Sweep! Fox, Soriano Homer, Lead Cubs To 11-3 Blowout Of Nationals
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 5:24 PM CDT
in Recaps
250 comments
WASHINGTON -- I almost feel sorry for them. Almost. The Nationals are so far from being a good team that the fans there -- outnumbered again by blue-shirted Cubs fans -- have to have faith almost beyond any that the fans of a modern baseball team need. In talking to a few people today, I heard that Manny Acta had been promised by ownership that they'd spend money to become a winner.
Hmmm. Sounds like the reason Lou Piniella left Tampa Bay. Manny Acta is a good baseball man and will probably find another managerial job. Meanwhile, every time Jim Riggleman trudges out to the mound to make another pitching change, his body language cries out, "What the heck am I doing here?"
Today, the Cubs rested Aramis Ramirez and Milton Bradley, and the taped-fingered Alfonso Soriano hit his second homer in two days along with a double. Jake Fox added a three-run blast and drove in four runs, and Mike Fontenot and Micah Hoffpauir chimed in with three hits each and the Cubs crushed the Nationals 11-3, sweeping the four-game series (something they did twice last year, against the Rockies at home and Brewers on the road) and moving into second place by themselves as the Brewers lost to the Reds.
Just in case you think this was as easy as it looked -- keep in mind that the Nationals have won series vs. the Diamondbacks (OK, that's not such a big deal), the Blue Jays (a bit harder degree of difficulty), and the Yankees -- in Yankee Stadium. They do have some talented hitters; Adam Dunn usually feasts on Cub pitching but this weekend, he was limited to a single homer this afternoon when the Nats were down by nine runs. The next series in Philadelphia won't be this easy, obviously, but winning four in a row -- no matter how you do it or who it's against -- is something that I think can breed confidence through the Cubs clubhouse and keep winning going. In addition to four in a row, it's now six of eight. The Cubs are also four games over .500 for the first time since May 20, when they were 21-17 and in the middle of their eight-game losing streak.
Kevin Hart again walked far too many hitters -- five in five innings, which now gives him a ridiculous 15 walks in 15.2 innings in the major leagues this year. Still, he kept squeezing out of jams, even while giving the Nats a pair of runs in the first three innings, helped in part by a slick double play in the third. After the Cubs exploded for their seven-run fourth inning that pretty much put the game away, Hart got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth -- Fox dropped an easy grounder but got the force at the plate anyway, and after he qualified for his first win of the season, Jeff Samardzija threw three effective innings, striking out three and giving up just a single to Cristian Guzman and the homer to Dunn. Jeff Stevens -- who hadn't pitched in nine days -- finished up with a scoreless ninth. So Lou got his wish -- rested some regulars and pitched the two relievers who hadn't worked at all this weekend, thus having a rested bullpen for the series in Philadelphia.
Today I tried the "NY Meatball Sandwich" from "Taste of the Majors" which should more accurately be called "Taste of the NL East". It was close to my seat -- what can I say -- I didn't feel like scouting the entire concourse for other divisions. While I was eating the very good sandwich, the late-arriving crowd was "treated" to an incredibly lame "pregame show" on the Jumbotron. I know other teams do this but it feels very strange to have a live baseball game treated like a television show. Today, the feature was some chefs grilling some random food selections and then having a "taste-off". Let me tell you, there is nothing more boring than watching other people eat on a Jumbotron -- especially when all the Nats vendors wear shirts that read, on the back, "EATING IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT".
All of this was after I went up to the upper deck near the press box to see the tiny little view of the Capitol you can get from certain portions of the 400-level seats. It's the only DC landmark you can see from there, and it's nearly lost in some of the new-construction high rises going up between the stadium and downtown Washington.
Hey, like I said: they try hard. They need to improve the act both on and off the field. The employees are friendly and courteous; leaving the park one of them said, "Thanks for coming!" I responded, "Thanks for the four wins!" For those of you I was able to meet this weekend, nice to meet you; for those who weren't able to make contact, next time, or see you in Philly. Onward up I-95.
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That 1st word you used...
Sounds so darn good Al!!!
Go Cubs Go!!!!
by cubsluver22 on Jul 19, 2009 5:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't it, though?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's hear it more the 2nd half
K?
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jul 19, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As long as its us doing the sweeping
the reverse is painful
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
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 Jul 19, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some people might say "Well, it WAS the Nationals."
But this is a game of momentum. This might be the series we needed to get it going. Soriano looks to be seeing the ball well, Aramis is finally back, Lee has been back to form, our pitching has been solid and the bullpen improves each month. This could be the start of a great second half!!!!!
"Live and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day comes when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these words: wait and hope!" - The Count of Monte Cristo
by Bricks and Ivy on Jul 19, 2009 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
You play the schedule you’re given. Sweeping a four-game series isn’t easy no matter who it is. The team looks good. Let’s keep it going in Philly.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
good teams win these type of series
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 Jul 19, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And thankfully it wasn't as dramatic...
as this game. The only other time I’d gotten to see a Cub four-game sweep in person.
That was a fun 17 innings, though.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was at that game too!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My cousin met his wife at that game!
Someone had 2 tickets for the game and couldn’t go. She thought of her cousin who at that time lived in Milwaukee and her friend who lived in Cedarburg and the rest is history.
And this person still insists it was just a coinkidink she had those tickets and thought of them.
Of course this person was me.
I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 19, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 games against teams you're supposed to beat
are usually hard.
The fact that our pitching held up and got out of jams with a good hitting club is good news.
I just hope the bats got some confidence.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo
I had high hopes for this same series last year (and the one I saw in Pittsburgh over Memorial Day weekend). Naturally, a better Cubs team went 1-2 in both sets.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope that it was like in college Football
You know when Alabama or LSU plays some IIA school and kicks the dog snot of them 73-3. A tune up game to see everything at game speed. That’s what this was for the second half I hope. Hopefully winning wil become a habit.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Jul 19, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking the same thing today.
"Live and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day comes when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these words: wait and hope!" - The Count of Monte Cristo
by Bricks and Ivy on Jul 19, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beyond momentum
Even the 1962 Mets won 1 out of every 4 games. (Usually against the Cubs, if I’ve read my history right) Bad teams in baseball consistently take one game in a three game series.
A sweep always shows team playing well, no matter who it’s against. A four game sweep is tough against any team.
by Josh77 on Jul 19, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last year
the cubs used the 4 game sweep against the brewcrew to get things going, lets hope this is the same. Also, VERY VERY GOOD t osee sori get hs power back, even if they werent the best pitchers in the world. And so what if it was a gainst the nationals, there has to be a winner and a loser and the nats cant lose every game, getting swept/3-1, or split would have been bad though. at least the ycame out on top.
by CubsFanInWisconsin on Jul 19, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
plus no matter how bad they are
they still are Pros, and anyone can win or lose on any given day.
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 Jul 19, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gotta start somewhere...
…and a 4 game sweep against anybody is a darn good one.
Now, you hope they can build some mojo from this and maybe win at least 13 out of 20 coming out of the break.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Jul 19, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This one counts
The level of winniness was high enough despite the fact that it was against the Nationals. If they had been playing the Phillies, the winniness level still would have resulted in a win although it would have required the Phillies to make 2 errors leading to 2 unearned runs and strike 6 times with the bases loaded. I ran the calculations using the WASTE stat (Winniness Against Strong TEams) and in 50.23% of the scenarios, the Cubs would have won this game.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 5:33 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
...strike out 6 times...
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it's the latest sabermetric measure of the magnitude of a win.
It’s also known as the “horse stat”, because those in the know call dominating performances “whinny” and bad ones “neigh”.
by aldimond on Jul 19, 2009 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for educating me
though “winniness” sounds like a word my toddler would make up
by TC Cubby on Jul 19, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, I can't tell which of us has our sarcasm cloak pulled on tighter at the moment...
So I’d feel bad if I didn’t admit that I made that post up completely. But, you know, if you were playing along with the “educating me” comment, good play.
I did just check The Great Google to make sure that nobody had ever used the word “winniness” in a serious context in the History Of The Internets, and I don’t think anyone has.
by aldimond on Jul 19, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah I'm first
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a BCB stat
such as CLPCL which is Curmudgeon Level Per Cubs Loss which determines the amount of repetitive criticism that comes out when the Cubs aren’t playing so well. A certain poster here leads the planet in CLPCL. Also, he has the highest VORC (Value Over Replacement Curmudgeon) in league history. I’ve lead the league in RJIG (Running a Joke Into The Ground) since I was about 10.
BTW, my sarcasm cloak is pulled on so tight right now I’m turning blue. All joking aside, it was a poke at some people’s attempts to minimize Cub wins when they’re supposed to win.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
VOM
you forgot VOM. Value Over Miles. like for example. a bag of peanuts has about .86 VOM
When's it gonna happen?
by Chicago White Sux on Jul 19, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Is the bag unopened?
Then its VOM is over 1
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jul 19, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and did you get it
outside the stadium or inside? We need all the info.
by CubFan81 on Jul 20, 2009 6:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're underrating the bag of peanuts' winniness.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure
but how SCRAPPY is it?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it has SCRAPPY WINNINESS!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
now THERE
is a stat. Games that are win by less then two runs have a SW factor of 10. That factor goes up by 50% if you have Riot or Eckstein on your team.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And that factor goes up even further if they're left-handed
you can never have enough SWL on your team!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 20, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, Pittsburgh!
SWL! What an excellent stat!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just make sure you know what to expect...
if you’re going to have it done.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 20, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet sweep
just keep it going is all there is to say, keep it going.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on Jul 19, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just what the doctor ordered
A great series by the Cubs – and a nice offensive outburst today.
Looking ahead to the Phillies series, winning 2 out of 3 would make for a fantastic 6-1 road trip. One game at a time, though…
If Soriano can keep contributing, I think the rest of the bats have been swinging pretty well.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Jul 19, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who knew we had to tape his fingers together
for him to hit
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jul 19, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe that helped with focus
you’re concentrating on your finger so your swing suddenly becomes looser b/c you’re not focusing on whatever else?
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who would have thought
that the problem was that Soriano was thinking TOO MUCH?
by waltetod on Jul 19, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did
I figured he was pressing and thinking about what he should be doing.
A lot of times you have problems doing something b/c you’re thinking instead of doing.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok who's got him next week?
Who is volunteering to dislocate a finger on Sori next week? Should we take up a list, an order of merit as too who gets to dislocate his fingers everyweek?
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Jul 19, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ted Lilly
Is always available to dislocate fingers.
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 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully no one
once he’s back, he usually stays hot for a while.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it makes sense.
common psychological phenomenon (forgot the actual name ATM) but its where you try so hard not to do somehting (like strike out) that you actually do. I want to say self fulfilling prophecy but thats not entirely correct, tho
by CubsFanInWisconsin on Jul 19, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you see
this article in the NYT?
Its actually really fascinating about that same thing.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the Tom House story
I think when he was in Atlanta, where the manager gives him the ball and says “Whatever you do, DON’T give up a home run here.” Of course, a brain being the weird machines it is, hears basically “give up home run…give up home run”. So House serves up a meatball and the guy hits it out. Moral: Tell your guys things like “keep the ball down”. “get this guy out”, “get a good pitch to hit”. etc. Not “don’t strike out”, “donj’t walk this guy”, and so on.
by cubmudgeon on Jul 20, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly right,
focus on the positive outcome.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 20, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it becomes a problem a player starts thinking too much and pressing.
Maybe the ASB will help him. I read another site that said he should spend the 72 hours just working working working. I was of the contrary opinion it might help him to not think anything about baseball for at least part of the time.
I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 19, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back in the day, Bernard King of the NY Knicks had two broken fingers on each hand so he taped them together
(the fingers, not the hands)
All he did was win the scoring title that year…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I was a wide receiver,
taping the middle two fingers of each hand together kept them from getting jammed and also helped me to catch the ball a lot better.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you'll never live long and prosper that way...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
:)
k’plah
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 20, 2009 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good win!
Now we face red hot Philly. A team we had trouble with even when we won 97 last year. A strong series the next 3 days would really help this team’s road confidence and get those Cardinals a bit worried.
It is time for the Cubs to start making some noise!!
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
by LAcarl519 on Jul 19, 2009 5:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Phils had been struggling at home...
but they seem to have addressed that issue in their last homestand.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly right.
They had started 13-22 in Philadelphia, but they went 9-1 in 10 games right before the all-star break.
However, the games were against the N.Y. Mets, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Struggling?
They swept the Mets.
Took 3 outta 4 from the Reds.
Swept the Pirates before the AS break.
And just took 3 games from the Marlins, 1 game rained out.
By my measure they are hitting on all cylinders right NOW.
Having said that, I think It won’t be easy but the Cubs have a great shot at bringing the Phillies 8 game winning streak to an end, especially if Lilly has a good night tomorrow.
by JFCubFan on Jul 19, 2009 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
With Z, Lilly and Harden going.
I’ve got a feeling we take 2 of 3.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Jul 19, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope your right.
What a shot in the arm that would be!
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cardinals start a long road trip tomorrow
against Houston, Washington and then Philadelphia. Soon we’ll be saying “GO NATS!”
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Jul 19, 2009 5:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Do I have to cheer for Houston?
Seems like it.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not if you're not scoreboard watching yet
Its interesting, I’m sorta keeping track… but more important than Cards/Brewers/Reds/whatever is that the Cubs start winning more consistently.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely.
Let’s see the Cubs start winning on a more regular basis, then we can worry about scoreboard watching.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always scoreboard watch...
especially with the MLB Package, it makes it worth watching the Cardinals/Reds, for example.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Jul 19, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 19, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was certainly nice to have it for free this weekend
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me of high school intermural sports
Somebody named their team the “Nads”, so that they could cheer “Go Nods”, “Go Nads”.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
by vonde6 on Jul 19, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great start
It’s good to see Sori get his groove back a tad bit. Hopefully, this will vault them into a good second half of the season.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
by propheteer on Jul 19, 2009 5:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great day
Sorry I missed you. A tremendous day all around – around my seats apparently all the season ticket holders had flipped them to Cubs fans as it was like sitting at Wrigley, only hotter.
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945
by flyingdonut on Jul 19, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It was weird...
I sat in the seats I usually buy, behind home plate and below the press box. Friday and Saturday, I had a few open seats around me, but not today.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In other news
The Brewers just added a very solid Felipe Lopez by trade.
Go Cubs Go!!!!
by cubsluver22 on Jul 19, 2009 6:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Still an upgrade
They made a solid move last year for Ray Durham that loomed large towards the end. I see this as a similar move. Of course I’m saying this with no stat sheets in front of me and going off what I’d seen in the past.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
by TkGoUWGB on Jul 19, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh it is an upgrade
I know he is on my Fantasy team and has been saving my bacon in Runs and Avg.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Jul 19, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jim Riggleman
Was signing autographs with three players before the game in a “signature Sunday” promotion. When I got to the front of the line, all I could say was “good luck.”
No time to ask about Sammy being on the juice.
Al, sorry I missed you. Hope you enjoyed Natstown. Remember those of us who are left behind. The World must know the truth!
by 08Cubs on Jul 19, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Al, tview of the Capitol was a bit more impressive, until they put up that ugly red tent at the top of the parking garage midway through last season. They should’ve stuck it on the opposite garage and blocked out the apartment/office buildings.
It was great to finally get to meet you. I’ll see you for the Mets series at the end of August.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
*the view...the keyboard on this laptop is beyond silly
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 19, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was our first sweep in Washington since when?
I know it was some time in the 1890s.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 6:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Answer, per MLB.com's wrap:
July 11-14, 1898.
It would be interesting to see a graphic about prices of various goods, comparing now and then.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's a quick one..
US Senator Salaries
1873-1907 — $5,000 per annum
2009 — $174,000 per annum
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
$5000 was a huge amount of money in those days.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and $174,000 isn't now...for a part time job?
along with a daily stipend for food, ALL travel expenses, a fully staffed office, a government issued car, and a ridiculous pension?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Without making a political statement...
… yes, it is.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
being a US Senator
assuming you’re not talking about the baseball team, is not a part-time job.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please explain your reasoning with facts.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
being a Senator
or a US Representative isn’t just sitting in an office in DC. Running for office is part of the job. Meeting with constituents is part of the job. It’s full time.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No...running for office is pretty much ALL of the job.
They have to do it to get the job…and they pretty much vote certain ways to appease the interests that helped them get the job. Meeting their constituents IS part of the job, but I’ll be dammed if I’ve seen an actual Senator LISTEN to any of them. Senators and Representatives could all work for 4 months out of the year and pretty much accomplish what they need to do if they didn’t spend all their time schmoozing and trying to raise $. /political discussion.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
but ok.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe
that Mark Twain was correct when he said, “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jul 19, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget the free health care that is the best in the nation...
Comes with all Congressmen and has certainly made it less of an incentive over the years for them to desire changing the national system.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How is being a U.S. Senator a Part-time job?
Most of these folks Spend 60 hours a week in D.C. and 30 hours a week in their home state, working. Then they are expected to fund raise in their “spare time.”
I promise you SWL, you wouldn’t do that job for 174,000 a year.
Also most of them took pay cuts from their former jobs to become senators.
Any yahoo can get a cheap cheer for saying “Politicians Suck.” But you are not any yahoo. You can do better
By the way this is not a political statement. Most Democrats and Republicans work their butts off and both parties have d-bags in them as well.
You can sit around and mock all politicians and pull out a few to say, “Look at that guy, I guess they all suck.” But if people did that here they could Point to BLou and say “Hey look at that guy. I guess the BCB Community sucks.”
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 19, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Define "working".....
seriously…they’re supposed to be “legislating” and I can’t think of one single thing the Legislative Branch of Government has done in the last 20 years to solve a problem without creating a new one.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lighten up people
This is a baseball board.
We regularly talk about how baseball players don’t earn their money….. What has Bradley done to earn his money this year? I’m sure he is also working hard, we just don’t see it.
Same can be said for politics.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could make this a very long post
but instead I will just point out that the US is a representative democracy which means our elected official are elected to represent the best interest (national and local) of their constituents one tool of which is legislation.
If you would like to have a serious discussion about the value of a representative democracy in such a culturally diverse and large society and possible alternatives which would be more effective, please let me know. But saying the only job of an elected representative is to legislate is incorrect and deceivingly simplistic.
Also every action, regardless if it is a business or government decision, has unintended consequences.
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 20, 2009 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow you obviously missed my idea. I'll try it another way
AL SAYS TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THIS FORUM.
Talk about the value of adding a back up catcher and you got my full attention.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 20, 2009 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quit playing BCB police..
…and talk about baseball.
Let the people posting about Dems and Reps talk out their issue. I’m sure they don’t need your opinion.
by Cubs and Hawks fan on Jul 20, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Madison Cub Fan is correct.
This wasn’t really a political discussion, it was more about the nuts & bolts of government.
That said, let’s end that here. This is a baseball blog.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you.
When I started this conversation, I did not intend it to turn into a political discussion.
I was more interested in the prices of various goods … 12 eggs, for instance.
It would also be interesting to find out just how long it took to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles at the time, too.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 20, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If a train leaves Los Angeles at 5 AM . . .
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 20, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
... and arrives in Chicago at 11 pm....
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how many volcano tacos
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To make this short....
please email me with some reasoning as to how “culture” and the “size” of a society should influence what a senator does?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 20, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best way to the start the second half!
Hopefully today’s outburst can get the bats going. However, we still played the same kind of crappy baseball in this series that we’ve played throughout the year.
Game 1 = 4-12 RISP
Game 2 = 1-9 RISP
Game 3 = 2-8 RISP (including squandering a lead-off triple by Fukudome in the 7th).
Game 4 = 6-14 RISP (including wasting a lead-off double by Fukudome in the 1st).
This garbage has to change… we’re not gonna beat real baseball teams playing like this.
At least the pitching has been strong aside from Heilman last night, who did everything in his power to try and give away the game. Kevin Hart only lasted 5 today… and walked 5. But, I’ll let him off the hook. He’s a fill-in.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For the series
thats 13 out of 43… or .302
I’ll take that.
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some folks just can't be happy, no matter what
"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
by Clutch16 on Jul 19, 2009 7:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
um.
games 2 and 3 were not great for RISP (although Game 3 was .200). Game 1 was a .400 game, game 4 was over .400 with RISP.
That’s not garbage.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a math student, but the averages were:
Game 1: .333
Game 2: .111
Game 3: .250
Game 4: .429
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at the circumstances...
and incredible # of missed opportunities.
Game 1: DLee lead-off double in the 4th. Nothing.
Game 2: Fukudome lead-off double in 1st. Nothing.
Game 3: Fukudome lead-off triple in 7th. Nothing
Game 4: Fukudome lead-off double in 1st. Nothing.
Game 4: Fox lead-off double in 8th. Nothing.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at the results
Game 1. Win
Game 2. Win
Game 3… win.
Game 4. Resounding win.
Seriously. they hit .302 overall with RISP and won.
Sack, its progress. Sure they need to do it more often, but aren’t you encouraged? At all?
by Allie on Jul 19, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want better. Is it so wrong for me to want them to play better fundamental baseball?
The had 5 lead-off extra base hits that led to zero runs. That’s pathetic. And that’s the same kind of baseball they’ve been playing all year long.
Some people are calling me crabby. Whatever. I want better baseball. Play like this against the Dodgers and you’re getting swept.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Serious question.
Would you rather win a game with a low batting average with RISP or lose a game with a high batting average with RISP?
I’d take the first, because no matter how badly they play, a win is still a win.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course I want to win. Come on.
But… all year long we’ve wasted scoring opportunities… to the tune of the worst RISP batting average in baseball. And, in this series, against the worst team in all of baseball, we wasted 5 lead-off extra base hits. That’s no improvement.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well for me,
Every team will have trouble getting hits with RISP.
But, on my part, I could care less about what that average is, as long as we win. The win to me is more important than batting average with RISP.
Though a clutch hit every now and then never hurts.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the season hitting w/RISP has been a problem...
in games 1 and 4 of this series it was absolutely not a problem. I can’t believe someone would seriously complain about a team going 6-14 (.429 average) with RISP. I can’t believe someone would complain about a .333 average either.
Can you find examples of the team not converting runners? Sure. But you can find that with any team in any game. No team converts the majory of their RISP. It’s just unrealistic.
I agree that it’s been a problem this season. But this weekend isn’t the best example for which to complain about the Cubs hitting w/RISP.
by SouthernCub on Jul 19, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't wear rose colored glasses
but c’mon even I realize they did win. Did they miss some chances sure, but did they capitalize on a variety of mistakes yes. That is what good teams do against really horrible teams.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I certainly agree with you here.
They played just fine…getting hits when they needed them for the most part and had good pitching. Against a woeful team I think they focused very well. If you take the same stats and project them against the Phillies…well, it’s a silly argument to worry about because the pitching is much better and you are comparing apples and oranges.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wear rose colored glasses
I just took them off.
Sweeping any 4 game series on the road is still rose colored!
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 20, 2009 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's gonna happen
in EVERY game. Baseball is a game where missing 7 times out of ten (offensively) is a success.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the problem here is not so much hitting with RISP;
it is failing to make productive outs. we got a lot of big hits this series, but situational hitting has been a major problem all year.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 19, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And bad situational hitting, is bad fundamental baseball.
Most of the time, we have a guy on second, and we can’t even move the runner over. We have a guy on third, and we can’t even put the ball into play. And, that’s why these guys aren’t scoring.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
6 runs in four games
Is 6.5 runs per game.
How is that not scoring?
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is with my keyboard?
26 runs*
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We played the Nationals.
The worst team in all of baseball… with the second worst pitching staff in all of baseball. They give us a gazillion opportunities to score.
What I’m trying to point out is that we failed in the same situations as we’ve been failing all year long. Great to sweep a 4 game series. But, we still need major improvement.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We also won 4 games in a row...
which we haven’t done in a month.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who knows, maybe this series was the beginning of our improvement.
I’d rather improve against a team we’re “supposed” to beat as opposed to improving against someone who can beat us easily.
In that second situation, the team we’re playing likely can stop any batting improvements we make.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
THey failed far less often than they have done this year...
And in two games, they did really quite well with RISP.
They are not going to hit .600 w/RISP. There will always be times when the team fails to get a runner home. Nobody converts all their chances.
If the Cubs continue to hit .300 w/RISP for the rest of the season like they did this series, they’ll be in fine shape.
by SouthernCub on Jul 19, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But ya gotta admit...
…they beat up on a team that’s, lets just say anything less than 3-1 would have been disappointing.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Jul 19, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right
But no team will cash in on every single on base opportunity. They’re heading in the right direction now. Let’s see if they can diffuse the hottest team in baseball right now.
by ak123 on Jul 19, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
game 1
is .300 not .400. Fat-fingered it.
4 for 12 is .300.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 for 12
to me… is 8 missed opportunities to score a run. That’s HUGE.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You expect too much of any team if that's the way you look at it...
4-12 is fantastic hitting with RISP. No team in the league hits that well on a regular basis.
by SouthernCub on Jul 19, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dood
EVERY TEAM IN BASEBALL DOES THAT. The Cardinals would LOVE to hit 4-12 with RISP. So would the Dodgers.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also remember
Their starter for game 1 was actually good. We scored enough runs to win the game…let’s just leave it at that.
by ak123 on Jul 19, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A GREAT hitter
will only get on base 35 times out of 100 – so is that saying that he sucks because there were 65 other times that he should have gotten on base?
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 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
err
get a hit – ob around 40 times.
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 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 for 12...
is .333.
Can’t complain about a .302 avg w/ RISP.
This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09
by Kansas25 on Jul 19, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
can complain about not getting that run in the first inning, however; we didn't need to get a hit to score.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 19, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was just luck that we didn't score in the first inning.
Lee hit that one right at Zimmerman and it was right on the base line. I can’t think of anyone who could have gotten back to third in that situation.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right - bad luck occasionally happens...
Theriot did his job right, and it was just a fluke occurrence with Lee having a check swing bounce right to Zimmerman who caught Fukudome. Sometimes, things just don’t break your way. But when you hit .300+ with RISP, you can get away with the occasional bad break (like we did in this series).
by SouthernCub on Jul 19, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome shouldn't of been that far down the line...
Favorite player of all time: Ryne Sandberg.
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jul 19, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, come on
seriously? That was a standard lead.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few things.
Like VCF said, it was a bit of a fluke that the run didn’t score in the first (although Dome probably could have done better a better job on the double-play, I don’t think that’s a play that anyone reads correctly 100% of the time).
Even without that, you can’t complain that much about individual instances of failing to score a runner from second with no outs. In the early innings, although you might as a hitter try to hit the ball to the right side a little more than usual because of the runner, for the most part you should take your normal approach because that gives you the best chance for a big inning. Only late in the game, when the number of runs you need is more defined, is it wise to focus on manufacturing runs. If a team consistently fails to score their baserunners that’s a problem, but complaining about one instance in the top of the first in any game is missing the forest for the trees.
by aldimond on Jul 19, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know why everyone disagrees with my view on this.
There were 5 times in this series where we led off an inning with an extra base hit and didn’t score. There’s no better of an opportunity to score in baseball than having a RISP with nobody out. And we constantly fail in this scenario.
We’re batting .202 this year with a guy on second base.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 19, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you trying to say our batting average w/RISP has been bad this year?
It has, I will agree with you on that.
But we hit .302 w/RISP in this series, including .429 in the fourth game alone. So, why are you trying to say our batting average w/RISP was bad in this series?
For all we know, this could be the start of things to come.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think anyone is actually disagreeing with the fact that we should have scored
at least a couple runs from those leadoff x-tra basehits….but the team’s lack of consistency of hitting with RISP has been well documented and discussed ad nauseum here. So your bringing it up as a main focus after sweeping a 4 game road series is probably what is causing the backlash.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the difference is
we’re .100 points OVER that for THIS SERIES. So to complain about us not improving on a .202 average with runners in scoring position when we’ve… improved on a .202 average with runners in scoring position…
Yes, it’s stunk that the Cubs haven’t been better at it before now. But four wins in a row, two of which had SEVERAL manufactured runs…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with your timing on the airing of your view
We just swept a four game series. Save it for when we lose.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Im not disagreein with the YEAR just THIS series.
If you want to bring up series they lost and talk about lack of scoring w/ RISP I’ll agree with you. But THIS series they did do well. For that I am happy.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with your view that we should be mad about one sorta flukey failure.
Hell, if you look at 4 games and only see 5 failures, that’s pretty selective memory. You can’t look at any one inning and say much about a baseball team, that’s just not how the game works. If you want to be selective, you could probably drop a quarter of the plate appearances in this series and turn it from a four-game sweep to a three-game sweep the other way.
For the season the Cubs have struggled in many run-scoring situations. But you’re moving the goalposts. You wanted to complain about all the missed opportunities this series when, in fact, they converted on their opportunities at about the rate you expect. So you complained about one double play, which is necessarily dumb. When this was pointed out to you you moved to the whole season. Well, I’ll grant that the .202 number is accurate through yesterday at least. The Cubs are batting .202 with a runner on just second but slugging .500 with runners on the corners. The first-and-second and second-and-third splits are bad also, but they’re hitting OK with the bases loaded and rocking it with a runner on either first or third alone. What can be made of this? Maybe runners on second are trying to steal signs and screwing it up? Hm, probably not, but thanks for cherry-picking a stat for our bemusement.
It seems like the Cubs are drawing a lot of walks with runners in scoring position, and not many with the bases empty. That’s unfortunate but sort of predictable — I would guess most pitchers have a greater ability to adjust their approaches situationally than most hitters do. The difference seems to be quite pronounced with the Cubs — it seems that several Cub hitters can play into pitchers’ hands at times, especially with Ramirez out and Soriano slumping.
Overall they’re doing just slightly better with men on than not, but worse than league-average in both situations. I think the biggest concern is fixing the general hitting problems; if the Cubs can do that the situational stuff will look great.
by aldimond on Jul 20, 2009 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's my major beef.
5 extra base hits to lead-off an inning, and zero runs scored on them.
When we watch or opponents play against us… they score on those opportunities more often than not. That is statistically among the best opportunities you’re going to have in the game of baseball. And, well… we wasted them in this series, just like we’ve wasted them all season.
You do that against the Phillies, and you’re going to lose. Period.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 20, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When we watch or opponents play against us… they score on those opportunities more often than not.
Do they? I’d like to see those statistics.
You do that against the Phillies, and you’re going to lose. Period.
Score 11 runs against the Phillies and you’re likely to win.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Focus on the lead-off extra base hits.
How often do you see our opponents waste those? Especially the Cardinals.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Jul 20, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
again
I’d like to see those statistics. Do you have any?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling any sabermagician.........
I would be very curious to see what other teams averages are. I won’t know how to find out the exact stats.
I realize overall the Cubs have struggled w/ this most of the year. But I would love to see what others have done in the last month.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 20, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this isn't what you want, but it's getting there:
by buckmulligan on Jul 20, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
um...
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 20, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're complaining about this
After we sweep a four-game series on the road????
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 20, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How did we "waste" them? We WON all four games!
Now if we had scored runs on any or all of those “5 extra-base-hits-to-lead-off-an-inning” opportunities, then they would have been wasted seeing as how we won all four games anyway.
Seriously, I understand your point but your timing is way off. Yes, these are missed opportunities, but guess what – we found a way to win anyway. Somewhere some other aspect of the total game of baseball kicked in and we won.
Come back with this IF it happens against the Phillies and you’ll probably get a better reception.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 20, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know why, but the complaint makes me think of this:
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 20, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll drink to that!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 20, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
forget hitting with RISP for a moment,
we are also worst in the league at getting a runner in from third with less than two outs. that simply has to improve or we’re are going to lose a lot of close games.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 20, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
would you argue
that it did not improve over the last four games?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 20, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
a little, but not nearly enough. the offense improved,
which is great, but ultimately i’d like to see this offense get more efficient as well as more powerful. i say again, against tough teams the cubs cannot afford to keep failing to bring the runner in from 3rd base with less than two outs. a .300 average with RISP (i think we were around that this series) is great, but our RBI success % with runnners on 3rd less than 2 outs needs to be much better than that. last time i saw the stat we hovering just over 41%, well below league average. the homeruns and clutch hits won’t always be there. we need to get those runs in in other ways as well, like hitting a fly ball to the outfield or a ground ball up the middle. i like to see batters taking a shot early in the count, but late in the count, shorten up, put the ball in play, and bring the run home. it’s fundamental baseball, and the cubs are very bat at this aspect of it.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 20, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i guess its all fukudomes fault then
without those hits it would have been 2-7 and 6-13
damn you fukudome!
wells4roty
by jesus christos on Jul 19, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone needs a nap.
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 19, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol...i hate to agree with a jibe at a fan member here but that seems true to me...
we swept ’em, why not enjoy it then prepare for a different opponent…I mean, if we won a series against a similar opponent with games we should have lost maybe this would make sense to analyze…
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holding Dunn
to a meaningless HR over four days is no small feat. An excellent series win, and hopefully, we can take at least 2/3 from the Phils.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 7:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Here's one for the trivia buffs.
When was our last series win in Philadelphia?
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wrong.
April 6, 7, and 8 in 2001.
The Cubs won the first game 3-2 and the second game 8-4, before losing the third game 3-1.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew it was a long time
but I didn’t realize it’s been that long since the Cubs had a series win in Philadelphia. And that was at the Vet.
Hope I can bring home a win tomorrow. Sitting in the 3rd row down the LF line.
by PhillyCub on Jul 19, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason why it took ten minutes to reply
Was because I was checking baseball-reference to be sure. I also didn’t realize it had been that long.
Have a great time at the game tomorrow, and help us bring home a win!
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last time I saw the Cubs win here in person was
on Sunday 5/13/07, a 4-1 win to avoid a sweep. Lilly went 8 innings giving up only a run.
I think that’s a good sign for tomorrow night !!!
by PhillyCub on Jul 19, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs
The Cubs are 8-0 this season with friends from one of my non sports internet groups at the game.
Friends in Philly area will be at tomorrow and Wednesdays games.
I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 19, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like your friends
wells4roty
by jesus christos on Jul 19, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also like your friends :)
Do you have or can you make friends in STL & LA?
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My dad lives near Madison and it always seems like a mix around there...
Some Cubbie fans and of course some Brewers.Does it seem that way to you around Mad City? I have friends here in STL of course since I live here but you’d be on your own for LA.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 20, 2009 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well her's are 8-0 and that is a damn good record.
Madison use to be a mix but in the last year or two tho there are suddenly more Brewer fans now that the Brewers are winning. Once football gets going many of them will lose interest.
Living in STL and being a Cubs fan, that must be tough.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 20, 2009 1:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw more Brewer hats at any one Badger game last fall
Than I did in 4 years as a student . . .
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 20, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Madison really isn't much of a baseball town either
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 20, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No love for the Mallards?
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 20, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Want me to go to the games in Philadelphia too?
The Cubs are 5-0 in games I watch in person.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 20, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought about that...
but really didn’t want to take 3 days off with three other Cub trips this summer, and I really don’t want to deal with Philly fans after almost getting into a fracas with them here in DC earlier this season. (Only avoided it because I was tweeting about the Nats inept grounds crew dealing with the tarp.)
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Jul 20, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Philly would help.
But how vacation do you have in September?
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 20, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
How much vacation do I have in September? About a week at the end of the month.
Also, the home series with the Phillies is in mid-August, right before I head to San Diego. The Cubs head out to SoCal a few days later.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 20, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, no - she was talking like Yoda
How is it that you still have vacation in September?
:)
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 20, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did someone say...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 20, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harry used to say ...
I can remember hearing Harry on several occasions say “To win you’ve got to split with the contenders and beat the tar out of everyone else.” I’d guess that the maintenance staff is cleaning up a puddle of tar in the Nats locker room.
Ya gotta love a team with a shortstop named TheRiot ...
by StampMe on Jul 19, 2009 7:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My man-crush for Jake Fox grows by the day
He even had smiles for the 2B umpire after he hit that double. He has the best attitude I’ve seen on the field in many, many years. I hope he stays with the team for many years to come, or get the Cubs a kickass bullpen arm through trade.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think we
have to keep him for at least the rest of this season so that he can sub in at 3rd to give Ramirez some rest. Although, he is hitting the cover off the ball, so maybe Ramirez should give Fox some rest?
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg
by gwood on Jul 20, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could it be?
Could Soriano be entering one of his insane hot streaks? Great time for it! If so, I hope it lasts as long as his cold streak lasted!
by kanderber on Jul 19, 2009 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hell I'd take it a hot streak for half the time and be happy.
That still gives us over a month :)
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great win...
with some wins being made around the league today, anyone think the Cubs will move on a relief pitcher? I think I’d interested in Baez over Heilman (I’d be generous and “throw in” Miles).
by socalicubsfan on Jul 19, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd take a hot sandwich for Heilman and Miles...
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd take a peanut butter sandwich on the heel
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Jul 19, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm officially in the Jake Fox fan club
considering getting a jersey….. :)
by salparadise23 on Jul 19, 2009 8:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just make sure to pay for it.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 19, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Taste of the Majors and Walks
So dissapointed it was just the NL East. Really wanted my Chicago Dog yesterday.
The Nats all beef dog was horrible. I was extremely sick on the way up after the game last night from it.
Speaking of walks though, we lead the NL Central in them. But of course we also lead in strikeouts.
by ak123 on Jul 19, 2009 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
can't wait for the naysayers
to crawl out of the woodwork and mention it’s only the Nats. Yup, it’s the Nats and they’re on the schedule… Glad to see the 4 wins, now let’s win the next game!
Glad to see certain guys hit – the ones especially that have been struggling – and hope they continue. Don’t want to talk about streaks or hot spells or anything like that. Just win the next game guys!
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Jul 19, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully
the Cubs can get a couple of wins over Philly which will make up for some of these “wins” they got against the Nats.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 19, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny how those naysayers being fans of other clubs think it difficult to sweep with their own team preying on a weak club...
Then scoff at other clubs that do the same. I used to hear Lou Boudreau and Vince Lloyd talking about the importance of beating the teams you should and how hard it is to maintain focus. Four games is a long time to keep up intensity against a weak club.
I’m sure glad they did as a w counts the same regardless, I just hope we can keep the momentum going knowing we will be highly motivated to win. It’s not a “Key” series at this point but surely will show a little more where the Cubs are at right now. Continuing their good starts from a makeshift rotation will certainly be key against the big bombers in Philly. Does anyone know if Philly has turned around their bad record at home?
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your not going to like my answer
9-1 in their last home stand. (their sweep this weekend was on the road) so they are 13-2 in their last 15.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2009 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't take a sweep lightly
They are a bad team but I looked at a stat. They lost about 35 games by 1 or 2 runs. That means while they’ve lost a lot, they competed with their teams more than we probably thought in many of those games.
Hell, win 20 of those 35 losses and they have about the same record as the Cubs.
I think in 2-3 years this team is going to be tougher. They got young pitching that should be in AAA. They’re going to improve at some point. I see this team clicking really well kind of like the Ray’s did last year in the next few seasons.
by ak123 on Jul 19, 2009 8:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's hard to beat any team four times in a row...
Even if a team is favored 3-to-1 in every game, the odds of that team completing a 4-game sweep is only 32%. And I highly doubt the Cubs were 3-to-1 favorites in every game.
The sweep is a good thing. It’s not irrefutable proof that the Cubs are back, but it’s nothing to bad-mouth.
by SouthernCub on Jul 19, 2009 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
cubs now 20-25 on the road,
creeping up on .500. that’s a good sign.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 19, 2009 8:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Last year...
… they didn’t go over .500 on the road until the sweep in Milwaukee at the end of July.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 19, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it will be one big cheese steak of a battle
this will be a huge test for the Cubs, fighting through their adversities, and this one I think could be the greatest measure of the team .. easily the biggest series up to this point.
.. a sweep feels good and I hope it translates well to putting the stride back into our boys’ steps .. we got a long way to go before we think about swaggering again
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
by cubnational on Jul 19, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey Al!
I looked all over for you but couldn’t find you haha! Looks like I will have to wait and meet you on your turf in Chicago next summer. Today was great, got my picture with Marshall!!
I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!
by Chanman25 on Jul 19, 2009 9:26 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Hey, very cool about Marshall!
Sorry I missed you. Didn’t get to the seat until about 12:30.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 6:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha it's ok!
See you in Chicago next summer
I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!
by Chanman25 on Jul 20, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is so cool
you got your picture taken with Sean.
by sue369 on Jul 20, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll post it tomorrow on here
I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!
by Chanman25 on Jul 20, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
6 of the last 7
6 out of the last 7.
I think they really needed the ASB.
Okay quick poll
List the order of the following who ended their first half either hurt, coming off injury or not great 1st halfs you have confidence in having good 2nd halves.
And how many of them do you think we need to have good 2nd halves?
My order
Bradley
Soriano
Dempster
Ramirez (Only because of injury)
Harden
Soto (youth)
For the record I think they will all have better 2nd halves than 1st halves. All are proven to be better than their numbers.
I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 19, 2009 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would agree with that order
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jul 19, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree slightly
Ramirez
Soriano
Dempster
Soto
Harden
Bradley
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
by slcathena on Jul 19, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this order...I think it's hard to tell how it should be ordered but this seems right.
Besides Soto these are all proven players that should be able to turn things around, though everyone is capable of having an off year. Actually, i think to see who is more likely to turn things around the best way could be listing those with contracts ending. They have a lot more incentive than pride to play for…which these days unfortunately means a lot. Rammy has produced every year so unless he is too hurt to perform I know he will.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 20, 2009 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Rami is clutch.
That’s why he’s at the top of my list.
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
by slcathena on Jul 20, 2009 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Cubs
My friend took her sons to the game yesterday. They got autographs from Lee and Theriot.
She’s only a little sad because they are actually St. Louis natives who live in the area and go to games to see baseball. So it’s not a good thing to her and her husband their boys 2 favorite players now are cubs!
I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 19, 2009 9:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I took a "friend"'s boy to see the Cubs last year...
He was a Yankees fan growing up in Ohio, disgusted by the Braves. He was 15 and convinced the Cubs were steroid users because of Sosa…we had gone to a Cardinals game against the Cubs in St. Louis and Sosa wouldn’t sign an autograph for the entire three game series. So anyway we watched Zambrano pitch a good game with the Cubs winning, he’s already getting into the Wrigley Field thing and cheering for the Cubs…and Z comes out in flip flops and pajamas…waves and goes back…a little disappointed we wait at the exit when Ramirez walks out, takes the ball I bought from the kid through a big crowd and signs it. Ryan was walking on air and though still likes the Yankees (much to my disappointment) he is a Cub fan now too…won’t hear anything bad about Ramirez ever.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 10:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He is a class act on and off the field.
He was leaving after a long series late at night thronged by the fans and still signed a lot of autographs walking out…smiled and said “here kid”..(Ryan is short and looks younger than his age) We couldn’t get autographs from anyone else that night with them leaving and him smiling at Ryan I’ll never forget.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great way to start off
the second half. Hope they saved some runs for tomorrow’s game. Really great to see Soriano hitting like he has the last two days. Now if Milton can get it going like that it would make things very exciting.
Keep it going Cubs!!!
by sue369 on Jul 19, 2009 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
according to lou he will be on the bench until tues or weds to work on his lh swing
wells4roty
by jesus christos on Jul 19, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whenever he
gets back in the lineup then.
by sue369 on Jul 19, 2009 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 in a row!
Keep it goin’, fellas.
Favorite player of all time: Ryne Sandberg.
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jul 19, 2009 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Al,
Does Hoffpauir still have no place on this team?
by mic on Jul 19, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lefty bat off the bench
backup 1st baseman, occasional outfielder. It won’t make him millions, but he could parlay that into a nice career.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Hoff is the newer version of Luke Scott
Good Bat that can help a team win.
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 19, 2009 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Luke Scott is a much better player than Micah Hoffpauir.
For one thing, Scott is an actual outfielder who is decent defensively. Hoffpauir is a 1B playing out of position.
Hoffpauir 2009: .248/.294/.442 in 165 AB.
Scott 2009: .298/.380/.579 in 242 AB… with 18 HR, which would be tied for the Cubs team lead.
My proposed deals last October were laughed at, but the Cubs should have picked up Luke Scott. He’d look way better in RF right now than Milton Bradley, for one thing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It may be frustrating to figure out where to put Fox and Hoff with limited versatility...
But I think Lou has no choice but to play them as much as he can with the injuries and problems with hitting. Today for instance, Fox looked shaky but we needed to spell Aramis and I think two hits makes up for a weakness at third. If you had the luxury of hitting like last year, you can put in a defensive replacement much easier but that’s not where we are. Seems like every start for Hoff or Fox they bring a needed spark and I’d love to see the Cubs have the problem of having enough hitters(acutally hitting well) they have to look for spots to put their PHs in.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 19, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flipped over to the Nats on MASN for a moment...
….first words out of Rob Dibble’s mouth, (I believe this was after the Cubs broke the game open) and they were uttered with disgust….
“…look, this isn’t the Arizona Fall League. Eventually, you’ve got to start winning some games!!!!”
This is why I flip over to Nats games. Eventually, Dibble’s really going to go over the edge later this season.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 20, 2009 2:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dibble is enjoyable as color man
He definitely can’t be called a homer. He has good comments which is all I want from a color man. Point out something I didn’t notice or didn’t know. The Nats have been through a series of color guys in the past few years. Dibble is a lot better than Ron Darling who I thought was awful and is now in New York.
by rlpete on Jul 20, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He might be, but I can't get past his persona
He makes the term “whack job” look like an understatement. The guy’s goofy.
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 20, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a semi-related note Al, the vendors' shirts MAY be a wordplay on the old political analogy:
“DEMOCRACY is not a spectator sport”.
You know, being in Washington DC and all. Just a hunch or it’s a great coincidence…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Jul 20, 2009 5:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably so.
I still thought it was funny given the fact that they made fans in the park watch people eating for half an hour.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 20, 2009 7:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're looking for LOGIC in Washington DC? You KNOW better! ;)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Jul 20, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano
Had the chance attending Saturday’s game to watch Cubs BP on the field, and remarked to person I was with that Soriano was absolutely murdering the ball to which of course he answered “its BP.” I get that whole part for if a guy is injured (most injuries at least) the speed of a pitch has some relevance but not a ton. So I obviously have no background comparison of how he looks in other recent BP sessions but he did of course launch one that night and yesterday as well.
It was encouraging, let’s just put it that way, to see him take great cuts. Many of the Cub players were also very accommodating in letting some of the returning Iraq war veterans come to hang with them during BP, and the vets tremendously appreciated it.
by BeltwayCubsFan on Jul 20, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Can't believe there isn't a single game on
until 7.
This sucks. Sooo bored!
by Allie on Jul 20, 2009 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just for you, Allie....
a one L “lama” is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma.
a two L “lama” is a South American camelid, widely used as a pack animal by the Incas and other natives of the Andes mountains.
and a thee L “lama” is one helluva fire.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 20, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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