Fun Stuff
Baseball tonight just pointed out that Carlos has a hit in the last 11 games in which he has a plate appearance. I got to thinking - this is a freakin' fun team to watch! Our frontline (or 1a) pitcher has an attitude and wants to mash each time he is called upon to hit>> and depsite his immaturity, has turned in a really, really good year on the mound. I mention his lack of composure only b/c Carlos tends to get too fired up and throw rather than pitch at times, but he has come a long way in that regard. The guy is nails, and his determination at the plate should pay dividends in the playoffs.
I wondered how Harden would do in transition, and his first 2 games gave no glimpse as to how much of an ass-kicker he is on the mound. I am confident leading into the playoffs, despite some of the weaknesses that some regularly point out here. I actually thought next year was the year of the Cub, and only b/c Piniella puts together great teams with time. A miscalculation, especially after the Harden deal was made.
I won't speak about this again (Thank God), but why not this year?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Don't forget
Last year everyone was saying that 2008 was the year for The Cubs to be dominant. If we made it to the post season in 2007 it would be “bonus”. Then again they never expected The Cardinals to be as poor as they were last year.
by ak123 on Aug 15, 2008 10:30 PM CDT 0 recs
Good post but...
I’ve got to disagree with you when you call Zambrano’s antics immaturity.
Him pointing to the heavens after every inning, good or bad, isn’t showing immaturity.
Him breaking his bat over his knee even though he is pitching a great game isn’t displaying immaturity.
Him having some interesting pregame rituals with teammates isn’t showing immaturity.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Zambrano showing fire and intensity on the mound. That’s who he is.That is part of what makes him a leader on this team and the pitching staff. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Not everyone may like it when they are opposing him but I am more than comfortable going out on a limb in saying that there are a lot of teams that would welcome Zambrano and ALL of his antics with open arms. The guys a gamer that holds himself to the highest of standards. He’s not happy unless he knows he’s earning every single penny of his $91.5 million dollar contract.
DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?
Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.
by EJThunder on Aug 15, 2008 10:31 PM CDT 0 recs
Yep
I like Zambrano’s antics – I think you missed my point.
Over the past several years, I can remember his temper getting the best of him, whether it be after a home run or some shitty inning. I think this year he has finally focused on what is most important – winning. I’ll draw a diagram if needed.
"Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, No Doubt About It!"
by scottsdalecubs on
Aug 15, 2008 11:15 PM CDT
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Seeing "immaturity" got me....
I guess my essay belongs in a “DFA Zambrano” thread? lol
I agree with your entire post…. I guess I just disagree with you when you say he shows some immaturity.
DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?
Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.
by EJThunder on
Aug 15, 2008 11:55 PM CDT
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Most my disagree
but I wish Z wasn’t such a good hitter. If he didn’t have his hitting talent, perhaps he would be a better pitcher. The causality might be faulty, but its just my hunch.
It’s obvious he prides himself on hitting, and for a pitcher he does hit really well. But I would rather he hit .000 and not give up runs the way he has his last two outings.
Some may argue the two are not related, and maybe that’s true. But I don’t discount so quickly that maturity or wisdom (or the lack of it in this case) might be the link.
A wise pitcher would realize no one cares if he can hit. But everyone cares that he shows up as the ace of the staff consistently.
That’s all I’m saying.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
by Reddevil on Aug 15, 2008 11:08 PM CDT 0 recs
Slight correction.
Z has hits in the last 11 games he has started. He pinch-hit in the middle of that sequence and grounded out, so technically he doesn’t have a hitting streak. However, the 11 game starting hitting streak is among the longest ever for a pitcher.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 16, 2008 3:59 AM CDT 0 recs
hardin
hardin has been good but sabathia is racking up the wins the brewers need. let,s hope hardin can start racking them up too
by NOMAR on Aug 16, 2008 7:21 AM CDT 0 recs
Well, wins are a team-dependent stat.
Harden should have more of them – and I trust he will.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 16, 2008 8:41 AM CDT
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We are winning when he starts.
IIRC all but 1 of his starts we have won. He may not be getting the W’s but the Cubs are and thats what matters
by BradB311 on
Aug 16, 2008 9:53 AM CDT
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On Immaturity.....
….. I think more than a few of us old farts would disagree here. Breaking a bat over his knee is immaturity. Getting riled on the mound and not being able to stay within himself and pitch out of whatever trouble he might be in is immaturity. Granted, the guy’s intense, but a part of becoming a complete player is learning to harness those emotions. On a basic level, the bat breaking thing is just plain stupid. If he ever hurts himself and it out for a period of time because he broke a bat over his knee, this place would explode with comments about his immaturity.
And let’s not forget his fight with Barrett. At the time, a lot of us here were DONE with Zambrano after that, even if Barrett was and is a jerk. Punching out a teammate in full view of the world is the work of someone who isn’t quite to the level he needs to be. He’s getting to the age where he shoud have learned this by now.
So yes, all the talent in the world, a good guy to have on the team, but he’s still acts like a big kid far too often at this point.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on Aug 16, 2008 11:04 AM CDT 0 recs
+1 from a
middle-aged fart — not quite as mellowed with age
by BlueSox on
Aug 16, 2008 1:15 PM CDT
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Pitcher hitting streaks
This was a topic recently covered in a SABR discussion list to which I subscribe.
Z has now tied a post-1956 record for most consecutive games with a hit for a pitcher, in games they actually pitched in:
11-Carlos Zambrano, CHI NL, 6/02-8/15/2008
11-Jerry Walker, KC AL, 9/27/1961-5/31/1962
11-Gary Peters, CHI AL, 5/10-7/17/1966
11-Rick Rhoden, PIT NL, 7/20-9/11/1984
Z’s streak has a pinch-hitting appearance in the middle of it in which he made an out, so technically it’s not a hitting streak, but does qualify under the above criteria.
Pre-1956, here is what is believed to be the longest streak ever for a pitcher:
16-Wilbur Cooper, PIT NL, 6/23-9/03/1924
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 16, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs













