I'm A Tool (A Story of Personal Growth)
As I was watching Big Z meltdown in the third inning (throwing a bigger tantrum than my 22 month old son is capable of) I began thinking of all the reasons he is now #1 on my S@#t List. Then it hit me like a ton of S@#t. I reviewed this season and all the ups and downs (mostly ups) and realized, there have been a lot of guys in the dog house for brief periods throughout the year. And they all have sorted things out just fine. First it was Soriano (he's Soriano, but he's working out just fine). Then there was Lilly (his bad start to the year seems like it never happened). Then there was Marmol's crazy week (did that even happen?) Then there was D Lee (he has been really productive recently). And now there is Big Z. You know, with the exception of Fukodome, all of these guys turned it around and are producing. I guess this is my way of saying that I believe in the course of a long season, things happen, players struggle, players catch fire, and I'm a tool for getting myself worked up thinking they have permanantly gone in the tank. As long as no one goes in the tank during the playoffs I will be fine.
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Comments
How many TOOL posts are we gonna get today?
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Here is my challenge...
… to anyone considering writing a fanpost today (I’m lookin’ at you Ivy Walls):
Work the word “tool” into your title in way or another. I’d like to open up BCB later tonight or tomorrow and see my entire fanpost bar bespeckled with the word “tool.” Let’s talk Felix Pie (five-TOOL player), the Cubs’ postseason roster (does the team have the TOOLS to succeed?)…hell, let’s talk about gardening implements if we have to (what TOOLS do you use?).
Don’t be a tool, fanposters. Participate.
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
by dat cubfan daver on Sep 25, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Done and done.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes! Thank you!
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
by dat cubfan daver on Sep 25, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm Honored
to have started such a fine tradition if only for a day. I’ll try to come up with another Tool later.
by Chodes on Sep 25, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps a Tool of the Day post?
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 25, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I realize I left off Howry...........
even he is turning it around (said with a smile on my face)
"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus
by graceunderpressure on Sep 25, 2008 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He's number one on your Salt list?
It hit you like a ton of Salt?
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
by dat cubfan daver on Sep 25, 2008 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
like Lot's wife?
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 25, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But were all those other issues simply the guys
not doing well during a certain stint and not acting-a-fool on the field?
I mean Fonzie, who knows what kind of sissy he is behind the scenes, but on the field he doesn’t blow a head gasket.
Lilly? I want him on my side during a bar fight; nuff said.
D-Lee? I need to take his pulse from time to time to make sure his ticker is still ticking.
Marmol just had a slump. He’s not a psycho, he’s not an ass from what I can see. He’s just a kid that slumped now he appears about 85-90% back from his early season dominance.
Z on the other hand is a basket case. He often acts like he’s a couple cans short of a six pack. If he can just lower his peak to average ratio and get that talent harnessed, he’s gonna be an awesome fixture on the north side for years to come.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you really upset that Z is "acting-a-fool"
or that he is slumping? Isnt the whole genesis of these posts that his “acting-a-fool” is hurting his performance and therefore the team?
Marmol had the same problem as Z. Getting too amped up and over throwing.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Sep 25, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He acts a fool even when he doesn't slump
Like the thing with Edmonds a couple years ago, bat breaking over the knee (ask ChiSox fans about their LF’er doing something stupid that put him out for the season) etc.
I’m not upset with that solely but it sure doesn’t help. I can’t tell if his mental approach hurts him or not but sometimes it sure seems like the case.
I’d rather him deal with any issues without acting a like a toddler (like mentioning in the initial post).
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just hope it is not TOO Late
For Z to turn it around and be productive in the post-season.
If he blows up and costs the Cubs a playoff game, I will have to re-TOOL my thinking about Big Z and this team in general.
by SuperContext on Sep 25, 2008 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll be in Wrigley for the game
but I’m up for drinks beforehand…
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 25, 2008 1:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
never mind. i'm dumb
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 25, 2008 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's no reason to...
…get down on Z, he’s got all the TOOLS to succeed. – TL
by timlacy on Sep 25, 2008 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I got tickets!
Somehow going to get there for NLDS Game 5 from Florida. Who knows.
by camnorris14 on Sep 25, 2008 3:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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