Time To Give Randy Wells His Due

by BeerCub on Jul 1, 2009 11:23 PM CDT Comment 46 comments

After ten starts, 63 innings pitched, 49 hits allowed, 14 walks, an ERA of 2.43, a WHIP that was 1.09 before today's game, I think it is time to say out loud that Randy Wells could very well be like found money for the Cubs. He's only 26, but it would appear he learned a lot by watching spending all those years in the minor leagues. He doesn't rattle, he doesn't throw at batters when he gets upset, hell, when does he get upset? Since he was called up, has there been a more reliable starting pitcher on the team?

He has shown he can pitch out of jams, he listens to his catcher and coaches, he trusts his fielders, and his low walk total shows he knows how to throw strikes. If the Cubs only get one representative to the All Star Game this year (and what a come down after last year's eight), it isn't unreasonable to suggest Randy Wells deserves at least some consideration. In a year of one mess after another, he's been a real nice story.

Poll

Should Wells make the All Star team?

Yes

33 votes

He should at least get serious consideration

87 votes

No

36 votes

No, and don't ask this again

19 votes

175 votes | Poll has closed

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.

0 recs | Comment 46 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I think we can credit most of his success to Roy Halladay.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jul 1, 2009 11:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

really? how so?

Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball

by lexmarklover on Jul 2, 2009 7:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He played with toronto

My guess is Halladay was a big mentor for him. .

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

didn't he

play in Toronto for like an inning? Maybe cub style was beign sarcastic.

I actually know a friend of Wells, and he told me Maddux helped Randy out in Mesa, so I’d guess he was more of a mentor than Halladay.

He said Maddux asked him to go golfing one day, just him and Greg, and they talked pitching for much of the 3 or 4 hours.

He also said that Dempster stayed in his apartment one time (can’t remember if it was spring training or a rehab assignment. As a thank you, Dempster told Randy to pack an overnight bag, then took him on a private jet to Vegas for a night on the town. Randy isn’t a gambler or much of a drinker, but they went to a show or something.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Jul 2, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, cool stories - especially about Maddux.

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 Jul 2, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard many such stories about Maddux.

Jessica has a zillion of ’em.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that's the case

you could do a lot worse

by chitownhawkeye on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

when the cubs do poor it is xyz – when they do good it is not the cubs to credit

I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.

by hansman1982 on Jul 19, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm just bummed our best starter

won’t face the brewers this weekend

by tim815 on Jul 2, 2009 7:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We miss Gallardo...

So I guess we’re even.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 2, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's really good news, too.

I wrote at the beginning of the year that the Brewers rotation looked like Gallardo and four Suppans. That’s basically correct.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make or break this weekend

We can either be 1/2 game leading the division or up to 7.5 behind….probably biggest series in my eyes so far due to the circumstances.

by ak123 on Jul 2, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see at least 3 out of 4.

That’d pick up two games.

Remember, the Cubs played a series about this same time of year with the Brewers in 2007 — won two of three, and ended the series at 40-40, 6.5 games out — and still won the division.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true

But I think we are capable of sweeping them.

-Home Advantage
-Solid Solid Pitching
-Hopefully some solid hitting….hopefully.

by ak123 on Jul 2, 2009 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One at a time.....

And even if the Cubs sweep, there’s still the little matter of St. Louis and Cincy being in front, too. A sweep doesn’t guarantee first place. Would make us feel good, but it’s only a start.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 2, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals will finish a series with SF today.

Then the Reds and Cardinals play each other this weekend. Who do you root for?

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reds

Cards have a better team, IMO, so more losses for them is probably better for the Cubs.

I don’t want either of those teams to sweep, though.

If the Cubs win 3 of 4 this weekend, I’ll feel better about them possibly getting their heads out of their collective . . . . So I won’t be as concerned about the Cards and Reds series.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 2, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about 3 20-inning games each one ending 1-0 where all

of the Cardinal and Reds hitters go into slumps that last the rest of the season and their bullpens get completely blown out?

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 2, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dont set the bar too low.

"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 Jul 2, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This division is a classic example of why you need a complete team to win. The Brewers rotation

stinks on ice. Even with all of their offense they are basically a .500 team just like the Cubs and Cardinals. Good pitching,good defense and timely hitting make a good team. You can’t try and compensate for a shortcoming by loading up in another area. Eventually, your holes will show through. 162 games tend to do that.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 2, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we slow our collective roll here?

He’s only made 10 starts, wait until people have a book on him and see how he reacts then

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 8:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that's what people were saying 6 starts ago....

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 2, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

either way, its only 10 starts

and he was never a widely heralded prospect, I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves here, his contributions not withstanding b/c he has been great

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right.

When will people shut up about this Myers kid and give Felix Pie, C-Pat, Bobby Brownlie and the other heralded prospects their due and proper?

by Orval Overall on Jul 2, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops, sleep deprivation

caused me to type “Myers” instead of “Wells.” Maybe I am guilty of a little wishful thinking after all.

by Orval Overall on Jul 2, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Youre right

He’s going to beat out Lincecum for the Cy Young and finish with 512 career victories or get figured out and get shelled by the time August rolls around

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right, thats exactly what I said

by Orval Overall on Jul 2, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

nice

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I didn't make it clear.....

….. i thought I did, in that i wasn’t stating any certainties. “Could very well be…” was as far as I went.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jul 2, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People were like this for Rich Hill in 2006

Just pointing out that it’s early. I hope he has much more success than Hill.

by ak123 on Jul 2, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my point exactly

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 2, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RANDY WELLS COULD BE VERY MUCH LIKE FOUND MONEY FOR THE CUBS

There, I said it out loud.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 2, 2009 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

ROY for Wells?

That’s more likely. He’s gotta be up there right?

I haz comedy show in August. You come seez it please?: Hot Beans Delivers

by digitalbenjamin on Jul 2, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How did we aquire Wells?

by grand salamis on Jul 2, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Originally drafted by us....

.picked by Toronto in Rule 5 draft. They couldn’t keep him up in the majors, so they had to return him to us.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 2, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't resist taking a shot at Z, could you?

Anyway, congrats to Randy Wells on a fantastic season thus far. He should absolutely be considered for both the All-Star Game and ROY.

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 Jul 2, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If he can keep making starts like he has...

He has a good shot at being a top candidate in ROY. When was the last time a team had back to back ROY?

"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 Jul 2, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Houston Street and Bobby Crosby, Oakland 04 and 05

Only time they’ve been Cubs was when Billy Williams and Ken Hubbs went back to back.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 2, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's actually not that uncommon...

as has been mentioned, it last happened in 2004-2005 with the A’s. The Mariners had back-to-back in 2000-2001. The Dodger had five in a row from 1992-1996. And the A’s three in a row from 1986-1988, and so on.

Would be nice if Wells can keep it going. It’ll be interesting to see how he does the second time he faces teams. But he has been terrific to this point.

by SouthernCub on Jul 2, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs