Hello Soto: Cubs 14, Pirates 9
Well, that was about the most whacked-out game I've seen in quite some time. Consider:
- Carlos Zambrano started the game by throwing a wild pitch on strike three, walked four, allowed eight hits, made a throwing error, smashed a couple of Gatorade coolers, and didn't last long enough to win.
- Alfonso Soriano dropped a fly ball -- this time after dark -- just as he did in the sunshine May 25 in this same ballpark. What are they putting on that LF grass, anyway? (Later, when he caught a routine fly ball, he exhibited what can only be called, pardon the mild profanity, a shit-eating grin.) Soriano, for his part, did have three hits and a stolen base for positive contributions last night.
- Kerry Wood had a brain fart and failed to cover first base on a grounder to Derrek Lee, allowing Nyjer Morgan to reach base. (Morgan had earlier been caught stealing when his foot came off second and he was tagged out by Ryan Theriot after reaching on a bunt single off Sean Marshall in the 7th.)
- Jeff Samardzija and Neal Cotts weren't very good, allowing the Pirates to re-take the lead after the Cubs had overcome a 3-0 first-inning deficit.
And none of that mattered in the end, as the Cubs annihilated the Bucs 14-9 on the strength of Geovany Soto's best game of his career -- Soto smacked his 20th HR, breaking Randy Hundley's team record for HR by a rookie catcher, and also hit two bases-clearing doubles for a career-high, and Cub season high, seven RBI. The Cubs now have four players with at least 77 RBI (D-Lee drove in his 77th last night) and have a real shot at having four with over 90.
That makes the Cubs' record vs. Pittsburgh this year 13-4, and in six of the 13 wins, they have scored ten or more runs. (Can we arrange to play these guys a few more times in September?) The 82nd win of the year clinched a winning season for the Cubs, the earliest calendar date on which they have done that since 1929, when in a 154-game schedule they won their 78th game on August 23 (in 1969 they won #82 on August 30, the earliest they did so in the 162-game era before last night). I wrote yesterday that a win last night would give the Cubs ten straight series wins -- that isn't correct; the win gives them nine consecutive series wins, but the rest of what I posted is right. No Cub team has done this since 1907.
They're 21-6 in those nine series. They're 24-8 since Alfonso Soriano came off the DL on July 23. Since losing to the Cardinals on August 9 they're 12-3 (and two of the three losses were by 2-1 scores).
It's all good, though I worry a little bit about Z, who, as last August, has been shaky this month. Even Z himself is aware of this:
"I have to eliminate August. Once I get past August, everything will be back to normal," Zambrano said. "I was thinking about that after the game. Last August wasn't that good, but I was able to come back, and September and October were good for me. So it's nothing to worry about."
Zambrano said he's just having problems with his delivery. He was fighting himself on the mound, emotionally if not physically.
Maybe he's a little too aware. Z will have one more start in August, on Sunday the 31st. Let's hope he can turn the calendar page one day early.
In the meantime, let's sweep this series -- weather permitting. I'll have the pregame thread up at 10:30 CDT.
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Comments
firrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on Aug 27, 2008 8:26 AM CDT 0 recs
Now that that is out of the way.........
Cubs Win, Hell Yes, BUT….
This is now the official STOP THE HOP thread!
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on Aug 27, 2008 8:27 AM CDT 0 recs
oy.
lay off the hop. It’s not the HOP.
In the replay, you can clearly see that Soriano takes his eyes off the ball. THAT is why he dropped it. The hop is irrelevant.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 9:27 AM CDT
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+1
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 9:29 AM CDT
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+1
as soon as that happened i started thinking about the ways i would defend sori on this board
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 9:36 AM CDT
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well
let’s be clear — I’m not defending him here. He dropped the ball because he looked away, and he shouldn’t have done it.
But it wasn’t the hop.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 9:37 AM CDT
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+2
Plus, without the drop we wouldn’t have gotten to see his embarassed “1 out” gesture to the WHOLE TEAM later on. That was pretty funny.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 9:36 AM CDT
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Not to start something, but.....
think back to when we all played ball (pause for thinking back)
changing your field of vision at the last minute (stupid hop) is NEVER a good thing
It is stupid and it should make you feel the same way you feel when you see the Brewers untuck after a win.
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 9:53 AM CDT
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no one's
asking you to do it.
You can’t possibly be suggesting that Sori change something like that THIS LATE in the season.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 9:56 AM CDT
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so we aren't asking Z to make an adjustment this late in the season?
he is pro ball player, Yes I would go up to him and say hey, can stop freaking hopping.
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 9:58 AM CDT
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plus.....
what is the risk in him changing it, the risk he might suck defensively?
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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it's the sort of thing
you do when a player is failing.
You gonna tell me Sori is failing right now?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:02 AM CDT
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He IS failing as a leftfielder.........
he is a late inning liability and you’re telling me he is that unathletic. I’m just saying there is no point to it. I just love the thought of having to take him out of the line up in a close game, lose his offense, because he has the attention span of a gnat in the outfield.
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:06 AM CDT
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Where
exactly, did I say he is unatheletic?
He is NOT failing as a left-fielder. You are projecting, sir, and I am done with this sub-thread.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:07 AM CDT
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Before you're done.....
Just someone tell me why it is necessary?
Do you like the Brewers Untucking?
Do you like Albert Puljols pointing to the sky?
Did you like Sammy’s hop hop?
It is all crap that we all hate except he is on our team.
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:10 AM CDT
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I don't like it either
But I would not try to change it on August 27th.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 27, 2008 10:11 AM CDT
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last post on this
because you requested it.
I’m not sure what you refer to about the Brewers Untucking. They are required to meet uniform requirements by MLB; I remember Gagne being told he had to tuck his shirt. There’s no rule in the uniform code about hopping.
Albert Puljols points to the sky? So does Z. So does Cedeno. So do a whole ton of players. A lot of foot-ball players pray when they make a touchdown. So?
Sammy’s Hip-hop — you mean when he hit a home run? I loved it when he did that. It was his Move.
Sori’s hop when he catches a ball is something that HE says HE uses for timing to catch the ball. There is NO EVIDENCE that it effects his ability to catch the ball; that one in PITT earlier in the season was from the sun, he was crouched way down on the ground. The one in St. Louis, he missed utterly. The one last night , HE TOOK HIS EYE OFF THE BALL.
All that aside…
You don’t make your all-star player, best hitter on the team, practically the fastest runner, with the best steal percentage change his routine on AUGUST FREAKING TWENTY SEVENTH WHEN YOU HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:15 AM CDT
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Mornin', drew
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM CDT
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Hi, Dan!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM CDT
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Didn't recognize you
I ususally look at the pictures before I look at the screen names.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 27, 2008 10:18 AM CDT
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I notice
that my red avatar really stood out. This one is more blue.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:19 AM CDT
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Glad to see you a supporter of the blues
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 27, 2008 10:25 AM CDT
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When the Brewers win
They untuck their shirts on the way to the infield to exchange high fives, etc. Apparently this gets other teams (especially the Cards) upset.
Me – the game is over. I don’t really see what the big deal is.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 27, 2008 10:18 AM CDT
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Bizarro BCB covers this in detail
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 27, 2008 10:21 AM CDT
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Here is a decent link
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 27, 2008 10:25 AM CDT
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wtf?
who CARES?
It’s like the outfield bop our guys do at the end of a game. Oy.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:19 AM CDT
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Thank You for replying
I guess we disagree
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:24 AM CDT
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All those things you mentioned
are celebrations, just like the Cubs’ outfielder bump. Fonzie’s hop, as far as I know, is a mental thing he feels he needs to do to catch the ball. Just like a batter might always have to tap the plate three times, or a pitcher won’t step on the chalk line to and from the dugout.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:19 AM CDT
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Where would you put him then?
Second? Short? Left field is really the only option.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:08 AM CDT
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my point is... I would keep him where he is at
but ask for him to be better. We aren’t talking about Prince Fielder here or Chris Duncan. He is athletic, he can be better.
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:11 AM CDT
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I agree
but we know what we’re getting with Fonzie: an average fielder who’s gonna make mistakes, but who can more than make up for it at the plate and will, at times, single-handedly carry this team offensively.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:12 AM CDT
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Funny
I haven’t heard as much discussion or complaining about Soriano’s faults since we’ve been 24-8 after his return. Out of the woodwork they come.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 27, 2008 10:14 AM CDT
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Blue Mike hasn't been around in awhile...
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:15 AM CDT
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blue mike got booted ......
but why should it be so wrong to point out something like this. No one will concede the fact that if he was on another team we would rip him incessantly
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:16 AM CDT
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yeah last week i think
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:18 AM CDT
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He still rears his head every once in
while. He’sout there lurking, you can believe that.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Aug 27, 2008 10:20 AM CDT
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Um, that's funny...
…because he just posted yesterday.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 10:22 AM CDT
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THANK YOU
i thought maybe i was taking CRAZY pills like mugato
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 10:24 AM CDT
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Yeah, if that news was true...
…I was going to have some work to do. Renting out McCormack Place for an open-bar celebration doesn’t just happen overnight, y’know.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 10:29 AM CDT
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This makes me sad :(
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 27, 2008 10:19 AM CDT
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what did he do last week?
i really don’t know the history behind that guy, but i know everyone loved to bash him
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 10:20 AM CDT
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I don't remember all the details,
but I think the word ‘dumbass’ was used by him roughly 8 times…
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 27, 2008 10:31 AM CDT
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he hasn't posted much about Sori
since the call to have him publicly humiliated after the long look at the single off the wall.
Sori’s been too good.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:16 AM CDT
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I was fully expecting...
…and anti—Soriano fanpost from him this morning. He disappoints me.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM CDT
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If Z needs to make an adjustment
it’s one that clearly effects his ability to pitch.
The hop doesn’t do that for Sori.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:01 AM CDT
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because Sori doesn't pitch?
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:03 AM CDT
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No - because Z has inadventently made an adjustment
And he needs to get back to where he was before he made this unintentional adjustment.
Sori will be Sori – we know what we are getting. Asking him to stop hopping now is asking for more trouble than we have now. It can easily throw off his timing.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 27, 2008 10:05 AM CDT
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it doesn't effect his
ability to play.
Give this up. Sori is never going to be a gold-glove outfielder, but he’s actually been doing quite well lately — he runs for pop-ups, he’s been moving back pretty well, and ONE MISTAKE…
I eagerly await your prescriptive solution for Riot when the line drive goes past his out-stretched fingers.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 10:06 AM CDT
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But the hop didn't cause the noncatch.
It was taking his eyes off the ball to eye the runner at first.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:03 AM CDT
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I appreciated
the shit eating grin he got on his face when he caught the pop up by LaRoche later in the game. It almost looked like he started smiling before he caught the ball.
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 27, 2008 9:54 AM CDT
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he was happy about it.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 9:56 AM CDT
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He knew what he was gonna get.
That’s why he, seemingly, looked to every teammate to hold up one finger, as if to say, “I got it, guys, I got it.”
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:01 AM CDT
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it didn't lose us the game and that's ALL i care about
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
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+1
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 27, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
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Amen.
I was frustrated to no end just as everyone else was and had flashbacks of that other game in Pittsburgh going through my head. And it lead to runs which really sucked at the time. But all’s well that end’s well, and he did, in fact, keep a run from scoring with that strike throw to Geo to hold the runner on third.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:10 AM CDT
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no one will give him credit for that though, will they?
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 10:11 AM CDT
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I did. :D
He gets a lot of crap for his mental mistakes in left, and rightfully so: he’s far from the best fielder in baseball. But, as I stated above, he more than makes up for it offensively and that is why we signed him in the first place.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 10:14 AM CDT
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Totally agree.
In this article, Gordon Wittenmyer describes the hop as “unnecessary.” I disagree – I think it’s something Soriano does to feel comfortable and maintain his timing. Therefore, it is necessary – though, admittedly, a bit nervewracking and unsightly at times.
In any case, Alfonso dropped that ball because he assumed it was already within the confines of his glove – causing him to close the glove too early – and he glanced down at the runner.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
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I'm officially done with this (stop the applause)
everyone is treating him like a little league outfielder. “we are just lucky he doesn’t hurt himself out there” I will never be convinced that the hop helps him do squat out there. It goes against any sound mechanics and any logical reasoning. We all will never let Brant Brown, Andre Dawson, so on and so on live down their miscues. People make mistakes, but at least they weren’t hopping around like jack rabbits while doing it. I have ruined my own morning with this crap. But it has been fun none the less
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:34 AM CDT
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correction (Leon Durham instead of Andre Dawson)
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on
Aug 27, 2008 10:36 AM CDT
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Al
Najir was thrown out at Second in the 7th. He took Second in the 9th on Fielder indifference.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 27, 2008 8:27 AM CDT 0 recs
It was right after a bunt single
versus Marshall
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 27, 2008 8:30 AM CDT
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Confusing!
See how whacked-out that game was?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 8:35 AM CDT
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I'll fix the post to reflect that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 8:36 AM CDT
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You may also add that the Cubs are averaging almost 9 runs a game on the road since ASG
That the Cubs were 9 games below .500 and now 2 over .500 on the road a move of 11 games against the league where since the final game of the D-Backs series where they lost the first two are 12-1 on the road, their only blemish in FL where they lost 2-1.
You may also add that now 3 Cubs have 20 HR’s, with three within sites, Lee (18) DeRosa (17) and Edmonds (16)
Cubs lead the league in walks taken and now have reached the ’69 Cubs high water mark.
Cubs vie for their 11 series sweep, THEIR 4TH on the ROAD and second against the Pirates this year!
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 27, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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Whacked-out game
One of the few things the Pirates announcers said that wasn’t completely asinine was:
“This is TV — you can’t hide it: this is one of the worst-played ballgames I’ve ever seen.”


