just before he was tagged in the 11th inning, so the game could have ended an hour earlier than it did. And Justin Morneau looked like he got tagged just before he scored the eventual winning run -- so the worst night last night was had by plate umpire Derryl Cousins.

What I really want to talk about was the pregame introductions, done in a way we've never seen before. 49 Hall of Famers stood near the positions they played, including the nearly 86-year-old Ralph Kiner and nearly 90-year-old Bob Feller, taking perhaps their last bows on a national stage. They were joined by the starting players for last night's game, reminding all of us how baseball connects generations. Joe Buck, replacing 97-year-old Yankee Stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard, who was too ill to attend, said that it was the greatest collection of baseball talent ever assembled in one place. Buck, as are most Fox announcers, is prone to hype, but for once, saying that wasn't. Parades are silly when it comes to events like this, but the pregame introductions were all baseball. It was nice to see Cub Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg and Ernie Banks among the contingent -- but that only made me lament Ron Santo's absence from the third base group; he belongs, and perhaps next year he will join them.

Now we rest for a couple of days -- eight teams resume the schedule tomorrow (including the Cardinals), and the Cubs and the rest on Friday. Let the real games begin. The best is yet to come.

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Ya the introductions were very nice.

It was great seeing Ryno there as well.

by bakester on Jul 16, 2008 8:10 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know...
Seeing replays this morning, it appeared that Dioner Navarro got his foot to the plate just before he was tagged in the 11th inning, so the game could have ended an hour earlier than it did. And Justin Morneau looked like he got tagged just before he scored the eventual winning run—so the worst night last night was had by plate umpire Derryl Cousins.

That’s a pretty subjective claim. I thought the plate umpire was calling a good game. Had a pretty consistent strike zone the whole time back there.

"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 16, 2008 8:13 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Of course it's a subjective claim...

... I agree with you on the ball/strike calls. But on two game-changing calls, he may have blown both of them (the 11th inning call appeared far worse than the 15th inning one).

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, Navarro was definitely safe

but the calls at second base were poor as well. Basically, if the ball beat you, you were out.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

if you watch the game again you will find

That the umpiring crew was awful at best. The strike three call on chase Utley, and strike two call on Hanley Ramirez, where not even close to the plate. Which gave the hitters a clear indication that they better gon up swinging. Navarro was clearly safe at home, and there is nothing subjective about it. There were also two blown calls at second base on stolen bases. All in the n.l.’s favor though.

by nks6911 on Jul 16, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I might need to see it again.

I shouldn’t paid more attention to the umpires.

"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 16, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Should've*

"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 16, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think it was also pretty definitive that

Morneau was safe at the plate. No argument here. But yes, the calls at second were bad. Although, I have no idea why Pujols tested Ichiro’s arm, he slid under the tag at 2nd. And I think it was Kinsler, who got called out on an attempted SB but the replay showed Tejada never even tagged him.

Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.

by Jayo525 on Jul 16, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was totally unimpressed with Daryl Cousins' performance behind the plate

A number of ball and strike calls were way off and his consistentcy was dicey.

The charitable, cohesive Cincinnati Reds:" Hamilton acknowledges that he sensed some resentment in the locker room from three or four players." SI-May 2008 (and one announcer?)

by cubfever7 on Jul 16, 2008 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I liked the introductions, but that game was a joke.

Even though it didn’t end in a tie something has to be done to prevent that from happening. Aside from the stupid home field advantage thing, they need to introduce free substitution and re-entry by position players.
To solve the pitching problem, each manager shoud have to have two of his minor league pitchers sit in the bullpen and they could be the long relievers.
Imagine being a Baltimore fan this morning, your closer just went longer than he had in any regular season game, and it will most likely benifit a team in your division.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2008 8:17 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm very tired

because of the game last night and I didn’t even stay up till the end. The entire game I felt the NL would somehow lose the game and they did.

It is ridiculous that the All-Star game determines homefield in the World Series but with a contending team like the Cubs I definitely watched a lot more than I would have without that rule.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Jul 16, 2008 8:17 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Me too.

I made it to somewheres around the 13th and then went into “must get to bed!” panic. But I guess this is what Bud Selig wants – legions of baseball addicts risking sleep deprivation because this one counts!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

dempster

i just cant get over the fact that this guy is legitimately a shutdown pitcher when he commands his pitches. the AL can have their home field advantage, with our pitching and our offense this cubs team doesnt need it come october—if they get there.

Soriano - Dome - DLee - Aramis - Soto. If that doesnt turn you on you're not human.

by kylejo on Jul 16, 2008 8:20 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2006 World Series...Cardinals won the series 4-1

2 Games in Detroit, 3 in STL.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Jul 16, 2008 8:20 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Whoops, I got that backwards, BUT...

... it still proves my point: losing home-field advantage did NOT hurt the Cardinals.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure that I agree

If you lose 2 road games to start, you’re in a big hole.

20 of the last 25 WS champions have had home field advantage . . .

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 16, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If we can win one of the first two

I like our chances.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gotta get there first

My statement isn’t about the Cubs, it’s the ridiculous system in general.

As far as the chances go, IF the Cubs make it to the WS, I wouldn’t be guaranteeing 3 W’s at Wrigley Field – chances are, the A.L. champion will be a decent team, too . . .

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 16, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you lose 2 home games....

....you’re in a much bigger hole.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Jul 16, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Loved the game

hated the outcome. Uggla probably wishes he stayed home LOL. The one thing I am glad is that his fielding didn’t affect the outcome, but his at bats did.

ALso glad the Cub pitchers pitched very well, too bad our bats didn’t show up, but most of the NL’s bats were silenced all night as well.

If the Cubs get to play in the big dance, hopefully we’ll be a better road team by then.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:23 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I concur

Fun game to watch, and since I work second shift, the lateness of it didn’t bother me. Good to see the Cubs pitchers do well, particularly Marmol. This should be a real shot in the arm (no pun intended) for him.

Not to project too far into the future, but if the Cubs make it as far as the WS, all it takes is one road victory …

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 16, 2008 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, one road win

and we can wrap it up at the Friendly Confines.

Marmol looked like he’s back to form, Dempster was awesome, and Z’s pickoff of Bradley was great, too.

The one good result as far as Francona is concerned, is that he didn’t have to use Kasmir more than that one inning. That’s the problem when you have so many specialist pitchers in the ASG and a lot of the starters/middle guys pitched on Sunday.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The problem

isn’t the rosters. The problem is too many “specialty” pitchers and this over-arching philosophy that pitchers must be treated like china dolls.

"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979

by danimal15 on Jul 16, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Felt Terrible for Uggla

Dan Uggla is the only former Memphis State/Univ. of Memphis Tiger to be in the All-Star Game since Charlie Lea in the early 1980’s. I really wanted to see him do well in this game because his career appeared dead in the water in the D-Backs organization in 2005. I’m glad the NL did not lose the game because of one of Uggla’s errors.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 16, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fan Graphs

If you looked at Fan Graphs, Uggla had an awful game, and that’s minus his fielding. Ughh, and McCarver and Buck were both apologetic about the bad hop for his 3rd error. Yes it was a bad hop, but if Uggla would have charged the ball more, that hop never happens.

by MerigoldBowling on Jul 16, 2008 8:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know about that

usually, 2nd basemen don’t have to charge balls because they have the short throw. I thought the error was undeserved.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Option?

Would you rather that ball was ruled a hit? Make no apologies for Uggla, his fielding last night was brutal. BRUTAL. Good infielders pick their hop and whether he charges that ball or not, his hands were really slow on that play. Even worse, his throw to home plate was woefully deliberate. Perhaps they don’t get Sizemore anyway but that throw was the slowest play I’ve seen since Pete Vukovich tried to throw out Wille Mays Hayes in Major League. In addition, one of the plays Uggla actually recorded an out, the ball hit him in the heel of his glove because his hands are so slow. How this guy has only six errors this year is beyond me. I won’t even get into his night at the plate. Awful all the way around. Just plain awful. Yes it happens. But he was simply terrible.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on Jul 16, 2008 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, he was brutal all around last night

but typically, don’t the scorers give the benefit of the doubt on bad hop balls? Each play is scored on its own merits, and not a cumulative effect.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn Uggla

That’s his new name. I can’t help but think that without his heroics and the fine pitching done by the Cincy wunderkid Volquez the NL might just have had home field advantage. That is something that’s pretty important this year, considering that the Cubs are (so far) the best team in the NL and probably the favorites to get to the WS. Nice work Damn Uggla. Remember the Detroit/St. Louis WS where all the talk was about pitchers fielding practice (pfp). How about the Marlins institute some 2bfp?

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I laughed...

...when the Yankee Stadium bleachers started cheering “Hit it to Uggla”. Besides his 3 errors, his double pump to home ruined a double play. He was clearly shaken.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lol

I missed that, “Hit it to Uggla”. That had to be embarrassing for him.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about Papelbon?

The NY “fans” were all chanting “OVERRATED” or something.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They totally shook him...

... he was off the mark last night and it showed.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, the chanting during Papelbon's appearance...

...was pretty remarkable. As heated as the Cubs-Cards (and, to a lesser extent for the time being, Cubs-Brewers) rivarly gets, it’s never gotten quite that personal to my recollection.

I must confess, howeve, that part of me admires Yankee fans for showing that kinda unity in getting inside an opposing pitcher’s head. Of couse, at the same time, they were conveniently ignoring the fact that, last night, Papelbon was on their team.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Regarding the home field advantage...

I had the same view last night, remarking on the fact that none of the recent world series games even went to game 7. But then right after I said that I thought about the fact that the team with home field advantage plays their first two games at home (correct?) allowing them to gain a huge momentum (confidence?) boost. But what is the saying… momentum is only as good as tomorrows starter?

by GoCubbies34 on Jul 16, 2008 8:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yep

Boston was down 3 games to 1 against Cleveland last year, IIRC. If a team can play them one at a time and forget the previous game, it has and can be done. Look at Boston a few years ago when they were down 3 games to none to the Yankees , down to the 9th inning.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:47 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

How did Marmol look?

I know the stats show 2 k’s, but I can’t find MLB’s video box score that would allow me to watch his inning. How did he look? How was the slider? Did he hit three or more batters?

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 8:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought he looked great

Absolutely owned Quentin

For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.

by Less is Walrond on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Any idea

how to get that video? I can’t find the video box score.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe it was just the late hour

but I thought he got away with a hanger at the letters on strike 3. Look at Quentin’s reaction to striking out on that pitch and he believes he should have crushed it.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 16, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, he did hang one but....

....he had set him up pretty good before that. I think Quentin probably thought that was going to be another slider at the ankles. So I give Carlos some credit.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Jul 16, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree

Hurdle called the spring Marmol into the game last night.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looked good

no hit batters and his slider was nasty good.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looked okay

His slider is still getting too much of the plate when he is ahead of the count. He needs to try to bury that thing when he is ahead.

I thought his fastball was decent though. Seemd to be able to pitch it to the corners which he has been having trouble doing lately.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Jul 16, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"He needs to try to bury that thing when he is ahead".

TWSS!

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 16, 2008 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The White Castles were tasty...

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 16, 2008 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The opening was

mostly magical. When I realized what they were doing, I was laughing inside waiting to see Ryne and Joe Morgan shaking hands. I never saw Joe, did I miss him?

I also saw my first zombie last night. I guess the reports that Steinbrenner’s health is poor is an understatement. He looked beyond awful.

I saved the rest of the intros on Tivo so my son can watch it later this week.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think Morgan deliberately avoids events Sandberg is attending.

And I agree with you about Steinbrenner—I suspect he’s nearing the end of his life.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Joe "Weak Sauce" Morgan

Deliberately avoids events that Ryno attends because his overinflated sense of self can’t handle being in the presence of someone better than him.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is Morgan allowed to make appearances on Fox?

There used to be a hard-and-fast rule about appearing on another network, but I’m not sure if it exists anymore.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had the same thought.

I was so mad about Joe not being there. Come on.

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Johnny Bench? Carlton Fisk? Joe Morgan?

Where were those guys?

I thought Whitey Ford looked incredible for a man pushing 80. I can only hope to look that good at that age.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 8:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Whitey

hasn’t always lived a life that was conducive to good health either, given his profession and his lifestyle off the field. iirc he was one of the Yanks who liked to imbibe along the lines of Mantle, Martin etc…

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another Favorite Yankee Of Mine

and there ain’t too many of those! lol

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

has anyone seen a list...

of living HOF that weren’t there last night?

by bison on Jul 16, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is the best I can do for ya.

Forgive me if it’s not entirely accurate:

Lee McPhail
Bobby Doerr
Monte Irvin
Stan Musial
George Kell
Red Schonedienst
Duke Snider
Tommy Lasorda
Dick Williams
Earl Weaver
Jim Bunning
Sparky Anderson
Sandy Koufax
Orlando Cepeda
Juan Marichal
Carl Yastremski
Joe Morgan
Tom Seaver
Nolan Ryan
Johnny Bench
Carlton Fisk

And, for whatever reason, I think I saw Brooks Robinson last night, but I can’t remember. Also, I’m drawing a blank on Steve Carlton and Jim Palmer.

Any way, if I listed someone and they were there, I’m sorry. I’m just going by memory and might miss someone.

by Tackle Box on Jul 16, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lasorda and Weaver were there.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 16, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Really?

I don’t remember either one of them, even after you say they were there. And I was sure I didn’t see either one. Oh well. The mind starts to go eventually I guess

by Tackle Box on Jul 16, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Juan Marichal was there

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

as was Orlando Cepeda

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Palmer and Carlton were there

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

by JohnM on Jul 17, 2008 6:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that Bench has been unofficially blacklisted by MLB

because of his involvement in the sale of fake MLB merchandise many years ago.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nobody likes him anyway

He’s a complete ass hat and doesn’t get along with many of the old guys.

by Tackle Box on Jul 16, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm so glad our pitchers dominated....

Z, Demp, Marmol all looked very impressive last night.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+2

Though it would have been nice to see Soto throw somebody out, it was at least nice to see Z pick off Bradley.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

indeed

that was a very nice play.

by polly on Jul 16, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I give Geo the benefit of a doubt...

...first guy got the jump on Sheets, second guy the 2nd basemen wasn’t there to cover quick enough.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

I don’t blame Soto, still it would have been nice to see him gun down a runner or two on that stage.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep.

That first stolen base was all Sheets. The second one, Utley fell over himself (for the second time in the game I might add) on what looked to be a pretty good throw.

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And almost hurt himself.

I cringed when I saw him trip over that bat, or weight, or whatever it was.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will probably get ripped for saying this but...

I see this game for what it is AN EXHIBITION game.
Going 15 innings in something like this is ridiculous. The players deserve to have a little break at this point. Not to play 15 innings in an exhibition game. It was fun to watch (I only made it through 10 innings) but wow. That and watching Steinbrenner hauled out there with his nose running down his face was awful. It was nice to see all the hall of famers out there none the less. But, give the players a break. They still have half a season to go (not to mention the post season). Where do they draw the line? Would they have made position players pitch had it made it that far? I am all for giving the fans a show. But, not to the extent of 15 innings.

by jajonez77 on Jul 16, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

This is what you can end up with

because” This Time It Counts”.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Francona said he would have put in JD Drew to pitch if it went a couple innings more...

...don’t know if that’s true or not, but Kazmir was probably going to go only one more inning. I was silently cheering for it to go longer to see a forfeit. Just to embarrass Selig.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think Kazmir would've gone back out...

....because I don’t think most managers would do that with their ace in a regular season game much less borrowed property in an exhibition.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

they said on the telecast, that Francona went to him in the dugout after the inning...

...and nodded his head “Yes”. Assuming that meant he could pitch another inning.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know what?

So was I. That would have showed how silly it is to take an exhibition game and hang so much importance on it.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

was doing the exact same thing.
When Lidge and Kazmir were both in, I figured it would only last 1 more inning and then I could watch me some squirming Bud.

Particularly happy to do so as I think the home field thing is stupid. A Royal pitching to a Rockie could determine whether the Mets or the Red Sox have home field advantage? dumb dumb. Would have been great to see it determined by JD Drew pitching just to prove how stupid it is. Reminds me of Wisconsin football exploiting kickoff rules to run out the clock a few years ago just to prove how dumb the rules were.

I am even secretly hoping Sherrill or Kazmir for example feel some effects of pitching and they can bitch about having to pitch or pitch beyond their desire. Who cares if it ends in a tie after 12 innings. In the immortal words of Tony Burton’s Duke “This is supposed to be an exhibition!”

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Keep in mind...

... that no one played the entire 15 innings.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But, for every inning that game goes on

The possibility of needless injury increases. I would much rather watch the players put on a show in Sept or Oct than watch someone get injured in the 15th inning of a exhibition. Especially, when there are pitchers going on short rest and such. The risk greatly out weighs the reward in the 15th inning (at least for me).

by jajonez77 on Jul 16, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also please remember

That before “this game means something” they would just alternate home field advantage each year. It never had anything to do with the best record.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

if it alternates, then it's never 'in someone else's hands'

my buddy said same point about home field. He even told me that the Cubs have as much or more influence on the game as anyone with so many players, but Cubs AB’s were complete and then 6 more innings were played.

my point is that even alternating eliminates the argument and keeps things ‘even’. With this dumb rule, we have AL advantage 7 straight years (whether it menas anything or not), a game that MUST have a conclusion, and what was once a far off concept was almost a reality – running out of pitchers and having the game determined with a position player on the mound.

And, while it is true that nobody played all 15, I would be pretty nervous now if Woody had just pitched 2 innings, for example. It has to be telling that Francona was concerned enough to line up position players rather than continue with Kazmir.

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I understand

But I would much rather do it this way then a random every other year determination. These are grown men getting paid to play baseball.

If you want to switch it to team with best record, that makes good sense to me.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We discussed this yesterday.

It is and it isn’t. It’s not random in the respect that you know every year, but with respect to the years that your team is good enough and happens to advance that far, it appears random.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of like

flipping a coin to see who kick’s off.

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

by JohnM on Jul 16, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well no

it’s not exactly like that. And of course there’s no apostrophe in kicks.

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

by JohnM on Jul 16, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Completely

agree.

"We are not equations with hats." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Jul 16, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It made me a little sad....

....to think of how many HOFers from the golden age are going to be gone soon. It feels like a small part of baseball is dying with them. I’m not sure the future of the game excites me that much beyond the prospect of the Cubs winning. Nevertheless, it was very moving to see those greats out there.

Also, it kinda blew my mind how quickly the crowd left. There was a large number gone in 9th inning.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:02 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wasn't it about Midnight in NY

at the time of the 9th inning?

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

MLB

and Fox care more about prime time than whether fans actually get to see the game. How many young kids didn’t get to watch the game last night because of the start time/length of the game? They need to pull their heads out and start focusing on the fans and not so much on revenues, otherwise those revenue streams are going to start drying up.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 16, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right.

Actually, it’s WEST COAST prime time they care about. The first pitch was at 8:47 EDT, almost two hours after what would be a normal starting time for a night game in New York.

But that’s 5:47 PDT, which is just when a lot of West Coast people are getting home, and that put the entire game in West Coast prime time.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

:-) That's how I got to see the entire game

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

really?

I don’t have the data at hand but I understood that 80% or more of the U.S. population lives east of the Mississippi. The West complains constantly that they are ignored by MSM. I’m trying to find the census bureau data, but at first glance I’m not having any luck.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can't be that much...

... considering the population of California alone is 35 million.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Iowa is a whopping 2.8 mil.

I feel for ya, Cali… we’re always getting ignored.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Still A Midwesterner At Heart

I like to think of myself as “borrowing” SoCal for employment and income, then when the missus and I retire it will be somewhere back in the heartland.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love Chicago and the midwest, but I love California too.

I definitely do not miss the humidity.

"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 16, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just because I was curious

and had a bit of time on my hands… I went over to the Census Bureau and calculated. The Bureau cites 13 states as comprising the West, and as of 2OO6 their combined population was 69,356M out of a total U.S. population of 299,398M. We’ve got 23% of the population in the west with 77% elsewhere.

You’re right about California, it’s a whopping 36,458M but the rest of the Western states are sparsely populated.

I only did this because I’ve always been curious about this assumption and never bothered to do the actual math. What’s really interesting is that it brings to mind Pareto’s Principle.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But those 13 states

Are not all the States “West of the Mississippi” like you claimed earlier.

The two biggest states in the Union, California and Texas, are both west of the Mississippi. 60 million people live in those two states alone.

The Mean Center of the US Population is in Phelps County, MO which is west of the Mississippi. In other words, more Americans live west of the Mississippi than east of it.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Jul 16, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough

I decided to go with the Census Bureau definition of the West. Your point’s well taken.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No.

The population center of the United States has moved steadily westward for ages, and is currently in Missouri. So more than half the population is west of the Mississippi.
See: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn66.html

by ChipSet on Jul 16, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

IIRC

ET = 50%
CT=20%
MT=5%
PT=25%

I heard that stat about 10 years ago.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

those stats

are most relevant to this discussion of broadcast demographics. I wonder if the current time zone stats are much different? It is true that the population in general is trending south and west.

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah but

I personally never leave a game until it’s over. I’m always afraid that something that’s never happened before will happen and I’ll miss it. Add to that what those people paid to get in there….no way I would’ve left. You’re getting free baseball after the 9th.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Let your kid stay up an extra couple hours for a night. It’s not that big of a deal. If they truly want to love the game of baseball then they would want to stay up a couple hours to watch the game. I guess I am in the midwest and it wasn’t that late for us on central time but still. I think it’s not that big of a deal to let the kids stay up and make it something special for them. With all that said. I fell asleep in the 11th inning, haha. I tried to stay up but just couldn’t any longer, it was a long day.

by huskercubby on Jul 16, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This Upset me all night long

Fox turning the game into the “Terry Francona Angst-Fest”. Ohhh… Terry’s such a nice guy but he’s got to be agonizing over his short pitching staff. Kazmir, Kazmir, Kazmir and how Terry’s such a nice guy blah, blah, blah. How about the NL? Webb, Lincecum and Dempster all went deep on Sunday (although I only remember them mentioning Dempster once, and even that was an afterthought)

Finally, one time they were talking about Francona and his “predicament”, then mentioned that “the guy in the other dugout” had to make some tough decisions, too.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 16, 2008 9:06 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with the agonizing, but...

Kazmir pitches in the same division in a heated divisional rivalry and has a recent history of arm trouble, whereas Lou was in the dugout with Hurdle and he could have easily told him not to put Ryan out there in the 9th. If Kaz goes out there and blows his elbow again, Francona becomes the most hated man in baseball. It absolutely was an agonizing decision.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My thoughts exactly on Ronny...

I felt sad watching Mike Schmidt and Wade Boggs up there taking their bows, thinking that the man that probably paved the way the most for them (meaning the guy who helped turn 3b into an offensive power position) was back at home in Chicago, probably in bed already.

I’ll be making the trip with all of you to Cooperstown next year, and I look forward to giving Santo the high five he deserves.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:14 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Those were really bad at bats for Dome, but...

Hope this ASG experience gave him some hints to bring himself back to getting into full swing.
I’d sometimes witnessed his slump when he was a Dragon, but his bad time was shortened after he changed his hitting form in 2005-2006 training camp.
Below is a Japanese news show to tell about this ASG… I am not sure who those 2 big guys are ;-)

I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.

by dragonsfanatic on Jul 16, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Where can I order one of those?

Absolutely awesome.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

twss

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It looks like..

... they are about to hit the news anchors in the head!

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, and I just noticed that...

...Dome appears to be holding the oar from a boat. Maybe Ichiro is, too, but Dome’s “bat” clearly looks like something one could paddle with.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's a cricket bat.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nah

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

by JohnM on Jul 16, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah, OK.

So I guess, proportionately speaking, that makes more aesthetic sense than a baseball bat?

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hmm... I have this sudden urge to watch "The Untouchables"

I always liked the way Al Capone compared his ‘team’ with the game of baseball… ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Jul 16, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAHAHA that is so awesome. ESPN's sets look like garbage in comparison!

Monstrous bobbleheads. I’m jealous.

"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 16, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So cool!

Thanks Dragon!!!

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Al, I'd like to offer up an apology on behalf of some folks on last night's game thread

I was in and out of the threads so perhaps I didn’t grasp the full context, and who knows – maybe you did something to deserve it, but I don’t see how that’s possible.

Anyway, I just want to apologize for all the “AL sucks” comments last night. I have no idea where they were coming from or why, but you don’t deserve that. No one does…

...well, except for a certain left handed slugger in denial, a certain right handed pitcher in denial,a certain commish in denial, and a certain woo woo we wish was in de Nile… ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Jul 16, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Um...

... perhaps you could email me some of the details of what you’re talking about? I didn’t see any of this. Thanks.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's a joke :D

We never give up -- Aramis Ramirez

by Emelie on Jul 16, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Joke! Joke!

the “AL” reference… as in American League…

sorry – I know my humor is slightly warped…

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

by ballhawk on Jul 16, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh.

I get it now. Still sleepy this morning.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

World Series

I am glad the AL won. Now when the Cubs sweep the WS, we can celebrate at Wrigley!

Think POSITIVE!

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Jul 16, 2008 9:24 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What did AL win?

The lottery? Bingo? Share it with us, AL!

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

I wish!

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yogi...

Anyone catch Yogi Berra call Joe Buck “Jack” about 3 or 4 times? Joe just kind of looked down each time he said it.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Did Yogi Have A Stroke?

He seemed very immobile and his speech seemed impaired.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think...

He just got old.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yogi is 83.

Looked pretty good for a guy that age.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looked good...

But he didn’t sound as sharp as he did in those AFLAC commercials.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Director says: “okay Yogi, let’s try this again.” “AFLAC Commercial take 567… and action.”

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Someone Who Looks Bad For Their Age

is the Commish. The skeletons on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride looked healthier.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Marmol

I was dreaming at this point but how did Marmol’s inning go?

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Jul 16, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2 K's...

Uggla had an error so a man got on, but he K’d Quentin to end the inning.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had a vision of that strikeout happening in the World Series...

...happy thoughts.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Only...

It would be fitting if Kerry Wood was pitching.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes...

I’ll be there on Waveland getting ready to high-five the nearest stranger.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

High-five?

I have visions of tearfully hugging strangers all around me

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If I think that, then I'll actually end up daydreaming all day...

... so I’ll just stick to the high fives and avoid the goosebumps.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep.

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is what I'll be doing

on Waveland after the Cubs win

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 16, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

There's going to be hot girls dressed up as nurses with the sexy nylons on?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 16, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would have been

SOOOO pissed if White Castle gave up a GWHR to Quentin.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But he didn't.

He also overcame what must have been a really crappy mental position of having Uggla make an error to let the winning run on. He handled it well. I was happy with Carlos last night.

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Warning- thread jack- Ignore the woman on the left!

I’ve always had a crush on Marlee (even though she’s 15 years my senior), and apparently she’s from Morton Grove. This picture just completes the fantasy. The Greek braod in the middle ain’t bad either.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I guess that link doesn't work

see http://awfulannouncing.com/ for the picture. I am a bad BCBer.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Greek Broad = Kelly Ripa?

Sure looks like her to me. And who’s the African American gentlemen standing to the left?

j/k

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maria Menounos

Actress/Entertainment Journalist.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 16, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's the one!

Matlin is hot. I don’t care what anyone says. And the Cubs uni only makes it moreso.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I always thought

Matlin was pretty too and especially in a Cubs uniform.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 16, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If that's true

then I’m going to have to learn ASL, and fast.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 16, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Maria was Italian, yes

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No way

I grew up in Morton Grove!

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

by californiachicagoan on Jul 16, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My two cents

Yes, the intros were great. I actually got shivers. The pitching throughout the game was very good, very dominant. I am very happy that all three Cubs pitchers were basically lights out. Z’s pickoff was great. (Note, at two times during the game, Z and Demps were in line for the win).

Okay, here is my thoughts on the length. First, I stayed up through the entire game and sorta was waiting for it to either be called or to go on forever. And honestly, either would have been fine by me. Except for the Uggla-ness, almost all of the extra innings were well played, especially on a defensive level.

This was a game for Baseball Fans. Not casual, let’s go watch homeruns, fans. There were sac bunts, hit and runs, plays at the plate, intentional walks, and real white knuckle situtations. I still have no idea how Aaron Cook survived.

And if this game had been called, you know what? I wouldn’t have minded. In fact, I think it should have ended in a tie. Why? Because we got our money’s worth. This was really good, fun, baseball by really good players. It was so even, in fact, that after 15 innings, the only fair ending would have been to end it in a deadlock.

Which brings me back to the whole “this time it counts” thing. I understand that it really hasn’t made much difference to the outcomes of the World Series since this has been instituted, but it is still patently unfair. Heck, even the players hate it. What would have happened if they had to call the game? Who gets home field?

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 16, 2008 9:47 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Good question.

Coin flip? HR contest? Arm-wrestling?

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uggla

Just missed his flight. It went right between his legs. He tried to get on the next flight but he struck out.

He will probably not be near the bleachers during batting practice next weekend.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 9:49 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Even if the Game did not count...

and they continued to use the old system, I think the AL would have had home field this year anyway.

I believe that the AL had home field in even years and the NL in odd years…

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Jul 16, 2008 9:51 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

um, how about

Aram and David Wright, Tejada, Russell Martin?

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 16, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tejeda...

Was unbelievable last night. He saved the game for the NL a few times with his glove.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 16, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes he was!

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jul 16, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

Tejada was my mvp every time they were about to win it. That 3rd out in the bases loaded inning was sweet.

Him or Cook, who got like 8 ground balls in that inning.

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I was all ready...

...to crown Miggy Stardust the hero after he scored that go-ahead run. His loudmouthed antics bug me when he plays against the Cubs. But he was showing some great hustle last night.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, xene is right IMO

Noticed that too last night. Every time I turned around Corey Hart and Ryan Ludwick were walking back to the dugout.

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jul 16, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

McLouth almost homered in the 12th...

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was screaming "home run"!

and then watched the right fielder camp under it. Crap!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was impressed yet again by McLouth.

He made a nice throw to the plate.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They all looked way overmatched last night

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Last nights Umps

I sure it was written about earlier, but the Umps at 2nd and home had a bad night.

Fox had more Camera angles than normal, but 2 runners were clearly safe at 2nd that were called out on Steals and two plays at the plate were wrong one each way.

Perhaps the MLB needs a Room like the NHL in Toronto. just kidding

I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers

by parrotinct on Jul 16, 2008 9:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Thought I was gonna have a heart attack

Clint Hurdle running Aaron Cook out there 3 innings is beyond me. I was at a sportsbar in Denver watching last night and all the Rockies fans were blown away by this. Talk about favoritism. After letting runners get to third base in the first two innings he pitched, being bailed out on a call by the umpire, he goes out there AGAIN!

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jul 16, 2008 9:58 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

At least Hurdle did it to

his own pitcher. Imagine the outcry if he stuffed someone else’s ace in their for three innings.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

not exactly

as mnetioned below, he did this to his own pticher, so he only had to answer to himself. Also, in that first inning, it wasn’t Cook’s fautl that there were runners at first and third, but Dan Uggla’s

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 16, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If the NL had somehow won

I think a great case could have been made for Cook to be the MVP.

Francona made his own bed when some of his earlier pitchers could have went two and his closers could have went a full inning. Especially when it was obvious that extra innings was a distinct possibility.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 16, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+2

Cook worked out of some crazy situations. I was impressed.

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

by slcathena on Jul 16, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uggla

Had more to do with Cook’s baserunners than Cook did. I thought he pitched really well.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Big deal

Pitchers used to throw 3 innings in the ASG every year. And not that many years ago. Last to do it (before Cook) had been Greg Maddux in 1994. I have Cook on my fantasy team, so I guess I have some stake in the matter, and it doesn’t bother me at all. He’ll get plenty of time to rest.

"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979

by danimal15 on Jul 16, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know if someone had already mentioned this but..

the best part was seeing Ryno out at 2nd base during the pre-game festivities WITHOUT seeing Joe Morgan’s smug ass out there too.

"I don’t believe that things go your way," said Lou Piniella, the Cubs manager.
"I believe you make things go your way."

by Basman on Jul 16, 2008 9:58 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

why wasnt morgan out there?

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 16, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He believes Chase Utley

is overrated. just kidding.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tied game

Bud could of said teams that make the WS with best record at end of season gets home field.

Both the CUBS & Angels are tied for best record right now so the AL & NL are at the same spot

I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers

by parrotinct on Jul 16, 2008 9:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Bad for Cubs, Good for me.

If Cubs make the World Series I have to fly in from New York for the games, as the
Cubs would have the middle 3 games at least two would be weekend games so I don’t
have to take the days off of work and it is also easier for me to book a flight. I have
enough miles ( roughly 250,000 on 3 different airlines) to hopefully cover post season needs. I am hoping new airline cutbacks won’t be a problem. I have never used miles
for anything but Cub “special” occasions.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 16, 2008 10:02 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I feel the same way.

I always said that if the Cubs make the series, I’m going to Chicago. The way it sets up now helps me too with work schedule and flights.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 16, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's What You Do

My wife usually runs and hides every time I say this, because a matter-of-fact speech soon follows:

First off, blow up the ASG. A meaningless exhibition that only serves as a needless injury risk, Give the players, managers, coaches, etc. a much needed week’s rest to visit the family.

Second, make the World Series experience more like the Super Bowl, in that you designate one locale as the site of the contests ahead of time and hype the hell out of it. Ideally it should be a warm weather city or one with a retractable roof and plenty of hotel rooms. Or invest in the infrastructure of Cooperstown and build new roads, accommodations, and a 40,000 seat stadium. As far as home field advantage, award it to the club with the best record. What’s most important is to sell this concept as a NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE GAME as well as a championship series.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:03 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Could agree with the idea

to blow up the ASG, but neutral site for the WS? No way. The magic if the WS is the home towns and the fans seeing their team. To have the WS become the sterile marketing trick that is the Super Bowl would ruin post season baseball. Further, 1 game versus 7 games would make selling out the series difficult.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

No way on a neutral-site WS. For one thing, WHEN the Cubs finally make it, do you want the home games played anywhere but Wrigley Field? Not me.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Argument against best overall record as determining factor?

What is the argument against doing it like everyone else and giving it to team with best record?

In case of a tie there, maybe who has biggest lead in division or maybe biggest lead of overall record in respective league?

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Selig: "Too Tough To Book Rooms On Short Notice"

Not that I believe it one bit….

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

hmmm

Guess you can book in both AL cities during LCS, so maybe you gain a week. But that same lead time is not needed for divisional series or LCS I guess.

God forbid common sense prevail

Silly

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WARNING: Heresy Alert

You know, Al, I’d be so happy when the Cubs get that far I wouldn’t care if they played the WS in Nairobi.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, you would.

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

by Al on Jul 16, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

BCB Unfriendly To Kenya!

TOTALLY j/k. :-)

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Keep The Best 4-of-7 Format

Sorry, I should’ve specified.

Bud Selig, Fox, and their minions haven’t shied away from other sterile marketing tricks before, and in fact this one would be spared the “preserve the tradition” hypocrisy we see in so many other elements of the game. I’d rather see something like this happen as opposed to the phoney-baloney, contrived “importance” grafted onto the All-Star Game done in the name of “restoring the tradition”.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another "Preserve The Tradition" Hypocrisy

is this whole idiotic notion of territorial broadcast rights.

Apologize for replying to my own post but there’s no “Edit” feature that would’ve allowed me to add this point onto my original one.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the WS as currently offered, at home fields,

many fans would want to see multiple home games. With a sterile away site, it would hurt too many fans financially and crush the season ticket holders to lose their rights to games.

While MLB has resorted to marketing tricks and what not, the ASG still has relevance. However, the games relevance to me has always been about seeing all star players from other markets I don’t follow. Some of these are future HOFers and become players of interest to track over the years.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fair Enough and Well Stated

Bottom line is, to have an EXHIBITION game determine WS HFA is dumb, IMO.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree.

However, alternating HFA is just as dumb.

In the age of internet hotel, airline, and game ticket reservations, being able to accomplish the identical logistical challenge the NHL and NBA solve every year, would seem easy.

Make the regular season record count. Make having the best record in baseball really mean something.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Methinks

Bud was grasping at straws when defending the ASG-HFA debacle by saying it’s too hard to tackle the logistics of last-minute room reservations.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Please please please

when the Cubs finally make it, I better be able to sit in my bleacher seat and watch the game.

by gocubsgo22 on Jul 16, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I say keep the ASG

but remove the WS codicil. Return it to a true exhibition, everyone gets to see the star players play at 95% and no injuries, like the NHL. And at the end of 9 innings, game over, or play one extra like in ST.

I totally hate the idea of a neutral site for the WS, that’s why I really don’t care about the Super Bowl. All the unrelenting hype and buildup. I can understand that the playing conditions will most likely be ideal unless the “home” team comes from a cold weather climate. Baseball in late October/early November in Chicago is no worse than April, and in reality, the weather is better than in the Spring. Plus, the Super Bowl is one game, winner take all. Playing 7 games in a neutral city is pretty costly for the fans.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

From MLB's Perspective...

they could care less about Joe Season Ticket Holder. They’d just as soon fill the neutral site with conventioneers and well-heeled execs with padded expense accounts.

I get what you guys are saying about the sterility and hype machine that the Super Bowl has become, but I can deal with all that because the results is what counts to me. If I’m a Cubs fan, and they make it to the World Series, and the WS is played at the 40,000 seat Dyersville Field (just an example), then that’s fine with me. The Cubs winning a pennant means more to me than where they play the World Series.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's put it this way

if you happen to be at a neutral stadium where the Cubs clinch the WS, and you can say that you don’t wish with all your heart that it should have been at Wrigley, with the hoisting of the “W” flag above the grand old scoreboard, and the pandemonium of people and players on the field, with the PA blasting “Go Cubs Go”, then there is something wrong! LOL

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So Be It

If Hank Hill met me he’d walk away saying “that boy ain’t right”. LOL

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

how about z throwing over manny's head?

maybe i’m reading into it too much, but i saw it as a playful “payback” pitch for manny not moving his warm up bat and causing soto to fall

funny moment none-the-less….aramis agreed

by cubswynn on Jul 16, 2008 10:12 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

thought it was great

and telling part is that Manny was laughing, so I’m guessing it was discussed before hand.

reminded me of good moments like Randy Johnson vs Kruk.

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

probably not

I doubt that that is the reason. Z and Manny probably know each other and Z was just having a little bit of fun with him. I vaguelly remmeber Randy Johnson doing the same thing a few years ago at an ASG, I believe to John Kruk.

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 16, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

but to the point above,

likely had nothing to do with the warmup bat

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 16, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Z throwing over Manny's head...

It looked to me like Z was trying to throw that ultra slow curve like he did his last outing, but it didn’t break.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 16, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone have a video clip...

...of Big Z’s inning? Or at least his “throwover” against Manny? I was kinda hoping mlb.com might stream the entire game for free, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

mlb giving something for free?

next you’re gonna ask for games not to be blacked out hahaha…..why would you ever make such a silly request

by cubswynn on Jul 16, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, they stream regular season games...

...for free – the day after they’ve been played, of course. And Gameday is free (for the time being, at least). Waitaminute, did I just defend Major League Baseball?

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Recently

I’ve been unable to watch certain games on MLB.tv after they’ve finished. I think it was Lilly’s last game I missed so I went back to check it out only to find out that I had to subscribe to watch the game. So just for kicks, I tried another game and noticed I could only click on individual 1/2 innings to watch whatever it was I looking for. This is different from the beginning of the year when I could click on any game after it was played and stream it in its entirety.

Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.

by Jayo525 on Jul 16, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, I'll have to check that out.

I haven’t tried to stream a game recently, so maybe MLB has changed their policy. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i have the mlb.tv package

and me and about 4 people use it at the same time…..i feel like it’s my way of effin the man

by cubswynn on Jul 16, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

MLB.TV is free right now

I just watched the last few innings of the ASG, but I think the offer ends July 18th.

(They advertised “one week free” in return for a vote in the 32nd man competition knowing that there would be no games on 2 of those days. Typical MLB…)

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll see what I can do.

"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 16, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, got it. Check the FanShots!

"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 16, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thats what I thought when I saw it

I knew I saw it recently in one of his starts.

by jajonez77 on Jul 16, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

actually

I think over his last two starts he has thrown in some sort of over hand curve ball, I have seen it twice. I think this particular one just got away. Funny none the less.

by nks6911 on Jul 16, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For those that didn't see it

The pitch in question. And FWIW, I can’t stand MLB’s video format.

Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.

by Jayo525 on Jul 16, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why is everyone complaining?

I mean, so the NL lost, boo hoo. Am I the only one who was actually into this game til the very end? I mean, except for Uggla, this was a good, fun, game.

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

not complaining about result

...but the length and odd circumstances really illustrated how goofy the rule is

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and

how the actual playing season can impact the game (and vice versa)...pitching Kazmir for example

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And what happens if Kazmir's arm falls off...

...then Seilig would be left trying to explain this silly home field advantage rule. If it’s all for ratings, then why go with a roster unfit for 15 innings?

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and francona have some 'splainin to do as well

hence the ‘angst-fest’ as someone properly described it

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I'm complaining (mildly) because...

...this Cubs team has a pretty legitimate shot at the postseason, and having home field advantage in the World Series – should they get that far – would have been a huge boost. That aside, yeah, it was a fairly entertaining, if interminably long, baseball contest.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am complaining

because the game was bad. Allstar caliber players can’t move runners over anymore, can’t sacrifice bunt anymore. The teams were something like 3 for 27 with runners in scoring position. Maybe we are moving into another pitchers era, because the pitching was very good.

by nks6911 on Jul 16, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When all-star hitters face all-star pitchers,

especially ones they haven’t seen before, the pitchers usually win.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 16, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When regular hitter face regular pitchers...

the pitchers usually win.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 16, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh Snap, Crackle AND Pop!

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 16, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What About THIS To Determine WS Home Field

The league that posts the best interleague record for that season?

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:25 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

better than ASG

but my preference is still to let teams determine their own fate more directly. In any sport, your own performance should be the prime determining factor in your circumstances (seeding, home court/field, draft, etc)

by JCD on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i've been saying for years now

you should give it to the team with the most starting pitchers from canada

by cubswynn on Jul 16, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Beauty Eh?

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 16, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uh oh,

there’s a mouse in my beer.

by N Oakley on Jul 16, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know if anybody has said this yet today.

But Tejada played great. and I hate the astros more then almost anybody. But he made a couple of really good plays both with his baserunning and his glove. I think you gotta hand it to him, he gave it his all. If everyone played like him that game for the NL we would have killed the AL. However, I still strongly dislike the guy and the team he plays for.

by huskercubby on Jul 16, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

yeah, he had a good game

might have been MVP if the NL had pulled it out.

by SuperContext on Jul 16, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tejada/Cook co MVP's

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Tejada played a helluva game but to say that if everyone played like him that we would’ve killed the AL is a bit much. In that sense, if everyone pitched like Demp, we would’ve no-hit them and killed them also.

Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.

by Jayo525 on Jul 16, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I surprised

no one has berated Hart for his awful, inexcusably bad technique on that shallow fly ball that scored the winning run. He didn’t wait to charge the ball so he had any momentum, and he caught the ball practically flat-footed behind his head. Oh yeah…and the runner tagging up at third base was a catcher. FAIL.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 16, 2008 10:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree

I thought his throw home was pretty lame. It bounced 2 or 3 times before the catcher gloved it up the 1st base line. Pathetic.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 16, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jacque Jones could have made a better throw....

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 16, 2008 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My Yankee fan friend at the game

referred to it as his Johnny Damon imitation . He was very impressed by Cub pitchers
especially Dempster.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 16, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He should've let McClouth

catch it and throw it for him

Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.

by Jayo525 on Jul 16, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I missed the play...

...but don’t doubt your description. Let’s hope he and the rest of the Brewers play similarly bad defense the rest of the way out.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

McLouth wasn't in position to make any better of...

a throw home. I took one good thing from last night’s ASG. Marmol looked great.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 16, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs