That's More Like It: Harden & Bradley Lead Cubs To 7-1 Win
by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintThis team is absolutely maddening.
They play the first two games of the series in San Diego as if they were... well, I dunno, the Cleveland Indians or something.
And then the Cubs come out on Wednesday night and beat the Padres handily, 7-1, with timely hitting, particularly with runners in scoring position, and outstanding pitching from Rich Harden.
Why can't they do this every day? What is it about this team that makes it so inconsistent? They clearly have the talent and ability to play like this every day. This is a mystery that I hope they solve before tonight, when they begin an important four-game series with the Dodgers -- and this may be just the time to hit Dodger Stadium. LA is 7-11 in August (and 9-11 in home games since the All-Star break).
Milton Bradley had one of his best games as a Cub, drawing three walks, scoring twice, hitting his first home run since July 30 and alertly doubling Everth Cabrera off first base in the first inning on a fly ball to short right field. In 28 games (25 starts) since the All-Star break, Bradley is now hitting .301/.431/.441, much more in line with his career norms (.872 OPS, above his .824 career OPS), and with 3 HR, 10 RBI and 18 runs scored. He's hit even better -- .326/.431/.488 -- since being (presumably) permanently moved to the #2 lineup slot 11 games ago. If he can keep up this production through the last 45 games of the year, the Cubs will have the player they hoped they have signed. Best thing about Bradley's year since mid-May is that he has stayed healthy; he has played in 99 of the 118 games and is on pace to play in 130+ games for only the second time in his career.
Rich Harden didn't have his best command last night but was what baseball broadcasters often term "effectively wild"; he walked three but gave up only one single, to Adrian Gonzalez right after Cabrera was doubled off first base in the first inning. After that he was unhittable, and his season ERA at 4.04 is now as low as it has been since April 26, when it was 3.86 after a 10-3 win over the Cardinals. Since the All-Star break Harden is now 3-1, 1.64 in seven starts, with 20 (!) hits allowed in 44 innings, and 55 strikeouts. With only 14 walks and 3 HBP in that time, his WHIP since the ASB is 0.84.
This is the Harden the Cubs had last year, and with other starting pitchers contributing in this way -- all three starting pitchers in the San Diego series had good outings, even Ryan Dempster, whose four runs allowed in seven innings did give his team a chance to win if only they'd had some timely hitting -- the Cubs should be able to win some games.
If only they can put up that timely hitting. Last night they did. Nice to see Aramis Ramirez have a big day (three hits, his 10th HR) and A-Ram is seemingly over the minor shoulder problem he suffered a week or so ago.
The Cubs still trail the Cardinals by six games and are five games off the wild-card pace -- but four games off the loss-column figure in both cases; the Cubs have played the second-fewest games of any team in baseball (118; only the Phillies with 117 have played fewer). The series in LA this weekend is extremely important... and I think it's winnable. Go get 'em, starting tonight.
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As far as I can see
This team needs to be 3 back when we play St. Louis. If that happens, then who knows what can happen. We played that big 5 gamer in 03 and had to take it and did. Maybe on a cool September day this year, we will remember the team that suddenly had it click and put St. Louis out of sole possession of first place for good.
Just a hopin and a dreamin.
They are hanging on by their fingernails.
But still hanging, so I guess that’s something…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I didn't even watch this game. Not a single pitch.
That was a first for me this 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)
.
I purposly avoided it as well...
… aside from the @cubs_qf updates on twitter.
Now i’m concerned i’m bad luck. :-)
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
After avoiding Tuesday
I came back Wednesday. Don’t know why.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
That's what makes baseball
so involving. The season is full of ups and downs, and you never know how it will turn out. Who would’ve thought in mid-July that the Dodgers would have their lead threatened?
This next couple of weeks is what will tell the tale. Will the Cubs make a race of this, or will they put themselves in a mathmatically impossible situation? I think expecting the Cardinals to go into a swoon is not realistic.
I am not big on “must win” situations, but anything less than a split in LA, preferable 3 out of 4, will make it tough on the Cubbies.
I watched the first inning
and then I followed it back and forth on the internet. Kind of how I often do it. I am a sick puppy. I spend about $200 on the extra innings package and then can’t watch the Cubs but I do watch lots of other games.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 20, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
lol. That's what I'm afraid I'd do too if I ever got EI...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I watched a single pitch of Marshall's
after I saw that the game was in the 9th, and wanted to see who Lou had put in.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 20, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't take this the wrong way...
…but maybe you should continue to ignore the Cubs for a while longer.
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.
On a vacation to Chicago this week.
Planned to watch it, but after a long day of sightseeing, we fell asleep after A-Ram hit into the DP in the first…
I’m afraid we’ve reached the ‘meh’ stage of the season…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Finally a good win!
Let’s hope that we can catch the Dodgers playing poorly because we need to make up some ground and STL may play better v. SD than we did.
The team needs it’s best hitters to produce somewhat consistently. Unfortunately, injuries and otherwise inexplicable drop-offs have thwarted this team’s offense. We have 4-5 guys that we’d call sluggers: Lee, Soriano, Bradley, Aramis, & Soto. If we could get a combination of 3 of them hitting it hard simultaneously I think we’d see the offense that even experts expected. I haven’t researched this at all, it’s just my somewhat flawed observation/memory that it has rarely happened this year or ust not enough for this team to sustain long winning streaks.
If everyone is healthy and they are in the lineup then no more excuses, it’s time for the Cubs to make a historical run and look back and be proud that they finished strongly. This isn’t time to shut down pitchers or put guys under the knife. If they did they latter then I’d consider this entire front office a sham house of losers worthy of a tradition of losing. Give your best effort the rest of the way and if some players can’t do it because they have the “blahs” (not referring to legitimate injuries) then bench them and get rid of them after the season.
At least finish strongly, competing at your best.
Nice to see we were Latos-intolerant last night...
Now on to LA where hopefully the Cubs can do a little number on the suddenly not-so-intimidating Dodgers.
Oh, and Al, if we can’t make Jewish jokes, you shouldn’t make Indians jokes…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Who says you can't make Jewish jokes?
“Latos-intolerant”. (groan)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Latos is Jewish? Didn't know that.
Was listening to the game last night and for whatever reason, Santo kept stumbling over Latos’ name. I thought for sure he or Pat were going to make the Latos-intolerant reference, but they never did. So I felt it was my sworn duty to keep up the pun-ishment…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Latos isn't Jewish.
Was just saying sure, you can make Jewish jokes.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Puns are Jewish?
If that’s the case I need to convert
by IllinoisCubs on Aug 20, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Puns are only used for koscher burgers?
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
purgers.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
The purge of the light brigade
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
Into the valley of peath
rode the three hundred.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
bore pastards, do tie a certain death they ride
This is fast becoming a very silly sub-thread.
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
I will not have my fwiends widiculed by the common soldiewy
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
"...kill de wabbit. Kill de wabbit."
and de wodger too!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I tink I taw a ted wodger... I did... I did...
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
well, let's see...
it started with a bad pun, drifted into tribal misunderstandings, continued with some even worse puns, and is now engaged with some Looney Tunes of the Elmer Fudd and Tweety Bird variety.
“Th- Th-Th-Th-Th-… That’s all, folks.”
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yup, we're gluttons for punishment
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
I think there was a little Pontius Pilate thrown in too.
Anybody else feel like a little… giggle… when I mention my fwiend… Biggus… Dickus.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Aha, Naughtius Maximus is in the house
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
You should have made that your user name.
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.
you musta missed that left turn
at Albuquerque.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
BB made up for it on TV though...
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Aug 20, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope they thump the Dodgers all the way back to Brooklyn
If the Cubs take this, then it will be springtime for hope.
But with the bipolar nature of this team, it is a very big if.
Per aspera ad astra!
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
There's plenty of baseball left
They just have to play more consistently, and they still have a shot.
I hate the Dodgers
I hate the Cardinals, Rockies, Marlins and Brewers, but I hate the Dodgers, too. Let’s hope the Cubs keep the hit parade going tonight and get another big “W.” If they can find a way to win this series, it would be a HUGE momentum boost going into late August.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
You would think I should hate the Dodgers
but I don’t. The victory over the Cubs in the DS isn’t a big deal for the Dodgers fans. They’ve been there before. Different mind-set in that market. They hate the Giants. The Padres are just a little fly to be swatted. They barely exist on their radar.
I never see Cubs ‘hatred’ in LA. I’m sure there is some, but I never see it.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
A Milestone!! Last night was the first time in 15 years of going to Cubs games in San Diego...
that I didn’t encounter the typical asshole Padres fan. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that only about 18,500 people bothered to show up at the game, and probably 11,000 of them were Cubs fans.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Think about it...
their team had taken the first 2 games of the series on a walkoff HR and then won the next game and had an inside the parker to boot….and nobody showed up for the final game. How sad is that?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
It's California...
and a team in an expansion city. No roots, no history, no original team’s location, nothing like that. How many of these cities have a rabid fan-base that turns out for their teams on a consistent basis?
Arrive late, get up during the play, leave early. Only LA is more egregious than San Diego.
I was surprised however to find the attendance be so low there would be the equivalent of 2,000 empty seats at the United Centre.
Just win the next game...!
Nonsense
Dodgers have always been amongst league leaders in attendance.
Last week I went to a D’Backs game that had more Dodgers fans at the park than I have ever seen from an opposing team – including Cubs.
Dodger fans do support them in AZ
When I was at a ST game this year that was the first Dodger game at HoHoKam, they were out in force. I’ll bet they were 25% or more of the total crowd.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Lemme know when you see these teams' fans support them by droves
in Pgh, Wsh, Cincy, Fla etc. Not cities that are closer than StL is to ChiTown.
I wanna see a ton of Angles fans in TB or Balt, A’s fans in MN or Det, SD fans flock to Atl or Milw. It ain’t happening.
Now compare that to Phi, CHC, NYY, Bos & StL.
The reason the Dodgers are league leaders (or close to) in attendance is they have one of the largest (if not the largest) seating capacity in MLB. Compare % of capacity, not raw #’s.
Just win the next game...!
I think this was the fewest number of Cubs
fans to attend a series at Petco. The Padres fans were not outnumbered Monday. But, with attendence off for Tues/Wed — under 20K both times, There could have been a slight majority of Cubs fans.
Any other team in town — new Petco attendence lows.
Just wait until the Nats are here at the end of the month Mon-Wed. Watch the box scores. 9 to 10K, easily.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
You don't think they'll have Strasburg in the rotation by then? That would up the attendance up bit.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
I was kidding...sort of.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
If Strasburg pitches, you'd get 25K. That's it.
That’s it. But he shouldn’t pitch. (uh, somewhat NOT like the Cubs have handled The Shark)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
SD is a NFL town
and with the football season upon us I expect local SD interest in the Padres to wane even more.
But, the Cubs don’t play them again this year so let’s move forward.
I hate the Dodgers...
in the sense that they totally outplayed us in the NLDS. They certainly aren’t a traditional rival, but they were so relaxed in that series and they executed every phase of the game. It drove me crazy, but they were playing playoff baseball and the Cubs were just watching.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
...and why I like
Cubs/Cards or ’Hawks/Wings. Long-standing rivalries and teams in their original cities from when the respective leagues were formed.
Just win the next game...!
Hopefully,
panic will bring about sharp, alert and topnotch play. Lee is there; Aramis is pretty much there, Bradley looks to be there and Fukudome (if Lou will leave him in one spot) is good. Fundementals, good pitching and (if there is a baseball god) a consistent bull pen can make this happen. Remember the Rockies run a few years ago.
+1
It also helps that the Braves and Marlins play each other 9 times and the Rockies and Giants play each other 9-10 times too. I’m to the point where I think it’s highly unlikely that the Cubs make it to the playoffs but whenever the other WC teams play each other, we will have to gain ground or stay even with one of them just by default. If the Giants beat up on the Rockies like 6-3 and then we take 3-1 from the Giants at the end of September, that would be a very good spot to be in.
Again, I’m not thinking that will happen but if the Cubs luck starts evening out this season and Soriano goes on an epic streak, we may have a race on our hands after all.
by IllinoisCubs on Aug 20, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
That's why it's so important to close the gap now
instead of waiting for a miracle in late-September. Just keep winning now. If the Cubs are 1-2 games back in mid-September, I’d take that…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
When Rami went after that liner
I was holding my breath.
How good was it to see Harden getting batters out w/o necessarily going after the K. The 25-pitch 1st inning was a bit of a concern though.
The D-Lee started 3-6-1 was my favourite; but I’m biased having played most of my games at 1st.
It’s just one game but like I always say…..
Just win the next game...!
That double play
was awesome.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Good win last night.
Hopefully it woke something up in the Cubs clubhouse. Now onwards to the big series in LA. Let’s hope they packed the timly hitting with RISP with them from San Diego.
by Tangled Up In Blue on Aug 20, 2009 9:07 AM CDT reply actions
“Why can’t they do this every day? What is it about this team that makes it so inconsistent?”
I thought yesterday we were blaming Jim Hendry . . .
Maybe it was Bill Murray's attendence last night.
I didn’t have Comcast last night, but Cox/4 couldn’t stop showing him sitting with Jim Hendry. As we were constantly treated to Mark Grant’s lame comments about “Caddyshack” and how he didn’t like “Lost in Translation” because it was too slow.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Bill has lost a lot ALOT of weight...
we saw him and Hendry make their way to their seats, and I almost didn’t recognize him.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Getting in shape for Ghostbusters 3?
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 20, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
oh please oh please oh please...
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh man - the special effects would be SO much better!
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.
So that's what Jim Hendry looks like.
I was wondering who that was.
Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.
27 games until the Cardinals series
only tough series on paper looks to be the Dodgers. What do the Cubs need to do to have a shot after those 27 games?
I think 20-7 is doable, given the schedule, and necessary to make a strong move in the WC or Division. Feel free to rip that apart.
Has anything with this team led you to believe
That they could sustain ~.750 ball for a month? I don’t think so.
they're so inconsistent
anything could happen.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
The is team is so bipolar that I would not think likely, but surprising... No, not really
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
Not really...
…if you look at mediocre teams, they are usually terribly inconsistant. With 162 games, a .500 team is not going to “win one, lose one” the entire duration.
Even crap teams can look real good over short stretchs and the opposite is true for good teams. When you get this deep into the season, it’s highly unlikely the trending of this team changes drastically. Sure, it’s possible they could put together a 15-5 stretch, but it’s more likely they don’t.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Sometimes I type too fast and read too slowly
This team is so bipolar that I would not think it likely, but surprising… No, not really
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
It will be difficult
but I think it has to happen if they are going to make the playoffs. I also think given their schedule there are games to be won. But nothing done so far supports them actually doing it.
.750, maybe not, but then hardly any team can.
However, from July 1-August 5 the Cubs were 21-10, .677.
If they can do that for the next 31 games they’ll be 82-67. That would put them in pretty good shape, I’d think, going into the final 15 games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
18-9 More Realistic, But...
20-7 would definitely put the Cubs back into both the division and wild card races. For the Cubs to win 90, they need to go 29-15 the rest of the way. That’s admittedly a tall order for the Cubs, but it can be done. I don’t think 90 wins will be enough for the division title, but I think 90 will be enough to force a one-game playoff for the wild card. Really, 91 wins is more likely to actually win the wild card, IMO.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Leading up to the Birds series
The Cubs have 3 here vs Cincy and 4 here vs Milw. The Birds have Atl and the fish both visit for 3 each. Let’s hope both of those teams still have something to be playing for by that time rolls around.
Other than the west coast trip, common opponents before that series is home vs Wsh and on the road at Pgh.
I think the key is the Cubs beating the hell out of the Mets in the 6 games leading up to that series along with pummeling Cincy and Milw here while the Birds have to contend with Atl and Fla.
If the Cubs can be near even in the loss column by that Sept 18-20 series in StL, they have a very good chance.
Just win the next game...!
2004 reminder notice
The Cubs have to win, alot, to be in the play-offs. No ifs, ands, or buts if they want to be in the play-offs. Only to point out here that the next best thing to overcoming the Cardinals is to win enough games to proverbially breath down the Cardinals necks, and that will give the Cubs the best chance possible of taking the wildcard.
In 2004 the Cardinals won 105 games and in Sep-Oct either rested or were running out of gas. I claimed at the time they were resting. In Sep-Oct the Cardinals were 18-13 and the Cubs were 17-13 and the wildcard standings ended up in wins:
Astros 92
Giants 91
Cubs 89
So, wihile the Cardinals were resting their team or doing whatever they were doing, they lost 5 games in Sep to the Astros. Now I thought they should have won at least 3 of those games. What the Cubs should have done is win 4 more games against anybody, or 2 more games against the Astros like Steve Stone viciously pleaded they do in August when they had their last chances against the Astros and dropped 3 of 4.
So, if the Cardinals have to win any games before this is all over I would rather they beat the Braves, Marlins and Rockies and fall to the likes of the Padres and other under .500 teams. Any way that you look at it, the Cubs have to just win.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 20, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
No, I'm pointing out they have to be
very close in the “L” column by the time that series arrives.
Just win the next game...!
Capt. Obvious: "Sori has to get hot!"
With the lower part of the lineup scuffling, it’s imperative that Soriano gets it going if the Cubs are to narrow the gap.
I was gratified to wake up this morning
and see a win. I hate west-coast games, they’re too late for me to be able to stay up and watch them all.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
If I set my alarm for 6:00 AM, I usually can catch the last bit of the night time west coasters.
It can make the day your friend, but also it can seriously bum you out….
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
Jeeze! Where do you live?
If I set my alarm for 6:00 AM, i usually can IGNORE IT.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Central Europe, but originally from Chicago
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
Nice!
Being able to catch the games as a wind down to my day is often hard, as i’ll try to go to sleep pissy. I can’t imagine starting my day that way. Kudos to you.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Great to see Harden rounding back into '08 form
I still have no confidence in Ryan Dempster, unless he gets the league’s highest run support (like he did last season) he will never be as effective as he was last season.
Al, do you ever think any series is NOT winnable?
I love the optimism though, I stil have hope for this team also. I just feel a little resentment towards the Cubs still and probably will for some time. Like that ex g/f that dumped you but changed her mind and wants you back.
Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue
every series
is winnable. The Nats have won games this year. So has Pittsburgh.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Case in point
After the Cubs visit, the Fish went to DC and got swept. Then went to Philly and swept them.
Just win the next game...!
"[Harden's] WHIP since the ASB is 0.84"
That’s an awful nice number. Is it nice enough to get the Cubs to re-sign Rich, though?
"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
If you gave Rich Milton Bradley's contract, I'd be ok with that
3 years/$30 million or so, with the 3rd year vesting based on games started, to protect against injury.
The Cubs training staff and their ability to keep Harden healthy over the last 1.5 years can be a great selling point to the Cubs in negotiations, I think.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Aug 20, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed...
… and he’s said as much, at least in relation to his prior situation.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Another three year, $10 million per year contract?
I would venture that’s what he’d ask.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Let's hope the Cubs are willing to swing that.
I’d love to see him back.
I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best
Let's hope they don't have to move other guys like Reed Johnson
Or Jeff Baker to sign Harden to yet another back-loaded deal.
Just win the next game...!
it'll be interesting
to see what, if anything, Reed can do when he comes off the DL.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure is quiet here this morning
Not much to complain about, I guess.
I do have one complaint: why must Milton Bradley engage with hecklers? For that matter, why must he engage with anybody publicly? Just keep your head down and do your job, sir. Go vent your frustrations on the batting cage or whatever therapeutic device you prefer.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Eh, I thought he handled
it alright. They were a bunch of jerks.
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 what he did just adds to the public perception of [fill in the blank]
which brings Sullivan and Co. to keep on writing snarky pieces, which in turn, makes Bradley more intolerable.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
As i mentioned, i didn't watch the game, and only sort of followed on twitter. Checked in here for abotu 2 minutes.
What happened with Milton and the hecklers? And can we get them to follow him around for the rest of the season? Seems they inspired him last night…
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
They were yelling
stuff at him when he was up to bat. After one at bat (maybe it was his homerun) as he went into the dugout he made hand gestures towards them and then he threw a little fit in the dugout. They asked him if that was his first homerun just crap like that. I thought he handled it fine and it was no big deal. They were jerks for sure.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
It was after his HR
I had it on mute and saw Bradley just mouthing off in the dugout, I was like what the hell is going on. Then I heard them heckling him. The whole night was bad. Im pretty sure I heard one of them yell about Theriot getting traded or something, then heard “hey bradley how about you pull another muscle”
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
Hand gesture explained by Lou...
Afterwards, Piniella was asked what was going on with Bradley, who was seen making hand gestures to fans near the Cubs dugout after hitting his home run in the sixth inning.
"He was having a Muppet conversation with one of the fans," Piniella said.
haha
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 20, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
That's funny.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Lou is "The Mighty Favog"...
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Mighty_Favog
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
It was pretty quite in Petco last night
and I heard “Act like you’ve hit a HR before, Bradley!" Cox/4 caught a shot of a guy — looked like he may have been wearing a Colts jersey, yelling at Bradley.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
We got that shot in Chicago too
Yet another reason to dislike the Colts…
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
hate the Ravens
it was a Baltimore Colts Unitas Jersey
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
umm... I think you have engaged with hecklers here a time or two. Heck, we all have. ;-)
Apparently BCB is the therapeutic device of choice for many here, but maybe MB feels better dealing with it right there and then. As long as he didn’t physically engage them – Sullivan said “hand gestures”. I assume that’s mediaspeak for giving them the middle finger? Or maybe he did the reverse Cena and waved his hand palm outward towards them – “I can’t see YOU”.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yeah, you're right
I just hate how it’s always more about what he does as a person than as a player.
You didn’t see the hand gestures? He used both hands and did a “quacking duck” motion and pointed towards the stands. Then threw a bit of a hissy fit in the dugout—reminiscent of a 5 year-old after being denied a second fruit pie.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
nope - no cable so didn't see it
Don’t recall Pat & Ron describing any of that either but maybe they did. Tell you what though – he can “quack quack” all he wants if it means hitting home runs and starting double-plays from the outfield.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I saw it in person....
there were several Padre fans right behind the screen just to the first base side of the plate that were unmercifully mocking him the whole night. I got worse after each of his 3 walks. I heard one of them tell him to go ahead and walk again because he’d just get hurt if he tried to actually run the bases like a real ball player. He hit the home run shortly after that comment.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I have to say...
That was actually a fairly funny comment by the fan. I’m glad Bradley answered it perfectly, though.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Bradely also gave an arm roll and a bow to some fans after his last AB when he K's looking.
I thought that was funny.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
On screen
Bradley paced back and forth in the dugout tossing a few F bombs in response. Looked like he was talking to the mirror aka Taxi Driver.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I have no problem with that....
getting pissed to actually good to see, and keeping it in the dugout is even better. Maybe he’s actually learned something.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
agreed
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I had no problem
with it either. I thought he handled it fine.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Interesting.
Just to show that BCB can be as surprising as baseball itself, I honestly expected there to be at least a couple Fanposts/Fanshots denigrating Milton for his actions last night. I found them highly entertaining – he’s just one of those players who feeds off the energy and emotions of his audience. He plays with a lot of passion and doesn’t take any crap. I like it.
That oppo HR was a thing of beauty, too – says a lot about his stroke from that side that he can go the other way and put in the seats IN PETCO PARK.
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 suspect...
… that the oppo HR is WHY we don’t see those Fanposts / Fanshots. Hard to criticize the guy this morning.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
He got on base 4 times scored twice and hit a HR.
Only an irrational idiot would be upset with him about anything he did last night.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
im sure someone would complain
that he struck out
by jesus christos on Aug 20, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Itchy!
Buller? Buller?
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
:-)
:-)
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, and we all know those are few and far between around here.
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.
paging BLOU...
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Shhhhh....
… say it too loud and he’ll awaken from his win-induced slumber.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
no
you have to say BLOU three times.
That’s two. :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
biggie smalls... biggie smalls... biggie smalls...
by jesus christos on Aug 20, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions
RIP
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
♪♫ I love it when they call me Big Poppa ♪♫
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 also remember that Bradley has a history with these fans
He played in front of them.
I just have a hard time getting on a guy for something silly after he has a game like that. I even say nice things about Zambrano when he has a good game.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I want a fruit pie!
"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
Another reason Sullivan sucks.
Saying hand gestures implies the finger, right? I watched the whole thing, and bc of my speaker set-up I heard these 2 IDIOTS screaming, non-stop the whole damn game- I was annoyed! They heckled him for walking, they said they hoped he tore his ACL the next time he walked, they made fun of his home run (which I didn’t get)… and one of the two, the least vociferous, was wearing a damn Cubs jersey! They were the definition of obnoxious and the only thing MB did, was with his head down walking to the dugout after his HR he made a little shadow muppet “talking” gesture, like Lou said.
I used "hand gestures"
in my comment above but I did not imply the finger. It’s hard to say what Sullivan was imlpying though.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
I was more talking about a guy above who said he assumed hand gestures meant the finger...
Sullivan implies too much though- that’s his problem. He’s always twisting little words here and there and leaving out specifics to create a story out of nothing.
by smash! on Aug 20, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Yes, I have a history with Freddie Bynum.
But he deserved it.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
care to elaborate
why you feel he “deserved it” ?
Tell the story! Tell the story!
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.
why do you care?
really? does it REALLY matter? He IS doing his job.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I just don't understand
why it matters so much.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Coming from you...
… that’s a big deal!
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Rabbit Ears!! Rabbit Ears!!
Even in the harsh reality of fluorescent lighting, in makes no sense.
Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.
I loathe the Cardinals.
I feel like they haven’t lost a game in about a month. :(
Of course, it’ll make it all the sweeter when the Cubs surpass them, leaving that wretched organization scourge of baseball to cry all off-season. :)
Go Cubs!
by CubsWin!Oregon on Aug 20, 2009 10:35 AM CDT reply actions
That alone will be considered a massive victory in the Hernandez/Wall household
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Yep
Watched the end of the Cards game last night. Seems they get so many second chances. In reality they do push alot of buttons (unconventional) and force things to happen in the process. Unfortunately they have been of the winning side more often than not. It will come back to bite them. (fingers crossed)
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I would love for this
team to be jelling right now and go on a tear. Last night was exciting and made me stay awake til the end of the game.
Very happy to see several players step up. Rich settled down after the first inning and was great.
Just when you start to walk away from this team they reel you back in.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
I will happily eat all my negative words about Bradley being poison...
if he keeps this up.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Awesome...
… finally figured out what it takes to please those that hate on Bradley: .326/.431/.488
(Saying this in good spirits, obviously… only slight snark intended.)
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Let's see him do it for more than a month before we put him in the Hall of Fame.
Carry it through the weekend would be a great start!
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
The truth is somewhere in the middle, my friend.
He doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. He also doesn’t belong in your dog house, or at least as deep in it as he is.
Fact is, the team has bigger problems then MB this season, and that has only become more true since the All Star Break. Focus your rage on somebody that actually sucks.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
how about Sori for now, he kind of deserves it.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
It would be fair to argue that he deserved it more than MB for quite some time now.
And it was never Itchy’s dislike for MB that irked me, it was the name calling and the refusal to justify it with anything beyond “he’s a bum, he’s a bum, blah blah blah, poison, blah blah blah”.
Here’s to hoping we can just chalk this one up as Sori’s lost season and he’ll regain form before next year. Thus far, i maintain his investment has been worth it. He was a major cog in the 07 and 08 seasons and a major reason for the success there. He was also a major reason for the failures of this year. Evidence thusly points to “as Sori goes, so go the Cubs.” Thats scary.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Nice reference to my post.
Sori was a key ingredient in our success for the last two years. But this year has been really bad. And I’m not just referring for the poor hitting. The maddening things has been the lackadaisical play on the base paths and especially in the field.
While I’m totally convinced about Bradley’s contract and time with cubs being good over the long run. I’m am equally worried about Sori’s contract and remaining years and whether he can regain his form.
Props to you Andrew for defending Bradley, he has taken way too much of the blame this year. And from way too many people too.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
This year has been mind blowingly atrocious for Sori.
What i fear with Sori is he’s not going to be changed by Lou or anybody currently within the organization. There may need to be a “new sheriff in town” type situation to really get his attention, as he earned some leeway with Lou in 07 and 09 that Lou then extended far beyond where it should have gone in 09 when it was clear his approach wasn’t working.
What always bummed me about those that hated on Bradly was this:
Soriano: $16,650,000 (13th highest in MLB) for .243 / .303 / .428
Bradley: $7,000,000 for .261 / .395 / .399
Granted, Sori has taken his share of the blame here no doubt, but i really genuinely believe people equated Bradley being here with those they were nostalgic for (Wood, DeRo) not being here, and held that against him.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Good point about people blaming Bradley for DeRo and Woody,
although its not accurate! The Bradley signing was not contingent on moving DeRo.
I am almost there for the new sheriff to replace Lou and see what someone else can do, Lou has gotten most of the blame from me for this frustrating year.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
Given his age when he joined the Cubs (31) and the length of contract (8 years)...
…I fully expected Soriano to have a year such as he’s having now. I just wasn’t expecting it in Year 3. That’s the scary part.
Trying to extrapolate performance over 8 years is challenging to say the least, but I guess I was hoping for 2-3 great years, 2-3 pretty good years, 2 decent years, and 1 sucky year.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Aaron Miles was signed for a reason, my friend.
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.
Exactamundo.
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.
Slight snark=Slark???
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
I like it. Consider it done.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
The game I have been waiting for
As a Cub fan, I say Milton, Glad to have you! I am not sure that there is another guy in this league who tries to get the maximum out of his abilities as Milton does (or at least puts it on display). This man has worked his ass off to get to where he is at this point of the season. Through all the BS and distractions this is on guy who I would like to backing me up. My view of Milton was pretty foggy for quite a while, but once you get past the reputation, you see a good natured, hardworking team player (who gets really pissed when he fails). Passion. Misc – Nice to see Soriano remeber he has legs. This is a good sign and lets hope he is balls out the rest of the way. Good lineup last night as well. The Riot / Dome thing is up for debate but overall I think this is the best lineup we have. And yes I am very glad to see Hill in the game vs. Soto. Hill has what it takes to run this team from the field period. Big game tonight, the window is closing, no time to rest.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
3 out of 4 in LA
is pretty much a must. This would give us an indication that they can put something together.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 20, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions
Dear Milton Bradely,
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:02 AM CDT reply actions
Tough love
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I think I've seen the movie twice
Once when it came out and then once when I got the Indiana Jones boxed set. It really isn’t a good movie.
I also hate child sidekicks.
If you told me to choose between Temple of Doom and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I’d probably choose “The Notebook”
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
-500 man points.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
If getting man points includes rooting for Short Round
Then give me the dress
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Choosing "The Notebook" over an Indiana Jones movie
will always lose you man points.
"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
I'm a girl and I'd say that the Temple of Doom
was a much more entertaining move than The Notebook.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 20, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
YOU CALL HIM DOCTAH JONES!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
"Kingdom" lost me when Indy survived a nuclear explosion by getting into a 1950s
style refrigerator- WHICH HAD A LOCKING DOOR HANDLE to boot.
I mean REALLY!
Just really…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
If you have noticed
movie continuity has been pretty poor in general when it comes to period films.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
It isn't a good movie?
Let this be the first and last time I ever use the phrase, but, EPIC FAIL, man.
Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.
I've always enjoyed IJ:TOD
WAAAAYYY better than the Crystal Skull.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
"Hearts on Fire"?
Exactly what the Cubs need – some good Rocky IV mojo! Maybe this is Z’s new training regime.
Just to be clear, Z is the one with the beard.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
"Milton, what is best in life?"
“To crush your enemies the ball from the left side, to see them driven before you drive it into the opposite field bleachers, and to hear the lamentations of their women Padres fans.”
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.
Are we talking
About a disturbance of Biblical proportions?
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
I think we're mixing our movie metaphors left and right here.
For some reason, I thought SWL’s image above was from “Conan the Barbarian.”
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.
Is this like the choose your own adventure books?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 20, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure - or Mad Libs.
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's a big
Twinkie.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
OT
What is that good site to look at Cubs contracts?
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
Cot's Baseball Contracts
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I enjoyed the few innings I listened to
but a single win against the Padres isn’t going to get me all excited again. Now if they can play ball w/ the Dodgers like they did w/ the Padres last night it’ll be different.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 11:14 AM CDT reply actions
Let the Billy Wagner talk begin!
I know that Marmol has been asked to fill the closer role. That wouldn’t have been my choice, but it is what it is. I’m willing to see how he fares, for the next few games, but if he looks shaky at all, I think the Cubs should seriously look at Billy Wagner.
Now, I say that without having had seen him pitch. I believe he will get activated today, so a few days of seeing if he’s got something will really make up my mind.
Smoltz, obviously, is in StL. This could be the next best option for the closer role.
by jerry morales rules on Aug 20, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions
Smoltz is going to start for the Cards, but...
Anybody who takes Wagner will have to shell our about $2.7 million for the rest of this season in addition to a $1 million buyout for next year.
$3.7 million for six weeks of a guy coming off Tommy John surgery? No way.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 20, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd do it ONLY if the Mets would eat most of the contract.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How long before he has to wait to pass through waivers?
Isn’t there a clock on that? Then after that time if unclaimed he can be dealt?
Just win the next game...!
I think it depends on the type of waivers...
… when they pull him back, if they do, or if they just release him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
As I understand, Wagner will bring draft pick(s)
if the Mets offer him arbitration.
Not sure if he will be type A or B.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 20, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I am still holding out....
…hope for Trevor Hoffman. Not this season, but next; his contract is up with the Brewers this season.
I’ll have a fanpost at some point, but while no longer as dominate as he was, he is putting up good numbers in Milwaukee. I’d still expect him to close, but I think the greater boon would be to assist in bringing Marmol along. The all-time leader in saves could, well, mold his eventual successor.
Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.
Cubs can fully sweep LA
But that all comes down to which Cubs team will be playing there over the weekend.
That's a bit much
I can see 3 of 4, though. The Dodgers, as has been stated have some problems and the Rockies are on their heels.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
And perhaps the Padres can give StL a bit of trouble.
The Cardinals offense may not do that well in Petco. They did, after all, only score nine runs in three games in LA.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And won 2 of 3
Dodgers pitching, outside of Broxton, has been really good lately, as the Cubs are about to find out.
I disagree
Dodgers pitching is currently NOT as good at the first half of the season
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes
that stretch includes 7 games against an Atlanta team that is playing well, 3 on the road against the D’Backs who are 24-16 since the All Star break, and 3 against the on fire Cardinals. And yet, they were in virtually every ball game with 6 one run losses and 2 2 run losses.
The problem has been Broxton, and as I have been saying, the have the solution to that problem on the staff.
The Dodgers also have been not hitting as well, but they have also faced some tough pitching. Carpenter, Haren, Lowe, Wainwright, etc.
The Cubs, OTOH, come into Chavez Ravine having lost 7 of 10, including 2 or 3 to the awful Padres.
"The Cubs, OTOH, come into Chavez Ravine having lost 7 of 10"
With two of those losses due to the late-inning propensity of Gregg giving up the HR ball. I would be surprised to see him back on the field during this series without a double digit Cubs lead,
Any team can sweep any other team
It all depends on which Cubs team shows up and I’ll stay by stance.
They can just as easily get swept in 4 games…
Dodgers have
one of the top 3 home records in baseball. A sweep is about as likely as an announcement that Dick Cheney has joined the Democratic Party.
Well I'm overly optimistic
Who gets dissapointed often. I hope I won’t be over the weekend.
As Al noted above the Dodgers are 9-11 at home in August
What they did back in April, May & June doesn’t count for much anymore. Fact is they are more beatable now then they were back in May when the Dodgers were the best team in baseball and the Cubs split a 4 game series at Wrigley.
Put down the Kool Aid
Dodgers are 3-6 at home in August, with 2/3rds of those games against hot ball clubs and half of the losses were by 1 run.
I hope that KG
just needs to think about it for a while, recover or address whatever the problem is and gets back to the closer role.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
oops Re: Wagner post
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
No.
No more Kevin Gregg. He can go to the Nationals next year. Come to think of it, Heath Bell will be probably not be resigned. The Pads can pick him up Mr. Gregg for nothing.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 20, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
perhaps we can just trade Gregg/Miles/Heilman to San Diego for Bell and a minor leaguer?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Wiser words have not been written on this Web site.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
thats what i said at the trade deadline
hendry is ahorrible gm for not doing that trade..
by jesus christos on Aug 20, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
BWAHAHAA
Not even Miles’ wife will take him right now.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Google images is being uncooperative with my search
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Is that Aaron in the back?
Sure looks like him without the goatee.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
What's that little dog on the left of frame staring at?
Oh dear…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Both of those dogs are rediculiously uncute.
And i’m a dog lover.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Well how cute can a dog be...
…when someone surgically replaces their ears with a tiny water bottle and a flip-flop. I mean, c’mon – what was the vet thinking? At least remove the human foot and leg from the flip-flop. Poor dog has to carry that limb around all day…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
or if she could OPS .600 in Iowa
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 20, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
SDSJM -
What percentage was Cubs/Pads fans?
How many games did you make, if any?
Finally, my daughter is starting USD (not SDSU).
Any comments on the rep? She got into Michigan and chose the beach. She still has to maintain a B or better average, or its back to the cold for her!
totally understand being down on Gregg
Would I want him as closer next season? No. But I am more worried about screwing around with the 8th and 9th inning guys this late in the season. If a legitimate closer was picked up off waivers then great. But I find it hard to believe that Greggs latest bout with HRitis will continue. My hope really is that something is a bit off and he just needs to figure it out. Untested closers could result in just as damaging losses. Imagine Marmol coming in to close it, walks a bunch. What do you do? Go to the pen again? This to me is more likely than a bunch more walkoffs.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Um, it's the middle of August.
He’s given up 12 home runs – that’s two more than his previous career high. He’s already cost us two series wins – Marlins and now Padres. I’d prefer not to have to make a change now, too. But Lou had to do 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.
Guess we will just have to see
how it goes. Marmol’s walk an inning is what concerns me. Of course that is better than the HR.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, the walks are certainly disconcerting.
But think of it this way: Unless the bases are loaded, there’s no such thing as a “walk-off walk.” Generally, if Marmol does walk a guy, he still has at least a shot at recovering.
I’m also hoping that, having finally been handed the role he’s long been coveting, Carlos will step up and make sure it stays in his slider-hurling hands for many seasons to come.
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, I hope it all works out
I just really hate to see Gregg’s efforts diminished. If the homer crap is truly a trend then you really dont have a choice. But I cant help but think that Gregg has held it together in a whole bunch of tight ballgames. We havent scored that many runs and saves are not absolute. There is a range of difficulty.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure
I havent heard any comments relating to this
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 20, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I seem to recall...
…that, following the Marlins series, Gregg himself mentioned that he may have been tipping his pitches. He then got a few days off and came back and pitched well in the Cincinnati and Colorado series.
Next, he blew the tie vs. Phillies (giving up a HR) before pitching well again against the Pirates (but who didn’t?). And that brings us to the disastrous loss to the Padres (and another HR). I haven’t heard anything more about him tipping his pitches but, when a guy gives up that many long balls, you really gotta wonder.
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 was I was thinking because not only has he given up a lot of long balls,
he’s been saved by his outfielders quite a few times (Fuld’s catch running in the brick wall comes to mind).
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Maybe not tipping them but putting them all letter high and over the plate.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
To me, it seems his fastball has no movement
kinda like Farnsie’s was. Good velocity, but if he puts it in your wheelhouse, it’s getting tagged.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
No Gregg at closer ever again, ever!
He was a bum last year and is a bum this year and is not a viable closer. Part ways with the bum as soon as the season is over, please!!
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
To quote AL: "They clearly have the talent and ability to play like this every day."
I luv ya, baby, but yer wrong. Cub fandom is like religion – both demand that the true believer have faith even in the face of all conceivable evidence.
Joe, you coulda made us proud!
by copingwiththecubs on Aug 20, 2009 11:26 AM CDT reply actions
You don't think we have the talent or ability?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 20, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
WAT?
If our lineup simply performs to their career norms, we’ll overtake the Cardinals and win the division by 3 games.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of career norms...
this would be a pretty good one to have
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
As long as he is drinking:
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
Norm: "It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear..."
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
morning sunshine
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 20, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Then send it back
I ordered medium rare.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Thanks for the comment BLou.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Is this BLou's 2nd account?
Since he’s hopefully on the verge of being banned
ain't over
till it’s over.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Look, if this is how you feel, that's fine.
It’s certainly understandable. But I hope you don’t plan on posting this in multiple threads for the rest of the season.
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.
Not so fast
Our starting pitching has been pretty damn good. If Big Z can come back and throw the ball well, we have a solid rotation. Lilly, Harden and Wells all look great. If the bats can stay alive, watch out…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
At leaast we didn't have to worry about using a closer in a tight game last night.
Maybe we can get through the rest of the season that way!
It's amazing
(and possibly awful) that our season could end for the second straight year if we lose three to the Dodgers. We need to at least split in LA, or we’re done, I think — even if we would still be mathematically alive. Oh, and if this point was made earlier, I apologize. Didn’t have time to look through all the comments.
One good thing: Milton no longer looks like a raging mistake. He might not have been the best signing the Cubs could have made, given the team’s needs, but I don’t fear that he’ll be a cancer next year.
Captain Obvious here.
We surely need Milton and Fonzi to play well, adding to Lee and Rami’s consistency as well as continued contributions from the rookies and bench players. But I think with our starting pitching pretty consistent the biggest factor will be if our bullpen is consistent. To me that’s where we will either drop off or make up room in the race. I can’t tell if it’s possible to get consistent production from them.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions
FYI
cst_cubs Cubs and Pirates to make up that rainout Sept. 30 at 1:05 as first of day-nighter.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
That's EXACTLY what I was afraid of when the rain out happened.
Sure, if we are lucky enough to stay in the race it could help a lot, but I think every Cub fan would rather have a win under our belt right now. DHs are very hard to sweep and it sure sucked that they waited 3 hrs to call the game with the dry weather there an hour later. If you need to leave on getaway day, why wait that long then call it. Made no sense to me.
by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
hmmm...
A double header with the Pirates at Wrigley at the end of September? The last time that happened…well, it was a pretty big day…Damian Miller hit a HR! Oh, and we won the division too.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
That may have been the only time in ML history when a magic number of 3 was reached in a single day
I hesitate to say such things because baseball is a funny game but think about it…
Doubleheader.
Doubleheader late in season.
Doubleheader late in season with division leader.
Doubleheader late in season with division leader and magic number of 3.
Doubleheader late in season with division leader and magic number of 3 and sweeps the DH.
Doubleheader late in season with division leader and magic number of 3 and sweeps the DH and 2nd place team loses.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
There was no other possible date to make up this game.
The teams have common off-days, but that would force the Cubs to play either 32 or 34 days in a row. Both of those dates are in August. I’d rather see them playing in September with an expanded roster.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Also...
… Posted on the front page for further discussion.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
One game is not enough to convince me
The Padres stink and they beat us 5 out of 6 games at Petco .
The Cubs have looked their worst against good teams this year and history tells me they will lose this Dodgers series too.
I hope im wrong – but I doubt it.
Cub fan since 1969 and Im not taking my avatar down until they show up in a playoff series.
Yes, it would give me a headache to try and watch four games at once, 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.
according to mlbtraderumors
it seems this guy named mark prior wants to pitch…i wonder if hes any good
"wanting to" and "having the capacity to" are 2 different things.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm going to all 4 games this weekend, and I'll be wearing my Prior jersey.
Maybe he’ll watch and feel the support.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
MLBTR refers to...
…this article on mlb.com.
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 really is a sad story
Prior was such an amazing pitcher at his prime. Whether it was the line drive off his elbow, the crash from Giles or somethign else, I guess we’ll never know.
Zambrano, Lilly, Prior, and Dempster. Yikes.
by jerry morales rules on Aug 20, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably all of the above and more
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
what the
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
This season has long been over. krummy12 (6/30/09)
Misery really DOES love company, i guess.
Lose a game and we get 900 replies to yesterdays game reacap.
Win a game and we aren’t to even 1/3rd of that.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
thats because a lot of people already jumped off the bridge
by jesus christos on Aug 20, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually I think it is because the "I told you the season is over crowd"
can’t gloat today but be sure they will be back after the next loss
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 20, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Well with them gone, what the hell am i supposed to do with myself all day?
Work? Psht.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I went to see
District 9. Amazing flick.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Trying to make it to that ASAP.
Went to the movies on Saturday and ended up at GI Joe. The worst $11 (yeah, $11 now at the AMC River East) i’ve ever spent.
Follow me on twitter @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Aug 20, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe we should start bitching about them some more.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
This team has turned back into a pumpkin.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
you're right
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
reply fail, my first one ever.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
Congratulations on your first fail!
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Aug 20, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
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