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This Time It REALLY Counts: Cubs 6, Brewers 4

If last night's 6-4 Cubs win over the Brewers had been a postseason game, it would have become legendary.

The game had so many memorable elements -- three lead changes, power galore from the Brewers, clutch pitching from Cub relievers, and a suddenly-hot Alfonso Soriano helping lead the charge with a double, homer and stolen base.

Let's get this quibble out of the way right now, then -- Soriano almost embarrassed himself in the first inning when he went into a home run trot on his deep fly ball to left, only to see it come up just short of "over the wall" and had to hustle into second base, just safe. Fortunately, he scored moments later on Derrek Lee's single.

Another moment that might have been seen as a momentum-turner had the Cubs not come back and won was 3B coach Mike Quade's ill-advised decision to send D-Lee home from second on Mark DeRosa's single in the sixth with the Cubs up 2-0 and only one out. Lee, still apparently slowed from having fouled a ball off his knee a couple of innings earlier, was thrown out easily. I started to have a "Wavin' Wendell" flashback. And when J. J. Hardy and Ryan Braun homered in the last of the sixth off Ted Lilly (just about the only things Lilly did wrong last night) to tie the game, all of us had visions of the power-laden Brewers running away with the game.

But darned if it didn't happen. The Cubs got a break in the 7th when Rickie Weeks threw away a DP relay throw (on yet another Lee grounder that could have been an inning-ending DP); credit to Reed Johnson for an excellent slide that broke up the DP. An earned run scored on the FC, and another one on the error, giving the Cubs the lead back.

Which was promptly coughed up by Bob Howry, allowing a pinch-HR to Russell Branyan.

OK, so I'm not going to yell "DFA Howry!!" here. But I seriously wonder why Lou keeps putting him in these situations, when he hasn't proven he can handle lower-pressure affairs like the game in Arizona last week, and especially considering Howry's flat fastball (CSN's pitch speed meter had that one at 90 MPH) is like raw meat to a hungry power hitter like Branyan. Once again, Scott Eyre sat gathering mold in the bullpen last night. It appears Eyre's on the trading block, possibly to the Rays, Red Sox or Tigers.

You could, I am sure, feel the tension through your TV, if you were watching -- I did -- as Chad Gaudin struck out the side in the 8th inning, and then as the Cubs put together their winning rally, helped out by two key walks to Soriano and the Wonder Hamster, and then D-Lee's double slicing down the RF line, to cheers just as loud from the large Cub fan contingent at Miller Park last night -- they set a record with their 8th consecutive sellout, and of course expect to sell out the rest of the series.

Carlos Marmol looked fine last night in closing, even when he had apparently struck Gabe Kapler out to end the game, only to be forced to throw one more pitch when the umpires ruled that Geovany Soto didn't catch a pitch swung at by Kapler. That was the ruling, right? Why couldn't Soto have just tagged Kapler out? Doug Eddings, the umpire who A. J. Pierzynski snookered in the 2005 ALCS, was the 3B umpire last night. With a chance for redemption, he did nothing. Anyway, all ended well when Kapler flied to left.

Whew! What a night, and that's just the first of four, with playoff intensity, and the Cubs made a huge statement by defeating CC Sabathia. If Carlos Zambrano -- who has pitched very well in his career in Milwaukee -- can win tonight, the pitching matchups tilt into the Cubs' favor starting on Wednesday night -- I can't wait to get up there!

Final note: thanks to BCB reader Hammer, who noticed something that nobody else did -- not the rest of us, nor the players, nor the official scorer -- the umpires called a balk on Ted Lilly when Lilly had apparently picked Rickie Weeks off second base in the third inning, clearly visible when he replayed the play. The official scorer credited Weeks with a stolen base. In the end, it didn't matter, because Lilly got Hardy and Braun to end the inning with no runs scoring.

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Comments

Display:

First!!!!

Good morning everybody!!

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 29, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry Jimmy

gotcha this time ;)

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

P.S.

good morning to you too!

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

First

What a fabulous game

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Great game and great win last night

I’m starting to think we need to be more selective when sending Derrek Lee to try and score.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 29, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That was a bad send by Quade.

Especially after D. Lee fouled a ball off his shin pretty hard.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 29, 2008 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree...

...Quade has been shaky at best with his judgments over at 3rd base. Also, when Lee hit his double, Fontenot could have scored on that play, but Quade was overly conservative on that one.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 29, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dont like 3rd base coaches

They always make me question their calls

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

not an easy job to judge all the factors in less than a second

and then the unpredictability of judging the accuracy of the throw and predict a hop…not like playing fantasy baseball or computer games.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 29, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You shouldn't have to judge the throw and hop...

You should assume that it will be a good throw. Based on location of the ball when the player is approaching 3B, you should be able to reasonably judge these things. You should never send a guy under the assumption that the throw will be bad. If you’re sending the guy, you should be sending him assuming he’ll beat even a good throw. I’d always rather a more conservative 3B coach than one who gets guys regularly thrown out at the plate.

by SouthernCub on Jul 29, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well said...

...and the timing of it (being aggressive was also bad). If it is late in the game and you may not have another shot to score, go ahead and give it a go, but not in the middle of a game with a guy on a bum leg.

The change in momentum after that inning was palpable, and was (in my opinion) the driving force in the Brewers being pumped and scoring 3 to take the lead.

Being a 3rd base coach is a difficult job and it takes a very alert guy who also prepares before hand. I am sure Quade prepares and does his best, but he has had some bad decisions so far this year.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 29, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Would Quade necessarily...

...have known that Lee was running that badly? It’d been a few innings since he’d fouled that ball off his knee, giving the knee time to swell a bit, and Lee hadn’t really run in the time between the foul and his attempted score… Maybe Quade sent him figuring that he was running normally?

I listened to that play on the radio…just kind of cracked me up because Pat said “Lee’s rounding third!” “Here’s the throw….” “Kendal catches it on a bounce…” “and Lee is out! It wasn’t a close play…”

I’ve never experienced radio in slow motion like that before, so I knew Lee must have been really gimpy >8)

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was supposed...

...to read:

"Lee’s rounding third!" (Pause)
"Here’s the throw…." (Paause)
"Kendal catches it on a bounce…" (Paaause)
"and Lee is out! It wasn’t a close play…"

I’ve got that bad habit of posting with angled brackets…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Quade was paying attention...

...I can’t see how he couldn’t have known Lee wasn’t running well.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 29, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even if he was running well

He wouldn’t have scored on that play. It was hit way too hard.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Isn't there a rule of thumb

that if the ball gets to the outfielder before the runner gets to third you hold him? Quade violated that one when he sent Lee

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, all fair enough...

Like I mentioned, I wasn’t able to see the play, only able to try to decipher how things went down from Pat’s call…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're talking about a guy who put on the break hard sign to DeRosa

on a ground rule double… nearly causing a torn ACL.

Quade blows.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 29, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It looked like Fontenot would have been out easily

but the throw home was terrible and Kendall fielded it and bobbled it about 20 feet up the line.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Jul 29, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dunno...

...I thought if LBR had kept running all out, he would have beaten the throw.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

You could see Lee wasn’t on an even pace as he rounded second.

by rgonzale on Jul 29, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quade's not doing his job

if he doesn’t know how every Cub is running, even from at bat to at bat.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Jul 29, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't like music.

It has too many notes.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tommy said so

"They say the big possums come out late." H. Caray

by Don Gerard on Jul 29, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the reason the DLee send was so bad is he has to know that he has TheRiot coming up

and TheRiot has been a good contact hitter. A 3B coach has to know those things. Just a bad send with a guy running on a sore knee. Period.

THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!

by LAcarl519 on Jul 29, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Marmol had a swagger on the mound last night...

...I havent seen since early June. You could see the confidence in his eyes and his fastball was awesome!

Welcome back Carlos, we all missed you. You couldnt have picked a better time to get your mojo back!

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Jul 29, 2008 8:33 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It was really great

to see that Marmol had confidence in his fastball in this outing. If he starts getting that over for strikes again, like he was last night, we are witnessing the return of White Castle.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Marmol's fastball

Yes, that was nice to see, especially since he wasn’t getting any strikes called on the corners.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 29, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very nice to see...

The folks at Brew Crew Ball (and Cub opponents for the past month or so) were kind of licking their chops at the concept of Marmol coming in for the 9th…glad to see they might not feel the same way next time.

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

back in action

the mark of a pro… to go through that painful slump and then come back when he’s most needed.

Let's hope these bats travel well to Milwaukee -- Lou

by Emelie on Jul 29, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have a slightly different impression...

....I think Marmol’s swagger was a result of Soto doing something I haven’t seen him do lately—namely, get the ball back quickly to Marmol.

It seems to me that Marmol wants to work fast, and also that he’s a pitcher who does his best when he’s not “in his head.” Soto firing the ball back to Marmol last night for the first two batters almost immediately after the pitch (and sometimes as the umpire was still making the call) kept Marmol in rhythm for awhile.

But when Soto started holding the ball on some admittedly close calls (presumably to give the ump a chance to change the call), it seemed to throw Marmol off a litlte bit (maybe because Marmol got up in his own head).

So, the lesson? Throw Marmol the damn ball, Soto!

(Al – P.S. that Kapler supposed strike 3 was actually a foul ball. If Soto had caught it, as a foul tip, Kapler would have been out on a foul tip strikeout. However, it hit the ground, so it was a dead ball foul ball. The umpire got that call right.)

by Chadnudj on Jul 29, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I noticed this, too!

When Marmol started rocking in the ninth, Soto was throwing laser beams back to him. Very cool.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

thanks guys

i am back to being a gangster.

have no worries.

no more HRs allowed. no more get me over sliders.

just the tailing goodness that you know and love!

my stuff is filthy

by carlos marmol on Jul 29, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice job on the first AB in the 9th, Carlos

I loved the 6 straight low-and-away fastballs, then the slider that Hall swung at. I think Hall doesn’t swing at the slider if you showed it early in the count.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jul 29, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kapler's non-strikeout

Apparently it was fouled, and when the ball hits the ground on a foul ball it is a dead ball, so Soto couldn’t have tagged him out. I was listening to the game on the MLB feed, and Santo’s head nearly exploded.

"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Jul 29, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That makes more sense.

Obviously, it couldn’t end on a foul if dropped. I thought Kapler had swung and missed.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The replays showed a foul ball.

Kapler fouled it right into the ground. It hopped up into Geo’s glove and he did a good job trying to sell it, but the ball was clearly fouled. The umpires made the right call there.

As for the umpires, they had a lot of close plays last night. It appeared they got most of them right. A couple were so close that even the replays were inconclusive. The strike zone was tight but pretty consistent for the most part.

Despite what I thought of as a good showing by the umpires, the Brewers commentary could not quit talking about how the Cubs were getting every call. I really hope EI has either both broadcasts or only Len and Bob tonight. Last night was tough to listen to up to the very end when they were talking about Marmol having good stuff but questioning when his arm is going to fall off. I thought that was in pretty poor taste. Oh well.

A good win for the team. Hopefully, Z can show his new found complacency on the mound tonight and give a good performance. For all of you in Milwaukee last night keep it up. The Cubbies in the crowd were loud.

by okiecubbie on Jul 29, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tonight's game is on WGN.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

YEAH!!!!!!!!

and then wed. is on ESPN, so I get to watch the next two, can’t wait!!

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

3

Thursday on WGN.

"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman

by Bildo1805 on Jul 29, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know,

I can’t watch day games, I have to be at work, BOOOO!

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate how they put a lot of the day games on WGN

And the night games on CSN. I understand their reasons, but it sucks since I don’t get CSN and work during the day.

by dr stabbingworth on Jul 29, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+3

Mediacom in DSM blows

by cubswynn on Jul 29, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate FSN WI

Living in Madison, I’m usually forced to watch Cubs games and listen to the horrendous Brian Anderson. I’ll settle for WGN low-def over hearing his annoying calls. Last night he kept saying “A-ram-is Ramirez”. God, I hate that.

by cubbie-swagger on Jul 29, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

They make stuff up too. Saying CC was staring down Sori on his homerun as they put it “cadillac’d it out of the box”. Ok, I know Sori watches his shots but Braun is at fault for this too and they defend him.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

they kept calling it the I-94 series.

a nickname I think they hope will pick up

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 29, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whenever I go beyond the Cheddar Curtain

and we pass that store, I go

MAAAARS CHEEEEESE CAAAAAAAAASTLEEEEE!!!!

’’If somebody had told me we were going to lose Soriano for eight weeks, lose [Carlos] Zambrano and Kerry Wood for a couple of weeks apiece, and then at the same time lose [Reed] Johnson, and then when we played the American League not have a DH [then-injured Daryle Ward], and be in first place by two games, I’d tell you we were pretty fortunate.’’ Lou Piniella (7/23/08)

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I always have to remark upon it as well.

My wife and I actually stopped there once, and they have some pretty nice gourmet food stuff.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I see your Mars Cheese Castle and...

...raise you one Bong Recreation Area!

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

HA

Thats my living room thats its directing you too

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Your living room...

...has its own exit?!

Impressive…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

awesome.

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

NOT Exit 420?

They missed an easy one there.

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jul 29, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've stayed there...

...it is near East Troy, Wisconsin, which is where Alpine Valley is located. I’ll be there next weekend for the annual two-day Dave Matthews Band concert; Dave says just about every year this is his favorite place to play. It will be my 19th and 20th concert.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jul 29, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice...

I’m “only” up to 4 shows (and one Dave/Tim gig), myself.

Have fun!

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Alpine is the best!

My fave show there was The Who in ‘89. First time they performed Tommy in its entirety since ‘69. Awsome performance. I was sitting at the front of the hill facing the stage and when Entwhistle would do his amazing bass notes my chest would pound from the repercussion.

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Three words that seem

incredibly incongruous next to each of the others, yet, so familar and comforting on any northbound road trip.

What about the Fatman Inn? The El Rancho Motel? Bong State Recreation Area? Those I think are on Highway 41 rather than the interstate, but I like to take that road sometimes too. They could call it the Grenn Bay Trail Series or the Milwaukee Plank Road series too, if only the Brewers had been around another 80 years or so.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Jul 29, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I went to college in Appleton, WI

and would drive home to Chicago frequently and always loved the sight of the Mars Cheese Castle. It always let me know I was getting close to home.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah, yes.

The Bong State Recreation Area. I can’t help but wonder how many stoners have risked their young lives to stop and get their picture taken next to that sign. I know I always wanted to.

Another favorite I-94 site of mine is that stretch with all the adult book stores. I call it “Porn Row.”

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Grew up in Kenosha and...

back when The Greatfull Dead played concerts at Alpine Valley the scene around Bong was quite a sight for and impressionable youth. That campground rocked on those weekends.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Jul 29, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What a long strange trip it's been!

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Memories of Alpine Valley

1) AC/DC Fly on the Wall
2) Def Leppard Hysteria

What a great time to be alive….!

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on Jul 29, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I believe so.

Perhaps “Final Countdown” is an appropriate song to herald as this season progresses…..

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on Jul 29, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep, I was there.

...in the front row actually. My friend and I bought tickets from a scalper. Funny thing was, we didn’t know they were front row seats when we bought them. They certainly weren’t priced that way.

Anyway, my lasting my memory from that show was at the very end, when the five members of Def Lep were taking their bows. Rick Allen started walking toward me, high-fiving people. I knew if I stuck my arm up, I’d have a chance to high-five him.

But then it occurred to me, “Oh my God, I’m about to high-five Rick Allen’s one remaining arm.” And I completely freaked out and shrunk back into the crowd.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mike, you went to Tremper, right?

I think we talked about this before IIRC

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 29, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A big +1 on the Brat Stop

and pick me up a bag o’ cheese curds while you’re at it!

by bison on Jul 29, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

El Rancho Motel

is seen in “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” – I think it’s the place John Candy and Steve Martin check into after their car interior has been burned out. IIRC in the movie it’s supposed to be between St Louis and Chicago.

It’s actually in Gurnee (IL), just north of Fatman’s on US-41.

by ChipSet on Jul 29, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Memories

Prom night at the El Rancho—1971

by mlern on Jul 29, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

calling it the I-94 series

They are definately trying to have that catch on. I was purchasing a racing sausage before the game and the vendor suggested a cap with I-94 series along with two team logos on it. I passed and bought the Polish Racing Sausage. That was quite a game too!

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain

by brook on Jul 29, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

During that stretch there was also something

like “a lot of those cubs are like that”.

Which was even more lame when you remember Braun admiring his go ahead HR in STL last week. Now that was cadillacin’

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 29, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wish Charter carried WGN in Hi-DEF

Wrigley is beautiful in HD

I don’t mind Anderson as much as Bill Schroeder. He is painful to listen to. Of course, they are both a pleasure compared to Daron Sutton’s Chip Carey impersonations and Jim Powell’s homerism. Powell was noticeably giddy when reporting that the Cubs had Soriano AND Zambrano on the DL earlier this year. I thought that was unnecessary. Oh well, I guess it comes with the territory of being a Cub fan.

by Mapmaker on Jul 29, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Schroeder resorts to whining a lot...

Last night he was saying that all the close plays went to the Cubs on the base paths. I thought the umps did a fine job last night. I also thought it was funny when they showed the shot of Braun talking to Branyan and Schroeder was adamant that he was talking to him about how he kept his shoulder in to hit that homerun. “That’s what he is saying to Russell.” OK, Bill unless you can read lips real well you have NO idea what they are talking about.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was totally ridiculous, too

because they would say all the calls were going the Cubs way while conceding the umps got the calls right. So it was like the weirdest complaint ever

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Glad they are WGN tonight and ESPN tomorrow and GN again on Thursday

so I don’t have to listen to them… Although they did win while on FSN so if they get off to a bad start my superstition may take me back to those goons.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Schroeder

Yes, he’s the one I meant – what a tool. I don’t mind the bias, that comes with the territory. But don’t make stuff up and stop whining about all the calls going the Cubs’ way. There were a lot of close calls, but they were all called right. Props to the officials last night.

by cubbie-swagger on Jul 29, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the blonde sportscaster...

Who is she?

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

bump

I think you like most of the female sportscasters “rolling my eyes”

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 29, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

It’s a nice change of pace from Len and Bob…:)

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's because this umpiring team

= no Drake.

’’If somebody had told me we were going to lose Soriano for eight weeks, lose [Carlos] Zambrano and Kerry Wood for a couple of weeks apiece, and then at the same time lose [Reed] Johnson, and then when we played the American League not have a DH [then-injured Daryle Ward], and be in first place by two games, I’d tell you we were pretty fortunate.’’ Lou Piniella (7/23/08)

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was dropped...

It was a foul tip that hit the ground and then went into Soto’s glove.

The replays were very clear, and ti was the right call.

by big_lowitzki on Jul 29, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup, I knew it from the second it happened...

...and when the Cubs started acting like the game was over, I was like, “Oh, man. If they get away with this, we’re going to be hearing it from Brewers fans for years.” I’m kinda glad Marmol got the legit third out.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Marmol looked good

Marmol and Soriano look to be back. We need those guys. Glad to see D-Lee come through in the clutch (I know he hit another DP ball). Lilly stayed tough. Good game.
Howry should no better than to throw that pitch to Russell.

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Jul 29, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I was surprised Lou let Howry face Branyan.

I thought for sure he would have brought in Cotts. Especially the way Bob has been lately.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm confused about the foul ball confusion

He fouled the ball into the dirts, Soto didn’t catch it…..why would he be able to tag him out? If he swings and misses, then Soto can tag him.

by cubswynn on Jul 29, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's what I thought happened...

... that he did swing and miss.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The strikeout that wasn't

I beleive Kapler foul-tipped it and geo didn’t catch the foul tip

C.C.+Feilder+Gagne=The brewers just ran out of XXXL Jerseys

by jds2 on Jul 29, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hit Gorund

He foul tipped it straight down into the ground and bounced directly up into Soto’s glove. Soto almost sold it.

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Jul 29, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, according to the replay

the umpires made the right call. And to be totally honest, I felt that the umpires actually called last nights game very well. I don’t think they made in big mistakes.

by adam316 on Jul 29, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

There was one play at first...

I think it was Theriot. Looked like he was safe, but he was called out. I didn’t see the replay though. Anyone else think he was safe?

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Replay showed he was out...

by a half step. Really close though.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Soto couldn't tag out Kapler because the batter fouled the ball into the ground.

That was the ump’s ruling and the replays backed him out, at least those shown on the Brewers’ broadcast I was watching last night on EI.

by Fraggin Judge on Jul 29, 2008 8:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Same on the Cubs broadcast. Replays clearly showed the ball one hopped into Soto’s glove. The umps got this one right.

by txtom on Jul 29, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks to all of you.

It wasn’t clear to me that Kapler had fouled the ball… at first, it looked like he had swung and missed.

Anyway… all’s well that ends well, right?

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup!

Except poor Ronnie on the radio – I really was worried about him for a second there. He’s right – it’s never easy with these guys. How about a nice 11-0 win every now and then, just for a giggle?

"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Jul 29, 2008 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Boy, no kidding.

A blowout would be REALLY nice. Would help everyone relax.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, No!

I heard Santo say that loud and clear through the static on a radio at home when D-Lee hit that almost double play ground ball in the 7th. I sure was glad to hear Weeks threw the ball away and that the Cubs had taken the lead. “Oh, no!” is never something I like to hear come out of Ronnie’s mouth. Things turned out okay in this case.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 29, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The game last night

certainly had a playoff feel to it. RJ said in a post game interview that while stretching before the game themany Cub fans there cheered the players and the Brewer fans booed them.

After watching Soriano’s first hit again he’s lucky he even made it to 2nd base. I wish he would stop that stupid posing.

It will seem like years before game time tonight. Hope they continue to add to their 2 game winning streak. Man this is exciting stuff guys.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 29, 2008 8:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Got that sense also listening to WGN Radio last night

with the crowd noise in the background, the excitement in Pat Hughes commentary and Santo going nuts from time to time.

by JFCubFan on Jul 29, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can only

imagine how Santo sounded. I get a kick out of him.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 29, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was fabulous!

I had to rush to work and get the gameday audio going and pat and Ron were both about to stroke out. I was just paging out a 911 call when the crowd went wild when DLee came through. The second i let go of the button, I yelled oh yeah! Glad I was by myself last night.

"That guy is a gamer." said Ron Santo of Reed Johnson on 07-25-08

by love the ivy on Jul 29, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The umps

Everybody likes to bash them when they miss a call but they had a good game last night. Looks like they got the calls right last night, the Kapler foul and the close plays at 1st.

by rlpete on Jul 29, 2008 8:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Quade's send

was awful. I knew he was out before the throw came out of Cameron’s hand.

That said, it was great being at the game last night. Brewers fans are a good bunch, with a few giving me a good ribbing after the back-to-back homeruns.

It is SO WEIRD to go to a game where the home fans feel like they have to out-shout the visiting fans in order to not be drowned out by them.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 29, 2008 8:42 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

hindsight is 20/20

yes it was a bad call by come-around quade, but i suspect he didn’t realize how much dlee was hurting…..they way dlee was running, i thought he seriously hurt himself…...glad it’s nothing “serious” but i bet his shin is sore this morning….yikes

by cubswynn on Jul 29, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, but...

....Mike Cameron has a pretty fair to good arm, the ball was pretty shallow, and you had Theriot up next, as I recall—to me, strategically, with one out, you don’t send DLee with all those factors.

But, Quade has made many good calls on sending guys this season and last, so I suppose I should just shut up and enjoy the win!

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

valid points

i can’t help but feel for 3rd bases coaches, they rarely get the credit they deserve for good calls and get all the blame on bad ones

by cubswynn on Jul 29, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's been happening lately though

2 in the Marlins series and one last night. When these one hoppers are shot out to the outfield Quade’s gotta know the guy on 3rd has a bleak chance.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Come-Around-Quade"

Haha…I like that…

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

OK, but

As long as it’s not “reach-around Quade”

by dr stabbingworth on Jul 29, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

D Lee is not that fast

anymore!

He does not steal, he does not beat out weak grounders, and he cannot score from 2nd on a shallow single anywhere. Dont send him again Quade.

Seriously though, he looks sluggish when he runs, maybe cuz he’s such a big dude. When Prince was coming around 3rd he had all kinds of motion going. He even had his hands a certain way, maybe to make himself more aerodynamic or something, looked like he was running the 100 meters in the olympics. It was priceless to see.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 29, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm sorry, I just cannot picture

Prince running the 100 in the Olympics. That picture is just too funny for me.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think you're forgetting one thing...

There was a double cheeseburger and fries on home plate. I think the MLB needs to look into this… that’s gotta be breaking some kind of rule.

by daeviant on Jul 29, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I noticed lots and lots of jiggling

Perhaps he needs a Bro or a Mansserie?

by salparadise23 on Jul 29, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

AHA! I finally figured out why I recognized your name "salparadise"

I just read On The Road by Kerouac and wrote a 15 page thesis paper on it

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Correct

You win a driving lesson from Dean Moriarty.

by salparadise23 on Jul 29, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

I did notice some flip-floppage. He may want to go with a full body cast instead

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 29, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What confuses me is...

...why you’re all looking that closely at Prince Fielder.

Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.

by Cool Hand on Jul 29, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

if something that big is running

you watch it. Don’t want to get stepped on.

’’If somebody had told me we were going to lose Soriano for eight weeks, lose [Carlos] Zambrano and Kerry Wood for a couple of weeks apiece, and then at the same time lose [Reed] Johnson, and then when we played the American League not have a DH [then-injured Daryle Ward], and be in first place by two games, I’d tell you we were pretty fortunate.’’ Lou Piniella (7/23/08)

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Howry

why was Howry throwing a low fastball to a guy that can only hit low fastballs? Howry was pitching an effective inning and then just had a mental breakdown? That seems to be all it could be because it wasn’t a terrible pitch, if throw at a different time, but to Branyon, it was a terrible pitch. Howry had two strikes on him, all he needed to do was elevate the fastball a little and Branyon is more likely to have swung through the pitch.

Other than that, Lilly put up another gutsy performance. He really came through when the team needed him to pitch a good game. The bullpen looks good again (minus above) and will likely be dominant again once Wood gets back and the rest of the guys can return to their respective roles.

This is going to be a fun series and a fun second half to the season.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

And it wasn't much of a fastball either, at 90 MPH.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

very true

my biggest problem was with the location.

It looked like Howry threw it right where Soto was set up. Does Soto general choose the pitch location, as well? If so, maybe he needed to watch a little more film of Branyon as well.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Location Location Location

I was curious about that, too…I wonder if Soto wanted it in the dirt?

"They say the big possums come out late." H. Caray

by Don Gerard on Jul 29, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nothing wrong with 90mph...

...if it has movement and good location, which that one didn’t.

The fact that Howry throws 90% fastballs (all between 91-94) makes it more difficult for him to be effective because the hitters can time him better. In the past, he has had exceptional location and that has allowed him to have success. Recently, he has lost that command and his fastball has flattened out. For him, this equals – getting hit hard.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 29, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dat's what I've been sayin'!

It is his Excalibur.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wouldn't that make SWL

the Lady in the Lake (shudders slightly) ;)

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We have THREE lefties in the pen

in Marshall, Cotts and Eyre. Why not bring one of them in in that situation? In 14 ABs this year against lefties, he doesn’t have a hit.

I know Howry has to execute and all that, and his lack of velocity is troublesome, but why no lefty?

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jul 29, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I chalk it up to a brain fart on Lou's part.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wrote this up above...

No way Howry should have been facing Branyan. He has 2 fresh lefties in Cotts and Eyre and didn’t play the matchup. Bobby isn’t the Bobby of old. Lou needs to come to grips with this.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Lou isn't the Lou of old either..

still love em, but he’s had a few senior moments this year.

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Take the HR out of Howry and you’re left with either “ow-y!” or “Ow! Y?!”

usually my response to him getting the call from the pen

"Look at it this way: If you're a Cubs fan, the Greatest Day of Your Life is yet to come." ~ Cubs Forever

by IvyOnTheWall on Jul 29, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or...

Howry = “How are we” gonna give up the lead?

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 29, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he ever gets to pitching good again, we are legally required to call him Owy. It’ll be the new ONEDEC.

Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.

by Cool Hand on Jul 29, 2008 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lilly last 3 games

6 inn twice, 7 inn once, 7 ER total…... His ERA has remained unchanged in all 3 games @ 4.49. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 29, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone notice...

The classless move by the Brewer fans last night, when they CHEERED the foul ball off D Lee’s leg?

Complete classless.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jul 29, 2008 8:48 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I sat next to a guy who literally started screaming with delight

when this happened. It was sick.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jul 29, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I heard them cheering

Prince had some class in him when he tried to get Soriano off the bag on a pickoff throw. Just kept swiping his glove at Soriano’s leg even after he was on the base.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 29, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's an old baseball tactic

Hard tags at 1st especially if the pitcher throws over numerous times. No problem with that.

by rlpete on Jul 29, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that's part of baseball...

along with hard slides at 2B, bowling over the catcher at the plate, brushback pitches, etc. No problem there.

by SouthernCub on Jul 29, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wasn't just one hard tag

He kept swiping at his feet, just looked real dumb

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 29, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well then hopefully Lee will do it back to Prince.

Since I think one nudge in any direction could knock him over.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Knocking over someone that large would take more than a "nudge".

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or tilt the field.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Watching him score

an Hart’s double was worth giving up the run, but only because we won the game. I wouldn’t feel this way otherwise.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of like a runawa cement truck.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Makes me even happier that Lee cut that throw off

Fielder would have killed Soto. That play would have been close.

You wonder if Lee considered that at all, and cut the throw off to save his catcher.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Soto was heard yelling

CUT CUT for gods shake CUT

Let go cubs

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

True, but

Soto had more time to prepare for Fielder that time. It would have been a lot closer this time around.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think you want to be

taking blows from a runaway Prince on a regular basis.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ha ha ha

Good to see the humor vibes..this morning

by cubsnlinux on Jul 29, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Humor..

did you see the last game thread when someone asked, “PLEASE tell me, how did it end”? All the funny responses had me rolling on the floor.

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

by Bump Bailey on Jul 29, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

That was my second favorite part of the thread last night, after winning.

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

was excellent

by JCD on Jul 29, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

true

but the round mound of brew town might have remember that also

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He would have put Soto in the third row of the stands. The

last thing we need to do now is lose our starting catcher.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or given him a concussion

like the one McCann suffered, and McCann was only hit by the Flyin Hawaiin, who is half the size of Fielder.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

just speaks to the goofy groundrules

of a lot of the stadiums in the bigs. half the time its only b/c no one knows if the ball is in play or not.

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 29, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

All he has to do is say...

“look…a there’s a hotdog!”

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 29, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Somebody commented that Fielder's at-bats are sponsored by McDonalds...

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 29, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's A Lot of McSalads

Isn’t he a vegetarian? Can’t be ovo-lacto ‘cause you can’t maintain girth like that without the dairy…

Dude must’ve bought the Mars Cheese Castle’s owners a yacht this year.

"They say the big possums come out late." H. Caray

by Don Gerard on Jul 29, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not a shining moment, no...

At first I was assuming it was for getting the strike, but the continued cheering made it clear it was due to the injury.

by SouthernCub on Jul 29, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well he got his...

Revenge in the 9th!

:)

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jul 29, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So true...

A satisfying win. Let’s get the next three too please!

by SouthernCub on Jul 29, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep. Pathetic.

I really didn’t expect that from them…surprising…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

I noticed and I was outraged. It was disgusting. Cardinal fans wouldn’t have done that.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Jul 29, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was thinking that

The Cards fans would’ve appreciated the game for what it was, just a well played exciting game. And they would’ve been annoyed by the outcome, but they’re baseball fans first.

I like having them as our rivals. The Brewers haven’t reached “rivalry” status w/ me yet.

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 29, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Series with the Brewers...

...these past two years seem more in line with a Cubs/Sox series than a Cubs/Cards series…a lot more anger flowing in both directions than real baseball appreciation and respect…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, agreed.

When I think of our main rival it’s ALWAYS the Cards, situationally like the Brew Crew or Astros or something, but only if they’re in contention and we are as well.

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dont know how many

of you had to watch it on the brewers feed last night. I dont know who there color guy is but this guy complained on every call.

When cedeno stoled third this guy was crying about the cubs getting every close call. When the replay showed that he was safe, he started saying how he just did not understand that even though the umps had gotten every call correct the cubs keep getting the close calls. If only their players would worry so much about the umps.

three things i noticed that really caught my eye -

Reed Johnson break up slide – that coud really be a momentum changer for this series

Aram – hustling in the second to beat the throw (which was not that tough) but it was good to see him hustle

why did we not send Fonty home in the 9th, he would have made that one doing cartwheels

Also, dome looks completely lost at the plate, this guy has both feet moving and swinging. It starting to look like the league has this guy figured out

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yep, I really can't stand the Brewers announcers...

...why, oh why, couldn’t we get the away feed for this game…not like its a big series or anything…

I guess it was more important to have Red Sox at Angels on THREE networks (home, away and ESPN).

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 29, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I did

I thought they did a decent job. They are Milwaukee based so they will favor the Brewers. They gave Lilly his props throughout the game.

by rlpete on Jul 29, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

they were very fair in regards

to our players and our guys hustle. But they whined about every close play and every check swing it was getting a little old

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They reminded me of the Deadbird announcers.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Completely agree

They kept complaining about every close call. It was getting really old. They could not let the Weeks ground out to start the sixth go.

My roommate is a Braves fan and we have EI. He couldnt get over how obnoxious the two were and he is impartial. That’s when I knew they were pretty bad.

by okiecubbie on Jul 29, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My problem wasn't the complaining

it was the fact they were complaining about plays and then in the next sentence were like “oh, but the ump got it right, still don’t know how the Cubs get all the calls though.” Um. Duh. Because the calls are actually going our way. It isn’t rocket science.

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I watch them quite a bit on EI...

...and they do this against other teams in the Central…

They are really over the top homers.

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 29, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd listen to Brewer announcer any day of the week as opposed to Sunday night baseball crew

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 29, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

that was a hell

of a slide by Reed.

’’If somebody had told me we were going to lose Soriano for eight weeks, lose [Carlos] Zambrano and Kerry Wood for a couple of weeks apiece, and then at the same time lose [Reed] Johnson, and then when we played the American League not have a DH [then-injured Daryle Ward], and be in first place by two games, I’d tell you we were pretty fortunate.’’ Lou Piniella (7/23/08)

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good hard-nosed play. Scrappy would be proud.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

sure

cept LBR or Riot woulda just bounced off. :D

’’If somebody had told me we were going to lose Soriano for eight weeks, lose [Carlos] Zambrano and Kerry Wood for a couple of weeks apiece, and then at the same time lose [Reed] Johnson, and then when we played the American League not have a DH [then-injured Daryle Ward], and be in first place by two games, I’d tell you we were pretty fortunate.’’ Lou Piniella (7/23/08)

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Play of the game, in many regards.

I almost fell off the couch when Weeks threw the ball away. I was all set to mourn another DLee GIDP and RJ saved the day. That guy gets it done in so many ways.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Play of the game for us. :D

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

by slcathena on Jul 29, 2008 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

gotta love reed

he does the little things.

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 29, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He really has

had some fantastic plays this season. I really like him a lot.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 29, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

he learned how to take a roll and hit from his Motorcycle-Riding days...

-still not sure if I want him to grow that Fu Manchu back

"Look at it this way: If you're a Cubs fan, the Greatest Day of Your Life is yet to come." ~ Cubs Forever

by IvyOnTheWall on Jul 29, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah he’s hit a lot better since shaving it off

"Look at it this way: If you're a Cubs fan, the Greatest Day of Your Life is yet to come." ~ Cubs Forever

by IvyOnTheWall on Jul 29, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

USDA confirms it was 100% Grade A Scrap

"That guy is a gamer." said Ron Santo of Reed Johnson on 07-25-08

by love the ivy on Jul 29, 2008 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have only two words in two minutes left of break time in the internet cafe at work ..

BENCH HOWRY

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Jul 29, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

No you dont BENCH HIM...

You get him to stay ahead of hitters and use his off speed more.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jul 29, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Needs to come inside more

Away, away, away… will get you in trouble with full counts… then the hitter can feast, feast, feast

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Jul 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

OR

You let him slowly work his way back to decent by putting him in less crucial situations taking on maybe only 1 or 2 batters at a time then get him out of there.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

FWIW...

Howry is using his slider about twice as often this year as he did last.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 29, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

everytime

howry pitches i go and follow it on the internet, i cant watch him pitch. Is his slider breaking or just spinning.

If its spinning all he is doing is speeding up the hitters bat

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Plus all the diddling with the glove between pitches is sooooo boring. I am sure his defenders get lax.

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

by Fishbone2 on Jul 29, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

my bad....

it should say more effectively.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jul 29, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think...

...that’s more an indicator of how infrequently he used the slider last year. As far as I can tell, his command was just better last year—he may be throwing more sliders this year to compensate for his inability to consistently locate his straight fastball.

In general, his MO is to throw the 4-seamer away. It doesn’t have much movement, and when he misses over the plate, it’s a pretty easy pitch to hit, especially when all his fastballs are 91-93.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 29, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thoroughly enjoyed

this game. Twists, turns and the right team won. What a fun game to start this series. I think we rose to the occassion pretty well. It’s up to Z tonight to keep the Brewers bats in the dugout. Great approach to get CC out of the game but it took 124 pitches to do it and still throwing 95 MPH!! Lilly gave us a great start but was ready to walk to Milwaukee to get him out after 5 straight hits. Get this one tonight and we’ll have them doubting. This may be the key game to the series, never easy though, remember that!

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jul 29, 2008 8:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks --

I appreciate the help with this.

by ceegeewow on Jul 29, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty amazing...

...how obvious the Brewers are about throwing Sabathia until his arm falls off. Rental cars get treated better than that…

by Shawon O Meter on Jul 29, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm still shocked he left him out there that long..

If he’s not careful the new pick up might not be available come sept b/c his arm might fall off.

"Go Cubs Go"

by mkcubs21 on Jul 29, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAHAHA a mention to Hammer bout the balk?

This was the topic of discussion in the boards last night; I think Hammer spent a good 15 minutes trying to get everyone’s attention. I love it. Good shout out, Al!

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jul 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If anyone here can cut video out of the highlight feeds...

... see if you can cut out the play where the balk was called and post it.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are we still talking about this?

If you’re going to request video, can we get Reed Johnson’s slide or something else worth watching?

by dr stabbingworth on Jul 29, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

... I’ve seen the slide a bunch of times and I know how it looked. I didn’t see the balk call.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Shaking Off Soto --

Did anyone else notice?
Howry shook off Soto not once but twice before he threw the gopher ball to Branyan.
I said to my wife just before Howry threw the ball—“He probably shook off a breaking pitch so he could throw his very hittable fastball.”

Please Lou - No more Howry in close games.

If I can find a link to the St. Petersburg Times, I will put it in another post. It’s a story about the Rays releasing Gary Glover. Just substitute Howry’s name in this story and it’s like you’re reading about Howry’s recent exploits. I will try to get the link.

by ceegeewow on Jul 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

whats to shake off

he has basically one pitch a fastball….many time a catcher will give a sign to shake his head trying to make the batter think more than just sitting on a fastball

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly...

...half the time a pitcher shakes a guy off, the catcher gave him the sign to do just that. Anything to make the hitter wonder what might be coming.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gary Glover -- Bob Howry -- Releasing Some Thoughts

Take a look at this story—just substitute Bob Howry’s name for Glover. Talk about a mirror image.

by ceegeewow on Jul 29, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's the link...

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article745067.ece

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 29, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gaudin love

He comes in in the bottom of the 8th and strikes out the side with the heart of the Brewers line-up at bat. There might be some ice cold blood in those veins.

"I don't think anybody's paying attention to the Cubs." - Prince Fielder

by jasoniniowa on Jul 29, 2008 9:02 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

many people (from oakland)

stated that gaudin was going to be a huge part of that trade. How right they were

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

what a great trade that was... cheers to hendry for making that move!

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and cheers for Jimmy Ballgame!

Let's hope these bats travel well to Milwaukee -- Lou

by Emelie on Jul 29, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Props to Hendry for getting him

Even if Harden gets hurt, Gaudin makes that trade a big win for the Cubs

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 29, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Getting Gaudin was a real coup for Hendry—he’s only 25 and can start or relieve, a great pickup, and it appears the only decent player lost was Gallagher.

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

by Al on Jul 29, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good trade for both teams.Gallaher will be a good pitcher for the A's.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 29, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

also, Godforbid, If Harden gets hurt

Isnt Gaudin a reliable starting pitcher as well? It makes the trade worthwhile even if Harden gets hurt, and didnt Murton get sent to AAA the other day?

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

even if harden gets hurt

you have to leave gaudin in the pen, it looks like this guy can throw everyday and seems to thrieve in clutch spots

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Jul 29, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

good point

The Shark could always be a starter as well

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also

he has a cool name that sounds like an artist or a fashion designer.

by daeviant on Jul 29, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The face of Piniella on the after game interview

He was as excited as a little kid after winning a little league game! Great game, well played on both sides.

The important thing is regardless of what happens the next 3 games the Cubs cannot be swept!

They also have their 3 best starters pitching while beating the Brewers best pitcher. Soriano is back offensively…back his only out was a line deflection in a top ten play for ESPN…..

Today Sheets vs Zambrano, both teams know their opponent, I suspect another game of 6-4, 6-5 when its done. That said Fukudome and Edmonds will start.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 29, 2008 9:08 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

haha

it was a little different than the look on his face when howry got taken deep

by cubswynn on Jul 29, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Eyre

I feel like it was about 3 to 4 weeks ago Eyre was on Waddle and Silvy and it was apparent from the coversation that Lou was really happy with how he was pitching. Things have changed quickly. Has he been that bad? I can’t remember the last time he pitched.

What a complete team win. Good starting pitching, some of the big guys stepped up, Reed with the great slide and good work by most of the bullpen.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Jul 29, 2008 9:13 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If memory serves me correctly

He didnt let up a run since last August at one point this year, but I remember saying that one day and then seeing him get rocked.

Eyre has pitched in 18 games, 11 innings pitched! He is 2-0 with a 4.91 E.R.A

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

June 26th

Eyre hasn’t pitched since then. He came off the DL on July 24th, so it’s only five games during which Lou has had no use for him.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

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

Why?

There was a stretch in the season where he was pitching well.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Jul 29, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ask Lou

but it seems like if the Cubs are winning or the score is close, the bottom half of the bullpen (according to a ranking system known only to him) cannot get in the game.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Jul 29, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

5 game threads, 3680 comments!!!

This has to be a record. What a game last night. I knew after the Cubs failed to get anybody in during the 6th that the Brewers would mount a little comeback. The Cubs kept battling. Lilly looked great(aside from the 6th), and CC got off easy. The Cubs could of scored 5-6 runs off him. Marmol looked very sharp. He was just missing on some of those pitches. Tonight will be the game of the year.

by McRipper on Jul 29, 2008 9:17 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yea last night was nuts

I went to Yogi’s, a good sports bar in Bloomington, IN, and I felt like I was in Wrigleyville. Not only are there fake ivy walls and 500000 TVs with every game you can think of, even in the summer in this college town the place was packed with Cubs fans… breaking into Go Cubs Go after we won, singing it to the few brewers fans in attendence. 1.50 Budweisers too! Great night…. I got the chills after we won and the place erupted

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man, sounds like a great time

Would’ve loved to been there. I watched the game on MLB.tv on my 19 inch monitor with a tall glass of water and a nutty buddy.

by McRipper on Jul 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nothing wrong with that!

No matter where everybody was or what they were doing drinking eating or anything else, a Cubs fan has got to love the game they just witnessed… now I kind of want a nice cold glass of water and a nutty buddy

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly!!!

Sounds refreshing doesn’t it?

by McRipper on Jul 29, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the game

what a rousing victory! the cubs have really turned on the afterburners

and the game thread: colossal. never seen anything like it

shark sighting tonight? hope it’s a cubbies blowout and we can get the kid in there in a low pressure situation and watch him mow brewboys down

by brian custer on Jul 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Pineilla needs to share the blame with Howry

i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again before you go on a DFA witch hunt with the bullpen take a look at the how the manager is using it

With the way Howry’s been pitching he should be worked into more low leverage situations. Granted, with the way our bullpen has been tattered of late I understand needing an inning out of him yesterday and for the most part he did his job

how did he “do his job” you ask if he blew the game

well… he NEVER should’ve been left in to face Branyan who is 0-14 with 8 K’s this year against Lefties.

Where is Scott Eyre? Is he dead? Or is it in his contract that he no longer pitches for the Cubs but is simply the bullpen jester?

He should’ve been used to retire Branyan or at least force Ned Yost’s hand to use 2 players in one PH move

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Eyre has only pitched 11 innings in 18 games

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 29, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LSA

Howry has to execute, but Lou NEEDS to play the numbers there.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jul 29, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Letting Howry get two outs and then pulling him would’ve been a great way to build his confidence.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me too

it wasn’t a badly pitched inning, at least for the first two batters. His confidence would have been much higher leaving at that point.

One mistake pitch though, a low fastball (and a slow one at that) to a low fastball hitter.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 29, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

...As soon as Branyan was announced I was thinking the same thing. Bob did his job, now go to your Loogy to counter the move.

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Jul 29, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just another in a series of bad BP & Bench moves

I will always be in the minority but I still say the Cubs win despite Lou not because of him.
How do you not put in Cotts or Eyre to pitch to Branyan ? Maybe Jimmy was right. Lou uses Howry
deliberately to mess up so Hendry will get him another BP arm ? I mean lose a game or two but
gain Fuentes ? Ok just kidding but folks he has been doing this stuff all season.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tough call

early on in the season he used his BP .1 IP here, .2 IP there and I know I complained. Now he seems to be obsessed with “saving his bullplen”. I can’t quite figure Lou out. Is he maybe drinking before the game now?

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 29, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

we're in the minority together

but nothing personal against Lou, I just happen to believe every team wins in spite of their manager to some degree

That is one of my favorite arguments from the Lou-lovers though, the one that he’s “sending a message” to Jim Hendry

So let me get this straight… you’re in support of the guy intentionally not doing his best job to send a message to someone else in the organization?

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jul 29, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a Strawman

I’m a “Lou-lover”, but there is no way in the world he’s sending a message by putting folks on the mound he doesn’t think will succeed. And I don’t think anyone would ever seriously make that claim.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 29, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think he would put someone on the mound that he doesn't think will succeed...

However, I do think he would continue to send someone out there, expecting that he get his job done, (i.e. Bobby Howry). That’s all I say, not a topic for today for me.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 29, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up