Tulowitzki Cycles; Cubs Lose Second Straight 11-5 Game
by Al Yellon on Aug 11, 2009 7:33 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
Email
PrintDidn't we see this game on Sunday?
The Cubs lost 11-5 to the Rockies for the second day in a row and it was only that close because they scored four consolation runs off Rockies closer Huston Street in the ninth inning before Joe Beimel came in to finish things off.
Once again, the Cubs had an enormous number of opportunities -- 18 baserunners, comprising 12 hits, five walks and a hit batter -- but left 13 men on base for the second straight game, and left the bases loaded three times, including in each of the first two innings, by which time the score was already 6-0 Rockies.
I shake my head. What's going on with this team? After playing very well for most of July and the first week of August, the Cubs appear to be going back to the bad old days of May and June, 2009. Worse, Gordon Wittenmyer says that Aramis Ramirez may be headed back to the DL, although Dave van Dyck's article in the Tribune is less pessimistic:
Having missed the last 2 1/2 games of the Cubs' trip, Ramirez will see team doctors before the start of the Philadelphia series Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
The options are to play through some pain, have a cortisone shot that will sideline him two or three more days or be placed on the disabled list.
I don't know what to say. If the Cubs weren't a contending team and didn't need his bat so badly, they'd probably send him to the DL and maybe shut him down for the season. But that may not be an option here. And if you don't think Ramirez's presence or absence affects other players, consider this: while A-Ram was on the DL, Alfonso Soriano hit .200/.259/.325. From his return through Friday, Soriano hit .340/.410/.564, but in the three games since, Soriano is 2-for-13. Think he puts too much pressure on himself when Ramirez is out of the lineup?
The game featured two unusual events -- Troy Tulowitzki hitting for the cycle, which I believe is the first cycle against the Cubs since Willie McGee did it in the "Sandberg Game" on June 23, 1984. And he wouldn't have had a cycle if not for the first use of home run replay in a Cubs game, home or road; Tulowitzki had already homered in the first inning when he came up with the bases loaded in the second. He hit a ball that went high over the foul pole and was ruled foul on the field; the umpires went into the "replay room" for about four minutes and came back not changing the ruling. Replays showed on CSN were, in NFL terms, "inconclusive". The sky conditions, at dusk, made it very difficult to see exactly where the ball crossed the foul pole.
Tulowitzki singled in two runs; had the replay changed the ruling, he'd have had a pair of homers instead. As it is, he had to leg out a triple in his last at-bat to cycle, and wound up with seven RBI.
Tom Gorzelanny had left the game by that time after a ball hit by Dexter Fowler went off his foot. X-rays were negative, so Gorzelanny is expected to make his first Wrigley Field start against his old teammates, the Pirates, on Saturday. He got hit early and often by the Rockies -- I don't think we give up on Gorzo yet, though; give him a couple more starts, at least, before you make judgments. By the time Gorzelanny's injury delay and the HR replay delay were over, the game was an hour old with only two innings completed.
Esmailin Caridad, making his major league debut, ate up 5.2 innings, which is exactly what the Cubs needed last night. He appears to have a good arm, but not real good command of his pitches, throwing 49 strikes in 79 pitches. I doubt you'll see much more of him; he's likely to be sent back to Iowa as soon as tonight to get yet another fresh arm for the bullpen.
Geovany Soto homered last night, his first homer (and first hit) since his return from the DL. When it was noted it was his ninth homer of the season, I thought, "Really? He has that many?"
All the Cubs can do now is regroup, coming home where they have a 33-19 record, and try to win the series against the Phillies.
616 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions
really?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL
Okay. The cookie was sarcastic. Next time someone does “first” with no comment the rest of the thread, you should throw your pic up there.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
MAKE IT GREEN!!!
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm... do I sense a new signature in the offing? ;-)
Nobody cares if you’re “first”
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Problem with that is, it could sound like a bitter Cub fan talking to the Cards fans....
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't get it?
Hole Donkey?
Well Mule?
What’s the big deal?
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
There's a joke about a donkey falling in a well with water
But it’s not appropriate for this site . . .
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
At your own risk
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 Aug 11, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe it's Todd Wellamule!
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
0.5 BCB point
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Better than I deserved for that one.
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Captain Obvious to the rescue...
Or is it Oblivious Man? I always get the two mixed up. Anyway…
First thing I thought of when I saw that picture was the old adage “you wouldn’t know your ass from a hole in the ground.”
Judges?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Aug 11, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like it
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I think you're very close...
…but it’s not that complicated. It probably represents two of the words in your post put together.
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.
It's "Captain Obvious" and "Subliminal Man"...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Actually, Im at work.
Can only get on during breaks…
Saw no one had posted…
First time I think I ever said first…geesh, lol jk
jealous much? Ha jk
by bilbosbuttons on Aug 11, 2009 12:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
just giving ya a hard time, wrigster...
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I know some blogs program it so when somebody posts just to write "First" it does mean things to their account.
Just sayin’.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Not a bad idea.
Maybe a brief hold on comments. I suggest a week, but maybe 15-30 minutes would be more appropriate.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Oooooh, a BCB Penalty Box!
10 minutes for “first” posting!
20 minutes for any fantasy baseball reference!
Game thread misconduct for ALL CAPS!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Aug 11, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Like it
5 minutes for a feux rec
10 minutes for duplicate comment posting
30 minutes for posting an unnecessary XL jpg in a game thread
1 day for posting a FanPost that should be a FanShot
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Automatic two-day penalty for posting a rant Fanpost.
Hey, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
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.
How about...
a rule that the user must post at least 20 comments before being allowed to post a FanShot or FanPost.
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
agree
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
with
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
this
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
suggestion
:P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I certainly wouldn't be opposed to this.
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.
Depends on the research and points that go into the rant.
So and So sucks and should be dfa’d alone, in all caps is boxworthy, thought into why such player sucks and the facets of his game that make him suck and evidence of research should keep you on the ice.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Right, the rant would have to be brought before...
..the BCB Tribunal (or, as I like to call it, Al).
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.
"read-only" privileges if you live in the 314 area code?
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
There ARE Cubs fasn in the 314 area code.
We should have sympathy for them, not prevent them from commenting.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
as I was trying. Maybe some sort of fan verification or something. :)
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Sorry, didn't realize I was gonna tick people off
I see it in threads all the time… Thought I would get in on the “joke”…guess not, lol
by bilbosbuttons on Aug 11, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I like Fark
you call yourself first and it changes to “boobies”.
Which… is a lot more entertaining than yelling first. :-P
Send me to...
Failtown
see more Fail Blog
by bilbosbuttons on Aug 11, 2009 3:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Pretty damn depressing
Only upside of A-Ram being out for at least a few games is that it gives Fox a chance to bat. The team and Lou
seem so listless. I mean yes he got tossed on Sunday but I don’t see any leadership from either Lou or the players.
I hope home cooking changes that because the REALLY frustrating thing is that contrary to the views of some they really DO have the talent to win.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
Put this series behind us - focus on Philly
I’m in Denver and could only watch the FSN Rocky Mountain feed – you had absolutely no idea where the ball was on that replay “challenge.” The ball was completely lost in the sky.
By the way, nice “defense” all around on the Tulo triplie. He should have been out by 20 feet, but Soriano and Theriot found a way to mess that up.
Drew Goodman and Jeff Huson are the FSNRM TV crew and they were driving me CRAZY acting like the Rockies had won the World Series. After Soto’s HR, Huson said “that ball barely made it over the fence, but it still counts as a home run.”
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
The triple was all on theriot.
I knew someone would try to blame soriano.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Aug 11, 2009 8:12 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Why wasn't it a double and an Error?
He was out by easily if they make the relay.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
home cookin'
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Very GOOD home cookin'.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
Soriano did bobble the ball, too...
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I know he did but....
….but that doesn’t change the fact theriot hurried his throw for no reason and threw it straight into the ground.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Aug 11, 2009 8:16 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh I agree - just sayin it was a combination of the two.
Riot was forced to rush the throw.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions
this:
but that doesn’t change the fact theriot hurried his throw for no reason
contradicts this:
Riot was forced to rush the throw.
so how can you agree?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Oops - read too quickly
Riot definitely had reason to rush his throw – Soriano’s bobble cost him a second or two.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Sure it cost a second or two...
…but that wouldn’t have made any difference if Theriot takes his time and makes a quality toss. He had PLENTY of time.
Soriano makes plenty of mistakes, but that wasn’t one of them. I knew as soon as that play happened, someone on BCB was going to blame that on Soriano.
Moreover I’m not sure why Brenly hates Soriano so much. His little tirades on Sori are going over the top. It’s like he looks for times to go after him.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
Sori pisses me off when fielding balls...
He takes his time getting to it…and when he eventually gets to it he bobbles the ball half the time. If you’re gonna take your time to get to the ball, then at least make sure you have a grip on the ball.
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Fine.
He’s far from being a perfect fielder, but again this was not the reason Tulowitzki got a triple. The ball was in Theriot’s glove in PLENTY of time to get him out at third.
In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t really change things. But I’m not really sure why people on BCB or Brenly decided to blame Soriano for that one particular play.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
I put the blame on Sori, Theriot and Fox on that play
All three of them contributed to the triple, but it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of the game. We still lost and would have lost by a big margin in the game anyhow with or without that triple. It’s just another example of how our fielding is killing this team.
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
bobble and double clutch...
like “What? He’s going to 3rd?”
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm getting an awful feeling
Man, I thought my hometown Toronto Blue Jays dumping Rios was bad, now the Cubs lose like this again and sit 3 back of the Cards. Ouch.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
Rios move
I think is a good one long term. Unloading that contract frees up a lot of money. What J.P. does with it is another thing. The salary dump proved it was a bad signing in the first place. Rios is a good complementary player.
I know it sucks to watch a team dismantle…just ask Pirate fans, who watch their team torn apart…in May.
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Are they going to let JP keep his job?
He hasn’t exactly had the greatest season as a GM.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
I understand that,
But it is beyond belief that a team would let a guy who used to be a bright part of their future go for nothing. I really don’t think Rios is done. I think Rios got some awful advice on his stance, I noticed he became a lot more upright with his feet close together last year, which was when his hitting went downhill. Before last year he used to be wide based and low.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
It's an interesting approach. Rios is a good player and it hurts
to unload the guy and get nothing back, but the team obviously thought deleting his contract created bigger upside than keeping the player.
If the Cubs fall more than 5 back in the next week, is this a technique Hendry could use to excise a long term no trade contract? I really like what Soriano, Bradley, and Dempster can provide, but would the team be better over the next 5 years with the financial freedom out from under one of those contracts? LF or RF could be a place for a Fox, and not just in the bleachers and the money could build up a bullpen. Just sayin.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
If we get to that bridge
There’s little downside to putting players on waivers, because even if it gets out, most players are put on them during this time.
If someone were to claim Soriano, absolutely. I don’t think he’s done by any means, but with 5 years left on that contract and his best years probably behind him (definitely from a speed point of view), getting him off the books would help build for 2010.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Soriano has a lot left, whether it's more than someone else can provide is a different discussion.
I guess I view LF as replaceable wouldn’t neccessarily hinder the rest of 2009. Freeing up cash would allow for the team to be upgraded in the offseason.
I guess I wouldn’t even view it as a white flag issue.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
The players would view it as a white flag issue, though
Don’t discount how it would look to the rest of the roster.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Very possible.
However, the team’s playing flat as though they expected more help at the deadline and didn’t get it.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Possibly
As much as I hate to say it, I think the team is just playing to their ability of a .500 club.
Either way, jettisoning Soriano won’t boost their morale, so I’d wait until the very end of the month (got to be acquired by Sept 1 to be eligible for postseason) to even consider it.
Of course, this is all fiction, anyway. I don’t think Hendry would do it.
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he will either, but on 8/25 dropping an all star on the
wire would create panic in the Yankee/Red Sox offices. They might not want him, but would hate to see him awaken in the playoffs against them.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Yeah, I know you don't think he will - but I like the thought process.
Of course, then he’d hit .300 with 45 homeruns next year.
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
And the whole problem with that is...
that’s why we are paying big bucks right now. To hit .300 with 45 homeruns for us.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Aug 11, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
And to steal 30-40 bases...
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
And do this a lot.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
by daver on Aug 11, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I really can't see him . . . it's a red x
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Really? Shows up on my computer.
OMG…I CAN SEE HIM!!!! 1 !!!
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.
Ah, a quick adjustment of the computer and I can
That was refreshing….
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
If I was management, I'd be willing to take my chances.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Soriano, but am more peeved with all the big multi year no trade contracts Hendry gave out that now hinder Hendry from getting creative.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Kind of agree
I understand why he gave Soriano the contract that he did. It seems that Hendry bids against himself often, though.
I wish the sale would go through . . . not so much for a splashy acquisition in 2009, but for a clear direction in the front office.
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep, totally agree.
Uncertainty on the field. Uncertainty in the front office. Uncertainty about ownership.
This has been the Season of Uncertainty.
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.
What's going on with this team?
Besides the litany of injuries this year that has derailed the ability to bring cohesion and consistency to the team, you answered you’re own question…
Not only does A-Ram provide offense that will produce runs, he is CLUTCH and his absence explains the abundant amount of men left on base.
On another note, the Marlins swept the Phillies immediately after being swept by the Nats. They’ve got a chance to turn it around, if they can only put this behind them.
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Aug 11, 2009 7:43 AM CDT reply actions
Aaron Miles PHing with the bases loaded....
…that’s all I needed to see.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
Is Lou doing that just to showcase how bad miles is?
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Aug 11, 2009 8:14 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats when I turned off the TV
Didn’t even bother to see the outcome off that AB
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
He got good wood on the ball
And it went right to the shortstop.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
How many games left against the Cards?
We’re gonna need a lot of wins against those boys!
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
3
In St. Louis
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 Aug 11, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions
They are the best team...
Most Cardinal fans hated the Holliday trade, but it appears to be working out for them.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
Before the inevitable comments from you know who about the state of the Cubs
It is disappointing that the Cubs can’t seem to beat better teams with any kind of consistency. Al’s note about the Cardinals’ record against winning teams yesterday was encouraging, but looking at the remaining schedules, the Cubs are going to have to find a way to beat good teams at least a little bit.
This series would be a good time to do that.
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 Aug 11, 2009 7:51 AM CDT reply actions
The last game of the Reds series and this series was somewhat embarrassing.
Doesn’t look like a team ready to make a run.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
Yeah, they didn't show up at all last Wednesday
They were lucky to win on Saturday, too, after that 4th inning. Slop.
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
That's the other side of the "beating up bad teams" argument
Playing bad teams leaves you a ton of room for error and gets you sloppy play.
At some point, you have to step it up. The Yankees just swept the Red Sox. The 2003 Cubs took 4 of 5 from the Cards.
Beating up bad teams is great. You have to nail a couple of good teams along the way too.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Aug 11, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Last years team sweeping 4 at Milwaukee.
Just another example.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
Yep. And it's time to do something similar this year.
The Phillies series isn’t must-win for the team, but it probably is for the fans to feel like they are legitimate contenders.
Of course, they could get swept and then win 15 in a row, but …
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Hit for the cycle
If my memory serves I believe a Braves player hit for the cycle either last year or the year before. I don’t have time to verify it at the moment. I’ll check it out in a couple hours.
Mark Kotsay last year...
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd be curious...
….to see how many long singles turned into doubles for the Rockies that series. I know it’s their ballpark and everything, but I’m not sure we threw one person out attempting an extra base on a hit.
And Tutolowski’s triple RIGHT IN FRONT OF 3rd base? Ridiculous.
Just a total breakdown of fundamentals in Denver.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
Gonna need some sweeps somewhere
It’s just so darn unfortunate, fight so hard to get to a first place tie, then to so quickly drop 3 games back. And you know it’ll be harder to gain three than it was to drop 3.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
because it’s easier to play like crap. This really is true.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Al, the difference in this team
is that they’re playing good teams. It’s very easy to get excited about the Cubs when they’re beating up on teams like the Reds and Nationals. Contending teams should beat up on weaker opposition. I believe even you said before this series started that it – and the Phillies series – would go a long way in telling us how good (or bad) the team is.
The Cubs fell asleep in that last game against the Reds, and for the most part decided not to show up in Denver. If they had lost these games by close margins then I could see a silver lining – but they didn’t. Every single one of the games they lost was an ass-kicking, and over by the 3rd inning.
See yesterday's game preview....
Everyone’s beating up on the bad teams, and splitting (more or less) with the good teams.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions
However...
… at 20-24 vs. teams with winning records, I think it’s pretty important for the Cubs to take 2 of 3 from the Phillies.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm almost at a point where I say where the season hinges on 2 out of 3
…especially with the Aramis situation.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Ugh....forget that second "where"...more coffee, Carmen
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Everyone splits
But does everyone look this weak against them?
I was surprised when people were saying that the Cubs looked good against the Phillies because the game I watched they looked so outclassed. The Phillies were such a professional team with great small ball, defense and power. The Cubs just looked like hackers.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
The Cubs played better baseball in
that series in Philly than they did in Denver.
I missed the game they won in Philly
I’m sure they played well there, and maybe the second game, they certainly didn’t look like they belonged in the game I watched.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
But hey, At least Soriano stepped up
for us in this series with his 3-20 or whatever it was!
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Aug 11, 2009 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
He got three more hits than I did
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions
True, at with you making the $18M a year, your performance is
not acceptable in any way. Step it up slacker.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
It's that ballpark!
Just ask Len.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Here is how I am dealing with this loss
I am going to make an excuse just for benefit of my own inner peace and say that the cubs simply played poorly because of the high elevation. It must have made them all real dizzy, hard to breathe the thin air, etc. Now, today they are back at Wrigley. If I see any more of this circus style defense, I will negate my excuse for Colorado that the elevation got to them and basically concede that we are in serious trouble. If however they play like they should, good things could still be very possible. So I guess I agree the poster who thinks this Phillies series just about makes or breaks our chances.
Nail on the head....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 11, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I would advise against investing that much emotion in the Phillies series.
It wouldn’t be easy to beat Happ or Lee under the best of circumstances. And in the one game in which the Cubs appear to have a decent shot – against a presumably rusty Pedro – Jeff Samardzija will be on the mound for our side.
I’m not saying the Cubs are guaranteed to lose or anything like that. It’s baseball – anything can happen and the Cubs have played well at home this season. But the fact that Cards got/are getting the Pirates and the Reds while the Cubs got/are getting the Rockies and the Phillies is pretty unfortunate.
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.
The Rox were excellent at hitting deep and along the 1B line to RF
I mean it seemed almost every other hit was towards Bradley, close to the line. RHB and LHB alike – they all could do it. It was inspirational.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:12 AM CDT reply actions
I would have been happy
with a split. If they had played good baseball and got beat, I would have been happy. But they didn’t do either of those things; they laid down and got their asses kicked.
Real tough...
My only cause for hope at this point is that our easy schedule the rest of the month after the Phillies series will allow us to keep pace with the Cards. September is still 3 weeks away. If they can keep pace, and guys get healthy this team could still gel and make things interesting the last month.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
The west coast trip won't be easy, though
4 with LA, and SD swept them earlier this year.
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions
You're right...
that trip is not easy, but I like looking at the Pirates, Padres, Nats, and Mets on our schedule right now.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions
The same Nats that have won 8 straight...
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
How does he walk?
"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
With priiiiiiiiiiiiiide
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think they've suddenly morphed into a good team, but
It’s not a guaranteed sweep for the Cubs
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions
no team
is ever a guaranteed sweep.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Including the Phillies this week.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Neither will the 4 @ San Fran after the
3 @ Milwaukee and St. Louis at the end of Septmber.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
Guys, I'm looking for a silver lining here...
don’t kick me so hard when I am down…nine games with the Pirates is all I have to hang my hat on this morning.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions
At some point...
It becomes like doing your household budget and planning for a lottery win to fill in the gaps.
Possible, not likely.
Not there yet, though.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
And a lot of these guys
are looking for clouds. So it all evens out.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Keeping pace is no longer acceptable
They have to be at a pace to gain four games now.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
We need to sweep the Phillies. IMO, anything less isn’t acceptable. We need to put together a good 5 or 6 game winning streak.
The Cardinals are a good team. They won’t lay down. We can still win this division. There’s alot of baseball to be played. We’re down, but we certainly aren’t out. As we saw after the AS break, it only takes a couple games to get back on track.
by Cubs and Hawks fan on Aug 11, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions
Three out on Aug. 11 is not cause for alarm
In and of itself.
But the injuries, bad habits at the plate, depletions of the bullpen in Chicago AND Des Moines and Aaron Miles being allow to sniff a locker room are alarming.
So, my question, which I asked last night.
At what point DO we become despondent over the season? I mean realistically despondent.
It is just as silly to say “10 games out with 12 to play! We have a chance!” as it is to say “1 game out on July 4… SEASON OVER!”
So what is the “unmagic” number? Jessica said 5 out at the end of the Cards series in mid-September. What say you?
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
For me, it's if Ramirez goes on the DL again...
For some reason this team doesn’t do well without him.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
My thoughts exactly...
I think the season realistically hinges on ARam’s shoulder.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions
It "hinges" on a ball and socket joint?
"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
Revolves around?
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Someone else will need to "shoulder" the load...
and besides DLee no one has. Soriano seems like an afterthought hitting 6th.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
You could work Square-D in there, too
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Brownie!
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.
What's that, Ron?
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
oh, nothing...
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
The weight of the world, or season,
is on his shoulders.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Having gone through a similar injury in March and what read like a
similar treatment of multi week rest followed by intense physical therapy of weights and stretches and have kept with the regimen, I still have occasional sharp pains during use on some days and it’s fine others.
While I never played baseball at a high level, I’m cautiously optimistic on Ramirez outcome as I’m certain he’s being careful the aches and pains are not something more.
A 15 day retroactive stint on the DL is not fatal to the season. We know Scales can fill in the position and Baker is a decent glove at third.
If Ramirez injury is more serious, this is a different subject, but I’m gonna Daver here and say all’s well.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Wait, I said it's all well?
And I wouldn’t look for Scales to reappear. Fox and/or Baker can play third while Fontenot and, gulp, Miles will gnome man 2B.
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.
I try to trend "reasonable"...
…but I guess I do lean toward the optimistic, if only out of self-preservation.
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.
Good point
If A-Ram goes on the DL, this team is in serious trouble. Jake Fox is starting to slide so there are no good run producers in this lineup except for D-Lee. Batting average is last in the NL with RISP, pretty pathetic for the payroll we have
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
BA with RISP
our downfall this year!
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Isn't it everyyear?
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
During the season,
no. During the playoffs, yes. 0-6, 4-11 (2 of those hits in the bottom of the ninth down by 9 runs), and 1-11. Which was part of the reason why that series pissed me off so much besides all of the errors. 2007 playoffs: 1-10, 1-4, 0-9
Hard to say.
They first need to start playing better baseball.
I think 3 out after they play the Cardinals makes it tough because they have no head-to-head games after that one 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 Aug 11, 2009 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
It isn't cause for alarm if a team is trending upwards
Unlike this team is
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Momentum
is that day’s starting pitcher.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Good question, but
1. If mathmatically eliminated, we get to see Drew’s robot picture finally leap off the ledge.
2. If 8 back at the end of August, you are allowed to be depressed, fatalistic.
3. If 5 back in the middle of September, see #2
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
My morale is pretty low right now.
When Triple A pitchers such as Cardiad (and, for that matter, Tom Gorzelanny) start appearing in the starting rotation, it becomes apparent the one real strength this team has had all season – starting pitching – is crumbling. On the upside, at least the team did score five runs last night, which is more than they would’ve scored earlier in the season.
In any case, I usually look at five games out as being the waterline. Sink below it and, well, it’s time to start settling in for a big disappointment. So there is still some hope, though, again, the Cards are in a pretty weak part of their schedule right now.
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.
If the injuries do not stop
I agree with 5 out after the cards series.
This team is a patchwork of AAA players filling gaps like gum on a sinking ship. We need our big bats to come back and stay healthy. Lee led this team while he could, Soriano has yet to have a nice 2 weeks of putting the offense on his back and running with it. It would also be nice if Lou would actually stop playing Aaron Miles
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
5 out after that is definitely dead in the water
I’d say three out at that point and we’re done.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
That seems more realistic to me
There is always a chance for a miracle comeback.
But there is no shame in being surprised by a miracle.
But my guess is, had the Internet been around in St. Louis in 1964 and New York in 1977, message board denizens would have thrown in the towel.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
This team frustrates me beyond belief. Who the hell is the REAL 2009 Cubs team?
I hate this Jekyll/Hyde personality of this team. Our pitching can be stellar, but we can’t score runs. We get 10+ hits, but can’t score runs. I understand the marathon perspective of baseball; it’s why I love it so…it starts in March and goes through October. But it makes it very difficult to cheer for this team when I feel like I’m dating the girl Outkast raps about in their song Roses. “Stupid a** b****, crazy b****”.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Looks like the real 2009 Cubs have good everything, great nothing
Good hitting, not great hitting
Good pitching, not great pitching
Good bullpen, not great bullpen.
Pretty much puts them right where they belong, and then very little consistency.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
And a mediocre division has kept them close
The rotation is better than most, though, if everyone is healthy.
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Missing something
I would say terrible defense, not just bad defense, should also be thrown in the mix. They saw first hand what happens when you give Colorado extra outs in their ballpark. It’s tough enough giving them extra outs for all of the flares and bloopers that fall in at that joke of a park. When you compound it with repeated defensive miscures, you’re essentially giving the other team up to five and six outs and inning. That doesn’t play very well in Colorado.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Which gets us back to the idea
that there are at least two, maybe three, natural DHs playing defense — Fox, Soriano and Bradley (though he hasn’t been horrid)
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I think Bradley deserves more credit for his defense than he sometimes gets
He’ll never win a gold glove, though.
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
You can live with Bradley out there. His defense is unlikely to improve, though.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I've always felt
If you had true game changers up at the plate you can live with shoddy defense to some extent, but the Cubs definitely don’t have that.
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
Defense
Bradley’s defense is fine. Theriot’s is not.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Do you mean in this series or overall?
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.
Both
Theriot is a well below-average major league defender at SS. This has been hashed and re-hashed a million times. He belongs at 2B.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Sigh...yeah, we have hashed and rehashed it a million times.
So let’s do it again: Ryan Theriot’s career UZR numbers at shortstop – a 3,000+ inning sample size at this point – beg to differ with you. Saying he’s “a well below average major league defender at SS” couldn’t be less accurate by that measure.
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.
My metric
Puts down the slide rule and the nonsensical empircal data somehow designed to quantify defense played by a middle infielder. I much prefer to use my eyes and notice how few balls Theriot is capable of gloving up the middle. How his hands are not soft…supported by how many balls go off of his glove on both ground balls and tag plays. How his arm is pitifully weak on throws from the hole. How he very, very rarely is capable of charging a ball and throwing on the run to get guys out.
I guess I’ll stick to those metrics, the ones that show you day in and day out that he’s not a very good defensive SS, rather than some arbitrarily conceived data point, probably developed by someone that couldn’t discern a catcher’s mitt from an infielders glove.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Do you watch every play of every inning of every game?
And have you done so since Ryan Theriot began playing shortstop for the Chicago Cubs?
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.
The truth is somewhere in the middle
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
his hands aren't soft?
I shudder to think how you’ve found this out.
It’s not like UZR measures Riot in a vacuum. It’s comparing him to his plays and to the plays other shortstops make. He’s improved this year, he’s basically average.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, the real 2009 Cubs team had (has?) good starting pitching.
The team that took the field last night had Tom Gorzelanny, who, despite a very nice first start vs. an ice-cold Reds team, is hardly a sure thing. And Caridad – well, he deserves props for gutting it out – but, as Al mentioned, his stuff looked pretty far from filthy and his location wasn’t great. The fact that the Rockies scored in the double-digits again really didn’t surpise me that much.
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.
Caridad did settle down, but the jitters sunk him so deep
he couldn’t get out of the hole.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Stuff
Interesting to hear Brenly say the D-backs always carried an extra pitcher in Colorado because you never know how a pitcher will do there. I’ll give Gorzelanny the benefit of the doubt, and credit that crap start to the thin air. Am I making excuses for him? Maybe, but oh well. I don’t think he will be a 2/3 type pitcher, but at least a serviceable 5.
If Aram needs surgury, I say do it now so he is healthy for the start of next year. I don’t want this to linger into next year. Take our chances with Fox at 3rd, and move forward.
Do you think Lou will come back next year?
Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...
yeah, I do.
If they don’t start blowing up the team and making it younger. If they don’t make the playoffs and keep this team together I think he’ll give it one more chance.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I think
Lou will be back.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking the next 45 days decide.
If it fails fast or ends positive, I think he’ll be back. If it lingers or craters at the end with lots of stress and tense pressers, I think he’ll walk.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
I'm disappointed in you guys
This got posted in the thread discussing his call-up, but not in the actual Game Threads:
Thanks to wrigleyrocker12 for remembering what may be my finest Photoshop evar.
"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
That is pretty awesome.
If you don’t mind, I’ll add it to the BCB Flickr group.
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.
No magic number
I think it’s pretty clear. If this team continues to play the way it has over the past several games, they are not going to contend for anything. Their defense over the last 10 days has been atrocious. Their pitching has been marginal. Their offense still sputters more than it hums. That team, if those things continue, is finished.
If they play better defense, hit with runners in scoring position and pitch better, then they have a chance.
Since it’s really impossible to predict what will happen next, all you can go on is what they’ve done lately. If that is any indicator of what lies ahead these next two weeks, it’s not a promising thought.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
When's Lilly coming back?
Gorzo was pathetic last night. I was embarassed to see him committ and error and get hurt on the same play. Why not underhand that ball to Soto?
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:38 AM CDT reply actions
Supposed to have a rehab start at Peoria within the next couples days
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
Wednesday
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
He was supposed to pitch in Des Moines Wednesday
but was changed to Peoria. I don’t think anyone checked the Iowa schedule….they play at 12:05 Wednesday.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I think his foot gave out on him.
If he hadn’t been injured, he probably would’ve made the play. Just my guess.
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.
dood
ever roll your ankle? Intense pain is an understatement.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Not to mention that it swells up to the size of your calf
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Just the one
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
you know
we don’t even let Max drink milk. What the hell am I doing with this bovine in the back yard?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Tip?
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I did that once
I swear to god, I was a city boy, and had no idea why that cow was in a paddock all by itself. Sure could run fast, tho.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Was there alcohol involved?
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
naw
I was too good in highschool for that.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I went to boarding school
other guys drank. I didn’t.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking Aramis should just get the surgery and be done with it
Jake Fox can’t be too much worse than an injured Ramirez. This season isn’t as important as the rest of Aramis’ career.
I’m sure this opinion will bring the fury of “you can’t give up on this season we are only 3 games out” people, but if Aramis isn’t going to be healthy, Fox is a tiny downgrade over injured Ramirez and this way we don’t risk permanent damage to our star 3B.
It isn’t giving up on the season, just giving up on Aramis’ season.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
do we know for sure he even needs surgery?
have not heard that.
"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney
by NashvilleBlue on Aug 11, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure its been the option that kind of
hangs around. I thought they said it was probably needed in the offseason, I’m just saying get it done now.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Aaron Miles
Please Hendry bite the bullet and eat his contract …. One of the worst signings in recent history. This team has been playing like crap since he was called up
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions
That's true too
Maybe Miles has the same kind of effect Al referenced. Maybe everyone feels like they have to pick up his slack.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
What's amazing
He was a productive player for the Cards last year. His batting stance annoys the _ out of me
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
he is nice bench player
because of his versatility. and he did out perform expectations last year.. (OPS+ of 99) It’s nice to see him regress to the mean as a cub.
the problem was TLR’s obsessive use him as a starter. He should never have ended up with 400 ABs.
While I agree with you that it's not smart to wreck Ramirez' career...
I would disagree with you that he is a tiny downgrade over Rami. It’s pretty obvious what Ramirez means to this team and he is a HUGE upgrade over Fox as far as an RBI man and in the clutch.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
Agreed
Sending Ramirez to get surgery is a sign the team has thrown it in.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Especially if the injury doesn't require surgery. :)
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
darth ramirez
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Hell, his contract is already over $10M per year, right?
What’s another $6M.
If he get’s the super sight, can I look through the hole in back of his head to see like I did with my action figure?
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
He isn't that much of a downgrade from Rami at 50%
Especially for 8 or 9 weeks.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
The Cubs took off when Ramirez came back into the lineup at 70%
He was still hitting and driving in runs. He also has a presence in the lineup that Fox just doesn’t have yet. The record and the type of team the Cubs were/are without him is what it is. They have proven it with their under .500 record without him.
''This should be the most important thing you've got going on, right? You physically and mentally prepare yourself to play every day, and if you're not physically or mentally ready to play every day as an every-day player, then you're letting the other guys down."
''That's how it works in every aspect of life. It's no different than construction work or anything else. That's how you should be as a person.'' - Koyie Hill 8-3-09
The Aramis Ramirez from this past road trip
wasn’t playing at 70%.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
White flag
If A-Ram is put on the DL. That’s a very generous leap of faith to compare Jake Fox to him
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought Brenly made some good points
last night. He said it is a fine line whether Lou should get on some ass or let the team police itself. But who in the dugout would step up? Bradley? Lee? maybe Dempster?. I can’t see anyone one of those guys getting in peoples face.
Brenly made another good point about the Rockies looked like a team wanting the playoffs and the Cubs looking like they already made it.
Are the Cubs injuries giving the Cubs an excuse for poor play? I don’t know. But this team needs to find a belly find some balls soon.
Even with the injuries this team can play well, but the loss of Ramy would be tough.
I just wish Aaron Miles would be released, please
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Good point on injuries/excuses
Because in theory, they have enough talent to overcome them.
The 15-day DL stints are something that every team goes through. Ramirez’ shoulder was above and beyond that and was unquestionably going to hurt the record, but they still should be 10-15 games over .500 with the games that were winnable earlier in the season.
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Sometimes you see a game like this after a long road trip
even Pinella said it seemed like they had been in Colorado for a month on the pregame. We have a nice stretch at home with 16 and the west coast trip sandwiched in between. Let’s seen what happens by September 3.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
If it were just one game, it wouldn't bother me
Having said that, it’s not time to give up yet.
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 Aug 11, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
"He said it is a fine line whether Lou should get on some ass or let the team police itself."
I missed the “on” in that sentence the first time I read it…
"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
And I missed the "Reply" button too
My brain is obviously malfunctioning.
"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
There are many things wrong with this team.
I won’t repeat them. They are discussed in the posts above and Al’s recap.
In short, this club is not a good team. Will they still be in contention by the end of August? Not if they keep playing like this. They played like that in May and June and again in August. They lost in Miami even with Ramírez in the lineup. I’d say that’s the real 2009 Cubs team. Thanks for dismantling the team from key components and giving it no depth, Hendry.
No
Henry Blanco and Ronny Cedeno.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
What's the most frustrating for me
is that they keep getting so many guys on base and just can’t score them. I mean, a really bad team wouldn’t even get them on. What’s missing?
"bwahahahahahahaha!!!"-joeschmitt (8/07/09)
6 LOB after 2
that was depressing. CO mashed the ball with men on base.
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Killer instinct
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 Aug 11, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
De La Rosa
was so wild in the early innings. But the Cubs contined to let him off the hook
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 8:53 AM CDT reply actions
I have to say the long list of excuses this season is old.
The WBC. Spring training is too long. Cold weather. Wind blowing in. “That’s a homer at Wrigley”. Slow starts. Injuries. “It’s early yet…” They’ll play better once A-Ram is back. “They’ll play better when the weather warms up.” Too hot in Florida. “Playing for a new team takes time to get acclimated.” Trying too hard. Not trying hard enough. More injuries. He’ll hit better when his hitting instructor arrives from Japan. No leadership. Lou has no fire. Aaron Miles. Bad luck. Tied in the loss column. Cards are always at home (it seems). Hendry. The starting pitching is great and will keep us in the race. The bullpen is great. The bullpen sucks. Still more injuries. Cards only play the weak teams. Etc, etc, etc.
It’s mid-August. While the Cubs are definitely IN the race and can still win the division, I just don’t see any semblance of consistency (other than horrid hitting with RISP) or a “championship” swagger. It’s more like stagger.
Maybe coming back to Wrigley will cure some of these ills, but even if so, I fear it will only last until they head back out on the road.
I hope I’m wrong. Maybe this IS a WS winning team. But I fear, I’m right, and it’s not even close to a WS.
I dunno. Maybe I just have a case of the “downers” today…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Aug 11, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Oh yeah, I forgot two BIG excuses: DeRosa and Woody...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
TWSS
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 Aug 11, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and I remembered a few more excuses...
He’s lost his “arm slot”. “Cubbie occurrences”. He has a “dead arm”. “The umpires are out to get me/us.” “If he wasn’t fat and a pot head…”. Forgetting how many outs in an inning can happen to anyone. High sky. It’s tough to see the ball in the twilight. The shadows are crossing home plate… We tip our cap to (fill in the name of the opponent’s starting pitcher)…
Shall I go on?
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Save all these for the end of the season...
…and put them in one Fanpost.
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.
More: Maple bats. The hitting coach needs to be replaced. The new hitting coach isn't doing enough. He's giving hitters TOO much to think about.
Don’t think, play. Keep your head in the game. The Gatorade cooler is broken. This water tastes funny. Why won’t this bat snap over my knee? The media is too negative. The media isn’t hard enough on the Cubs. Where’s Larry Rothschild and why doesn’t he go out and talk to the pitcher? Oh no- Larry Rothschild is going out to talk with the pitcher- here comes disaster…
The field is too wet. The infield is hard as a rock. The ball was wet. The grass is too long in (insert ballpark name here) and slows the ball down too much. He didn’t get a good jump. His throw skipped. It just sailed on him. It bounced funny. The ball hit the runner.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
"My tummy hurts"?
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Max has used that excuse
in little league practice. :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
He gets to. The Cubs don't...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
what about the
“hitting the ball with this bat makes my hands hurt” excuse?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Ok, at that point you question his commitment to the sport...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
then there's the
“I drank too much water and I feel like I’m gonna yark” excuse.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
or wet myself...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Where’s Larry Rothschild and why doesn’t he go out and talk to the pitcher? Oh no- Larry Rothschild is going out to talk with the pitcher- here comes disaster…
This is my favorite. I’ve said it myself many times
"bwahahahahahahaha!!!"-joeschmitt (8/07/09)
My wife does it every game...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
wait for it...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
...and I didn't even mention the "goat curse" or Bartman or the pressure of playing in front of "Cubs Nation"...
…oh, I guess I just did…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
The tone
And all of that started when Piniella made a major error in the spring when he said the key to the season was resting guys more often. He set the laissez faire attitude from Day 1 that the Cubs were assured of winning the division and could afford to sit their better players on a much more regular basis. That was a huge mistake.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Lou's been setting a lot of tones
He was the leader of “just get aramis back” when really it should have been “screw injuries we can still play good baseball”
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Agreed
Just as the whole “it’s early” mantra…which was clearly nonsense for anyone that could see how poorly this team was playing when it was “early”…has been proven to be nothing but a placebo.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
RE: "it's not even close to a WS."
You can say that again, Mr. Garrison.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Mmmmkay?
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I know this is a bad thing to say
But even with the team contending, this has not been a fun season.
I’ve rarely enjoyed watching them play this year unlike other seasons. I’ll still watch every game and cheer for them but lately, it’s just getting harder to watch.
The only positive to Ramirez possible DL stint is that Cubs have played well at Wrigley and I think they will even if he’s gone for the next 10 days.
But boy, wouldn’t it have been easier this year if they were just out of it already?
Wow, I just channeled the BLou in me.
by ak123 on Aug 11, 2009 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I've seen likable things about this year's team...
…but what’s made it difficult is the uncertainty. Injuries, nightmarish slumps and constantly shifting lineups have kept the 2009 Cubs from giving us, the fans, any sort of consistency to latch on to. There’s just been this almost constant feeling of dread. Yeah, I suppose it’s been worse for Mets fans. But we’ve had it pretty bad, too.
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.
Difference with Cubs vs. Mets fans
Mets fans gave up over a month ago. They don’t even watch the games anymore.
We will watch until the last day.
But thinking again there are things I’ve looked forward to this season. I like watching Wells pitch. It’s refreshing to see a rookie pitcher do so well.
Good point on Wells
I keep waiting for him to turn into a pumpkin, but he really hasn’t shown signs of doing so.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
2010 is the big test
Will he continue to perform well or will he be the next Rich Hill?
I don't think he'll be the next Rich Hill in terms of psyche
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Was just gonna say the same thing.
Wells appears to be tougher mentally and also seems to have a much better rounded repetoire of pitches.
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.
Well, he didn't look so hot against the Rockies...
…but, then again, that team is just red hot offensively right now. It’ll be interesting to see if Wells can bounce back in his next start.
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.
Yes, but that's only 1 start
He’s only had 2 or 3 klunkers.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, I know and I really hope he doesn't turn all pumpkinish on us.
But, from what I’ve read, Wells is due for a regression (statistically speaking), so we should be prepared for some bumps in the road. Let’s hope he steers around them entirely.
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.
Historically,
when can one expect those bumps? Is there any science to this?
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Well, considering this is Wells first meaningful stint in the majors...
…he doesn’t really have much of a history to work with. For more on this, though, check out this excellent look at Wells by Harry Pavlidis on The Hardball Times.
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.
I agree with that
If he has, say, three bad starts in a row, I’ll start to be a bit more concerned.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
It was also his first start in Denver, which is probably tough to prepare
mentally knowing all the history of HR’s and big scoring games.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Screw the Mets and the horse they rode in on. Couldn't happen to a nicer franchise...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
That horse is Johan Santana and even he can't save them.
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.
No, but he plays a mean guitar...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Doesn't he have a cousin that plays too?
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean J.S. Bach?
I hear he played a little…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
♫ ♫♪ Go, go! ♫♫♪ Go, Johan, go! Go! ♫♫♪
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.
I was thinking, Got a black magic slider...
or cutter, whatever he throws
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Changeup, I think.
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.
Mets
Way to go Zeke. Right on. I can’t stand anything about them.
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 11, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Al....
I shake my head. What’s going on with this team? After playing very well for most of July and the first week of August, the Cubs appear to be going back to the bad old days of May and June, 2009.
I’ll tell you what’s happening: injuries aside… we’re playing good teams on the road, instead of playing the Nats, Reds, or Bucs. Simply put, we’re not as good as they are. A sad truth for 2009. We were still failing to hit with RISP and stranding runners left and right after the All-Star break (as I was always quick to point out in the post-game threads and get ridiculed for). So, nothing’s really changed all year except for the schedule. Beating up the crappy teams covered up our lousy play.
"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)
.
Actually, something has changed - the starting pitching has broken down.
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.
I blame the offense
more than the pitching. The Cubs are in the top 5 in ERA despite all the injuries. However, that will keep on climbing if we start people like Gorzo or Shark the next few weeks.
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
That's true - the Cubs would probably be in a much better position now...
…if the offense hadn’t been so God awful in May and June. But it’s the potential demise of the starting pitching that’s killing me. I usually feel like any team with a decent starting staff has a shot…at something.
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.
Spellcheck
it’s scary that we’re trotting him out against the Phillies. People in the bleachers must have strained necks by the end of that game
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
You could have stopped your statement
after the word “out.” ;-)
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, let's see what happens.
He did go 4+ innings the other day and didn’t do too bad. Maybe he’s just more comfortable starting – one of the guys who just needs to settle in. It would be nice if he could give us a Kevin Hart-esque surprise start.
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.
Kevin Hart was a much better pitcher.
Jeff’s a marginal player.
Jeff S’amardzijanal player
S’amardzijanal
That’s great! You really come up with some good ones.
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
How did you reach that conclusion?
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.
He's come all the way to the majors
without developing 2 good pitches. They’ve tried to help him, but it doesnt take, because he’s a bad pitcher. His fastball is his only good pitch, and he can’t locate that half the time.
Well, it may not "take" because...
…as mentioned, they keep bringing him up and sending him down and putting him in the pen and starting him at Iowa and now starting him (in an emergency) at the major league level. Whether he’s a “good” or “bad” pitcher is hard to determine because his development has been so choppy and poorly focused.
Now, again, on what basis is Kevin Hart a much better pitcher than Jeff Samardzija?
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.
Well, if we're going to use FIP:
Kevin Hart for his career so far: 4.62 (72.1 IP)
Jeff Samardzija for his career so far: 4.32 (52.0 IP)
Without a formal analysis, I’m not going to comment on their repetoires but I’d guess they’re fairly similiar. The way I see it: Kevin Hart looked good out of the bullpen in 2007, but so did the Shark in 2008.
So far this year, Hart appears to have established himself as a decent starter, while Samardzija has yet to get that chance and looked bad out of the bullpen.
I still think it’s simply too early in Samardzija’s career to declare him a failure. He’s clearly a very athletic, intelligent guy who has been (mis)treated to a very inconsistent development by the Cubs organization in my opinion.
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.
Good points all around.
I was wrong in thinking that Hart was any better than Samardzija, at least up until this point. But I stand by my thought that Samardzija will never succeed unless he goes down and develops secondary pitches.
I'm not sold on the Hart being better
But I think “S’amardzijanal” is creative . . .
Carry on.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
How 'bout this:
Samarjalicious: The Shark pitches well.
Samardzijinal: The Shark pitches OK – coulda been better, coulda been worse.
Samuck: The Shark sucks.
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.
Samargerine
The Shark gave up a lot of hits, but they were “spread”
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree - which is why the Cubs...
…need to figure out exactly what they want to do with him and stick to that plan.
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.
As discussed the other day management needs to pick the plan and
If to be a starter, have him in AAA starting and working on other pitches.
If to be a closer, have him in AAA closing and working on 1 other pitch.
If he’s only to be a mediocre middle reliever, keep him up and use him that way.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Definitely.
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.
However, if the plan is
To have him be a wide receiver, they are doing just fine.
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs have seriously screwed up
I dont know how they think he is doing well at the Major League level and yet they dont send him down to work. If they do they only call him back up a few weeks later to sit in the bullpen and pitch every 3 days or so. I really dont think this is how you get a big named pitcher to be the caliber of pitcher we need.
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
We haven't won a series vs a team over .500 since April.
Really… nothing has changed. We’re just not that good. Sad, but true.
Yes, it sucks that we have a new injury every week… but, we still have to play better baseball to beat good teams. Something we haven’t done all year.
"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 Aug 11, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And their record against "good" teams
isn’t all that different from other, similar teams’ records against “good” teams.
This “good team” meme is overblown.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I think a big reason also is while last month we were able to juggle injuries for awhile...
It’s catching up to us now, doing that can’t go on forever, and I sure agree playing better teams exposes that more. The injuries pile up and whether or not Lou could help change the attitude of the team eventually it has an effect regardless. Our rotation looks like a MASH unit and once again we’re going to be without our best RBI man for awhile. I don’t think I need to add more as we’re all quite aware of how they have been piling up. I think you can blame the GM and Lou for the backups we had and some for not getting anyone besides Gorzelanny to help…that has made an impact at least. I don’t think there’s much Lou can do now to shuffle this lineup that would change things enough to win at this moment, as much as i’ve scratched my head at his lineup changes.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 11, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
After the Cubs are swept by the Phillies
I say they have Ramirez get surgery, call up Cashner, and prepare for next season. This team has been a complete flop.
He is BLou's apprentice in the dark ways.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions
No man
Hear him out. Don’t be so quick to bash.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
hear him out?
he’s assuming we get swept. Why assume we’re going to get swept?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
It's only worth hearing someone out
if they’re rational and make sense.
If someone were coming on here saying the Cubs would win 15 in a row, I’d say the same thing.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Not cool to assume a sweep.
But whatever gets you through the day.
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.
Look at the matchups.
They aren’t favorable at all.
This team on paper...
That’s why they play the games
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
Fine, but the matchups are the best predicter we have.
The Phillies have a better pitcher in all 3 matchups, and the best offense in the NL.
The Magic 8 Ball tells me things too
It doesn’t mean I make all my decisions using it.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
If you think the magic 8 ball
is as accurate a predictor as 100 games of baseball, then I have nothing else to say to you.
And that "best offense in the NL"
Just got swept out at home by Florida.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions
small sample size alert.
florida currently has much better pitching than the cubs alert
That may be true,
But you cannot dispute the fact that the Phillies just got swept at home.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
True,
but that proves nothing, because it is a small sample size, and the Marlins are a better team than the cubs.
It may be a small sample size,
But the Phillies could also be going into a slide. You just don’t know.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
funny
I seem to recall fighting the Marlins to a standstill in their own house.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember blowing two games and almost a third
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I think the point was
we took the season series on them, and they didn’t exactly destroy us when were at a field we’re notoriously terrible in.
I still believe the Gregg was way overworked that weekend, and shouldn’t have been in. But, then again, I didn’t really trust any of our relivers that weekend.
Didn't the Cubs and Fish split 6?
The offense didn’t help the pitching, either. They left a few runs on the bases.
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I stand corrected
That’s not something I’d usually forget . . . .
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember--
because I was at one of the Chicago games. It was the first of several Marlins games I actually got to watch us win.
That doesn't read correctly..
..it was the first of several I’d been to where I got to watch them actually win.
Was that the series Theriot hit his grand slam?
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
sure
but we were winning or tied late in ALL of those games. Yes, Gregg blew two saves, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t keep them within reach — you can’t blow a save unless it’s already a close game.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I know, but you win and lose as a team.
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I know
that’s why they count as a loss. I’m just saying, they weren’t blowouts, we were strongly competing in both of them.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess.
At some point, the Cubs have to do more than that, though.
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
absolutely.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Blowing one game
That first loss wasn’t a “blown game,” Shanghai. You can’t blow a game you didn’t lead.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Fair point.
Failed to take advantage of an opportunity, then.
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
That's fair
Those kind of games tend to even out. I get more ticked off about blowing a game you’ve got in hand (i.e., the Sunday in Florida or Wells’ start in Atlanta) then an even game a team wins in the late innings.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't just consider the score
I also think about how many scoring opportunities get wasted.
You can lose a game 1-0 in the ninth, but if you leave 10 runners on . . . .
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Reality alert:
Let’s see what happens in the games before we assume anything.
Who knows, maybe things will work out for the Cubs. Let’s see what happens.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
so it's a small sample size
for the Marlins over the Phillies, but not a small sample size for the Phillies over us?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
great minds think alike - one just waits 45 minutes before posting
sorry drew – didn’t see your comment until now. I musta got lost in the threading…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
no worries.
I, for one, have no problem with other people saying things that support my own viewpoint. :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
and yet, you're talking about a 3 game series
Right back atchya, Mr. Small Sample Size Alert
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Is an aged, rehabbed Pedro really better than the Shark?
Maybe that’s a silly question, but I’m seriously asking. I could see that game going either way, to be honest.
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.
"the shark"
Is a horrible pitcher. Just awful. The only thing he can locate is his fastball, and he’s going to get crushed. The fact that Hendry thought he got a steal by paying this guy 10 million is a joke.
But he's a fighter!
He fights like some of those immigrants from the Emerald Isle! That’s gotta count for something!
"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
But he was a really WR in college
That’s gotta count for something when evaluating baseball talent, no?
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I was kidding, lest any of you think otherwise...
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Hendry may have taken it seriously . . . .
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Call it poor development
They keep calling him up without letting him develop his pitches. I blame the parent club for ruining Jeff.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Either way, my point was he's a bad pitcher.
And he is. I don’t care how he got there, he just sucks. And he has a no trade clause.
if you continue to hate on the Cubs why do you even get on here?
I sure as hell don’t give a shit what you think because everything that you say is negative. the Cubs are done, they’re done, they’re done …. who cares
COOL BEANS!
by lexmarklover on Aug 11, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
'Ruining' Jeff?
So he’s beyond repair, evidently, at, what, 24 years old?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
He hasn't looked good this season - that's for sure.
But he’s also very young and has been bounced around a lot by the Cubs in terms of his role. I think it’s still a little early in his career to assume he’s horrible and leave it at that. Again, it’s not an ideal situation and I wish a better option were available, but I’m not going to assume he gets lit up any more than I assume the Cubs will get swept.
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.
But things are not always what they seem
I would argue that the least favorable match up in the Rockies series was Dempster Vs
Marquis but it was the game they won. I admit the Philly pitching match ups look really bad
but baseball is strange game and little goes according to how stats look on a given day.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
That may be true...
…and, like I said, if it helps you emotionally to assume a sweep, fine. But I’m not going down that road. Let’s see how the games play out.
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.
Pedro is an uncertainty
And definitely not a guarntee win in any way.
In fact see this being a very high scoring game for both teams.
Disappointment so far? Yes. Complete flop? No.
I’m not an optimist in the least bit, but there have been some high points to the season. Randy Wells has pitched well this season. Kevin Gregg has filled in as a passable closer and given what the Marlins got for him, I’d say the Cubs did well on that deal. Fukudome is having a better sophomore season. Derrek Lee still has it, which is encouraging. When healthy, Aramis Ramirez has proved to be a devastating force in the lineup. And what more can you say about the minor league talent that’s been called up? So much for the myth that the Cubs farm system sucks. The Iowa Cubs have kept the Chicago Cubs in contention for most of the season.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Positives on the season: Wells, Lee, Fukudome, Guzman
Negatives: Everyone else
You kidding?
What about Jake Fox, Andres Blanco and Koyie Hill (who filled in nicely for Geo)? For that matter, how about Milton Bradley? The guy’s OBP is sick and I have to say I’ve been impressed by his play in right field overall.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Bradley has been fine, but not a positive.
We all thought he would hit for more power than this. Koyie Hill hits about as well as Helen Keller would, so I’m definitely not calling him a positive. Fox is a positive, although his defense is god awful. Blanco is so-so, his fielding is slick, but he’s about as effective at the plate as Hill is.
Good Lord
There’s more to baseball than offense. Koyie Hill has handled the pitching staff pretty well. And Bradley? Getting on base is pretty important too. It’s really the fault of the manager for putting Bradley in a traditional RBI spot when he should have been batting second.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Nobody's saying bradley hasn't been good.
I really like the guy, think he’s played a credible RF, and is OPSing over 800, which is nice. I just think its hard to call him a positive. He certainly isn’t a negative, but some more pop in his bat would help. And Koyie Hill can’t hit at all. It’s pathetic watching him at the plate, so I don’t care how good his defense is. He isn’t a positive.
So all those walks he draws don't count?
They tire out the opposing pitchers, make them throw more pitches, which helps us.
That is for sure a positive.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Who's saying that?
I’ve been one of Bradley’s biggest defenders. I love the guy. I just wish he hit for more power, but his OBP is great.
While I don't like everything this guy is saying...
I have to say, despite the late oncoming of his offense and his serviceable D, Bradley has been a huge disappointment considering what Hendry (and the lot of us) thought we were getting, while passing up almost sure run producers like Dunn.
Bradley has been inconsistent and shows very little power. He has a bad attituded and has disrupted the club a bit in his short tenure. There is very little he has given this club and its fans, that can be considered “worth the investment” IMO.
All I kept saying this offseason is at least the guy can rake. Turns out, he can’t really, at least for now.
Side note, I think Tulowitski is a douchebag for stretching that double. I would have placed a fastball between his shoulderblades in his last AB personally.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Koyie did a great job, ya gotta admit.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
hitting barely above the mendoza line?
spectacular.
Because hitting is all a catcher does, right?
He also started 20-something consecutive games. That’s hard for any catcher.
I'm not saying that
All I’m saying is that between his solid fielding and awful hitting, he’s at best a net neutral.
The ERA while he's catching is a spectacular 3.53
Soto’s is at 4.19. I like Soto’s bat a lot, but I don’t believe the difference between their bats is worth 2/3’s of a run per game.
Give me a break,
you can’t possibly believe that Koyie Hill is a better option than Geovany Soto.
Soto
is not even hitting this year. If we’re talking about 2008 Soto you have a point
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Does he produce .6 more runs per game than Koyie?
If not, than at least at this point, Koyie’s defense and called game is more valuable to us. Maybe the trend will reverse, but at this point, that isn’t the case.
LMAO.
You honestly believe that .6 difference is because of who’s catching? That’s moronic.
Show me who was pitching in each of those games.
I'm confused
Do you think that Koyie has been exclusively catching Randy Wells and Ted Lilly, while Soto gets Gorzelanny and the ghost of Jason Marquis? I’m not gonna give you the game logs . . . you can look them up on your own. Koyie has started 54 games and Geo has started 64. Those numbers are really close, and large enough that its stupid to assume they’ve had a much different selection of pitchers between them.
Unless you've looked at the gamelogs,
you can’t be sure you’re correct.
He. caught. 26. consecutive. games.
EVERY Cubs pitcher on the roster was pitching with him. He even had subs like Hart and Gorzelanny pitching! What more do you need, dude? Your arguments are ridiculous.
The catcher position is not a traditional power position
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
True, but
that doesn’t mean that Hendry and the Cubs weren’t relying on him this year after performing so well as a rook.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 11, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course they need Soto's bat
The guy goes through a sophomore slump because he did the WBC and missed much of the season due to DL time. I have to cut the guy a little slack and hope he isn’t a one year wonder.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Fuld !!!
Oh I forgot I gave up on him last night. Never mind.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
You gave up on Fuld?
No way!
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
he K'd looking
in the top of the ninth in the middle of a rally. He’s DEAD to Jessica. DEAD I SAY! :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Haha...
Down 6 with 1 out and 2 on…Don’t know if I would call that a rally…
Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 11, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
closest thing we had
that high up.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Sometimes you just can't win for trying
Poor Fuld.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I was being sarcastic
but I did promise to remove the candles and incense from my shrine in the short term.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Well that's a relief
Who will your shrine be to next?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Oh the Maddux shrine already takes over most of small apt.
I just stuck Fuld in a corner. Anyway candles and incense are probably a fire hazard and my neighbors did complain about the all night chanting.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
They probably thought you were a member of a cult
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
just so long
as you stop performing the mock bris.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no problem with the mock one, it's the real ones I want to avoid.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Time for BLou's boy Harden to step up tonight
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:16 AM CDT reply actions
I'm glad you didn't write "BLou's Harden".
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.
Nice
No one needs that mental pic in their head.
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Even if it feels like...
Groan Cubs Groan,
Hey, Chicago, what do you say,
The Cubs are gonna loose today.
It is too early to give up on them. Yes, the division might be weak, but still when one considers the number of injuries, they haven’t done that badly. I hope that the lack of hustle the last several days was road trip wear and tear – even if it really shouldn’t happen. And that the large number hits with “almost” no runs was just a fluke. There still is time for the team to gel and turn things around, even if the ticking of the clocker is ever growing louder.
You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat. - Albert Einstein
Call me whatever you want
I can take it. But this team clearly does not have what it takes to win. It is embarrassing. So I am going to go off and enjoy what is left of this summer. I have nothing but admiration for all of you who can take this; I can not. Should the team turn things around and storm through the rest of the season to restore their credibility, I will gladly suffer through a flogging by the BCB faithful.
I respectfully accept your opinion.
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
Good to hear some sense on the board.
Stick a fork in this team. Come back next year minus Heilman and Gregg, and go to work.
Heilman? Sure. Gregg, on the other hand...
Gregg has been a serviceable closer
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Who's gonna close on that team?
Gregg has done what was asked of him. Look at how many saves he’s converted this season. Last I checked, that stat really does count for a lot.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Saves mean nothing.
Billy Koch once had 40 saves. Look at Gregg’s periphs, he’s been awful.
right, when people look at closer, the first thing they want to see is FIP!
NICE!
COOL BEANS!
by lexmarklover on Aug 11, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I take sabermetrics with a grain of salt
It’s not because I don’t think they have valid arguments, but because many proponents think it’s the only argument. Ubermetrics still don’t replace the experience of actually watching the game and judging situations based on that. I’ve watched the games and I have to say that Gregg has been serviceable. Have you watched the games?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Yes, I've watched the games.
I’ve seen Gregg pitch somewhat poorly, convert some saves, blow a few, and not be a real effective pitcher.
And?
You could make that judgment about any pitcher out there who has a bad outing here and there. The guy has still converted more saves than he’s blown. ERA isn’t a great stat for judging relievers (and neither is FIP for that matter) simply because they don’t get the number of innings that starters do.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
FIP works fine,
because closers start innings most of the times.
That doesn't really address the problem
FIP = (HR*13+(BB+HBP-IBB)3-K2)/IP
FIP gives far too much weight to home runs surrendered. Here’s a riddle. Your team scores three runs, but the pitcher gave up two home runs in a complete game he pitched. However, he still got the win. Why is that? He only gave up solo home runs.
While it does take into account base on balls and hit by pitch, it does not take singles, doubles or triples into account. ERA is actually better than FIP because it focuses on the earned runs surrendered as opposed to the extra weight given to home runs. ERA is far from perfect, but it’s a better metric than FIP.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
My guess is that
whoever created FIP considered the number of runners on base to be more or less random for HRs. That pitchers don’t purposely throw pitches that batters can go yard with specifically when the bases are empty.
Valid or not, I can at least see the argument for it.
I'm no sabermagician...
…but I believe the problem with ERA is it’s defense dependent, so you don’t really get an accurate read of how the pitcher pitched. I also believe you probably shouldn’t look at any one stat – FIP included – as the be all, end all measure.
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.
Bingo
This is where a lot of the metrics fail. Some people like to talk about win shares being the top dog of ubermetrics, but that’s another discussion. Look at the batting average against or even how much opposing hitters slug off him or his walks surrendered. Home runs aren’t the only XBH’s and giving up three consecutive non-HR XBH hits (say for example, triple, double, triple or any combination) can be worse than surrendering a single solo home run before retiring the side.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Well, I'm not sure the metrics fail...
…so much as people may rely too heavily on any one stat. Right now, I basically just like to compare FIP to ERA to get a little better idea of how well a pitcher has performed.
Also, again, if a pitcher “gives up” a double – it may not really be his fault if the outfielder in question takes a bad route or is just, y’know, slow. That’s what I mean by “defense dependent.”
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.
Sometimes it doesn't really mattter how you play it
Now if you stop a double from being a triple, you’ve done your job as an outfielder, especially with one or no outs. Some ballparks are constructed to be more home run friendly, but others tend to favor doubles and triples depending on how deep the outfield is. Park factors come into play too.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Right, but I think that also...
…is why ERA can be misleading. FIP attempts to measure only things the pitcher can control.
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.
How does FIP account for the pitchers horrific error, like
Caridad throwing the ball away to first last night?
It was in his control, but was not a pitch. ERA is flawed because the run that scored was unearned.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
I believe the argument is...
…that throwing to first to hold/pick off a runner is not considered pitching. That’s defense.
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.
I know, but Caridad let the guy on base, but his defensive
error allowed the run. As the run scored on an error, the run is not earned.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
One of the big problems with earned runs and unearned runs is...
…give up too many of either and it still hurts.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
That is a really wacky wrinkle to the rules.
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.
I don't really use ERA all that much when judging a reliever
We’re arguing the same thing. FIP does attempt to measure it, but I think it comes up short. Extra base hits are going to happen regardless of how a ball is played in the outfield. One thing I’ve said for years is that the pitcher is the team’s first line of defense. They can’t score if they can’t get on base. Not every single pitch hit would have been an XBH if an outfielder hadn’t gotten to it. Sometimes it’s not hit deep enough to be an XBH. A hitter’s job is to find the gaps and get on base, preferably in scoring position. Triples are harder to hit due to park factors (outfields aren’t as deep as they were in Sam Crawford’s day) and improved outfield defense.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I'll note that...
If you’re giving up way too many doubles as a team, you probably need to look at your outfielders.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Agreed that ERA can be misleading but here's a tweak to improve it
Any runs given up due to errors by the pitcher should be considered earned.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I completely agree.
Pitchers fielding errors are rarely considered when judging a pitcher, however, ERA is. Fielding flubs should not erase an earned run the pitcher allowed on base anyway.
I’d tweak it to "any runs given up by the pitcher to a baserunner allowed by the pitcher should be considered earned.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Yeah, but again...
…that would mix defense in with pitching and only further cloud our ability to judge how the guy actually pitched.
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.
Agreed
Sometimes you might want to look at the ratio of ER/R and then ask why it’s not one. How many errors did he commit? Was it the result of one of the other eight guys committing an error?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
just make it an additional stat
ERAD. Or something.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't you know?
Sabermetrics were invented for the guy that doesn’t know what is going on while watching it. It’s the very science of trying to quantify and assess what happened without having to understand what you just saw.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
I'm not coming down on sabermetrics
I’m just saying that I take a lot of what’s said with a grain of salt. I scratch my head when some people read a book on sabermetrics and somehow claim to have great baseball knowledge. Nowadays, anyone can go to a search engine and find this stuff. One of the things often missed by sabermetrics proponents is that statistics are only one side to the story. It is important to look at them if you want to adjust your batting order, but it’s also just as important to watch the game itself as a coach to figure out what your player is doing wrong and how to fix it.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Aug 11, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
I'm sorta sad this isn't already green
since it’s basically my “roll it up with peanuts” comment from yesterday but with fancier words.
I absolutely do not disagree that it's important to watch baseball.
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.
No, I think sabermetrics were "invented"...
…because most baseball fans don’t have the time nor wherewithal to watch every single play of every single inning of every single game. (And I notice you still haven’t answered my question about this above.) And if you really think the someone like, say, Bill James doesn’t understand the game of baseball, well, I don’t really know how much further this discussion can go.
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.
Bill James does understand the game of baseball
I have problems with his win shares metric, but I have no doubt that James understands the game of baseball.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
OK, and by no means...
…am I saying that James is infallible. I’m not some Jamesian Disciple. I just think dismissing statistical analysis as krummy12 appears to be doing is just as ridiculous as thinking one could not watch the games and rely only on the numbers (which I’m pretty sure very few, if any, sabermagicians really do). A balance between the two is clearly needed.
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.
A balance, absolutely.
James would be the first person to tell you so.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
no
Sabermetrics were invented as a way to quantify what happens on the field as best as possible. It’s a science, which is why it changes and evolves, and it’s not to be used in replacement for watching the game, but in conjunction with watching the game as a way to analyze the game.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Oh right
I guess 500 save marks are pointless too, right?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
in terms of a good closer, of course.
K-Rod has the season record, yet he’s a joke.
he's a joke?
career 2.44 era with 232 saves…. right he’s a joke. I don’t know if you’re kidding or just plain ignorant.
COOL BEANS!
by lexmarklover on Aug 11, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Overstatement.
He isn’t as good as he gets credit for though, and he certainly isn’t the best closer in baseball.
Hmpf, 4.94 - yeah, that's pretty bad.
But he’s got a 9.23 K/9 and a 2.52 K:BB, so he’s been missing a lot of bats. I’m guessing the home runs have killed him.
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.
Yeah, his main problem is leaving balls out there to get crushed.
He hasn’t been very good though.
Honestly, sometimes it's better to give up solo home runs than to walk the bases loaded
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
So the only people who make sense to you are the ones who are giving up?
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.
Fine, I didn't mean that.
I’m just frustrated by the poor play of this team, when it looked so good coming into the season. And also by the fact that we’ll be paying aaron miles 2.7 million next year.
I'm absolutely frustrated by those things as well.
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.
Gregg
has been perfectly fine. Ever closer blows saves. If you expect perfection from any baseball team, you’re bound to be disappointed.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Enjoy your summer.
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.
the obligatory Witness!
but also a +1 for giving up in a most dignified and forthright manner
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
there's nothing wrong with saying
“I can’t do this anymore”. That’s absolutely an action I can respect.
It’s the people on the board who cannot step away but insist on screaming about how much this team sucks that are the problem.
Enjoy the summer, and I mean that honestly. We’ll be here when you get back.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Good point, drew
That drives me crazy, too. If all you’re going to do is whine, then go do something else with your summer and leave the rest of us alone.
At least this guy is putting his money where his mouth is. Supposedly.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
And I wasn’t being sarcastic when I said “Enjoy your summer.” above either. Sometimes it’s better just to walk away and not subject oneself to the stress and disappointment that following a baseball team can bring.
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.
One postive
Milton Bradley has been raking lately. .401 OBP is solid. He does need to hit for more power but he has stepped it up. Just need to start driving him assuming Lou keeps him batting second.
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions
Bradley has been great of late and his OBP is amazing.
However, .311 over the last 32 games is a barely raking batting average. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a guy hit .311 but have a .496 OBP over the same period.
I guess is it raking if the bat isn’t hitting the ball. The guy has more walks than hits over the period.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Miles
I want Lou or Hendry to tell me honestly what he brings to the team, without laughing. This man is a cancer to this team just from bad play. They clearly have wiggle room with money so why not just release him already? Hendry has already shown he made some mistakes and cut them, why not get rid of the worst FA signing of the off season?
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
Aaron Miles
should be hung from a public square
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Those are a little extreme.
Let’s not propose killing baseball players. Not a good idea.
I don’t see him as a “cancer”, either. He seems like a decent guy who just can’t play baseball.
The problem isn’t the money from this year, it’s the money for NEXT year for Miles that’s the issue.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Only in Spanish.
Or Mandarin: zhutou
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 Aug 11, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Perfect
You handle one, and I’ll handle the other. Someone else can man Google Translate.
Puto Miles de mierda.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Insulting in german!
Meilen ist ein riesiger Haufen von nicht
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
The Cubs
Are somewhere around 21-30 when Aaron Miles plays.
I will agree that killing a baseball player is not a good thing to say.
I do however want him off this team as soon as last month.
.197/.237/.265 What an awful line for someone with that many PA
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
I was joking
But I am serious about the Cubs just eating his contract
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Also
I think the team has to question why Lou keeps playing him. Not saying he’s a cancer, but playing someone that bad has to raise eyebrows
by VillanuevaExperience on Aug 11, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
BTW, that's "hanged" from a public square
Pictures are hung, people are hanged. Sorry, the grammarian in me came out. :)
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Should we be worried that you know that distinction?
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably
If there wasn’t enough reason to worry already …
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 11, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Haha, right on
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
You must be a lawyer.
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.
Miles
He’s not this bad, but it just so happens that he signs a deal with the Cubs and coinicidentally stops being a serviceable player.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
I think you just found your will to live
You should make it your mission in life to somehow get to the 2010 Cubs Convention and attend the Ask the GM session or whatever it’s called and pose that question to Jimbo.
At least you’d have some closure….
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Over/Under on Aaron Miles
being at next years Cubs Convention?
My show opens this Friday 8/7. Come out and support a fellow Cubs fan?: Hot Beans Delivers
by digitalbenjamin on Aug 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
six feet under, perhaps if some folks here get their way... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
As a bellhop?
Ba-da boom! CHING!
(sorry ballhawk, it was set up on the tee…)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Man I havent been to a Cubs anything forever
Last one was a Cub caravan that came to ISU when Jon Leiber was the next big thing for the cubs. Got his autograph somewhere in my house. Also a bunch of no names…then I also got Billy Williams. Man I should look up what year that was.
But I would love to get to a Cubs convention some time.
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
I'd love for someone to just stand up and say:
“Jim….Aaron Miles…why?”
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.
they should ask about heilman too
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
"Jim...Aaron Heilman...why?"
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.
sounds good to me
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
In all seriousness...
…I can actually see what Hendry saw in Heilman: A guy who’d been an elite reliever for three years before having a down year that may have been attributable to: a) A knee (IIRC) problem, and b) Unhappiness in the Mets organization. Jimbo rolled the dice that Heilman was over his injury and would regain his earlier form with a new team. Hasn’t happened.
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.
that doesnt explain why lou still keeps trotting him out there in nonblowouts
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
He's a seasoned vet, I guess.
Same logic Lou applied to Howry.
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.
who else you gonna send?
Marmol isn’t trustworthy anymore. Guzman can’t go every day. You need Gregg to close. Lou treats Marshall like a LOOGY. So you’ve got Heilman, who has experience and has shown flashes of, at least, competence, Shark, and Ascanio/Hart/Stevens/Patton. (This is before Grabow).
Who do you send out?
Even I would send out Heilman.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
If Ram goes on the DL once again, Hendry needs to pick up a good bat
Fox has been very good this year…. i just think he plays better when he spot starts
COOL BEANS!
Melvin Mora!
The O’s are apparently trying to unload him. Go Jim Go!
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm kind of at an apathetic place right now
The Cubs have had three straight winning, playoff bound seasons, with relatively few injuries along the way. This year has not been our year. It happens.
If they put a run together and stay in the division or wild card hunt, it’ll be great. If they don’t…I won’t be shocked.
At least then there would be no playoff disappointment!
:)
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:49 AM CDT reply actions
Everyting that the Cubsd have gone through
Is what builds a great playoff team. Getting there is the problem.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 11, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Um is this a look in the future ?
Cause last time I checked they only had two straight playoff bound seasons . Too much Molson in the morning ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I was counting in my head
but if we make the post this year, it’s three straight…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs Blow Goats
Just changed my mind. I woke up this morning and decided to become a Yankees fan. I love me A-Rod. Whoooo!! Or maybe I’ll start cheering for the White Sox. Now THAT is a classy organization with classy fans. Not like the Cubs.
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions
That's pretty funny
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Glad you got my humor
People need to relax, take a deep breath, and realize that even when they’re struggling like they are now…it’s not the 2005 team, or all those shite teams in the early to mid ’90’s.
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 11, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh you Canadians
are such a nasty and violent lot anyway.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your amount of bitterness)
But it looks like the White Sox are building a pretty good team for the future.
"bwahahahahahahaha!!!"-joeschmitt (8/07/09)
Yes
If you like overpaid, underachieving veterans. I wouldn’t call Rios and Peavy “on top of their game” right now.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
When you have a moderately large budget
You can afford to have some guys who are paid more than they’re worth. The White Sox have enough money to make it work. If only we got fair-market performance out of our payroll . . .
Rios
I understand that, but he’s having a bad year and seems to be a great risk similar to Soriano’s contract. He’s 28 and has only a .786 career OPS. With that contract forget about it.
As far as Peavy, it’s another great risk cause his road splits don’t/won’t translate well to the Cell or the rest of the AL. Not only that, but he’s a huge injury concern now.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
certainly
no one should suggest that PV was a great pickup till we see what he actually DOES…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
He's also capable of playing CF
Soriano plays the defensive position requiring the least skill, therefore in order to be worth paying over another LF, he has to be a great hitter. At CF, even if Rios never makes the leap to the next level offensively, he’ll still have some value to the team.
Ok fine
then you have to mention that Soriano’s career OPS is 53 points higher than Rios. I think that makes up for his defensive indifferences.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Tom Gorzelanny had left the game by that time after a ball hit by Dexter Fowler went off his foot. X-rays were negative, so Gorzelanny is expected to make his first Wrigley Field start against his old teammates, the Pirates, on Saturday.
Whew. That may be the best news we take out of this game.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
I am not giving up yet.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Are the Cubs reverting to their old ways
or just strugglng against much better competition? They have the best record in the NL since the break, but most of those wins have come against the Nats and the Reds. They’re 3-7 against playoff contenders (admittedly all road games). Meanwhile, the Cards have taken 3 of 4 against the Dodgers and 2 of 3 at Philadelphia. I’m as hopeful as any Cub fan, and I know that anything can happen once you get to the postseason, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that they have only 2 series wins against winning teams all year (and none in the last three months).
I agree
Their road record is very alarming, and might ultimately prevent them from making the playoffs. They look like a totally different team when they’re at home.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
FYI...The Cards did
not take 2 of 3 at philly. They got smoked on Saturday and Sunday by the Phils.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Aug 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Pathetic
Their defense needs to tighten up if they expect to contend for a playoff spot the rest of the season. I went to both Sunday’s and last night’s game, and regret wasting my time with some of the worst played baseball I’ve ever seen. The veterans didn’t seem to be interested once they were down 6-0, and the younger guys looked severely out matched by the Rockies (an organization that realizes how to build a good, young team). The window is starting to close on these overpaid veterans the Cubs have. It will be time to cut-bait if this season results in anything less than the playoff berth, and at least a series victory.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Actually...
Philadelphia took 2 of 3 from the Cards. Regardless, you need a 5-1 home stand, especially before a west coast road trip.
I'm not giving up
on this tteam just yet but knowing that the first football game is just weeks away does make my heart race.
They are home for six games now so let’s start a winning streak.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
yay for bears football...
hell i can’t even wait for preseason to start
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
same here
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
fantasy football bleedcubbieblue anyone?
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I've used Yahoo and ESPN
It’s pretty much all the same, Most people have an espn and yahoo account which makes it easier.
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
What's wrong with their interface?
i used it last year and it was great.
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Use to be HORRIBLE.
ESPN’s interface is actually quite nice now.
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
by AndrewJStone on Aug 11, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
There was at least one league set up
Maybe 2.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/7/10/944440/official-bleed-cubbie-blue-fantasy
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
GO PACKERS
Sorry kids never liked the Bears.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
YAY, Jessica!
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 Aug 11, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Same here, except...
I pull for the Saints.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I root for the Saints because of Pierre Thomas...he's my boy...
Reggie Bush sucks
by aznsensation on Aug 11, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
GO PACK GO!
Don’t tell the Bears fans here, but we still have the better QB
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
All the bcb'rs should get back on here for the Bears/Packers games
Or maybe you do that already? Would be fun.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 11, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
we've had
game threads for that. There’s a Bears site on SBN too…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
The Packers suck
and will get their butts kicked by the Bears this year.
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
LMAO.,
good luck with that. the packers have a better offense and better defense
Time will tell.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
but it's true :-P
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
While it would not change the standings
I think we all be a lot happier and hopeful if the games were closer and the players seemed more fired up. I am not one of idiots who thinks they don’t want to win or some other psycho babble but they sure seem to lack spirit and cohesion and Lou looks befuddled at best.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 11, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions
This is my #1 peeve
and I was surprised no-one had mentioned it all morning. There doesn’t seem to be any fire—at least there wasn’t any these last four games.
One thing is losing big but hustling and a much different is losing big and looking like they’re waiting to catch a delayed plane.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I think the individuals on the team have fire and desire to win, but
it doesn’t appear the team does in the aggregate. You certainly don’t see anyone appearing to play with the same intensity as Tulo.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Or at least not consistently
One day they look like they could at least spar with the best of them and the next it’s like they’re mounting a protest against management.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
But, see, this is the problem.
It’s really easy to look and act fiery when you’re hitting for the cycle and your team is clearly dominating its opponent. How does a team that’s clearly getting its ass kicked show fire?
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.
I wonder
if any of them are the team equivalent to the BLou/Krummy12/etc. Guys who go out there every day and say “We suck”.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I dunno. Does a team with good chemistry/locker room
look as dejected and crushed as the Cubs did last night?
Winning smooths over chemistry problems, but losing exposes all warts.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
I think even a team with good chemistry...
…would look dejected after getting its ass kicked 11-5 two games in a row. (I wonder how the Astros looked leaving Wrigley a couple weeks ago?) That’s why I really don’t spend too much time worrying about whether the Cubs do or do not appear “fiery” or like they “want to win.”
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.
Let's hope that Compound-W gets rid of warts
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 Aug 11, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
If it wasn't for the top of the scoreboard, I would've asked why the W flag is being flowing in
eastern Europe. Never looked at that ugly building closely before.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
Isn't that the new podcast studio????
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Now that you mention it, it does look a little like East Berlin
You are now leaving the American sector?
You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat. - Albert Einstein
Geovany Soto homered last night, his first homer (and first hit) since his return from the DL. When it was noted it was his ninth homer of the season, I thought, “Really? He has that many?”
hey, dont forget his 410 ft sac fly ;)
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions
It's a tough situation with Ram
I think you have to DL him for now. If more damage is done, then it sets the Cubs back a few steps. Fox can fill in for the near future. This doesn’t look good.
COOL BEANS!
I sure agree it doesn't look good...
And seeing how key he is to winning for this team…and the fact he’s still got an injured shoulder regardless of what exactly is hurting the most now, I think the Cubs better make an informed practical decision here as everyone including ARam will be tempted to rush him back early. They need to give his shoulder the rest it needs so he won’t be lost for the year or hurting so badly he’s not helping being in there.
It doesn’t sound from what the doctors said before when he was injured that it’s easy to figure out what is needed and that truly sucks. Mgmt already showed they were lax about monitoring Z with him coming out of a game…though Rammy can be trusted to follow a training regimen (and it should have been obvious Z couldn’t), I’d be happy with being more cautious here…assuming he doesn’t have to be shut down for the season.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 11, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
oh i haven't seen the play until now
but the triple by Tulowitzki …. any decent left fielder cuts the ball off without a bobble, that should have been a error oh well. Little things like that really make me mad. I’ve seen tooooooo many triples to left field …. they shouldn’t happen period. This wasn’t that big of a deal … i just felt compelled to point out that the Cubs better start doing the little things.
COOL BEANS!
Seems like almost every hit in that park...
…that’s not a single or a home run is a triple.
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.
or a 410 ft sac fly
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
this has probably already been posted,
but here’s a preview:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9368
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
of cubs v. phils.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Aug 11, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
well
they think that Lee will have problems with more Cubs batters then Demp will have problems with Phillies batters.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Why not
send Shark to the Bears? They need wide receivers, don’t they?
jay cutler for shark straight up?
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Happ is gonna be tough to hit .... he's that type of pitcher the Cubs struggle against
high 80s fastball, uses changeup a lot, curve, slider …. changes speeds very well
COOL BEANS!
the cubs struggle against soft throwing lefties
i guess the cubs need to get more right handed
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND
by jesus christos on Aug 11, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
- Robinson Cano and Denzel Washington face off in Jay Leno’s Yankees trivia contest
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
