It Was Twenty-Five Years Ago Today: Cubs vs. Giants Preview, Thursday 9/24, 9:15 CT
by Al on Sep 24, 2009 7:00 PM CDT
in Game Threads
66 comments
As mentioned in this FanShot, today is the 25th anniversary of the clinching of the Cubs' first title of any kind in 39 years, the 1984 NL East championship. It happened in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium in front of a crowd announced as 5,472, but it sounded more like 50,000 -- almost all rooting for the Cubs. I know, because I was one of them. Some friends of mine and I paid an usher $10 to let us sit six rows behind the Cubs dugout, where we saw (and congratulated) Dallas Green on his way from the dugout to sit in one of the suites.
Here's the boxscore from that game, which was not only the clincher, but Rick Sutcliffe's 20th win of the season (capping his 16-1 run as a Cub, it was his final regular season start). He threw a complete game and allowed only two hits and a run, striking out nine. What many people don't remember about the two hits -- but I do -- is how close those hits came to being outs. Both hits were by Pirates outfielder Joe Orsulak. The first was a sharp grounder down the 1B line in the third inning that just eluded Leon Durham's glove. It quickly went into the RF corner and Orsulak, then a 22-year-old September callup with good speed, legged out a triple. He later scored on a groundout.
Orsulak came up in the sixth inning with two out and laid down a perfect bunt (hard to do on that old Astroturf field) and beat it out for a single. He was promptly picked off; Sutcliffe thus came within a couple of heartbeats of throwing a perfect game. Orsulak also thus wound up being the final out of the game, a called strikeout, setting off a celebration among the Cubs fans in Pittsburgh.
Wonderful memories. If only we could have repeated them this year. Also, Bruce Levine recounts his memories of being there as a reporter and has this cogent observation on Ryne Sandberg:
Veteran shortstop Larry Bowa and future Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg did what they always did before a game, taking 75 ground balls from coach John Vukovich. It was a routine that Sandberg said helped solidify his work ethic, one that he teaches today as a minor league manager in the Cubs organization.
There is no doubt in my mind that Sandberg will make an excellent major league manager.
Last night's impromptu photo caption contest drew some really good and funny entries, so I'm doing it again tonight. Write your caption in the comments; I'll go through all of them and post the winner's user name in the thread in the morning (if you missed it, last night's winner was ballhawk -- and to be fair, ballhawk, you can enter but you can't win again). Go for it.
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Note: Brad Penny's stats below are with the Giants only; see the pitcher box above for his full-season stats.
Brad Penny is 3-3, 2.64 in nine career starts vs. the Cubs; the most famous of them is probably this 2006 game at Wrigley Field, pitched by Penny not long after Greg Maddux was traded to the Dodgers. Penny let Maddux call all his pitches that day and Penny threw seven shutout innings, allowing seven singles and no walks. Penny had a rough time with the Red Sox this year; they released him and he's been better with the Giants, although he got pounded in his last start against the Dodgers. Aramis Ramirez (10-for-26, .385) and Derrek Lee (6-for-13, 3 doubles), both of whom have been hot this month, like hitting Penny.
In Ryan Dempster's last six starts, he has gone 4-1, 1.91 with 33 strikeouts and only eight walks in 42.1 innings, looking very much like the dominant pitcher of 2008. Let's hope he continues that tonight to finish this season on a positive note. He threw seven strong innings in a 4-2 Cubs win at Wrigley Field on May 4. Current Giants are hitting .235 (31-for-132) against Dempster; the only one who'll likely be in tonight's lineup who hits him well is Edgar Renteria (7-for-22, 2 HR).
Today's game is CSN-centric; Chicago and Bay Area. If you have EI and get the Giants feed, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper are among the best local broadcast teams. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Giants site McCovey Chronicles. Grant, who runs the site, is one of SBN's best writers.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 10:15 and 11:15 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Re: Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper
Second only to Len and Bob. These two guys are outstanding.
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Jake Fox does his best Ryan Theriot impression.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 24, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This could be a good pitching duel.
Penny’s ERA is bloated but his WHIP is pretty darn good. Dempster’s last outings have been solid. I hope I don’t fall asleep if it’s actually worth watching.
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Am I missing something here?
Penny let Maddux call all his pitches that day and Penny threw seven shutout innings
How is this possible?
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 7:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maddux was pitching for the Dodgers by then
and Penny followed what Maddux told him to pitch, as the latter had just been with the Cubs and knew the batters quite well.
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gracias, Jose.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
De nada.
Aren’t you supposed to be flying to the West Coast now?
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am in Napa, California, right now.
Got here late last night. I didn’t comment here as I was so tired. Essentially, I went right to bed after I got here.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caption:
“Hey, Soriano, this is how you play the outfield!”
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
caption
“Jake Fox practices in the outfield, since he isn’t allowed in the lineup.”
or
“Jake Fox receives therapy after being in Lou’s doghouse.”
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 7:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Jake Fox does his best impersonation of Bobby Scales and fails
The official slogan of your 2009 Chicago Cubs:
Why?
by jesus christos on Sep 24, 2009 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Soriano: Hey rook, you’re only supposed to do the hop when you catch the ball.
Chicago
Cubs
We are the better CC.
by Zy Toro Young on Sep 24, 2009 7:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I missed it
But what was ballhawk’s winning caption from last night?
"Brant Brown...DROPS THE BALL!!!!"
by cubswgnrocks on Sep 24, 2009 7:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
photo caption…
Guiness Book of World Records:
Category: Sports and Games
Record: Longest time spent before being found in a game of Hide-n-Seek
Current recordholder: Geovany Soto, 37 hours 22 minutes, September 21-22, 2009
Lou Brown: “My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team…”
by ballhawk on Sep 23, 2009 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You should go back and read the pregame, there were lots of good ones.
but Ballhawk did deserve it.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Jake screams, “Hey Therapy guy, knock that ball down!”
"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts." - Leslie Nielson
by LAcarl519 on Sep 24, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Bob says, “Len he is white!”
by Cubsfan Waveland on Sep 24, 2009 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Jake is out-foxed by a homer.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nothing on Twitter
Sullivan and Wittenmyer have been quiet all day.
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lineup
K. Fukudome rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
A. Blanco ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
D. Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .308
M. Hoffpauir lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
M. Fontenot 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J. Baker 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .302
K. Hill c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
T. Colvin cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
R. Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .121
by LT on Sep 24, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome leading off!
Lou must have let someone else make out the lineup tonight.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Sep 24, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He seems to be out of his slump.
Hope he does well.
by Cubbiegoon on Sep 24, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
except for the Hoff and LBR, some nice defense.
let’s hope the bats come through early and often!
Gooooooooo Cubs!!
"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts." - Leslie Nielson
by LAcarl519 on Sep 24, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice for a change
I do hope we get to see one game with the following in the starting lineup before seasons end..Dome, Blanco, Lee, Ram, Soto/Hill, Baker, Colvin, Fox
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Sep 24, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Well, here it goes……
“Jake Fox attempts to make a leaping catch in front of a Prince Fielder’s “Big Man’s Earthquake Therapy” advertisement"
by Cubbiegoon on Sep 24, 2009 7:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That was kinda what I was thinking.
I just couldn’t articulate it.
by chilango2 on Sep 24, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
caption
‘settle down Princey, it’s only a baseball, not a ‘vegetarian’ hostess snow globe’
by LuisSalazar on Sep 24, 2009 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
In a stunning display of one-upmanship, the Cubs fail when Jake Fox jumps and rest of Cub’s fielders fall down, only to find out that Jake didn’t catch the ball.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow... 25 yrs. ago today I was on Cloud 9!!!
I’m getting tingly just thinking about it. 1984 was a magical year…
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 8:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Magical and tragic at the same time.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was tragic, but not until they were eliminated in the NLCS...
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I clearly can't remember that year.
Heck, I can’t recall 1989. 1984 is a lost cause with me, though I have heard the stories about it. I simply don’t remember 1984 because I was born in September of that year.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You youngun!
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Jake fails to catch his share of a Culvers Vegan burger.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 8:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
I didnt know Fuld was playing center last night. Good hustle on his part and nice of Jake to back him up.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Sep 24, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
Fox tried his best to catch the ball, but was too scared of the life size photo of Fielder staring at him from the outfield wall.
"The finish line is just the start of the next race."
by Sobenergy on Sep 24, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption (2nd attempt):
Fox captures warning track fly ball, then the Brewers throw up this massive picture of Fielder and a startled Jake jumps in shock and the ball flies out of his mitt and over the wall for a homer. A diabolical plot straight out of the annals of Bugs Bunny.
"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts." - Leslie Nielson
by LAcarl519 on Sep 24, 2009 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
If Prince Fielder was really out there, Fox probably would have caught the ball. Even therapy couldn’t help him get taller.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lets play spoiler and finish the season strong.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
by KaliCub on Sep 24, 2009 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BCB site note:
BCB reader vonde6 is at tonight’s game. Hopefully, he sees a win.
I have had a change of plans, and will go to Sunday’s Cubs-Giants game. Saturday just didn’t work out.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Sep 24, 2009 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One more caption
“Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Oz. I said come back tomorrow.”
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Sep 24, 2009 8:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption
“Therapy so good, it’s like you’re walking on air!”
"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 Sep 24, 2009 8:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Caption #2
∑ U <
"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 Sep 24, 2009 8:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sullivan tweet
says Harden shut down for year
by LT on Sep 24, 2009 8:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Better shot for Wells to get that extra start??
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Sep 24, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dusty thinks so
The official slogan of your 2009 Chicago Cubs:
Why?
by jesus christos on Sep 24, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too subtle?
"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 Sep 24, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just watched SUGAR.
It’s a great movie. Go get it. It’s in REDBOX right now.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 24, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thought at first that you listened to Sugar, and thought wow Dan has good taste in music.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn you, Jimmy.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 24, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know of whence I speak?
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOMvx71cUag
"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 Sep 24, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Saw them at the Iowa Memorial Union in like '92 or '93, one of the best live shows I ever saw.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"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 Sep 24, 2009 9:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd try my hand at a caption
but I’m too busy laughing at the photo credit.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 24, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3 Captions
1) Milton are you hiding behind there?
2) Stupid therapy – They hang the pills too high for anybody to reach.
3) Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.’ (Charles Schulz)
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
by eths on Sep 25, 2009 2:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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