Marmol-Aid, And Other Off-Day Musings
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 8:40 AM CDT
in News
261 comments
The Cubs have their first of two scheduled off-days during spring training today, so let's first talk about Carlos Marmol's performance during the Netherlands' stunning 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic last night, a game that eliminated the DR from the WBC and will shortly send Marmol back to Cubs camp in Mesa.
It's very easy to overreact to an outing like this because of its importance. Whether or not you are into the WBC, the fact is, that especially for smaller countries like the Dominican, there is a great deal of national pride involved in playing, and winning. I can't imagine there are a lot of happy people there today, or happy players who were on the DR team.
Before yesterday, Marmol's other appearance in the WBC was a scoreless inning. Last night, he gave up a ringing double to the first batter he faced -- a ball that missed being a home run by maybe 10 feet -- then retired the next hitter on a groundout. After a single scored the tying run, Marmol's attempted pickoff got away, allowing the runner, former Baltimore Oriole Eugene Kingsale, to go to third. After a strikeout, ex-Cub Randall Simon was intentionally walked (is he THAT good a hitter? Marmol might have been able to strike him out!), setting up the game-winning play, on the inning's second error, by 1B Willy Aybar.
Marmol failed. He's failed before, but we all know how good he can be when he's on. Sometimes I worry about games like this one against the Giants last July 12, when a Marmol error helped the Giants tie a game that had been well in hand (and that Marmol was only in because, I think, Lou wanted to give him some time in what should have been a no-brainer game after he had been struggling). There's little doubt in my mind that Derrek Lee, an outstanding defensive 1B, would have helped Marmol out in a situation like last night by either: a) catching the missed pickoff, or b) not missing the game-ending grounder, or both.
So let's not overreact. I will, however, stand by my statements I have made several times, that I think a pitcher of Marmol's talent and ability is, many times, better served by being used in tough situations in the 7th or 8th innings (runners on, tie game, for example), than in what might be a lower-leverage closing situation (9th inning, bases empty, 2 or 3 run lead). Marmol will be back in camp soon and I'd expect him to throw again as early as Friday, when the Cubs have a split squad. (Incidentally, can any native Spanish speakers here tell us the correct pronunciation of his name? Last night's announcers said "mar-MOL". But I have also heard "MAR-mol". Which is right?)
A final note, having watched almost all of last night's game: I'm sold on the WBC. Upsets like this, with a team expected to bow out early making the second round, make this a much more interesting tournament. Though there have been some blowouts, there have also been several well-played, tight games, and last night's Netherlands comeback was both impressive and exciting. I, for one, can't wait for round two.
Other Cub notes: Gordon Wittenmyer's notes column has this nugget:
[Lou] Piniella said he plans to skip his fifth starter (probably Sean Marshall) the first time through the rotation because of a day off between the first two series. That means Zambrano and Dempster will pitch in that early Milwaukee series.
There's the first indication that Marshall has probably won the fifth starter derby -- and good for Lou for skipping him. This will mean, possibly, that the Cubs could go with an extra position player for the first week or two. Also from that notes column:
Third baseman Corey Koskie, signed to a minor-league deal last week, could join the Cubs on Thursday, Piniella said. Koskie, who's trying to come back from more than a year out of the game because of concussion symptoms, played in the WBC for Team Canada, which was eliminated Monday. He must pass a physical before the deal is finalized.
Also good... the Cubs could use a backup 3B, and I assume if Koskie was OK to play for Canada, he'll pass that physical.
The Chicago City Council, on the recommendation of Ald. Tom Tunney, will today approve the third concert for Wrigley Field this summer. This was expected, given that tickets for the Rascal Flatts show have already been sold. However:
"It's a Saturday night. That's a problem. They're stretching the envelope. It's gonna be a challenge. But, there's a good chance both of these events will be successful. The city is committed to using its resources to handle multiple events," Tunney said.
"They'll have an extra one this year. We'll go back to the drawing board. And if these concerts are not successful, there'll be no more concerts. They may not have one next year."
Also in news involving the area around the ballpark, the Cubs are once again in a dispute with one of the rooftop owners, who is refusing to pay his contractually obligated 17% to the Cubs because a Jumbotron blocked some of his customers' views during the Winter Classic. Opinion: this guy is in breach of contract and will be forced to pay up.
Finally, although teams like the Brewers and Reds are cutting concession prices in the wake of the economic troubles, don't expect the Cubs to do the same. I'm guessing that with concession prices as high as they have been in recent years, the Cubs will see much lower sales, unless they decide to change their minds once the season begins.
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the roofdecks are getting to look pretty bad with all the banners they have with their urls.
www.wrigleyexpansion.com
by drodd on Mar 11, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I will add that it is too early to determine
right and wrong on the rooftop issue unless you have read the contract between the rooftop and Wrigley.
It certainly sounds petty, but if the contract says “events” instead of baseball games and the owner had to pay his percentage for the winter classic, he may have a valid complaint. If he pays his tithing, he loses his leverage.
Just sayin’
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suspect...
… the Cubs wouldn’t have filed this suit unless they had a pretty good case.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I honestly don't know.
Merely speculating, but the owner witheld 100% of payment and he was only partially blocked for a hockey game.
Cubs may have had to do something to try to get the remainder.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marmol closing
I like the idea of Marmol closing. However, I agree with Al and think he would be better utilized to get out of the “tough situations” in the 7th and 8th innings. He would be more effective than Kevin Gregg in that role. Let Gregg start the 9th inning with no men on base. Let Marmol take over closing duties next year when Gregg leaves for free agency.
by srwilly on Mar 11, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Didn't they used to refer to this position as 'fireman'?
I like that term a lot.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something like that
but I like putting your best reliever (Marmol) in the highest leverage situation. Whether that comes in the 7, 8 or 9th.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, they used to refer to the closer's role as fireman...
But that was back when the closer frequently came in for the starter in the 7th or 8th inning in a jam. Back when there wasn’t such thing as a setup man, and middle relievers were just guys who weren’t good enough to start and thus pitched in blowout losses.
The fireman title has lost it’s luster as the game has evolved, but I agree that it would be appropriately used to describe the role Marmol pitched last year.
by SouthernCub on Mar 11, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see no reason to move Marmol from the set up role
he thrives there, why mess with it. Gregg can close just fine IMO
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It is wrong to overreact to Marmol last night
However, if anyone saw last night’s performance, there has to be some unsettling things about it.
First of all, The Neatherlands couldn’t hit any of the pitchers before Marmol. They had 3 singles in the first 10 innings.
Second, most of the lineup is made up of A and AA guys. I’ve read some comments about how he and Wood blew saves before, but that was against Major League hitters. Marmol’s stuff should have completely overpowered these guys.
Third, his body language was not promising. It did not look like he was in control of the situation, but that he was effected by the situation. It got worse as the inning progressed.
In any regards, it still is only March and one can’t read too much into it. I did walk away with a not so good feeling though.
by jerry morales rules on Mar 11, 2009 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've seen Marmol react with bad body language like that before.
It’s as if he gets rattled when things go wrong. Odd for someone who has such great stuff, too, and it doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, he can get hit hard.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was the same way last season
before being named to the All Star team, losing focus, trrying too hard to throw the perfect pitch, instead of just pitching like he is capable. This is my biggest fear about him taking the closer role.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I’m a bit worried about the closer role for this exact reason. When he’s on he throws those gorgeous filthy sliders. When he’s off you can see his confidence crumble, it’s almost excruciating to watch. Because of that he gave me more than a few Howrylike heebiejeebies last season.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marmol hasn't been pitching for very long.
He was converted from catcher to pitcher only a few years ago and I think he is still learning the mental side of pitching.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
converted in 2003
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
only a few years ago
i didn’t see the game, but his demeanor on the mound in the highlights didn’t look any different than what i’d seen before. He’ll be fine.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is good background. thanks guys. It'll save me a few fingernails.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was agreeing
and giving the yer, before others started asking when.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You were "giving the yer"?
I like that.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
sorry if i came across as snippy.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great closers
are guys who don’t get rattled. Even if they get hit, they need to shrug it off and not let it effect him. Maybe that comes with maturity and Marmol doesn’t yet have it. If that’s the case, leave him in the 7th and 8th innings. If Gregg doens’t work out, try to pick up a closer at the trade deadline.
by jerry morales rules on Mar 11, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not worried about Marmol at all
The WBC has been interesting but expecting Major League guys to be in midseason form during ST is unreasonable and stoopid.
Marmol may not be ready in March, but I don’t see why anyone would worry he won’t be in Sept.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure his stuff will come around
If it was just tweaking of some pitches here and there, I wouldn’t be much concerned. It was the way he acted on the mound that made me uneasy. Uneasy was all that it was for me. Could it be nothing? Absolutely. I sure hope so.
by jerry morales rules on Mar 11, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
true, but at this time of ST
don’t the hitters usually have the “advantage” yet the pitching over all has dominated the WBC.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
but I think the teams like the Nederlands with fewer big league guys are prospering so well because THIS was their focus, the players were ready for the WBC instead of being the long slog of the season.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
I think the teams learned a lot from playing last year. International competition used to be inferior to pro baseball because major leaguers couldn’t play. A lot of the teams seemed to have learned a lot from last time — there aren’t as many laughers, and the blowouts are quite as bad as they used to be. Much, much better play out of the Netherlands and Australias of the world.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
for many of these kids, this is their 15 minutes of fame, and they are taking advantage of it. I am glad I have watched it, and cannot wait to see more of the Netherlands team
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One more WBC concern: Pitchers not getting enough work
From Tom Verducci’s column (link):
For all the talk about pitchers getting stressed by pitching in the WBC, the real concern about the tournament is that players don’t get enough work. The United States, for instance, will have played one game in five days this week, a challenging spring-training schedule because of so much down time. Jeremy Guthrie of the Orioles, the USA’s No. 4 starter, will pitch in relief behind Ted Lilly of the Cubs Wednesday against Venezuela, and is very likely to fall behind his usual spring-training innings workload …
…“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve pitched,” Lilly said. “I’m not even sure when I pitched last, probably been a week maybe, something like that. So definitely I’m eager to get out there.”
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 Mar 11, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm beginning to think ...
… there are some people who want the WBC to fail. First it was that players might get hurt. Now that they’ve worn out that story line — and there are, so far, few injured players — they’re switching to “players aren’t getting enough chances to get hurt.” Which one is it?
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I certainly don't want it to fail
I just thought Verducci made an interesting point. His used Francisco Liriano as an example of someone who wasn’t ready to start in 2006 because he had gotten so little work while participating in the WBC.
And while I don’t think it’s a big issue that Lilly hasn’t thrown in a week (after all, the season starts in 3.5 weeks), if he’s behind in his throwing program, I could see where the Cubs would be upset.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't saying you
I tried to phrase it to avoid implying that — apologies if I failed.
I’m just a little put out by all the negativity that seems to surround the WBC. Some of the complaints are valid, I’m just tired of hearing about them.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I understood.
And yes, I think there is a segment who wants it to fail; I don’t think Verducci is one of those people, though. I think he’s trying to point out a balance needs to be struck so that players are ready for the start of the season and not ‘prone’ to injuries from overwork in the WBC.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if "fail" is accurate
but I want it to take place at a time instead of spring training. make it take the place of winter ball or something. just during ST makes no sense to me.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've actually come around on that a bit
I still like it now — it gives me a bit of early baseball to tide me over until the regular season, but I understand the issues. Winter Ball might be better, but I think there might actually be less participation, because a lot of guys like to rest then.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like seeing it now, but...
… as I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I think it’d be better in midseason, as an every-third-or-fourth-year replacement for the All-Star break.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
could it get done that fast?
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Mar 11, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What if they did the 1st round at the end of spring training?
It would be kind of like a qualifying round. Then, the remaining 8 teams would play out the tournament during All-Star week, expanded to last an entire week.
Or, you could play the 1st and 2nd rounds in spring training and the semi’s and finals (final 4) during All-Star week.
either way, you could play the WBC games later in spring training and hopefully increase the readiness of all of the players at the start of the tournament.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That'd be tough on players who are at the end of ST...
… trying to settle into a regular season routine, and suddenly you take them away from their ML teams.
I think you could do the whole thing during the ASB if you had fewer countries (8 instead of 16, and let’s face it, Italy and South Africa aren’t exactly baseball hotbeds).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
but I LIKE having all the countries. If you’re going to do it you should open it up to everyone so that you could grow new baseball hotbeds.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
Also, its clear significant improvement has been made in just the last 3 years. Italy, Australia and the Netherlands all have shown progress in field a competitive team as all have victories in the tournamant (and Australia just might advance along with the Netherlands.)
The whole point of the WBV is to improve the International game so cutting down the size of the tournament would not make sense.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
TWSS
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ya think?
I think it’s been very clear that some people hate the idea of an international baseball competition and are openly rooting against it.
Some people just hate it because it’s Bud Selig’s baby and if Bud Selig came out against child abuse, they’d say child abuse was a good thing.
Some people have legitimate concerns.
I’m not about to try to guess who thinks what.
by Josh77 on Mar 11, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like
I like the signing of Koskie, if only for a solid back up for Aram. I only wish he was somewhat more versatile. I note he played 25 games in RF in ’99. Not sure if he would be able to put on an outfielders glove some 10 years later. Maybe a first basemen’s glove?
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
First base, sure.
Outfield, not so much. The Cubs have five good OF already.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand that
My point basically being I think it is hard to carry a man on the active roster if they only play one position as a back up. It would be nice if he could in a pinch fill in at another position. Late innings switch etc.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would be playing two positions as backup: 3B and 1B.
Actually three if you include pinch hitter.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to see the introduction with Fukudome
Koskie – Kosuke
Kosuke – Koskie
by jerry morales rules on Mar 11, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds
me of a scene from MASH. Doctor, meet doctor, hello doctor and so on.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Major... Major... Major...
Hawkeye: “Well, I think we’re reached a ‘major’ breakthrough”…
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
by Zeke on Mar 11, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Airplane
Roger Murdock: Flight 2-0-9’er, you are cleared for take-off.
Captain Oveur: Roger!
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Tower voice: L.A. departure frequency, 123 point 9’er.
Captain Oveur: Roger!
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Victor Basta: Request vector, over.
Captain Oveur: What?
Tower voice: Flight 2-0-9’er cleared for vector 324.
Roger Murdock: We have clearance, Clarence.
Captain Oveur: Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?
Tower voice: Tower’s radio clearance, over!
Captain Oveur: That’s Clarence Oveur. Over.
Tower voice: Over.
Captain Oveur: Roger.
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Tower voice: Roger, over!
Roger Murdock: What?
Captain Oveur: Huh?
Victor Basta: Who?
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tell us
you did not write off of memory.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i wish i could have done that by memory
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AIrplane II
Simon: Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet your captain, Captain Oveur.
Clarence Oveur: Gentlemen, welcome aboard.
Simon: Captain, your navigator, Mr. Unger, and your first officer, Mr. Dunn.
Clarence Oveur: Unger.
Unger: Oveur.
Dunn: Oveur.
Clarence Oveur: Dunn. Gentlemen, let’s get to work.
Simon: Unger, didn’t you serve under Oveur in the Air Force?
Unger: Not directly. Technically, Dunn was under Oveur and I was under Dunn.
Dunn: Yep.
Simon: So, Dunn, you were under Oveur and over Unger.
Unger: Yep.
Clarence Oveur: That’s right. Dunn was over Unger and I was over Dunn.
Unger: So, you see, both Dunn and I were under Oveur, even though I was under Dunn.
Clarence Oveur: Dunn was over Unger, and I was over Dunn.
by CubFan81 on Mar 11, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aw, I wanted a Catch-22 ref
“Major Major Major Major had had a difficult time from the start.”
And he cannot be promoted or demoted, since the Army has only one Major Major Major Major.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"...and that's all the major news, generally speaking..."
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
by Zeke on Mar 11, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been wondering all along
if Koskie is pronounced KAH-sky or KOH-sky. If it’s the latter we’re in for a world of confusion.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn't it
KOH-SKEE?
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Mar 11, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah that's what I mean by the "sky" ending
if it is KOH-skee we’re going to have all kinds of fun
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poor Ron's head my asplode
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
er
MAY not my.
I suck.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm envisioning it as KAH-skee, but I'm not completely sure.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is KAH-skee.
KAH-skee, meet KOH-skay.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Imagine Pat and Ron's call...
…if Dome gunned down a runner at third when Koskie was playing.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
a routine fly to center field AND THE RUNNER GOES! KOSKAY GUNS TO KASKEE AT THIRD!
Gosh!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Mar 11, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just can't see that coming out of Ron's mouth without a bit of a trainwreck along the way
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a native speaker, but
Not a native speaker, but I believe the rule of thumb is to stress the vowel before the final consonent. So if the word ends in a vowel (as it usually does), the stress is on the penultimate syllable, but if it ends with a consonent its the final syllable. Hence in this case: MarMOL.
And yes, a little worried by Marmol’s outing in what was undoubtedly a big game. But he has plenty of spring to get back on track.
by simonuk on Mar 11, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not a native speaker either, but...
My mother is fluent and I know the rules. Here it is, barring accent marks:
If the word ends in a vowel, n, or s, the emphasis goes on the next to the last vowel sound.
If the word ends in anything else, the emphasis goes on the last vowel sound.
The only time this does not hold is when an accent mark is used, which moves the emphasis to the vowel that has the accent mark.
So unless Marmol actually has an accent on the “a”, it should be pronounced “mar-MOL” with the “o” making an “oh” sound (like in mole). If the “a” has an accent mark, then it should be pronounced “MAR-mol” with the “o” still being pronounced like mole.
by SouthernCub on Mar 11, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, this is from espnDeportes
El lanzador ganador fue Leon Boyd (1-0) y perdió Mármol (0-1).
So you can see it has the accent on the A.
by xene on Mar 11, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good work...
Then I agree with your post below: it should be pronounced “MAR-mol”
by SouthernCub on Mar 11, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the info!
I knew someone here would know, or be able to find out.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In fact "Mármol" means "marble" in Spanish.
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. - Dave Barry
by zm1217 on Mar 11, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So he's really Charlie Marble?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I smell a new nickname...
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. - Dave Barry
by zm1217 on Mar 11, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's awesome
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ChAHHHHlie MAAAAHble.
That’s how I like to say it.
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. - Dave Barry
by zm1217 on Mar 11, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck Taw or Chuck Shooter?
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the latter, but...
We all know the Shooter was Rod Beck. I’d go with something else.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, but sadly, those are the only marble names I know.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nibs. Aggies. Puries. Shooters.
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
by Zeke on Mar 11, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about steelie or cat eye?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 11, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. Those too.
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
by Zeke on Mar 11, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We also called some POS-es. but those were the worst marbles in the bag...
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
by Zeke on Mar 11, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Puries. My favorite marble. Man that brings back memories. I had forgotten
how much I liked shooting marbles.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 11, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've read this whole thread
and i have no idea what any of it means.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, apparently if you translate Marmol's name
He’s Charlie Marble.
And from there, we’re here.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No that part I got
just the latter part about shooting marbles. THAT makes my head hurt, worse.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I never got into marbles.
Though I’m from the “POG” generation…
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I seem to remember POG
but I never played that either.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vaguely remember POG
I think I played it for like a week.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that was its shelf life
I remember it being banned from the playgrounds because it resembled gambling.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We stuck with either card games
or table top football (damned if i can remember what that was called).
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
After tag was banned
I think we moved on to euchre, which was far more conducive to gambling.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hate euchre.
i maybe the only person from indiana who doesn’t play it.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You very well may be.
But maybe it’s not as big up in The Region, I don’t know.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope its huge here
but its one of the games i’ve never “gotten”.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must have missed euchre
Mao is always fun. At least for the people who know how to play it. ;)
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My wife
confirms this.
Git him with your tiger eye!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Mar 11, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point taken
I should have waited for you guys to post instead of diving in with half the story.
by simonuk on Mar 11, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
mármol
not marMOL. And yes, Aybar did not help Carlos at all. If you read the espn article it says that Alou knew he didn’t have a legit first baseman.
by xene on Mar 11, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Alous...
… the AB that Moises Alou had in extra innings last night was probably his final professional AB, since he has announced his intention to retire.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard during the game
That he was going wait a few months and see how his body felt before making a final decision. But he does seem like a man about to retire from all he said before that. And this was one of the announcers who said it, so who knows if it’s true or they just gleaned it from talking to him.
by JodyDavis on Mar 11, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dutch Success=Olympic Baseball in 2016?
With a European team having success in the WBC, I wonder if that will help the chances of baseball and softball being brought back as Olympic sports in 2016. The IOC tends to favor sports that are popular in Europe. I know baseball has an extremely long way to go over there to be anywhere near as popular as soccer and basketball, but the Dutch team could spark interest in baseball in Europe.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Mar 11, 2009 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hasn't there been a longtime baseball league in the Netherlands?
ISTR a couple of the current team players were mentioned as having played there for several years.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A on-line friend of mine used to ump in the Netherlands
Their league information can be found here:
Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Union
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most of that page is WBC info...
… if you click on their league link on that page, it’s all Dutch to me (and everyone else). I especially like the word “Honkball”.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What must you think of the prikbord, then?
It means ‘bulletin board’.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't see that one.
Dutch appears to be a very, um, colorful language.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NPR had a brief segment on it yesterday
Check out the link to hear why it is called honkball, among other things.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101628003
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Mar 11, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of players from their colonies
I’m not sure how popular baseball is “in” the Netherlands, per se. There are several players from Curacao and the like.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It helps
The IOC is dominated by Europe and they hate a sport like baseball where North America and Asia have all the chances to win the medals and love a sport like Team Handball where Europe is guaranteed three medals.
But there still is the issue of major leaguers not playing. This doesn’t bother the IOC in football, because it’s too popular and they just make it and “Under 23” tournament or whatever.
Of course, there is no excuse for not including softball, except that they don’t like it.
by Josh77 on Mar 11, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding the game of 7/12/2008
I wrote my buddy (who was absolutely buried in post-grad work and couldn’t keep up with the Cubs) the following:
“…[P]robably the lowest point of the season for the Cubs was a win in extras against the Giants. Why was this a bad game? Because they blew a 5 run lead in the top of the 9th. True, they were limping toward the All-Star break, but Lou put Marmol on the mound in the ninth and then let him f*****g die out there. A stupid Theriot error didn’t help, but the end result was absolutely unnecessary free baseball. Reed Johnson knocked in DeRosa in the 11th for the win, but whatever little wind the Cubs still had in their sails was gone.”
I remember that game vividly, and how happy I was to see the ASB only a game (a loss, natch) later.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
wasn't that the start of Marmol's mini-slump?
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The end of it, actually
His 1 good inning in the ASG got him going, again. He was already way off his good stuff by that game. I didn’t even want to see him in that situation.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks. that was a painful few weeks.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
that was when Marmol hit rock bottom.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, if I missed it somewhere else ...
but I think the biggest news out of camp yesterday (outside of Harden throwing well) was Lou’s statement that Fukudome will hit second, http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-11-cubs-bits-chicagomar11,0,1427163.story.
So, against right-handers:
Soriano
Fukudome
Lee
Bradley
Ramirez
Soto
Fontenot
Theriot
If Fukudome’s up for it, I like it a lot — though I would be in favor of switching Ramirez and Lee in the order.
by elgato on Mar 11, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
this has to be the dumb quote for the day tho
Ryan Theriot said. “I think last year was an adjustment for him. I know how he was feeling because I went through the same thing, although I didn’t have to learn a new language and totally change my routine like he did.”
"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 11, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh jeeze
sure, Theriot, you went through the exact same thing — except for learning a new language, learning a new culture, living away from your newborn baby and your wife, contending with extreme pressure from the Japanese media. Other than that, you know exactly what he was feeling.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehe
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All that SWL pressure get's to Ryan.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey
Cut him some slack, he is from Louisiana, which I believe is a suburb of Japan
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
any relation to
the iraq and such as?
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. I think he double-clutched on that comment.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Fukudome is well suited for batting 2nd.
Also, it puts Theriot in a better slot for him — 8th.
I have no problem with Ramirez batting 5th — especially since Bradley walks so often. It may give Aramis more RBI opportunities.
To have guys who are as good hitters as Soto and Fontenot hitting 6th and 7th… that means we are in good shape.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe it is a confidence building statement by Lou.
Let the guy come in after working all offseason and belive it is his to lose. As seen with others, Lou will have a quick hook if it doesn’t pan out.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Works for me.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. Was listenging to the talking radio heads this
mornining on 670 chastising Lou on the comment. Those guys just sounded silly.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn't talk on phone and type at the same time.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
While
you are driving as well.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and drinking
coffee with a bagel
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stop watching me!
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
cue up the twilight zone music
:-P
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah
by the way your turn signal is out, the right one.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't be, that bulb is out.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, for God's sake, put some pants on!
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is everyone always saying that?
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except
Fukudome, even if he is better this season, seems to be a singles guy so this will mean a lot of double play chances for Lee.
I guess the difference is not great, but I do prefer having Ramirez hit 3rd and in the first inning of every game. Hopefully Lee can be at least more like 2007 Lee.
by Luis on Mar 11, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, maybe Dome is better
at breaking up the double play.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
by N Oakley on Mar 11, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Dome can indeed rebound...
…to some acceptable degree whatsoever, I like that lineup A LOT. And if Fontenot is as red hot during the regular season as he is right now and Geo struggles at the plate, I’d flip the two of them, giving the Cubs RLRLRLRR lineup vs. RHP. Sweet.
Oh, and I’m starting to see Aramis as more a No. 3-type hitter at this point as well, but I think Lou still sees him as an RBI guy.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
but I like Rami as clean up hitter. He’s the guy I’d want up in a big spot.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I say the No. 3 thing because...
…his slugging percentage dipped last year while his walks and OBP went up. But, now that I look, he still drove in well over 100 runs, so I’m totally cool with him staying in the five spot.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So in your
So in your opinion, who is the best hitter on the Cubs? I believe the old adage was this is the hitter you slot into the third hole. As stated, Bradley with all his injuries has not been able to put together a full (remember 145-160 games) as of yet. But I will say his numbers have been decent. In fact I think about him batting third.
Or would Ramirez be the guy batting third. Or keep him behind Bradley to provide him more chances to drive in some runs. I think the time has come for Lee to either drop down in the order or up to the second slot. I am not sure, but would Lee be a good hitter to utilize the hit and run? Or does he swing and miss too often for that?
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sez' me...
Soriano
Fukudome (assuming he can be the 1st half player from ‘08)
Ramirez
Bradley
Soto
Fontenot
Lee (I don’t give a crap about his ego, if he starts hitting better you could move him up)
Theriot
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the risk of starting this Fukudome thing again
Really? You think he is a better hitter than Aramis, or are you just messing around?
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's not ranking the hitters; that's the batting order.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that lineup in theory, but two things.
1. That’s putting a lot of pressure on Geo, who’s still pretty young and has catching to worry about.
2. That would be quite a “lack of confidence” statement on Lou’s part, and I’m not sure that’s a wise move given DLee’s role on and value to this team. If DLee continues to struggle then, yeah, maybe you head in that direction, though it’s still hard to picture Derek hitting that low in the lineup.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Geo performed just fine down the stretch last year...
in the middle of the race to win the division. He’s shown the remarkable ability to put bad games (4 Ks) behind him and move on. I don’t think he’s a guy that let’s pressure get to him.
As for the “lack of confidence”…yeah, that’s EXACTLY what it’s supposed to be. Lee KILLED so many innings last year and we still had on of the best offenses in baseball. So how about we take some of that pressure off him for awhile and see what happens. Would it really kill him to bat 7th or 8th for a month? Like I said, screw egos. No matter who you are, hit the damn ball and Lou won’t have any choice but to put you in the middle of the lineup.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leg
I understand what you are saying, but. You do have to show the man a certain amount of respect. I do think after batting third or forth for as long as he has, dropping him that far down is a show of disrespect. If he starts off and is not doing the job, at that point Lou would need to handle and only at that point should it be considered to drop him that low in the order.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The batting order should be based on seveal things...
handedness, bat control, power, patience, overall performance…but NOT respect.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but you don't think respect (or lack thereof)
has an impact on the other factors you listed?
I’m not saying DLee would go off and pout in the corner, but still… from 3rd to 8th? That’s a major slap in the face. If you want to shock the guy, might as well just bench him and put Micah out there.
oh no, I did not just go there… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see you and Clutche had a couple cocktails, too.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just wait until I roll out the Derrek Pipp references... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess
we will respectfully disagree on that topic. Moving on, what is your opinion on baseballs most exciting play? I for one dig the hit and run. Thus my desire to see the Cubs hit someone second that can get that done. Also we would need a lead off man that can steal that base when needed.
I am not sure Soriano is that guy for this. So who is the Cubs best base stealer?
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most exciting play?
I loves me a triple.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would think
many would agree with you. The runner rounding second digging his way to third, the throw comes in, a cloud of dust. The umpires arms raise up in the air, ump screaming “SAFE”
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For me it's a toss up between...
…a walk-off home run and a (non-Cub) guy getting gunned down at the plate (especially to end an inning).
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you, Worf and BLou go out drinking again last night?
I guess I agree with you in theory, but I just don’t think that’s how it works in reality. DLee is a veteran player and has earned the right to at least start the season in his usual spot in the lineup. I think that’s how Lou sees it anyway.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lee's '08 earned him the right to bat in the 3 spot?
Seriously?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you use
that logic, Domes ’08 season earns him the right to make this team? Let alone start?
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I noted that Fukudome needed to be the 1st half player to warrant batting 2nd.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but it sure didn't earn him the right to bat 8th.
Split the difference and put him 5th or 6th, depending on what you want to do with Soto and/or breaking up the righties.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah, given the rest of his career numbers, sure.
DLee hit .291/.361/.462 last season – that was good for an .823 OPS and 110 OPS+. Sure, he hit into a lot of double plays, but I thought we’d established that was more of fluke than anything else.
And, yeah, in terms of OPS+, it was his career worst season (as a starter). But, again, I think he’s earned the right to redeem himself before he’s dropped in the lineup like an empty beer cup.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys make it sound like getting dropped down in the lineup...
is the same as getting DFA’s….sheesh.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
so you're thinking it's no big deal?
I don’t think you’ll get much argument from anyone that DLee is not hitting up to the standards of what a #3 hitter should be. But don’t you think dropping him to 8th is a wee bit of an overreaction?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe...but I still don't care.
I’d rather see Soto batting 5th and I suppose I took the lefty/righty thing too far so….let’s flip Lee and Fontenot and call it good shall we?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, now that you're being reasonable... it's all good.
Well, except for the part where I was raking you over the coals for putting Lee 8th when in fact, you had him 7th. Clearly I can’t count and surprised you didn’t do a magnificent FAIL picture of me and an abacus or something. I would have deserved it. Sorry about that.
btw, I know you qualified putting Dome 2nd as long as it was first half Dome, but I don’t see how you can make that call right out of the gate. I mean if you’re basing your lineup on meritocracy, Dome doesn’t deserve 2nd does he? I’d swap him and LBR to keep a lefty bat in the 2 slot.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just threw the names up there as they came to me...
and don’t worry about the 7th-8th mistake…I didn’t even catch it, so we both fail.
There are only 3 kinds of people in world anyway, the kind that can count and the kind that can’t.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have less confidence in Fukudome than in Lee
If the season started tomorrow I’d like:
Sori
Fontenot
Bradley
Ramirez
Lee
Fukudome
Soto
Theriot
I like to think of above average offense from your catcher as gravy, instead of something you count on consistently.
I am an American aquarium drinker...
by HoodooMan on Mar 11, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Cubs best all-around hitter is, indeed, Aramis Ramirez.
That’s why I’m tempted to move him up to the No. 3. Milton Bradley, if healthy, looks like he would be an excellent No. 3 as well – excellent all-around hitter (high average, high OBP, good slugging). But then you run into the righty-lefty thing. As long as Lou sticks with Soriano in the leadoff spot, the No. 2 hitter has to be a lefty (Dome or Fontenot…or Bradley, I suppose). Then you need another righty, which is where either DLee or Aramis come in, then a lefty (Milton Bradley) and so on.
So, yes, I’ve long thought of DLee has a natural No. 2 hitter, but he doesn’t really fit there in terms of “handedness.” Put Fukudome in the leadoff spot, however, and options emerge….
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would
I would imagine with regards to the L/R thing. Not all right handed or left handed pitchers dominate same side hitters. On days you feel like you can get by with going R/R against a righty pitcher, do it.
Also are you saying if Dome is slotted as lead off, this opens up (which it does) many more options? I had not thought of Dome leading off, but contingent that we see a different player this year, not a bad idea. Wow the wheels are turning now.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Mar 11, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dome led off a couple of times last year
And really didn’t do the job. His OBP dropped precipitously, and rose again once he was slotted further down in the line-up. I know I was disappointed – I figured with his OBP and speed, he’d be a natural for a lead-off hitter.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where did he bat in Japan?
I think its less “psyche” and more habit. If you’re used to being “the guy” then being the guy who gets knocked in by “the guy” would be different, right?
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good question
I have no idea what the answer is, but judging from his stats, and the fact that he was considered one of Japan’s premier hitters in his last 3 seasons there, I would guess 3rd or 4th in the order.
We might actually have a question that Muskat Love could answer. Wonders never cease.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or maybe dragonfanantic if he's still out there somewhere.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna suggest that
But I haven’t seen him around here yet, this year. Of course, he may be posting on WBC boards right now, instead.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's made a few fleeting appearances
I always look forward to having him back. Last year the Dragons finished strong so we didn’t see much of him towards the end of the season. Hope he comes back regularly soon.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
by Emelie on Mar 11, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe he batted 3rd in Japan
from what I recall in interviews when he was signed by the Cubs.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you watched that Marmol performance last night, he wasn’t getting the calls on the corners for his slider. The single that Kingsale hit should have been caught if the OF’ers were positioned correctly. Why was he near the warning track with a guy on 3b and a slap hitter up to bat? Then of course that last out was a makeable play too.
I wouldn’t read too much into it. It was very entertaining though.
Ben Francisco's only fan on LGT
by Toxicadam on Mar 11, 2009 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also...
… the ball that Kingsale misplayed leading to the DR run appeared to be catchable, he just misplayed it.
Not a well played game (though well pitched), but yes, entertaining and exciting.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was actually torn
I wanted Netherlands to win just for the novelty of having a Cinderella team go forward, but I certainly didn’t want Marmol to fail. I also didn’t want things to go to the 13th inning (it was in the 11th), because then each inning begins with runners on first and second, which is (a) incredibly stupid and an insult to the game and (b) bad news for a team like the Netherlands playing a team like the Dominican.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that really happens?
the runners on base thing? Ew.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
And I thought the pitch count rule was bad. At least that has logic behind it other than “let’s try to end the game artificially.”
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It actually
sounds like something Bud Selig dreamt up.
by John916 on Mar 11, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh
I was hoping you were exaggerating.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
or wait until the game is tied
before unilaterally decided to suspend play.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until he decided that the game would decide
home field advantage in the next World Baseball Classic.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we should stop talking
THAT may be his next “brilliant” idea.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't they steal that from Olympic rules?
I remember a few games starting that way in Beijing. Still, it makes no sense.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're probably right
I seem to vaguely remember something like that being in the Olympics rules.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That rule is absolutely insulting
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yabbut....
if you have pitchers on pitch counts
a nineteen inning game, while great viewing, would screw up some arms
by tim815 on Mar 11, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well then you have to make a choice
Obviously you can’t expand the rosters since people seem to think they aren’t getting enough work. You can’t go over guys pitch limit because that will mess up some arms.
But you can’t just put runners on base to start innings, imagine if that happened in an MLB game. Just another reason why the WBC is the worst (except if Ted is pitching).
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
i’ve heard the term “manufacturing runs”… but that should be by the team, not by rule.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dusty wouldn't like it
Because then there would be two guys clogging up his bases.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
If they’re going to stop stuff after the 12th inning and play like that (which is similar to college football overtime, where they start on the 25-yard line), why not just end it with a home run derby?
Makes about as much sense.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that
Since we are just going to end games with random rules that don’t make sense.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
better Marmol deal with bitter lose and failure in clutch situations
on someone else’s dime.
He will learn from it and hopefully grow. This will make him mentally tougher when he faces this same situation for the Cubs.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
by LAcarl519 on Mar 11, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW
U.S. v. Venezuela tonight to determine the pool winner. Same for Netherlands v. Puerto Rico. And Aussies v. Mexico in an elimination game.
Good times.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
looks like three good games to watch
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are all of them on MLB net or are some of them on TV
the rest of us get?
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Netherlands v. Puerto Rico is on ESPN2 @ 5:30 ET, 4:30 CT
Everything else is on MLBN. I went ahead and ordered the MLB.TV package for the Classic. In round two, the U.S. will be ESPN or ESPN2 only once, regardless of how far they go. (All semi- and final games are on ESPN.) Basically trying to get people to order MLBN or .TV, I would guess.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
by cocknfire on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is this the Ted game?
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. Theodore Roosevelt Lilly vs. Victor Zambrano
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 Mar 11, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I will be putting my WBC feelings away for 3 innings then
Have to watch the world’s greatest pitcher do his thing.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who better to start for the USA
than a man named for Teddy Roosevelt?
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 Mar 11, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no better pitcher for any team
This is what 110 years since Teddy Roosevelt was leading crusades across the US, its about time another Teddy Roosevelt leads his own crusade.
Just come back to us healthy and ready to get the Cy Young Ted.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game time 5:30 CT!
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll put some Gameday links up for these games later this afternoon...
… and a separate thread for discussing.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: DePaul is up by 9 with 7 minutes to play in the 1st half against Providence
After going 0-16 in the Big East regular season, they’re looking like world-beaters thus far. Good on them.
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 Mar 11, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
still up 5
just into the 2nd half.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since my roommate is a huge Louisville fan
I really want DePaul to win this game, that way I have a nice rooting interest.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i've thought that an organization
that thought they were very good (as compared to their division) could use rule V to their advantage by drafting ‘good enough pitchers with upside’ from other teams and ‘hiding them’ for a year in their bullpen. whether patton is that good remains to be seen.
i’m presuming that he is a worthwhile project, understanding he might not be. i only have seen him throw one inning.
since it sounds like lou might be leaning toward 11 early then jumping to 12 pitchers after a few weeks, i’m trying to create a scenario where patton sticks around if he is close.
if he’s not worth it, that’s fine too. but here goes….
zambrano, dempster harden, lilly
mashall, heilman, gaudin
cotts, gregg, marmol
guzman (out of options)
vizcaino (boatloads of money)
that’s 12, assuming shark goes to the minors to get innings.
if vizcaino gets dealt, is it worth shelving guzman (15 day dl) to keep patton, if patton has a good spring?
by tim815 on Mar 11, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kind of a random question but I'm curious what everyone thinks
Who makes a higher percentage of their starts Harden (Lets say out of 33 starts a normal starter should get) or Bradley (out of 162)?
I think Bradley, but I don’t think either will play more than 75% of the games.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 12:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting Proposition
If Harden makes 25 starts, that’s 75.8% of his starts (on your 33-start scale). Milton would need to start (or appear in) 122.7 games to match that.
I think Bradley is more likely to reach that level.
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 Mar 11, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
I see 25 as pretty much the tippy-top of Harden’s likely total number of starts; whereas I think – and hope – that Bradley will land somewhere in the 120 to 130 games range.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially with the OF depth
Lou will have the luxury of resting Gameboard/The Game (have we decided on an official nickname yet?) on some days and bring him off the bench as a pinch-hitter should the situation arise. That’ll boost his games played up, too.
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 Mar 11, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sticking with The Game.
I swear I heard someone on MLB Network use it the other night.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gameboard or Boardgame?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 11, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, "The Game." Someone actually called him that.
I’m taking full credit, of course.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay, but don't say I didn't warn you when Triple-H comes looking for you...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see
Harden would need 25 starts, and Bradley would need 122. Harden will probably make that number, but not many more due to caution. If Bradley can stay healthy, he will certainly get more than 122.
But the question is a straight “Who will”, meaning I’d lean toward to Harden. He’ll skip some starts to keep him healthy, where Bradley probably won’t be accorded the same consideration.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm kind of surprised that people think Harden will be so healthy
If he makes more than 20 starts I will be shocked. Especially since he isn’t really needed until the playoffs. We can win the division without Harden.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, he started 25 games last season.
He started 31 in 2004. He and the Cubs medical staff are well aware of his shoulder issue, and I think Lou did a good job of managing his use last season. I think he’s good for 20 to 25.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Started 12 out of 63 or 64 games as a Cub last year, too.
Not too far off of “every 5th game”.
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 11, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But look what it did to him at the end
He was hardly the same pitcher in September and in his playoff start it was clear he wasn’t 100%.
So he can make 25 starts, but if the last 5 are garbage because he is hurt and trying to prove himself what good is it?
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps, but then again...
…if you try to “save him” then he shows up in October all rusty and has no control. Or he blows out that sore shoulder overthrowing because he’s not used to being on the mound. It’s six of one, half-a-dozen of the other, really. I think you just have to let him pitch, rest him regularly and see where he’s at in September.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough
I think a nice DL trip for all of July would do him a ton of good.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We didn't try to "save" dempster...
and he walked the freakin’ world in the playoffs.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So if Lou had shut him down in September he would've been lights out?
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dat's all I'm sayin'.
Let ’im pitch – within reason – and let the chips fall where they may.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But would you agree that if the warning signs appear
He has to be shut down until right before playoff time.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I guess so.
Lou should ease up on him in September for sure.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bradley will play in more games
than he starts
by tim815 on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
surprised to hear that
the 5th starter competition is over and marshall is the winner. what did heilman do wrong? there is a month of ST left…
by brian custer on Mar 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marsh was here first?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or Marshall is a better pitcher
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
or we're all jumping to conclusions because
marshall is a known quantity while we’re still looking for what heilman & shark really are going to be for us?
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 11, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that
1. He has been a starter for a while
2. He didn’t have a 5.21 ERA last year
3. He’s a lefty which presents matchup problems for a lot of NL Central teams
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
by nji232 on Mar 11, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ladies and gentleman, please welcome Rich Harden's strength and conditioning coach, Tim!
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what i meant was
if bradley plays 125 games, perhaps 118 will be starts. some will be as a pinch hitter or other reason.
with harden, it is safe to assume that all of his appearances will be starts. no so for bradley. hence…..
bradley will play in more games than he starts.
which is what i wrote.
by tim815 on Mar 11, 2009 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
looks like providence
came back & defeated depaul. now it is up to the fighting irish & golden eagles to carry the mantle for the midwest.
by brian custer on Mar 11, 2009 2:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Very nice. Very nice, indeed.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 11, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Concession prices won't change this year.
Hopefully they won’t go up.
I’m not saying this with certainty because we haven’t had our preseason meetings yet, but Wrigley has been a deal compared to all of the other pro sports stadiums I’ve been. Often, our beers are $1 or more cheaper. Water at Coors Field is $4.25.
The biggest reason the price seems so costly is because it’s on top of the second-highest ticket price in MLB, but Boston fans complain that they’re beer is a lot more expensive than ours.
If you want the best deal in the park, drink O’Douls— it’s cheaper than water.
Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.
by section229beer on Mar 11, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Houton
is very reasonable, $6.50 for a 24oz (plastic) bottle
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding the 3rd concert and the area in general
Danny Mac has a good article on it.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mcneil/1472684,CST-SPT-mac12.article
The points he makes about the area residents being hypocritical drives the point home that certain people are never happy no matter what you do.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Mar 12, 2009 6:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
