2009 Season In Microcosm: Cubs Lose Ugly 6-2 Game To Mets
by Al on Sep 5, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
in Game Threads
100 comments
NEW YORK -- I drove all the way from Chicago for that?
The Cubs' fading playoff hopes dimmed further Friday night in a 6-2 loss to the Mets that both teams tried really hard to lose. The Cubs were more successful in that losing effort.
The game featured three errors, at least two easily catchable fly balls that were dropped, the Cubs leaving the bases loaded three times (including with nobody out in the seventh) and scoring only one run through all those bases-loaded situations (naturally, when it didn't really mean anything any more). The Mets put up five runs in the eighth inning when Ryan Theriot couldn't throw out the admittedly fast Luis Castillo on a routine ground ball to short, and later in the inning a two-run single got past a pulled-in infield with the score still a manageable 3-1. Had the infield been at normal depth, the ball would have likely been hit right at Aramis Ramirez for a double play. Yes, one run would have scored -- unless A-Ram would have been able to throw to the plate, and I know that's a contact play, but still.
Still is right. The Cubs should have blown the game open in the seventh inning, when it was 1-0 and they loaded the bases with nobody out. I really don't know what to say -- the Cubs left 12 men on base in all and it was, as the headline said, an ugly, ugly game, leaving the Cubs seven games out of the wild-card lead with 29 to go.
Lou again said in his postgame press conference, "I don't know what to do." Well, here's what you can do, Lou. How about leaving Angel Guzman in to throw another inning? Guzman had thrown only 10 pitches in efficiently dispatching the Mets in the seventh, keeping the score at 1-0. There was no particular reason to take him out -- his batting order spot wasn't coming up till the 8th. Lou seems to have an aversion to using a relief pitcher for more than an inning -- unless, of course, the reliever has already thrown a huge number of pitches in the first inning he throws, making it almost certain he'll blow up in the second one.
Kevin Gregg and John Grabow didn't have it last night -- Gregg wasn't really a surprise, but Grabow was -- and maybe Guzman would have kept the score close.
With Derrek Lee still out of the lineup due to the birth of his second child on Thursday, Micah Hoffpauir got the start at 1B. Hoffpauir was returning to New York for the first time since he had his best major league day last September 25, when he went 5-for-5 with a pair of homers. Unfortunately, the site of that game is now a parking lot; Hoffpauir went 0-for-4 and Lou sent Jake Fox up to PH for him in the 9th (Fox struck out to end it).
All of this ruined an outstanding outing from Carlos Zambrano, who threw six really good innings and only allowed a handful of balls out of the infield. One of those balls, unfortunately, was Cory Sullivan's home run off the RF upper-deck facade, making the score 1-0 in the second inning. There it stood till the Cubs managed to tie it up in the 8th on a bizarre play where three Mets fielders let Milton Bradley's popup drop between them; Bradley hustled into second and eventually scored on Jeff Baker's single. After the horrible bottom of the 8th, the Cubs got a consolation run on an error and loaded the bases again in the 9th, but then the Mets summoned K-Rod. Francisco Rodriguez hasn't been lights-out as he was last year for the Angels, when he set the ML save record, but he was good enough to finish off a dispirited Cubs team.
I didn't get a chance to fully walk around Citi Field last night, but my first impression is: kinda generic. There's nothing that screams "New York" about the place, and I understand Mets fans were extremely unhappy about the entry rotunda, which is supposed to evoke the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field. That's all well and good, but there's apparently absolutely no Mets history or Mets logos (except for one on top of the dugout) anywhere in the place. They're working on changing that, from what I hear, after numerous (justifiable, it seems) complaints from Mets fans. The sightlines were decent from my seat halfway down the RF line, but one thing that isn't good: the out-of-town scoreboard. Hard to read and tucked away far above the LF seats, it finally gave up on trying to show AL scores last night.
Mets fans didn't give me too much grief last night, nor did I hear any dissing of Cubs fans; I think their own bad season had them commiserating with us. I would, at least, like to see a strong finish to this year. A win today would be a nice start on that. The game preview thread will post at 10:30 am CDT.
0 recs |
100 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
First
but so what
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 7:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Over-under what the Cubs will go the rest of the season
to me it, seems like they are just going through the motions.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 7:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope you're wrong.
I fear you’re right. Let’s hope they at least have some professional pride.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Sep 5, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've felt the same thing since the Nationals series
Still, I want them to win every damn game or at least go down fighting to the bitter end.
by JFCubFan on Sep 5, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can tell that this team is frustrated
It shows in their play and their attitudes. Just remember that as much as this is killing us it’s killing them too.
"Brant Brown...DROPS THE BALL!!!!"
by cubswgnrocks on Sep 5, 2009 7:21 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Baseball isn't an easy game
You still figure that if you have bases loaded three times, you could get more runs. This is something we’ve seen over and over this season.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Sep 5, 2009 7:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The good news is....
… Zambrano didn’t get the loss and his ERA went down.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
by ronsanto10 on Sep 5, 2009 7:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no good news
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The really good news is
that this season is almost over.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 5, 2009 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the Cards can have a Mets type of collapse
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can I have some of what you are ingesting?
Must be some REALLY good s**t…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Sep 5, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In cases like this, the manager is often dumped to give the team a fresh new look.
But it’s too late in the season for that now I guess. Hope Lou can take his naps in Florida next summer.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on Sep 5, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Brewers did that with Ned Yost....
… with only 12 games left in the season. It helped them get into the playoffs. Not saying that would help the Cubs do the same, necessarily, but it did work for Milwaukee last year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Sep 5, 2009 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who would be the interm manager?
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Milwaukee was 2 games over .500 after they dumped their manager
I’m all in favor of firing Lou, but getting rid of Yost didn’t “Help them get into the playoffs” they were headed there anyway
by Illicat on Sep 5, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it helped them over the edge. No way of proving it. Just MHO.
They just barely slipped into the playoffs last year.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on Sep 5, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And they we're as far back last year as the Cubs are now...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Sep 5, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we're = weren't
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Sep 5, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I felt like
the postseason was out of reach after the Nationals series. It has been a frustrating season and last nights game was a perfect example of why. When they loaded them and Fontenot struck out, I told my son that we weren’t going to score. I could just feel it. Two guys come up with nobody and one out and can’t even put a ball in play. That’s the way it’s been all year long. Hopefully they can at least play entertaining ball for the remainder of the season, then we can start looking forward to next year and wash away the disappointment of this season. I agree with many here that Lou just looks like he is counting down the days until the season ends.
by qccub on Sep 5, 2009 7:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Whiffs with men on base
seem particularly bad this year. Not sure what the stats say, but it seems like most of the time, Aaron Miles would actually be an upgrade to our men-on-base hitting — he’s a reliable ground out.
We really need a few more guys that can at least make contact in crucial situations, and bunt. Y’know, that baseball stuff.
by cubmudgeon on Sep 5, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is going to be an interesting off-season
This season in and of itself has been really bad. But coming off back to back division titles, the front office has to determine if this season was a fluke or if we over-achieved in 2007/2008. I know it’s not that cut and dry, but I see the core of this team coming back to give it another shot next year. Zambrano, Lilly, Harden, Dempster, Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Bradley, Dome – these guys are all very likely to return.
What was worse to watch? Getting swept in the first round two years in a row or having to watch this utterly mediocre 2009 squad? Sigh…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Sep 5, 2009 7:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Marmol will be back as well
I think he’s locked down the closer job. Guzman will be back as well.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guzman is one of the few bright spots
in an otherwise dismal season.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 5, 2009 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love Guzman
The kid can throw. Sean Marshall has been kinda up and down this year, though.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Sep 5, 2009 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hypothetically, if Soriano's career is over....
……are the Cubs still on the hook for the remainder of his contract or is the balance of his salary voided??
Only HYPOTHETICALLY!!
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
by ronsanto10 on Sep 5, 2009 7:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not happy about the way they're playing
But every time Lou says he doesn’t know what to do I get more upset.
I’m not saying there are any simple answers, but as the manager, I need him to try to figure out something to do.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 5, 2009 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At least say, "No comment."
His line has been very tiring this season.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Sep 5, 2009 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right.
I can’t really think of anything worse for a manager to say besides “I don’t know what to do”.
by bluekoolaide on Sep 5, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should just say what he wants
I got stuck with this steaming pile of a team by the GM and if you polish poo, and guess what you still have poo.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
then the GM could point to the myriad idiotic moves that Lou has made
and say “REALLY? You’re really trying to put this ALL on me?”
Then they could both quit, and I’d throw a party
by Illicat on Sep 5, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I am all for Lou packing up his bags and riding into the Sunset
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No. "No comment" won't fly with the media, fans or management- and it's a cop out.
I can say “No comment” or “I don’t know what to do” for a LOT less than Lou’s being paid. Sorry.
It’s his JOB to know what to do. It’s his JOB to try things to shake up a losing club. It’s his JOB to recognize that unproductive veterans are hurting the club and it’s his JOB to put the most productive lineup (offensively AND defensively) on the field each day.
He’s been in the game long enough, and has been a manager long enough. He’s not a 1st year skipper. Time’s up on the “I don’t know what to do” line. My boss wouldn’t accept that. Neither should the Cubs’ management.
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Sep 5, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
IT APPEARS THAT
both Lou and Hendry have went unchecked by anyone in Cubs brass . They have done what they want even when we knew it was going to fail . I agree that my boss would have booted me out the door long ago . Tops managers at Clark and Addison have to act if they want a winning team ….
by cubs north on Sep 5, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think what he means to say
is I have no idea what to do, nor do I believe the players have what it takes (intestinal fortitude) to turn it around.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
by propheteer on Sep 5, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe next year
Well Lou this is what you do.close down ramirez and make him get his surgery on his shoulder lets not lose next year with him as well.tell soriano he is going to play second base next year.
by twig on Sep 5, 2009 8:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Soriano at second?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Sep 5, 2009 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard second is easier on your knees than left!
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can he place first?
Not much on the way of running there!
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Sori to 2B thing still puzzles me
We have, at last count, five second basemen on the 40-man roster. Why on earth do we need to move a guy who has been playing LF for the past 4+ seasons to a position at which he is neither comfortable nor capable?
"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 5, 2009 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because this is what happens when a team falls out of it
the crazy starts. Buckle up. This’ll be a fun ride.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I believed that
At least crazy would be interesting. Lou’s not going to change anything major.
Or were you referring to crazy suggestions?
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 5, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crazy suggestions
Bradley will be catching and Soriano will be the set-up man before we’re done.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that
because with Sori’s knees, he obviously can’t be catching
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 5, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Sori at first and Bradley at SS
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The crazy
Is just starting? What do you call the interminable BS slung during the rest of this season, then? Calm, reasoned discourse?
I’m scared, Mommy…
"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 5, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do I call it?
A warm up.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it starts getting past ADAM LIND levels of crazy
I’ll wish you and your wife the best with your newborn, bid adieu to the reasonable folks here, and mothball my SBN account until March, 2010.
"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 5, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I'm hoping for that
It’ll be insane, but one of the happy kinds.
I’m worried about that “Ok, they REALLY can’t find my home address, right?” kind of crazy.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not that I can't tolerate a bit of insanity
Or encourage, suggest, and indulge in it every now and again. But if I really need to explain why Koyie Hill cannot play third base on a regular basis – well, I’ll probably just give it a miss, y’know?
"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 5, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figure we can take it in shifts
After little Andre Dawson Worfington arrives, I’ll only be able to post at work. The wife rolls her eyes at my hours on here now. My guess is I will be DL-ed for the evening hours.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats on your pending arrival!
I had some surgery to end that phase of my life about 12 years ago, after two daughters, but I haven’t forgotten the nuttiness.
Good luck.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
by vonde6 on Sep 5, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's when the best stuff is written
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still don't understand Lou PHing Fontenot for Z
with the bases loaded and nobody out in the 7th. Z was cruising, and it’s not like Mike was riding a huge hot streak.
Just another baffling Lou moment to add to the lengthy list.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 5, 2009 8:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention
That Z has a better batting average than Fontenot this season. I don’t know if it would have mattered who they sent up. Bases loaded situations are the kiss of death for this team.
by qccub on Sep 5, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At some point... hitters have to hit
I really have a hard time questioning a manager for using a closer in the 9th, a pinch-hitter in the 7th, a sac bunt in a tie game.
These guys have jobs to do. Zambrano did his. Fontenot didn’t do his.
Zambrano is just as likely to strike out on three pitches and pull a groin doing it too.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So let him.
Besides, wasn’t Jake Fox sitting right there on the bench next to Fontenot? I believe Fox is made for that situation.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 5, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now that I agree with
Fox is better used there.
But I don’t quibble with putting a hitter in to a hitting spot. We can argue about whether it’s the RIGHT hitter.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Fox is right-handed.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
by ronsanto10 on Sep 5, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was the RIGHT pitcher
Meaning that Lou needed the LEFT hitter.
I don’t like it any more than y’all…
"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 5, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the switch hitting Z could not be used as a hitter why?
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could not agree more
I was shocked to see Fontenot get up. Is there no one else that the Cubs could pull off the bench for that at bat? Z would have been preferable. Weird Lou move. Sometimes I wonder if his heart is in it anymore (though I would imagine this offense would make most managers want to throw themselves off a bridge).
by Krug on Sep 5, 2009 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got a glimpse
of the Rockies, Giants, Florida and Braves records in the last 20 games,
Rocks: 11-9
Giants: 12-8
Fla. : 10-10
Braves: 10-10
Cubs go 7-13, and you could easily say the soft part of there schedule. If my 5th grade math is correct and you flip-flop the 7-13 and go 13-7 which the Cubs could of and should of done, that would of put them at 73-60 and game and a half back of the Rockies for the WC. Sure the whole season is filled with what “ifs”, however this part of the schedule was extremely in the Cubs favor.
This leads me to Lou. I just think his demeanor is not right for this club. And yes well his demeanor was just fine the last two years. Well IMO, the Cubs performed in spite of it, this year it got caught up in it. Cubs have appeared all season really not to have much fun playing ball. There actions or non-actions is obvious, they are a listless bunch. Sure the chicken and the egg theory, winning breads fun losing doesn’t. However this team has had no “gut check”, no juice. Does Lou put pressure on this team? I don’t know, but from the outside his actions his non-verbals could bore a hole in the wall. This team hasn’t looked comfortable/relaxed all season This is why Lou must go, he has run his course with this team. Players need to be held accountable, and there are plenty of them, but ultimately Lou is responsible.
by Grockcubs on Sep 5, 2009 8:04 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
+100
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
by ronsanto10 on Sep 5, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Turn it green.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Sep 5, 2009 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My biggest fear with Lou
is that if he is brought back next season, he will be a lame duck.
If we think he’s out of it now, wait until August 2010 when he’s counting the games left in his baseball life.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet
Mr. Ricketts keeps Hendry & Lou next year, for stability purpose only, and then brings in new people all the way around
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
This team right now doesn’t have to many runs left in it. Why not let Trammel run the team for next year, as far as a GM, I don’t have many ideas. I just think if your going to make a run with this team, it needs a new voice.
by Grockcubs on Sep 5, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would say two school of thoughts:
1) If Ricketts is not happy with what he saw or thinks that the team needs a new direction, he dumps everyone at once as soon as the season is over. He will want max time to interview and replace people.
2) If thinks that it was a fluke, with injuries and underperformance, he will keep Hendry and Lou for another season. With Lou’s contract up next year, Ricketts will bring in all around fresh blood, unless they win and win BIG, in which case you can bet that Lou will get a new contract and Hendry will kept on.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So the purpose is to win games?
I thought it was just to improve your own stats to get a better contract the following year.
The sun will shine in '69
by gaclaudy on Sep 5, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I put this season on Lou
And the management of the Relief pitching staff. Yes, there have been (many) nights where they haven’t had their best stuff. But Lou’s insistence on pulling pitchers who ARE throwing good stuff is beyond me.
Examples include:
Last night
Numerous 6 pitch outings by Marshall
Letting Gregg/Marmol give away numerous 8th/9th innings buy leaving them in too long
Just like Al pointed out, Guzman was in a groove last night. Maybe he goes another 2/3s of an inning, you bring in Gregg, and Gregg gets his one out.
Lou’s in game management makes it look like he doesn’t know or care, and his post game comments seem to confirm that.
by Danwood on Sep 5, 2009 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
My biggest fear about Lou:
That he just wants next year’s money. Quit if you have no passion. Don’t drag this out. Surely you have enough salted away to last you. You can get a commentary job on ESPN to keep a little income. Don’t drag this out if you don’t want to come back.
by Nibbles on Sep 5, 2009 8:17 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I never believed that about Lou.
But now, with managing all year, but most especially the last month or so, you can’t help but think that.
My areas of frustration with him are:
1. Aaron Miles taking the field, for any reason. The coninual PHing is beyond ridiculous. For that matter, choice of PHers is usually mystifying.
2. Finding success with Dome/MB as one – two, and then abandoning it. Who gives a crap about lefty/righty if it is proven to be less than your best batting order.
3. Agree with Danwood above with Marshall’s use.
4. I don’t have the answer for Sori, but I’m not being paid to be the manager. Running him out there day after day is not the answer.
5. The refusal to give vets, especially when struggling, add’l time off. Couple that with being the opposite of a “playing the hot hand” manager. What a joke, he has done the opposite.
Ok, those are my problems with Lou. I’m not blaming the season on him solely, and I know I haven’t covered any new ground. We have a boatload of underperforming players and some questionable moves before the season with the roster. But, this is why I think Lou has given up, doesn’t care to be the manager any longer, and is waiting to be fired to keep the money. Very disappointing.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Sep 5, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hickory Smoked Bacon
waffles, and Kahiltina Birchworks blueberry syrup sweetened with Alaska pure birch syrup is just the antidote to this excrement of a season.
by Emelie on Sep 5, 2009 8:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You had me at
Hickory Smoked Bacon.
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
by Goodie1969 on Sep 5, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT EMELIE.....
I bet you can walkout into the wonderful wilderness . Right , and no one would hear you scream …..( At the pathetic play we have seen this year ) . You have the best of both worlds enjoy the waffles . Keep that W flag ready for 2010 ……
by cubs north on Sep 5, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was OK with Lou coming back next year ...
until he pinch-hit Mike Fontenot for Z in the seventh. Lou seems to be out of ideas. I really hope he’s gone before next season.
by elgato on Sep 5, 2009 8:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
WHO CARES! COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY!
To the Badgers (my alum):
Enjoy your thrashing of NIU, who actually isn’t that bad. It may be the only time you’re winning during all 4 quarters this entire season. You guys are going to suck this year.
To the Jayhawks (current school):
If you don’t beat Northern Colorado, who has exactly 3 wins in the last 3 seasons, by at least 56 points, I will be sorely disappointed. Todd Reesing and Kerry Meier, you kick ass.
To Erin Andrews:
I’ve missed you.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 5, 2009 8:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Go Irish! Beat Nevada!
To Erin Andrews:
Call me. Please.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Sep 5, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go Green! Beat MSU! (Montana State University)
And go Broncos! (Sorry BleedsbluinMI)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
by Zeke on Sep 5, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No apologies needed, I am a Bronco!
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Sep 5, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go Hawks!
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 5, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you really think the Cubs deserve to be in the playoffs?
The way they are playing, they would be no match for the Rockies, Dodgers or Phillies, not to mention the NY Yankees. Come on, even if they did squeak into the postseason, they would most likely go out 1-2-3 anyway.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
by ronsanto10 on Sep 5, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Or...if they got in now
it would be because of an epic winning streak and they’d be the hottest team
Moot point.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 5, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real 2009 Microcosm
would have been a 1-0 loss to a nobody pitcher while leaving the bases load with nobody out. That is the 2009 Chicago Cubs!
by Krug on Sep 5, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And to think I bought tickets for the Cubs/Cards games coming up in a couple of weeks. Bought them back when the Cubbies looked pretty decent…..I hope they can win at least one out of the three.
Cubbies have just faded away………
by gydigh on Sep 5, 2009 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
it's ....
YOUNG MONEY!!!!!!??!?!?!!?!
COOL BEANS!
by lexmarklover on Sep 5, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Welp
I’m glad I wasn’t really active this season. I haven’t posted much on this board and I haven’t been watching as many games because I have been busy with two jobs this summer. I’m glad I spent all of last summer following the Cubs full heartedly. This season was just outright mediocre but somewhat expected.
I think it’s safe to say that the addition of Milton Bradley was a backfire on this team. He’s picked it up lately, but we could have badly used his bat when the team was struggling throughout the entire month of May. The thing that angers me most about this addition is that we had to give up DeRosa and Wood for him (YES I know this argument has been beaten to death, but it is without a doubt true..)
Kerry Wood would have been much better this season than Gregg. Kevin had a great run from May – early August but he’s worn out his welcome in Chicago it appears.
Same goes with Aaron Miles. I didn’t mind the signing at first, for I thought he would give DeRosa like production minus the home runs. Boy was I WRONG. Failure is too nice of a word to describe how he has played. It’s almost as if we didn’t get Bradley, then DeRosa, Fontenot, Fukudome, and Reed Johnson would have been better.
Hendry was an idiot for trading Pie and trying to replace him with Gathright, futhur taking away the youth of this team and replacing it with a somewhat similar veteran.
Same goes with Heilman, we didn’t need him and gave up too much to get him.
In short: It appears that Jim Hendry’s plan last off season was to try to get rid of somewhat expensive contracts by replacing them with players that could potentially give the same statistics; this plan, however, failed miserably, as virtually all of those players have been busts. Kevin Gregg replacing Wood, Bradley replacing essentially Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson, Miles replacing DeRosa, Gathright replacing Pie. None, I repeat, none of them have lived up to their potential and the injuries to the other members of the team didn’t help either.
I thought at the beginning of this season that the Cubs would win probably 85 games and potentially get the Wild Card. That looks like it will be about right. Go Cubs…in 2010..
I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!
by Chanman25 on Sep 5, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Changes
Infield: Miles, Fontenot, Theriot, Soto
Outfield: Bradley, Johnson
Both: Fox, Hoffpauir
These are the position players who I would rather not have back next season; the reasons why vary. I don’t think they will be able to bring-in better players to replace all of them, but this is the list from which team management should work IMO. Soriano and Fukudome are not included because it isn’t realistic to think they would agree to a trade or that the money owed them can be written-off.
Lee’s offense was adequate and his contract is up after next season anyway. Ramirez might come back stronger next year and, if he he does, he might opt for free agency. Hill is a good backup catcher. Blanco can be a utility infielder for SS and 2B. Baker can be the 2nd baseman and can cover 3B when necessary. Fuld can be a utility OF. Soriano is going nowhere; he might come back stronger next year and resurrect his game a bit.
Pitching changes needed, but not a complete overhaul.
They can’t do all of this in a year. Even if they had all the $ in the world, they probably wouldn’t be able to without wasting alot of it. Not all changes have to work either. Improvement can still be gotten and it doesn’t look like it can happen overnight.
by AboutTheCubs on Sep 5, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Soto and Bradley
I think Soto has tremendous upside. Of couse he was disappointing this year, but I think he can get back to All-Star status.
It’s too bad Bradley got off to a slow start, because I think he’s a baseball player. I loved the way he didn’t quit on that bloop that dropped in right center last night and ended up with a double. He clapped his hands like he WANTED IT and THAT’S what this team needs more of. I definitely say bring him back for 2010.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Sep 5, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Team needs
Bradley doesn’t have any no trade protection. He’s also the same type of hitter as Fukudome is and Fuku probably can’t be moved. In the end, they want another run producer in the OF and they either do that or work toward that by trading Bradley. Otherwise, they have to wait for his and Fukudome’s contracts to expire. This is what I’m thinking.
Soto will probably still be a Cub for part or all of next season anyway. Just saying that if the opportunity, in all respects, presented itself to get a better offensive catcher who has the other tools for that position, then they wouldn’t have to wait for Soto to come around.
by AboutTheCubs on Sep 5, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
black magic numbers
division – 17
wild card – 22
by doofus cubs guy on Sep 5, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The blog rocks, not so much for the Cubs
I’ve been reading the blog all year and this is my first post. i want to commend Al and most everyone else for passionate, intelligent and thoughtful posts. As this seson winds down, I offer my thanks to Bleed Cubbie Blue for one of the few joys this season from a brokenhearted Cub fan (is that redundant?)
"Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come. " Pedro Cerrano
by shifafaontheside on Sep 5, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
2009
obviously you dont go to the playoffs when you cant do better than win-lose win-lose all year. i said a while ago this was no more than a 500 sub 500 team. they proved me right. but a strong finish to cement a 2nd place finish would be really nice. and next year?just give the closer job to marmol. i think that would be great for his confidence. no more spring training drama for this guy.
by NOMAR on Sep 6, 2009 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lou
dony worry about lou. i believe he has a standing offer of a job with the yankees. dont be surprised if he thinks long and hard about coming back. i still think this was a great move hiring pinella but after 3 years maybe we are ready for a change.
by NOMAR on Sep 6, 2009 7:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
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!
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
