Good Signs so far for 2009

by Andre Fonseca on May 5, 2009 11:57 AM CDT

Since it seems that disaster and decline and general angst is the name of tha game here lately I thought I would point out some relatively awesome things that are going on:

TheRiot morphing into a Mighty Cajun Power Infielder to go along with Fontenot
Fukudome hitting very well and not getting down on himself after bad strike calls
Some great throws in from the OF from Milton and Soriano- even if their range and jumps are the best at least they are limiting guys from taking an extra base
Some really great plays from Fukey and Reed in the OF- it seems like Gregg should be buying these guys sushi and whatever Reed eats for dinner since they have seriously saved his tail lately
D .Lee so far removing the DP from his name (As Al mentioned) and hitting homers like he is reading all the 'decline' stuff you guys are posting
Micah HoffPower earning his keep at the plate and even flashing a bit of leather in the field (not awesome in the OF but he has looked above avg at times in RF and 1B)
Ramirez keeping the Mr Clutch title- even if TheRiot is trying his best to steal it from him
Ted Lilly with a low low 0.98 WHIP
Sean Marshall maturing nicely: BB are down and Ks are up!
Koyie Hill hitting and throwing baserunners out!
Milton Bradley only getting thrown out of one game

I know it's alot easier to argue about stats, find problems, and get all anxious about Z's hammy but the Cubbies played well against a rather hot Marlins team and a lot of the things generally thought to be major problems (Hill, Hoff, MArshall, Theriot) are actually doing very well so far.

We have our work cut out today against Cy Young, but hopefully the collective psyche of our tortured fan base can exhale. Think positive boys n girls- it is a long season.

Now get your buts down to the ball park, have an Old Style, and go back to having a good time!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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You forgot

Big Z’s .278 BA! And Milton taking one for the team!

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

by copes006 on May 5, 2009 12:18 PM CDT reply actions

An honorable

mention to Lou. It was he Lou who proclaimed on a pre game show back in April that you can not forecast the weather. How profound. Man this guy is deep.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on May 5, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions

This sign is also pretty good.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 5, 2009 6:30 PM CDT reply actions

I like this one...

by CubFan81 on May 5, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Before he got hurt

Watching Z rally from poor pitches or calls with far more maturity than we’ve seen in the past. No more tantrums, just the decision to go back out and pitch his game. That’s the pitcher we kept hoping for before this season, and it appears as though we finally got our wish.

"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on May 5, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

best signs of '09 bar none

are haxored road signs, e.g.,

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm234/nevadabob1/zombies.jpg

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on May 5, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions

oops

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on May 5, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions

cubs

when guys like lee and bradley and soto start picking it up things will get better.we need to find a consistent 5th starter.the bullpen will hopefully get better. at times these guys play like the dominating 08 team.other times not quite so fearsome.

by NOMAR on May 6, 2009 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

we have a consistent 5th starter

he needs more run support, and for the bullpen to stop blowing his games.

"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 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

marshall has been pretty consistent.look at his numbers more closely please.

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 daver on May 6, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Anyone hungry?

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 daver on May 6, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

Umm, umm,.....delicious nut sacks. (TWSS)

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 6, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

marshall

very true, very true.the cubs never seem to get marshall any runs.i still say this guy wont win 10 games.he would be more valuable in the pen.and swapping jeff s for chad fox wont be much of an improvement.shows you the patience pinella has.

by NOMAR on May 7, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions

a starting pitcher who goes deep

into his starts and keeps his team in the game is much more valuable then a reliever. Any reliever.

The Shark never should have come up to begin with. I dunno about Fox, apparently he’s pitching well, but Shark belongs in Iowa to learn some new pitches, and get ready to start in 2010 or 2011.

"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 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

If Marshall stays this consistent...

…and doesn’t win 10 games, it will be the fault of the offense. He’s a fine No. 5 starter who many teams would be more than happy to have on their starting staffs.

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 daver on May 7, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions