Apres Le Deluge, Cubs Go For Two In A Row: Cubs vs. Pirates, Wednesday 5/27, 1:20 CT
by Al on May 27, 2009 11:30 AM CDT
in Game Threads
143 comments
Jake Fox (who will wear uniform #5) has been called up from Iowa, as first posted here by a friend of Fox's brother. (Yes, really!) As also posted here earlier today, Andres Blanco (uniform #13) and Jason Waddell (uniform #43) have been added to the 25-man (and 40-man, which now stands at 38) roster. Neal Cotts and Bobby Scales were sent to Iowa and Aaron Miles was placed on the 15-day DL (really? When did he get hurt?).
Meanwhile, Reed Johnson had words of wisdom for Milton Bradley:
"I told him, if you get behind in the count 0-1, you've got to believe in yourself that you're a good enough player to overcome one bad call in an at-bat," Johnson said. "If you fall behind because an umpire, you think, makes a bad call, that doesn't mean you have to shut down your at-bat and that at-bat is over."
You'd think this would be obvious, but Johnson explained why he felt he had to say that:
"You'd really be surprised," Johnson said. "Some of the 20 greatest players in the game, when they go through struggles, and this game is so humbling, that no matter how talented these guys are, that they have thoughts and doubts. They might not wear it on their sleeves."
Smart guy. That's what I'm talking about when I speak at times of "good clubhouse guys" or intangibles. Chris DeLuca summarizes the point:
Maybe Bradley is improving at the plate. But the Cubs need Bradley to improve his attitude. They need him to stop worrying about everyone from the umpires to the media to the fans being out to get him. They need him to focus on the game -- and only the game.
There's a little war of words going on between umpire Bob Davidson and Ted Lilly over Lilly's ejection from Monday's game:
Davidson said Lilly lied to the media afterward when discussing the incident. Did Davidson ever make contact with Lilly, as Lilly said Monday?
"There was no contact," Davidson said. "We never came close, on his part or mine. And everything he said to [the media] was bull. Everything I read in the paper that he said was untrue. He never said one of those words. What he said to me, you couldn't print in the paper."
Lilly said Monday he told Davidson to "concentrate."
Since there was no contact, Lilly is likely to be fined, but not suspended. What's most interesting in that article is this:
MLB umpiring supervisors grade umpires on a daily basis after reviewing videotapes.
Davidson said out of 215 pitches Monday, he was told he'd missed 10.
"Eight of them were pitches I called strikes that shouldn't have been," he said. "The other two, one went against Pittsburgh and one went against Chicago. My concentration was excellent."
So an umpire admits publicly that he missed the call on 4.7% of the pitches in a game? That seems like a large number to me -- any one of those could have changed the complexion of the game.
Finally, here are some fun facts about rain-shortened games: they are, as you might guess, relatively rare. The Cubs have now played two of them this year and won both. That's even rarer. Since divisional play began in 1969 the Cubs have played two or more rain-shortened games only eight times (1969, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1990, 1993, 1999 and 2006), and won two in one year only twice (1978, 1990). The last time the Cubs won two rain-shortened games at Wrigley Field in one season was 50 years ago, in 1959, when they won three of them.
| Today's Starting Pitchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zach Duke is having a fine year -- his best since his rookie season of 2005, during which he threw eight scoreless innings against the Cubs in his third major league start on July 16. However, this is a very different Cub team, and two of them in particular -- Alfonso Soriano (14-for-25, .560, 3 doubles, 2 HR) and Reed Johnson (6-for-14, .429, 2 doubles) hit him exceptionally well. Expect Johnson to start in CF today.
Carlos Zambrano's career mark vs. Pittsburgh isn't that great -- 10-6, 4.12 in 24 appearances (22 starts). However, none of the Pirates who could play in today's game have hit him well. The last time Z faced Pittsburgh, last August 26, he got cuffed around pretty good, but the Cubs won anyway -- Z had three no-decisions and a win in four starts vs. the Pirates last year.
The Cubs are back on WGN today; also on FSN Pittsburgh, which should be carried via EI. For today's other games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs |
143 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
1st
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!!
by cubsluver22 on May 27, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If anybody can find video of Zambrano attempting to "fix" the broken Gatorade dispenser, please share.
I was cracking up watching that the other day. I actually feel good about today’s game; the last two games we have scored runs and actually been decent to watch. Keep it flowin’, Big Z.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That was hilarious
Wish I had a video of it.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
by danimal15 on May 27, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hooray! Aaron Miles WILL NOT PLAY IN THIS GAME!
Now if we can just get him off the roster for good. I live in anticipation.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 27, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OMG that is
hilarious, and so wrong at the same time.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Muskat with the Cubs Lineup
No Fox today.
LF Soriano, SS Theriot, RF Bradley, 1B Lee, CF Johnson, C Soto, 3B Freel, 2B Blanco and P Zambrano
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/527_roster_moves_update_lineup.html
Also, Marmol is back today after his daughter Caroline was born and is doing well.
by Qixotl on May 27, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Z should be batting
7th in this order
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Riot at 2B and Blanco at SS as well
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 27, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who is this guy Freel that you speak of? Is he imaginary?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on May 27, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is friend of Farney
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on May 27, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Props for Lee at cleanup
It’s about time.
by lswaidz on May 27, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Andy White thrown immediately into the fire.
I guess Lou doesn’t want Fontenot facing a tough lefty like Duke.
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And given Fox's inability (perceived or otherwise) to stay back on breaking balls
Duke might not be the best matchup for Fox to see out of the gate. Though if he’s hitting .423 in Triple-A, he’s got to be hitting some of the soft-tossing guys down 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 May 27, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hope he gets an AB 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
by Fishbone2 on May 27, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
.
10 out of 215 is probably a good job.
If it was a bad job, why would he even mention it?
You don’t brag to the media about doing things incorrectly.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So if a judge convicts 10 innocent people out of 215
Is he also doing a good job? What if he lets 10 guilty people off…? I think that level of error is unacceptable for a major league umpire. There should not be more than 1 or 2 bad calls in a game. I have noticed much more varied strike zones this year, especially at Wrigley… it’s as if the umps have free reign to call whatever they want, on any player… especially on checked swings… no offense to any ump, but checked swing calls really need to go down the bases… that really grinds my gears.
by lswaidz on May 27, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So....
In your reality you’re comparing convicts to baseballs? Is the umpire able to hear both sides after a pitch is thrown? Does he ask the catcher to state his defense as to why it is a strike and the batter as to why it is a ball?
I think you’re taking this over the edge a little. You missed the point and took it to an absolute extreme here.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think the MLB review team uses pitch f/x
thus your “point” is invalid because video review is unlikely to corroborate pitch fx absolutely.
by Jerry Mumphrey on May 27, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you
have any better statistics we can use? Or would it be better to stay in denial and keep complaining about pitching that happened days ago?
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not about pitching that happened days ago
it’s about the umpires consistently not doing their job properly.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
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 27, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and again
I ask, where and when have you ever seen perfect umpiring? If it’s out there then it should be used.
Human error must equate for something.
I can see exactly why this place blows up every time the cubs lose a couple games. They expect perfection, which is why they’re constantly being let down.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
but there have been some very very bad instances of pitch calling this year. It’s gotten to the point where I trust Milton Bradley’s ball calling over the umpires.
That, combined with their increasing aggressive desire to be part of the game, as opposed to umpiring the game makes me feel that the umpires need a shake-up.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're still not coming to a consensus here.
We have an umpire that missed less than 5% of the pitches called.
An average umpire misses almost 17% of pitches called.
You’re all complaining that this particular umpire sucks and should make fewer mistakes.
1+ 2 +3 is not adding up.
Obviously, some umpires do need to be dealt with. In this case, Davidson did his job more adequately than his average peer does.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
we have an umpire who CLAIMS to have missed less than 5% of the pitches he called.
Without knowing what the measuring system is, we cannot take his word at face value, especially with the level of antagonism he is displaying.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
I don’t think Davidson used Pitch f/x to grade his game calling. He probably used video replay which has a human error factor to it as well.
So, comparing a 5% error, as judged by video replay, to a 17% error as judged by pitch f/x is not accurate. I would be interested to see what pitch f/x has to say about Davidson’s accuracy from the other night.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the calls missed
do they include a foul ball called fair, a missed tag, or strictly pitches called ball and strike. if that is the case, do they only count those which there was no swing, or do they include those that the batter swings at (which the ump doesnt need to call, its pretty much a gimme). The % i would want to know, is the pitchers that the ump has to make a decision on (i.e. no swing on the pitch) and the margin should be no more than 3 1/2 % IMO.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on May 27, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well..
there were 244 pitches in that game.
It’s probably safe to say that doesn’t include the 13 hits. 244- 13 = 231
Leaving us with 16 pitches unaccounted for. Fouls? Swinging strikes? There were probably more than 16 of them.
Who knows which ones they count and don’t count. But I’d say you’d count all the non-swinging pitches at least.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The human error factor
I can deal with because it will generally even out over the course of a game.
It’s the aggressiveness of the umpires that gets to me as well. They are supposed to remain nameless, call balls, strikes and outs. It’s when they start ripping off their masks, approaching the players, inviting further confrontation that it becomes too much and, like Drew said, a shake-up is needed.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Let's just not wildly overstate the value of our statistics.
Pitch f/x is not the same method employed by the MLB head of umpires and we’ll never know how the systems compare to each other. They probably differ to a high degree because one is created by supervisory umpires and the other one by bloggers.
by Jerry Mumphrey on May 27, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes instead let's just ignorantly claim things without backing them up
Pitch F/X was not created by bloggers, it was created by MLB. It is distinctly possible that the umpires are using this system as well because it’s more accurate than anything else out there.
by Wreckard on May 27, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The article
said
MLB umpiring supervisors grade umpires on a daily basis after reviewing videotapes.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
I’m comparing the jobs of each, to act as an impartial mediator, and to enact pre-established rules or laws. An umpire is very much like the “judge” of the baseball field, and as such is responsible for making accurate, and proper judgement of establish MLB rules. The strikezone is in he rule book, and is not up for interpertation. The ability to accurately call balls and strikes based upon the predefined zone is a part of their job, and if they’re not doing their job, than someone else who can do it should be brought in. That’s all.
by lswaidz on May 27, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Logic fail.
"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 27, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A judge has more than a second to mull over a legal question
The 10 out of 215 seemed pretty bad to me too, but these are decisions that have to be made essentially instantaneously.
by ChipSet on May 27, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure
but an ump doesn’t have 250 years of judicial precedence to consider either.
Is it over the plate?
Yes?
Is it above the knees and below the shoulders?
No?
Then it’s a strike. Otherwise, it’s a ball. Unless the player swings, then even a ball is a strike. Unless it’s a foul-tip.
It’s not THAT complicated. It’s hard because of how fast they have to move, but we’re not talking rocket science here.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not trying to rip on the poster...
…but this judge analogy just isn’t doing it for me. Kinda like Lou’s Burger King Whopper analogy.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
especially is over 100 are pitches that the batter swings at
that wold double or more the error margin
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 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When your name is Bob Davidson you do.
He seems to think he’s the attraction at the game; on Monday night, Dempster asked where a pitch was (probably in more colorful language) and Davidson ripped off his mask and started hollering at him.
Brenly was on his case about it, saying that Davidson doesn’t allow for much dialogue, often escalating matters instead of letting a pitcher plead his case.
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 May 27, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brenly was also
ripping into Davidson about the erratic strike zone. I find it hard to believe that he only got 10 pitches wrong.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just find it funny
that you’d brag about incorrectly calling 8 strikes. I don’t brag about my press release that has 1 typo in it.
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 May 27, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone
Can sit there and cry about umpiring, but there are no perfectly called games in any sport. Nothing in life is perfect.
You can live in the past and pout or you can move on and play the next game.
If he’s calling only 4.7% of pitches incorrectly when the average is 16.8%, then consider yourself lucky.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, but it's out of place to brag about it.
What happened to the phrase “the best umpires are the ones you never notice.”?
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 May 27, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
5%
I’m willing to give an ump a 5% margin for error. That’s the same probability of rolling a 1 in D&D. That’s a comparison I can live with!
by trefrog66 on May 27, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not on
1×4d
1×6d
1×8d! :P
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
5%
I was a reporter for a major national publication for 9 years. We were allowed a 5% error rate. That means 1 in every 20 facts in my articles may have been wrong, and that was OK. Basically, we were allowed one correction for every 20 articles. If it went above that, you could get into trouble.
Of course, there are mistakes, and there are mistakes. In journalism, spelling a name wrong is a frustrating mistake, but it happens to every reporter. Getting a story so seriously wrong that the paper gets sued – that’s on another level.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
by danimal15 on May 27, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Typical type 1 error rate in the social sciences is .05
or 5/100 chances will you find a false positive.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know someone who was flunked out of J-grad school for misspelling Daley's name
so your ex-publication was very lenient.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, can the damn game start already?
This isn’t the NBA, our refs are much, much better than those no-talent ass-clowns.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah really
the MLB doesn’t have to really worry about the refs giving Pujols or Manny bail out pitches.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
technical balks?
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well of course there are those
everybody knows about technical balks, just part of the game.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is true
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on May 27, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the fact that someone finally got it that something had to be done with Cotts and
Miles. I woulda thought Heilman would also have gotten a chance to have a “15 day mental health vacation”.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on May 27, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I told myself
I’d pay no mind to baseball for at least a week. That was Sunday. Today, I’m once again, breaking my promises. At this rate, I’ll never be able to quit smoking.
However, the Champions League final will always trump any other sporting event. I’m looking forward to a nice 1-1 draw and a big financial windfall if Xavi and CR7 score.
I <3 today’s moves. Especially Erin Inches’ “demotion.” Maybe the Nats wanna take him.
Missed [most of] you the last few days. Hope you all are doing fine, and for a Cubs win today.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL Soccer?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 27, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do grown men wear silk shorts and knee high socks?
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on May 27, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gotta love ignorant folks like this
by AzCubfan24 on May 27, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I's are a Illinios Hi Skool Grad-u-ate!
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on May 27, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i gots me an
Chikago Publick Skool Edumajacation
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 27, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The big citi
I’s from the contree. Sckool marm wont let’s us du to much redding and riting
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on May 27, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too late to book it now
I don’t want Barça to win—ever—but I’m riding a few C notes on a tie and overtime.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ill take a Man United win via pk's. certainly would be exciting!
by AzCubfan24 on May 27, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's my ideal outcome
I’m not too fond of them either, but Barça is one of my top-hated teams, along with the Packers and White Sux.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Booo!
How are you?
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
alright
but my boss is gone today! so i’m heading across the street around 1:20 to try and set myself up so I can watch both the cubs and champions league..
by illinicubgirl on May 27, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tambien bien, gracias
I “got scheduled for an MRI for my herniated disc at 2 p.m. And Northwestern always flubs the scheduling, and the study takes about an hour to complete. I don’t know if I’ll make it back to the office today.”
That’s my plausible excuse.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Fukudome...
just never plays against LHP I guess.
by kanderber on May 27, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
RJ hits lefties really well, careerwise.
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it was stated very early on that centerfield would be a platoon
this is what a platoon is. By the way, Fuku had a nice homer yesterday, but he’s still just 3 for his last 18. It’s not like we’re taking a super hot bat out of the lineup
by WanderingWanderer on May 27, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Johnson should always play against left handed pitching
That’s his main asset to this team.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's also...
3 for his last 13 with 4 walks.
by kanderber on May 27, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He hasn't exactly gotten off to a slambang start...
…but, IIRC, Lou has used him vs. RHP several times. Plus, Reed still has less than 100 PAs, so I think the jury is still out on him.
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: Dave Matthews' classic new album
DMB’s best album since Before These Crowded Streets. Listen @ Pandora now, free. Can’t wait for release next Tuesday and my super deluxe edition to arrive. RIP LeRoi.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is
a good album. Listened to it twice now, sitting in the CD player in the car.
by jxmetal1 on May 27, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Monday June 1st on Fuse they are airing a live concert. Cant wait
by AzCubfan24 on May 27, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My buddy's gonna be there.
Only something like 3k seats, and he got one from the Warehouse, lucky bastard.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's illlllllegallllllll.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice!
Is that thing going all day, do you know? I don’t have audio at work, but definitely want to check it out.
Who’d they replace LeRoi with?
by kanderber on May 27, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's been online for a week or so.
It won’t work in Firefox, so try IE. LeRoi was replaced by Jeff Coffin, who previously worked with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. Both him and Rashawn Ross appear on their first DMB album with Big Whiskey.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
Thx. Heard the single on itunes and was intrigued. Will have to check this out myself…
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on May 27, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me a lot of
Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash, Before these Crowded Streets…all their old stuff that everybody loves and spanned generations. LeRoi’s death really lit a fire under the guys.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm thinking we see a Z bomb today
Also I think we see Soriano get one, its been a while.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 12:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Note that Davidson
gives the breakdown on the strikes called for balls (1 for each team), but not on the balls called for strikes (8 total—guess who benefitted?). He sucked and sounds defensive about it.
Have I mentioned lately that I love Ted Lilly?
by dfrancon on May 27, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"MLB umpiring supervisors grade umpires on a daily basis after reviewing videotapes"
Wait a minute…hold the flipping phone!
As I understand it, they got rid of questec because the umps didn’t like it. Now they review the balls and strikes with videotape? How do they manage that? Dugout cams? CF camera? Overhead camera? The main view we get on TV suffers from a perspective issue due to the angle over the pitchers shoulder, is that corrected for the review commitee? Is this related to Pitch F/X in any way? For that matter how exactly does pitch f/x work? Why is Bob Davidson telling us his missed strikes were impartial if he offers no account of the benefactors of the 8 missed balls?
So. Many. Questions.
by Jerry Mumphrey on May 27, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
which is why I think he will get a talk from his bosses
saying shut up about our secret system.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ixnay
on the ufoay…
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably Pitch F/X.
They got rid of Questec because they had the Sportsvision/Pitch F/X system, which is better anyway.
by cwyers on May 27, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Howdy, Colin, long time no talk.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been around.
Mostly in FanPosts. It’s tiring, though, performing sabermagic all the time. (Plus, I have this “job” that they keep insisting I do more of.)
by cwyers on May 27, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it's always good to read your take on things.
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've started reading Beyond the Boxscore a bit more.
I don’t feel comfortable posting about much yet, but after my multivariate class this semester, I’m starting to learn some things.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Life has just improved
for me as a Cub Fan without Neil Cotts haunting me.
How wonderful!
OH! JOY!
BLISS!!!
All is well until the games begin.
by The E-Man on May 27, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
10 out of 215
is misleading. If there were 215 pitches, and the batters swumg at, say 145 of them, then the ump truly missed 10 out of 70 which is much worse. To get a true idea of how many he missed (by percent) would need to remove the pitches that the batter took a swing at, and then calculate how many he messed up.
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 27, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Umps
The late Ron Luciano was one umpire who talked quite openly about the calls he got wrong. He said he always knew immediately that he’d messed up, “But I made sure the whole ballpark knew that I’d gotten it right” with his body language. (He used to point his finger and “shoot” runners when he called them out.)
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
by danimal15 on May 27, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reason number 1,109,103 why MLB sucks
They want me to pay 20 bucks to watch in-game highlights on gameday. A service that was free last season, and didn’t work during the “free trial” of gameday earlier this season.
What a joke.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is why the iPhone application is a steal.
$10 gets you the entire season’s worth of live, streaming audio, anywhere you can use your iPhone and headphones. It’s $15 normally for a computer. This includes in-game highlights. And they’ve just updated it so the previous day’s games have that 10 minute everything-you-could-want-to-see highlight reel. I seriously question why MLB is selling it, because for $10 and their stupidity, I would think they would charge 3 or 5 times that amount.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm gonna have to look into that
Do the highlights actually work?
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
It’s YouTube quality, but if Soriano hits a homer, by the next inning it’ll be up on my phone as a 30 or 90 second video clip. The best is like I said, the new 10 minute entire game summary video. Great if you miss something. I have the old, first generation phone (back when they were $700), so I’m certain with a 3G network the load time is drastically decreased. Do you guys have cell phones in Columbia?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cell phones haven't reached most of Missouri yet
I had to return to Illinois to get mine.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This kind?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES, they work.
The iPhone app is simply incredible. My only gripe is with AT&T… unlike US Cellular and Verizion, you can’t use them in the CTA tunnels, so on occasion i’m without the live game feed while on the red or blue lines.
Honestly, i bought the thing not expecting much and have fallen in love. I’d pay $50. Its incredible. And if you have an iPhone, there is no purpose for the traditional computer based options… spend the $10, and use the left over $5 to buy a headphone splitter so you can run your iPhone’s headphone jack directly to your computer or home stero’s speakers.
"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 27, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is exactly what I do.
Now I literally never miss a game—either watching it or listening to it while at school, working out, etc.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Underrated part of the MLB feeds vs WGN...
… commercial free. Every commercial break you hear nothing but the noise from inside Wrigley. The organ, the announcer… its great.
"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 27, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the same
But something really odd is happening, if you listed thru MLB Mediacenter, you don’t get the full gameday but it let’s you see the highlights….so what I do is I have Gameday and separately the audio thru the Mediacenter link so I can also see the highlights too.
Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue
by tony412 on May 27, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The whole thing is a joke
it should be free, charge for audio and video, but let us watch gameday and the highlights without having to pay.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on May 27, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fleita says "Fox is putting up Nintendo-like numbers"
on the pregame show. “We’re hot on him.”
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on May 27, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At least he didn't say, "We're hot FOR him."
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any line-ups yet? Anyone? Bueller... Bueller...
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on May 27, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
From Muskat way above.
Be careful, don’t make any women-reporter jokes.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whattup, Jimmy.
See top of the thread – sixth or seven post.
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks fellas... and I won't disparage any women.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JIMMY
if I am correct, somewhere above, it was posted quoted from a reporter of the female gender whom we have been asked to not bash on a personal level, happens to be a post with the line up
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 27, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
SOB! Zambrano's batting average is as good, or better than four of our position players
and .238 aint that good
by WanderingWanderer on May 27, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
but he can bunt for hits better
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 27, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yet should only be allowed to transport between home and 1st base...
… via teleportation.
"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 27, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
is Fox a poor mans Manny
hits HR or bust, with no defense?
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 27, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good god I hope so.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 27, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is this Susan Boyle singing the anthem?
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.
by dat cubfan daver on May 27, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL
is ON THE AIR!
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and I cant hear it
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 27, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry
I’ll do pbp as much as I can. but I’m actually running my 2pm meeting, so they’ll notice if I drop off the call…
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what would be hilarious is if you announced the PBP to the meeting
and starting telling us about cost overruns
by WanderingWanderer on May 27, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
