The Harden They Come, The Harden They Fall: Cubs vs. Tigers Preview, Wednesday 6/24, 6:05 CT
by Al Yellon on Jun 24, 2009 4:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintIn the now 12-game regular season history between the Cubs and Tigers, the Tigers are 9-3, and the Cubs have won only two games of the six played to date in Detroit (including last night). It's definitely time to change all that.
Stopped by Reed Johnson's blog today to find Reed's reaction to the DeRosa/Wood love that was shown by fans last weekend. Reed has some personal experience with that, too:
When I went back to Toronto last year, I got a nice reception. I don't know if Woody or De-Ro felt the same way I did. I knew the fans appreciated me, but when I came back last year, it was magnified even more and you realize how much they miss you as a player and I think those two guys got a taste of that Friday.
I'm sure the fans are happy to see them but I'm sure they're even happier we ended up winning the game. That's the way everybody's wired together here. Thanks for stopping by, but, geez, I hope we win. It was a good win for us, too.
Exactly. The cheers for the two former Cubs were, in my opinion, thank-yous for what they had accomplished as Cubs. Me, I'm very happy that the Cubs swept the series.
The photo accompanying this article is poignant, and it must have felt very strange for Alan Trammell. For more see this post at our SBN Tigers site, Bless You Boys.
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Rick Porcello is the youngest player in the major leagues; he turned 20 on December 27, 2008. After a slow start in April, he's making a case for AL Rookie of the Year; since May 1 he is 7-1, 2.42 in nine starts. Oddly, his ERA is higher at home (4.22) than on the road (3.02), despite Comerica Park's reputation as pitcher-friendly. He's facing the Cubs, obviously, for the first time.
Rich Harden has a 3-1, 3.48 career record against the Tigers from his AL days; he last started against them on June 2, 2008 in Oakland. Placido Polanco is 5-for-7 lifetime vs. Rich and overall, current Tigers sport an .876 OPS against him (small sample size of 53 AB). Harden needs to step it up and be the pitcher he was the second half of 2008.
Cable-only in Chicago and Detroit today, and on EI and MLB.TV. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Comments
Trammell and Tiger Stadium
There’s something very poignant about that picture of Trammell looking through the fence. One can only imagine what was going through his mind. So much history there, from Ty Cobb to Trammell’s era, and now this. He looks like any other aging guy looking for a last glimpse of his youth.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
That is a very sad photo.
It was a great park and tremendous place to see a game. By the time they moved out, the park was long past it’s prime and past saving. Testimony more to the need to maintain a treasured facility over the decades than proof storied parks have to go.
Last time I saw Trammel at Tiger Stadium, he was still playing and looked great.
Time for Harden to show us one of his premium starts and kick some Detroit butt.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Favor, Al ...
Can we declare a moratorium on name puns in headlines? Please?
You gonna write 182 of these a year?
Bad puns necessary. Sorry.
"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 Jun 24, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be willing to go for
more generic headlines “Game #” those’d be boring, but do-able. Especially if Al ever ran out of puns. :-P
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
I personally hope he never runs out.
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
by AndrewJStone on Jun 24, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I like puns
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Sigh.
It’s not easy to write 162 of these a year. Actually, 324, because there’s one for the preview and one for the recap.
Sometimes they’re lame, I admit. Sometimes they’re bad puns. Sometimes, I hope, they’re good.
Always open to headline suggestions. Fire away.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I suggest you don't pay attention to this suggestion
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
No, I understand that.
I’ll try to do better.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think you do a great job with BCB
You know that.
just looking for things to complain about?
by WanderingWanderer on Jun 24, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions
not really
I could bitch and moan about how we shouldn’t have traded DeRosa, how Soriano shouldn’t hit leadoff or how Dusty plays Neifi too much, if you want.
And I could complain about the heat,
can’t we PLEASE have an in-between between cold & rainy and hot & humid?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
We skipped the pleasant part of fall last year...
… and skipped the pleasant part of spring this year. The HELL?
"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 Jun 24, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
regarding dj lemahieu
2nd round pick from lsu. i imagine he’ll be playing for our system soon. he has a reasonable bat and an adequate glove. since he has clooege world series experience, i don’t think he’ll need much time in arizona (if we sign him, which doesn’t sound problematic).
so, where do we send him, nd to play where? i had heard ideas of trying him at short to see if he can play there. second and third are also position options, with secon being the best fit probably.
matt cerda is bouncing between catcher and second in boise, and is three years younger than lamahieu. we have a legit prospect at short in boise in lee. if we would bounce lemahieu straight to peoria, ryan flaherty and junior lake are the 2b/ss and have upside.
maybe we will send ‘that guy’ they have cluttering up the third base at bats up to daytona finally, and let lemahieu be the third baseman. i’m not sure that is the best utilization of his skills, but it’s better having options up the middle in the pipeline than not.
It would be easier to read your comment if you used caps.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah, probably
and my typos didn’t help ither. but i’m beyond fixing
Rebelling against grammar and punctuation?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
usually i'm better at double checking
and my spelling is rather good. my typing is deplorable. maybe even aaron miles bad.
I can relate, my typing skills stink.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Porcello
reminds me of Portillo’s and now I really want a hot dog!
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
That photo is depressing
even if I can’t put my finger on why.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
It kind of sums out the economic situation in Detroit.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
sums up, I mean
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Given what the city is dealing with
sums out is probably just as accurate.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
I dunno, what about
a balding middle aged former athlete peering through a generic crap fence protecting the rubble on the site of his greatest accomplishments might bother you. It’s so Al Bundy.
You could tell me he’s watching cheerleaders practice or something. Doesn’t look like the revered spot where Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, Yaz, Rice, Jackson, Ripken, etc. came to visit the likes of Cobb, Kaline, Kell, Greenberg, Morris, Trammel, etc.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Yeah, I think that just about sums it up.
Too bad the stadium hadn’t been properly maintained over the last couple of decades.
It kind of mirrors the crumbling of the city.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 24, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
for comic relief
daytona is facing a pitcher named furbush
Be much funnier if Rich was the opposing pitcher.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Ryan Freel called up and Reed Johnson to DL
as per Chris De Luca -
Maybe they have to ream him out first...
… for the comments he made to the reporter from Des Moines.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Haven't seen or read the comments
Can someone link story?
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks
Much appreciated.
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Those commments
Were absolutely absurd. I am shocked Lou and Jim are going to put up with that from a utility guy hoping for playing time and at bats. Guy does not have enough respect for the organization or himself to keep it in house.
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
You were fine
I understood you were talking about him.
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Alan Trammell was a very fine shortstop for a long time
Who can ever forget that great 1984 Tiger team that started out the season 35-5 en route to winning the World Series. The marvelous double play combo of Trammell and Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, Jack Morris and the great Sparky Anderson in the dugout. One of the greatest seasons ever for a team.
Detroit has endured tough times for decades. I pass through the Motor City on ocassion and it is truly depressing that one of America’s great old cities has been allowed to become the rotting cesspool that it has been the last 40 years. Detroit was the original “donut city,” white on the outside (the many fine suburbs) and black on the inside. Depressing. And now with the U.S. auto industry in its deepest shit yet who knows if the entire eastern Michigan economy will EVER be okay.
$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.
I couldn't watch a single inning of that WS.
Was happy the Tigers won, but after the NLCS loss (I was in SD), I couldn’t bear to watch.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Can't forget
Guillermo (don’t call me Willie) Hernandez, Howard Johnson and the reality that the GM must have a sense of humor to have Milt Wilcox and Rusty Kuntz on the same team.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Me too.
I was tired of seeing Soto and his .220 in the 5 and 6 hole
I like the batting order
but if both Lee and Hoff are in the lineup, why is the better defender playing DH?
by WanderingWanderer on Jun 24, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Apparently infield defense is optional tonight
Fox at 3rd, Hoffpauir at 1st….jeesh. I understand resting Lee in the field, but not when you give Fox a start in the infield on the same night.
$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.
Gonna be an adventure, for sure.
"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 Jun 24, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Thats ok BLou.... you were totally correct earlier in the season
with as washed up as Lee is. So I’m sure no one will notice the difference at 1st. LOL
"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 25, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Any word on unis?
It’d be nice to see an all classic of Tiger whites and Cub grays.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Dunno.
Sometimes Harden chooses the blue, sometimes not.
I bet you’ll see the gray tomorrow afternoon — Ted Lilly always picks pinstripes/grays.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wait...
The pitcher gets to choose uniforms? I never knew that…
by CubsWin!Oregon on Jun 24, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Slightly OT but here's hoping Game Previews stay "user-friendly"
By now, I’ve come to expect the Game Threads to be all Jekyll & Hyde-ish depending on how the Cubs are doing that particular day, but lately Game Recaps seem to have been filled with more than a little attitude and a few pissing matches as well. Or am I imagining it?
I dunno – maybe it’s the heat???
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Ballhawk slightly OT
But did you ever receive my e-mail thanking you for those tickets to the padres game?
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
nope, don't recall that I did but no worries - glad you were able to use them...
even if The Employee and The Punching Bag were no longer around. ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
....and we are beginning to understand how Ryan Freel wore out his welcome in Cincy and Baltimore
Guy has a mouth. Lou ain’t going to put up with too much more b.s. from Freel. Hope Freel hits like a son of a gun in his return or it will be a quick lights out for his Cub career.
$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.
I was just thinking...
The phrase put up or shut up is going to definitely apply to this lunatic (Freel)
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"
Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001
by MandMexpress12 on Jun 24, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
First Pitch Thread is up
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
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