Tuesday Morning Miscellaneous
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 8:27 AM CDT
in News
167 comments
A few headlines to fill your day till tonight's game:
- Barry Rozner on Rich Harden:
... keeping him on the field has been something of a mystery, and so far the Cubs have solved it with a mixture of extra rest and short pitch counts.
If that continues, if Harden can stay on the mound and throw the way he's capable, it's simply hard to imagine this Cubs team falling short of the World Series.
- Are lineup changes coming? Will Kosuke Fukudome be benched? And why is Fukudome struggling? Here are some of the possible reasons:
This could also explain something we've been discussing here over the last few days -- why Japanese players seem to improve after their first full season in the USA. Maybe it takes that long to adjust."Japanese players train notoriously hard, but this is a longer season than he's used to," said ESPN analyst Orestes Destrade, a former major-league first baseman who played five seasons for Japan's Seibu Lions. "There is more travel in the major leagues, and farther travel. It's more grueling than in Japan, where the cities are closer together and you take [high-speed trains] between cities. Your body wears down.
"Throw in the fact that there's been a lot of attention and hype surrounding him all season long, and you can see how he might break down. As stoic as Japanese players are, it still affects you. He's going through a funk, and a couple days off might help."
- Gordon Edes at Yahoo profiles Jeff Samardzija.
- Ryan Theriot answers questions.
- Cubs in power rankings: ESPN #1, but Phil Rogers #2. Must be those negative numbers Rogers had for the Cubs this past off-season.
- Non-Cub news of interest: Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria suffered a broken wrist after being hit by a pitch last Thursday, and may miss a month. So ... what do the Rays do to replace his bat? Sign Kenny Lofton or even Barry Bonds? Or, possibly trade for Tampa-area native Gary Sheffield? Stay tuned. The Rays set a franchise record on Sunday with their 71st win, breaking the mark set in 2004 when Lou Piniella was their manager.
That ought to keep you all busy till game time. Have at it.
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dam so close
Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic. Crash Davis
by Reed's Johnson on Aug 12, 2008 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess the rest of us are last
I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers
by parrotinct on Aug 12, 2008 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry
The first shall be last and the last shall be first, remember? :)
by Archie on Aug 12, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard....
You could be second, or third, hell even 4th.
Ricky i was probably high when i said that.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
by HIGGY on Aug 12, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Reading Material
Thanks. My 2 cents. Give Dome a couple days of rest but bring him back. Don’t baby Harden too much.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dunn post is about to go off the board so...
I’ll post this question here:
Why didn’t the Dodgers put a claim in Dunn to block Arizona?
Worst case scenario is the Reds “dump” Dunn on them and they eat his salary without playing him much. After the season they get two first round draft picks… not a bad investment at all.
Obviously, I don’t have any clue why anyone would think the Reds would just dump Dunn and lose the draft picks themselves, so the Dodgers really were under no risk.
It just seems like an awful non-move by the Dodgers. If it was Hendry I would certainly be upset. That organization seems to be awfully managed at the moment.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 8:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You have to be careful when blocking a player on
waivers. If the team waiving the player is intent on dumping the guy, you could get stuck with a player you really don’t want.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right.
After getting Manny, the Dodgers have a VERY crowded outfield. Juan Pierre is already grumbling about his (justified) reduced playing time. I suppose the Dodgers could have played Dunn at 1B, but maybe they didn’t think of that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Put a claim to block, nothing more
The Reds were simply not going to send Dunn to the Dodgers for nothing. That’s (pretty much) a fact. Even if they did, which again is extremely improbable, the Dodgers get the two draft picks and block their biggest contender for the post season. And can use Dunn to pinch hit or whatever. Frankly, I don’t understand it.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're forgetting about the "Gentlemens Agreement" in baseball. Teams don't
like to claim players unless they really want them.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Claims are put in all the time to block players.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Give at least three examples within the last five years.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Twilight Zone?
I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. Or maybe I don’t understand baseball very much.
The information about who claims who isn’t usually divulged. Most of the times the only thing that is said in public is that the player “didn’t clear waivers”.
Since most players don’t clear waivers you can pretty much assume that most of them are just being blocked.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of that information is just rumors. The idea
of blocking waiver claims is much more speculation than it is fact. When you are talking about million dollar contracts, you better be sure in what youu’re doing. A GM could lose his job by making a mistake like that.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't give you three, and it's longer than 5 years, but
Terry Mulholland
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't the Sox just block Giles from the Rays?
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Giles
vetoed a trade to the Sox…They actually wanted him.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand, but thought the move was made to block the Rays from getting him.
would they have started him in RF over JD Drew?
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most probable case
If they were blocking the Rays, but if the Padres would just give them Giles for nothing, or very little, they would take him. I didn’t hear that Boston was interested in Giles before the trade deadline, if you know what I mean…
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either corner outfield spot...
...Papi/Youk have been banged up, so they have been getting routine days off…Add to that, Jacoby Ellsbury has not been very good lately. They sometimes (like this weekend against the White Sox) move Bay or Drew to DH. I can see how blocking the Rays could have been a factor, but from everything I heard and the way their lineups have been set the past week or so, I think their foremost intention was actually to acquire him.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you. Obviously they wanted him but I do
think stopping him from getting to the Rays was a factor.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly. They tried to work out a deal, though.
Not sure if the intent was to block or to deal.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The biggest deal about waivers is there is
no formal announcement made until a deal is made. Any information you hear about blocks is either leaked or made up.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Giles case a deal was in order...
He just vetoed it.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That Gentlemen's Agreement applies only to teams who aren't in the hunt.
Basically, a team like KC will not claim a player unless they are genuinely interested in them. Even then, sometimes a team in the hunt who wants the same guy will notify KC that they are interested. Sometimes, they will also give “future considerations” to KC for passing on the guy. In that case, KC would pass.
As for the Snakes and the Dodgers, “all’s fair in love and war”.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Aug 12, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right...
Could you imagine Dunn AND Manny in the outfield! That would be an adventure…
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, but
How reasonable was to believe the Reds would just dump Dunn and lose two first round picks? That just isn’t at all probable. And if hell freezes over and the Reds dump dun then the Dodgers would still get draft picks so it wouldn’t have been a bad move even if that happened.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget you have to offer arbitration to get the picks
They are free just for losing a player. What if the Dodgers offered arbitration and Dunn accepted?
by rlpete on Aug 12, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again
What are the chances that the league leader in HR is going to go for a 1 year arbitration deal?
IMO, anyway, zero.
Life is about taking chances, and this is as safe a chance as you could ever hope for. If it was Hendry, I would be upset.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it was that "safe" a chance.
And why should Hendry be “upset”? This does NOT guarantee Arizona a playoff spot.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
I was meaning if this happened in our division, and Hendry didn’t put a claim to block our competitor, I would be upset.
On the “safeness”, I guess I’m in disagreement.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thing you have to worry about when
blocking a claim is that it works both ways. GM’s are like elephants, they have long memories. If a GM really needs to dump a player and a deal has been worked out, a block would cause some big problems. Remember these guys have to deal with each other all of the time. There are a lot of backroom deals that happen that we are not privy to.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand what you're saying
It makes sense. Perhaps blocking is not rampant. But I think blocking is very much a part of the game at this time of year.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is talked
about a lot more than it really happens. I think most GM’s know what deals are going through and which ones aren’t. I think us fans make more of a big deal about this than do baseball people.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I guess we are.
I don’t see this as that big a deal, frankly.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still think you're making WAY too big a deal out of this.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
May be.
But I’m certainly not the only one: http://www.truebluela.com/2008/8/11/591467/those-damn-diamondbacks
Obviously, it’s not a big concern for me, being a Cubs fan. Unless we face the Diamondback in the playoffs and Dunn kill us, then it doesn’t matter for us. But for the Dodgers, fighting for the playoff lives, I think it’s very important.
by Luis on Aug 12, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That post is wrong.
Dunn didn’t clear waivers. Arizona claimed him. Now, wasn’t there a time after 7/31 when LA was in first place? If there was, then the D’backs would have been in position to claim him BEFORE the Dodgers could.
He also asks:
Additional question: is there any reason why every team wouldn’t put a claim on a type A free agent?
Yeah, because you might get stuck with $100 million of contracts you don’t want and disrupt your team. Sorry to say, because the poster is a fellow SBN blogger, but he doesn’t really seem to understand how teams are put together and how deals are made.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
People sometimes think GM’s are playing with monopoly money. These guys jobs are on the line, they aren’t going to do anything silly. At least not for long.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except the astro's
who seem to think they should be buyers instead of sellers at the trading deadline.
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Aug 12, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Delusional at best. I have no idea what color
the sky is in their world.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Random Responses to morning miscellaneous
Evan Longoria is a hell of a ballplayer. Hopefully the Rays can keep things going without him. I don’t see them signing Bonds or Sheffield. I think both of those guys would mess with the locker room vibe (if you believe in that sort of thing)
I know they have been trying to rest Fukudome more, but possibly they need to take it even further. It’s a longer season here. Plus I believe he is playing a lot more games in the heat of the summer than he would in Japan(cooler weather and more domes).
Jeff Samardzija. Beyond being the best WR in Chicago right now, he is also going to be one heck of an asset down the stretch. The kid doesn't seem to get rattled.---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
by mjk83 on Aug 12, 2008 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
whoa. Not sure what the dealio is with the quote box. full Shark talk below
Beyond being the best WR in Chicago right now, he is also going to be one heck of an asset down the stretch. The kid doesn’t seem to get rattled.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
by mjk83 on Aug 12, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome: A Concern
I heard yesterday on ESPN radio (from one of the baseball beat reporters), that Fukudome said that Gerald Perry didn’t know his swing well enough to help him out of his slump.
Does that concern anyone else? Isn’t that his job? If he can’t help him who will?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 12, 2008 9:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If anyone can......
O’connor can!
Go ahead, Z me.
by tony412 on Aug 12, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do we have an attitude problem?
I know we don’t always get direct qoutes from Fukudome due to translation and all, but if he did say this about Gerald Perry, along with his comments about (paraphrase) “Lou can bench me, it is not like that is going to help my slump” comments, starting to sound like an unhappy guy to me. Plus he looks unhappy, some say stoic, I say uninspired.
by graceunderpressure on Aug 12, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could just be lonely... depressed.
I mean…. outside of his translators, he doesn’t really have anyone to hang out with who speaks his language. And Soriano doesn’t count, because it’s likely that Soriano’s Japanese is limited.
Would be great to have another Japanese player on this team… on the bench… or in the pen…
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 Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've had the same thought...
....I just keep hoping that’s not the case.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 12, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For guys who have a lot of moving parts in their swings, that is often true.
When DeRo was with the Braves, he and Terry Pendleton never meshed. DeRo ended up using Chipper Jones as his hitting coach, and Chipper helped him get out of a major meltdown. He continues to use Rudy Jaramillo (with whom he meshed exceedingly well) and Chipper (by e-mail and video) even though he is with the Cubs now.
OTOH, Chipper uses his father, a former college coach, as his hitting coach. Whenever he is in a slump, Chipper flies his Dad to wherever he is.
If Dome has a trusted coach in Japan who understands his swing, perhaps he can send video or fly him over. The Japanese style of hitting while the front foot his already on its way to first is very different; it’s unfair to expect Gerald Perry to be able to coach that style very well.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Aug 12, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bench Dome Temporarily
I think the combination of Dome and DeRosa in the lineup is better in the long run than the combination of Fontenot and DeRosa. For a series, why not try Fontenot at second with DeRosa in right? Dome could pinch hit in that series and/or come in as a defensive replacement for DeRosa in right, if the Cubs are winning late.
I think Dome’s ego could take it. After said series, put Dome back in the starting lineup and move DeRosa back to second. I believe the temporary benching would take pressure off, not put pressure on, Dome. He’ll be fine in the end.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Aug 12, 2008 9:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You can only do that if...
... there aren’t any LHP going, because Fontenot really can’t hit LHP.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you can do it anytime
because Fukudome can’t hit LHP or RHP right now
by TC Cubby on Aug 12, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Johnson in RF, DeRosa at 2B
I haven’t seen Johnson play RF, but he might be an option to replace Dome against LHP. The Cubs could leave DeRosa at 2B. Getting back to Fontenot, I think he can hit LHP about as well as Dome right now. In the long run, I know Dome will hit better against LHP than Fonty, but Dome is really struggling now.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Aug 12, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you put Johnson in RF
I think you run the risk of running Ed into the ground. I think that platoon has been working too good to mess up. I hope the answer to this is that Dome figures things out somehow.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Johnson can't hit RHP.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we coming back to
having to call up PIE.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To play Right?
not sure Lou would want that.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
could he play center
and we’d put Reed in right sometimes?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it seems like ever since sori got hurt
and he moved around in the lineup, is when he started slumping…..wonder if this has anything to do with it
i dismiss the idea that he is lonely, rather i think moving around in the lineup put him in tougher spots in the lineup and messed with his head…..now he’s lost his confidence
by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dome
Get a coach from his old team in Japan on a plane now if Perry can’t help.
I want my Macias!
by wombat on Aug 12, 2008 9:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They're in the middle of their season in Japan right now.
Easier said than done.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But it's gotta be worth whatever time and money it would take
to get SOMEONE in here to help him out. Dome is literally falling over when swinging now.
At the beginning of the season, his timing was such that, at contact, that massive weight shift would be transferred to the ball. Since he was so choosy at the plate, he would not look stupid while swinging and missing (and falling forward).
To me, dome is so off balance, and so less willing to take pitches, that he is swinging and missing a lot more and looking very follish in the process.
Someone needs to help him get it together. If he has a September/October like his April/May, he could carry this team.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To me it looks he hasn't figured figured out each umps strike zone...
Some umps call that liberal outside corner that isn’t really a strike and others don’t. He’s knows it’s not a strike and he takes it. It gets called a strike. Then the rest of the at-bat confuses him. Seems like he has been less likely to take pitches because he’s confused. So he swings at the first pitch if it looks like a fastball. IMO I think it is a mental thing. He just looks confused as to what is a strike and what isn’t.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
someone brought this up in that same radio interview...
and Dome said there wasn’t anyone like that either for him. Very strange. It basically made it seem like the only option he had as to get himself out of the slump… which does not sound encouraging…
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 12, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's about the only way to get out of a slump.
Sometimes slumps just happen for no reason other than that’s how baseball works.
Now, if it’s not a slump, but a systematic problem, then sure, more playing time won’t necessarily help things. But if it is just a slump, the only solution is to play until your luck turns around.
by cwyers on Aug 12, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, but
It doesn’t seem like it’s luck – it’s not like he’s making a lot of loud outs. He just looks awful at the plate lately, and maybe a few days to clear his head would help/
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This data is a few day's old, but...
...for reference:
Month LD% BABIP
4 0.224 0.377
5 0.205 0.318
6 0.138 0.317
7 0.145 0.297
8 0.158 0.150
Looks like his BABIP is low for August – he’s still hitting line drives, not quite up to his April/May numbers but consistant with his June/July numbers.
by cwyers on Aug 12, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting. Maybe it's just my perception, then.
Because it doesn’t seem like he’s hitting the ball that well.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kosuke needs some help with that unorthodox hitting approach of his
Can’t fault Gerald Perry on this one. Clearly National League pitchers have greatly extinguished Kosuke’s unique hitting. It’s not like he is going to re-work that swing. It’s THAT SWING that defines him and resulted in his career success to date. Whether coincidental or not Kosuke’s nosedive tracked his being moved out of the # 5 spot in the lineup. But at this stage I think the Cubs have to be resigned to batting him in the # 8 hole and hoping that he can still get on base at a reasonable clip via the walk. His defense in right field is outstanding, therefore he needs to be in the lineup in my estimation.
by MDBNIU on Aug 12, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your nailed that one. It's not like
the Cubs can send him down like they did with Pie to try to work on his stroke and hope he comes out of it. He’s been hitting this way to long to try and make any big changes. They are stuck with him and it’s up to Lou and Gerald to try help the guy adjust to how he is being pitched.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But don't you think his swing has changed since April?
seems to me it has…
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 12, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it has. He has one of those
swings that looks really ugly when he is fooled and he has been geeting fooled a lot lately. It seems like he is bailing out to soon and is giving up half of the plate to pitchers. He is geeting pitched tougher and he has to adjust or they will continue to make him look silly.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
baines used to look horrible
against lefties (when he missed) on the south side.
eventually, he quit missing so often
by tim815 on Aug 12, 2008 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"He's always had the same swing," claims Orestes Destrade
in one of the articles linked in Al’s opening commentary.
You just didn’t notice it when he was making more contact.
That’s the Japanese swing. Sometimes it will make you look bad, especially when you guess wrong. They stay back well but throw their hip at the ball, and when you guess wrong, you’ll see that weird, flailing swing.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Aug 12, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
contact vic davalillo
if he’s still alive.
his swing was similar.
by tim815 on Aug 12, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great articles for the morning...
...I for one, would line up to see Demp perform at Second City…
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 9:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Any other Second City foks out there?
I’m one…
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 12, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bit pricey ($150/dinner)...
But you can see him perform with Second City at the Annual Lou Malnati’s Cancer Benefit…
I’m sure it would be quite funny, give you a chance to meet the Demps and your money would benefit some worthwhile causes in the Chicago area…
And guessing based on your name, it wouldn’t be too far of a drive for you. See the link below if you’re interested.
http://www.loumalnatis.com/lmcb/index.htm
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
by bobby h on Aug 12, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forgot to mention...
Benefit is at the Lou Malnati’s corporate office in Northfield (?i think?) between Lake Cook and Dundee Roads
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
by bobby h on Aug 12, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy Cow!
That’s right in my neighborhood. I could walk there.
Me, to the wife: “Honey, we like to give to charity, right…?
by jdb-44 on Aug 12, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol...
whatever it takes to convince the wife… if it weren’t for the couple hundred dollars that i already spent this month on “charity” golf and “charity” gambling, it might have better luck with mine on the malnati’s benefit…
what can i say? i’m a giver…
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
by bobby h on Aug 12, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I might go to that event.
Sounds pretty cool, and for a good cause.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cubs are handling Rich Harden beautifully...
As I’ve said before the Cubs need to think of Harden the way the Florida Marlins in the past and now the Boston Red Sox think of Josh Beckett. The number one objective is to have Harden near 100% come playoff time. Because with all due respect to Carlos Zambrano, this team’s chances of winning a World Series hinge a great deal to Rich Harden pitching like the dominant ace he is in October baseball games.
by MDBNIU on Aug 12, 2008 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
You have got to have this guy for the entire playoff run. It’s pretty apparent the Cubs are going to make the postseason, but they won’t advance without his contribution. Dempster is pitching great but he is still a wild card. Z is a #1, but he is prone to slumps and I just don’t trust Lilly to be a stud in the playoffs. Harden is the key.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is not a stretch to say that come postseason baseball, as Rich Harden goes then so go the Cubs
I really believe he is the most important pitcher on our staff when the playoffs role around. That’s not to diminish the role and value of Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly or Marmol.
by MDBNIU on Aug 12, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs don't need to go back any further than '03 to realize the value of a stud
guy like Harden. If he is on, the Cubs could do some real damage in the postseason.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is enough depth on this team that
I don’t think you can say “As [cub’s player] goes so goes the cubs.”
Don’t get me wrong though some players make this team great, but in the weak NL I think the Cubs could lose any player and still be dangerous.
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with that. Sometimes losing a player
can cause a psychological impact on the rest of the team. Even though you may have the talent to fill the void, players may feel defeated. If Big Z were to pull a hamstring covering first base on the first play of the playoffs, I don’t think you recover. You can’t lose you #1 starter and move on like nothing happened. Players may put up a good front and say were have to pick him up, but in the back of their minds they will have doubts.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe.
certainly the Cubs do seem to play better with a certain guess-hack hitter.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but even with Johnson
in left I think we could beat any National league team on any given night.
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+2
Harden’s stuff is SICK. I can still picture a recent website entry that showed how his 95mph fastball comes off his hand in the eaxct same plane as his 80mph changeup.
My hope is that, come playoff time, Lou goes with a four and a half man rotation;
Z
Lilly
Dempster
Harden/Marshall
That would allow Lou to pitch Harden for 5 innings, and no more, every 4 days. I’d take 5 assured innings of Harden than risking him going 7 or 8 and blowing his shoulder.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't count on that. Pitchers go deeper
in the playoffs. You don’t pitch the guy short in the regular season to have him go 5 innings in the playoff. If Harden is on and his pitch count is reasonable, he’s not coming out after five innings. Managers tend to stick with starters unless they are sure the bullpen guy is going to be lights out. I don’t think Lou feels that way about Marshall.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's also going to depend on the playoff schedule
If there is plenty of rest days between games, then Harden will go shorter, I think.
If the games are stacked one on top of the next, then I think Harden will be handled with greater care.
That said, I fully expect Lou to allow Dempster, Lilly and Z to throw 100 pitches EVERY time out during the playoffs.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't you mean Harden will go longer with more rest?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed
I’m a dope.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou only let Z go 6 innings last year on 80 some pitches.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How did that work out for us?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly...I was being sarcastic.
"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 Aug 12, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know. So was I.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he will make that mistake again
He has more starting pitchers that he actually trusts this year, so I don’t think he would shorten Z up to pitch a game 4 that will never come.
by SuperContext on Aug 12, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the cubs pen (as of now) is deeper than any cubs pen i've seen
i think harden will go >110 in playoff starts, with gaudin backing him up to the point where shark, marmol, and wood finish
by tim815 on Aug 12, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harden's got to be #2 if the Cubs are in the postseason
So many people rip on Lou for saving Zambrano for game 4 (I’m not one of them—that’s not why they lost game 1) . . . to save a stud pitcher for game 4 makes no sense.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Power arms go first. I would pitch
Depster 3rd. Especially in the WS where the first two games will be on the road.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, for me, it's not even power arms
It’s having the best in the rotation pitch as often as possible.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just meant that Dempster following a good strike out pitcher
like Harden would be a good combination.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, there's something to be said
for mixing in different styles of pitchers, too.
But in a 7 game series, I want my 2 best pitching 2X each.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Harden is on, he's better than Dempster. Demp has been much
more consistent in the strike zone and has probably pitched better that Harden, but Harden has no-hit stuff. I don’t think you can say that about Demp.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I’d like to see it:
Zambrano
Harden
Dempster
Lilly
Zambrano
Harden
Dempster
In a 7-game series.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correction - 4 game sweep. We won't need
to go through the rotation a second time!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In all fairness...
Demp is leading the league in BAA this year. Batters are only hitting .210(!!!!) off him so far.
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. ~Dave Barry
by mambochicken23 on Aug 12, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said Demp has pitched better
this year. It’s pretty close between the two. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My ideal playoff rotation would be in order...
Harden, Zambrano, Dempster….with Lilly inserted as “4th starter” when needed in whatever order spot makes sense.
by MDBNIU on Aug 12, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could live with that.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would prefer that but there at two issues:
A.) Z’s ego might get hurt. I know you don’t care but I just wanted him to think about Carrying Fonty around and drinking 4 pots of coffee.
B.) If you do go seven and you don’t use your fourth starter your seires would look like this:
Harden
Z
Day off
Dempster
Harden
Z
day off
Dempster
Harden.
That means Harden would pitch twice on 3 days rest, a guy who get winded from running the bases. It makes more sense to our workhorse in Z start game one so that if the series goes 7 games we can use Z twice on three days rest as opposed to Harden
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like this concept
except interchange z and harden
by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like it
I think that you use Lilly and keep your guys on regular rest. IIRC Z has not done well at all in his career on short rest.
by Archie on Aug 12, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great point...
and for what it is worth Lilly isn’t spectacular but he seems to always give us quality starts.
I think Lou makes that call depending on how things look in the series. Cubs up 2-1 or 3-0 Lilly pitches. If cubs are down 1-2 or 0-3 then you will see Z pitch.
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
someone cue the lilly glove slammin video
from the nlds last year
by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dempster should start at home
whether that makes him a 2 or three. silly, i know, but he is much more productive at home, so send him to the mound in wrigley in the nlds
by tim815 on Aug 12, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hendry Quote
"He told me that he had the biggest (guts) of anyone he’d ever coached. It’s not like he threw 95 in one game and we said, ‘Hey, let’s give him a big-league deal.’ "Hmm…I wonder what word he used instead of “(guts)”!
by John Q Freejazz on Aug 12, 2008 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Atlanta weather
Anyone else concerned that they won’t be able to play tonight? Take a look at the weather forecast.
by WrigleyATL on Aug 12, 2008 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just looked
I’m no Tom Skilling, but I think a rainout is virtually guaranteed. Double header Thursday.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey everyone, just got back from Alpine this weekend.
Always fun to come back after a few days of being gone and read all the comments and game threads and recaps. Was @ Alpine for the annual 2-day Dave Matthews Band show. Got in a few heated “discussions” with taunting Brewers fans for wearing my old Maddux jersey one night. I could sense them entering panic mode, having a bit too much jealousy of the Cubbies, or just plain too much booze! Most Brewers fans I know enjoy the rivalry, however.
Interesting to hear Lou possibly light a fight under Dome and get him hitting again. Pretty good problem to have, right? Needing our corner outfielder to hit more…and yet we have been top 3 in runs scored this entire year.
I’ll be around for tonight’s game, nice to see everyone back.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Aug 12, 2008 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was there for the first night
I haven’t been to that many shows, maybe 5, but that was the best set list I have ever been to for DMB. It looks like it was better the first night.
Lets do it Cubbies
by slocs55 on Aug 12, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably the high school game
they were talking about on the run the bases makeup thing.
Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.
by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lucky bastards!
I can’t imagine what it’d be like to actually be on the field and play a game at Wrigley.
by Itchy on Aug 12, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, that game is on Sunday.
This is probably one of the fantasy camp games. They sometimes let the fantasy campers have a game at Wrigley.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Invaders!
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 12, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know the field says "Cubs"
and looks like Wrigley, but might be the Pirates or Marlins given the size of the crowd.
Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.
by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh, Florida wishes they could draw that much.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on Aug 12, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I, for one,
welcome our new alien high-school ball-playing overlords.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah... look at those crop circles!
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 12, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dunno, buy the looks of the centerfielder
it’s edmonds playing his normal shallow center
by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heck, if I was at the plate, the
CF could be standing on 2b and the ball would still drop in front.
Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.
by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ryan theriot is a funny guy.
that’s all.
"I'm like the tide baby: I come and go as I please." --Johnny Drama
by cubs2234 on Aug 12, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Samardzija Not In Command
I just read this interesting article on Samardzija’s control issues. I know we haven’t seen a terrible outing yet, but it’s cause for a concern.
The old cliche about the best pitch in baseball being strike one is true – stuff is important, but command is vital. Right now, Samardzija’s command is walking the line of not being good enough for the major leagues. His stuff gives him a margin of error, but he’s pretty close to the end of that margin.
Anyway, I’d like to see a huge sweep this series against the Braves. It doesn’t look like the Brewers are going away.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 12, 2008 11:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The article does have some validity to it, however, there are a lot of hitters
that cannot handle a 95+ fastball with movement if it is close to the strike zone. While it is true that patient teams like the Angels will wait him out and make him throw strike, if he’s only in the game for one inning, it may not matter. Especially if he follows Lilly.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
let's give him a year or two
to mature, ok? Geez.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got that right. The guy is
really just learning to pitch. To get big league hitters out the way he has is pretty good. Somehow I think he will get better.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yabbut..............
...............pitching in tight games during a playoff push is not the place for “learning”.
This problem is going to surface, IMO, soon and will likely cost the Cubs a few games along the way. I’m still not comfortable with this guy on the hill in late/tight situations.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
by tville on Aug 12, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't think you are
going to see him in those types of situations in the playoffs. So far he has been filling in for the hole left by Woody’s absense and Howry’s suckiness. He’s not going to be Lou’s first choice out of the pen in a tight game.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One comment that Josh77 made
about Jeff Spellcheck’s trip through the Minors was spot on. Josh77 pointed out that his wildness made him infective in the lower levels because bad hitters would just layoff all of his breaking pitches because they had no way to hit those pitches.
As he move up to AAA good hitter would swing at his best pitches even thought they would often end up as balls. It explains why the Sharks numbers got better while he move up in the Minors.
My one fear is that Major Leaguer’s will figure this out and just start taking more pitches, get into solid hitters counts and just look for the Shark’s fastball (which is good but not unhittable).
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His wildness made him infective?
Does that mean he grew on the leagues?
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's known as being effectively wild.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mitch Williams had some good years pitching that way
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, not "effective"
He said “infective”.
It was a typo and I was making a joke . . . .
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Ryan, Is Mark Derosa really as dreamy as he appears via cable, or is he even more gorgeous in real life?—Kirby Robinson, Lewisville, N.C.
Riot: He might be the worst looking guy on the team.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 12, 2008 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Scrappinest trumps homliness.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't remember what DeRo said about Theriot
but it was something like “he muscled up to hit it out of the infield.” Something tells me they take great joy out of making fun of each other.
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Theriot also took some pretty funny shots at Fontenot in that interview
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on Aug 12, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You would figure those two are sick and tired of playing baseball
together. (Notice I said baseball because I didn’t want you sick-o to have any material:)
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scrappiness never gets tired.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You under estimate us.
They’re a long-time DP combo!
by cwyers on Aug 12, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A DP combo that
handles each others’ balls. Baseballs. God.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone else hear morgan on espn radio?
he was forced to say good things about the cubs….saying its a team effort this year, as opposed to years past when they relied on one all star
van pelt ( i think?) said he’s dumping his current mlb team and jumping on the bandwagon for two reasons…..1. they are in first and he wants to be with a winner and 2. they have a catchy song (then played go cubs go)....good stuff
by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Joe Morgan is a fool...he really does hate the Cubs
by Btown on Aug 12, 2008 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And WE really hate Joe Morgan :)
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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