First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Marlins, Sunday 8/17, 12:10 CT

LET'S GO CUBBIES!!!!

back-to-back wgn games. woo!

by nolacubbiegirl on Aug 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Let's do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!

by sue369 on Aug 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT 0 recs

first pitch delayed 30 minutes

"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 17, 2008 12:03 PM CDT 0 recs

WHAT!?

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

1:30 EDT, 12:30 CDT start time

"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 17, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

rain delay

Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!

by sue369 on Aug 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

haha a no "rain delay"

by allstar5449 on Aug 17, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

They were expecting showers, thought the tarp would have to go on

the showers never came, sunshine…

Let’s go Cubs!

"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 17, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

are they on tbs? they oftentimes start at 1230

by tim815 on Aug 17, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

GO CUBS

Go get em DEMPSTER!!!

by Blaze22 on Aug 17, 2008 12:03 PM CDT 0 recs

Stupid me

I chose to take some overtime at my office today…Like right now, failing to remember there’s a game today.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:06 PM CDT 0 recs

Chicago baseball is on the air!

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Amazing

how empty that stadium is….

by Blaze22 on Aug 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs

And yet

They’re going to be building an entirely new stadium, at least I thought they were. Or was that for the Rays?

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah they are getting a new stadium as far as I know

by Blaze22 on Aug 17, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

that Miami is about the worst area to place a major league baseball team. It’s even dumber they’re putting in a new stadium, for all the fans that don’t go now, and probably still won’t go in the future.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Planned for 2011 on the site of the Orange Bowl

There’s a lawsuit that may delay the project.

"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 17, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

no thats for them

It doesnt make sense when I first heard it BUT they play in a football stadium, they dont do crap for their fans and their team has been consistent since he beginning of their franchise. So maybe a new stadium will acommodate their fans better and show the respect that that team deserves

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

We have to wait atleast another 20 minutes?!?!

Weather delay

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs

OT: more reason to hate Jeff Kent

He’s badmouthing Vin Scully.

Link

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Kent's an ass, but he has a point.

And in an contest between Kent and Simmers, I pick Kent. Simmer’s such a useless hack that I’ve felt compelled to defend Juan Pierre from his screeds.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Could you elaborate?

I’m having a hard time finding Kent’s point.

by BlueSox on Aug 17, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lineup protection is vastly overrated.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Interesting.

I don’t suppose there is a simple reason for that that I (not good with stats) would understand.

by BlueSox on Aug 17, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well by what mechanism is lineup protection supposed to work, exactly?

Jeff Kent’s OBP on the season is .327, and it’s .472 over the past 14 days. Am I supposed to believe that pitchers, managers and teams are so braindead that they’ll put Kent on base more often when they’re trying to put him on base less often and just not realize it?

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're vastly over simplifying

to make your point.

See the Torre quote below.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

What complexities and nuances am I missing?

Joe Torre thinks it works. Joe Torre thinks a lot of stupid things. If Joe Torre didn’t have George Steinbrenner’s money backing him up for so many years he’d probably be doing Dan Plesac’s job these days. Your point?

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're just taking a hard line stance

that lineup protection has no bearing on Kent’s resurgence (not to mention he has no right to be an ass when a hall of famer makes such a suggestion).

While Manny’s presence might not be the only factor contributing to Kent’s boost, I find it a bit obtuse to dismiss is as having no impact.

You say:

Am I supposed to believe that pitchers, managers and teams are so braindead that they’ll put Kent on base more often when they’re trying to put him on base less often and just not realize it?

No one is asking you to believe the other team is braindead. But it is certainly a possibility that Manny’s ominous presence behind Kent has put pressure on pitchers to not walk Kent and to that end throw him more pitches in the strike zone.

This set of circumstances certainly could contribute to Kent’s recent success. It definitely could.

And Kent is dead wrong to call out Scully for saying it.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well it didn’t work for David Ortiz. Ortiz actually hit better (not dramatically so, but just a little bit) when Manny Ramirez wasn’t playing.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

And here’s a more generalized study on lineup protection. There’s no measured effect of lineup protection on hits on balls in play.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not sure your exception

proves your point. But like I said, Manny may not be the reason for Kent’s success. Although I obviously think it has at least contributed in the short term.

But he reveals himself to be a low-quality human being to speak so disrespectfully of Vin Scully. That was my main argument.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

I never argued that Kent was a decent human being.

In fact I think I called him an ass… yep, just checked, I called him an ass.

That doesn’t change the fact that Kent is correct and Scully is wrong on the merits.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Uncle

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Should no one

question why Kent’s hitting .500 since he started hitting behind Manny?

Maybe lineup protection isn’t the answer, but its the obvious change in circumstances.

There’s no way Kent gets a pass for speaking out of turn against Scully.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sure you should question it!

But you should start by asking questions like, “How likely is it that a good hitter hits .439 for two weeks?” And, “What’s the effect of protection on major league players in general?”

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Also...

“Manager Joe Torre also disagrees with Kent.”

“I think it’s helped him,” Torre said, while aware this might draw a steely glare from Kent. “Jeff is a good enough hitter in his own right, and being a good hitter he has the patience to take advantage of a pitcher who doesn’t want to walk the guy who bats ahead of Manny.”

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Aug 17, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think the rain delay

will be very long. The radar out of Miami just shows a few pop up showers here and there.

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:11 PM CDT 0 recs

it's not raining there. the game is going to start at 1:30

by allstar5449 on Aug 17, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pat says

“rain is eminent” lots of dark clouds rolling in

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hmmm...

Maybe I won’t miss much of today’s game. I mean, I hope it isn’t cancelled, but hopefull I can catch half of it when my overtime is done in a few hours.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

I gte off work at 2, would like to plop on my couch and watch the last few innings

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Couch is nice

But I have a family cookout to attend, and I know the game will be going there, which will make things all the better…That is, as long as they’re winning or being competitive.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

I thought I was roped into a

family party at 4:30 today

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

turns out it is next Sunday

lucky me!

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

1:30 Eastern Time

don’t alarm our Central Time fans. :)

"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 17, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or I guess it is a

they are expecting some rain delay

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:12 PM CDT 0 recs

since we have time....

let’s go. batter up. we’re taking the afternoon off.

it’s a beautiful day for a ballgame
for a ballgame today
the fans are out to get a ticket or two
from walla walla washington to kalamazoo

it’s a beautiful day for a home run
but even a triple’s okay
we’re gonna cheer, and boo,
and raise a hullabaloo

at the ballgame today

by tim815 on Aug 17, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Light em up, Cubbies!

Let’s take two of three in Miami!

by DWChaney on Aug 17, 2008 12:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Love the word hullabaloo!

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Pat's on talking about Ron

sounds like Ron’s okay

by DWChaney on Aug 17, 2008 12:17 PM CDT 0 recs

Who's doing the radio broadcast right now?

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 17, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

not sure now

Was Pat, but now someone just killing osme time til the game starts

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm assuming they filmed this before the game

by DWChaney on Aug 17, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

I've been thinking...

Where’s Ron? Since he hasn’t been on the broadcasts, I’ve been hoping he’s OK. What happened to him? Sorry if I missed that bit of info.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ron doesnt make every road trip these days

I do worry about the man’s health tho. Living with diabetes is rough, particularly after he’s lost both his legs.

by DWChaney on Aug 17, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sadly enough

My grandma from my father’s side passed away from complications caused by it, my mom is diabetic, a couple of my uncles too. I try to do what I can for as far as donations go to research a cure.

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 17, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't make the road trip

to Atlanta and Florida. No particular ailment – “Ron’s Fine” they’re saying. Saving up his energy for the stretch drive.

by ChipSet on Aug 17, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

I can't blame Ron for wantng to miss

Hot-lanta and Miami. Who would want to go to those cities in August? I think it was a smart decision on his part. Save his energy for the stretch drive. We need him!!

THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!

by LAcarl519 on Aug 17, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

he's taking the week off.

never been any concern.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 17, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

And the weather for Dolphins stadium today is..........

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:20 PM CDT 0 recs

60% chance of rain

currently 90 degrees… feels like 99, wind is coming from the east at 15 mph

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

volquez retires st. louis in the first

0-0 b 1

by tim815 on Aug 17, 2008 12:23 PM CDT 0 recs

good deal

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

If this guy talking on WGN is driving south on I55,

he should probably be paying attention to the road. That is by far the hardest strip of interstate to navigate out of all the ones I have been on around Chicago.

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:24 PM CDT 0 recs

speaking of living with diabetes being rough, see conversations above

I am doing a run for the cure of diabetes in Indianapolis in October (more details to come) and am raising money for it.. the minimum to raise is only 100$ but I want to raise around 2000$, so within the week I will have a website set up for donations, and a facebook group that has information on how to donate for the cause and what not… so when I do that I will let all you know, if you are interested in donating for the cure to diabetes… if not, thats ok, just thought I would share that news

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 17, 2008 12:26 PM CDT 0 recs

Good to hear.

I am very involved in my local Relay for Life to find a cure for cancer. It is good to find something you are passionate about and helps so many people.

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

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs