Walking To A Sweep: Cubs 11, Padres 3
by Al Yellon on May 14, 2009 5:33 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintI told BCB reader dat cub fan daver, who joined us in the bleachers for today's 11-3 Cubs blowout of the Padres, that "now you have to come back every day!"
It was that kind of day, as the Cubs swept a really bad Padres team and won their fourth in a row. Walks did most of the damage, as the Cubs drew four straight walks in the fifth inning and five that inning in all, sending eleven men to the plate and scoring six runs on only three hits. One of the hits was a two-run double by Bobby Scales, who sent another ball to the wall in the sixth. He drove in four runs in all and is hitting .444 in his brief major league career. He has now hit in all six games in which he's played, the longest streak by a Cub to start a career since Jerome Walton hit in his first seven games in 1989.
This isn't to say that Scales could win a Rookie of the Year award like Walton did (and we'd hope his career doesn't end as poorly as Jerome's), but this is a wonderful story. You already know the details of Bobby's 11-year minor league odyssey and the fact that he's only still in the majors due to the injury to Aramis Ramirez. If he keeps playing like this in A-Ram's absence, the Cubs will have some choices to make when Aramis returns. Not only is Scales playing well, but his positive attitude has to be rubbing off on his teammates. What a terrific story he is; you can't help but root for him, as I think everyone loves underdogs who succeed.
It wasn't just Scales today; Kosuke Fukudome also had two hits, as did Aaron Miles and Reed Johnson, and the Cubs drew ten walks off ex-Cub Chad Gaudin and three relievers (finally, Bud Black sent closer Heath Bell to the mound, and he didn't walk anyone). It was a close game till the fifth inning, with yet another Adrian Gonzalez homer tying the game at one in the fourth. This one made Sheffield (yes, this time for sure), although it probably wouldn't have on any other day. Today, the wind was blowing out to RF at a higher reported speed (16 MPH) than last night, but perhaps due to the lower humidity, the balls weren't carrying as much as they were last night. Gonzalez, who is now leading the major leagues with 14 homers, had the only dinger today.
On a beautiful, sunny, mid-60's afternoon, the kind we just don't get enough of in mid-May in Chicago, Ryan Dempster's pitching was as gorgeous as the weather. He had command of all his pitches, walked only two, and allowed just two hits apart from Gonzalez's homer. He won his third game of the year and lowered his ERA to 4.65 (still not great, but a third of a run cut off the 4.98 he entered the game with). Dempster also had two hits, including a sixth-inning RBI double that nearly wound up in the left-field seats. Jose Ascanio threw the last two innings, and apart from one mistake which Drew Macias deposited in the right-field bleachers, pitched well. He also had his first major league at-bat in the bottom of the eighth, which resulted, as you might imagine from a relief pitcher, in a strikeout.
My dad, who is 87 years old and in town this weekend, hadn't been to a Cubs game in probably 20 years, since I last brought him to the bleachers. He bought Jessica's tickets and enjoyed himself. I told him that he, too, needed to come back tomorrow, with the big win.
Leftover oddity from last night's game: San Diego's Duaner Sanchez (who got pounded today) had been announced to pitch the bottom of the 8th for the Padres, since their previous pitcher, Luke Gregerson, was removed for a pinch hitter in the top of the inning. Sanchez never threw a pitch because of the rain, but he is credited with an appearance.
Finally, I want to add my disgust over MLB's handling of the Milton Bradley suspension appeal. While the suspension was reduced to one game, the Cubs weren't notified until after today's game was already in progress; since Bradley was sitting on a scheduled day off today, he will have to serve the suspension tomorrow and miss the opener against Houston. I thought that in the case of the incidental contact made, that any suspension at all was not justified and probably made on Bradley's reputation rather than on the specific incident. To not eliminate the suspension is a slap in the face to the Cubs and Bradley. Fortunately, others have stepped up during the time Milton has been off, and Reed Johnson had a nice day today with two hits, so he can play CF again tomorrow vs. the Astros while Kosuke Fukudome, also hot, can play another game in RF. The Brewers beat the Marlins again today, so they are temporarily in first place, half a game ahead of the Cubs, who are currently tied with the Cardinals and Reds, pending the outcome of the Reds/Diamondbacks game tonight.
Onward to tomorrow and let's keep it going against the Astros (Astros, again?).
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Nice recap
My dad, who is 87 years old and in town this weekend, hadn’t been to a Cubs game in probably 20 years, since I last brought him to the bleachers. He bought Jessica’s tickets and enjoyed himself. I told him that he, too, needed to come back tomorrow, with the big win.
enjoy every minute with him!!!! Nice win and go cubbies!!!
I didn't get the players I wanted in the offseason!! Hopefully I get what I want in the Regular Season---The World Series Trophy!! Go Cubbies!!
+1
thats great he had fun, and I hope he returns to more games.
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
Unfortunately...
… probably not (he lives in California), but I’m glad he was able to make this one.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And I only charged Al's dad a 50% mark up on the tickets
Vs my usual 100%. If you can’t help your friends who can you help ?
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 14, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
MB suspension is crap
but we are winning, and another day off for him might not be a bad thing. It allows him legs to stay fresh, while letting RJ get some playing time. RJ is having limited action due to Dome, Sori and MB all playing well, and getting back to back games should be good for him.
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
Any insight as to why this took so long?
Seems like it was fairly cut and dry… why did this take forever to work out?
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
by AndrewJStone on May 14, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions
my guess
two unions and bud trying to come to an agreement.
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
I'd go so far as to say
it was Bud’s idea all along to delay the decision until today’s game started. He is, after all, the former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Selig
has enough faults, do we really need to make stuff up?
by Allie on May 14, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on May 14, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
The only thing about Bud Selig I've ever found funny
was at the Miller Time Pub in the Milwaukee Hilton. As you can tell, it’s a Miller-friendly establishment.
Behind the bar, there’s a photo of Bud Selig. Below the photo is a plaque. It says: “This is the ONLY Bud we serve here!”
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 14, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Stayed there
last weekend and laughed at that sign. I was surprised that people could still smoke in that bar. It hasn’t been that long, but seems like forever since I have seen patrons smoking inside anywhere.
"Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue." - George F. Will
Wisconsin...
… is currently debating a statewide no-smoking law which, if passed, would take effect sometime in 2010.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thankfully Madison and a variety of the surrounding areas has one.
"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 May 15, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm troubled by the fact MB didn't serve the 2 game ban...
…while he was injured. I understand he was trying to make a point by saying he appealed “on principle”, but now the team suffers, and what point did he make?
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
He made his point, which was...
… that the suspension was unjustified. They heard him, I am sure, loud & clear.
I think the Cubs can beat the Astros tomorrow without Milton.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Still, don't you agree...
…that the team would have been better off if Milton swallowed his pride and served the ban while he was sitting already? Whether the team can beat Houston without him or not, they still won’t have him, and they would have if he served it.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
Well, maybe.
But since that didn’t happen, let’s just make the best of it. If the Cubs win tomorrow, no harm done to the team.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
and can you predict how Milton would have acted these last few weeks if he had indeed swallowed his pride...
…kept his mouth shut and served his suspension like a good little boy? I have an feeling that had he done that, it would have rankled him something fierce and in the short and long run, hurt the team more than it helped.
In a sense, we have to let Milton be Milton. Hendry did his research and knew this is what he’d be getting by signing MB. He and the Cubs did the right thing by letting Milton protest the ruling if that’s what he wanted to do.
Yes, the original two game suspension could have been served by MB sitting out games he was going to sit out anyway due to lingering injuries, instead of losing one game now that he would have played. But I’ll happily give up one game if it keeps MB in the proper frame of mind (for him) and lets him be his productive self.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on May 14, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree.
Milton’s a lot like the Big Z – you just gotta let him play the game his way. Yes, there are downsides, but he brings so much good to the table that exercising a little patience is well worth it.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
Incidentally, Jerry Manuel...
…recently brushed caps with an umpire and he got only one game. Maybe there’s different criteria for managers.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
after the appeal..
..Milton only got one game too.
My point exactly.
It took an appeal for MB to get the same as Manuel.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
the point
that when he’s right, he’d going to stand up for himself.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
What bothers me most
is that by sitting on the decsion this long, and then not announcing it this morning before lineups were announced, he is still effectively serving two games, today and tomorrow.
Which, if I may jump to wild and unsubstantiated conclusions, is just the way they want it.
But in all seriousness, when was the last time an appeal took this long to hash out?
by chitownhawkeye on May 14, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
If the Cubs are as pissed as everyone here is....
..the Players Union should file a grievance.
Also, when this Collective Bargaining Agreement expires, there should be language added to the new one that requires MLB to release information like this by like 8:00 in the morning so things like this don’t happen.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
That would seem to be fair.
Or worst case, 9 AM or whenever their office opens. I would think that any rulings affecting team players should either be first thing in the morning or last thing at night the night before to allow the team the most time possible to move personnel
by chitownhawkeye on May 14, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Makes one wonder why the hell such a rule doesn't already exist?
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
the bud rule
whatever benefits the milwaukee franchise will be the preferred decision in disciplinary matters.
because this way
they can screw with the players more effectively.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Well...
If such a rule were to come into existence, they could have then chosen to not announce the suspension until today.
What we don’t know is if they had all of their ducks in a row before the game started. If they did, then the Cubs have a right to be PO’d.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on May 15, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions
So what does Lou do if Scales continues to hit? He seems like the perfect utility
bench guy. I would like to see him stay on the roster for a while. I guess it’s a good problem to have. It looks like Miles is starting to swing the bat a little too. Great series for the boys in blue!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 14, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions
If Scales keeps hitting...
… they will have a decision to make when Ramirez comes back.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
We have at least a month, probably to All Star Break...
… i doubt Scales, Miles and Freel will all still be equally worthwhile by then. A good problem to have in Rami’s absence.
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
by AndrewJStone on May 14, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions
How bout when Ramirez comes back
We move scales to second base?
How bout we move him to 2nd base right now?
i’d rather the organization EAT miles contract than keep sending him to the plate 12 times a week.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 14, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions
true
but now that he is starting to hit also, and Fonty is the cold bat, then what?
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
Here is where our opinions begin to seperate....
I don’t believe Miles will continue to hit, and Scales has him beat with power/speed/range/versatility.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 14, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions
as long as Scales keeps it up
as teams start getting a good scouting report on him, things could change. this is going to be an interesting race for a spot
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
Miles is starting to hit...
He IS NOT really struggling right now… Additionally, he is a better ball player than many here give him credit for.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on May 14, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Haven't seen too much of that yet.
I’d love to see him contribute.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I stand by calling him Pepe though
because he still stinks
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
He did have two hits today...
and is contributing more than LBR at this point in time. That may change, but I consider AM to be valuable to the team as a platoon partner with LBR. I am just not convinced that LBR is an everyday guy.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on May 14, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
IA
Although I’d like to see if we could get something for Miles.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
At what position? i wouldnt trade Rami for any other 3B. The only Question really would be in 2B. HuffPuff has 1B locked down with DLee sucking it up bid time. SS is theriots. Koyie Hill is unfortunately doing beter than Geo (i knew i shouldnt havebought a Geo jersey :(, hes been crappy since that time). Miles isnt worth it to me.
Sidenote for curiosity sake: what happened to Jim Edmonds? i didnt hear anyting about him during the off season but he was one of my favs last year.
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Scales only really projects as a utility player unless he just goes crazy and puts together some monster numbers. They have no real attachement to Ryan Freel and if he doesn’t perform I would assume they would have no problem letting him go if Scales is the real deal.
They are paying Miles alot of money so chances are unless they find some unlucky buyer who wants him he’s on the team for this year and next.
Edmonds isn’t playing anywhere, Al was lobbying the Cubs to resign him only a few weeks ago but no word on anything. People have said that he does indeed want to play again.
At this point...
… I don’t see a spot for Edmonds here, though a couple weeks ago it seemed like that might be a useful thing to do.
Scales, as you said, projects as a utility player. Had the Cubs had any inkling he’d do this well, they probably wouldn’t have signed Miles. However, I think you are right, if Scales continues to perform well, I suspect Freel is odd man out when Ramirez comes back.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Edmonds
was at Joe Buck’s charity golf tournament last weekend or the weekend before and he was interviewed by the local STL station. He indicated in the interview that he was enjoying retirement. I suspect he is done but he could be stricken with Farveitis come mid-July when the races become more defined.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on May 15, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
is there room for
Scales, Miles and Freel? All would have the same role here
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
Probably not.
My guess is that Miles stays because of his contract, and the last spot is between Scales and Freel.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
hypothetically,
lou “bobby, we’re thinking of putting you on the dl.”
bobby, “sure, skip, which body part do i slam a door on.”
That sounds like the kind of upbeat thing Scales would say.
yeesh
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
If Scales keeps producing
I hope he is here to stay and Miles or Freel is gone. Scales can play any position Freel can and seems to be able to hit better.
Derrick Rose-2009 ROTY Tyrus Thomas-2009 MIP...hope I'm at least half right
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on May 14, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
no...
scales has only played infield, whereas freel is an outfielder when if pressed can play the infield.
hypothetical
lou “bobby, can you play center”
bobby “of course, if that’s what you need.”
Purely Hypothetical
What about possibly trading Fontenot? I am not saying I would do it or want the Cubs to do it. He has been struggling and has not been able to perform as an everday player. He has value…how much I am not sure.
by shastamasta on May 15, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Bobby Scales a lot
but if we trade Fonty, we have Freel, Scales and Miles. Which one is our starting second baseman?
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I still not prepared to say Fontenot isn't an everyday player.
He’s been playing out of position at third base, so I think the jury is still out about whether he can cut it as an everyday (or almost everyday) second baseman. Granted, he’s crossed the 100 AB mark with only a .725 OPS to show for it, but there are a lot of games left to play.
And, as Drew points out, neither Freel, Scales nor Miles strikes me as an everyday player either. I think I’d like to see Freel picking up more starts at 3B while Aramis is out with Fontenot going back to focusing on 2B.
As has been mentioned repeatedly, Scales and Miles are kind of redundant players at this point, so it’s hard to say exactly what Lou should do with them. Bobby is obviously the feel-good story of the year right now – and, when you see him play live, you really get a sense of his great speed – so I’d like to see him continue to get some playing time when possible.
Oh, and your suggestion begs the obvious: Who would/should the Cubs trade Fontenot for?
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
don't call 244 games over 8 seasons a *lot* of games
p # games
2B (11 seasons) 2B 344 1538 625 856 57 166 .963 4.31 0 0 0
OF (8 seasons) OF 244 421 388 21 12 2 .971 1.68
3B (8 seasons) 3B 131 325 88 205 32 23 .902 2.24 0 0 0
LF (6 seasons) LF 90 63 56 5 2 0 .968 0.68
RF (6 seasons) RF 16 24 20 4 0 1 1.000 1.50
1B (4 seasons) 1B 53 454 422 29 3 36 .993 8.51 0 0 0
CF (2 seasons) CF 12 0.00
SS (1 season) SS 3 9 1 7 1 1 .889 2.67
that's more
than he has a third base, isn’t it?
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
FREEL
i agree, so far Freel is a big disappointment (bigger that gathright even) and im ont a huge fan of Miles either, then again im comparing him to DeRo, so thats unfair (looking at DeRo last year). Scales deserves to play more than either Freel or Miles at this time. Put Scales on 2B or 3B and fonty at the respective position, but im also biased toward Fonty(who isnt performing very well either, so :\ )
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Freel is a big disappointment?
How? He’s played in three games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
True
But his career stats Arent really that amazing. He’s just an avg hitter. So unless his fielding ability is amazing i dont really see him getting much better. But you never know
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Excellent point!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on May 15, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Good Lord
To quote John McEnroe, “You cannot be serious.”
After three games, you’re ready to bail on Ryan Freel? All I know is I liked him when he played in Cincinnati. Versatile, plays hard, maybe too hard sometimes. But all in all, I think he’s a good add.
You know, saying stuff like this is what gives Cubs fans a bad reputation. I’m embarrassed you call yourself a baseball fan, let alone a Cubs fan, if you really feel this way. (Or “Freel” this way, as the case may be.)
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 14, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions
i think you are dramaticizing this a little too much.. If you continued to read, i clarified that so far (including his BAL days which is also this year) he hasnt been very good. I know hes been on DL and what not this year, but if he doesnt product like he did in Cincinnati, i feel he was a bad choice. Im srry that my taste in players isnt to par with the great “not bruce froemming”. I only said so far, even if it has only been 3-4 games. Scales has had just as many games and hes shown better prospect, but maybe its just beginners luck. It was just speculation.
Cubs fans arent the only ones that say “Stuff like that either” so idk what your talking about.
Also, i feel that there really isnt enough room on the team. Im refering to starting position, of course. maybe he’ll make a good bench player, but i wouldnt put him in my starting lineup with the other talent the cubs currently have.
TL;DR calm down drama queen
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 15, 2009 2:01 AM CDT up reply actions
wow
quick to judge there
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
his numbers for BAL
are pretty bad so far thus year. Maybe he’ll turn around
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
good thing he is not here to start 140 games
he is here to help off the bench, he is just fine for that
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
good point
hopefully Rami will be back swiftly; thats really all that matters atm as far as 3B is concerned, personally
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
He had limited playing time in Baltimore...
and was on the DL most of his short time there. I can tell you that Freel is a fine fielder, though he’s not much more than a singles hitter really with the bat. He’s lost a step, but he is an excellent fielder.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on May 14, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
he also did better in NL than AL
so lets see what happens. Remember very few wanted Edmonds last season, with similar gripes (he lost a step, he is done, etc), and Hendry showed us he knew what he was doing. Lets give Freel more than 3 games to see what happens. Also, if nothing else, he did rid our bench of Gathright
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
so you will sit back
enjoy the show, adn save an opinion for a few weeks from now, when he is healthy and has been able to adjust to returning to the NL, a new team, the challange of being on a competitive team, and we see how Lou uses him?
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
yea, jesus you guys just jump down my throat. do you do that with everyone who over exaggerates or jumps to conclusions. If so you must do that often, from what i’ve read on BCB.
Srry that im new here
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 15, 2009 2:03 AM CDT up reply actions
also
i’ve only been into baseball for about 2.5 years now, so im still learning the ropes and such. Everyone makes mistakes
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 15, 2009 2:04 AM CDT up reply actions
If you are a newbie to baseball welcome
Hey we all make mistakes even when we’ve been watching for a while.
But to call out other poster and call them names, prolly not a good way to learn more about the sport .
"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 May 15, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
i think lou's line regarding
too many pitchers was something like…..
‘these things have a way of sorting themselves out.’
as will this
Great to hear you caught a game with your Dad Al!!
Glad to see the Cubs made it a nice game for him to watch!
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
Kinda OT : Twitters
I’ve favorited a few of BCB members twitters. But I don’t have an account. The best twitter post of year so far had to come from Ballhawk. Hope he doesnt mind me sharing it. :)
Hoff is sure to hit one out now seeing as I stayed on Waveland. Rich and Moe got it covered. I’m saving myself for Soto.
"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 May 14, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions
"I'm saving myself for Soto"....
ballhawk and all the ladies here on BCB….
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on May 14, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah, right after I hit the enter key, I thought "hmmm... I wonder what Sue and Em would say about that..."
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
next batting practice ball I catch that I know was hit by Soto is yours.
Home run balls though, are special, and they stay in ballhawk’s nest.
If I do catch a Soto homer though, I will take pictures and send you and Sue copies. That way you can show all your friends that you have a picture of…
[ wait for it ]
…Soto’s ball.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
LOL
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
TWSS
literally
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
well i see no reason why not
if nothing else, it is sandbagging for post count
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
At this point
can you really devalue twss?
by chitownhawkeye on May 14, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
well, what is the value
is it valued like Rami, or like ONEDEC? because if it is devaluied from Rami, it is only a minor slump and will be ok, if it is ONEDEC and it is devalued, then it is close to being banned
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
Why do I have the feeling
the baseball will be dressed in a workman uniform when the picture gets posted…
and a hard hat
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
what about me?
"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 May 14, 2009 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll add you to the "Soto Balls" list
now if only I could get Alex Baldwin to do a voiceover, maybe NPR would pick this up…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yeah!! I'm on the list.
That would be so cool!
"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 May 15, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
here I am and I got the tweet live
it’s just that I’m working instead of consulting (hee) and can’t drop by as often
me too
I laughed so hard when I read that. If I had a twitter account I would totally responded
"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 May 15, 2009 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
LMFAO! from the yahoo recap
"For a month, I’ll be running like Geo Soto, just taking my time," – Zambrano
I love that
Z is staying upbeat while injured, instead of grumpy from not being able to play or disappointed in being hurt
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
Agreed.
I think it’s because this is not an arm injury, and was fairly minor, Z knew he’d miss only two starts and would be back on schedule.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Say Al
What do you think will happen when Z gets back? Assuming Wells pitches well his next outing, how do you decide things with the pitching staff?
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
here's what i think (and nobody will agree)
send wells back to iowa after his final start. he will be back.
bring up stevens (who is on the 40-man roster now). or jake fox (on the 40-man), but i think stevens. get stevens an appearance or two ‘for free’.
return stevens when z gets back.
learn about ascanio and stevens as far as what they can be counted on for in ’09.
it also allows
for evaluation for the pen with the young arms, not saying I 100% agree, but same time I see the idea behind your thought
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
I think the right move is to make some kind of decision on Patton. They seem awful bull headed on keeping him with the team and this turns the team into playing with a guy who’s only use is to mop up when they are either way behind or way ahead.
But I’m assuming that Asciano is actually worthy of a roster spot with this also. Maybe neither him or Stevens are, in this case Lou and Hendry are free to keep Patton for a little longer, but eventually they are going to add some pitching and Patton is going to have to go. A nice ‘injury’ would accomplish both things, be able to keep him and free up his roster spot.
who would be reasonable trade bait
from a cubs/rockies perspective?
would michael brenly be a reasonable player to ship to the rockies to call off the rule 5 option? then we could send patton to AA.
if not brenly, who ya’ got?
awww
but then Bob couldn’t keep brimming with pride about his boy being in the Cubs’ system.
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
where in the rule book
are the ‘rule V’ rules? i looked in rule 5.
rules
As far as I know a rule V player must be kept on the teams active roster all season, if not he must be offered back to the team that originally held his rights. Many times teams work out deals to keep rule V players in their organization.
If a player is on the DL this counts as still being active from what I recall.
i think there is a limit of 30 days on the dl
how about jake muyco or craig muschko
The padres have an injured rule 5 guy in SS Everth Cabrera. He is on the 60 day DL. Now the Padres can be much more patient but I don’t think there is any kind of limit
he can stay there, but
he has to repeat the process in 2010 or get returned
That might be a problem
I think there are limits on how quickly you can bring guys up and down as in you can’t send someone down on Monday and bring them back Thursday. If you send Wells down Saturday and Z is NOT ready Friday you have a problem. If you bring Stevens UP Saturday and he has a nice outing or two but you send him down Friday than again you can’t bring him back for a while. It does not seem worth the risk for one or two outings for Stevens even assuming Lou finds a chance to use him in a non critical situation. Let him keep pitching in Iowa and be next up on the bring up chart if someone goes down in the pen.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 14, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
you can't call up the same player
twice in a ten day stretch without an injury being involved.
the main hiccup is if z ‘says’ he is healthy, but isn’t.
i’m not sure what our schedule looks like then, but if we end up in a fourteen inning game, i’d rather not have a tired wells taking up a spot, unable to pitch, worthless to swing.
my two cents.
me too
but at least Wells hasnt yet been terrible
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey Al....
The Reds/Dbacks dont play tonight big guy…still love ya though :)
What the ?!?
by kerry wood's hot tub on May 14, 2009 6:34 PM CDT reply actions
Slightly OT:
Al- just for kicks and giggles, I checked out another Cubs blog last night… Wow, are they ever full of hatred for you, anger in general, and think that they know it all. I can’t stand that kind of snarky know-it-all attitude(s)! So, thank you for maintaining a great site for all us Cubs fans. I, for one, as a new California transplant, (boy do I miss Chicago), really appreciate it, as I can’t see but maybe one or two games a month. Thanks buddy.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
What kind of Cubs fans
would hate Al? Or any other Cubs fan?
by northernsails on May 14, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I know the site you speak....
They’re pretty full of themselves…
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on May 14, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Tim's site, I'll bet
They would rather be miserable and self-righteous than watch the Cubs win in spite of the team’s “failings” that they so dearly love to point out.
I cannot comment about other game blogs
but I can agree with thanking Al for this one.
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
by Cubbie-Tim on May 14, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like this site, too
I live in Vermont, so there are very few Cubs fans near me. Most people up here are Red Sox fans. It’s great to come here to talk baseball with Cubs fans, which is why I joined here.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 14, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for all your compliments about this site.
About the rest, I think I’ll just say nothing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Where in Mass?
I’m passing through on I-91 on Sunday.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 15, 2009 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions
There are OTHER Cubs blogs? The heck you say!
What would be the point of those?
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
remember the bad game threads?
they’re like that. ALL THE TIME.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd like to quote
Ron Burgundy for a moment. Go f*ck yourselves San Diego. Sweeep home Chicago, Go Cubs!
Someday we'll go all the way.
by Cubbinstrongsince86 on May 14, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions
Al, one funny moment today....
Was CSN panning into the dugout and Gameboard had Geo’s fully catching gear on while Geo was cracking up next to him.
I think the guy’s starting to relax….
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
ugh....."full" not "fully".
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on May 14, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
First sweep of San Diego at Wrigley in 10 years, I heard....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
We've had one since '84?
"Aramis Ramirez, with the guys I've ever played with in my career, is as clutch a hitter as I've seen. He smells it." -Ryan Dempster
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Excuse me.
It was actually at the end of April in 1999. The Cubs won 6-5, 2-1, and 3-2.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 14, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
So in every year ending in 9, the Cubs sweep the Padres at home?
Glad to know we have something to look forward to in 2019!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm looking forward to our sweep of Miami in 2015
“Cubs win World Series … sweep Miami?!?”
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 15, 2009 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions
cardinals up 2-0
rasmus hit it into the allegheny with a runner on
How do you know when the Cubs are playing well?
BLou seems to dissapear esp when his beloved perfect Cardinals are struggling lol
The Padres are really bad and I’ll take the sweep and the Astros aren’t much better, winning the series is very likely and then we get to run into a battered Cards team and then the Pads again and then the Pirates…the schedule is stacking up very nicely.
I'll take the sweep.
Today’s game reminded me a lot of this game last year.
I work afternoons, so it will be difficult for me to post my flag for afternoon games. I can make it for night games and weekend games.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 14, 2009 7:28 PM CDT reply actions
chirinos injured his leg tonight
left the game for daytona.
no idea, just looking at the running score
Oh NO! Ex-Lugnut down! Medic!!!!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
8 game winning streak :)
I just wanted to add that I had gone 0-41 from 1983-2006 during my times living in Chicago and then moving to NY to see Cubs play Mets/Yankees. Really pathetic.
Well since 2007 when I saw the Cubs defeat the Dodgers in LA I’ve officially gone to 8 consecutive wins which includes today. I saw them play at Yankee Stadium this year but that doesn’t count because it was an exhibition game.
I could also claim it’s a 9 game streak because I had tickets for last nights game but because of weather I couldn’t go.
I’m considering getting tickets for Saturday’s game. I’ll do my share in helping the Cubs win :)
Wow. Gotta say ak123 I thought my wife's streak of oh-for 1985-2006 was pretty bad
but I think you edged here out there. She was 0-16 at Wrigley until we went to an opening day that Greg Maddux won.
She’s seen a few wins since then and is also on a two game winning streak.
Glad to hear you finally got to see them win in person. It makes you appreciate it all the more.
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
Exactly
Now my Aunt insists she just saw the Cubs win their first game in person last year.
She bends the truth a lot but she insists she hadn’t seen them win a game since 1950 (she’d go to 1 or 2 games a year). She might be lying but I really don’t think so. She’s now 2-0 since we’ve been going to games.
Scales/Wells
Bobby Scales is really impressing me lately at least with hitting. Im not too sure how he is at fielding since i dont ever get any games (i live in southern wisconsin so i cant get local channels for Chicago and i cant get MLD TV ): )…. Also lets hope wells will keep up the good work, so far he has the potential to make it in the big leagues (to me at least) if he could go a couple more innings ( i heard that lou pulled him out early, though so i really dont know what hes capable of.)
Question to you guys: Is Scales a good fielder?
Also, why did Soriano go out in the 7th, PLEASE tell me it wasnt an injury
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 8:12 PM CDT reply actions
Theres no word on any Soriano injury, probably just becoming a blowout and gave him some time off.
Scales hasn’t been awful in the field or anything and he’s looked better at 2nd than 3rd. I’d say so far the jury is out on his fielding since he hasn’t had many chances. He’s been pretty amazing considering the original plan was probably only to have him on the team for a few days. Hopefully he’s not this years Eric Patterson who was good for a few weeks and then faded.
Ah, i was watching gameday when i got back from an exam and i saw that he was subbed for Freel so i panicked. My heart stopped for a few seconds
by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
C'mon Al - no full disclosure in any of your recaps?
Full disclosure in that Adrian Gonzalez is on your fantasy team??? ;-)
Now I know better than to suggest that Al would actually be cheering him on in any game situation against the Cubs, but after every Gonzalez homer, I swear when I looked up to where Al sits, I saw this shadowy little figure crouched down beneath the bleacher jumping up and down in silent joy. A yiddish leprechaun perhaps?
And I shall call him MiniAl…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Do I really have Gonzalez?
I haven’t really been paying that much attention, honestly.
Well, in that case, my fantasy team did well and the Cubs swept. Good times all around!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
National Anthem
I was in right-center, and I couldn’t hear the National Anthem at all today. The guys in front of me in right field starting singing their own version after a prolonged silence, and that’s all I could hear. I assume that’s not a normal occurrence?
I have to admit, it was pretty cool. There was quite a bit of singing today, between the anthem, the stretch, and go cubs go. It was a great game for me to fly up from Tulsa to see.
No one heard the national anthem on Thursday.
The microphone didn’t work. That’s the first time I can remember that happening.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wasn't on TV either. Len & Bob made a joke about it...
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
This happened in the left field bleachers, too.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
speaking of which
why was I allowed to go to a game without informing myselves?
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
What can I say?
I went rogue. Some day the great Mambochicken should attend a game together. Given the results of yesterday’s contest, I’m pretty sure the Cubs would win at least 22-3.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
if we went while Ted Lilly pitched
he would keep the other team from scoring with his mind.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't answer this guy regarding Heilman.
He’s the one who keeps saying that he should start. There’s no “status” regarding him; he simply hasn’t pitched the last two days because he wasn’t needed.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Can't help but interject that I'm sure
Heilman could have started for the Padres yesterday if he hadn’t beaten out Gaudin for a roster spot.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
I just need to add this here
SportsCenter tonight showed a graphic with the Dodgers record with Manny and now that he’s “on maternity leave”.
Hilarious.
Along with dpollitt
He will be out longer than Manny because he has to have babies for Reed Johnson AND Bobby Scales so that is 18 months at least.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 15, 2009 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions
On to Houston.
FYI, because of school I prob won’t get to that until the 4th inning either, apparently this may be a good thing. ;)
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
I think it's also important to note
that Hoff, although he didn’t have a hit, walked twice. That’s major important.
Yes, it is.
I have been impressed with Hoffpauir’s approach at the plate this year. At times he still looks bad striking out, but he has drawn some walks and cut down on the K’s.
If he can keep this up all year, he’ll have made himself into a useful bench player.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Hasn't been too terrible
defending first either. Especially since DLee is hurt/ineffective/injured/whatever. I’m NOT saying Micah’s defense is comparable to Lee’s, just saying it’s been adequate.
by northernsails on May 15, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions
he's a good backup.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 15, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
FYI
Macias but not a Jose hit a homerun today.
“Today, the wind was blowing out to RF at a higher reported speed (16 MPH) than last night, but perhaps due to the lower humidity, the balls weren’t carrying as much as they were last night. Gonzalez, who is now leading the major leagues with 14 homers, had the only dinger today.”
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
Well, Macias homers are eminently forgettable.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Cubs-Astros game starts at 3:10AM...
Today’s the first day that Cubs game broadcasted nationally live, Cubs-Astros, but it starts at 3AM here…
I want to join the game thread, but I’ll cross my finger whether I still can open my eyes then…
Hope Dome keeps his domination and hitting the other side of the field…
I hope they get the game in...
Weather isn’t supposed to cooperate today.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
Anyway...
I will program my HDD recorder and go to bed… don’t know I can stay awake 4 more hours….
by dragonsfanatic on May 15, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah, definitely is past my bedtime here in australia
my wife has to get up early so I may try to drag myself to the computer for the last inning or two..
I get all the sports channels I can get here, but so far only one Cubs game.. was the one where RJ robbed Fielder of a grand slam though.. so at least it was a good one to see!
by CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) on May 15, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
that sucks
but odd- that’s the one game I’ve been to this season.
by illinicubgirl on May 15, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
It was really nice meeting you and your friends, Al.
I was a little worried that if I showed up and the Cubs lost to Chad Gaudin, I’d be blacklisted forever. Fortunately, I cashed in some good karma for a blowout win on a beautiful day. (Didn’t hurt that the Padres were the opponent, either.)
More and more, this team is showing some of the traits that made last year’s squad so great. Patient ABs, high OBP, solid starting pitching and the capacity to add on runs late in the game. Let’s hope they can carry all of this over to the next few series – all of which appear fairly winnable (especially given the Cards injury woes).
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
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