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The Beat Goes On: Cubs 12, Pirates 3

Neither a Sonny & Cher nor a Britney Spears song, the Cubs nevertheless kept pounding rhythm through our brains with a 12-3 win over the Pirates last night before a crowd of 14,454 in Pittsburgh that seemed, as many road games do these days, about half Cubs fans. It put the Cubs over .500 on the road at 32-31; only four other teams (Angels, Cardinals, Brewers, Phillies) have winning road records this year.

Aramis Ramirez hit his third three-run homer in the last three games, bumping his RBI total to 94, which now ranks fifth in the National League. His 23rd HR of the season was his 22nd career dinger against his former team and his 38th at PNC Park -- even though he hasn't been a Pirate in more than five years and he played home games there for only a little more than two full years (A-Ram's Pirates debut and his first couple of years there were in Three Rivers Stadium, through the 2000 season). The 38 HR ranks fourth among all players at PNC, and two of the other three (Jason Bay and Brian Giles) are no longer Pirates. A-Ram's OPS continued its upward climb last night (to .908), perhaps putting him in position to get some MVP votes, and maybe his most impressive number is .385, his OBA, which would be a career high; he has already drawn a career-high 64 walks.

Four different Cubs (Jim Edmonds, Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome) had three hits last night; Lee, obviously not bothered by the back spasms that forced him to leave Saturday's game, has started to spray hits all over the place again, as has Fukudome. Dome's three-hit game produced a career-high four RBI (his previous high of three was set with that three-run homer he hit on Opening Day), and though two games are an extremely small sample size, it seems as if Dome has gone back to the approach that got him off to the good start that he had in April. Lou says if he keeps it up, he'll be moved back to 5th in the batting order. I'm not so sure I'd do that -- the Cubs have been very successful with Edmonds hitting fifth and Dome batting seventh or even eighth -- but regardless, it'd be great to get Dome back on track. That article also says that Angel Guzman and Jon Lieber are likely to both be activated from the DL after September 1 and Micah Hoffpauir will be recalled, even though Iowa has made the PCL playoffs.

The rest of the team hit and scored virtually at will last night, piling up seventeen hits and four walks, seven of the hits for extra bases including a triple by Edmonds, his second three-base hit of the year. The pitching staff did as needed -- Ted Lilly gave up two more HR, and that's a bit worrisome as he is leading the majors in HR allowed with 29, but he allowed only seven hits, struck out seven, and Bob Howry (good news!) threw a scoreless inning and Kerry Wood, who normally wouldn't have been used in a 9-run blowout, also threw a shutout inning, mainly because he hadn't thrown since last Thursday. He threw only 13 pitches (9 strikes) so he should be available tonight.

More history: the Cubs are 31 games over .500 for the first time since September 30, 1984, the last day of that regular season; they finished 1984 at 96-65. Their peak that year was 32 games over, at 90-58 on September 15. Before that, the last time the Cubs were 32 games over .500 was on September 2, 1969, at 84-52.

History is being made every day with the 2008 Cubs. I marvel. Keep it going. Onward to tonight.

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Alternate title

“The BeatDOWN Continues”

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on Aug 26, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

81 Wins Already!

Remember when 81 wins for a whole season was a real accomplishment! The Cubs had better win the majority of the rest of their games to beat out the Brewers. The Brewers are really good. The Cubs are better and will finish on top.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 26, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

81 wins would have been wonderful in 06....

2008 Cubs: Who needs nine innings, when you only need a 7th?

by Chanman25 on Aug 26, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or... 2005, etc.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 26, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

One more win...

… and the Cubs will have their FIFTH winning season since 2001 (01-03-04-07-08).

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

1973-2000

featured a grand total of five winning seasons (84, 89, 93, 95, 98). Five winning seasons out of 28 was not so wonderful.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 26, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Holy Crap

I didn’t realize that. The Cubs dark age can only be over with a WS title, though.

by daeviant on Aug 26, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My lifetime

I figured it out at one point, in my lifetime (since 1965) the Cubs are roughly 500 games under .500. Might be a reason for my unbridled cynicism.

"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Aug 26, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A cynic is an optimist with experience...

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

See also

90% scar tissue

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The nice part about being a pessimist

when you’re wrong, you’re pleasantly surprised.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you try to fail and you succeed,

what have you done?

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Then we wouldn't have

Josh Vitters in our farm system.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My day is fulfilled

The post game wrap is up!

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Aug 26, 2008 8:32 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

4th

Dang I go get a cup of coffee and look at what happens

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on Aug 26, 2008 8:32 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Now tonight we need a dominant Z

untracked, unbridled, focused and stifling. I still view his pitching as vital to our end of the season success. We need him to be at his best the rest of the way.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Aug 26, 2008 8:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

There is no reason this team with Big Z starting should lose to the Pirates. Let’s hope we bring it again tonight.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Impossible to tell...

…these things. Every player is wired differently, and needs to do what is best for them to stay on their game. Z is an emotional guy and those guys are going to go about things a little differently than those that aren’t.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Aug 26, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Magic Number to eleminate the pirates and reds

from the division race is now down to 8

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

So nice to have football...

…starting back up while we’re still high on baseball >8)

by Shawon O Meter on Aug 26, 2008 8:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't focus on football just yet.

I can see football season out of the corner of my eye, but there is no way I’m taking my attention off of these Cubs. No way.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me either.

For me, football will start in November this year.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1 !

….it doesnt help that the Bears will win about 6 games this year…but I could care less about football right now!

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Aug 26, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

why not play rex

at least he’ll make things interesting lol

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the way the Cubs and the Sox are playing

I doubt many Chicago sports fans are turning their attention to the Bears just yet.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

something the Bears should be grateful for

They stink, and management should be happy that the Cubs and Sox will camouflage the smell for a while.

by SuperContext on Aug 26, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Halas Hall

has to be full of the biggest Sox/Cubs fans right now. Anything that might distract the city from that awfulness has to be at the forefront for them.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Except that sadly,

football may already be over in this city, by November. But I digress, back to the Cubs…

"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."

by BMoney79 on Aug 26, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No it won't...

…Northwestern will still be playing in November, and they’ll be going for an upset Big Ten Championship.

GO CATS!!!

by Chadnudj on Aug 26, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have no idea

what is going on with football. My fantasy draft tonight will likely reflect this.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

draft Frank Gore

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 26, 2008 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

False.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 26, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right now, football to me is

Baseball highlights held hostage

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice game to start a three game road trip...

Also great to see we were able to solve Karstens, who the rest of the league is kind of figuring out after two really good starts.

A question about Aramis – of his 65 walks this season, how many were of the intentional variety? 64 is a great total, I was just curious as to how many he has had which were intentional.

by DWChaney on Aug 26, 2008 8:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Seven.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's fun playing the Indianapolis Indians

While the Pirates are a scrappy bunch, I have a feeling Z should dominate tonight. Every year, it seems like the Pirates string together 8-10 losses as part of a second-half swoon, so now would be a good time for that.

There are far too many holes in the Buccos, and anytime you are forcing Jason Davis to pitch a few innings, you’re doing something right. Let’s get them again.

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 26, 2008 8:42 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Indy Attendance

How often do the Indians sell more than 14,000 tickets for a game at Victory Field? The “crowd” or lack thereof in Pittsburgh last night was embarrassing.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 26, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually only twice so far this year

however, Victory Field only seats 14,500 (with number being adjustable for lawn seating). However, they’ve brought in over 10,000 fans 22 times this year, which isn’t too shabby. So their percent-capacity is dominating Pittsburgh right now.

I don’t mind so few fans being in Pittsburgh – it makes it easier for Cubs fans to get tickets. I know if I could drive over there today I would.

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 26, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

PNC

This is a really nice ballpark. I’ve been there 2x.

Another example of a moribund franchise getting a new place to play.

by thermal54 on Aug 26, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I actually really love Victory Field

a GREAT way to kill a boring summer day in Indy.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about 7?

They’re at 5 in a row now. Up next for them is Milwaukee.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll take it.

In fact, here’s the headline from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today: Summer’s swoon shaping up for Pirates? (and I just looked this up instead of plagarizing)

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 26, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's the link

Here. The writer just sounds depressed. I kind of feel bad for him.

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 26, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He did, didn't he?

Well, I hope they get hot starting on Friday. The Pirates play the Brewers 6 times before the end of the year.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds like a plan to me.

The unfortunate things is, they’ve lost 12 straight at Miller Park. Hopefully they’ll hold up their end in Pittsburgh this weekend.

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 26, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This means they are due for a win

Two, in fact.

Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Aug 26, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully by late September it won't matter

But if they could win 2 of 3 this weekend, I’d gladly take it.

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 26, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A few Brewers fans told me

That they felt Milwaukee was lucky to sweep the last time — a lack of timely hitting, but got lucky with homeruns.

I don’t know about that, but I do know that they very easily could have lost 2 of 3 to Pittsburgh last weekend. The end result is they didn’t, and I don’t know if that means they were just good enough or lucky – but the next 8 games might be interesting for them. 2 @ STL, 3@PGH, 3 vs. NYM.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

funny things is my Brewer fan friends

Dont seem to bring up baseball around me anymore.

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You have friends?

That is funny.

:)

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep and my friends don't even double as employees either :)

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Clients?

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok, that was bad, even for this banter.

Sorry

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

your a pig

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, a Badger.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You sound like Ronnie ;)

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And the Brewers and Cards

play each other tonight and tomorrow, in St. Louis. Man, it’s a shame one of those two teams has to win these games. I wish they could both lose….

by DWChaney on Aug 26, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That would be the perfect solution.

It’s tough to try to root for either of them.
But I think I’d rather see St. Louis win …just to give a little more breathing room at the top of the division.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree, as much

as it pains me to root for the Cardinals.

I’d like to see the Cards get back closer to that WC lead, and knock the Brewers out of that, too. Just because the Brewers are putting all their hopes on getting into the playoffs as the WC team. I’d find it really funny if they got CC and didn’t make the playoffs.

by DWChaney on Aug 26, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm rooting for a two game sweep

and the odd thing is I don’t care who does it. Lets assume (big assumption) that the Cubs sweep the pirates. If the cards sweep the brewers then the brewers will be 7 games back. If the brewers sweep the cards then the cards are 11 back in the loss column. Either case is great for the Cubs.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

of course you do but in reality you know one will lose

You remind me of the movie Amadeus when Mozart couldn’t choose which wig to buy

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

TWSS

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 26, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

nicely done, sir!

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Either way

one magic number will drop by at least one, guaranteed. Let’s hope it’s the bigger one.

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of think that one AB and a Piniella session did a EMODUKUF

as Harry would say…..another turnaround.

Actually a hot Fukudome is better in the 5th spot in that he often acts as a lead off hitter in the second inning and has speed, where an Edmonds with power and pop in the 7th hole acts like a second #3 hitter behind DeRosa and Soto as the clean up in the 8th spot.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 8:46 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Fukudome appears to be driving through the hitting zone

He could have a September like DeRosa had an August, what will be needed is DLEE having an October like DeRosa’s August.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

as long as one of the big boys is hot in October

everything will be cool. Everyone was ice cold last year.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't imagine

DeRo AND DLee AND Rami AND Sori AND Soto all being cold at the same time.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know

but…

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

but if they do

LBR, Riot, Dome, Ward, and Z can pick them up.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As can the umpires.

Since GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS replay is HERE!!! Evolve, or get back in the cave. Boom-city.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 26, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know

this line up is much deeper than last years.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Fukudome is truly out of his slump

It just proves once again that this team has balls. They seem to bounce back from just about everything, from bad stretches to injuries. I seriously thought the Cubs were going to be done after the 4 game series in Milwaukee, but they ended up proving me wrong yet again and sweeping that trip. Maybe I shouldn’t be so pessimistic.

by daeviant on Aug 26, 2008 8:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Don't you change a thing!

that pessimistic attitude has gotten us this far.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Beatings Go On...

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Aug 26, 2008 8:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Until morale improves

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Listening on XM last night...

it was SOOOOO quiet!. I know the park wasn’t very full (our low A Midwest League Lugnuts have drawn comparable crowds), but there was NO crowd presence on either the field microphones or bleeding through over the Pirates announcing team’s microphones. It was eerie to listen to.

And when the game quickly got out of hand, the announcers had a nice laugh-filled conversation between themselves for the duration of the game- so it was hard to tell what was going on half the time.

At least tonight’s game is on WGN.

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 8:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I listened to the first two innings on XM on the way home from work.

The announcers were horrid – they simply had NOTHING to talk about other than the media prep “Mark DeRosa has hit homeruns in the last 4 games” type of stuff. They did talk a BUNCH about what a good hitter Z is then went rambling on about old Pirates pitchers.

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on Aug 26, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What about their long discussion

about why wasn’t Ted Lilly #26 because Teddy Roosevelt was the 26th president? Then oh, it’s retired for Billy Williams. Who else has their number retired for the Cubs? Does Sandberg? Does Santo? What other #26 are retired? Gene Autry? Why in the world does Gene Autry have #26 retired? Maybe that was the age of the horse he stuffed. (That was Roy Rogers, guys, not Gene Autry.) Can someone google it? Oh, there are 25 men on the Angels and Autry was their 26th man.

Just stream of consciousness nonsense. It was like listening to two drunks at a bar. I think I can remember Harry doing stuff like that in terrible years. I don’t think Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau ever did though.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that was pretty "streamy"...

I do have to admit that I didn’t know why Gene Autry would have #26 retired until the “26th man” came up. I thought that was pretty nice on the Angels part. Sucking up to the (former) owner is always a winner…

But for them to sound as clueless as they did on the retired Cubs numbers was a bit of a surprise…

I don’t remeber Vince or Lou ever being that bad.

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Except the Angels retired it

when Autry was still the owner, back in 1982. So it was just sucking up to the boss.

Now to be clear, the Cowboy was beloved by Angels fans. When they won it all in 2002, there was a huge Gene Autry banner that fans were hanging over the left field wall.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A nice gesture though

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Forget what?

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

2006 wasn't that long ago

Cubs’ broadcasts aren’t exactly rollicking when the team sucks, either.

Let’s enjoy the ride and not take it for granted — don’t forget that for most of the lives of most of us, the Cubs have been bad. Let’s not get like Braves fans who found winning passe.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I did try and take the broadcast

in the spirit of a Ron & Pat broadcast when the Cubs are being blown out. You now, sailboats on Lake Michigan, old sweaters, etc. So it wasn’t awful, but I just wanted to know what the Cubs were doing (other than the offhand comment in the middle of their conversation that "so and so doubled and scored so-and-so… ")

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, I can understand that

It’s not surprising that you didn’t get that info, though. They probably can’t WAIT until the season ends.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep. We've certainly been on the other end of that stick often enough...

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

twss

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I loved the Ramirez home run

The Pirate announcer went “line drive. . .left field. . .home run” without raised his voice or changing his inflection.

After seeing the home run, I kind of understand how it came out that way, but it was funny listening to it that way in the car.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just heard it replayed on the radio.

And it was pretty hilarious. But I kind of feel bad for all the people who see this team on a day-to-day basis. It must get miserable seeing the same script year after year

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 26, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

See the Chicago Cubs circa 1990's

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at least we had '98

these guys haven’t seen a winning season in 16 years.

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 26, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That home run was pretty remarkable.

The pitch looked about two inches off the ground when Aramis hit it, and the ball seemed to teleport instantly into the left field bleachers. He went down and got that one.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that was funny...

Kind of like when Toad goes into the liquor store in American Graffiti to try and order some “hard stuff”.

Very nonchalant.

“I’d like a comb, a snickers bar, some licorice, a pint of "Old Harpers”, line drive. . .left field. . .home run, and some juju fruits please.

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1 for the quote

Here’s another: “This one’s for justice!”

by jdb-44 on Aug 26, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

XM calls these home run calls, "Priceless"

in honor of Jim Price’s (Tigers) call of Kevin Mench’s home run a few years ago.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Aug 26, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good turnaround by Fuku

I agree, keep him near the bottom though. In a week or two if he keeps it up, then talk about moving him up.

by lamentir on Aug 26, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

both lee and lou learned japanese...

and encouraged fookie when he was on the bench. now if only we could learn japanese and channel it to our favorite asian right-fielder…..

by nolacubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think they're learning Japanese. I think they're learning Japanese.

I really think so.

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

sadly I actually had that record

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Without looking, who is the artist?

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the Vapors?!

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had to look -- but yes, you are correct

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've never won anything before!

where do I claim my wonderful BCB prizes?

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Outside the seaon tix entrance to the bleachers

Al, tell Blue W what he (or she) has won . . .

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

1000 BCB points!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are "BCB" points like the points given out

during “Who’s Line is it Anyway?”

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+17 BCB Points for making that connection.

-200 BCB Points for being a Michigan State fan.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, they pay the mortgage...

Got my degrees there. Met my wife there. My son is an undergrad there now.

Spartan green through and through my friend.

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

-1000 BCB Points for marrying one as well.

-5000 BCB Points for sending your child there and passing the disease on to another generation.

I keed!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

-1000 for keeding around.

Where do you think you are?

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pure bred Spartans!

Prediction-
MSU 27
Cal 16

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on Aug 26, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

From the album "New Clear Days"..

I had that album! And our intramural basketball team’s name was the “Vapors”. LOL.

The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 26, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fukudome to 5th in the lineup

seems to reflect long-term concerns for the players the Cubs are committed to in 2009, more than what’s best for the team in 2008. Lou’s not going to move Sori/Riot/Lee/Rami from 1-2-3-4, but wants to reward Dome for getting it back together. Pre-season, Lou really wanted to split those four righties up, but isn’t considering that now, which is also interesting.

In a certain sense, the Cubs lineup is so deep that it really doesn’t matter who you bat where. Geovanny Soto isn’t a #8 hitter if you’re thinking of a traditional lineup.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Aug 26, 2008 9:03 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think at the start of the season..

Lou really wanted Brian Roberts, so he’d have a third lefty to put in the lineup (Roberts, Dome, and Pie – probably hitting 1, 5, 7). If Dome gets back to where he was at the start of the season, you could bat him 2 – but Riot is pretty much a classic #2 hitter, with a great OBA in front of our boppers. So lefties at 5 and 7 works best for this group of players – neither Dome or JEd would really work in the clean-up spot, even if you wanted to drop Lee down in the order.

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey Deputy I heard the Outfit had an Outlet for Viagra on Rush, that said: you make a good observation

Piniella’s engineering of trying to preempt lefty/righty situations and forcing pitchers to change angles has turned out to be a not necessary with this lineup.

Actually what makes the Cubs so dangerous is not the top of the order which is traditional with good clubs but the bottom of the order that can take out teams or pick up this team where often we see the left-handed hitters. Edmonds, Fukudome and sometimes Fontenot (although sometimes he is in the 2 hole) have been quite successful framed with big boppers of DeRosa (17 HR’s) and Soto (19 HR’s) of course power has also been exhibited by Edmonds (16 HR’s), Fukudome (9 HR’s) and Fontenot (8 HR’s and almost half his hits being extra base).

It is non traditional almost like how the Cubs best relief arm is their set up in Marmol or their lead off hitter is their #2 power guy in Soriano.

Back to Rush Street someone asked me how it once was living in Chicago with the ‘Outfit’ and I said well they simply expanded the market place of goods and services. I explained that there was a needed market for conventioneers in Chicago who would focus on Rush Street after boring conventions by day, get a drink and then find a pharmacy that they didn’t need a prescription where if they got lucky or had other enterprising persons introduce them to pay as you go parties.

It was understood.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lou may have...

…wanted Roberts, but I don’t think he was banking on Pie being out in CF everyday. He knew there was a good chance he wasn’t ready.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Aug 26, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

cracking into this starting lineup demands a potential ROY level performance

just look at Soto. The rest of the lineup is set with players like Fontenot pushing for time at 2B. If Pie comes north next year he will have to emerge from performance out of platoon situation into a bona fide starter.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I imagine so, but he didn't have Johnson/Edmonds right off the bat..

Pie pretty much was going to get a chance (as it turns out, 4 games before Reed was in the starting lineup).

Ivy – great point about the balance of the lineup 1-8 (with generally good hitting pitchers). Compare to the Crew.. they probably have a better “heart of the order” with Hardy, Braun, Fat and Hart – but they have 4 players hitting under .260 surrounding them, (although Cameron’s heated up recently) which gives opposing pitchers some easy innings. You don’t get that with the Cub order, and it’s one reason I don’t get so worked up about hitting Sori leadoff anymore.

And for the record, my influence begins and ends with the fine drinking establishments of my constituents ; )

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Deputy Mayor

Balance…balance….balance

And even His Honor Jr. has his back channel communications with those of the 1st Ward.

True story I was entertaining some clients back in the early ’90’s in a real Italian joint in the West Burbs (Benvenuti’s) and I looked around and said there are some fellows here actually packing.

Instead of scarring these CA types they said it was exciting so they wanted to go to some other places I took them to the Italian Village in the 1st Ward and the best was a place called My Favorite Inn up in Highwood IL, no sign in front, no English and they were totally amazed.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lou's desire for a second lefty

extended beyond Roberts up until the emergence of Edmonds. For some time, he was sending signals that he wanted Dome in the 2 slot.

And if Dome is re-emerging, he is a better hitter than Theriot at 2. Theriot hits best when someone is on first base – which means hitting behind Soriano is one of the worst lineup spots for him. Dome is also more versatile in what he can do with the bat (he’s really an excellent bunter).

All that said, when every hitter is an asset with the bat, it’s hard to put a bad lineup out there.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Aug 26, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

fwiw

I have to wonder if Soriano is starting to emerge as more of a traditional lead-off hitter. I can’t remember the last time he hit a lead-off home-run, and he got three singles yesterday.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Soriano's also walking more

but I’ll believe he’s changed when I see it for 3 months.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Aug 26, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone know what time Wrigleyville Sports closes?

Sorry OT. I need to walk down there and buy a flag for my brother in Kuwait.

by daeviant on Aug 26, 2008 9:25 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wrigley Field location:

M-F 9-9
Sat 10-8
Sun 10-6

Thanks to your brother for his service!

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brewers/Cards

It kind of sucks that one of these 2 teams will likely be the Wild Card if we can hang on to first. I know the NL east still has a shot at the Wild Card but the NL outside of the central seems to suck big time this year.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think it justifies how good the Cubs really are...

…that the competition is so tough in the central. It makes me even more proud of what they’ve accomplished.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 26, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

keep in mind

the third place team in the central, would be fighting for the division titles in the east and west

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow

thats the eye opener. Well lets hope we can build a nice lead going into September where we play all but 3 games within the division.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

sorry all but 4 games

vs the Mets.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Best Record

not just the central but the whole league! And so good at home, and now much improved on the road. Quite the accomplishments there that I’m also very proud of.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

All of the above is impressive.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

16-6 in August with 6 game remaining, 24-12 since the ASG, 12-5 on the road and 12-7 at home

gaining 12 games on the league and expanding their lead over their chasers…..

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I must say that everything is looking peachy......

until (not to get ahead of things) you think of possibly facing the DBACKS in the first round. Go Dodgers GO!!!!

Complete disclaimer about counting the chickens before they hatch, I know, I know it isn’t even Sept yet.

"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus

by graceunderpressure on Aug 26, 2008 9:48 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I wish the Dodgers...

…would get going again. They looked positively dead in the water vs. the Phillies.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brewers Mailbag

This little nugget is not really a big surprise but something all Cubs fans should brace for should the season come down to this:

What will the Brewers do with their starting rotation if they reach the postseason?
— Erik L., Oconomowoc, Wis.

That’s going to depend how they are positioned going into the final week. Yost surprised me Sunday morning by mentioning that Sabathia, Bush and Sheets are currently lined up to start the final regular-season series against the Cubs at Miller Park. That means he’ll be juggling Bush’s spot somewhat to line up Sabathia to pitch a potential postseason opener Oct. 1.

I hope to make it up to Milw for this series even if it’s just standing room only.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 9:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll be at the

Sat. game so looks like I’ll be seeing Bush pitch. Wonder who it will be for the Cubs?

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully the Cubs will be far enough up in the division

so that these games won’t even matter.
But still, we beat their best last time we were in Mil., who’s to say we couldn’t take 2 out of 3?

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right now we have a 5 game lead

If we can just maintane that the last weekend series will be meaningless. The brewers would have to pull within 3 games to make it meaningfull and then they would need a sweep (however if they both clinch a wildcard spot, a 3 game sweep might not be enough). A 2 game lead would still mean the brewers would need a sweep. If the game is meaningless I except both teams to not put in thier big guns. Of course the Cubs could have clinched and the brewers might still be fighting for a wild card spot. In which case the Cubs might try adjust thier rotation for the post season. The Cubs may not put out thier A lineup while the brewers will.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If the Cubs are in and the Brewers are still fighting

The Cubs will be obligated to play their starters for at least part of the series. Otherwise it gives an unfair advantage to the Brewers — it’s an unwritten rule of the game.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They might play thier everyday players

but if they’ve clinched they will adjust thier rotation to set it up for the postseason.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, I agree with that

And they won’t go all out, either.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

we will expand that lead before the final week

unless the Brewers do something amazing like sweep the Cards which they did before, (and I think LaRussa & Co will not have happen again) the Cubs might return home with a 6 or 7 game lead in the loss column.

Brewers are 23-12 since the ASG…..playing 657 ball they have lost 1/2 game to the Cubs who are playing .666 ball.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm going Sunday

I too am hoping for a meaningless game in terms of the standings.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Aug 26, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It will be interesting to see what happens......

…if the Cubs have already clinched the division but the Brewers are still battling for the Wild Card spot. Would Lou rest the starters and start the “B Team”? The Brewers might not have the lugury of setting up their rotation for the postseason. Advantage Cubs.

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Aug 26, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's standard practice in those situations...

… to start the regulars. For one thing, you don’t want them to get rusty. For another, would you want the Brewers to beat up on the Cubs’ “B” team? I wouldn’t.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another way of looking at it

would be to give some playing time to Ward, Cedeno, Fontenot, etc… to keep them sharp. An extra day of rest isn’t going to hurt Aram or DeLee. Imagine the outcry if Soriano were to pull a hammy in LF and the game meant nothing to the Cubs. All things to think about if and when the playoffs roll around…

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Aug 26, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

True.

Lou’s been doing a good job of getting the regulars rest and the bench guys playing time. I see no reason to think that won’t continue.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Correct...

…even if the Cubs were to clinch 1 or 2 days before the Milwaukee series, Lou will pretty much play his regulars in the final weekend. He will clearly lineup his rotation and he may spot rest 1 or 2 starters for 1 game, but he will want to avoid hitters losing their edge by sitting for 2-3 days.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Aug 26, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dont think so

It’s a risky call. Imagine if you play the B team, get beat and the Brewers make the playoffs, then down the road you end up losing to the Brewers. I think you play to stay sharp and to win.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ultimately

I think the Cubs will approach every game down the stretch the same way, regardless of the standings. I hate it when a football team clinches the division, they rest their starters the last game, they have a bye week and then lay an egg when the finally play.

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Aug 26, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Big example of this is the Dallas Mavericks getting beat by Golden State

a couple of years ago in the playoffs. They could have eliminated the team that knocked them off in the first round of the playoffs and they chose to sit their regulars in one of the last regular season games.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Aug 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colts in 1999, 2005 and 2007...

pretty much any time they clinch a 1st round playoff bye early. They shut it down, lose their edge and get beat in their first playoff game. Compared to 2006 (sorry Bears fans), when they had to play hard every week.

IMHO, this is why wild-card teams have had success in the MLB playoffs. They get on a late season roll and carry it thru the postseason.

by hokie316 on Aug 26, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think it helps

(and I’m still shaking my head at the Colts). The wild card race is generally closer, forcing teams to carry their intensity directly into the playoffs, whereas the division winners generally have a few days to sit back and relax, which can turn around and bite them.

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 26, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Baseball tradition

is to play your regulars against contenders, as a sort of courtesy to the teams competing against them – whether you’re in the penthouse, or the cellar. If you had a scenario where the Crew needed the game, and we were setting up for.. future play, I imagine you’d get a regular lineup (there isn’t the huge risk of injuries in baseball like there are to football teams that concede late, meaningless games)

The difference is that the starting pitcher would likely get pulled after 5 IP or 90 pitches, and then it would be up to the bullpen to take it home.

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Cubs clinch the day before the Brewers series and

Lou is trying to get his pitching match ups right for the play-offs, could we see the following headline in the Tribune:

“Harden pulled from duel with Bush”

We can all dream of the day…

THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!

by LAcarl519 on Aug 26, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even better.... heh heh heh

Is if he strikes out 12 and pounds him.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Aug 26, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope they saved

some runs for tonight and tomorrow night. I love this team.

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with this team

and aside from an occasional bump in the road, it hasn’t happened. This is the best team I’ve seen top-to-bottom since I became a fan in the early 80s, imho, even better than ‘03. Attitude, talent, teamwork, support—it’s all there. If any Cubs team deserved good things, it’s this one.

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 9:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Best team top to bottom since '35, '45 not withstanding

That comes before my time, this team is better than ‘69-’70, better than ’84 and ’89 and of course ’03 or ’07.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

BTW in baseball no team deserves anything, they merely work for the opportunity to take it

there is no massive ledger sheet in the sky

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My father-in-law who lived in Davenport

Recalls the ‘45 team as very good led by Cavaretta batting over .350 and the venerable Stan Hack at 3B hitting over .320 and the newcomer Andy Pafko who came up to hit 12 HR’s and get over 100 RBI’s, but that team didn’t hit many HR’s. He did tell me they had 4 solid starters.

My father who was 9 in ‘35 remembers the ’35 having good to great players at every position where Cavarretta came up as a 18 year old rookie to play 1B, but the team was led by big H’s, Stan Hack, Billy Herman, Gabby Hartnett where much of the lineup hit over .300, yet an forgotten OF Klein led the team with 21 HR’s. They also had 5 really good starters led by Bill Lee and Warneke and where the old Charlie Root was in the bullpen and got a lot of wins when the team would come back.

Both mostly listened to the games on the radio or had to read the newspapers. My father did go to a few and even to the WS in ’35, ’38 and ’45.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My dad remembers the '35 team too.

That’s probably the best team since 1910, although the ’29 team was pretty good, too.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They must have some interesting stories to tell

My grandparents have had Packer season tickets since 1959 and both of my grandparents had such interesting stories from then that I just loved to listen to

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So they remember Favre's rookie season? Wow!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

actually my grandpa ended up in intensive care this last winter

When he came to after he asked where he was, the second question was whether he missed the Super Bowl or not. He wanted to talk football w/ the nurses. LOL

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The 1929 team was great

they just ran into one of the greatest teams of all time in the 1929 Athletics. And don’t even get me started on Howard Ehmke. Even then, the Cubs had to blow an eight run lead in Game four.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd say the closest comparison is to the '84 club..

the starting lineups are pretty even, at least offensively.. but this current team has the edge in bench, relief pitching, and starting pitching once Harden came over.

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This team is better than 84

all around. That team had Larry Bowa dragging the offense down the tubes. I think the only position player on the 1984 team that would take a starting job away from one of this year’s starters is Sandberg over DeRosa (and DeRo is going to hit more home runs, believe it or not.) Maybe they put Denier in CF over our platoon.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What players from '69

would crack the 2008 starting lineup?

"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 26, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man, we did this a few weeks ago

I think we came up with Santo. (As good as Aramis is, Ronnie was even better.) Normally you’d take Billy Williams, but he had a down year by Williams standards in 1969. But you’d might rather take him because of his durability as compared to Fonzie. But Fonzie’s having a better year with the bat than Williams did, just with less playing time.

I mean, certainly Jenkins and Hands, at least, would be in the starting rotation. But among position players, only Santo cracks the lineup for sure. Williams if you count Fonzie’s injury against him.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks....

Did not see any previous post. What about Banks over Lee? Lee is having a marginal year but I suppose ’69 was not Banks better performances either

"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 26, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Cubs lose 2 in a row

I promise to change it. Too superstitious to change now.

"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 26, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha!

you know that none of us are going to root for that.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

havent' they lost two in a row

since you started using it?

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excellent point!

Change it now, please.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What?

you guys can’t bare to see a girl cry?

"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 26, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've already explained...

…why I hate the picture – and why you should, too. If that girl herself were here, she’d probably say, “Dude, take my picture off your frickin’ profile.”

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I personally don't care either way

but the conditions you set had already been met before you set them. That’s all I’m saying.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You mean 'bear'

but since you said it, you could change it to a pic of that naked chick that wraps herself around the W flag.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Banks before '67 but not in '69, he was turning into a part time player

Santo by a push, because of his glove and a few AB’s, Williams I would have moved to RF and played Fukudome in CF and that is it.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about Kessinger?

Switch hitter with better range then the riot? Had 181 hits.

"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 26, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you know you are right

Better defensive SS,

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He could really pick it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kessinger

was probably a better defensive shortstop than Theriot, but it isn’t clear from the stats. Bill James, in Win Shares, ranked Kessinger’s defense as a “C-” for his career. That’s probably low, but Kessinger’s defensive reputation is probably greater than he actually was. No one really knew how to grade defense back then. (Heck, we’re just learning now.)

Not that I’m wild about the Riot, but I’d take him. The offense is better. (But on defense, Baseball Prospectus just said the Cubs were the best team in baseball in turning a ball hit into play into an out. I don’t think you can do that if your shortstop stinks.) But if you wanted to make the case for Kessinger, I wouldn’t say you are crazy.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

interesting

I had no idea the Cubs were the best in baseball at turning a ball in play into an out. It seems the defense gets overlooked with all the offense (unless someone is talking about the merits of Fukudome when he’s in a slump), but that’s just another facet of this team that should help it into the playoffs (knock on wood).

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 26, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, I wasn't being critical of you asking

I was just trying to remember what was said. It was deep in a discussion and easy to miss.

And to be honest, Ernie Banks wasn’t a very good ballplayer anymore in 1969. He was ten years past his prime. As hard as it is to say this, if Leo Durocher had gotten his way and replaced Ernie Banks with Orlando Cepeda like he wanted to, the Cubs not only might have made the World Series in 1969, they might have made it in 1968 or 1967.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did not know that

about Leo wanting to bring in Cepeda. Thanks for the tidbit. I hear that it was all the day games, double headers and bench that finally did that team in. This team is fortunate to have more night games IMO.

"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 26, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Cubs offered

San Francisco Dick Ellsworth for Cepeda in the spring of 1966. Cepeda was injured most of 1965 and that allowed Willie McCovey to move in from left field, where he was pretty bad, and Cepeda was pretty much out of a job there. Durocher wanted him badly, but the Giants preferred Ray Sadecki from the Cardinals to Dick Ellsworth. (Probably a horse a piece on them. Sadecki had the longer post-1966 career, but Ellsworth had at least one great season left in him.)

The point is though, if Durocher had gotten Cepeda, Banks would have been a bat off the bench and would have probably been traded eventually. At the latest, he would have gone to San Diego or Montreal to start the 1969 season when expansion hit.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am sure it would have been hard

to trade Mr. Cub. Even though they did eventually trade Santo, Jenkins and Williams.

"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 26, 2008 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hard for who? The Wrigleys. Give me a break. If they got

they right deal, he would have been out of town on the first think smoking.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think you know Phil Wrigley

Phil Wrigley wasn’t concerned about winning. He was concerned about making a good family atmosphere and having the right kind of people on his team. Good citizens were more important than good players. This is why we haven’t won a world series in 100 years.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So you are saying that Wrigley would have

not traded Banks for any reason because he liked him so much? I know that Wrigley didn’t always put winning first, but he was still a business man.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

He was a businessman. His business was selling chewing gum. The most important thing to him was that the Wrigley name be held in high esteem and respect. That sold chewing gum. The Cubs were just a way to improve that name.

Wrigley also thought people would attend ballgames because of the beautiful park and friendly players more than with winning baseball.

Let me point this out. Wrigley bought the best minor league team in baseball, the Los Angeles Angels. He then passed a policy that the team had to be run independently—no player could be sent from LA to Chicago without the Angels being fairly compensated with players and or money. Also, no players could leave LA once the season started.

Does that sound like someone who is trying to win baseball games?

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never said he would trade Banks because

he wanted to win at all cost. I said he would have traded Banks if it was good for the financial well-being of the team. Yes, he did all those things you mentioned, but he was still a businessman.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wrigley did not care about the

financial well-being of the Cubs, as long as it didn’t lose money. It was his dad’s hobby and a PR device for him. If Ernie Banks had held up a liquor store and high-tailed it to Iowa with a white woman, then sure, he’d have been gone for the good of the Wrigley Corporation. But the Ernie Banks of the real world was too good an ambassador for this little PR device for him to trade.

Why else would he trade him? Because he made too much money? This was before free agency and arbitration. Even Banks made squat.

I don’t know about some hypothetical world you’re talking about where Ernie Banks would be a liability to the Wrigley Corporation. In the real world, Wrigley never would have traded Ernie Banks. That Durocher almost got Cepeda to replace him was almost a miracle.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He was also a racist

So maybe he would have traded Banks.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wrigley's racial attitudes are more complex

For example, he famously stood up against a movement to ban black people from buying land on Catalina Island.

To just make a blanket statement that Phil Wrigley was a racist really isn’t fair. The Cubs were a racially-regressive team, although it’s hard to know whether that was PKW or the people he hired. Wrigley had zero close friends and only his wife really knew what he thought. He liked it that way.

However, it is clear that Wrigley thought Cubs fans were racists, and that having black players on the team would drive white fans away from the ballpark. The way the team did everything it could to keep Gene Baker from playing on the team for as long as possible was pretty disgusting.

The bottom line is that Wrigley loved Ernie Banks and he was probably his favorite player. He would have hated to see Ernie go. That doesn’t precluded the notion that he did in fact have some racist attitudes, although pretty much all white people of his era did. in many ways, Wrigley was more progressive on race relations than others in his position. In other ways, he wasn’t very progressive at all. These things are just a lot more complex than a simple declarative statement like that.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Was Gene Baker

our Jackie Robinson?

"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 26, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sort of

Baker got signed in 1950, but the Cubs sent him to the minor leagues (Los Angeles Angels) and let him sit there for almost four years while Roy Smalley stunk up the joint at Wrigley. Meanwhile Baker is playing very well in the PCL, but the Cubs won’t call him up. Why? No one knows for sure, but the general feeling is that Wrigley wanted to sign a black player to get the activists off his back, but was afraid that Cub fans wouldn’t accept a black player and might stop going to games if he actually played in Chicago.

Eventually, Wrigley felt that Chicago was ready for Baker in 1953. Either that, or Smalley got so bad he had to be replaced. Probably both. But the problem was: Who was going to room with Baker on the road? You couldn’t ask a white player to share a room with him and you couldn’t let his stay by himself. (He might listen to bebop, or something.) So the Cubs signed Ernie Banks out of the Negro Leagues to be a roommate for Baker. They were called up to the majors together.

Yes. Maybe the greatest player in Cub history was signed to a contract because the Cubs wouldn’t let Gene Baker share a room on the road with a white player.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks again

for the great insight into Cub history

"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 27, 2008 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a great response

And I didn’t realize the bit about Catalina Island – thanks!

Yes, I agree — my blanket statement was dangerous. But looking the other way or acquiescing to it is no less reprehensible than overt racism.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, Phil Wrigley never would have agreed to it

any year other than 1966. Durocher got a blank check then for a lot of reasons too long to go into here. After Durocher didn’t replace Banks that season, he never was really given another chance to do it, even though he wanted to.

But you also need to remember, Ernie Banks wasn’t called “Mr. Cub” in 1966. I remember reading someone doing research on this recently, and they found one example of Banks being called “Mr. Cub” before 1969. That nickname really took hold in 1969 and 1970. So while very popular, it wasn’t like he was trading the icon that Banks would become.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can you give quick overview

as to why ’66 was different? I find it facinating.

"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 26, 2008 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Without getting too far into it

because this is part of a larger project. But 1966 was different because Durocher hadn’t lost 103 games in 1966 yet. That cut back on the blank check he had gotten.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cool

It is interesting to see and better understand how/why the Cubs have been perpetual losers. I knew it could not be as simple as a goat not entering the ’45 series.

"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 26, 2008 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It wasn't a goat

It was Philip K Wrigley.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is the goat story true?

I heard it as the owner of Billygoat Tavern wanted to bring in a goat to the ’45 series. I think it is true but the lines between urban myth and the truth are sometimes blurred.

"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 26, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's sort of true

Bill Sianis bought a ticket to the World Series for himself and his goat for the 1945 series. He was actually let into the stadium with the goat as a publicity stunt for his tavern. He was even allowed to parade around the field with it with a procession of fans. But the game was delayed by rain, the goat started to smell and then ran back onto the field. At that point, the Cubs thought that having a goat in the stands wasn’t a good idea. Since this was a publicity stunt, Sianis left very loudly.

But he didn’t “put a curse” on the team. In fact, there was no mention of a curse being connected with Sianis until the late sixties. No contemporary account makes any mention of him cursing the team. Why would he? Both he and his customers were Cub fans.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 26, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

very cool

Again… did not know that

"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 27, 2008 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

O/T

Is the Philies/Cubs game on Sunday NOT on TV?

by Carolina Cubbie on Aug 26, 2008 10:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Good question

My guess is they just haven’t updated because of the time change. The September 21 game isn’t listed, either.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Both those games are going to be on WGN.

At least, that’s the way I understand it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're right

According to TV YOU CAN’T IGNORE!!!!

Watch us — ‘cause we’re watching you!

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

nightmares.

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 26, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can almost hear the WGN execs' wheels turning

“CBS has one eye in its logo—let’s do them one better!”

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I suppose with "Psych", USA could add a third . . .

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm just afraid to hear them say

“Now, if only we could get rid of this damn baseball.”

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you can expect to hear from Sam Zell (the garden gnome)

and his party of attorneys shortly (literally) for using their image!! :-)

THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!

by LAcarl519 on Aug 26, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wrote in

1:20 on my schedule. I must have seen it somewhere to have written it in. I may be wrong too…not that that has ever happened before. :D

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Then there is no reason to think you're wrong now, right?

1:20 it is! Sue has spoken! Let it be done!

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I also have that written on my white board

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure

what to think of this.

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This simply must be flown after any and all Cub wins over the Bucs

from this point on.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This would actually be

 a much better color and logo for them. Get a couple players missing teeth and an inch of eye black and they might actually scare some people. Ofcourse then they have to play the game, hit and pitch well too.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Aug 26, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The silly side of me

was thinking of an ahrR instead of a W

(puts down the cold medication)

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the concept...

…but shouldn’t the background of the flag be white and the bones & skull blue?

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No.

Go make your own if you don’t like mine.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was just thinkin'...

…that would be more consistent with the actual W flag.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ay, matey!

That much…

  …is true!

Aw, damn. I forgot that SBN fixed the Graybar bug.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Fixed" implies something was wrong with it.

They merely did away with what they deemed undesirable. Fascists.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He sails the seas of our memory now.

I’m pouring out a bottle of grog in Pirate Graybar’s memory. Arrrrrr….

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cubs fans get bashed by screwball candidate

href=“http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/08/barack_obama_white_sox_serious.html” >

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Please don't call him a screwball candidate. I don't necessarily agree with

your politics, but I would not call your candidate a screwball, Even though this is a Cubs bogs, it’s not necessary to call non-Cub fans names.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think he was making a "baseball" pun....not just trying to disparage Obama...

I took it as just good-natured ribbing.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll accept that. I just don't want to get into a name-calling contest

just because a candidate is not a Cub fan.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Fairness Doctrine compels me to post this.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes...he's wearing a Tasmanian Devil polo shirt.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's alright

Guliani appears to be wearing a velveteen yankees jacket… with nothing on underneath.

(shudder)

And look at that hat. Oy.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can read lips

so I’m pretty sure that Giuliani is saying something about 9/11

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 26, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

His lips are moving.

That’s enough proof.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes he is using a noun and a verb and 9/11

after McCain made another reference to POW

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 26, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought he meant that Obama can throw a screwball...

he could be a lefty in the pen.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok

I just hate it when anyone says there aren’t serious baseball fans at Wrigley Field and anyone who says that has never been there and therefore is a dumbass for speaking about things they don’t know.

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Look, we've heard that tired old comment thousands of

times about how Wrigley is filled with a bunch of party animals who don’t even know what the score of the game is. We know it’s not true so why even comment about it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yabbut....Itchy's point is....(I think)....

that we understand he’s lying when he says this, but most people who are going to read the article or see the quote are going to file it under “things that are true”. The guy is a Senator from Illinois, so most people are going to take his word for it. It’s just going to perpetuate the myth that Cubs fans are marginal baseball fans and Wrigley is just a “tourist attraction” and the team and baseball game are secondary to the “party atmosphere”.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

people believe what they're told by Congress?

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 26, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Obama has been working for Congress? In 2008?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I didn't know anyone worked in Congress

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 26, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

It just perpetuates an incorrect sterotype.

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The best way to quash the stereotype is

to win the WS and rub everyone else’s nose in it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course, including Mr Obama!

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's fair. He's not a Cub fan so he should feel the

wrath along with everyone else when we win it all.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That may be true, but at this point that myth

has taken on a life of its own. If he had come out and said that he was a Cub fan and that the myth was not true, it would not stop people from contnuing to spout that same old line. I am an Obama supporter and I wish he were a Cub fan, but if nothing else, I commend him for supporting one of Chicago’s teams instead of straddling the fence and trying to pander to both fan bases.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Politics aside, didn't this come out of a "E-60" story?

Do we expect anything other than trite Cub stereotypes coming out of ESPN?

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 26, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

See, here is where I disagree with you.

I think that there are so many people that believe every word he says, and it would make some difference in the public’s perception.

Not to start the political discussion (I’ve tried to keep this framed inside "baseball"), but my perception of his entire platform is that he can and will CHANGE things. Why are you not willing to concede his ability to CHANGE this?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

wow thats deep

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's keep this on point. I could care less what other people

think about what goes at Wrigley. i knowits a great placeto watch a ball game and to have a great time. I feel good everytime I walk through the gates. If people feel that anything else that goes on there takes away from the product on the field, then they are wrong and they missing out. That’s the problem with a stereotype. You have to form your opinion on your own experience, not what others say or think. Otherwise, you will miss out.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The stereotype doesn't impact my enjoyment of anything.

It may however keep others, who haven’t formed their own opinion from a personal experience, from missing out.

Can you dig it?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can dig that, but I don't take that kind of

stuff personally. There will always be a secment that thinks that Wrigley is the world’s biggest beer garden. It makes them feel better to belittle the place. I don’t care what they think. We as Cub fans can’t be self-conscious about that. Besides, there are a lot of Cub fans who like that stupid image and perpetuate it. That does as much damage to the reputation of Wrigley as what non-Cub fans think.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with you , but I just think Mr. Obama is the last person in the world who should be perpetuating stereotypes of any kind.

Thanks for the interesting conversation. I’m glad we can discuss this without the venom and other crap that usually enter into any debate involving politics.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Your welcome. I'm glad I could stimulate your

gray matter. I have to agree that as a Chicagoan, he shouldn’t have made those comments. He’s a Sox fan, but it wasn’t necessay to disparage the Shrine.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's just another

jealous Sox fan dragging out the same old crap to defend their team that can’t sell out and gets a new identity every 4 years. Commisky(the Cell, whatever) is just as big a beer garden as Wrigley but just doesn’t get the publicity.

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good point. I like the way the conversation

is changing away from what goes on in the stands and to what is happening on the field.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Part of me died inside....

when I now see I can’t even get away from politics on a Cubs blog. Sad I am.

"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus

by graceunderpressure on Aug 26, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We weren't really discussing politics at all.

just sayin’

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know, Obama is the White Sox new center fielder!

no sweat either way.

"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus

by graceunderpressure on Aug 26, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

I thought we were talking about how people feel about the Wrigley experience and false stereotypes of Cub fans!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lemme...

help you with that link.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha!

That’s not gonna win you votes, my friend.

Seriously, Wrigley would be packed on the last game of a losing season. Can’t really say the same about the Cell.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll get you Gadget!

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But your taking about it!

Accomplice!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not. An. Excuse.

The Dr. will be paying you a visit in the near future! May God have mercy on your soul.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wasn't going to comment on Obama's remarks...

…but I just heard the audio on the radio, and, I gotta admit, I’m kinda pissed. I was going to give Barack the benefit of the doubt that he was just giving Cubs fans a little bit of hard time in a “wink, wink…nudge, nudge” kinda way. And I would have had no problem with that. But the tone of his voice while making the comments makes this a little hard to believe. He sounds cynical and arrogant and not joking at all.

The ridiculous stereotype that Cubs fans don’t pay any attention to the games at Wrigley Field just leaves me dumbfounded. Do people who believe in and promote this stereotype look away when the fans at Wrigley arise in unison – WITHOUT PROMPTING – when a Cubs pitcher has an opposing hitter down two strikes in a key situation? Do they cover their eyes when the Wrigley crowd demands a curtain call from a heroic Cubs player – again, WITHOUT PROMPTING. Do they jam cotton in their ears when Cubs fans roar in approval of a double play or a spectacular catch or a stolen base?

Being a Cubs fan, I’m admittedly biased here. But what I see with my own eyes – repeatedly, game after game – just doesn’t jibe with Obama’s cheap remarks.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You are preaching to the choir, baby. Don't let that

crap bother you. Thet will all be kissing our collective butts when we win this thing.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I know.

I just had to get it off my chest.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think you're right, in general

but too often the past few years, i’ve seen kids come to the game with zero intention of knowing what was going on. Just this year, I had to turn around to the four obnoxious 18-year girls who were drinking their mixed drinks from McDonald’s cups and ask them to be quiet after their 100th “DeRosa, you’re sexy” comment and 50th “f-bomb.” To top it off, they thought the hits number on the scoreboard was the score, prompting them to try and tell me I was wrong when explained the Cubs were winning 4-3.

I still think Cubs fans are great, passionate people who care more about the product on the field than the beer and food, but I’ve noticed it becoming increasingly trendy to attend a Cubs game, just as it has happened in Boston.

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 26, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

All fan bases have about the same % of jerks and idiots,

We just have a larger than normal fan base.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Those kinds of fans are in EVERY ballpark....

last night in PETCO, I had to sit behind 2 older couples (mid-50’s maybe?) that arrived during the 3rd inning (typical of Padre fans) and spent the rest of the game discussing what LOB on the scoreboard could mean (they never figured it out), their opinions of the players pictures on the scoreboard (these kids need haircuts and a shave), and didn’t understand why Black wouldn’t bunt a runner over to 3rd from 2nd after he hit a double (there were 2 outs). The rest of their conversations mostly revolved around how bad the beers were they were drinking, and the men left 3 different times to buy more.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

padres fans suck!!!1

/ generalizing an entire fan base by anecdotal evidence as is done w/r/t Cubs fans by presidential candidates of all people.

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i completely agree they're in every park

but, they are slowly becoming more prevalent at Wrigley.

Either that, or I’m sitting by all of them. Seriously, once this year I was by the ladies above, another time I was by two girls who insisted on talking about nothing but their weddings – arrived in the 3rd and left in the 7th, and I was by a group of guys who got blitzed and dropped f-bombs the whole time.

You know what, maybe I’m just a curmedgeon. More than likely.

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 26, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+100

for use of curmudgeon

-99 for misspelling it

by tootle on Aug 26, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'll take my 1, thank you.

and let the record show it should be curmudgeon.

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 26, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That can't be right....

every single fan at every ballpark other than Wrigley is busy keeping score and discussing the various Bill James’ statistical theories between innings…

…when they’re not waiting for the Jumbotron to tell them to MAKE NOISE, trying to start the wave or banging Thunderstix together.

by hokie316 on Aug 26, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

TWSS

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 26, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually she said,

Good Form! Good Form! Oh, God! Good Form!

/sexual ecstasy

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 26, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw the Cubs in S.D. a few years ago...

Sammy and the Cubs opened a case of whuup-ass and were pounding the Padres 9-0. It was only the fourth or fith inning, but the guys next to us stood up and said “Well, we’re outta here!”

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Aug 26, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate that crap. A real fan stays right there

and endures that ass-whipping right with the team. Of couse you drink a lot of beer in the meantime.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen

My one game at Wrigley this year was last Friday’s buttwhipping by the Nats and I stayed to the bitter end.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I remember when my old man used

to take us to Wrigley back in the late 60’s. Man we saw so real stinkers. But he would never leave early, wouldn’t think of it. We were just inching to get the hell out of there and he would just mumble “We’re staying till the ninth, dammit!”

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you are banned from any further games this year

(and I mean that in the nicest possible way)

by JCD on Aug 26, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They only way I could make another game

is to see the upcoming game in cincinnati and I was 3-0 watching them there last year.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I stayed to the end of the O's game when the Cubs got whomped

It’s worth sitting through 9 of those to have the 10th one turn out to be the one when the Cubs come back from 7, or score 3 in the 9th to win, etc.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

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 26, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I think the key phrase there is...

…“18-year[-old] girls.” No offense to the younger folks around here, but many people in their late teens, early 20s aren’t serious about anything. (I know I wasn’t. And please note that I wrote “many,” not “all.”) And, yes, the fact that Wrigley Field is a beautiful, historic place located in a very gentrified, “bar-heavy” area means that it probably gets more than its fair share of drunken idiots who could care less about the game.

But to let those people characterize the entire Cubs fan base is just a ridiculous and unfair bias. There are plenty of drunken idiots not watching the game at U.S. Cellular, too. (And I know this because I’ve been to a few games there.) But, somehow, they get a pass.

And I would say it’s been trendy to attend a Cubs game since the mid-1980s, though the hoopla and ratio of bandwagon jumpers to regular fans will obviously go way up in seasons like this one.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You think that's bad, just go to Yankee Stadium. The place is filled

with idiots and goombahs. The thing is, you find knuckleheads at all ball parks and I have been to many ballparks. These places tend to be reflections of the area where they are located. Kansas City fans act like they are in a coma. Wrigley gets a lot of these airheads because they live in the area. The fan base is fine but you always get a fair amount of people who come to a ballpark to hangout. Unfortunately, the Cubs have a lot more fans so they get a lot more idiots.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

True, it could be far worse

I’d rather have a packed house with a few obnoxious louts, rather than 14,000 apathetic fans (I’m looking at you, Pittsburgh).

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 26, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, they are like corpses. I mean why go to the game and sit there

like a bump on a log. If my team sucked like they do I would be giving them the business. If you don’t complain at the park, I don’t want to hear it on a blog.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think the folks in pittsburgh

have literally had the joy sucked from their lives. 16 straight years of losing, and not even being competitive during that time, will do it to you. As bad as Cubs fans have had it, there always seems to be a year that brings everyone back, whether it has been 1969, ’84, ’89, ’98, 2003 or ’07.

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 26, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think they even know why

they go to the park. I think it’s just a people wandering around downtown and they collectively say, “What the hell, we don’t have anything better to do, let’s go to a ball game.”

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well, it is supposed to be one of the best parks in america

in terms of amenities and all that. plus, you can see lots of draft picks come through that the pirates passed over because they were cheap.

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 26, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it kind of like going to a minor league game only in reverse.

Talk about depressing. I couldn’t do it. If I saw one of the team executives, I would probably berate his ass so bad they would throw me out of the place.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty much the same in Milwaukee pre-2007

We’re stuck in the Menomonee Valley . . . there’s nothing to do. Oh, hey, there’s a ballpark! Maybe they’ll show Packer highlights!

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not always

There are a lot of years between 1969 and 1984! There were some competitive partial seasons during that time, but not a whole lot of overall success.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

but Pittsburgh has sniffed .500 once in the last 16 years. that would be depressing.

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 26, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

so were they hot or what?

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well, that's a whole nother post

they would have been much hotter had they known anything about baseball. but for 18-year-olds, yes.

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 26, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

dude
but for 18-year-olds, yes [they were hot]

1. no pics?

2. you seem to imply that its more difficult for an 18 year old to be hot than it is for the general population. am i missing something?

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no, no pics

I was with my wife, for crying out loud. plus, i think they got escorted out once an usher caught a wiff of the rum in their cups.

For 18-year-olds, they were attractive. But that’s not really my demographic anymore, so I’m probably not the most qualified to be ascertaining their hotness.

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 26, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

18 year olds

will always be my demographic.

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

touche.

Reminds me of a man I once knew in Texas – David Wooderson.

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 26, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fontenot

tell you to ask that?

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fontenot

once went to the virgin islands for a vacation. they are now referred to as “the islands”

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

so much

for the volcanoes.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fontenot is just taking a cue...

…from David Lee Roth – having his minions scope out hot chicks in the audience to issue them backstage (i.e. clubhouse) passes.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at least he actually

picked a team.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And we'll see if he stays with them after we win the World Series....

or if he’s the grand-marshall in the parade down Michigan Ave.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I bet Obama and Daley would fight for that...

…which would be a bit of irony…

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 26, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They'd have to beat out G-Rod (Governor Blagojevich)

He’s a huge Cub fan and not in name only. He actually knows what he’s talking about, unlike most “fan” politicians.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Aug 26, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well,

as either President-Elect or Senator from Illinois, he’d be expected to participate in the festivities in some fashion.

I’m just saying. He could have said he rooted for both teams. At least he picked one.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at least he's taking a stand on the issue?

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 26, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He would be expected to participate?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

an Illinois Senator

when an Illinois team wins the World Series? Yes, I should think he would be.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have a feeling

Gov. Rod might beat both of them to the front of the line.

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 26, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

in november he'll say that he was a white sox fan

before he was a cubs fan. mark it down

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What?

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

after he switches his allegiance to the cubs for the playoffs

he’ll justify it by saying he was a sox fan before he was a Cubs fan, ala Waffles.

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah, I see. A politician, playing both sides for votes? Never seen

that before,

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

let's not get ahead of ourselves

he hasn’t done it yet. And honestly, would it be so terrible if he did?

Fox News would have material for DAYS worth of stuff.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 26, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He could pull a "cusack"...

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he had said that Wrigley is the greatest

place in the world and all sox fans are mouth-breathers from Oak Lawn, a lot of people on this site would be cheering him on.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's not that which gets people riled up

it’s the stupid insinuation that Cub fans don’t know baseball and Sox fans do. It’s a stereotype that shouldn’t be propagated and therefore he sounds like a jag-off.

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Aug 26, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're just trying to start trouble aren't you?

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some people's kids.

I tell ya…

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Aug 26, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WGN Radio just said there’s a rumor instant replay to start in series beginning next Thursday

by ryan89 on Aug 26, 2008 1:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

only MLB operates like this

change the rules mid-season? do it randomly, without a coherent announcement or other statement to the fans? allow rumors and innuendo? wtf

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Talk about your knee-jerk reations. They should have

been seriously doing this years ago and now they are forced to do something because they look like idiots missing obvious call. This is Bud Selig in his finest hour.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN.com has a story on it also

but my computer isnt letting me link it

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 26, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

roll call

how many of you look at the standings at least 3 times a day? i do.

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm...well...

…I can’t say I look at them three times a day. I do make it a point to look at them at least once a day, though. I do feel an intense need to know exactly how far the Cubs are ahead of the Brewers at any given moment.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

my schedule is generally

1. before the games
2. after the games
3. once randomly during the day while procrastinating work

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I definitely do it after games...

…and, yeah, sometimes another time or two depending on what I’m thinking about or discussing here.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This sounds pretty racy. I think its time for a TWSS!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds much better with something else.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, use it or lose it.

What? I mean the baseball standings available via the Internet – updated in real time!

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey...

The standings are like other things. Touching it more than once means you’re playing with it.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Aug 26, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yea... So...

you say that likes it’s a bad thing

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just so's y'all know the

dividing line.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Aug 26, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you look at the standings to often

you might go blind.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Aug 26, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Winner

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, 3 sounds good

Once in the morning, once after the games at night, and I’m sure I see them on ChicagoSports.com/MLB.com and wherever else throughout the day.

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 26, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what she said.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what she said

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 26, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

google

is your friend

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 26, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe to soon to speak...

but I think that Lee, Fuku and Jimmy got their slumps out of the way at just the right time.

Agree, Disagree?

by hoffer on Aug 26, 2008 2:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Don't speak too soon, one or two games of

decent hitting doesn’t always signal the end of a slump. Talk to me a week from now.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This year

If I had a dollar for every time I have said Wow or shook my head in wonder I could buy the team.

I had always kind of figured the year we’d finally do it it would be like this a rollicking dominant year.

And I think once we get 1 we’re going to have a few years of glory kind of like the Red Sox won 2 in 4 years.

And what I like about our younger folk here is you guys get how special this is.

Every day I listen to “These Are the Days” By Van Morrison which is a great song for the season as a whole.

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Aug 26, 2008 2:27 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

OT: Fantastic Tennis Match right now on US

Spadea/Safin in the fifth set at the US Open.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Aug 26, 2008 3:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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