Z out 2 to 4 weeks?

Hopefully that's not the case...

If it is the case, then I’m disappointed that we brought up Samardzija to the bullpen, now, as he had the best stuff of the options down there.

Hopefully the injury bug will stop biting us soon.

That said, it sounds like they might be taking the right approach to protect the mechanics. Keeping Zambrano’s arm healthy is the most important thing.

by SouthernCub on May 4, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep, a situation like this is exactly why...

…Samardzija was in Iowa in the first place – as rotation insurance. It still seems like the Cubs cashed in that policy way too early. It’ll be interesting to see how Hendry and Lou handle this.

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 4, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree...

Especially because Samardzija has come up and pitched almost exclusively at the end of blowout losses. Vizcaino (or just about anybody) was capable of filling that role adequately enough.

But, oh well, what’s done is done. I agree – it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

by SouthernCub on May 4, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People were calling for Hendry’s head with the bull pen that he assembled. It was good to bring him up, get a little stability, considering it is too early in the season to get help via trade. Randy Wells is a fine solution for the time being.

If you really want to get mad, blame Hendry for not getting a better bull pen or trading jason marquis

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on May 4, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How has Samardzija provided stability?

He’s barely pitched.

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 4, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

the bullpen has stabilized, and without the Shark. Guzman is really doing well, Heilman has become a gold-mine (that one day excepted), and Gregg is fine.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a wonderful decision he made...

Missing 3-4 starts, potentially screwing up his delivery.

Yesirree, I’m always thrilled when Zambrano thinks up a new thing to do.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh come on...

… Z could have hurt himself running the bases, fielding, or tripping over his cat while getting out of bed this morning.

Anybody who asks me (and others, judging on the previous threads) to begrudge him for essentially TRYING HARD isn’t going to get far. When he’s starting, he represents 1/9th of the teams chances to cross home plate. Those runs count just as much as anybody else’s and if anything, his ability to hit well and the fact that it was a close game makes this even MORE justifiable.

He may miss a few games, and if things go poorly, this may result in a few more L’s than we’d have had if he hadn’t gotten hurt. Don’t tell me this is any worse than Dome or Sori getting hurt in terms of W’s and L’s. Should THEY not run hard on the bases?

If you want to cheer for a team that doesn’t expect its pitchers to run the basses as hard as anybody else, change leagues.

"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 4, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

typing through that rear view mirror...

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on May 4, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well I'm sure when he gets back he will

heed your – and many others – word and no longer engage in any of those antics thats might detract from his pitching prowess – if only we had the dh!!!

by doofus cubs guy on May 4, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

beating a dead horse

But Z could have pulled that hammy running out a grounder. He’s a maximum effort player and he gives maximum effort. Too many fans want it both ways, boo guys for jogging to first base and hate guys for running hard.

by jeff_pico on May 4, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I am angry with him for doing something stupid

And costing the team at least three starts and possibly endangering his pitching motion.

I’m sure it was all worth it though, for the priviledge of watching a pitcher run hard.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't know

that he’ll miss three starts. You don’t know if his pitching motion will be effected.

Z’s bunt is like the Swine Flu of BCB. Cmon.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2-4 weeks is at LEAST three starts

And the whole reason they are holding him out so long is because they are afraid he’ll screw up his pitching motion.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it's a 15-day DL stint

he could miss just two starts. Zambrano is scheduled to pitch May 8, which he would miss, along with a start on May 14, if the Cubs don’t juggle the rotation with an off day on May 11.

Zambrano would be back on May 19, just in time for the St. Louis series. He’d miss starts at Milwaukee and versus San Diego.

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 4, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or they keep him there for another stint

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cmon

let’s not over-react here. Geez.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll admit that they could.

And I wouldn’t want Zambrano to be rushed back at the expense of his mechanics.

Now, I don’t know the results of the MRI (and it’s not clear that Bruce Levine does either), but I could see the Cubs seeing how Zambrano reacts over the next four days and then deciding on Friday whether or not to skip a start and/or DLing him.

But, this issue seems far less ominous than his sore shoulder last year.

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 4, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's

IF they put him on the DL at all. All we have is speculation so far.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since you seem to be fixated on results

We won that game. We don’t know the results of the games without him yet. And since we won’t know whether his was a good decision until after we’ve won or lost those games, I don’t see the point in your lamentations.

by redward on May 4, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll gladly take it...

… for the privilege of watching my team win while PLAYING HARD.

Nobody is denying the unfortunate nature of the situation. But asking players to play less hard in situations where they can directly influence the outcome of the game is asinine at best.

"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 4, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Z has the most impact on a game

by pitching, not by hitting. And certainly not be baserunning.

He main job description is to take the ball every fifth day and pitch 7+ innings. Everything else is secondary

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Untill you show me the Cubs employee handbook...

… where it clearly states “our pitchers are pitchers only, and their attempts to do anything else on the field are discouraged”, i simply can’t buy in to your view.

Winning games is the goal. Sure, Z pitching well is one fairly obvious way he can help reach that goal. But he has clearly demonstrated his ability to hit. Using this second tool to help win games shouldn’t even be WORTH discussing. Hes as likely to get hurt running the bases as anything else. The reward outweighs the risk, and whining and moaning about it the next day after an injury is pointless. It was a freak injury that resulted from a guy doing something he’s PAID to do.

Its a pointless argument anyways, i suppose, as nobody who really MATTERS in the world seems to take the view that he shouldn’t be trying to hit, and trying to reach base when he does. Z doesn’t care, Lou doesn’t care…

"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 4, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, I hope he,

or anyone else on the team for that matter, never hustles again. It’s just too damn dangerous.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's see if Ramirez can break his neck

Diving into the stands for a foul ball! Won’t the hustle impress us all!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, no, no

I’m with ya. In fact, let’s not even put our best players on the field anymore. Just too risky…

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, they should live in Wrigley

So they can avoid the inherent risk in driving to the stadium.

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets just call up everyone in iowa...

… to save our good players for October!

"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 4, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we may need AAA players in October,

it is too cold to use MLB players, so bring up AA now instead for safety

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 4, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, in that case...

… it seems fairly inevitable that all the trips out to the mound pose a risk to Lou’s health. We may need to sit him a rest ’till October as well…

"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 4, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worf,

I think it’s time you dropped this, these analogies don’t even make sense. this topic has been exhausted and it’s clear that you are in the minority of people who are whining about our players giving their maximum effort.

by wewantwood on May 4, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. And, as for your user name,

TWSS

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's entitled to his opinion

Especially if he’s in the minority. But you are correct that his analogies are a bit stretched.

by Arbusto on May 4, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree he's entitled to his opinion

but he’s making some pretty outlandish statements to support his argument—not to mention the fact that he has probably accumulated close to 100 posts rehashing the same tired opinion.

by wewantwood on May 4, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hustle without intelligence

is slapstick.

Given Zambrano’s disregard for his body, I wonder if he even stretched Sunday.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not

He was prolly hungover too.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And tragedy + time = comedy.

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 4, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you

really think he’s stupid or something?

by tizzle on May 4, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who did he kill in your family? Worf this is obviously a personal intense dislike to question whether or not he stretched?

I was at the game he did in fact stretch.

Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 4, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seeing as though this happened in the 5th...

I don’t think that point is valid.

"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 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1,000,000,000,000

by Reed's Johnson on May 4, 2009 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine, so let's have the outfielders crash headfirst into the ivy

Because there is a 10 percent chance they will catch and hold onto the ball.

Raise the pitch count to 200. Let’s see how tough and hard they are!

You say unfortunate. I say preventable.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

IIRC

Sam Fuld made an amazing catch into the bricks a few years ago late in september. He was lauded.

Dome made two good catches yesterday — one into the wall, and one a diving catch to end the game. Should he do neither because of the danger of injury? After all, it’s his job to stay healthy, apparently.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, that is their job

If Dome ever gets called on to pitch and starts snapping off screwballs and breaks his wrist, that would be the equivalent comparison.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh.

this is a never ending debate.

This is the national league. He’s expected to bat, he’s expected to run, he’s expected to go all out to win.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Philadelphia Phillies

won the World Series last year. That means they beat the entire National League to win the pennant.

Somehow, their pitchers managed to providing winning baseball without stealing a single base. Seriously, no Phillies pitcher stole a base last year. No Phillies pitcher hit a home run or a triple. Only one pitcher, Hamels, had a batting average over .200 in at least 10 AB.

However did they manage without their pitchers being well-rounded baseball machines?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

We should trade our entire staff for the Phillies’.

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow! And just think what it may have been like...

… if they had an athletically capable guy like Z batting 9th every 5th day, freaking out pitchers and putting runs across the plate! Even easier, right? That would have been FUN to watch.

Although I’m sure the Phillies would have the good sense to tell a guy of Z’s intensity to just not try when he came up to bat… and he’d go along with it, right?

"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 4, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know what's even more fun to watch

A World Series victory parade.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Move to Philly.

Z’s injuries from running the bases aren’t the reason for the 100 year drought. And your indignation over him doing so isn’t getting us any closer.

"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 4, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasnt Julian Tavarez

booed for NOT hstling on a hit in the infield, now Z is being ripped for huistling and trying to win?

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 4, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm ripping him

for pulling a completely unnecessary stunt. It’s the equivalent of a fielder diving into the stands for a ball five rows deep.

And I’m ripping him for being unavailable for the next 2-4 weeks.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1) it wasn’t a stunt. It was an at bat that he took advantage of to do something unexpected.

2) You don’t know how long he will be out. You have Bruce Miles’ speculation.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

you mean Levine, but same difference.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, right

too many Bruces, eh Bruce?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't bring me down!!!

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 4, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you need me.

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're lookin' good

Just like a snake in the grass
One of these days
You’re gonna break your glass

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 4, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to be an ELO nazi or anything

But the lyrics say “gruss” not “bruce” :P

by daeviant on May 4, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is a big difference.

Bruce Levine talks out of his butt most of the time.

Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 4, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Attention, no photoshop here. Please?

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

by N Oakley on May 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Huh? Photoshop? If you’re referring to my avatar I think it’s inconsequental. If Al asks me to change it or remove it I gladly will.

Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 4, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not talking

about your avatar. He was talking about your saying Bruce talks out his butt.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you

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

by N Oakley on May 4, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow . . . and I thought it was bad when I needed Allie to explain "Itchu" to me

I’m glad you had the patience for that, Sue!

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

I followed the ’itchu" comments last night. Entertaning stuff. :D

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Thanks right after I responded with that I realixed he was probably referring to something else.

Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 4, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont know much

about Levine, but Miles seems to write very well and I enjoy his insight. The only other Cubs beat writer I’ve heard much from is Sully and I’m not convinced he doesn’t also pull stuff out of his butt.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just

got the name wrong, that’s all.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additionally, i'm going to go ahead and assume from your comment...

… that the Phillies pitching staff suffered no injuries last year, be it from running the bases or otherwise. Right?

Oh god, Z tried to hard while batting, our season is over.

"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 4, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had four guys

Make at least 30 starts, including a 45-year-old man. Make of that what you will.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will make of that exactly what it means...

… they got lucky and possibly have some good staff keeping their players healthy. Teams don’t go the entire year without injury. This is common sense.

Z got hurt doing his job. His plate appearances aren’t just for show. The phillies had a good year, but i doubt any of their pitchers were mailing it in when they got up to bat. Just because they aren’t as good at is as Z is doesn’t mean we should blast him for getting hurt while doing it.

"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 4, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems to me the Cubs won a big game in Houston a few years ago

With a Zambrano homerun keying the comeback.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your logic means nothing in these parts...

"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 4, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you won games based on pitchers hitting homers

The 2003 Cubs would have been in the World Series.

The sun shines on a dog’s ass once in a while. That doesn’t mean you should count on it.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitchers get hurt running the bases once in a while...

… that doesn’t mean you should count on it.

Z has been a valuable offensive weapon for us of late.

"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 4, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Won't be for the next 2-4 weeks

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that was my point.

But as you say, the logic means nothing around here….

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

07 Rockies

No SB, No HR, NO 3B. Two guys over .200 in 10 AB.

The 06 Cardinals did have some pop. No SB. Two HR (Mulder and Wainright) and one 3B (Marquis)

05 Astros — No HR. Brandon Backe did steal a base and hit two triples.

You don’t have to have pitchers being hitters to win the NL.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don’t have to have pitchers being hitters to win the NL...

… but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

You are missing the point. Just because its been done doesn’t mean we should try. You are never going to convince most of the rational universe that Z shouldn’t run the bases hard. You CERTAINLY aren’t going to convince him or his manager.

"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 4, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, let's try to reinvent baseball!

That’ll break the drought!

Pitch counts – 250!
Have 3-4-5 hitters bunting for base hits
Tell Fontenot to swing for the fences

Shake it up! Try something new!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worf

dood. Cmon. You’re going over the top again.

Pitchers batting in the NL is a decades-long tradition. And Fukudome, as a #3 batter, has bunted for a hit before. Fontenot has hit several home runs. Lou told Riot to try to drive the ball more, and we’ve seen him hit two home runs in two days. Lou told Lee to stand more upright at the plate, and HE’s hit two home runs in two days.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

worf dont waste your time... they are here to see the sideshow know as Z the hitter

by Reed's Johnson on May 4, 2009 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Piniella has had to use his bench in an unconventional fashion, but said he probably won’t stop using Zambrano as a pinch-hitter when he returns. The Cubs invested $91.5 million in Zambrano so he can pitch, but Piniella isn’t worried about risking another leg injury on the basepaths.

“Look, we had no choices,” he said. "We’re trying to win baseball games, and he’s a good pinch-hitter. That has nothing to do with him getting hurt… He laid down a good bunt, it was a 2-2 ballgame. I know a lot of people say ‘Why did he bunt?’ Well, if he had hit a ball off the wall and hurt it trying to go into second with a double, (would they say) he should’t have hit a double?

“I don’t get the reasoning.”

Zambrano, who felt it pull three steps from the first base bag, referred to it as “my flat tire.” He also doesn’t understand why anyone would consider it a risk to let him pinch-hit when he doesn’t start. He said he’s an all-around player, and will do anything he can to help his team win.

“This is the National League,” he said. “In the National League, you have to be athletic and have to be able to do everything… Pinch-hitting had nothing to do with this.”

But pinch-hitters have to run to get on base.

“Well, I wasn’t running hard,” he said. “I pinch-hit three times. The first time I had a base hit, it was a 3-2 count and I wasn’t running hard. The second one was a fly ball to centerfield. I didn’t run hard. The third time I struck out. So it was not running.”

So he thinks Piniella will still use him as a pinch-hitter?

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s up to (Piniella). But I will be able to do whatever they need me to do.”

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/05/cubs-zambrano-discusses-my-flat-tire.html

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 5, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, Fontenot does swing for the fences.

There’s only one other player on the team with more home runs.

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 4, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he meant Theriot?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 4, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

but Riot has had some powah too.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LSU

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 4, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

proposal

From now on every Cub pitcher intentionally strikes out or takes all pitches in order to try to get a walk. Its just not worth the risk to let these guys up there possibly throwing out arms swinging pitches or hamstrings running the bases.

j/k

by jeff_pico on May 4, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, can't take a walk. Then he'd be on base.

However, a swing risks injury. So, in the unfortunate event that a walk DOES occur, the pitcher is to very slowly start walking twoards second, so as to be an easy out, but avoid the pickoff throw hitting him.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

I realized that walks are indeed dangerous also. That seems like the best way to take care of that.

by jeff_pico on May 4, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hope it's still funny

When we’re watching Shark’s fourth start.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lighten up Francis.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 4, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only funny thing going on here...

… is the continued insistence that Z was wrong to run the basses at 100% effort.

"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 4, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, apparently

He can’t run from here to there without pulling a muscle and losing the chance to do his primary job for 2-4 weeks.

Some pitchers are also athletes. Rich Harden comes to mind. Jason Marquis comes to mind.

Zambrano is four cheesburgers away from being David Wells.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are really becoming tiresome. You know that?

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 4, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are right...

… everything we’ve seen this season has shown that Z is incapable of stepping up to the plate without injury.

"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 4, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

with or without the WS rings?

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 4, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many of those rings

Did Wells win by running all that hard in NL parks?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're suggesting

that Z is more fragile than Harden?
Somebody has jumped the shark, and I don’t mean Spellcheck.

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many starts has Harden missed in a Cub uniform?

He doesn’t seem to get all crampy either

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? Harden rarely

takes the ball every 5th day and you think he’s never missed a start as a Cub.

Cripes, he frequently goes on 6 and 7 days rest and by definition misses his start if the standard is 5 days.

You’re off on your rant, but this point won’t help.

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

by N Oakley on May 4, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Zambrano

had 28 hits in 2009, four of which were home runs, so you expect he didn’t have to run too fast around the bases for those. So for 24 hits, he was running as fast as he could, legging it out. How many muscles did he pull in his legs that year?

Zero.

In 2008, he had 20 hits, two of which were home runs. Putting both years together, he had 44 hits. How many muscles did he pull in his legs in 2008?

Zero.

This is a freak occurrence. Carlos Zambrano is ABSOLUTELY an athlete. He’s a better hitter than either Harden or Marquis, and he lives to win.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2009=2008

Or can you see into the future? If so, what are tomorrow’s lotto numbers?

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are tottally missing the point

It happened this year as a freak accident. Proving it was a freak accident drew should how he hit just as much the past 2 years without injury running the bases.

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm simply putting the concept

that Zambrano can’t run the bases without injuring himself to the test of his stats, which do NOT support the concept that he can’t run the bases without injuring himself.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one bunt is a small sample size

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 4, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was referring to this:

had 28 hits in 2009, four of which were home runs, so you expect he didn’t have to run too fast around the bases for those.

Because he hasn’t hit that many this year… That is all. I find myself always agreeing with you and didn’t mean to bring your point down.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was a typo

My apologies. You caught it. :) Yes, I meant 2008.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one thinks what happened is funny

With the probable exception of the Brewers fans.

The point that no one in the “He shouldn’t have done it” camp wants to accept is, that could have happened doing any kind of running.

BTW — guess who runs the most in spring training? Hint: It isn’t the catchers . . . .

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But what if they pull a hammy...

… on their way up to the plate?

Maybe we should have the bat boys carry them out there?

"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 4, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come to think of it, they shouldn't cover first base, either

How about a designated fielder for grounders to the right side?

Someone short, like Doug Dascenzo, so as to avoid getting in the way of the pitcher.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Selig

Time for Selig to step up and legalize the batting practice cage for games.

by jeff_pico on May 4, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about if one gets through, though?

I mean, the pitcher shouldn’t have to waste a toss on a play at first. I still see a spot for ol’ Dougie.

Or Darren Baker.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but he can get hurt walking to the mound to pitch

so we need to use pitching machines

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 4, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't the guy that loaded the machine then be too valuable to risk?

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true

we must use an auto loading macing with a ball scoop to keep it loaded.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but who loads the scoop?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no

its an auto loading scoop, thus eliminating need for fielders.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but

who loads the auto loader auto loader?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gnomes.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

local SIEU Underground's

gonna have a field day with THAT contract.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Migrant gnomes even

take that union…they load autoloaders during the summers here and perform for winter ball in the Dominican…

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

who will

witness the plight of the poor migrant gnome pitching machine autoloader autoloader loader?

Of course, they all get into the business because they think they can get close to their greatest achiever… Mike Fonetnot…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They will be led

By a migrant gnome ‘Cesar Chavez’ who will lead them out of their low wage auto loading career and demand better wages and more rights.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cylons.

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 4, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah-hah!

They have a plan! And it’s to play Koyie Hill as the back-up third baseman!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AUGH

you are correct. Maybe we should use whiffle balls and nerf bats then

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 4, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey

Max hit me with a whiffle-ball line drive in batting practice the other day. It left QUITE a mark. We need to keep people SAFE, MISTER!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really then, is the only option...

… to just simulate the entire season on my Play Station with injuries turned “off”?

"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 4, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carpal tunnel

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is not environmentally friendly

using all that energy to simulate

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 4, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously, all that caution made Hamels injury-proof.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on May 5, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

but it’s not Rami’s job to catch foul balls?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, how DARE he refuse to stumble blindly around the bullpen mound

Or refuse to jump into the dugout headfirst after a ball!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the funny thing is

I’ve seen you go after players for not going all out.

I just don’t get it.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dome isn't asked to pitch every 5 days...

… Zambrano IS required to step up to the plate.

Dumb comparisons aren’t gonna help your case.

"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 4, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Todd Hollandsworth did also

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 4, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Something stupid"?

Wow, I just don’t get that. Trying to take advantage of a Third Baseman was playing back is now considered something stupid? Makes perfect sense.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is when you run like a dump truck

And miss 2-4 weeks.

It’s always something with this guy. Not drinking enough water. Breaking his bat over his knee.

He could win 20 games a season if his head wasn’t in the way.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one of these things is not like the other

one of these things is not the same…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The bat-breaking, the hissy fits, those are all signs of immaturity and selfishness.

Trying to reach base? Not so much.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is probably

the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Zambrano is one of the best starters the Cubs have had in a long time. And you’re trying to cut him down because of one small injury. Moron.

by tizzle on May 4, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worf is being bombastic

and inflammatory, probably on purpose to get a reaction, but can you please refrain from calling names.

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

by N Oakley on May 4, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There you go again

name calling. Really, this needs to stop.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I

confused you with another poster but name calling is still not cool.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they are very close names, aren't they...

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh-oh

Could I have an arch-enemy?

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

er?

Sometimes I don’t get what I’m saying.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shanghaimambodaverdrewwmhg vs. tvilletizzle(addusershere)?

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WAT.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One username to rule them all.

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 4, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And in the OT bind them, apparently.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oooh!

CAGE MATCH!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

very similar indeed

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

See seperate fanpost and y'day's game summary...

….if you want to see all the “logic” on this subject, ad nauseum……

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on May 4, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I now

I saw the good majority of ’em.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitcher bunting = stupid?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG

you’ve no idea what it’s been like, SWL…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Havent been here long

but this has been the worst argument I have seen so far….by far

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's all just one big Neifi flashback?

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and I

just wish it would end.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hindsight

is 20/20.

We’ll see what happens.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let the record show

I was putting this out there when there was a chance he would just miss one start, or even no starts.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And by your logic

You are more right with every start he misses.

by redward on May 4, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which in turn makes you more wrong.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

I hope Z misses the whole season so you can be the rightest person on the internet.

by redward on May 4, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this qualifies as a topic

that’s been beat to death on this site.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 4, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

seems like only one guy is really p*ssed about Z bunting? Anyone else? Buehler?

by jeff_pico on May 4, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There were 2 other in the post game...

But yeah this topic isnt going anywhere anymore.

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I’m choosing to abstain.

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 4, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There seems to be no MRI results mentioned here

so isn’t this just speculation by Levine?

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on May 4, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

supposedly Levine's source forked over the results

at least that’s what I gathered from Levine’s post.

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 4, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll see when the facts come in.

Right now all we have is speculation.

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

by Al on May 4, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

precisely.

my guess is we’ll all know more prior to tonight’s game.

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 4, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not true.

We have RAMPANT speculation!

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sheesh no kidding :-(

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that make it official.

three of us have called this (various degrees of) SPECULATION.

therefore it is SPECULATION.

Off with there heads (or take the batteries out of their keyboards…or their heads)

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on May 4, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

make = makes (nice English!)

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on May 4, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

legs are critical for a pitcher, mechanics and otherwise power

I bet four weeks, I also bet Samardz gets the 6 starts through the month. Atkins pitched last thurs. I bet he is recalled in that he could relieve tonight.

too many injuries already, not a good omen

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on May 4, 2009 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well that's what happens

When you pay $91 million for a bunter

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 4, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ballplayer.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bruce miles

seemed to think that if Carlos hit the DL then Wells would be the guy. But that’s just speculation from a beat writer.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What we know so far.

1) Zambrano was trying to show off. If he hadn’t tweaked his hammy, he would have followed through with his intended backflip back onto the bag.

2) Unless you are a position player, running out a bunt is a 100% guaranteed hamstring strain, at the very least.

3) Running out a bunt is the only way to injure your hamstring if you are a pitcher.

4) If Z had not run out the bunt, we would have won 5 – 4.

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

Also...

… Z’s frame of mind as he selfishly, recklessly, put the entire season at risk while he ran to first base after laying down a bunt was EXACTLY the same as his frame of mind the time he broke a bat over his leg.

"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 4, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+10 to both of you

And an extra 10 for AJS’ avatar.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're both welcome.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and he is too fat to run the bases

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 4, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is so true!

That’s why he’s got a pulled hammy. If he was in shape, this moronic argument never would’ve gotten started,

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on May 4, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm actually surprised

He didn’t try to break Cantu over his knee once he realized he’d hurt his hamstring.

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

was Cantu

within reach? We wouldn’t want him walking around.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is a reply to AndrewJStone

because I am bad at internetting.

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Internetting CAN be hard. All is forgiven.

"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 4, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh

by redward on May 4, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You do know

you can use the reply feature to reply to comments? Not sure if you knew that or not. :-)

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do

But after three failed attempts to do so I just gave up in a pile of shame.

by redward on May 4, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw, don't give up.

Keep practicing. We’ll help you. :D

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TWSS

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'am not surprised

that Z is already hurt this season. I mean did everyone honestly think he was going to go the entire season without being hurt??

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, last season aside...

…he actually doesn’t have a long injury history. He’s had only two 15-day DL stints in his entire career. Um, thus far, of course.

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 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blame

Z is to blame for everything. In fact the Bulls lost game 7 because they had psychic visions of this happening and couldn’t take it.

Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 4, 2009 2:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't you know?

Z is a head case that could win 30 games a year if he wasn’t so emotional. Oh yea, and he has no business running hard to first base, I mean, thats not what baseball players are supposed to do.

by tizzle on May 4, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitchers shouldn't run hard...

Just like centerfielders should sprint around the bases when they hit a HR, and catchers should crawl back to the dugout after striking out looking.

by kanderber on May 4, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whew

I’m glad someone agrees.

by tizzle on May 4, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We need to rein in our pitchers.

Dempsters heroics attending that Blackhawks game could have resulted in all manner of injuries.

Walking on ice is an unnecessary risk and not part of his job description.

by redward on May 4, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

that Jacket COULD cause put an eye out. And you know it’s all fun and games till someone’s jacket puts out an eye.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And his windup with

the hockey stick could have ruined him forever.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since

he’s a native canook and probably came out of the womb with a pair of super-tacks on his feet.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The logic (or illogic) of the "Z's an idiot" contingent

Might be the most tortured in BCB history.

This is what ticks me off about some Cubs fans sometimes. Some are dumber than a box of rocks while simultaneously being whiny, arrogant and imbued with some mysterious sense of entitlement.

I wonder if this debate would be raging with, say, the Cardinals. Were Cardinals fans whining non-stop when Carpenter got hurt while batting? No, they just plug in someone else and keep winning games.

To the vocal minority that’s all over Z’s case about playing baseball the proper way: Stow it. And sack up.

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs

Well said

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I second Not Bruce....by the way I once was warned of being ejected from Wrigley heckling the guy

as for Z hustle is always the right thing to do…my thinking is that much of the moaning is that many have Z on their fantasy league

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on May 4, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hear, hear!

How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well the common

misconcept is that Z is an Ace. An Ace is someone who you can usually always rely on. With Z that is almost never the case. He has ace talent, but he does not preform like an Ace. The facts of the matter are:

1: you have to worry about something stupid like him being dehydrated.

2.. You have worry about his performance after a bad at bat effecting his play on the mound the following inning.

3. He is one bad at bat away from breaking his bat over his knee running the risk of him being put on the DL.

4. Z’s K:BB ratio is declining.

5. Him doing something UNECESSARY. The bunting thing was agressive but not necessary. It caused him to get hurt

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um...can you please put the cuckoo back in the clock and stop this riduculous argument?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please do............

……….because only those supporting Z’s wonderful move are allowed to comment here.

And comment………and comment………..and comment………

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 4, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

holy hell.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Z's WHIP and K:BB since becoming a starter

2003: 1.318, 1.787 (32 starts)
2004: 1.216, 2.320 (31)
2005: 1.146, 2.349 (33)
2006: 1.294, 1.826 (33)
2007: 1.331, 1.752 (34)
2008: 1.293, 1.805 (30)
2009: 1.421, 2.357 (6)

So, no, his K:BB isn’t declining. His WHIP is creeping up, but he has started better this year than his past three years would indicate as far as K:BB.

How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was

my bad on speculating that. But what about the rest of the statements I made???? Its easy to call me a cuckoo, but the fact of the matter is these are the real reasons why Z will not win a Cy Young

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

the fact of the matter is that you think these are big issues.

I think it’s a little ironic that you were wrong on the one stat-supported “issue” you raise.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to make too big a deal of this, BD...

…but you really shouldn’t speculate about stuff like K:BB. Just look it up on Fangraphs.

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 4, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1. It happened once. It’s not really indicative of a pattern of behavior outside the game.

2 and 3. He’s a very tempermental guy. When he can harness and direct that energy, he can make it work to his advantage. The rest of the time it hurts him. I would agree that until he can control his emotions a bit more he is a long shot for a Cy Young season.

5. The bunt was a good call because it confused the offense, and he hustled down the line. He did everything he should have and just happened to get injured on the play. Injuries happen. If he had been injured in any of his prior appearances in this series, people would be jumping down Lou’s throat for having pinch-hit him. Since it happened on his start, it “must” be Z’s fault. Somebody has to be “blamed” for some people to be happy. If there was a way to pin this on Judd Sirott, we’d all be doing that instead.

How long should we give sig lines at the bottom of the comments?
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no no

please stop. All I was saying with Z is that it was not necessary for him to bunt. The way he has been hitting there is no need for him to bunt. I would think that him bunting and hustling down the way he did is a much more greater risk then him swinging as he usually does.

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he hustles

when he hits it to the centerfield wall, and he hustles when he hits a bloop single into right, and he hustles when he bunts.

That’s what we’re SUPPOSED to want our players to do.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

honestly

ask me this..was it necessary for him to bunt. Do you think he bunted because of what happened earlier????

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what if he did?

He hit the ball and got on base. That’s what you’re supposed to do. He got injured on the play, sure, but injuries can and will happen at strange times (Soriano last year, for example).

Now if you’re really just worried that the loss of one of our starters is insurmountable, then just say that. But we have other guys we can bring in to stop the gap for a few weeks.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

define "necessary".

He was the batter. His job is to get on base. The scouting reported that the infield plays him back, and further more, the guy playing third is actually a second baseman. Therefore, we can assume he knew that if he bunted for a hit, it would be unexpected.

He got on base. Yes, he came out of the game injured. That sucks. But his bunt started the rally that won the game.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was the 5th inning was it not

Then it is definitely Judd’s fault

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wait

we can blame this on Sirott? I can do this… it was the fifth inning…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gonn have to change my sig...

and done.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well done

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lovely!

+100 BCB points!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG

Z is in decline? Will we have a post about the muyth of his decline, his not being in deline, then one putting the two together?

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 4, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not that he is in total decline

but he is not an Ace. I’m sorry but his head stops him from becoming that.

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinda like the way some of your posts keep you from being a good contributor to this site.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no SWL

I don’t post alot. I guess im not a BCB groupie like you are . I actually go out and live my life..

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not talking about quantity....

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok...

well you can live in ur fantasy world. MY argument is that Z is not an Ace. The bunt was not necessary…

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that Z isn't an ace, but I fail to see what the bunt has to do with it

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was to support

that he does stupid things…he is the Ace of this staff. He is susposed to limit the risk taking he does because his performance is highly detrimental to our success.

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

his performance is highly detrimental to our success.

I don’t think that means what you think it does.

He got on base. That’s his job when he’s the batter. If he’d pulled the hammy running to first to cover the bag on a defensive play, what would you be complaining about then?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoops

sorry I was in a hurry to type that out. I didnt detrimental lol

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my point was

we need Z on the field as much as possible. Because this guy is needed for our success.

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So he isnt supposed to be smart at the plate?

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree totally.

he is susposed to be smart..he is susposed to hustle. But the bunt was stupid. Come on man…he did it as an “I can do better than what you can do.”

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know why he did it?

It has been said over and over, infields play him back because he can hit, why not lay down a bunt, especially since it was to someone who doesnt play 3rd a lot

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

when

does Z ever bunt!?!?!?!?!?! I’m done beating a dead horse. Cause everyone has their own views on this situation. He is hurt and it sucks. Im over it. And my little comment made everyone explode..and SWL to wet his pants cause he could make another one of his pictures…

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that'll settle things down

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

first of all

that picture was made long before you.

Second of all, Zambrano bunts when he thinks it will help.

Third of all, we ALL think it sucks that he’s hurt.

Fourth of all… don’t think you’re responsible for this brouhaha.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'am responsible

I actually laughed when everyone got frustrated. pure entertainment. just no need for the personal attacks when I didn’t call out anyone for their views.

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

he did it as a way to start a rally that won the game.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A selfish rally

by redward on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does that even mean?

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

padding his own stats

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess-bunting hack

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hack runner

no less

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

batting

is just as much on the field as pitching or playing third.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually saw positive signs yesterday re: ace

He didn’t flip out over the tying run scoring — he just bore down and got the next batter.

The bunt was doing what he thought was right to help the team win. He didn’t try to hit the ball to Sheffield, for example.

The injury is unfortunate, but as williemayshayesgloves said yesterday — that could happen covering a play at first.

I really like the attitude that Zambrano showed yesterday. Also, I thought he got squeezed on a few pitches, but he kept his cool.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

indeed

I’m not entirely sure this team HAS an ace. Harden can’t pitch consistently on five days rest. Demp is walking too many people. Z is emotional (although we disagree in how much we like the emotion).

Lilly is VERY consistent, and get great wins, but isn’t exactly dominating, except in regards to a particular catcher.

Dunno. As long as we win, I’m not entirely sure I care.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

This team doesn’t have a true ace – at least not according to my criteria. But the thing is, very few teams do.

In fact, looking at the NL Central right now. The only true ace I see is Roy Oswalt. No other team really has one. Chris Carpenter might qualify if he could stay healthy, but he can’t. Volquez will need to put together at least a couple more seasons like last year to lay claim to the title. You probably could’ve argued for Aaron Harang until last season. Maybe Gallardo will turn into one.

Bottom line: Big Z is a great pitcher. That’s all that really matters. Pining for him to become an ace is really just self-defeating.

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 4, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's a true ace?

by ol Pete on May 4, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess it's a pitcher that starts 40 games a year...goes 32-2 with an ERA of 1.65 a WHIP of 1.10

and never bunts for a base hit.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, as mentioned, these are just my own criteria:

1. Great stuff.
2. The ability to throw that great stuff consistently for strikes.
3. The ability to throw deep into games regularly.
4. The ability to come up big in big game situations.
5. The ability (good fortune?) to stay healthy and make about 30 starts a year.

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 4, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is the pitcher an ace while making those 30 starts?

by ol Pete on May 4, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I should probably add another point about...

…a pitcher establishing these traits over, say, at least three seasons. (See my comment on Volquez above.) Once a pitcher establishes himself at that level then, yes, he is an ace while making those starts.

Look, I’m not claiming my criteria here are perfect. But these are the things I look for in a truly elite pitcher. And, as mentioned, true aces are an exceedingly rare species.

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 5, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The ability to win without said great stuff

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, I should probably add this point...

…to my third point above:

The ability to throw deep into games regularly – even when he doesn’t have his best stuff.

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 5, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

6. drags bunts for hits

by Reed's Johnson on May 5, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I bet there are Cardinal fans who would do the same thing...

I think every fan base has its share of intelligent folks and morons.

by SouthernCub on May 4, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Perhaps it just seems like the Cubs have a higher percentage of them sometimes.

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

However

I live in an area where there are about as many Cardinals fans as Cubs fans. I never heard this kind of talk when Carpenter went down. Not once.

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My roomate is a Cards fan

Even when I brought it up, he was like yeah he’ll be out for a bit, hope our call up can do an ok job.

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OF COURSE NOT!

Because he went down in a truly freak accident. He took a swing and pulled something.

Trust me, had he tried to lay down a bunt for a hit – even if he didn’t pull up lame – Cards fans would have been wondering why he had foolishly done so.

You are right about the ignorance and arrogance of many Cubs fans, problem is, you’re not aware that you might be on the wrong side of that very fence.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 4, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

please enlighten us as to what our position should be Mr. Tville....

so as not to offend you by being on the wrong side of said fence. Sheesh.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because fans can be...........

………..on either side of the fence at any given time, based on the topic, it simply doesn’t make sense to open with remarks that imply the other side is ignorant.

A change in subject matter would likely see the cards shuffled, so those not seeing eye to eye on this topic might be arm in arm on another.

Agree to disagree, but don’t imply ignorance because the other side states its case.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 4, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

You are right about the ignorance and arrogance of many Cubs fans, problem is, you’re not aware that you might be on the wrong side of that very fence.

riiiiiiiight.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 5, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you just stir the pot..............

too much kool-aid my friend

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on May 5, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

just because you're following me

you’re not going to convince anyone we’re together.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 5, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank god..........

I wouldn’t want our friendship misconstrued

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on May 5, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there a reason...........

…………..you can’t hit reply under the proper post?

You rail all over Reed’s supposed inability yet you’re guilty of it time and again.

If you were not in such haste to spill your bile all around, you might actually get things posted in the proper location. They wouldn’t be any more cogent, but at least they’d be in the proper location.

Oh, and before I forget, great comeback.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 6, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I replied

to the post I wanted to. I continue my assertion that your lack of reading comprehension is not my responsibility.

Ironic post is ironic.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 6, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deny, deny, deny.

You must work for the government.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 7, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

incompetence, incompetence, incompetence.

You must work for the RNC.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 7, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Believe Al has...........

……….requested political commentary be left off this site.

Does your incompetence prevent you from understanding that point?

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 7, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think that's necessarily political commentary

You’d be hard pressed to find someone from either side of the aisle right now that would say the RNC is doing a good job.

Drew does allow his views to creep in more than they should here, but I’d give this one a pass. Al might disagree, just because it comes close — and hey, it’s his site, so I wouldn’t argue.

I am almost positive he wouldn’t approve of your bombastic tone.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 8, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yet I've heard nothing from Al.

Hmm………..

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 8, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably because no one's felt it important enough to al-ert him

I certainly don’t.

As I said to someone else, I’m not here to fight someone else’s battles — I’m just letting you know how you’re coming across. Believe me or don’t.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 8, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm coming across..........

………..incredibly different from others, but only conceptually.

As for tone, well, I’ve done what I can to keep up with the rudeness initially shown to me.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 8, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok; I've not read every exchange

It’s probably not going to be convincing, though — the tone, that is. I don’t think most have an issue with differences of opinion.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 8, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah

another concept you don’t understand.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 8, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand enough to know...........

………..you don’t.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 8, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh-huh.

>pats you on the head.

Go on now. Adults talking.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 8, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad you're...........

………still at the kids table.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 8, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 8, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So which.........

………is the real picture of Drew?

His avitar or SWL’s latest?

We’ve got the child angle covered, but just need to nail down gender, so it would seem.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 8, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you still here?

I was just passing by, and looked in the door. Haven’t you realized we’ve all left?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 10, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just passing by...........

……….two days after this was posted.

Grow up.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

by tville on May 11, 2009 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

keep on passing

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 11, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh.

Let it go, you two.

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

by Al on May 11, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

last

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 11, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, I am

ha! made me look!

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 11, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

!!!!!!

your definition of “truly freak accident” is truly interesting.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 5, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

*morans

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well NB.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said NB.

It’s been a long day already.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

by redward on May 4, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so if we dont agree we shoudl shut up and drink the cool aide?

No problem Mr Jones

by Reed's Johnson on May 4, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if only Zambrano was a lefty

he would have been able to pitch using the other Hammy. I blame his parents for allowing him to play baseball right handed. They should be executed on PPV during intermission of game 7 of the Stanley Cup

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 4, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Next Gen Tommy John surgery!

Carlos Zambrano hammy grafts for everyone!

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It occurs to me

That one of the most celebrated feats by a pitcher recently around here is Lilly running through Molina.
By definition, isn’t that an inherently risky act? But we celebrate it, because it was what a ballplayer does when the circumstances call for it as well as the fact that it worked.

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

absolutely

if Z had gotten on uninjured this too would be celebrated. This post would be about the glories of Carlos Zambrano and how he can do anything. Instead we are discussing how long he will be on the DL.

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Glories of Carlos Zambrano

sounds like a good movie title…with one of those SWL pics of Z

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on May 4, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do believe

that’s SWL’s cue.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

man i wish

i could see those…

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if BadDecisions thinks Z giving Fontenot piggyback rides in the dugout is also UNNECESSARY. Aces don't give piggyback rides.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SWL...

everyone is a tough guy behind on the computer…

by BadDecisions on May 4, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pansy

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leave me ALONE!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outstanding

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love that photo!

Too bad they couldn’t win the Kentucky Derby.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was a sad day

when the shot Carlos Zambrano at Churchill Downs. But they shoot horses, don’t they, Virginia…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Carlos Lee

was “El Caballo”…. Z is like a a hybrid of some kind.

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on May 4, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's "green"

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love that picture.

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't it only a week ago we were talking about Z hitting for the cycle?

Imagine if he’d pulled that happy trying to stretch a double in to a triple…

And to think there were those who believed Lou was in the wrong for pulling him instead of giving him the chance… and now we’ve got him in trouble in some camps for running out a routine single.

Oh well.

"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 4, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

*hammy not happy

Just think happy thoughts… this will all be ok.

"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 4, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was about to say

I dont want to see him pulling happy anytime soon, seems a little personal

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 4, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lmao

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

because it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. He comes down the line, he squares his shoulders…

WHAMMO

Molina goes down! Lilly goes down! Then… Lilly gets up! He trots off the field nonchalantly.

And Molina just lay there, moaning. It’s not easy being the pins at a bowling alley…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this all started

when he carried Fontenot on his back and tried to hop around the dugout. He’s been playing with the injury so as to not disappoint Lilly. Such horseplay should be banned from baseball dugouts.

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on May 4, 2009 2:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

at this point

I can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's also Z's fault.

Damn his passion!

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on May 4, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Drew, please stop typing so hard this afternoon...

… you are risking an injury to your typing fingers… we all know you can’t possibly type this many comments without getting hurt. We are gonna need you later in the season.

"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 4, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

did people forget that

after you type 214132015454534650465745468406760847674 key strokes, yout fingers falloff. Making foolish posts on here is stupid, and being selfish, and will land you on the DL eaerlier.

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 4, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got

years of email, bulletin board, blogging and commenting experience. I emailed on the same internets as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet you're also purdy popular on the Twitters huh?

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on May 4, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually

I don’t really twitter.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you ever meet Captain Crunch?

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not as such

in person or anything.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to pour gasoline on this fire...

…but Phil Rogers is seizing the opportunity to call for the DH in the NL.

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 4, 2009 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, at least you cited a credible source

/sarcasm

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude

I’ve written this before, and I’ll write it again: Pitchers in the highest level of the sport have no business swinging a bat or running the bases, no matter whether they are as capable as Zambrano (.240, 17 career homers) or as incapable as Washington’s Daniel Cabrera (.000 career, 19 strikeouts in 21 at-bats).

This guy belongs in the Hall of Fame… Or as Commissioner of Baseball. /sarcasm/

Still, I care for him a bit more than I do for Sullivan.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why shouldnt pitchers hit?

Why does everyone think they are like nice china? You only bring them out for special occasions. If they have talents and can use them to help win….why not?

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Like the late-great SWEETNESS used to say, if you play not to get hurt or if you try not to get hurt, that’s when you get hurt.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At every level until / unless they get to the AL

a pitcher is expected to at least be prepared to hit. Sure, guys in the bullpen almost never due, but it’s at least a possibility. Can I use this to once again call for the abolishment of the AL. The DH is not baseball!

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but here in the home office of Common Sense Central

Someone needs a map.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone ever seen him

Paul Sullivan in the same room at the same time?

I think they should put their heads together and make an ass of themselves.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get your point totally

but just for the sake of shits&giggles, I have seen them in the same room, together, dumbing down everyone in a 100 ft. radius.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's that movie line

where someone says everyone is now dumber for having to listen to someone’s rant?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Billy Madison

At the end in the competition they have.

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

"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."

by jkobus on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Billy Madison

“Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

by redward on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, what a stupid article.

Every time a pitcher takes the field, he’s an accident waiting to happen. The risks inherent in pitching are huge. It’s silly to increase those risks to increase the ones that hitters and baserunners face, especially when so much of a team’s payroll and its hope for success is tied into the arms of those pitchers.

Uh, you’re a professional journalist and you let the last sentence slide? Really?

Also, substitute ‘player’ for ‘pitcher’ in that first sentence and it still applies. Schmuck.

Zambrano is paid to pitch, and in this era of specialization that’s all he should do.

NO. BAD BASEBALL WRITER. NO DOUGHNUT. EVERYBODY HITS. Go back to the AL.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Znohitter,

You’re a great writer and I bet you dabble with editing. Don’t analyze this dribble. Just mock it.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just can't figure out who would pay this guy.

I want their work number. I’m gonna get me a better paying job. :P

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you and me both.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just don't call the Boston Globe

;-)

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard about that. wow.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Musta missed it

What’s up with the Globe?

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here

it is. But they just said on WBEZ that they will be given another 60 days.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's good.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

Thanks for the link.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Using this logic

pitchers (and all players) shouldn’t throw overhanded, because the throwing motion is not natural – the act of throwing the baseball is dangerous – probably more dangerous than lunging for a base or swinging a bat.

Therefore, what Mr. Rogers is advocating is not just that the National League institute the DH, but in order to protect players, they should no longer throw overhand, because that too creates “an accident waiting to happen.”

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 4, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BRAVO

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on May 4, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

women's nekkid softball league

here we come!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

::searches through photos::

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

aaawwwwww, yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhh....

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I could find was a picture of one of the players in their batting practice uniform...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 4, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

that's obviously

a pregame pose, I agree.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I strained my hammy.

by redward on May 4, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hee

by sue369 on May 4, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we bring in robot pitchers from Japan.

And the gnomes maintain them. Everybody wins.

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FAIR WAGES FOR GNOME WORKERS NOW!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or maybe those robot camel jockeys from the middle east

their overhand motion while spurring on horses is pretty impressive.

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 4, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they're on horses, they wouldn't be camel jockeys, now would they.

Let’s be realistic. This is a serious forum for baseball discussion. :P

Judd Sirott is responsible for Carlos Zambrano's injury.
Bradley watch -- out 8 games of 24

by znohitter on May 4, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true.

maybe they train on horses. I have no idea – I just saw them in a promotional video for Dubai.

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 4, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand now

Rogers has opened my eyes.
But he doesn’t go far enough.
We need not just 1 DH, but 9 of them. Hitting and running out hits are dangerous for specilized players. Guys who are great as 1st basemen should not be exposed to that kind of risk, guys who are great catchers are paid to do that job. We need DHs for all of them. And if those DHs get on base, they should be replaced. They are paid to hit, not to run. Pinch runners to all people on base. You’ll only need 3 extra of them on the roster at any given time.
So we expand the roster to allow for 9 position players, plus backups, 9 DHs, at least 3 PRs. Plus the pitching staff.
We pay these people to do a job, that’s all they should do.

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

err. 4 PRs

I forgot, the hitter shouldn’t be allowed to run out of the box either.

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

baseball is a game played by

twenty two players on a side?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minimum

For safety, you know. We are paying for them to specialize

by chitownhawkeye on May 4, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Levine reports on ESPN1000

Z is on the 15-day DL. They expect him out 2-3 weeks. Scales called up for now. They’ll make another roster move when its time for Z’s spot in the rotation to come back around.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At least we finally got to 11 pitchers . . . .

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Until Thur/Fri

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know.

Guess here is Gathright is on his way out.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know we haven't seen the rosters yet

I wonder if Rami is going to play, or if they’ll put Scales in at third, Fonty at second, and put Miles back where he belongs…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was

pretty sure that Rami was gonna be back in the lineup tonight, no??

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

Scales is probably just called up to provide an extra bench player until Friday, when it’s likely Randy Wells will be recalled.

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

by Al on May 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, cool.

Man, it’ll be nice to see Rami back at the Hot Corner tonight.

"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 DamonBerryhillsMitt on May 4, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmm

you mean on the unemployment line?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on May 4, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ladies and gentlemen...we have Scales!

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 4, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

here's your cuppa coffee son

don’t let it get cold.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are those scales filled with poo?

What’s w/ the brown?

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The image is black on my screen.

I detect no poo.

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 4, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/4/864695/zambrano-to-dl-scales-called-up

There’s a link in there to his blog update.

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You win the Fanshot!

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 4, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah no need for a FanPost on that one...

This has been discussed enough. Scales will provide the depth we need, put him at third, see what happens… whatever. No worries here.

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you give 100% effort

on 100% of the plays…

no matter what the sport……

by cozmotaylor123 on May 4, 2009 3:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

coulda shoulda woulda

If Zambrano didn’t injure himself, the critics could be praising his hustle. Besides, there are 4 other starters who should be picking up the slack. It’s their job.

by daeviant on May 4, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What's this, you say?

A team is more than one player? What a novel concept!

Say, could that be extended to mean that a player hustling to try to win is putting the team first?

+1 to you, sir.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have a problem with Z bunting per se..

I don’t have any problem with Z or as a matter of fact any pitcher in laying down a bunt or doing anything that’s part of the game ONLY as long as they are PREPARED to do that.

I think BB pretty much nailed this on yesterday’s broadcast. Like he said, I don’t have a problem with Z in a PH role as long as he is stretched out properly.

The problem is we can all run into problems if we do things that are way out of our routine. So if Z wants to be a complete player then he should be prepared to do whatever stuff he wants to try out on the field.

by cubsnlinux on May 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This might be the dumbest debate ever...

People are seriously upset with Zambrano because he bunted for a hit and got hurt in the process of doing so? You’re mad that the hitter tried to get a hit and succeeded?

by kanderber on May 4, 2009 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, they're mad that a pitcher tried.

Pitcher != hitter.

Their logic, not mine.

by redward on May 4, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This thread needs and overflow... ugh

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

PC Load Letter?

What the $&#@^ does that mean?

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 4, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude!!

Are they beating a dead horse? Wow, that’s what we should call this whole Z bunting thing.

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by tony412 on May 4, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the paper this morining

It said Wells would be called up if Z would miss any starts. I’d go with him or Ascaino.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 4, 2009 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Confirming the decling talents of Z and DLee

I understand they will be featured together on the cover of the June issue of AARP the Magazine.

So can we drop both of these subjects once and for all?

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on May 4, 2009 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I did a fanpost on the fact that Big Z has just been put on the disabled list...

but here it is here:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1557460,carlos-zambrano-hamstring-dl-050409.article

"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 4, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, 2-3 weeks

I can live with that. Not great, obviously, but figure he’ll miss three starts. Gives the Cubs a chance to see how some of the kids will pitch.

Better now than in the thick of it in August or September.

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting

Shark will NOT make the start.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wells, perhaps?

by Not Bruce Froemming on May 4, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyway we can put

Denise Richards on the DL?

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by tony412 on May 4, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, come on.

Sing it again, Denise!

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 4, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

aww geez

I would have preferred if RickRoll’d me instead

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by tony412 on May 4, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking of making that clip the new RickRoll.

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 4, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah! The BCB version, cool, do it!

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by tony412 on May 4, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it possible,,

that Mike Fontenot is really named Mike FonteGNOME?

by ChicagoRobb on May 4, 2009 8:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does

he auto load auto loading pitch machines?

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 5, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought

Lou might be bringing up Scales until Friday, then he’ll bring up Wells or Ascaino. That’s my hope too, because this bullpen has been to bad to survive with 6 guys for at least 2 weeks.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 4, 2009 9:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe scales can throw a few innings while he is up, becuase we pay to to play baseball

by Reed's Johnson on May 4, 2009 11:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just make this your avatar and be done with it

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 5, 2009 6:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BIG Z

bradley pulls a groin,ramirez strains his calf.and now big z pulls his hammy.crap happens.if we can come up with someone who can step up then we will be o.k.hard to replace z but hopefully it will only be a few weeks. baldelli is out indefinitiely with his.but we all know he was the rays version of mark prior.i think z will heal up faster.

by NOMAR on May 5, 2009 9:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It sucks that we lost big Z, but i think the team will be fine. The great thing about a starting pitcher getting hurt and put on the 15 day DL is that they only miss 3-4 starts, as opposed to a postion player that would miss 8-10+ games

by I_bleed_blue on May 5, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Z as a RF??

I am sure this will get even more people in a tizzy…move Z to RF, trade Bradely to someone to get a more consistant pitcher…two birds one stone…

by hansman1982 on May 6, 2009 1:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If he had medoicre stuff, sure

But he’s got the ability to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. Those come around less frequently than good hitters.

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

by Shanghai Badger on May 6, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

the only reason that Ankiel moved was because he completely forgot how to throw strikes. Its not like he was a good pitcher and moved to the OF. Z is more valuable as a starter than as an outfielder. Even if he can hit well starters are much harder to come by than slugging OF (compare Z’s salary to Abreu, Dunn or even Bradley).

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 6, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spot starter

Maybe even work out of the pen in a tough spot…would suck to lose him for those 15ish good starts a year…worked pretty well for the yankees for a little known guy who was a pretty good pitcher, granted different era of baseball but worth the discussion? Z to me just doesnt seem like a #1 pitcher..good stuff, yes – consistancy, proven to be off by a different thread. I would be more confident in a trial had the Cubs kept Marquis and “The Shark” maybe had another year of development under his belt…

by hansman1982 on May 6, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No offense but, to answer your question...

…no, this is not worth (seriously) discussing. For two reasons:

1. Z may indeed by inconsistent, but he’s not so inconsistent that any team in major league baseball would waste his talents playing him in right field. (Quite frankly, I don’t see him being able to play right field anyway. Maybe he could play left in the sense that Carlos Lee can play left.) So what if he’s not a No. 1? High No. 2s have no value?

2. No team in major league baseball is going to trade anything for Milton Bradley right now.

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 6, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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