Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Nationals, Friday 8/22, 1:20 CT
by Al
on Aug 22, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
in Game Threads
Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs
Last night, while most of you were sleeping the Twins beat the Angels 2-1 in 12 innings. Why is this relevant? Because it made the Angels 77-49, giving the Cubs at 78-49 the best record in baseball going into today's game. Thanks to research done by BCB reader scareduck last June, we know that this is the latest in a season the Cubs have had the best record in baseball since 1945.
Keep it up, is all I have to say. Here are a few photos from yesterday's win:
Ryan Theriot and Alfonso Soriano execute a perfect hit & run in the first inning
Did Brandon Phillips learn this move from Alfonso Soriano?
Jay Bruce has fun with RF bleacher fans after hitting his HR in the 8th inning
Kerry Wood pitches...
... striking out Javier Valentin to win the game.
Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. All photos by David Sameshima
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John Lannan faced the Cubs on April 27 in Washington; it was his best start of the year (and the only time he's faced the Cubs). He's had some other good outings but has also had some in which he's been pounded, including his last start vs. Colorado, when he allowed nine hits, four walks and eight runs in four innings. He usually issues some walks, so if the Cubs can be patient, they can probably beat him.
Jason Marquis hasn't faced the Nats since he came to the Cubs; in his last start vs. Washington on September 4, 2006 he faced exactly two players who are still on the team, Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns. Kearns does hit Marquis well -- 8-for-19, .421/.476/.737 with 2 HR -- so if he can get Kearns, he should be able to handle the rest of the Nats pretty well.
Finally, I wanted to give a shoutout this morning to our SBN Nats blog, Federal Baseball. Check out the site and take them up on their offer to participate.
Today's game is on WGN and MASN -- so virtually everyone can see it. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Once again, a reminder that you can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". Today's first pitch thread posts at 1:15 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4:00 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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I trust it will always be in your heart.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 22, 2008 10:46 AM CDT
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you never forget your first
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 22, 2008 10:50 AM CDT
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I forgot mine...twice
"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 22, 2008 10:53 AM CDT
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TWSS
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 22, 2008 10:53 AM CDT
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"Feels like the first time." - Foreigner
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 22, 2008 10:55 AM CDT
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One of the best
if not THE best debut albums, ever. I still listen to it often.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
by BigJohnAZ on
Aug 22, 2008 11:04 AM CDT
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For me and my roomates...
“Juke Box Hero” used to be an anthem in college. To this day, I don’t know why.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:13 AM CDT
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I graduated this year.
And sadly, my friends and I still rocked out to it.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
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i think it's a phase.
i’ve been out for 3 years now, and i think it still may be a ringtone on my phone.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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"All Out of Love" - Air Supply
/Irrelevant?
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
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Go directly to jail
do NOT pass GO. do NOT collect $200
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on
Aug 22, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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Could have been worse
Jayo525 could have offered a Carpenter’s tune lol
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
by BigJohnAZ on
Aug 22, 2008 12:49 PM CDT
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I'll be on the road for this one.
Tomorrow, I’m in Wrigley – first time in a few years.
by MN exile on Aug 22, 2008 10:04 AM CDT 0 recs
POST SEASON TICKETs now being printed
Just got my invoice but I can’t open the damn attachments on my Mom’s computer.
This is probably going to be it’s own thread. Any other season ticket holders who
CAN open their e mails got any interesting details like prices ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2008 10:04 AM CDT 0 recs
and if you're going to sell any?
:D
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 22, 2008 10:20 AM CDT
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Prices
The Prive list (short version)
NLDS NLCS WS
Club Box 100 150 250
Beacher 60 100 125
Upper Deck Reserve 25 40 75
by john62 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:07 AM CDT
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THE MEMO
It is my pleasure to inform you Major League Baseball has authorized us to
prepare for post season play. The enclosed fact sheet indicates the post season
schedule and pricing structure. The ultimate schedule is determined based on
winning percentage and which teams qualify as division champions and "wild
cards". It is possible we will not know which games will be played at Wrigley
Field until the very end of the 2008 regular season.
We are only able to offer you a slight increase in the amount of tickets that you
are entitled to through your combination season ticket plan. We are offering you
the ability to purchase the same number of tickets as listed in your account for all
three games in the Division Series, two randomly selected games in the League
Championship Series and two randomly selected games in the World Series.
Payments for postseason tickets are due in full by September 8th and may be
paid by personal/company check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, Discover or
American Express. For payments received after this date, we cannot guarantee
seat location or tickets to post season play. If the Cubs are eliminated from post
season contention before playoff tickets are mailed, we will automatically credit
your payment to your 2009 season ticket account unless you have indicated on
your invoice that you wish to receive a refund check.
Thank you for your support of the Chicago Cubs as we look forward to playoff
baseball again in 2008.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 22, 2008 11:29 AM CDT
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if anyone wants
help paying for their tickets in exchange for seats, just let me know!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 22, 2008 11:31 AM CDT
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1 millionth...
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 22, 2008 11:32 AM CDT
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New fan posts on this
and yes, I did give credit where credit was due. Thanks Doggie Stalker!
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 22, 2008 11:39 AM CDT
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How about that picture of everyone's two favorite cubbies
Sori and the Riot together at last
by graceunderpressure on Aug 22, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Yeah. A sweet pair....
the scrappy talentless, shortstop and the guess hack selfish hitter — in ONE photograph! :-)
by zevkalman on
Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM CDT
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Coincidentally
They are my two favorite players. It is an awesome picture though.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
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ok cubbies, patience today
just like the man said.
by nolacubbiegirl on Aug 22, 2008 10:09 AM CDT 0 recs
Lou is on Dan Patrick right now
Listen now: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/
when asked about his performance against the Reds - Lieber said the following
"Well obviously I made some bad pitches today, left to many over the plate and they got good wood on the ball. The only good thing was that I was able to get back into the clubhouse earlier then I planned so I could eat."
by 1060 W Addison on Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM CDT 0 recs
call me uninformed...
but is Dan Patrick no longer with ESPN?
by LuisSalazar on
Aug 22, 2008 10:56 AM CDT
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he's not
he’s technically with Sports Illustrated now and has a nationally syndicated radio show.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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And Reilly went to ESPN
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 22, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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Nope.
Left last year. One of his last interviews was Will Ferrell. Twas hilarious. I hear he’s struggling w/ his new radio show though.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:32 AM CDT
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love his radio show
especially in comparison to rome and cowherd…..those 2 guys are terrible!
by cubswynn on
Aug 22, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
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Problem is that most
stations are not playing his show in real time. It’s delayed in most markets. L-A is one of the few in which it runs properly. He is live 6-9 PST. That means 10-1 EST. Hosts such as Jim Rome have locked up that time slot, on a national basis.
That’s why he signed to do a morning show — but, he’d be better off if he was live 3a-6a EST — for a live broadcast in that time zone. (Mike & Mike on ESPN, for example) Then a replay for PST.
In this market, he runs 7p 10p(!) How relevant can that show be — and, he’s on the Padres flagship, which means he’s pre-empted through the summer.
That may soon change in this market, however.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on
Aug 22, 2008 1:55 PM CDT
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Good news from last night.....
the nationals of course won, ending their 12 game losing streak. Time to start another one.
by graceunderpressure on Aug 22, 2008 10:15 AM CDT 0 recs
NOTE TO SELF: CUBS PLAY TODAY @ 120 PM, DON'T FORGET THIS, DAN!
Also, I’m going to the barn-burner Tigers @ Royals tonight, Verlander @ Bannister. Gonna post a in-depth fanpost of the game, stadium, etc., just for giggles. I like reading about others’ perceptions of stadiums and whatnot, so I thought I’d join along. Keep an eye out for this sure-to-be Pultizer-quality article, I’ll hopefully be 12-15 deep on Boulevards when I write it.
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 22, 2008 10:24 AM CDT 0 recs
Kauffman is awesome.
I did a fan post before I went there to get info, and got some really great tips from fellow BCB’ers! Have fun!!!
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 22, 2008 11:10 AM CDT
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allow me to be the first
to have a marquis screed for the day
“geez, jason, how can you give up so much to this team? they’re so bad, montreal banished them from the country. we pay you how much a year? and you call yourself a starter. we’ll never make it to october with you getting any innings. dfa the guy for a case of red bull.”
(five minutes later when the cubs play solid baseball and score some runs)
“woo hoo. marquis another almost quality start. he rocks. inning muncher. deal him to pittsburgh for mclouth. they need pitching. rock on. marquis is the best fifth starter ever.”
by tim815 on Aug 22, 2008 10:32 AM CDT 0 recs
Yeah. It's no wonder Cardinals fans still call him "Bipolar Betty".
He even turns the fans into bipolar personalities.
by zevkalman on
Aug 22, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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holy carp, look at this
anyone paying attention to the walk record thingy?
Cubs’ 2008 walk total: 511 (4.02 per game)
Full season pace: 652 (club record: 650 in 1975)
Cubs’ 2006 walk total for entire season: 395
Passed 2006 total on: July 23 vs. Diamondbacks at Arizona
At current pace, will break club record on: September 28 vs. Brewers at Milwaukee
We passed the 2006 total on July 23. Since then, in less than a month, the Cubs have drawn ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN walks. Wow.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 22, 2008 10:39 AM CDT 0 recs
"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08
by Bildo1805 on
Aug 22, 2008 10:39 AM CDT
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Everyone's on their game today
I like it.
Hopefully the Cubs can do the same.
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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More like all dodge
the holy carp if you are jet skiing on the Illinois River
"That guy is a gamer." said Ron Santo of Reed Johnson on 07-25-08
by love the ivy on
Aug 22, 2008 1:04 PM CDT
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I will not panic today when we fall a few runs down....
I will not panic today, I will not take part in a I hate Marquis thread, I will not egg on a I hate Sori thread…………………………
by graceunderpressure on Aug 22, 2008 10:39 AM CDT 0 recs
Are you Ron Santo?
Don’t panic, Ron. It will be OK.
"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 22, 2008 10:47 AM CDT
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Ron was panicking big time yesterday
It was starting to really wear on my nerves a bit. Especially since the Cubs never trailed.
by SuperContext on
Aug 22, 2008 11:12 AM CDT
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yeah
but that was exactly the kind of game the Cubs would have blown in 2006 and the first half of 2007.
I think he was projecting.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 22, 2008 11:14 AM CDT
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Hey, if ANYONE has a right to be concerned/projecting in a situation like that
It’s Ron. Think about it. He’s weathered- 90% scar tissue as George Will one said of Cubs fans. Heck, Ron’s closer to 99% scar tissue.
He played on good and bad Cubs teams. Saw highs and lows first hand over the years. Has been dumped on repeatedly by the HOF. Played with diabetes and lost two legs to the disease.
So one might call his occasional demeanor towards the Cubs somewhat fatalistic. Some would say pessimistic.
Well, a pessimist is an optimist with experience. Or a Cubs fan, take your pick.
I give Ronnie the benefit of the doubt until one of us is gone.
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)
by Zeke on
Aug 22, 2008 11:25 AM CDT
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Love that quote by George Will btw
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
by eswan9 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:26 AM CDT
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Benefit of the doubt, sure
But I don’t want to hear about it during the game. It was like a game thread here when the Cubs are losing.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 11:27 AM CDT
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Isn't that why we love Santo? He is one of us, except he isn't a loser. You know
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 22, 2008 11:28 AM CDT
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I get what you're saying
But no, he’s “jumped the shark” in the last few years. I realize taste is subjective, but I’ve had my fill of brilliant insights like “GEEZ!” on every other flippin’ play.
None of us had any delusions that he was a good broadcaster, but he used to be almost competent. Now he’s a cartoonish cheerleader in the booth.
I hate saying stuff like that, beacuse I have a lot of respect for Santo the baseball player and the Cubs fan, but he just doesn’t bring much to the broadcast anymore. I used to LOVE the emotion, but it was surrounded by some baseball commentary. Now, that’s all it is. Half the time, he doesn’t know who’s batting/pitching for the opposition.
Pat Hughes has his faults, but he deserves the Ford Frick award for making Santo look as good as he does.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 11:42 AM CDT
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I agree that Ron doesn't add a lot as an analist...
but that really isn’t the reason he’s in the booth with Pat. He’s there because all the rest of us can’t be there.
There’s no one I’d rather sit next to and watch a Cubs game than Ron.
And I listen for that reason. He feels our pain more than we’ll ever know…
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)
by Zeke on
Aug 22, 2008 11:54 AM CDT
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I completely agree...
he makes me feel better about my anxieties and he makes my coworker laugh
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 22, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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Analist?
That’s a different profession altogether.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 22, 2008 11:58 AM CDT
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You owe me a new keyboard
Go All In and Enjoy The Ride.
by Jayo525 on
Aug 22, 2008 11:58 AM CDT
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Whoops. I meant "analyst"
I am typing with a bum finger. But, lets not go down that road…
er, that is to say,
I’m behind in my work and have to go now…
aw, never mind…
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)
by Zeke on
Aug 22, 2008 12:17 PM CDT
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Doesn't an analist
already use a bum finger?
"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)
by spoiledcubbage on
Aug 22, 2008 1:47 PM CDT
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Not like Dr. Funke
At least Ron is not an analyst and a therapist…an analrapist.
by Chadnudj on
Aug 22, 2008 12:51 PM CDT
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Same here
I am a very emotional fan, and Ron is an extension of my joy and angst during a Cubs game.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
by BigJohnAZ on
Aug 22, 2008 12:53 PM CDT
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absolutely.
he IS the quintessential Cubs fan. And I love that he’s that guy in the booth, rather than some other guy. It’s part of what I like about Len so much; he IS a Cubs fan.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 22, 2008 1:03 PM CDT
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Watch a game with, sure
Listen to on the radio . . .
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 1:50 PM CDT
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This is similar to when
Haray Caray was paired with Jimmy Piersall on White Sox telecasts in the 70’s (Dr Crawford, or Crawdad, or whatever, pay attention here.)
As a teen, I’d have to catch the White Sox game after the Cubs game because that duo was just so funny. You’d just never know what Piersall would say. He wasn’t bleeding over the Sox as Ronnie does over the Cubs, but sometimes stuff would come out of his mouth that was just som damn funny or hard-to-believe-he-said-THAT! (That’s another story, a show he did with Mike Royko) Combined with Harry’s devil-may-care attitude, it was great TV.
And Ronnie provides the same sort of…..edge-of-your-seat commentary.
by San D