Cubs Again Rained Out Against Pirates

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 7:30 AM CDT in Recaps Comment 122 comments

This has been the rainiest season in more than 20 years.

Maybe the Cubs should forget about the fancy weather service to which they subscribe and just listen to third base coach Mike Quade:

"It doesn't look good on the radar," manager Lou Piniella said beforehand. "(Third base coach) Mike Quade does a good job with radars, and this thing is socked in pretty good."

Had they simply observed conditions, though, they could have played five innings last night and avoided the full refunds they're going to have to give anyone who had bought a ticket for last night's rainout. It rained yesterday starting about 3:30 in the afternoon, and continued until about 6:15, at which time it let up, they pulled the tarp off the field, and began play on time. A light mist was falling, and gusty winds started to kick up, which made Lou's professed desire to see Jeff Samardzija pitch one more time this year rather useless. Samardzija gave up three runs in the first inning, but Lastings Milledge's two-run homer would have been a routine fly ball on most nights at Wrigley; the howling breeze blew Milledge's ball into the first row of the left-field bleachers.

When the rain got harder the umpires held up play. What you don't know and may not have seen on TV, if you were watching, was that the hard rain lasted about five minutes and then let up again for about half an hour -- during which time they could probably have played through the fifth inning and avoided all the refunds.

About 8,000 people showed up last night in the conditions reminiscent of the last time the Pirates were in town -- a hard rain for a few minutes, then enough time to play. The postponement was the fifth of the season for the Cubs, the most since 1986. This one, obviously, will be cancelled and not made up.

Why did the Cubs wait nearly 2 1/2 hours before finally calling the game? Look at it this way. According to Biz of Baseball, the average ticket price for Cubs games in 2009 is $47.75 (third highest in the major leagues behind the Yankees and Red Sox, incidentally). Assume that approximately 33,000 tickets were sold for last night's game -- a fairly safe assumption, since that was the announced paid attendance for Wednesday night's game. That would make the gross ticket revenue from Thursday night (approximately) $1,575,750. That ticket revenue alone would be nearly enough to cover Aaron Heilman's $1,625,000 contract (number from Cot's Baseball Contracts). Now they'll have to refund all that money and pay Heilman some other way.

I kid. A little. Years ago, on a day like yesterday, even without modern "Super Doppler Radar", management would have called the game three hours before game time and not even opened the doors. There's too much money involved now to do that, for better or for worse. The forecast for today and tomorrow isn't much better. Seems somehow an appropriate way to end this drip of a season. Today's pregame thread will be up at 11:30 am CDT.

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Sounds like a miserable evening to be in the bleachers

You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat. - Albert Einstein

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it was.

The rain wasn’t really that bad. It was the wind that made it tough.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That blows!

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Yes, it did!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since it was a game with the pirates,

well blow me down! seems appropriate

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're saber has bested me, 'matey. Arrgh...

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, it DOES seem like the last couple of days that the season is going out with a whimper...

rather than ending on a strong note. But let’s remember what the team play was the week BEFORE that. It was pretty good folks. So let’s not let a couple of days derail the better feeling we got since a certain right fielder was asked to stay home.

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the last two weeks have been the season in a nutshell

play really well for a couple of days, and then bottom out for a couple. No consistency at all. FIRE THE EFFING MANAGER!

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Oct 2, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang-does that mean they can't have that winning decade?

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 7:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Best they can do is go .500 for the Naughties

If they play and win all 3 games vs. Arizona.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even so...

A decade with 3 first place finishes is better than any of the past several decades. We’d have to go back to the 1930s (’32, ’35, ’38) to match that.

by ChipSet on Oct 2, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did watch the rain delay game

from Sept. 18, 2008. That was fun. During the time I was watching I kept saying to myself that’s back when the cubs were really good. I don’t ever want to say that again, let’s make better memories next summer.

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 Oct 2, 2009 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't watch that.

I was afraid it would hurt too much to see the difference between last year and this year. Too soon for me. I was still hoping for that miracle until a couple days ago.

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I left the park when it started raining really hard.

So I saw some of that rain delay game too. What struck me most was one shot into the dugout where it showed Lou — a lot thinner than he is now — laughing out loud with someone on the bench.

I’d like to see the laughter back, as well as better play.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coincidence

because I saw the same thing and thought the same. Winning is fun. Playing well is fun. Pitching well is fun. Hitting well is fun. 2008 was a fun year.

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 Oct 2, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al, once the game starts, it's up to the umpires.

When the rain got harder the umpires held up play. What you don’t know and may not have seen on TV, if you were watching, was that the hard rain lasted about five minutes and then let up again for about half an hour — during which time they could probably have played through the fifth inning and avoided all the refunds.

And they aren’t charged with getting the Cubs revenue, they are responsible for maintaining safety.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 8:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

True, but...

… you have to believe they had some pressure from management. They could easily have called the game an hour before they did — all they accomplished was making the Pirates even later arrivals in Cincinnati than usual.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I question is

Playing a night game on a getaway day in October to begin with.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We were all wondering the same thing.

It didn’t start raining — and then only lightly — in Chicago till about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. A day game would have been completed with no trouble at all. It was actually fairly nice out most of the day on Thursday.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"We get X number of night games a year"

“And dang it, we’re going to play them!”

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's still raining here.

I need to get out of the house so a friend and I are taking a road trip (it involves credit cards, shoes and handbags :D) today.

Go Cubs!!!

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Oct 2, 2009 8:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for stimulating the economy.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey at least these games don't mean anything

Can you imagine the mess there would be if the Cubs were still in it? It looks like there could be another rain-out or two this weekend…

by Mapmaker on Oct 2, 2009 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They may wind up with that mess in the AL Central.

The forecast for Detroit this weekend isn’t very good.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Had the Tabbies taken case of business yesterday, it would be a moot point.

The Tigers can’t seem to do anything the easy way. Hmm. Sounds like another team I root for…

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be too rough on your A.L. team

The Twins find a way to stick around all the time.

I expect Detroit to win it by winning 2 games this weekend.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't ever count on that.

The Tigers aren’t exactly putting their three best pitchers on the mound.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the White Sox are . . . not good.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But they have that PV guy going today.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave ♥'s PV

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes! Yes!

I DO ♥ PV!!!!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Verlander on Sunday is. But you don't want it coming down to that...

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It might.

And the Twins are at home vs. the Royals. They always play well at home.

If there’s a tiebreaker it will be played on Tuesday in Minnesota due to the Vikings/Packers game being there on Monday.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Twins get Greinke one more time in there

He made them look very foolish on Sunday.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That might be a Kerry Wood/Juan Cruz situation

Imagine if Cruz had to start game 1 for us in 2003

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 2, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boo to you.

Go Twins.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Naw, Go Motor City Kitties!

I guess that should be FKA “Motor City” Kitties.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no rooting interest

That’s just what I expect to happen.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you telling me you can't root against the White Sox?

Watch me! Go Tigers!

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't much care what the Sox do.

Other than Jermaine Dye, who is on my strat-o-matic team.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You sure?

“Badger”? You’ve stated your liking for the Packers before. I sense some stateism here.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah.

I like the Twins. The organization is very well run, and if the owner wasn’t such a cheapskate, they’d have been dominant.

I respect Leyland, too, though. Either team winning is fine with me.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're too diplomatic and nice.

I was hoping for a MN v. WI battle to enliven an otherwise dull morning.

Hopefully VCF shows up soon…

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy?

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's gonna leave a mark!

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a flesh wound!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I hope the Lions win on Sunday.

How’s that?

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better... Closer... Warmer...

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come to think of it, we've got fans from all around the Big 10 here

But I don’t remember any Gophers backers. Looks like they’ve got a really nice new stadium. I hope they open conference play by getting crushed there, but I can’t see it happening. It’ll be a close one.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As much as I love the Gophers,

I seriously doubt they’ll win tomorrow.

My friends back in the Twin Cities tell me the stadium has perfect sightlines. But otherwise, it’s not “ready for primetime.” There’s no tailgating allowed, concession lines are 30-people-deep. Security lacks focus, and allegedly the scoreboard flickers on and off.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting ...

Still, the crowd will favor the home team more than they did at the dome.

Ok, we can argue about that, if you want. Gophers suck! ;-)

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

He also likes the Vikings.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Double-team!

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen the pictures and have relatives

who’ve been. They say it’s amazing.

I’m guessing the Gophers are strong in the Big 10 for the next decade because of the recruiting boost playing in that stadium, on campus, will bring versus the sterility of the dome.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It'll help

UW and Iowa both used the dome to their advantage when recruiting MN kids.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's great for the Big10.

As in every season, I want all Big10 teams to finish with records over .500, provided they lose to Michigan.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm. I want meeshegan to lose 500 games each season.

Hasn’t happened yet. Maybe I’m setting my sights too high…

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

And it’s about time. Too many kids went elsewhere. But UofM will always be a hockey school.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But not as good at hockey as UW!

Especially women’s hockey . . . .

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

chicks with sticks get hat tricks!

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep - championship hat tricks!

At least, 3 of 4

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since this is a family blog,

I’ll refrain from my official answer.

Well played sir.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, you did want to stir it up a bit.

Still two hours (nearly) until the vote is in . . .

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like I said,

well played. That’s one of the reasons you have my utmost respect.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw, come on. Fight back.

It’s a slow morning!

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Packers are gonna get shamed Monday.

The Badgers are an embarrassment to collegiate sports.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not really trying

Besides, Favre will be so pumped, he’ll throw 6 int’s.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a given.

But AP will score 7 on that weak D line…

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really can't argue this point.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

um wasn't a hockey school until Berenson got there.

Before that, you could fire a cannon off at Yost and not hit anyone…

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Lions don't know how to win back to back games.

It’s been too long…

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They got the tough one out of the way

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, the first one...

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Oct 2, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boy am I glad I never went

It looked bad so I asked my friends if I could join them for dinner and they were nice
enough to pick me up. When I got home the game was in the delay so basically I got a nice dinner with friends ( Indian place on Devon Ave) and I got $100 back. Works for me.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 2, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I also ♥ Indian food on Devon!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what is the record for most rainouts in a season?

Is that an attainable goal?

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No.

According to Ed Hartig, the Cubs unofficial historian, who I emailed about this after the last rainout, the Cubs had thirteen postponements in 1957.

Those were the days when if they had weather like yesterday’s, they wouldn’t even bother opening the doors, because they would have probably had more employees there than fans.

The Cubs played 28 doubleheaders in 1957. It was a different time.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow-that's alot of rainouts

There just seemed to be so many this year that I thought it had to be close to a record.

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, like I said it's the most since 1986.

That’s a long time — 23 years.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

crap I'm old!

“Since 1986” just doesn’t sound as long as saying 23 years ago. Got married in 87 and it seems like it was just yesterday.

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 2, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought once the game starts and then is delayed they have to wait at least

two hours before calling it -

by doofus cubs guy on Oct 2, 2009 9:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

75 minutes on the first delay.

They could have called it at 9:15.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 2, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew they would wait until at least 9:20 cause

beer sales don’t end til then! we got last call and left about 20 minutes later

by doofus cubs guy on Oct 2, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chicago or Tokyo?

I just saw MLB highlight and So Taguchi doubled to RF… sorry for him that basehit was vanished on record…

Dome finally wrote his diary on Oct 1st and he just talking about 2 of his Dragons teammate announced their retirement (Kazuyoshi Tatsunami and Kazuki Inoue) . Tatsunami has 2400+ career basehits and 487 double, and he is Dome’s senior associate at PL Gakuen HS, and Inoue came from same home prefecture Kagoshima. Dome don’t talk anything about himself nor Cubs on it, so I will translate it in case you folks want to read it.

BTW 2016 Olympic Games venue will be decided in an hour or so, either Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro or Madrid… I am not sure you folks really want to host this and I don’t care if Tokyo lost it (I will watch it on TV in anyway and baseball won’t be part of it), but hope it goes to either Chicago or Tokyo so far.

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for the post. Dome should be proud of his second season in MLB.

It wasn’t great like his first half in 2008, but it was consistant and productive and he aquited himself as a good option at leadoff and batting second. All accomplished in what appears to have been a rough clubhouse.

I expect he’ll work hard in the offseason and improve even more next year.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chicago is out of race

in 1st round of vote…

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, Jake Fox made a play last night!

Alas, it will never be on the official docket.

That was a fun drive for 1 hour of baseball – at least I had Dave Kaplan and his “Carlos Zambrano Must Go” pledge drive to listen to on the way home….

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 Oct 2, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm really sorry you drove here for nothing.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I got to see Wrigley one last time this season and I love visiting Chicago.

Not a waste at all.

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 Oct 2, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh - bummer for you. Sorry to hear it.

I heard a little bit of Kap’s Anti-Z rant, too. The bulk of his argument is still based on wins, so he basically ignored all the well-researched responses he received on his blog. Ridiculous.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No worries. The worst part was Kaplan.

I think I shut the radio off 3 separate times during the drive home – his whole “what’s the last big game he won” argument is tired (though I had half a mind to remind of of who threw a SO in Cincinnati to clinch in 2007).

I really can’t complain about getting to go to Wrigley, getting a hot and Old Style on my birthday, even if it gets rained out.

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 Oct 2, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Chicago lost Olympic bid in first round

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Obama's effort in vain...

and here’s 2nd round…

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Hardy-har-har.

by chilango2 on Oct 2, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tokyo lost in second round

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Samarach's plea obviously carried a lot of weight.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure seems like it - Madrid would however still be a real surprise, imho

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Commentary says

Chicago and Rio was considered as the most powerful contender but Chicago had no financially support guaranteed, it said…

If Rio win it will be first ever Olympic in South America.

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

South America is due, but otoh with all the poverty in South America, I dunno...

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

plus security...

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of poverty in China, too.

Even in Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Once you get out of the big cities, even more so.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've never thought that Beijing was a very good idea.

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neither did I

Please understand when I say this that I have very good Chinese friends, but the human rights and WTO issues should not have been ignored.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

full ack

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The City of Chicago itself financially guaranteed the games.

Newspaper accounts hear say the Chicago presentation was disjointed and not very smooth. The presentations themes seem to have been summarized as something to the effect of:

Rio – Never been in S. America, Pan-Am Games, smooth presentation

Tokyo – Don’t be mistaken, we are passionate and emotional, greenest, most environmentally conscious, smooth presentation.

Madrid – Juan said so, smooth presentation

Chicago – We’ll give you the best ever, Michelle, Barack, Oprah, disjointed presentation from the committee with the Obama’s being the only strong point.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good old American hubris

Right-wing, left-wing . . . it doesn’t matter!

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure it was intended, but the reports made it read like

“We’re Americans, trust us, it’ll be great.” I cannot imagine that was the intent.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 2, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A disjointed, not very smooth presentation...

…led by Mayor Daley?

UNPOSSIBLE!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he inhaled too much helium before speaking.

Wait, that’s his voice??

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Idea for improv comedy bit:

Mayor Daley and Lou Piniella discuss why their respective teams failed this year. Go!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 2, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe after lunch...

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 2, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am watching live coverage from Chicago on my TV

and there are 2 of “W” flags waved….

by dragonsfanatic on Oct 2, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The BBC has this to say about Chicago's Olympic Fail

BBC News’ Adam Brookes in Chicago: “The shock of Chicago’s elimination was greater for the fact that it came in the first round. And greater for the fact that President Obama had taken valuable hours from his packed and tense political schedule to travel to Copenhagen. His legendary powers of persuasion will be said to have failed him, though in reality it will be Chicago’s bid that failed him. Nonetheless, this is a moment which allows the president’s detractors to allege waning prestige on the part of his presidency. And it will raise questions about the political advice that he is receiving.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8283061.stm

by eths on Oct 2, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How in the world

Could Chicago not bribe the IOC better than these other slacker cities? Must be slipping…

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 2, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs