Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: NFL Players Ready To Welcome Gay Teammate

Return To The Scene Of The Crime: Cubs vs. Dodgers Preview, Thursday 8/20, 9:10 CT

We don't really need to get too involved in what happened the last time the Cubs visited Dodger Stadium. However, Chris DeLuca in today's Sun-Times uses it as a scathing indictment of Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella that makes me think he read my post from yesterday; he talks extensively about the "we need to get more lefthanded" mantra that Lou apparently began just after that series ended, since the Cubs had faced no lefthanded pitchers at all from the Dodgers all year:

The next night, after the Cubs were swept by the Dodgers, a frustrated Piniella stood in his office and repeated the remarks about the Dodgers' no-lefties approach. It was a theme he would take into the organizational meetings. And when a blueprint for the offseason was drawn up, "getting more left-handed" in the National League's most feared lineup became the Cubs' cause.

Never mind that the Dodgers did have LHP in 2008 -- Clayton Kershaw, Hong-Chih Kuo and Joe Beimel among them -- it just happened that the Cubs didn't face any of them. And never mind that the Dodgers wouldn't necessarily be a Cubs postseason opponent in the future, or that they might change their pitching staff. Nope, said Lou: "Get more lefthanded". DeLuca concludes:

Keep in mind, the Cubs went 5-2 against the Dodgers during the regular season. This despite hitting .238 with a .656 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages) against the Dodgers -- their lowest marks in each of those categories against any NL team last season.

So granted, Dodgers pitchers did the best job of cooling off the NL's most productive offense last season. They did it without a single left-handed pitcher -- and that might say more about the Dodgers' lack of left-handed pitching than anything about the Cubs.

But that was no reason to overreact and tear up a 97-victory team that could've been just as dangerous in 2009.

Bingo. The Cubs won't face a lefty tonight, but they will tomorrow -- Randy Wolf -- and the Dodgers have three in their bullpen, Kuo, James MacDonald and George Sherrill.

Guess you outsmarted yourself, eh, Lou?

Star-divide

Today's Starting Pitchers
Tom Gorzelanny
Tom Gorzelanny
Cubs
vs. Jeff Weaver
Jeff Weaver
Dodgers
5-2 W-L 3-1
5.24 ERA 4.05
22 SO 18
8 BB 15
2 HR 2
vs. LA -- vs. Cubs
Note: Gorzelanny's numbers below are with the Cubs only. See the pitcher box above for his full-season numbers.

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Tom Gorzelanny 2-1 3 3 0 0 0 0 13.2 12 8 8 2 4 15 5.27 1.17


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Jeff Weaver 5-4 21 6 0 0 0 0 63.0 64 28 26 6 27 47 3.71 1.44

Jeff Weaver has made five career starts vs. the Cubs (2-0, 4.05), but that's largely irrelevant, because the last one was two years ago and the other four were in 2006 and before, and only Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee remain from those teams. The first start he made vs. the Cubs was on June 3, 2000, when Weaver was with the Tigers. I post that boxscore link for amusement value. Anyway, please don't tell Lou this: the Cub who hits Weaver best is Aaron Miles (6-for-15). Six hits is how many Miles has had in his last forty-five at-bats dating back to June 10 (.133 average). Please don't let Miles anywhere near tonight's game.

Tom Gorzelanny has made two starts vs. the Dodgers, both in 2007 while with Pittsburgh; he's 1-0, 4.26 in those starts. No current Dodger has homered off him, but the players currently on LA's roster have a .314 average (16-for-51) against Gorzo. Brad Ausmus is 4-for-8 with 5 RBI.

The Cubs return to WGN tonight, and if you have EI, you'll be listening to Vin Scully on Prime Ticket. Listen now, because Scully is retiring after 2010. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 10 pm, 11 pm and 11:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Comment 319 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

First...

Should I stay up and watch tonight… hmmm.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions  

Good question. Another good question

Would be why Al even mentioned Miles’ performance against weaver. No need to have a chance of influencing Lou…(though it’s painfully obvious he doesn’t care about BCB…It’s pretty obvious what most of the people think of Miles including myself).

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

If Lou starts Miles because of that split

I’m on the next plane to LAX with a fresh knuckle sandwich for him.

"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 20, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions  

2,000 miles...

To stop 1 Miles. Do it.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

I take straight cash, homey

Unmarked bills in my possession = me heading to Dodger Stadium tomorrow and punching Lou

It’ll save you time, and maybe money.

Jackie likes the smell of cut grass, he used to play ball on Saturdays, Playin in the sun...

by PacificCub on Aug 20, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Torn about watching this one

The last handful of games I’ve been able to actually watch have been hot garbage.

I’ll probably watch, but it happens again and I really will start to develop some kind of complex.

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions  

It has been hot garbage, when you see Lilly pitching lights out with nothing to show for it.

It was easy to watch last night’s game…with the losing streak and being so far out of first place I didn’t feel any pressure and I thought they would probably win. After winning however a glimmer of hope emerges and I am wondering if I should subject myself to it as well. By the way Allie, your Ginger looks just as cute on Windy City Gridiron.

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

is hot garbage worse than cold garbage?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Little more pungent

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Probably a LOT more pungent.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Just watch it.

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Aug 20, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

OK. Here's a question.

Does anyone remember hearing that the Dodgers and Cubs had exactly the same record against each other throughout franchise history? I believe they were tied at some point last year. The postseason shouldn’t count in that record, so my guess is that they are still pretty much neck and neck. I’m really a numbskull when it comes to finding stats. Does anyone know how I can find out what their all time record is against each other?

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions  

I wish I was at a point watching the Cubs this season I was motivated to check that kind of stat.

Maybe a winning streak would do it…sure couldn’t hurt. And after thinking about it I have no idea where to find it…other than starting a google thing…Al? you listening?

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

Baseball-reference.com

is usually your best bet for stats like that, in my experience.

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

I went there, but I didn't know where to start to search for it.

I didn’t know what to call the stat I’m looking for. Like I said, I’m a numbskull when it comes to stats. It’s way over my head like algebra. I’m too right brained. I need more lefty.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

no...

you need more cowbell

by tootle on Aug 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOL

If you only knew. That is so funny you said that. I spend a lot of time working with cows for my job. That is one thing I do not need around here.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah

bb-ref is over my head a lot of the time too. :-)

it’ll probably be a graphic on sportscenter later, i’ll keep my eye open for you! LOL

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

thanks

I don’t know if I’m staying up for this one.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Start at baseball reference.com

….by far the best site for stats…quite a few posters here are BR experts and can chime in here

by JB 23 on Aug 20, 2009 7:17 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

They are still tied.

I checked my scorecard. They were tied going into the series at Wrigley and split it.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

I find that amazing!

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

1014-1014

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Aug 20, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

two of the most storied

national league teams, for over a century — and they’re tied.

I love baseball.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hmm

That means the Dodgers would account for approximately 1/10th of all Cubs victories, no?

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Aug 20, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

thanks

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 21, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

The Cubs haven't been the same since the Dodger playoff season, despite the ramblings of Al to the contrary

There hasn’t been a single stretch of the 2009 season where you could say the Cubs were playing well. Not a single damned stretch. And yes, the death blow to this current iteration of the Cubs happened last October versus the Dodgers.

2010 looks bleak. Bleaker than 2009. Immovable contracts aplenty and too many players on the downside combined with zero reinforcements ready to help from the minors. And all these journeyman minor leaguers will start turning back into pumpkins sooner rather than later.

Pray for Ricketts to be named owner asap and for Bud the Dud to expediate an owner vote so he can take over asap and shit-can Hendry. It’s the only hope for getting a long-term rebuilding plan and new organizational strategy in place. Another wasted offseason with Hendry in charge is only going to prolong the extreme makeover that is desperately needed.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions  

I didn't even need to read this post after the words "ramblings of Al" to know who wrote it.

Same stuff, different day. Thought maybe we wouldn’t see you after the Cubs won last night.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

This coming from the person who was giving him a hard time

NOT EVEN HALF THE PAGE DOWN

Whatever it is you do, you’re terrible at it.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

I was giving him a hard time about his ridiculous sig line.

He’ s been pretty spot on when it comes to the rest of his analysis for the year.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's not his text sometimes

It’s his name calling and nasty language his uses. There are reasons that pathic little man has been banned 3 times in the last 3 years and he keeps coming back under different names.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Actually, four times.

But know what? Someone else is about to break his record.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

frightening.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

(dying laughing)

What reason do you have for banning me, Al?

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

I have about six other reasons.

Bye.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

I will say this

You have to do a ton to get banned, so whatever this guy has done must go far an beyond being a general nuisance.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yep.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hell, I've only been banned once!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

that second one was MDBNIU

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

I know it was something odd...

but still doesn’t answer the one I’m missing

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

I can't remember it either.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think he's the only guy here

Egotistical enough to quote himself in his sig. That should tell you 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

by Clutch16 on Aug 20, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

And yes, the death blow to this current iteration of the Cubs happened last October versus the Dodgers.

Yeah, Bradley and Miles and Gregg and Gorzo and Ascanio and Fox and Baker and Grabow really took it hard. Especially Grabow. He was like a wet banana.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Pray for Ricketts?

No…pray for BLou to recycle his same tired mantra on another site. It’s become uber tiresome here.

by leothelip on Aug 20, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

20-20 hindsight and getting better

On the “blowing up the 97-win team” column. I think that the left-handedness thing was one factor in what they did, but the overriding factor was a sense — from the fans first, then probably the management — that the chemistry of that team was too pansy-ass to win in the playoffs.

I don’t think that the fans would have accepted standing pat with that team, no matter how fondly we long for it now.

"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill

by vonde6 on Aug 20, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions  

weird photo from dodgers-cards game

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)

by joeschmitt on Aug 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT reply actions  

Whoa...

Manny’s hair is long.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Is this running gag about over?

Because I’m tired of it already.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

You mean the squirrell gag?

I saw a reporting on TV this week, so I’d say it’s still going on strong, unfortunately.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 20, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's run its course here.

Further appearances will be deleted.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

This is the first time I've seen it

But I wholeheartedly support banning it.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

where the heck

did it come from, anyway?

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

A couple took a photo in the wilderness with their camera timer...

and the squirrel stepped in front of the lens at the moment the photo was shot. The couple posted the photo on the internet and it became viral with the squirrel being photoshopped into many other photos of current events.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Photobomb

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

The great LEFT HANDED myth

I really don’t know where Al Yellon pulls this garbage. Exhibit A.

2008 Cubs left-handed hitters…Edmonds (gone), Ward (gone), Kosuke, Fontenot

2009 Cubs…Kosuke, Fontenot, Milton, Hoffpauir (when he was here)

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT reply actions  

You forgot the new switchies

Miles & Bradley. They aren’t pure LH, but they were part of the change.

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think Milton = Bradley

Miles? He’s a switch hitter who is 25th man on the roster and who has been on the DL for many weeks. Very, very feeble argument for how Lou bullied Hendry into making this team more left-handed to bring up the name of Aaron Friggin Miles.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's really a bold quote there, BLou.

You predicted the Cubs wouldn’t have a great season, halfway through a mediocre season?! You’re a regular Nostradamus.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bradley has been on the DL for many weeks?

In 2009?

25th man on the roster? Wow.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

BLou is out of the penalty box and back in the game, folks!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Theriot SS
Bradley RF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Fukudome- CF
Soriano LF
Baker 2B
Hill C
Gorzelanny P

COOL BEANS!

by lexmarklover on Aug 20, 2009 7:19 PM CDT reply actions  

Phew...

No Miles.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Good...

I’m turning the car around.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hill's catching again?

hmmm

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

California has medicinal marijuana...

Geo’s oblique may still be sore… you do the math.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Classic. Love it ;-)

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Aug 20, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Dude, no joke

There are eight (8!!) smoke shops within 2 miles of where I work. It’s hilarious. There isn’t even an attempt to not be obvious about who does or buys what.

Jackie likes the smell of cut grass, he used to play ball on Saturdays, Playin in the sun...

by PacificCub on Aug 20, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

I dunno what there is to hmmm

Soto’s slumping hard off the DL. :(

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's just that Soto is generally referred to as the starting catcher,

so I’m a bit surprised (and happy ) to see Hill starting again today.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

Except he's been more than serviceable this year

and we’d be worse off without him. Thanks for trying though.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

LMAO.

Yeah, we’d be worse off without a guy who has OPSed .619. He’s really saved this team.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

You do understand there's this whole other thing he does

that doesn’t involve hitting, right?

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Actually, it's idiotic.

I trust you’ve never bothered to learn the difference between correlation and causation?

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

lol

Ok, that was you. Yeah, there’s no sense in talking to you. Keep being who you are.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

Great arguments you're making...

… to criticize a guy with whom the team has been 30-19 in the games he has started.

Oh, maybe that .619 OPS isn’t the only thing he contributes. Maybe there’s … intangible things? Maybe he does well with the pitching staff?

I shouldn’t bother, because arguing with people like you is pointless.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Al, are you honestly telling me that you believe those 30 wins

are caused by Koyie Hill? It’s easy to calculate is WAR, and it isn’t pretty.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Tell your statistics to shut up.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

So much for the civility of this blog.

I was just trying to have a baseball discussion with you, Al. I can see you have no interest in that.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Apparently you wanted to act like an ass

more than you wanted to have a discussion.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's the way it looked like to me.

And “Tell your statistics to shut up” is a line from an old Peanuts cartoon. I used it in the title of a post only a few days ago.

Guess that doesn’t matter to someone who’s been banned here several times. Yes, that’s right. I just outed you.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nope. try again.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Doesn't matter if he knows.

It matters that I know.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Spandau Ballet

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Not that I really care,

but what reason would you possibly have for banning me Al?

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

I give it

I honestly couldn’t say who has been banned from here, aside from BLou because most people that get banned are random trolls. It’s cool though.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

he's not gonna start

quoting the entire script of Hamlet, is he?

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Othello, perhaps?

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 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nope.

Don’t worry about that.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

the worst part

was that he was quoting the entire script of Hamlet OUT OF CONTEXT. :P

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

LMAO

True.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

phew.

as much as I appreciate Shakespeare, those comments/posts were a bit much.

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 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Al, you can out me all you want.

I didn’t come here to get banned, I came here to talk about baseball. Instead, you choose to ignore all reasonable evidence, and act as if statistics that are PROVEN FACTS are erroneous, and substandard when compared to your point of view. It’s disturbing.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

No one is saying that, least of all me.

I never said statistics are “erroneous and substandard”. I simply say, they are not the only way to analyze baseball players and games. There are factors that cannot be measured.

If you do not understand this, I really feel sorry for you.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

you're missing the humor...

it’s a quote from a movie.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

WAR was stupid...and we were stupid

and love means nothing… and someone show me how to do that musical note thing..

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

I said, WAR.. HOH -- GOOD GOD Y'ALL

YOU DON’T NEVER TOUCH A BLACK MAN’S RADIO!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

OK, how do you do that?

I’m BLACKINESE!

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

hold the alt key down

hit 1 and then 4 on your number pad.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¢

That’s what I get when I do that. But then, I have a Mac.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

same here

damn you Steve Jobs!!!!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

macs

don’t have alt-keys.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well, yes they do.

I’m looking at a key that says “alt” right now.

But it does different things than the PC alt key.

¡™£¢∞§¶•ªªº–≠‘"æ÷≥≤…œ∑´®†¥¨¨ˆøπ¬˚∆˙©ƒ∂ßåßΩ≈ç√∫˜µ≤≥

Fun, but no musical notes.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

on my mac (MacPro), alt shares a key with option

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Mine too.

That’s how I got all those funky characters.

⁄€‹›fifl‡‡°·‚—±’"∏؈¨Áˇ‰´"ŒÅÍÎÏ˝ÓÔÒÚÆ¿˘¯Â˜ı◊Dz¸

There are some holding down “alt” and “shift” on my MacBookPro.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

cause by?

probably not. Achieved with the help of?

It would be interesting to compare the stats of pitchers when Hill is catching vs when Soto is catching.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't care what it is

if we win more.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Aug 20, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Statistics, apparently.

And he’d probably rather be right than win.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

He'd also like to hassle posters here

and then wonder why other people hassle the same poster. So, there you go.

www.facebook.com/craighudak

by Craig in South Bend on Aug 20, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

I like that lineup.

I think I’d only change it with Fox in left. Perhaps Fuld instead as well. It’s better than Lou has done other times this week for sure…any lineup without Miles always is an improvement.

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm guessing...

1-7 is going to stay pretty constant for the rest of the season, with Geo and Hill splitting time.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

♪♫...ooo hooo Dream Weaver, I believe you can get me through the night... ♪♫

And if that doesn’t work, I found me a case of Diet Mountain Dew – CODE RED!!! If Miles sees any action, I’m chugging a can.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions  

um
Miles sees any action,

My eyes. They burn. Maybe I WON’T watch this one.

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 20, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Breathe deep allie

Miles isn’t on the lineup so you can at least watch the start of the game…

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thinking of Miles' orgasm face aren't you, kiddo?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Worf

You are evil. How dare you say such things.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

No need to go there...

Last time I saw it Alannis Morrisette’s old bf popped out and I about lost my lunch.

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

You owe me a gallon of brain-bleach

Oh, the goatee action….(shudder)

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Aug 20, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

bow chikka wow wow...

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Where is this Diet Code Red...

Of which you speak? I used to love the original, and I can’t find diet anywhere.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

I found some at Target

the one on Addison. I think the cross street is Sacramento, or close to it.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

you frakker!

where do you find code red in CASES anymore???

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've got a bottle of tequila the wife and I got in Mexico on our honeymoon

That’s what I’m chugging if Miles gets in.

If you guys think Worf is bad… you should see drunk Worf.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

All I'm asking

is you share. Because we’ll all need it

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Official due date is Oct. 11, but he's measuring big

We just him to cook for a few more weeks. Really, anytime after Labor Day is possible.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 20, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

When Ricketts takes over Sandy Alderson will be named Team President

You heard it hear first.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:25 PM CDT reply actions  

Just out of curiousity, what makes you say that?

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 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

lol looks like he heard it

“hear”

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)

by joeschmitt on Aug 20, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Alderson is client of a significant law firm I know from my work

Tom Ricketts and Sandy Alderson have been in dialogue for several weeks. This is breach of confidentialty if the actual lawyer representing Alderson told me this, but he didn’t. But loose lips among Cub fan within that firm did.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ricketts and Alderson have been bargaining on two fronts

A. Minority ownership interest in the Cubs
B. Alderson to assume title of Team President, thereby a contract around that title

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

And why would that be a good thing?

….Alderson is Bud’s lackey and certainly didn’t accomplish much in SD

by JB 23 on Aug 20, 2009 7:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Actually, that's been in the press for awhile now

but you go on thinking it all starts with you.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's a bold quote there, BLou.

You predicted the Cubs wouldn’t have a great season, halfway through a mediocre season?! You’re a regular Nostradamus.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

in blou's defense

he caught a lot of flak when he made that prediction, and a-holes like me put it in his sig to (hopefully) eventually rub his face in it. he is looking more and more correct everyday. but i still hope to eventually rub his face in it

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)

by joeschmitt on Aug 20, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

That just makes you look foolish.

It doesn’t change the fact that BLou made an obvious prediction, and now is flaunting it around like he’s really accomplished something. Here, I have a prediction: Pujols will win the MVP. And you can quote me on that….

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've never "flaunted" being accurate prognosis for the 2009 season

I’ve cried over it. I’ve been sad over it. I’ve argued with the kool-aid drinkers and those who lack objective brain cells in their head on the social chat board formerly known as BCB. But “flaunt” it? No. Never.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's sitting in your sig line.

It’s fine though Lou. I understand why you’d be so proud to have predicted a mediocre team would be mediocre. It’s a truly groundbreaking theory.

by Theroid on Aug 20, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'll give you this much Blou...you gave me a good laugh..no never ...youd never flaunt it

your “prediction” posted every time you type in your sig line…you might try being a little subtle to have your crap overlooked.

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

we'll see.

I think it’s closer to 90.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Might be time to replace the batteries

Just sayin.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

you're always

just sayin’.

We’ll see.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

its going to be months until the purchase closes

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)

by joeschmitt on Aug 20, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Daddy, I want another pony.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

OT: Normally I can't stand preseason football

but I have the Colts-Eagles game on now and something is missing…

THE ANNOUNCERS!

Don’t know if it’s by design or a technical glitch, but there are no broadcasters – no PBP, no color guy, no ex-player, no nothing. Just the sounds of the game. It’s actually quite refreshing…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions  

Yeah, I'd say you have the problem. ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah

Kenny Albert and the Moose

by LT on Aug 20, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Damn!

A bunch of static, and now the announcers are back.

Beware the power of BCB….

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

Need 3 out of 4

If they can do that…I might actually have some rejuvinated hope for ’09.

Scott Bora$ is satan.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 20, 2009 7:50 PM CDT reply actions  

So you're not coming back even if they win 3 of 4?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

No. I'll still be around.

I’d love for this team to prove me wrong. It’s just they’ve been so inconsistent his year that it’s hard to believe they will.

But I commend fans like you, Al, who refuse to concede defeat until the very end.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 20, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

More Left Handed?

Correct me if I’m wrong but LHP are better against left-handed hitters, right? So, that would mean that RHP are better against right-handed hitters. Wasn’t Lou’s whole “we need to be more left-handed” idea to protect the right-handed hitters (Sori, Lee, Rami) to name a f ew. The RHP’s that were put up by LA last year were able to work the outside corner until our offense became completely inept.

I don’t understand why it is pointed out that LA didn’t use a single LHP in that series, seems to me that’s just explaining the reasoning. Why would LA have used a single LHP in the series when there was no legitimate left-handed threat by our team.

Am I confused?

by cubbiefanTN on Aug 20, 2009 7:58 PM CDT reply actions  

It's a mystery, too.

…. why Reed Johnson and Ted Lilly saw zero action in the series.

Too many modern day managers are too locked in to the platoon differential. I thought we’d gotten away from that when we got rid of Dusty, but I guess not.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think that when otherwise "great" managers feel the heat

they fall back on old school tactics. Too afraid to play their gut. That’s what I have always loved about Brenly when he was out here commanding the 2001 D Backs. It seemed that he used his instincts more than Lou has, IMO.

Your comment about Lilly and Reed has been brought up by myself and my brother back in Chicago many times. MANY times.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Aug 20, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

I can sense the doomsayers circling the water in this gamethread..

Be prepared for a litany of “I told you so’s”. After the Dodgers series, it is feasible that the Cubs could be 10 games out – perhaps some can smell blood in the water.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 20, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions  

Hey!

How about some positive thinking, please?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's also feasible that we could be 2 games back!

I’m good. The way I see it, we’re four back inthe L column right now with three games left vs the birdies. That alone gives us a lot of hope. Let’s start tonight by taking care of the Dodgers. If we sweep them, we’re only 4 games behind them.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 20, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

I like that kind of thinking.

Go Padres!

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

or

if we take the series and the Cardinals lose big, we could be just a game or two out.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

i like

that thinking…. a 4-3 road trip would be a huge success. in a perfect world that would have meant a sweep of the padres and splitting with the dodgers. if we win 3 of 4 in this series there’s sitll hope!

by cubbiefanTN on Aug 20, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

two ifs

1) If we take the series
2) if the cardinals lose big

The second if is less likely then the first.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

"If" is this years theme I think....or maybe "when"...

Like…..When Soriano starts hitting.. If we can get Jake Peavy..etc etc

by JB 23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Calling all Al's, calling all Al's....

Kindly explain the great left-handedness myth you reference 86 times a week in your very tired diatribes against Lou Piniella.

2008….Edmonds, Ward, Fontenot,Kosuke

2009….Milton, Miles (25th man who was DL’d and rarely plays), Fontenot, Kosuke

How in tarnations is THAT a major left-handedness push by Lou PIniella? Can you add up names? Do you realize that less at bats have been allocated to left-handed hitters in 2009 verusus 2008?

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions  

I didn't make the lefthandedness comment.

Lou Piniella did.

Why don’t you ask him?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

But you keep saying that Lou ruined the 2009 Cubs because he insisted on getting more left-handed

And in fact the Cubs DID NOT get more left-handed AND have struggled mightily in 2009, which therefore is STRONG argument for Lou’s insistence on being more left-handed.

Crikey.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

You are misstating the facts.

Miles didn’t replace Ward; Hoffpauir did.

DeRosa was traded and essentially replaced by Bradley.

Miles took over the bench spot that last year was handled by Fontenot.

Fontenot was overexposed as a starter and Miles can’t play at all.

The entire idea was silly.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions  

and maybe the most frustrating part of all of this...

…is they didnt go get a real LH bat!! Bradely is a switch who hits better RH!!

That though, is on Jimbo

by JB 23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

Exactly.

If Hendry had gone and got the guy Lou (apparently) wanted, we’d have Raul Ibanez — and the Phillies wouldn’t, meaning we might have won more than one game vs. Philly this year.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think you're misstating the facts

by, again, ignoring Jim Edmonds. Like Drew points out down below, Lou wanted to get more left handed since Edmonds wasn’t retained. Recall that our right fielder, Fukudome, was left handed. Milton Bradley replaced him. Dome moved to center, replacing Edmonds. The only significant addition that changed the lefty righty balance was making fontenot a full time starter, which, as we can agree upon, was a mistake. Still, I think cubs management thought he was ready to be a full time player not because of which side of the plate he hits from, but because he’s still young and had a good year.

by shoemile on Aug 20, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

My cat's breath smells like catfood.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

So does...

A Prawn’s.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

saw that today

awesome.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey Blou... I have a serious idea for you..

Have you ever thought about starting your own blog? I’ve just tnoticed that you have a very unique perspective, and a strong desire to share it. You’re already very, very well know, so you’d get a lot of “curiousity traffic”. Also, you could really set the tone for a set of discussions that fit your take on the Cubs, and the best attitude for being a fun. Think about it.. We can always use more blogs and persepctives.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 20, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

BLou's got zero appetite to administer a blog and deal with morons

My goodness. I’ll still fight the good fight to see BCB return to its former glory status.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

BLou has career and lovely wife and daughter to worry about

BLou has zero appetite to set up a blog. BLou is here to rally for the old school BleedCubbieBlue days. This blog used to be RELEVANT. This blog used to be participated in by outstanding and OBJECTIVE posters. This blog used to get the attention of the media forces. Today this blog is one step away from having a recipe corner to share recipes for red, white and blue Cubbie jello recipes. I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

Rickey - is that you?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

BLou like to refer to himself in the third person. Weird.

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 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

So just because I don't agree that this season is over, this site is "down the crapper"?

That’s an interesting perspective. I suppose that WHEN the Cubs come back and make the playoffs, you’ll be nowhere to be found? Where will we share the joy with you?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

Al, Al, Al....

Completely GONE are days when the edgy and insightful Cub fans participate on this site in droves. This used to be sight that was about unvarnished truism about the Cubs. You could talk with others in intelligent dialougue about the good, the bad and the ugly. And you knew Al Yellon was the marshall in town to deal with idiots like BLou who would get a little too carried away sometimes.

Bring back the old BCB.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hmmm.

Seems to me all of that is still going on.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

obviously

not up to his EXACTING standards.

It’s too bad you can’t make BLOU moderator for a day, and have to deal with all the crap you do. He’d lose in about 30 seconds.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

And

we’d all be banned

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

quite possibly.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

now that would be funny....

….“you’re not being overly confrontational with your posts, you’re banned”

by JB 23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nobody would be banned

But installed would be a dipshit meter linked to each user name. That way the wheat could be separated from the chafe and the rest of us could deal in lively and intelligent OBJECTIVE debate about the Cubs.

Seriously, it has become downright criminal to critique any facet of the Cubs on this board. Saying in May that this team looked like garbage and was en route to a wretched season was classified as heresy. How in great horny toads is THAT permitting unvarnished and objective dialogue among posters?!?! Say ANYTHING contrary and 29 kool-aid drinkers and bored housewives from Iowa pounce all over you and get all puffy chested because they are in the majority with their anonymous friends on a friggin blog.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 20, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Right.

There’s plenty of criticism here, including from me. However, most people can at least be civil about it.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

How many people

have lamented the lack of an ignore or un-recommend button? If you could get that installed by the tech folks at SBN that would be a tremendous win.

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Send your suggeston to...

… support (at) sbnation (dot) com

They will get back to you.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

it's been suggested multiple times

they’re not interested right now.

"I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight." (BLOU)
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

Second paragraph is so true

"We got some pretty good chemistry here. We got some toughness, and it's starting to show." - Lou Pinella

by Clutche on Aug 20, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

When did you consider it good?

in the last 3 years I’ve missed that.

FUNNIEST. LINE. EVER on bcb

I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sounds like a great signature line for everybody!

Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.

by section229beer on Aug 20, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

hmmmm

I dunno…

"I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight." (BLOU)
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

BTW, BCB'ers.. has anyone ever tried to make shitstorm pie..

I just can’t get the sauce right? Any ideas.. I think I’m not adding enough cheese. Recipes?

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 20, 2009 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Reminds me of a quote from a movie - went something like this...
BLouto: What the fuck happened to the BCB I used to know? Where’s the spirit? Where’s the guts, huh? This could be the greatest blog of our lives, but you’re gonna let it be the worst. “Ooh, we’re afraid to agree with you BLouto, we might get in trouble.” Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I’m not gonna take this. Yellon, he’s a dead man! SWL, dead! Ballhawk…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Blouto...hahaha

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Aug 20, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

Best nick ive seen in a loooong time.

Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…Germans? Forget it, he’s rolling….

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

I just made banana bread today, recipe from America's Test Kitchen. Moist and Yummy!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Aug 20, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

I thought you had given up posting for the year

"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69

by tommy veryzer on Aug 20, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

BLou, who was the administrator back in the good old days?

"We got some pretty good chemistry here. We got some toughness, and it's starting to show." - Lou Pinella

by Clutche on Aug 20, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

with your amazing

non-admin powers!

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lou Piniella sez
“The only thing I talked about last season was a need for a left- hand bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup who could hit the ball for power and drive in some runs,” he said. "You look at our production last year and it was mainly from the right side.

“We didn’t bring [ Jim] Edmonds back and Edmonds hit quite a few home runs, so we needed a left-handed bat. That’s it. That was what I mentioned, that we could use a nice productive left-hand bat in the middle of our right-handed hitting.”

Piniella paused for some time before finishing his thoughts and finally said:

“Look, we still need a left-hand bat who can hit for some power and drive in runs.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-22-cubs-brite-chicago-jul22,0,7693304.story

Lou Piniella sez:

Last winter, Lou Piniella said the one thing the Cubs were missing was a left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup. So, they signed Milton Bradley in January.

Shortly after the All-Star break, when the Cubs were in Philadelphia and within a few games of St. Louis in the National League Central standings, Piniella said they were still in need of a left-handed bat.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20090802&content_id=6217154&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Lou Piniella sez:

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks for the quotes.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Al

I’ve read your site for about three years and commenting for about two years.

This place was a great place to talk about baseball. I enjoyed getting different perspectives.

Now, it seems as if you’re on some kind of power trip by banning everyone. It’s pathetic that you cannot agree that someone knows more than you when it comes to stats. The smug attitude is funny to watch. Especially your “Ousted” comments. Do you really get a kick out of banning everyone?

by serbianking33 on Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM CDT reply actions  

everyone?

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

You must have missed that thread

Al came in and started pointing “You…banned. You…banned. YOU…BANNED!”
  
/sarcasm

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

That isn't the point.

I have never professed to be an expert on advanced metrics. I do know what they are and how to use them. I object to people telling me that they are the only way to analyze baseball players.

Further, the individual above has been banned SIX OTHER TIMES under different names. I figured it was just a matter of time before he came here and started disrupting things again. I was right.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

honestly

Al, I’m not sure you do understand how to use them/how they work. The things you have said in the last few days really makes me wonder of you “get” how some of the more advanced metrics we use work and maybe you feel threatned by this as though somehow your understanding of the game is worth less people there are better ways to qualify what we see on the baseball field.

Or I could just be projecting my impression of you but either way you have really had an obtuse attitude towards this for about 2-3 days now. It’s too bad because it isnt a stats vs non stats thing at all, these metrics are everyone’s friend.

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

"thats all"

To YOU.

If you want to believe that Koyie Hill is somehow more than what he is (which is a replacement level backup catcher) and that somehow he manages to sprinkle magic fairy dust and make the Cubs win when he starts over a catcher that is better than him feel free. Just understand that this way of thinking is going to be in the past very soon. Everyone is entitled to view stats or baseball the way they want but people in front offices are moving towards better analysis rooted in science and fact over the kind of hocus pocus we have see in the past.

Better, more detailed analysis is the future, period.

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

can you address SWL's point?

What else do stats do besides helping us predict what will happen?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

This is the crux of the problem.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

ok

Stats are a record of what has happened and what is happening right now.

When you properly applyt hem you can to a greater degree of accuracy than what teams used to use — give a good range of expected production in all facets of the game. Offense, defense, running whatever. You can judge and quantify the quality of players you have on your team. You dont have to think Adam Dunn sucks on defense you can find out just how much he sucks, in what areas of defense does he suck, how much he sucks this year vs the last few, how many runs he costs you with this suckitude. You can do this all day long with anyone you want with a decent sample size.

So when posters like you pine for Adam Dunn and savage a measurably better player like Milton Bradley you can point out why this is wrong without just using opinion.

They are a helluva lot more useful than trend analysis.

Now my question to you/people of your mindset. Can you think of something else you honestly feel is more important than the volumes of data you get from these metrics?

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

boobies.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 20, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

well yeah

just until my new tit metric is ready!

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

actually yes.

My enjoyment of watching the game.

I guess I’m lucky – I’m not a GM, manager, front office exec, scout, agent, or any of the many other professions that depend heavily on those volumes of data. And since my livelihood does not depend on those volumes of data, it’s just not that important to me to try and predict to the nth degree what someone may do. I’d rather just watch the game and see what happens in real-time.

That’s not meant to be an anti-stat position. I understand enough about stats to know they have a purpose and can be productive and/or misleading depending on how they’re interpreted. I just get more enjoyment out of watching the game.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Aug 20, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

maybe i was misleading

your positon is fine. If people just want to enjoy the game thats cool. Where I get bothered is positons like “you can’t measure THAT with your stat sheet!” Or Al saying “what a sad life we must lead”

People dont like stat guys having much backbone or fighting back to insults/crap like that. I would imagine Al would polish his “ban” button if I just started to write things like “what a sad life (fill in the blank) must live being so stupid he cant follow simple math formulas” or “is basic math too hard mouthbreather!?!?” because that is the EXACT mirror to the things I have seen Al and others say the last few days.

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

ugh

horrible editing on my part- supposed to say

“somehow your understanding of the game is worth less than stat people’s now that there are better ways to qualify what we see on the field”

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

If that was always true there would be no need for a manager...

metrics and stats are useful but not infallible or cover every situation. I doubt very much he feels anymore threatened by them than I or Pinella does. Perhaps he just has a different idea when to use them? is that possible?

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

nobody says

stats are the end all. nobody. Al keeps trotting out this straw man argument because…. well you would have to ask him.

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Better, more detailed analysis in the future, period...

And equating his judgement over metrics as fairy dust sure doesn’t sound like you have any doubt they are always best. I just say everyone is entitled to agree to disagree without needling each other.

by Sandberg's evil twin on Aug 20, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

of course

i trust metrics more than Al’s judgement. You would have to be insane to take the word of a fan over something like UZR or WAR.

Thats not a shot at Al in the slightest its simply common sense.

by CalCalender on Aug 20, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am suppose to be getting stuff done tonight

Thanks to ballhawk, I’m now watching football. This thread amusing me…..

I haven’t moved my butt from this couch LOL

I curse BCB LOL

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions  

See

Right down the crapper! :-)

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

hmmm

How did you know that one of the things on the to do list is clean my bathroom?

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

We won last night and I didn't read the BCB Pre-Game or watched/checked the score until it was over.

Maybe I’ll do it again tonight.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 20, 2009 8:21 PM CDT reply actions  

...

CURSE YOU, MEGATRON!

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Oh, yeah.

I forgot that. Shut up.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 20, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well, haven't you defeated the purpose now?

Assuming you’ve read this…

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 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ready to watch

Can’t wait to watch the game tonight…..so i switched from wearing my cubs hat to the bears hat and we won. Think I’ll wear it again tonight…if it doesn’t work…you can blame it on me

" The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played."- Ryne Sandburg's Hall of Fame speech

by Sandburg23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:23 PM CDT reply actions  

I'm going with my Bulls championship t shirt

"Live and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day comes when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these words: wait and hope!" - The Count of Monte Cristo

by Bricks and Ivy on Aug 20, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Zambrano...

went 4 innings and gave up 4 hits and 0 runs at Peoria tonight.

by ryan89 on Aug 20, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions  

not too shabby

hopefully his back feels fine tomorrow.

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 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

how did he bat?

j/k

"Live and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that until the day comes when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these words: wait and hope!" - The Count of Monte Cristo

by Bricks and Ivy on Aug 20, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

If nothing else

this thread has made the night go by fairly quickly

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions  

Pitching matchup

Gorzelanny 5-2 (5.24 ERA )vs. Weaver 5-4 (3.71 ERA) Not the greatest matchup ever…how long do you give both of them?

" The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played."- Ryne Sandburg's Hall of Fame speech

by Sandburg23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions  

Hopefully Weaver's gone by the third inning - great way to start a long series.

If we can get 6 innings out of Gorzo with less than four runs, that’s a win.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 20, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

agreed

" The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played."- Ryne Sandburg's Hall of Fame speech

by Sandburg23 on Aug 20, 2009 8:34 PM CDT reply actions  

Weaver looked like shit

when he pitched in Chi.

But all he throws is off-speed junk.

Which, as we know, is not one of our strengths in facing…

by The E-Man on Aug 20, 2009 8:44 PM CDT reply actions  

This thread has

been an interesting read tonight.

Go Cubs!!!

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Aug 20, 2009 8:48 PM CDT reply actions  

Screw Bud Light

JUMP!

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Aug 20, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Chicago Cubs blog for the SB Nation, created on February 9, 2005 by Al Yellon

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Maybe it's time to take a deep breath

Recent FanPosts

Zambrano_background_2_small
What is the most likely move in June regarding current players?
Small
Draft Prep: Pierce Johnson
Small
Trying to be positive (need some help)
Small
Soriano back to Second?
Small
Javier Baez Peoria Bound?
Small
Draft Prep: Conference Tournament Version
Despite-an-inflated-babip-lahair-is-no-one-month-wonder
Suddenly, I feel your pain
Small
Start of the LaHair Regression?
Dsc06783_small
Rookie Season Ticket Open House

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Doug Glanville On His Teammate, Kerry Wood
Thanks.
Samardzija takes a dig at Hawk Harrelson
Chicago vs. Chicago, Round 2.
Wrigley Field Photo Gallery

Recent FanShots

Former MLB PItcher Bob Ojeda On Pitching And Pain
Wrigley Field Supporters Propose Tearing Down Rest Of Chicago
2012 Stars and Stripes Hat
Sveum moves Castro back to #2 spot
OT: Tyler Colvin bats 2nd
The Pittsburgh Pirates Offensive Catastrophe
Roy Halladay Bobblehead Fail
Full sized image
All The Topps Baseball Card Cubs, 1951 - 2012
Rob Neyer answers the question: When should the Cubs call up Anthony Rizzo?

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Featured Poll

Poll
Should the National League adopt the designated hitter rule?

  967 votes | Results

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 Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Yahoo_full_count

Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges


Managing Editor

Alyellontoppscard_small Al Yellon

Front Page Contributors

Profile_small Josh Timmers

B_w_avatar_small Brett Taylor

Marvin_the_martian_small Shawn Domagal-Goldman

Other Contributors

Toonmike_small Mike Bojanowski

Dsc_0139_small David Sameshima