The Day After Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 9/21, 1:20 CT
St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs
The Cubs' division-clinching win yesterday did one other, lesser, thing: won the season series with St. Louis (8-6 with one game left), which is always nice to do. Making it 9-6 and winning the series would be a fitting end to this home season; that would give the Cubs 55 home wins, the second-highest total since moving to Wrigley Field in 1916.
Attendance watch: if the paid crowd today is 40,351 or more (quite possible), the season attendance will reach 3.3 million.
More numbers: following are the number of games remaining in each season in which the Cubs qualified for the postseason after clinching.
1929: 10 1932: 5 1935: 3 1938: 1 1945: 2 1984: 5 1989: 4 1998: 0 2003: 1 2007: 2 2008: 8
So, this season has the most games remaining of any clinching year since 1929.
One more: four. That's Houston's elimination number, and any combination of four Cubs wins/Astros losses will ensure that the Cubs won't have to go to Houston to make up the hurricaned-out game. Incidentally, there have been many such postponed and "make up only if it has playoff implications" games over the years. I cannot remember even ONE such game that actually got played. Can any of you?
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Braden Looper has pitched pretty well against most individual Cubs, except Geovany Soto (4-for-10, a HR) and his former teammate Jim Edmonds (2-for-7, both homers). Despite a 2.37 ERA in three starts vs. the Cubs this year, they've beaten him twice (and won the other game, where he got a no-decision).
Ryan Dempster has started only one game vs. St. Louis this year -- winning 6-2 at Wrigley Field on August 10. Albert Pujols has homered twice off him in 29 career AB, but is hitting only .276 lifetime off Dempster. Jason LaRue is 5-for-11 with a homer. Dempster will be going for his 17th win. He won't win the Cy Young Award, but might get some votes. If he can get that 17th win, it would tie him with Tim Lincecum for 2nd in the NL; his ERA currently ranks fifth, and he's seventh in K's. Most impressively, his 14 HR allowed is by far the fewest of anyone who has thrown as many innings. This is an excellent season by anyone's standards, and he has been the Cubs' most consistent starter all season.
Of course I remembered! Today's Gratuitous Geo Photo:
This is the last WGN home telecast of the year -- also on FSN Midwest. For other Sunday games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
As always, you can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". Today's first pitch thread posts at 1:15 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Go Cubs Go!
The Cubs are going to win today!
And all through October!
Baseball is too much of a sport to be a business and too much of a business to be a sport.
William Wrigley Jr
by bubbamike the one and only on Sep 21, 2008 10:02 AM CDT 0 recs
Cubs are SECOND to none!
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Sep 21, 2008 10:04 AM CDT 0 recs
We need 3(?) wins to secure home field for the playoffs.
so there is still a goal to strive for in the final 9 games of the regular season.
Let’s get ’em Cubs!
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel
by Blue W on Sep 21, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs
That is the next goal....
Piniella & Co are no dummies…they will try to keep the Cubs focused on another short term goal….even though we all know that home field is only as good as you win at home and MLB that is not a big deal (except for TB)
The other item will be to give DLee a two-day rest sometime in this frame before next weekend. The same will be to get Ramirez a day or two, and possibly rest for DeRosa and Theriot.
Decisions on Howry is the last item plus getting Fukudome some AB’s working on his Americanization of hitting the baseball.
BTW getting Ward some playing time and consecutive AB’s will provide dividends as a pinch hitter.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 21, 2008 10:33 AM CDT
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haha, heard the "Americanization" line yesterday too
during the FOX telecast. McCarver was saying that’s what Lou said Dome needs to do. I joked to my wife “Americanization – I guess that means standing at home plate and admiring every deep fly ball he hits”.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on
Sep 21, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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"Americanization" is a simple way of saying...
“keep your left foot planted instead of trying to screw yourself into the ground.”
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.
by Weeghman Park on
Sep 21, 2008 10:59 AM CDT
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100 wins?
All the pressure is off, except for clinching home field for the NLCS, which seems almost a foregone conclusion. Lou is letting the regulars take the day off, but I have a feeling we will still win today. Any chance we go 100-61?
by dedfishflote on Sep 21, 2008 10:09 AM CDT 0 recs
Question about today's game
With more players probably resting after the celebration and this being the last game against a non-contender . . . .
How long until the ledge jumpers show up if the Cardinals take a lead?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 21, 2008 10:13 AM CDT 0 recs
No need to do that today...
relax, enjoy the game, and cherish this season.
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
by mondello58 on
Sep 21, 2008 10:23 AM CDT
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no need to do it ANY day
but it still happens…
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 10:28 AM CDT
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ledge jumpers enjoy
their own personal hell, a psychodrama of the soul
That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou
by Emelie on
Sep 21, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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You're obsessed with the ledge jumpers, Shanghai...lol
At this point, who cares?
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on
Sep 21, 2008 11:10 AM CDT
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He's channeling his inner Ted Lilly
sitting on the upper bench figuring out who he’s gonna go after.
"He's a pro. Me? I just try not to swear on the air.'' Bob Brenly talking about Len Kasper
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 21, 2008 11:35 AM CDT
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That's right . . . get 'em out of the way before next Wednesday
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:28 PM CDT
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Houston magic #
Wouldn’t it be Phillies wins/Houston losses, not Cubs wins/Houston losses?
The Cubs outcomes really don’t have much of an effect on the wildcard race from here on out, except for the Mets matchups.
by dartben on Sep 21, 2008 10:17 AM CDT 0 recs
Actually, the Mets lead the WC today
But only 1/2 game separates them and the Phils.
Not related to your question, but if the Cubs play Philly, I’d rather it be in round 2, so that’s extra incentive to do well in New York this week.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 10:30 AM CDT
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ON PAPER
Philadelphia finishes with Atlanta (3 games), Day off, Washington 3 games.
New York plays 4 against Cubs and then 3 games against HOT Florida
Milwaukee plays 3 against Pitt after a day off and then 3 against the Cubs
Florida has make up with Cinc and then 3 with WASH and then NYM
Houston has a DAY OFF Monday then 3 with Cinci and a final 3 with Atl
OKAY
on paper I can see Phila losing to FLA today…..ATL stings NY once more time….. the EAST stays the same…..1/2 game BUT Milw and Houston (with FL) win bringing MILW [false] hope and HOU and FL within 4 games [almost IMPROBABLE]
Cubs continue NYM choke job and pummel their bullpen on the opening game clinching the home field advantage (Cubs knocked it down to 1 today)…….
NYM now a game back…..FLA beats Cinci and is now 3 1/2 games back with HOU still back 4
FLA goes onto win all three against WASH……with Phila winning 2 of 3 over ATL and the Cubs take 3 of 4 over the Mets…..NY now down 2 in the EAST and surprisingly MILW has swept Pitt……and now is tied going into the final weekend. HOU wins 2 of 3 against Cinc……is 3 games back….
Final weekend WC then has NY and Milw tied——FLA down 1 game and HOU back 2
MLB will be all over itself with tension as Phila clinches, LA clinches and only other race is the AL Central.
You can then figure out how it ends…but I think the Cubs are spoilers to the Brewers!
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 21, 2008 10:56 AM CDT
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Right,
we no longer have anything to do with Houston’s anti-magic number. Just need to sit back, shoot for best overall record, and home Houston and Mets/Phillies keep our season at 161 games.
by Gator Cub on
Sep 21, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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I was thinking that, too...
It doesn’t matter what the Cubs do the rest of the way, as far as that makeup game goes. It’s Mets/Phillies and Houston.
Long days and pleasant nights.
by The Original Dave on
Sep 21, 2008 11:38 AM CDT
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wow
what an insane weekend, i was fortunate enough to be there live
glad i got to say hi to ya Al (i stopped you as you were walking by friday as we were waiting in line outside the bleachers)
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Sep 21, 2008 10:29 AM CDT 0 recs
Nice to meet you...
… even if it was brief. I have met SO many BCB’ers the last couple days, sorry if it’s been so brief, know that all of us share the same goal… winning it all.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 21, 2008 7:57 PM CDT
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Gotta love those Soto Glutes
That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou
by Emelie on Sep 21, 2008 10:39 AM CDT 0 recs
So, what are the odds we'll see
a lineup featuring DWard, McGehee, Hoffpauir and so on? Don’t get me wrong, I’m watching the game, but the “second stringers” don’t overly excite me. Although they deserve a chance to play while the regulars get a day (or partial day) of rest.
Go Cubs, lets win this game, and the other 7 (because losing still sucks)
by DWChaney on Sep 21, 2008 10:39 AM CDT 0 recs
what will make the game interesting to me
is the second stringers will all be auditioning for Lou
That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou
by Emelie on
Sep 21, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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Put Dome In The Rest Of The Year
so he can get untracked. A first-half version of Dome would really strengthen the attack!
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on
Sep 21, 2008 10:41 AM CDT
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You know, I almost added that to my earlier post
Is Dome now officially a second stringer?
I agree, though, put Dome in there and let him get some ABs and hopefully get out of this second half of the season funk.
While the game was going on yesterday I actually for a moment or ten contemplated of Lou and Jim H. would drop Dome from the postseason roster. I don’t think they can, due to his defense, but on the other hand, if they wanted a LH of defensive replacement, they could put in Felix (althought he’s not eligible for the postseaso, is he?)
by DWChaney on
Sep 21, 2008 10:46 AM CDT
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I don't know the specifics, but there are loopholes
basically anyone who appeared in a game before Sept. 1 can get onto the roster, and I think you might even be able to squeeze a September callup into the postseason if you have injuries…
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on
Sep 21, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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Oh, and the Milwaukee free fall continues...
I thought they had that game yesterday with CC going. Oops. Does Milwaukee sniff the WC this season?
by DWChaney on
Sep 21, 2008 10:41 AM CDT
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Mathematically, they're still in it
But it’d be hard for them to overcome the things that have happened to them.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
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Slight correction...
It will be hard for them to overcome the things they have done to themselves.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Sep 21, 2008 12:39 PM CDT
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I think this is the one game where there are mass substitutions
Since the game means nothing to STL. The remaining 7 have post-season implications, so they’ll probably only rest one player at a time for those.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
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Agreed...
Unless the Brewers are out of it by next weekend.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Sep 21, 2008 12:39 PM CDT
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Yes, that's quite possible
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:40 PM CDT
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Please no talk today about who we should play
I learned a tough lesson in 03. For some dumb reason I thought playing the Fish would be an easy route to the WS. WRONG. It doesn’t matter who we play or whether we play it at a strip mall parking lot or Wrigley. Let’s get it on!
I have discovered in twenty years of moving around a ball park, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. ~Bill Veeck
by Employee22 on Sep 21, 2008 10:53 AM CDT 0 recs
Fell Victim To The Same Line of Thinking Myself
When the Marlins beat out the Giants and the Cubs upended Atlanta, I thought it was a gift from God. “Cubs are playing the wild card team…we’re a cinch to win the pennant!” Five years later….
Actually, if you take a look at the W-L records, the Marlins won 91 games to the Cubs’ 88. Marlins also scored more runs/game (4.64 to 4.47), had a higher OBP (.333 to .323) and clogged more bases (515 to 492). And while the Cubs’ team ERA was better (3.83 to 4.04), the runs allowed/game was close (Cubs 4.22 to Marlins 4.27) as well as the runs allowed (Cubs 683 to Marlins 692).
Maybe the Marlins were the better team after all, and Steve Bartman was just an innocent bystander.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on
Sep 21, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
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Oh, anyone can beat anyone else
There are no guarantees. But there are matchups that are more favorable than others.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:32 PM CDT
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Didn't Dempster start the Tuesday game in St. Louis?
The last time we were there (the series where Lilly railroaded Molina)?
"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...
by Curtain Jerker on Sep 21, 2008 11:24 AM CDT 0 recs
yeah, he was sharp for 5 or 6
and gave up the 3-run bomb to Pujols that tied 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
Sep 21, 2008 11:31 AM CDT
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Frank Calliendo
used to be amusing. WTF happened?
"He's a pro. Me? I just try not to swear on the air.'' Bob Brenly talking about Len Kasper
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 21, 2008 11:48 AM CDT 0 recs
Over Exposure
You can’t turn on the TV without seeing his mug.
by dedfishflote on
Sep 21, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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Some concepts just fit better in a limited run
American TV for example – you can’t sell a sitcom unless the execs can see it running 5 or 6 years, you need the inventory of at least 100 episodes for syndication money and DVD sales.. In the UK, you can have a brilliant concept like Fawlty Towers run 12 delicious episodes because the system (back then at least) was largely taxpayer funded, so there wasn’t the economic need to homogenize the concept, and make the characters more likeable.
Oh yeah, to answer your question – Caliendo is played. That TBS show of his put him over the shark ; )
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on
Sep 21, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
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I always thought he was funny in small doses
So I DVR’d the show early on. Once. That was enough.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 21, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
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eew
Never liked the guy
Never will
Corporate shill
That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou
by Emelie on
Sep 21, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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He's funny to listen to on the radio
But he’s a little less effective on TV, especially when he uses makeup and wigs.
by daeviant on
Sep 21, 2008 12:58 PM CDT
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Guys who do good vocal impersonations
should stick to comedy CDs. Anyone remember Rich Little and The Copycats?
"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)
by spoiledcubbage on
Sep 21, 2008 1:04 PM CDT
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I won't be in
the game thread until after the Bear’s game is over. Cheer our Cubbies on and I’ll see you after the football game.
by sue369 on Sep 21, 2008 11:59 AM CDT 0 recs
Bears, Cubs, Ryder Cup
The remote will be getting a workout today!
by dedfishflote on
Sep 21, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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oh noooo!
for the BEARS?! you give us up for the BEARS?!
Alrighty then. Have fun!
That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou
by Emelie on
Sep 21, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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Anybody had a look at the lineup for today?
"The best thing that happened to %$&*#$% Chicago is Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen in the same $%^&%$# town. $% the boring-%$#& guys every day. Some people have to be politically correct, some people have to be $%&*#@$ up. That’s Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen."
by Hard4Harden on Sep 21, 2008 11:59 AM CDT 0 recs
A spot of business to clean up...

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Sep 21, 2008 11:59 AM CDT 0 recs
Let's take care of that today
Or tomorrow. Actually we prolly don’t need to win anymore and we still will have homefield advantage.
Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #5 3-0 (0-0). Next up Saturday home vs. Buffalo. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin for Co-Heisman!
by nji232 on
Sep 21, 2008 12:24 PM CDT
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Has anyone else noticed that MLB.TV has been using
Pujols (very understandable) and Dome (why?) in their ads for the Cubs-Cards series?
I’ll be scratching my head for the rest of the year trying to figure out which MLB genius thought that a guy who isn’t even playing regularly would be better for marketing than Sori, DLee, or Ramy.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Sep 21, 2008 12:29 PM CDT 0 recs
I was thinking Fukudome is pretty marketable
his fanbase reaches out overseas, while Pujols reach doesn’t exactly extend that much.
by NittanyCub on
Sep 21, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
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Marketable in Japan
but yes, I think MLB.TV’s subscriber base has a fair amount of overseas viewers.
But the explanation is probably that the decision-maker is out of touch with the Cubs at this point in the season, and may be basing it on Dome’s early awesomeness.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 21, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
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What happens when those people tune in and find that he isn't in the lineup?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Sep 21, 2008 12:37 PM CDT
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The genius has already done his job by getting them to tune in
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 21, 2008 12:38 PM CDT
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I think the team should...
…really try hard for the Cubs all-time walk total on offense. By doing this they’ll stay sharp in a key area for the playoffs: pitch recognition, selective aggression, etc. Plus, it’d be neat to have the record in light our recent past impatience at the plate. – TL
by timlacy on Sep 21, 2008 12:33 PM CDT 0 recs
Useless stat of the day...
DeRo ranks 15th in MLB in Runs with 100. Hanley Ramirez leads MLB with 119. No one ahead of him normally bats lower than fourth and all but one (A-Rod) have more PAs.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Sep 21, 2008 12:36 PM CDT 0 recs
Somewhat off-topic, but what the hell
happened to the Tigers this year? Didn’t all the “expert” critics take them to be the WS contenders?
Dontrelle Willis has a 4.45 ERA in AAA. For 7 M this year, 10 the next, and 12 in 2010
by NittanyCub on Sep 21, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs
JMO
1. Their pitching was wildly overrated.
2. Granderson missed the first month.
3. Their defense was atrocious, which didn’t help the pitchers.
4. They were counting on some older guys (Sheffield, Rogers, Renteria) to be studs who are passed their prime, and are useful only for a supporting role.
5. They are the only front office in baseball who hadn’t figured out that Cabrera had eaten his way out of 3B.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Sep 21, 2008 12:48 PM CDT
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Yeah, the guy is prettt hefty now
He’s still a monster while hitting, though. Doesn’t he lead the AL in home runs?
by NittanyCub on
Sep 21, 2008 12:51 PM CDT
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Yes, 1st in AL, T-3 in ML...
…after a move to 1B.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Sep 21, 2008 12:54 PM CDT
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This was my lineup guess from yesterday...
My guess for tomorrow’s lineup…
1. Pie, cf
2. Fontenot, 2b
3. Dome, rf
4. Ward, 1b
5. Hoffpauir, lf
6. McGehee, 3b
7. Cedeno, ss
8. Hill, c
9. Dempster, p
“I’ve never complained about it. I’m thankful to have a jersey.” Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Sep 20, 2008 4:43 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Sep 21, 2008 12:43 PM CDT 0 recs
you have all the people right
but i dunno about the order yet. :-)
"He's a pro. Me? I just try not to swear on the air.'' Bob Brenly talking about Len Kasper





