Evil Empire Wins AL Title And Other Monday Headlines
by Al Yellon on Oct 26, 2009 9:13 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintSigh. Let's go Phillies. Here are the takes on last night's game from Yankee fans and Angel fans, via their SB Nation blogs. The Angels played a good series against a tough team, then suddenly forgot how to field bunts when they could have had a real shot at tying the game in the 9th inning.
And now we have two more days off before the World Series begins. Here are the schedules played by the Yankees and Phillies since the regular season ended on October 4, including today and tomorrow:
Yankees: day off, day off, home game, day off, home game, day off, road game, day off, day off, day off, day off, home game, home game, day off, road game, road game, day off, road game, day off, rainout, home game, day off, day off
Phillies: day off, day off, home game, home game, day off, rainout, road game, road game, day off, day off, road game, road game, day off, home game, home game, day off, home game, day off, day off, day off, day off, day off, day off
Those aren't baseball schedules, they're NBA or NHL schedules (OK, NBA and NHL teams don't have rainouts, but you get the idea). Baseball has to do something about this... even though the weather in the Northeast is supposed to be fairly mild this week (in the 60's during the day, 50's at night), guess what the forecast is for game one in New York on Wednesday? That's right. More rain.
Cub news: Cubs honchos met with officials of Collier County, Florida over the weekend to discuss possible spring training sites there. Opinion: this is simply a negotiating ploy to get the folks in Mesa to up their ante. No one really wants to move to Florida for spring training; the weather is better in Arizona and, beginning next year, every Arizona spring training facility will be in the Phoenix metro area, within an hour's drive or less from each other. Florida teams spend endless time on bus rides halfway across the state. Why do you think teams are moving from Florida toArizona?
Prediction: the Cubs and Mesa officials will announce a longterm deal to build a new facility somewhere in Mesa, before the end of the 2010 season.
And in case you are interested, the Yankees of Japan, the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, will play in their 32nd Japan Series beginning Saturday against the Nippon Ham Fighters.
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All of the off days in the playoff schedule
are because FOX wanted to start the World Series on a Wednesday instead of Saturday.
That moved everything back several days and is the reason MLB inserted the unnecessary off days in the division and championship series.
This is because Fox gets a bigger audience for game 1 on a Wednesday than Saturday. What I find amusing is the “new” playoff schedule Fox has devised has diluted the playoffs.
It makes it less likely that the best teams get to the World Series because depth no longer matters in who wins or loses. I think that is why we’ve had so many mismatches in the playoffs since we switched to this “new” playoff format.
What I find amusing is I’ve watched fewer playoff games since FOX changed the playoff schedule. This is partly because of the schedule change lessening the drama and partly due to the terribly announcing teams TBS puts on the air.
They won’t get me back as a regularly customer until they put a worthy product on the air, both as far as the announcing crew and some real back and forth playoff series.
Hey, it's a new century!
My biggest complaint...
is essentially the same. Teams with depth lose that advantage when a team can send their #1 and #2 starters out there every third game.
That article/column mentioned that the Angels have had played 8 games in 20 days. 12 off days is as many as they had from June 2nd to the end of the year. A span of 113 games.
The players go from playing a game virtually every day to playing so sporadically that, too me at least, it makes it seem that the playoffs are almost nothing like the regular season. Teams that do well in the regular season can and do struggle in the post-season often enough that sometimes sub-par teams advance and good teams flounder.
So hopefully
The winner of the 2009 World Series will be determined before Spring Training 2010 starts the way this schedule and weather goes.
Florida is a third-world country
it will be a sad day if the Cubs move there.
I had more interest in the Cardinals-Giants game — a midseason NFL game between two teams I have no rooting interest in — than the game-clinching ALCS.
Here’s something very telling:
PTI does a Happy Anniversary thing each day. All last week, they did World Series anniversaries. Joe Carter’s bomb in 1993 was one.
16 years ago, Game 6 of the World Series was being played a week ago. Now, it hasn’t even started and won’t for two days.
Baseball is stupid.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
You're talking about a time before the wild-card round was added.
Still, even in 2002, the last time there was a 7-game World Series, it ended on October 27 — one day from now, the day before this year’s begins.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Still...
I know… I know… wild card… money… blah… blah…
All solved by neutral site.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Nope.
You can do neutral site for a Super Bowl because it’s one game.
A neutral site for a World Series… who would go? Say it’s in Miami and the Marlins aren’t involved. Very expensive for fans of the teams involved to go, especially if they have to buy nonrefundable plane tickets and then their team loses the league championship series.
It. Will. Never. Happen.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree
Plus, the weather isn’t the reason the Series is starting so late this year – it was going to start on the 28th no matter what.
If this were a normal sports league I would trust that changes would be made for next year, but it’s not, so I suppose we just have to live with it.
"You know, you should be a lot more careful crossing the street like that, otherwise you could die - if that bothers you."
And here in lies the problem
You have this TV network working out the best schedule because of viewership advantages when in fact if the league MARKETED themselves BETTER, the networks would not have to jump through hoops to capture the viewers they need to be profitable. More people would want to watch any day of the week.
Every time I see someone blather “neutral site” I do my best to restrain laughter; clearly an utter lack of business understanding. The wild card is probably the best (only) thing Bud-light ever did (will do). It kept more team “in it” longer during the 162-game marathon. But baseball has not fully captured the dynamic of their post season. Labor stoppages and worse-yet, steroids (much of their own inaction early) hampering them.
The other reason the SuperBowl works is because it’s a predetermined day. The last Sun of Jan or as is the case now, 1st Sun of Feb around 5:30pm CST is a guaranteed reserved date and time the most populous “TV show” begins its real telecast.
Part of what the NFL does that other sports don’t is keeping the fans wanting more. It’s why the NFL is a juggernaut and companies like Walmart are huge successes
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Oct 26, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
The Super Bowl works because it's played once a year, not four to seven times a year like a WS.
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
True
but there as some things that can be done to build excitement for a World Series.
Long drawn out series where any excitement is extinguished by long periods of days-off does not lend itself to improving viewership. How about easy to remember days when teams play? I can’t keep track of when teams play with these series. Why not 2 games, off day, 3 games, off day, 2 games? I don’t even need to raise the issue of late starts.
The neutral site idea is a bad idea but there are ways to improve the Series.
i hate the idea of a neutral site
I also wish NFL would do away with it. That takes away home field advantage for the team that earned and deserved it. It also takes away from the home fans IMO
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
this is my worst nightmare
i grew up HATING the phillies because of dykstra and kruk and the rest of that disgusting team. Of course, once the yankees won so many WS in a row I started hating them too. However, I can say that for the first time ever I am DESPERATE for the yanks to WIN the series – I hate the phillies more than almost anything…ugh, I thought last year’s series was as bad as it gets!
"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto
I kind of liked Dystra & Kruk
but they had the world’s worst park . I have learned to appreciate them and their fans by going to games from NYC over the years but probably was not a fan till they started loading up on ex Cubs , including several favorites ( Eyre, Moyer, Stairs)
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Presuming the rosters remain the same...
… there will be SEVEN former Cubs in the World Series:
Chad Gaudin, Jose Molina, Jerry Hairston Jr., Scott Eyre, Matt Stairs, Miguel Cairo, and Paul Bako.
Frightening.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So much for Mike Royko's Ex Cubs Curse
Though it was true for a long time ( Until the D’Backs won the WS). I am a little sad Moyer is out but he can still get
a nice shiny ring.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Eyre won the lottery
He went from Stevie Ire, chair-warmer to possibly a pair of WS rings.
Life is parallel to hell but I must maintain
by dr stabbingworth on Oct 26, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Not to mention he got used as a real LOOGY
and has had a killer ERA. He won the lottery by escaping from the doghouse. Guy was in is RV on his way home to Florida after being cut when Hendry called him to say the Phillies had picked him up. He is really one of the good guys so I was very happy.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you miss former players too much!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Well one in particular anyway.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
In this case, she happens to be right.
The Cubs could have used a guy like that this year.
And at the end of last year, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Unfortunately, Piniella didn't want him and Eyre was in the dog house
And I don’t want Piniella as manager. Imagine that.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
+1
Eyre was/is one of those somewhat rare role-player types who seems really comfortable with that gig. It’s a shame he didn’t fit into our scheme of things. I’m glad to see how things have worked out for him, and I’ll be hoping he can do some damage to da Jenkees!
"I tried to let Ryan know that [jumping over the dugout railing] was a thing that maybe just athletes should stick to." -- Ted Lilly, 28 July 2009
by CaughtInTheVines on Oct 26, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
My Eyre story
I have posted this before but just so you know why I like him besides that his a very good LOOGY who Lou mishandled.
I was at the convention in Jan of 07 in the big room where a lot of the popular Q& A & panel sessions are ( sorry can’t remember the name). I got there early and not to many people where there but I was chatting with a lady who had a young son who was mentally challenged. Eyre came in and just sat down in the front ( not on the dais) and people went over asking for his autograph and he happily obliged. The young boy came back VERY excited. Eyre had offered to show him the club house and gave him his number to arrange it. On a lesser note , later in the day he was the auctioneer for the charity event and he was a RIOT. Someone offered him $50 to autograph the beer can he was drinking so he did. He was extremely nice to hordes of fans on both occasions.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but most of those guys were here YEARS ago, and none of them I really cared about.
We have 7 players that are this many years removed from our team:
Gaudin – 1
Molina – 10!
Hairston – 3
Eyre – 1.5
Stairs – 8
Cairo – 8
Bako – 5
I’m bored and procrastinating at work.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Hell, I don't even remember Molina
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 26, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah i can't totally explain it
I was 7 or 8 and just starting to love baseball, and my first WS was jays/phils. I picked Jays, and though I was a loving and sweet little kid (i’m told lol) I quickly became repulsed by everything phillies and it has stuck with me.
"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto
Just wondering, what is "ham fighter"?
Are hams particularly tough to fight? I mean, do they put up a good scrap? Crafty? Un-CANny? Smoked? Cloved?
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
LOL
It’s a team owned by the Nippon Ham Company, called the “Fighters”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ah. Well that explains it.
Still, the image of two canned hams going at it is amusing…
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
Could turn out to be ugly, as this picture from West Ham goes to show
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
That picture is from Columbus, Ohio...not Upton Park
That said, and going completely OT, there’s a lot of weird things happening in that shot. What’s the guy in the upper left-hand corner (shaved head, sunglasses) doing? Why is his arm inside his t-shirt? I also like the guy in the upper right of the frame, wearing a yellow bandana, watching the whole melee unfold like a cross between the buddha and Rod Beck.
"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko
by LaddieRenfroe on Oct 27, 2009 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought it was West Ham, my bad
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Oct 27, 2009 7:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
How about the guy in the middle, braying like a donkey?
Hard to tell, but it looks like he’s wearing a hat of nacho cheese sauce…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
"endless time on bus rides halfway across the state"?
That’s a bit of an exaggeration, Al. Yes, all the Arizona teams will be in close proximity to each other next year, but the Florida travel is not as bad as you make it sound. The Florida teams are in clusters – on the Gulf side (Tampa/StPete/Clearwater, Sarasota/Charlotte/FtMyers), in the North Central (Lakeland/Orlando/Kissimmee), and the Atlantic side (PortStLucie/Jupiter/Viera). And the teams play most of their games against teams in their own “cluster” so the bus rides are quite reasonable. Teams might have 1, maybe 2, trips that could be considered an “endless time”, i.e. approaching 3 hours. Chances are, only a few starters make those trips anyway.
Tampa’s ST schedule is already out – they have only one such trip – up to Kissimmee to play the Astros. All other games are very reasonable. Cardinals’ schedule is also out. They have 2 games in Ft. Myers which is a bit of a haul across state, but those games are back-to-back (Red Sox then Twins) so pretty sure they’re staying overnight.
Looks like Baltimore is playing in Sarasota this year (renovations to Ed Smith stadium will start after the 2010 season) so that removes Ft. Lauderdale from the circuit, which will cut down travel significantly.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Even within the "clusters"...
… the parks are farther away from each other than they are in the Phoenix area.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al
I am with you on this one. I prefer the desert to the swamp any day. And spring in the desert is nearly perfect.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Nearly perfect?
Surely, you josh. It IS perfect! ;)
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Oh, and why is Baltimore playing in Sarasota this year?
Because the former tenant there, the Reds… moved to Arizona.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And why did the Reds move to Arizona?
Because they… probably got a better deal.
Don’t kid yourself – it’s not always about better weather and shorter bus rides. If the bean-counters and politicians can agree on the numbers, most teams wouldn’t think twice about moving ST operations as long as they got a better deal. Cleveland bounced around Florida for many years before moving to Tucson in 1947. Then they moved back to Florida in 1992 before moving again to Arizona (Goodyear) in 2009. They got better deals, every time.
It’s all about the benjamins. Arizona played their hand well and pulled in quite a haul – Tex, KC, LA, Cle and Cin. But apparently the state’s money is drying up – at least from that sports association/authority entity that was formed several years ago. I’m sure they’ll find funds from somewhere in order to keep the Cubs in Arizona, but it will be interesting. And obviously the Indian tribes have the potential to be a player in all this.
But if the state of Florida pulls its head out of its butt, who’s to say they couldn’t put together a very attractive deal. The odds are probably slim given the Cubs history in Arizona, but again – it’s all about the benjamins. Money talks, teams walk – or move as the case may be.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You're right about the dollars...
… and also the Indian tribes, who own the casino & land on which the new Dbacks/Rockies complex will be built
I imagine that might be the way to keep the Cubs in AZ.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just goes to show that money can buy championships
and that the Cubs should continue their pursuit of realizing that dream. Spend now, ask questions later (oh and maybe develop a few players out of your minor league system that don’t suck at baseball)
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
That approach hasn't worked for us
Yet the Florida Marlins have won two World Series titles with extremely low payrolls. If the spending gets us a championship, then it was worth it. I still think MLB needs a salary cap because what the Yankees do is practically ridiculous.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I'll give the Yankees credit
They did develop a good amount of their talent. Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettitte, Cano, Cabrera. Heck even A-Rod since they did technically get him for guys in their system.
At the same time the thing that is going to win them this title- CC Sabathia was absolutely a money buys championships thing.
The Cubs need to be better at developing talent in house, and surround that talent with the big money guys (and the right big money guys).
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Don't forget Drew Henson.
That worked out real well for all concerned…
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
That's probably the deal that gave Hendry the idea to back up the brinks truck for the Shark.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
And how did that work out?
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
We'll know any time now, just waiting on that third pitch.
waiting… still waiting…
.
waiting some more…
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Does a wild pitch count as a "third pitch"?
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
There's a simple problem here
It doesn’t matter how much you spend. The Yankees will always find ways to spend more. Look at the ridiculous contracts Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia have gotten. How could any team hope to compete with the financial resources of that team? While spending money has put them in holes before, they finally managed to buy their way to another World Series. Without their resources, how could the Yankees have ever held on to a Jeter or a Rivera after all these years? The short answer is that they never could have without those resources.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
You're only halfway there on the ridiculous scale...
What about Teixeira and Burnett? Together with CC, they were the three top FAs last year. And the Yankees got all of them. Amazing…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Exactly...
It’s not just the money for CC and ARod. Those deals make sense for the two best free agents at their respective positions. It’s the ability to have huge contracts for ARod, Jeter, Damon, Rivera, et al, AND still have money to go buy Burnett and Teixeira.
Good for the Yankees for having the resources to do it. Just illustrates the competitive imbalance though. At least the Cubs are among the “haves” rather than the “have nots.” We don’t have the same margin for error as the Yankees, but the payroll won’t prevent us from building a champion.
The Alfonso Soriano contract isn't ridiculous????
Or for that matter the Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster contracts??? If you equate performance and delivery of winning results to contract dollars the comparison becomes even more dramatic.
Jim Hendry has been permitted to spend like a drunken sailor. The problem is that, unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, he doesn’t have the quality and consistent farm system to have a big spending strategy work out. The Yankees are a HUGE product of a great farm system over the years….yes, the big free agent signings are big too, but they are nowhere without a great farm system. Ditto the Red Sox…and Dodger and Angels.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
The Cubs Sell Low and Buy High
The problem that the Cubs have is buying high and selling low. For example, guys like Soriano and Bradley, who were bought at a much higher value than they are worth. And guys like Derrek Lee and A-Ram, who should have been traded when they were putting up big numbers, yet were held on to and now their value has dropped tremendously.
If the Cubs could just learn how to let go of players and think more on a business level, rather than a personal level, then they would find success in player acquisitions. While it’s nice that we feel so attached to our players, it would help to let them go once in a while and get some young talent in return. It is a simple stock market game here, and the Cubs are losing big time.
by The Baseball Freak on Oct 26, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
How exactly could the Cubs have traded A-Ram or Lee ?
They both have no trade contracts . I mean they could have not signed them but they could not have traded them.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
or rather they could not have re-signed them.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh this argument again
The Cubs should be trading Zambrano, Lee, Ramirez, Soto, etc. Gotta sell high.
Please tell me how the Cubs could win if they trade away their best players to get prospects? Wouldn’t that be nothing but a revolving door that teams like the Pirates are constantly doing? Did the Yankess trade away Jeter and Rivera? Cano? Posada?
Tell TV this is the schedule, clear your calendar!
Play the games with the occasional off day for travel. Or, why can’t the get away day game be at 4:00 CST or 5:00 and travel at night with another night game the next day too! MLB players are used to that all season. This is just a mess. When the game was rained out Saturday night TV made adjustments for pushing it back, why can’t they on a regular basis. I just hate this football like schedule, waiting for another game.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
TV provides too much advertising revenue to MLB to ever propose a "take it or leave" it approach like that.
NHL hockey comes to mind…
“Versus” is it?
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
But,
how would TBS make any money without the baseball playoffs? Certainly reruns of Seinfeld would not demand as much in advertising. They would take it I’m sure.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Not looking at the whole picture...
… baseball will make more revenue than Sienfeld, no doubt… but there are costs associated with producing the game and getting it on live TV that don’t exist when they’ve just gotta que up the “Soup Nazi” episode and hit play.
The schedule is designed to get the biggest return on their investment, and it is going to be next to impossible to convince anybody – at the TV stations, at MLB, anywhere – to look at it differently.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Oct 26, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
The MLB umpires were at it again last night.
In the early innings, a pitch that was nearly a foot off the plate was a strike when Vlad Guerrero was batting. And when Alex Rodriguez was batting, a pitch that appeared to catch the plate was a ball.
This wasn’t the reason the Angels lost, but something needs to be done. The umpiring this postseason has been among the worst umpiring I have ever seen—aside from the Vikings-Packers game a few weeks ago. That was the worst officiating I have ever seen.
These playoffs rank as a close second.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 26, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions
Caple makes pointless, irrelevant Cubs comment in A-Rod article:
And now he’s going to the World Series. And if he can make it there, well, there may be hope yet for the Cubs.
WTF Jimbo? The point of this is what?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
The point is to take a gratuitous swipe at the Cubs...
… like Bernie Miklasz did in St. Louis after Matt Holliday’s error. It’s lazy journalism.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So all we need to do is:
1 – Hip surgery
2 – Date actress
3 – Get sketchy SI reporter to write book about us & roids
4 – Steal signs / give signs
5 – ???
6 – PROFIT! WORLD SERIES!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
You forgot,
“cheat at baseball”, should be #1 on your list!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Oct 26, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
So, if the Yankees lose
will they have gotten what was coming to them?
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
I hate to say it,
But that’s just sleazy. There is no reason or excuse for that.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 26, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
By "hate" I mean to say I hate to use the word I did to describe the journalism.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 26, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Sleazy?
Geez, talk about an overreaction.
I chuckled when I read that this morning. Anyone who think it’s “sleazy” or gets their panties in a knot over that line seriously needs to chill out.
My point was it was unnecessary and yeah, lazy.
I really like Caple. He musta been tired.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
This is what I was implying, too.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 26, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I like Jim Caple
I would not throw him under the bus for one throw-away comment. He seems like an entertaining guy to hang around, and he often comes up with an interesting point of view.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Most of the time...
… I’d agree with you. Surprised that he took the lazy way out.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How many times will we see Kate Hudson during the World Series?
Seven times per game (that number comes from yesterday’s telecast), times six games= 42. That number seems very low.
The fun pool to have would be the pool to predict who will be sitting with her at each game...
Well, maybe not so fun…
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
play the shot game
….everytime they show her in a game you have to take a shot.
by cooliogirl47 on Oct 27, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
My buddy just emailed me these two statements, I'm assuming they are true. If they are, well, damn.
Yankees have PLAYED in 1/3 of all playoffs GAMES in MLB history
Yankees have WON more games than any other team has PLAYED in (St. Louis is 2nd)
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
More reason ( if you needed any) to root for the Phillies.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Go Phillies!!
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
In that case, Go Phillies!
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 26, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
My brother lives in West Chester, PA (a suburb of Philly)
so I’ll root for them for his sake…
Otherwise, I’m rooting against a team (the Yankees) and that never works out for me…
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
Bleh
I couldn’t care less who wins this year’s World Series. I haven’t watched probably more than an inning of baseball since the Cubs’ season went down the crapper. And if I were to care, my choices are between the defending World Champs and the team that has won more championships than any two other teams combined. Like I said, bleh! It isn’t as if there is a real underdog to root for.
Let's go Phillies, let's go!
::clap clap clapclapclap::
And in a year’s time:
[Dream mode=“True”]
[Happy mode=“Delirious”]
Let’s go Cubs, let’s go!
::clap clap clapclapclap::
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
world series
This will be a good world series to watch. This should be a 7 game series
i don't care who wins
i really don’t care who wins. Its just another year of baseball.
Why all the hate for the Yankees? Because they have won a lot?
Because they spend money on free agents? Steinbrenner was crazy, but you can’t say he didn’t reinvest in his product every year….If the Cubs had an owner like that, spending money on the best free agents all the time, we would love it!
Besides, doesn’t anybody want to see Girardi get a ring as a manager?
How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways...
Well, for starters, I hate…
…the way Jeter walks way out of the batters box between every pitch (yes, I know a lot of players do that) and tugs his batting gloves just so (Nomar’s actions seemed more like a nervous tic whereas Jeter positively primps and preens) and then when he finally gets back into the box, holds his hand up high towards the ump in a most regal fashion as if to silence all his subjects before him, until he finally squiggles his feet into place. Then, and only then, may the lowly peasant of a pitcher be permitted to serve up the royal orb. And of course, if the offering is not to his lordship’s liking, the process is repeated all over again…
Wow – that was fun. I feel a lot better. Thanks, TJ. ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Oct 26, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Where to begin
Every member of my family besides me loves the Yankees. I sit there everyday an listen to BS about the mystique of the team and whatever other BS. I don’t mind that they spend a ton of money, because I think it is a good strategy to win the World Series. I do mind that they have an insufferable fanbase that honestly thinks the little fairy boy Jeter is better at baseball than the once in a generation superstar they have playing third base. I hate that the same third baseman didn’t get any credit for being a superstar until 10 days ago. It tells me how stupid their fans are.
I hate how when Jeter makes a bad baseball play he is slobbered over for it. When he messes up it is ignored, that every legitimate criticism of him the past 3 seasons is somehow null because he is Derek Jeter and can do no wrong. He can do wrong and has done wrong.
Don’t even get me started on the rest of their crap. Do I admire their franchise? Yes. Do I wish I could root for a team half as successful as them? Yes. Would I ever want to be associated with a group of baseball idiots that honestly hate the best freaking player that put on their precious uniform not named Babe Ruth? Hell no.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Oh, the whole God Bless America production number they do in the middle of the 7th inning...
…that one gets my goat pretty good too. And the way the ushers used to rope off the aisles so fans couldn’t walk while BigLungs was belting it out.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
It reeks of jingoism
No insult or disrespect intended. Just a deep mistrust of “fake” patriotism. And its abuse by professional sports, show business, etc.
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Oct 26, 2009 6:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Is hate the correct term?
May I suggest despise? That would seem much more fitting. Loath would also appear to be appropriate.
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Oct 26, 2009 6:17 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Because they treat their loyal fans like crap and move season ticket holders
to seats with blocked views and watch their entire overpriced lower deck look empty much of the season. Because they the uber Yankee fan mayor gave away a ton of money and parkland to a very rich club that was never going to leave.The new stadium is just as boring as the old one but anti-septic. Because they throw people out of the park if they wear Red Sox caps and try to go the bathroom when their unnecessary " God Bless America " production is on. Ok that is the stuff from LIVING here.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Simple: Envy.
The Yankees have what we Cubs fans wish we did: WS rings, WS appearances.
Our mismanaged team has had the money with nothing to show for it.
I suggest instead of “hating” the Yankees we try to emulate their success.
And, yes, I’m biased, because my wife and kids are Yankees fans. I’m not.
Here come the shots back at me……..
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 26, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, I root for the Yankees
Always have, dating back to the dynasty teams of the late 70’s that included Billy Martin, Catfish Hunter, Goose Gossage, Sparky Lyle, Thurman Munson, Willie Randolph, Chris Chambliss, Bucky Dent, Micky Rivers, Sweet Lou, et al.
40 American League pennants and 26 World Series Championships….
And no, the Yankees don’t just buy their way to glory as ignorant people think. Look at the homegrown talent that has been interspersed with free agent signings…
Jeter (Hall of Famer), Rivera (Hall of Famer), Posada (getting damned close), Pettitte, Cano (200 hit season), Chamberlain, Hughes, Coke, Aceves, Cabrera….
And people also forget that products of the Yankee system also include Mike Lowell, Eric Milton, Nick Johnson, Alfonso Soriano, Jose Tabata among others…
Yes, I buy into the Yankee mystique. It’s damned cool if you ask me.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Why am I not surprised.
To each his own but I think you would happier if you just gave up on the Cubs and stuck to the Yankees or adopted the Cardinals as your NL team.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 26, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Derek Jeter
I’m 46 years old and one of the all-time great performers I have had the pleasure to watch play baseball is Derek Jeter. What he has accomplished in the post-season speaks for itself.
And just think for a moment all the great players who have played for that organization over the years…Gehrig, Ruth, Dickey, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Mattingly….yet Derek Jeter is the all-time Yankee hits leader.
He’s in a class by himself. You might not like his attitude, but the man backs it up.
One of the all-time greatest. Ranks even higher than George Brett and Cal Ripken for me.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
You know who is a better player than all of those guys
Ruth not included yet. Alex Rodriguez.
I still don’t get the Jeter love, if he was anybody else he wouldn’t have stayed at shortstop when A-Rod came over. A-Rod was a FAR superior fielder at short. Sure Jeter is a nice player who has racked up lots of hits over his long career, but isn’t in a class by himself.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
I'll disagree with that completely
Go back and watch the playoffs in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000. Also many Yankee playoff series in this decade. Then you tell me how great or not a player Derek Jeter is.
Also, watch the man hit over the course of a season. Take a look at his career batting average to go along with all those hits and runs scored.
Sorry, but Jeter is an elite player. And has been for nearly 15 years. He is also the quintessential definition of a money player who delivers when it counts the most.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Here is my problem with that
Yes those things are all true, Jeter is an elite talent who has accomplished amazing things throughout his career. He has been a great playoff hitter and been involved in some memorable moments. But he isn’t close to as good a player as Alex Rodriguez, and it bugs the crap out of me that Jeter gets so much credit and so much love when the guy next to him is going to finish his career as the best hitter of his generation, a generation that includes Jeter.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Compare what Jeter has done in the playoffs to what A-Rod has done
Nuff said. I think everybody realizes that A-Rod has put up obscene career statistics to date. But what has it gotten him?!?! Meanwhile Derek Jeter is a career .320 something hitter who has been captain and inspirational leader of a team that has gone to the World Series SIX TIMES while he has been at shortstop…and one four championships so far.
You can have all of A-Rod’s accomplishments during the regular season if the trade is for what Derek Jeter does in October.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Not to mention he's slept with about 17% of the hottest women in the world.
Don’t forget that. THERE’S something you can’t measure on FanGraphs.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Actually, those would be considered tangibles, right?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Now that is something I can agree on
That resume speaks for itself
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Wait - I thought BABIP measures that...
(Batting Average on Babes in Play)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Only if they like kitties.
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Oct 27, 2009 2:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Concerning Jeter as the all-time Yankee hits leader
Check out this awesome piece from the Onion:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/derek_jeter_honored_for_having
jeter becoming yankees all time hit leader had more press than ichiro
breaking the consecutive 200 hit season record
"hey
by jesus christos on Oct 27, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
And why shouldn't it when you consider the organization and the pantheon of great players who have worn the pinstripes
After all, this is the Yankees we are talking about. Jeter broke a record for a franchise that has included the likes of Gehrig, Ruth, Dickey, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Mattingly and that has won 40 friggin American League pennants and 26 World Series Championships to date. What Jeter accomplished in 2009 is a big friggin deal.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
whatever
The only one of those Yankee greats to crack the top 50 for career hits is Ruth, at #38, while Jeter is at #48. What you can commend Jeter for is playing on the same team for his entire career and being excellent at hitting for average. He is, after all, the #2 active leader in hits—just 16 behind Griffey, Jr. despite some 2,000 fewer plate appearances.
But let’s be serious here, he does not stack up against the likes of Gerhig, Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio—guys who have twice as many HRs, hundreds more RBIs, and career OPS that are .100 to .250 points higher than his. A-Rod, however, does.
That being said…Go Phillies!
youre right
27000-something hits is a huge deal
"hey
by jesus christos on Oct 28, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
It seems that jealousy plays much into the hatred of the Yankees.
They have many more homegrown players than the Cubs. Yes the Yankees spend money but so did the Cubs of late. They just do it better. Also if they mess up, they correct it.
Example, does anyone really think Aaron Miles lasts the season with The Yankees?
They wouldn't sign him in the first place. That's a Cubs' exclusive.
You are correct in everything else. (See my post above in response to a question you posted.)
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 26, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
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