I was at the game last night and sat amongst a group of Cub fans. When Heilman took the hill, we wondered what was going on. Worse, we knew the Cubs were doomed, because Heilman proved what we knew. He couldn’t throw strikes! That situation screamed for Marmol last night.

by our bullpen are killing me. Part of me wanted to see Lou go out there a blow his top after Heilman threw the first ball into the dirt after the walk. Throw a darn strike make him get a hit it cant be that darn hard!

I thought Lou over managed that 8th innning w/ the bases loaded. I dont have the matchup book like Lou does but the way Geo has been I dont think that was a spot to put him out there and suceed.

I still hope that as the weather heats up so does our bats.

I mean, afterall, they’d been searching for a third baseman for decades, so I wouldve hoped they wouldve made that deal regardless of CP’s injury.

But this is a dark morning indeed

for the Cubs and Cub fans everywhere.

Absolutely, Lee, Bradley and Soto HAVE TO STEP UP or we are doomed for this year.

In the post-Steriod era we just don’t have the guys on the bench who can step up and carry a team. Too bad jake Fox can’t play a competet 3B!

Let’s Go Cubs!

It was the top of the 8th inning that lost the Cubs the game last night. A chance to put up a crooked number and pad a 1-run lead with the bases loaded and 1 out, and they get nothing.

THAT has to change for this team to be winners again this year – they’re blowing a lot of scoring chances. It’s still early, and they get a bit of a pass considering they haven’t been playing at full strength. However, I would argue that because they’re not at full strength, they have to maximize their chances.

Need a good start from Demp tonight against Milwuakee’s one good starter.

With Soto struggling early, I wondered about Lou dropping him in for Fukudome with the bags loaded. I understand lefty vs. righty but also take a look at Stetter. He had given up 7 walks in 10 innings. Give Fukie’s knack for plate discipline in most situations, I would have liked to have seen Lou leave him in at that point.

It look like he flew when he landed on 3rd. I’m not sure if it was Pat or Ron, but one of them said he looked like Superman.

I think I read somewhere that the difference between these are torn tendons. Reports say ARam has the one without the torn tendons….dislocation I think. IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

Can’t miss five-tool athlete Corey Patterson was supplanted by Felix Pie another can’t miss five-tool athlete. And then there is Dontrelle Willis (8th round) a former Cub draftee who the Cubs gave up on. Is there a Cub in recent memory who was a “can’t miss” somewhere else, never performed there, but then came to the Cubs and played well?

Bases where loaded and 1 away (after a Theriot tapper to Fielder) thats where the game really should have been put on ice for the beers.

My question though, with the heart of the Brewers line-up in the 8th inning why wasnt Marmol inserted in that spot? It puzzled me and I dont understand why Lou regradless of it being a “day-off” did not go to Gregg or Marmol in that spot.

Also.

I have got to hand it to Bobby Scales, that Triple was very impressive. and I loved cheering him on in enemy territory last night!

…but I have a gut feeling that Aramis is gone for much longer than 2 months.

You can’t use him in the situations when he is REALLY needed…Such as last night.

I was impressed with Wells because he seemed to dig deep and come up with the right pitch when needed last night. I think he will be a good fill in until Z comes back. I suspect Heilman is overused and this was the result, it was bound to happen. Bradley is looking much better at the plate but the guy is not going to get any breaks from ANY umpire; that called 3rd strike last night did not look like it got any of the plate. Poor Milton, dug himself a hole with umpires and may never get out.

Scales is hungry. Lou knows that and will play on this. I suspect he’ll get a few starts to confirm if he can play. Why not? It’s that or what? If I’m 31 and finally got my shot, I’m going to kill myself trying to stay. The guy is a substitute teacher which means he can’t be too stupid and probably a good guy. In my opinion, good guys do finish first. Give him the shot.

Al is exactly right. If Geo-Lee-Bradley get back to career averages and Sori-Fuk-Theriot-Fontenot stay the course, this team will miss Rammy but it will no be painful. We can do it, guys just have to step up.

Braun admired that HR too much last night. I suspect some chin music tonight.

The trib this a.m. recalled that Rammy has had this problem before in terms of a subluxation:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-09-cubs-brewers-chicago-may09,0,4864940.story

I’ve had shoulder surgery. Just seeing that happen last night gives me sympathetic pain. Ugh.

…to me the Cubs have done a good job overall with all of their injuries. If the Aramis injury turns out to be 4-6 weeks, then it’s quite possible the team can be picked up by Bradley who is really due to start producing. A lineup with Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome & Lee all playing well can still be productive enough to win (there’s a lot of IFs in that ).

I was thinking the same about Hendry’s deals with the Os. We apparently did not pick up any of Freel’s salary? Kudos to Hendry. So, the best the Os could do on Freel was to eat his entire salary and get get a AAA player in return? I guess teams don’t want to take on salary for anyone viewed as marginal, and the O’s wanted at least a throw-in for the roster spot they were creating? Maybe Hendry has a file of emails on McPhail, possibly the smoking gun on the concrete cover-up? Maybe McPhail directed that they try and push the seats in the most risky areas to Cardinals fans? Whatever he does, keep it going, Jim!

…and I’m probably going to get a lot of crap for doing so but I have a bad feeling about the rest of the season.

It is paramount to our collective well-being while we spend time here. And most of us also try to keep positive during the bad times. When I feel like something is not right, I stop and think about what I’m about to write. Nine out of 10 times, I end up not writing anything because there’s no point in stating the obvious. However, I do need to get out some things today.

I had been writing a Fanpost all week entitled “The State of the Cubs after 30 Team Games.” I had been saying all Spring that it’s unfair to judge any professional baseball team before such landmark, and I kept all my opinions to myself (not that anyone is particularly interested in my analysis). After last night’s injury, all my observations have become moot.

I tossed around all night. I feel awful for Aramis Ramirez. I’ve had both shoulders dislocated and surgery on my left one after it became chronic. I understand the severity of the injury. Without being a medical professional, I can attest that recovery will be difficult, painful, frustrating and long. But the state of the team also kept me awake.

I’m sorry in advance for being negative and counterproductive.

But I have to believe that Ramirez’s injury equates with Derrek Lee’s wrist injury in 2006— A team leader goes down early in the season. His replacement is OK on paper but not so much in actuality, because the offense was dependent on his placement in the lineup and his drive. Chronic issues with the injured limb after his return leading to poor numbers. High expectations for the team before the season started. Pitching ace on the DL. Underpowered offense. Perceived abuse of the two solid bullpen arms. Questionable offseason moves by the front office.

I’m hoping against hope. I really don’t want to give up. I just have this nagging feeling I’ll spend the Summer moping around feeling sorry for myself. I need a hug.

Again, I’m sorry for being a negative nelly. Those who know my track record here know I’m not going to annoy you anymore. I just felt the need to put it in writing. Have a good weekend and stay safe.

Jose Hernandez-Lagunes
Chicago, Illinois
May 9, 2009

To any and all who were offended by comments I made in last night’s game thread.
I am sorry.

It’s not like we’re getting anything other than junk back.

When Aramis was hurt why didn’t the runner take second? He could have walked to 2nd if he wanted to and yet he stayed at first. That ball was still live. I apologize if this has been discussed already. I couldn’t find anything written about it.

we’ll learn more about Ramirez? It’s a nice day out, I’d rather not keep checking back here all afternoon.

… but i gotta go throw up first.

Too much Miller products makes me want to die… but brewers fans are nice. Some mild trash talking, but overall pleasant and intelligent. My second time to miller park (the first was Z’s no hitter last season) and both times i’ve enjoyed it.

Except for the Miller. Seriously. Whats wrong with this beer?

NFL, NBA, NHL, Soccer name any sport where a player doesn’t celebrate in the heat of the moment. What fun is playing if you can’t get emotional, my gosh why even play.

Braun watched his opposite-field drive for a moment, then stuck his tongue out in a Jordan-esque display while slapping hands with first base coach Ed Sedar. Milwaukee has won four of five and 13 of the last 17. “I’m passionate. My intent is never to show anybody up or embarrass anybody,” Braun said. “I think guys should be emotional, you should enjoy it. You don’t hit too many home runs in big situations that you get to enjoy, so why not?”

gets my vote for Player Of The Week, especially after that Hustleesque slide into 3rd.

Who knows but that he will be the man to plug the hole there? Get well soon, Rami ..

are:

The system has a lot of good third base prospects. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of them are ready to contribute on the major league level. The one guy down there that I think might be able to help is Tony Thomas. He’s a second baseman who’s challenged there, so a move to third base in his future might be possible. But he’s more likely to help the Cubs in 2010 at second than third, and moving him to third and calling him up might hinder his development.

Jovan Rosa has been lousy for Daytona so far, and he’s a defensively-challenged third baseman. Third base for the I-Cubs now is Matt Camp, who’s more of a utility guy and not likely to outperform Ryan Freel, for example. Marquez Smith is playing third for TN, but he just got promoted from DAY and while he’s got some pop, I don’t think he’s ready. He’s also not really likely to get on base enough to play in the majors.

So it’s likely Scales and Freel.

just how good (or bad as the case may be) our organization is as a whole. Being able to replace your starters who get injured with guys who can fill in ably at least, is important to putting together a winning franchise.

Not that we are any good at it…but I am willing to see just how Scales and fFreel do in the meantime.

On the Trib’s sports page, it says “”http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/" target="new">Ramirez out 4-6 weeks" as the headline for the article about him and the game. I saw that and thought the results of the MRI were in, but it’s still just idle speculation. Shouldn’t they have the word ‘could’ in there, to let people know that they’re just guessing like the rest of us?

What’s going on with Dempster’s child? I have a friend who knows who he is because of the comic book/sci fi world and heard a mention on the radio and just emailed me to see what Cub fans know.

I was one of those that posted personal experiences with shoulder dislocations in my family and how much the severity can differ.

One thing I and all have to remember is resuming normal activity for us to be whatever we are in our lives (unless it’s an intense physical activity) is a lot different than playing major league baseball.

That’s why it drives me goofy (okay goofier) when a player is hurt and I hear “I went to work with this and that”

I went to work a few days after major knee surgery. That’s because I work at a desk. I don’t have to get up and walk a lot for my job.

People are talking about Lee like we’re talking about counting on Neifi to step up.

I think the rest of the lineup can keep us going. I know the henny penny chicken little types want to say the sky is falling and come back and say “See I was right! The sky did fall” and be smug about it.

The big problem is this means we need everyone to stay healthy. Bradley needs to stay healthy.

And I want Soto to start bashing people in the head who use the Jerome Walton comparison after a month into his second season.

He’s still starting tonight so hopefully that means things are okay or enough for him to be with the team.

It’s easy to look at what happened with A-Ram last night and see it as yet another reason why the Cubs have no chance this season. I disagree.

Yes, it’s a HUGE loss. Yes, it feels like “piling on” after Z goes out, D-Lee with his neck issues, poor production from some of the bigger bats on the team, etc.

But baseball is a day at a time, week at a time, month at a time sport. One crummy day (OK, admittedly REALLY crummy day) does not mean all is lost.

Opportunity knocks. I believe the Cubs have the players who are capable of stepping up in this time of great need.

And Jim Hendry, while not perfect (no one is), has consistently built a winning team and addressed the ongoing seasonal player needs very well as GM. Yes, there have been some “misses”, but he’s had far more “hits” in his tenure.

So let’s take this day to day and week to week. Nothing worthwhile comes easily (and this season may well just prove how true that expression is).

Have faith. It’s what being a Cubs fan is all about…