Almost Flawless: Cubs 10, Braves 2 and Cubs 8, Braves 0
You may have seen this number already, but it bears repeating: 26. Twenty-six games over .500, the most a Cub team has been since the last day of the 1984 season, when they finished an NL East title year at 96-65, 31 games over .500.
You've seen these numbers if you keep track of the "best starts" box I've had on the right sidebar since May -- there are, as of this morning, only nine Cub teams that have had a better record through 120 games than this year's 73-47. That includes six pennant winners, a 104-win second place team (1909), a 91-win third place team (1912) and the ill-fated 1969'ers.
The 2008 Cubs have a chance to outdo nearly all of them -- only one of those nine won the World Series (1907); the 1908 team is on the list on the sidebar, but if you've been keeping track, you know that it just recently appeared on the list. In 1908 the team got off to a good start, slumped in the middle of the season, and didn't return to first place to stay till late September, finishing 99-55.
And yesterday, they swept the Braves in a doubleheader, winning the first game 10-2, and then came out blazing with four first-inning runs in game two, shutting Atlanta out 8-0, their first doubleheader sweep since the twinbill that clinched the NL Central title on September 27, 2003.
As has been the case with this year's team, different heroes emerged for each game. In game one, Jim Edmonds and Geovany Soto both homered -- Soto needs one more to tie the Cubs' team record for HR by a rookie catcher, 19, set by Randy Hundley in 1966 -- and Aramis Ramirez, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot and Alfonso Soriano all had two hits. It's one of the Soriano hits that was the only blemish on this gem of a game -- when he stood at the plate admiring a ball that he thought was out of the ballpark, only to see it bounce off the wall. Sori had to stop at first with a single and he also had to apologize to Lou Piniella and his teammates. This isn't the first time Soriano has done this -- but it had better be the last. This team doesn't need this kind of hotdogging. It led to a pitch high and tight by Braves rookie reliever Francisley Bueno the next time Soriano came to bat, leading to Bueno's immediate ejection. While a "message" pitch may be "part of the game", as many players say, throwing at someone's head is decidedly not.
In game two, Kosuke Fukudome perhaps began the process of coming out of his slump with a two-run, first-inning single in the Cubs' four-run inning. This made life easier for Rich Harden, who, throwing with eight days' rest, was a little wild, walking five, but allowing only two singles. The walks helped lead to a large pitch total (92) after five innings, so Lou took Harden out, and the bullpen, consisting in game two of Chad Gaudin, Neal Cotts, Kerry Wood and Sean Marshall, gave the Braves only one hit and one walk over the last four innings. The Cubs' eight-run, ten-hit, six-walk attack in game two included no homers; that's one of the things I like most about this team, that they can put up big run totals without the long ball. Marshall, incidentally, will start on Sunday in Florida, an extra starter being needed because of the juggling as a result of Tuesday's rainout. Harden, whose turn would have come up on Sunday, will throw the first game vs. the Reds at Wrigley Field next Tuesday.
With the win well in hand, the CSN crew decided to focus on the frivolity in the dugout -- Carlos Zambrano balancing a bottle on his head, and putting a bubble gum bubble on the top of Mike Fontenot's cap. You could hear "Let's Go Cubbies!" loudly chanted in the stands -- almost as loud as at a home game; looking at various crowd shots, Cubs fans had to outnumber Braves fans, at least in the late innings of the two blowouts.
I've written this before but it bears repeating. Remember each and every one of these games in this special season. We are seeing things that most Cubs fans have never seen before. With the Brewers still winning, all of these wins are important. Let's sweep this series -- the Cubs are, at last, winning on the road (that's seven consecutive road wins, incidentally, dating back to the last game of the Arizona series), and that's about the only thing this team hasn't been doing well.
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lets finish it off
tonight!!
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 14, 2008 8:35 AM CDT 0 recs
SWEEP!!!
Al, you must enjoy writing these recap posts, as they seem to appear earlier and earlier each morning. Let’s complete the SEASON sweep of the Braves!!!
by cubbiefanTN on Aug 14, 2008 8:37 AM CDT 0 recs
Sabathia
I sure hope like heck the Brewers dont get the bright idea to pony up 150 mil for him. If ever I wanted the Yankees to get some pitching—it’s now. Please get him out of the NL central.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 14, 2008 8:40 AM CDT 0 recs
Unfortunately...
… we’re stuck with him in the NL Central till the end of this year.
I suspect Sabathia’s headed to the Angels or Dodgers (he’s from Southern California).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 14, 2008 8:44 AM CDT
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I'm young
but I dont ever recall a trade pickup ever being that good. It makes me sick it really does but my god he’s phenomenal.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 14, 2008 9:15 AM CDT
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Check Rick Sutcliffe
It’s looking like the closest thing I can remember.
by rlpete on
Aug 14, 2008 9:17 AM CDT
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whats bad is
he’s even belting hr’s.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 14, 2008 9:18 AM CDT
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Sure, but we want CC
hitting and running the bases – it can only tire him out. Greater risk of injuries when you’re batting…. not that i want CC to be injured – I don’t – the likelihood of injury is greater when pitchers bat.
by DWChaney on
Aug 14, 2008 9:23 AM CDT
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Rick Sutcliffe - 1984
went from the Indians to the Cubs. He went 16-1 the rest of the way, led the Cubs to the postseason for the first time since ’45, and won the Cy Young that year. Probably before your time, but it has happened before :)
by DWChaney on
Aug 14, 2008 9:18 AM CDT
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Let's hope...
… we can view the Rich Harden trade in the same light when this season is over.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 14, 2008 9:20 AM CDT
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yeah
not trying to take anything away from what are team has done but man Ive been amazed by him.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 14, 2008 9:21 AM CDT
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The only reason
That the CC trade was better then the Rich Harden trade was the fact that CC goes 8-9 innings EVERY game. At this exact moment that is huge for them. Now the trades balance out because we have harden until the end of next season.
Also how many teams has CC faced above .500? I think we’re the only one and the only reason he didn’t get a loss from us was because they tied it after he left (if i remember right).
by cubsfaninatl on
Aug 14, 2008 10:56 AM CDT
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Good Points...
More than anything the CC trade has been good for the Brew because it’s less likely they need to use a bullpen that isn’t all that good. That right there is a couple wins in itself. He’s faced COL, CIN, SF, STL, CHC, ATL, WAS, SD.
"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 14, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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What are the possibilities
CC ends up on the North Side after season’s end? I, for one, am a huge fan and think he’d look great in Blue Pinstripes.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 14, 2008 10:58 AM CDT
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It's possible, I suppose...
… depending on what happens with ownership, and how many of the current team are retained. You do want to keep Dempster and Wood around, right?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 14, 2008 10:59 AM CDT
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Hmmm.
I like Demp, but if Demp is looking at 15M per year for 5 years. I think I would prefer CC at 18 for 5.
Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.
by N Oakley on
Aug 14, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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At the rate CC's going he's looking at 28 per.
"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 14, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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Demp won't get $15M per off one good year of starting again.
It’ll probably be more like $8M per, with a ton of incentives, and I think it’ll be with the Cubs.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Aug 14, 2008 11:08 AM CDT
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I do to. He likes being a Cub
"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 14, 2008 11:09 AM CDT
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CAn you say "Home Town Discount"?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:12 AM CDT
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Home town discount.
Demp loves being a Cub. This is the team that gave him a chance to come back after Tommy John surgery. Then gave him the opportunity to start again after 3 years of closing.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Aug 14, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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I think he will take a Fair Deal from Hendry.
He really deserves it. I don’t say that much but for how hard he’s worked since the thought of him becoming a starter last year during the season; I truly tip my cap.
"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 14, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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But that offer didn't include the all-you-can-eat dessert bar in the clubhouse.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 14, 2008 12:21 PM CDT
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But the Brewers have an eating buddy for him
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 14, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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We could always retain Ward...
…as a “special assistant.”
by John Q Freejazz on
Aug 14, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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Holy
double entendres, batman!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 14, 2008 12:28 PM CDT
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Of course.
But can you imagine our SR lined up as Z, CC, Demp, Lilly, (Shark, Marshall, Guzman, etc)?
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 14, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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Harden is with us next year too.
"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 14, 2008 11:02 AM CDT
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If he chooses to be.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
Aug 14, 2008 11:03 AM CDT
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He's under contract for next year, isn't he? Option?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:04 AM CDT
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a player option, I believe
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
Aug 14, 2008 11:04 AM CDT
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Club Option AFTER 09
"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 14, 2008 11:06 AM CDT
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That's right.
$7 mil club option, with no buyout clause
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
Aug 14, 2008 11:06 AM CDT
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Hendry:
"We will have the rights for a year and a half, so that’s the other advantage of him not being a free agent," Hendry said. "He has an option that could vest, or we could pick up the option or we could arbitrate. So he certainly has a chance to be a Cub through the end of next year."
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 14, 2008 11:06 AM CDT
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That's a damn good deal for the
Cubs if he stays healthy.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:08 AM CDT
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No doubt...
A healthy Harden over the guys we gave up. Take that any day of the week.
"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 14, 2008 11:08 AM CDT
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At 7 mil? I'll take that all day!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:09 AM CDT
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See you on board...Senator :)
"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 14, 2008 11:10 AM CDT
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I christen thee - the Flying WASP!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:11 AM CDT
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Well don't just stand there!
GET SOME GLUE!!!
"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 14, 2008 11:12 AM CDT
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Hey! - there's my buddy! I want to
go over there! Let me drive! I think I just got head from Amelia Earheart!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 14, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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Guy in boat (Eyes Bugged)
"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 14, 2008 11:19 AM CDT
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Wow
How did I forget him. Scratch my fifth starter dilemma then. Z, Harden, CC, Demp, Lilly. Book it.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 14, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
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Ted Lilly as a '5'
Dare any team to top that!
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on
Aug 14, 2008 11:07 AM CDT
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Again
This is all a pipe dream. Kind of like the way this year has gone come to think of it….
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 14, 2008 11:07 AM CDT
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lmao
born in 81’ so yeah besides espn classic and my collection of old cub tapes—didnt see much of it.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 14, 2008 9:20 AM CDT
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2 months
u wont be whispering a peep about that team ever again. hehehe at least I hope
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 14, 2008 9:22 AM CDT
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That's when the original "Go Cubs Go"
started, isn’t it? I was in 8th grade and remember singing it in school. And yes, 1984 was magical! I was in love with Ryne Sandberg then and for many years afterwards!
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on
Aug 14, 2008 10:31 AM CDT
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I think so...
The Dernier/Sandberg 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup was awesome. Seemed like Bobby-D would get on base, Steal second and Ryno would drive him in. August and September especially. That team always brings back good memories even though the ending was sad.
"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 14, 2008 10:33 AM CDT
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Speaking of Ryno and Dernier
I met them both at the Cubs Caravan after that year. Still have the autographed little black and whites they handed out. Gary Matthews was there too (me thinks??).
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on
Aug 14, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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Awesome... That is a great piece.
I have a Buddy that works for the Beloit Snappers (Twins A team). Ryno comes through town a lot with the Chiefs. He got me a Ryno signed ball. Pretty cool. He wrote his hall-of-fame year on it and number. That ball sits deep in my closet in a ziploc bag.
"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 14, 2008 10:38 AM CDT
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The one I went to had
Dernier, Bosley, Frey and Sandberg
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 14, 2008 12:29 PM CDT
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Maybe it WAS Thad
I’ll have to check the ‘old box of things in the back of the closet’.
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on
Aug 14, 2008 12:29 PM CDT
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You got it.
Either Ryno or Sarge would drive Dernier in. I still remember the Sarge running out a double, and as he rounded first he’d always knock his batting helmet off his head. Used to crack me up.
Buddy of mine in 1984 used to work as a batboy for the Cubs – but he worked in the opposition’s dugout. I went to a Cubs Padres game in ‘84 and he took my Cubs program and had a lot of the team sign it for me – not that I really wanted a Cubs program signed by the ’84 Padres, considering how that season wound up. I just came across the program the other day, and while I can’t make out a lot of the autographs – I can still find Tony Gwynn, Bruce Bochy and Craig Lefferts.
by DWChaney on
Aug 14, 2008 1:30 PM CDT
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As painful of a reminder as that might be
A Tony Gwynn autograph is pretty damn cool
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 14, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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tell me about it
in 1984, Gwynn was not that far removed from a rookie, and it was also his first star season. In 1984, Tony Gwynn was a nobody, but everyone knew he was by 1985.
by DWChaney on
Aug 14, 2008 1:54 PM CDT
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1987- Doyle Alexander
The Tigers traded some minor league pitcher named John Smoltz to Atlanta for Alexander. He went 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA leading Detroit to the AL East title
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on
Aug 14, 2008 9:53 AM CDT
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Yup, unti Darryl “F’n” Evans was picked off third, it looked like a magical season for the tiggers. Who knew they would stink for 15+ years after that.
Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.
by N Oakley on
Aug 14, 2008 9:59 AM CDT
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Randy Johnson to the Astros...
he was unreal after that. Of course, the trade wound up hurting the Stros later, as Guillen, Garcia, and Halama all were key pieces of the Mariners teams in the early 2000s.
by SouthernCub on
Aug 14, 2008 10:24 AM CDT
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Slight correction...
CC is from Vallejo which is 30 minutes north of San Francisco. I coached against him at Vallejo High School. Odds are, he’ll be heading to a So.Cal teams though.
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can't help that," said the Cheshire Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
by Hagen on
Aug 14, 2008 12:20 PM CDT
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Close but not quite
Sabathia is from Vallejo, which is in the Bay Area. He’s from Northern California.
Still, I can’t see the Athletics or Giants shelling out for him. The Dodgers are the most likely destination, I would agree.
Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?
by Josh77 on
Aug 14, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
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Whoops.
Somehow I thought he was a SoCal guy. Maybe he lives there now?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 14, 2008 2:04 PM CDT
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Yankees
They want him, they need him , they will pay him.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on
Aug 14, 2008 12:32 PM CDT
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