Cubs Blown Out 16-5 In Opening Day Mess - It's Time For Replay
by Al Yellon on Apr 5, 2010 6:20 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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ROLLA, Missouri -- Even though the Cubs got destroyed by the Braves 16-5 today in their first game of the 2010 season, it was still worth stopping on the road on my way home from Arizona to watch the game.
A couple of important things about today's blowout (which got so bad that even the sure-handed Derrek Lee made a throwing error). First, before all of you get your torches and pitchforks out for Carlos Zambrano, remember that last year he threw very well on Opening Day and the Cubs won the game 4-2. How'd that season work out?
And in 2005, Z was ejected from Opening Day at Phoenix with a 9-3 lead and two out in the fifth, one out short of a win, and the Cubs won that game 16-6. How'd that season work out?
So for all of you who are yelling "Z sucks", or other epithets, remember: it's just one game. And that first inning could easily have gone another way. Two balls that were catchable dropped between Cub fielders, and another one -- that could have been an inning-ending double play ball -- got past Ryan Theriot into center field. The only Brave who hit the ball hard in the first inning was Jason Heyward, who homered in his first major league at-bat. It was, after that, all downhill for Z -- but it could have easily gone the other way.
Even before that, the Cubs had made the game interesting with Marlon Byrd's three-run job in the first, and later, they made it close at 8-5 when Aramis Ramirez smacked a two-run blast (totals for A-Ram: no homers in spring training, one in one regular season game). It was, though, another play not long after that, that has me absolutely livid, and calling -- as I did during last year's playoffs -- for replay to be instituted in baseball. NOW. Follow me past the jump for more.
You saw the play. We all saw the play. Aramis Ramirez, on first base running toward third, saw the play. Everyone in Atlanta saw the play -- except, apparently, for umpire Marvin Hudson. Marlon Byrd's sinking line drive was caught, and then dropped, by Nate McLouth. It wasn't even one of those plays where you see the ball flap out of the glove for a second, then back in, and you could say, "Well, maybe he had it long enough", or "Well, I can't really tell."
It was obvious. The ball bounced twice on the ground -- unfortunately, Hudson wasn't in position to see it, and McLouth did a great acting job. He picked it up and doubled Ramirez off first.
Instead of having runners on second and third (or at least on first and second) and nobody out with the tying run due up, the Cubs had two out and no one on. Now, given what happened the rest of the way with the bad relief appearances of Jeff Samardzija and Justin Berg, there's no way of knowing whether the Cubs could have come all the way back.
But the umpires took away the Cubs' chance. There's no other way to put it. And psychologically, a team can have itself taken out of the game by things like this -- whether you agree with that or not, I believe that happened today.
And the solution is simple: as I suggested last fall right here, all plays except balls and strikes should be subject to review. HR calls already are -- add to those plays like this one; safe/out calls and fair-foul calls. Give each manager two "red flags" like NFL coaches have. Put a fifth umpire on every crew (now, that would be something the umpires' union would be in favor of), station him in the press box for immediate review of things like this. It'd take far less time than arguments do; it would eliminate ejections; and would add strategy as managers would have to decide whether to use up one of their "red flags" on an early-inning call in a scoreless game or save it for later. In today's case, clearly Lou would have used it, and clearly the call would have been ruled in the Cubs' favor.
What's wrong with getting it right? Can Bud Selig answer that? Can he give me ANY good reason why such a system wouldn't be better than the garbage call that was made today?
Do it. It can be done during the season. Home run replay was added in August 2008. Do it. Do it. Do it NOW. Before more nonsense like this happens.
Anyway, as we are occasionally presented during a long baseball season, it's now 48 hours until the next game on Wednesday night. Remember this: as bad as the Cubs and Z looked today, it's only one game, only one loss -- and there have been plenty of seasons, such as the 2005 and 2009 campaign openers noted above, where the Cubs have won and looked good on Opening Day, and the season tanked from there. Some good things did happen today -- the solid relief of Sean Marshall and James Russell, which kept the game close until the umpires blew it. Relax and enjoy the next couple of days, and the Cubs will get 'em on Wednesday.
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It's only one down and 161 to go...
But that call absolutley changed the momentum of the game. No excuse that 40,000+ fans and both teams saw what happened but the four guys who are PAID to make the call didn’t see a thing. Let’s regroup and go get ’em Wednesday…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Ledge.
aaaaaaahhhhh
h
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h!!!!
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
by VegasCubFan on Apr 5, 2010 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions 11 recs
haha
I like it!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like how the wind pushed him in at the end
Very realistic… do you work for CSI out there in Vegas? ;-)
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
I think the defense
and pitching in the first changed the momentum of the game more than that call.
DEJESUS!!!
Ah well, it's only one game...tomorrow's another day...and since we're in Atlanta...
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn over one crappy game…Opening Day or not…
Now if we wind up missing the playoffs by one game, then I reserve the right to amend my position…
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
I think that this game proves that Carlos Zambrano is not an ace.
Or even a number two starter. He’s maybe not even a number three, and Sean Marshall proved once again that Lou is doing him an incredible disservice by trying to force him to be the lefty specialist. There are not five pitchers on this staff that are better than Marshall.
Marshall is not a lefty specialist
Grabow is. As long as Marshall flourishes where he is, it’s fin with me. Also, one game means nothing. Does this game prove Johan isn’t an ace? How about this one? Exactly. He’ll come back strong.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not saying that Z is destined to have a bad year
But having a decent year is unacceptable if you want to be considered an ace in the National League. The numbers he has posted the past few seasons show nothing to suggest that he is an ace – he’s a second or third pitcher.
by Pre on Apr 5, 2010 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I consider Lilly our ace
Does that make Zambrano a better pitcher? Not really.
But I agree that one bad outing is not a sign of disaster for Big Z.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Okay...
So one game proves he’s not an Ace, but a whole career proves he’s a good to very good starting pitcher. Overreact much?
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Apr 5, 2010 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Hahaha. You people.
The Z-is-not-an-ace people move their goalposts more than the Raiders.
by Wreckard on Apr 5, 2010 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 11 recs
rec'd for the effort
to find those examples.
DEJESUS!!!
This is not based off of one bad outing
My statement was based off of about four years now of good-to-average pitching from Zambrano.
See? You're moving the goalposts again.
That’s not what you said. This is what you said:
I think that this game proves that Carlos Zambrano is not an ace.
by Wreckard on Apr 6, 2010 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You know, I usually don't agree with you much.
However, regarding Z, you are 100% correct. The “ace” terminology is just silly, and that’s what, I think, is getting all this negative commentary.
Carlos Zambrano has been a solid to above average pitcher every year he’s been a fulltime starter (that’d be since 2003). I fully expect him to do that again this year.
However, maybe it’s time to not start him on Opening Day any more.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Apr 6, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uh, excuse me Wreckard.
Fergie got the W.
Ace.
by GoBackToSchaumburg on Apr 6, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
juan marichal was the ace reference
he gave up 8 runs in 5
San Francisco Giants IP H R ER BB SO
Marichal L (2-4) 5.0 11 8 4 2 0
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out." Bill Hicks
formatting fail!
IP 5.0
H 11
R 8
ER 4
BB 2
SO 0
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out." Bill Hicks
ok that wasn't much better...
i quit
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out." Bill Hicks
No, that one was much better.
Don’t be too hard, that one is easy to understand.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
No, it doesn't.
One game does not an ace make/unmake.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Apr 5, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I was gonna post that a history of non-ace like season’s make not an ace – but zambrano has had his share of ace like seasons – 2003(1.318whip), 2006(1.294whip), 2008(1.293whip) (borderline) 2004(1.216whip) & 2005(1.146whip) are aceish seasons…5 out of 7 seasons that could easily be considered above average 2 that are arguably ace-like isnt like he is a #4 or 5 starter like some people like to claim. I think the strikeout of Glaus in the 1st inning may be very telling of how Zambrano could perform this season if the Cubs can just manage to get some of these seeing eye singles fall their way. If you remove the 2 bloop hits I think this is a highly different game.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
interesting
that 1% of players think that the babe – who died in 1946 – was the greatest living player
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
wow
reply fail – btw dont ever hit the back button and try to post
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Russell and Marshall looked really good
Byrd and Ramirez were hitting the hell out of the ball too. Just a couple good things I got out of this. To add onto Al’s point about winning opening day and having bad years, they lost opening day in 07 and 08, two teams that snagged the division title.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
Way OT: Heilman 1-2-3 for Snakes in top of the 8th here in the desert
Just sayin’ with a big LOL
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Cubs deja vu part 2
Gallagher pitching for the Padres.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
1-2-3 for him as well
Sorry to hijack this thread…
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
It seems that way, doesn't it?
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
just DFA him
GETITDONE JIM
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
that you need to put
the sarcasm there makes me sad.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
how bout z for heilman and howry
and lee for gregg and a certain toronto blue jays LFer/DH
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah...just straight up...Aramis Ramirez for ADAM LIND
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
pitchers thrive away from Larry Rothschild.
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
by DC Cubbie on Apr 5, 2010 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ahhh, my above reply should have went here...
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
cubs' mgt may have been a little short-sighted
in unloading heilman… for essentially nothing. only time will telll…
by brian custer on Apr 5, 2010 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Replay
I’m all for it, but as in football there is a penalty if the play is upheld (loss of timeout). What penalty would one apply in baseball? An automatic out? What would stop a manager from throwing a red flag frivolously just to be an ass? There has to be some kind of consequence for throwing the flag.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
I guess the only consequence is that
the play was found to be umpired and called correctly.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
What would stop a manager from doing that?
The possibility of needing it later in the game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I like the idea
But I say only give them one flag. Hardly is there THREE bad calls that should be reversed in a game. Giving them two pretty much covers every bad call.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Then what's the risk of using one?
If you know that the chances of there being three bad calls are small?
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Because I think two is a suitable number.
In probably 90% of games they wouldn’t be used at all.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Exactly
Meaning that if you have two, using one of them is almost no risk.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I see your point.
In any case, they have to do SOMETHING. This kind of crap has to stop.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You could use a variation of football
If you have one and use it successfully, then you have another to use. Get your one wrong, and you’re done.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 5, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting...
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions
That kind of thing might work.
But you should have a limit of two max per game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
+1
I was assuming that’s what he meant.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely
you don’t get to keep going.
And I agree with the poster below, MLB needs to fess up when an ump has made a terrible call. It happens, they’re human and can’t see anything. But admit it.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 5, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Al start a website BLOWN CALLS
There are enough videos that can be loaded on You Tube and that way they don’t disapear
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
You forget
Bud Selig pretty much prevents those videos from sticking around on youtube.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Disagree on 2 per game
Perhaps it could be tied to whether the calls were overturned.
But, let’s imagine a nightmare scenario where the umps botch 3 calls against a team in a single game, why penalize the team for the 3rd blown call?
Eamus Ursuli!
Safe/out calls?
I am not sure that I want bang-bang plays at first being reviewed, if balls and strikes are unreviewable…
Eamus Ursuli!
I like that idea
but what about if you have already used the 1st challenge?
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
I don't understand the limit of two challenges in the NFL
in that if the challenge is upheld, it shouldn’t count against the challenging team at all. The refs blew the call and the challenging team got it set straight. They don’t lose the timeout, but they shouldn’t lose the right to challenge another blown call.
The NFL
just likes to have rules.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 5, 2010 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
If they go 2 for 2 in the game
They get a third challenge opportunity.
"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
This kind of crap...
Is a necessary part of the game. Human arbitration is part of the fabric of the game. Mistakes happen. Hudson was out of position. He made an awful call. Giving two “challenges” to each team would be a disaster. They get almost all of then right.
by MjT11 on Apr 5, 2010 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
oh god
just like adding lights to Wrigley is an abomination of God and all that is sacred – I used to be a “flat-earther” and not want replay but realistically there are no down-sides…football sure as hell hasnt experienced any. maybe even take them out of possibility in the 9th inning to prevent trying to ice the closer…otherwise there is no distinct advantage as in football to throwing a challenge flag (i.e. in football if there was no penalty to getting a challenge wrong it would be like getting 5 timeouts in a half)
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
I had a friend who was an umpire
Who would make the same argument as MjT11 above. The human element and all that. I agree with you — that’s not the human element that people come to see.
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra
Exactly
I would think that % to be higher, more like 94% or so. Me, no reply for baseball. It is what is had been and should always be. Another down side is the time added. How long would it take to “make the right call”? Time limit? In the mean time, the pitcher looses rhythm on the mound. Thanks but no thanks.
Trade Doug Deeds to Washington.
They could have..
used the evidence of the replay..and not said they used it..
The journey is the reward!
I have a solution that I'll get laughed at for
If you appeal, and the call was correct (as opposed to just un-reversible), the opposing manager can DQ one of your bench players of his choice.
Bargain me down from that.
i kinda think that would be cool
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I like it
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Your closer...
is now unavailable. I think I like it. Significant risk.
I assume you mean any player not yet entered the game? Not just bench players?
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
The only problem I see...
Is your punishing the other team for doing nothing wrong, its not their fault the umpire got the call wrong, thats the only issue
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not following you.
I want to understand what you’re saying.
timh815 is saying
If you (as a manager) challenge a call, and they find the umps got it right, then the opposing manager can DQ one of your own players. In no way does it punish the other team, it helps them.
OOOOHHHHHH
ok my fault miss understood i apoligize
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
and clearly cant spell apologize
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
No need for apologies,
we just read it differently. I think it’s an intriguing idea, this from someone who isn’t a big fan of instant replay…. For example, if I were the manager I’d choose to bench Pujols every time StL failed a challenge, the threat of that may be enough for TLR to let a questionable one go by. (Insert any team/player in this scenario)
HUGE flaw there
Pujols isnt likely to be a bench player too often…fewest starts in his career was 143…and only one other season below 150…I LOVE tim’s idear
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Okay, my reading fail that time...
I thought he wrote you could choose any player. I see now the error of my ways.
that is a bad-ass idea
knock off the opponent’s bench player. Nice
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
But we would be really pissed if/when it happened to us
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions
then you better be damn sure you are correct if you challenge the call
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
One scenario that would blow this out of the water
is in an extra inning game and you have no bench players left.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
ha
free up the dq’d player after 15 innings
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
make the Manager do 20 push ups
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)
by Fukudometer on Apr 5, 2010 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I had to rec this
Just because the thought of Lou doing pushups!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Well he wouldn't have to (i.e. couldn't)
get his chest all the way to the ground
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
What would happen when a manger had a heart attack after 10?
Would the bullpen coach have to finish the 20?
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Sandberg will be managing the team before we know it
git er done
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
Or NO SOUP FOR THE MANAGER!
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Thanks
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Replay
I support some kind of replay system, but how should one handle “live” plays like this. What if Ramirez ends up back at first, thinking it was an out, but then the call on the field is over-ruled with replay—do they award Ramirez third base or just second? I think this could still work, but it will entail judgment calls on how far a player could have run had the play been called correctly.
you cannot assume
the player advances. There can be no benefit bases based on what “could have” happened.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
right
the player at first advances to the next base from where he was at the time of the play.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions
interesting
that 1% of players consider Babe Ruth is be the greatest living player considering he had been dead for 57 years
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Question regard consequences
It’s my understanding that the reason there is a negative consequence for a failed replay challenge in football is to deter teams from using a challenge to stop the clock (which is also why you can’t challenge when you are out of TOs).
But baseball has no clock. So…what’s the problem with having two (or some limited number) of challenges? I guess I don’t see why there NEEDS to be some kind of consequence as a failed challenge cannot possibly have a positive consequence for a team (like it can in football with the clock stopping to review). The only thing I can think of is that maybe bullpen activity should stop during review for the team that chellenged the play.
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
The last sentence should say "challenged."
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
i think you nailed it
challenging a call would become the new “long stroll to the mound”
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out." Bill Hicks
Im not jumping of the ledge yet
no big deal, every team wins 60 every team loses 60 no need to jump of the bandwagon after one bad game (and a horrible call)
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:31 PM CDT reply actions
What can you do?
Bad opening performance but it only counts as one loss, Marshall and Russell look good, 5 runs is more than they normally scored last year…ouch.
I don’t like Zambrano on opening day, never have, the throwing error was the perfect example of something that he does way too often. He should be ok going forward though.
Samardzija on the other hand, shouldn’t be on the roster, he’s completely regressed since having 2 or 3 decent months in 08.
I agree
I never like Z as the opening day starter either. Something always seems to happen which gets him unglued.
In fact I would have preferred Dempster or Wells.
Still it’s only one game. What I took away from the game is this:
- Zambrano still has moments of total collapse. He’s no ace, we don’t have an ace. But I still think he’ll bounce back for a solid season.
- Shark is only filling a roster spot because of “hype”
- I like the 2-5 of Dome, Lee, Ramirez, Byrd. Especially if Dome can stay rested and get on base.
- I like the Braves. There starting rotation is good. We actually face there best two pitchers for our next two games. I figured this game was the one guaranteed game we would win.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
And also I mean 'their', not there
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
Soriano Fontenot and Soto,
the three guys we are counting on to have bounce back years, went 0-10.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
after one game? Common there is 161 to go give the guy a break
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Apr 5, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Hardly -
Soriano is a sunk cost. Getting rid of him would cost just as much as keeping him. If he isn’t playing effectively (not based on one game, mind you) and the Cubs have a better player to replace him, then cut him loose. Embarassing? Sure. But it could be done.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
I dont consider it a sunken cost
When you have to pay him for 5 more years. It would be great if they applied depreciation to baseball players. We could just write down the asset. I think it would be more than embarrassing. It’s a payroll impediment. BTW I’m not ready to write him off yet at all.
I am guessing
there is some form of protection that would allow the cubs to pay soriano over the remainder of the contract as opposed to a lump sum…Im guessing the ricketts dont have easy access/willingness to pay the $85ish million needed to buy out the contract…my bet is if Soriano continues to struggle he is traded by the deadline to an AL team…AND YES I KNOW THAT HE HAS A NTC
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
If he can't hit NL...
…pitching, how in the world is he going to hit AL pitching?
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
If you're saying that
Because you think that’s what I’m implying, I’m not. Just pointing it out. And if that’s really what you think, I think you’re crazy.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's Give
Jaramillio more than 4 weeks with him before we totally give up.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
by Archie on Apr 6, 2010 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I too think he's lost his swing, but rec'd for a reasonable thought.
may addition by subtraction be real
Soriano’s bat has slowed a bit the last year which is exacerbated by the fact that he carries one of the biggest bats in baseball. I think it would be beneficial to both Sori and the Cubs if he tried a lighter bat that he can get to the middle/high fastball with or at least have a better chance of laying off that 55 ft splitter/slider. Of course, this will probably never happen b/c Sori is too stubborn to make such a change b/c he wouldn’t want to sacrifice his power numbers in exchange for more contact.
by EamusCatuli23 on Apr 6, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
And so you're saying they're going to go 0-for-the-season?
Criminy. It’s one game!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm not
Just pointing it out. I am looking for Sori to have a great year, as a matter of fact.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Define great. I'm looking for vast improvement over 2009, but have no
expectations he’ll ever recover to 2007 or 2008 levels. I’m looking for The Fonz to roughly split 2009 & 2008 performances and anything better is a benefit. I can’t remember if I projected Soriano, but bringing both Nady & Colvin north has changed my thoughts on at bats.
I will be pleased (not ledge jumping) if Soriano can better these thresholds:
Alfonsio Soriano
120 Games
400 At Bats
104 Hits
20 HR
75 RBI
10 SB
.260 Average
.320 OBP
I expect Lou to pull him for Colvin and eventually Nady when Nady’s arm shows improvement late with the lead. Hitting 6th will reduce his run total, but up his RBI opportunities.
Before a smartass pipes in, no, this is not worth $18M, but better than last year and worthy of him on the field.
may addition by subtraction be real
I Agree
As you state it’s not worth $18M but if X and Coleman chip in as stated I would “take” that from Soriano. Anything better than that would be upside. It might even keep his trade value up with an AL club down the road. No doubt with the Cubs dining on a lot of his salary.
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
Don't bother Al
You know how some Cubs fans can be over dramatic after one game.
Just pointing it our
I’m probably one of the MOST optimistic people you’ll find.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions
absolutely
especially considering that Z sucks, Soto is far too out of shape, Soriano needs a walker and Lee is moving to the nursing home just beyond the ivy walls of Wrigley.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
don't forget
Fontenot is short.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
not sure how the other umpires didn't over rule the call on the field?....
….it was so obvious, you would think they would want to get the call correct. Instead they prefer the old boy network of covering each others asses and pretending that it was the right call….
This old school culture would end with replay too….
What really got me
Was that he came up with the ball
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
fail
no clue what happened.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
what really got me
is that he came up with the ball IN HIS HAND!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Of course he did and he should have
Time honored tradition to trick the umpire , but they should not have fallen for it.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
the umpires...
… clearly didn’t see it. The way his body was shielding the play, I doubt any of them saw what actually happened.
Its funny
Aram saw it, but the umps missed it, I was about ready to throw him overboard for looking like he got doubled up, can’t blame him this time he was right.
+1
I saw it live from the TV camera’s angle.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
either way...
its hard to blame the umps on this. They don’t have the luxury of instant replay and while Aramis may have seen the ball squirt free, its understandable how the umps didn’t. Tis why instant replay is necessary.
Before agreeing,
I need to see an aerial view of the play. And an aerial view of a play where the ump does get in position. If he hustled and can’t get in place to make the call, we need replay. If he didn’t hustle, he needs to be fired tomorrow.
Hustle, IMO, has nothing to do with it.
Get it right. Replay can help. Umpires should be in favor of it, because it would make them look like they always want to get it right.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I hope karma kicks in and the Cubs get a bad call in their favor later this season
but will the umps look at the tape, realize how dumb they looked today and maybe, just maybe favor the Cubs in the next two games of the series?
I'd prefer a change in the rules to prevent similar stupidity
rather than the “two wrongs make a right” approach.
the umps...
… are not allowed to “look at the tape” during the game. They only look stupid if you want them to… but from field level, where the umps stand, and how McLouth’s body landed, it was not an easy call.
In the NFL, they announce
mid-week when a call was wrong. For integrity’s sake, Bud needs to implement that as well.
Bud? Integrity?
It is to laugh.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Apr 5, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That goes double today
You can’t just take ONE stinking day off Opening day to suspend the blackout rules? Really, Bud? Ridiculous.
I second this notion
After the utter BS I had last night being unable to watch the game.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Never happened with him,
And probably never will.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions
But how did Z look at the plate?
"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
He batted
once, right?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions
A game to forget, but this is only the first game of the season.
One game doesn’t make a season, though Opening Day always seems to be more remembered than most games early in the season.
by braziliancubsfan on Apr 5, 2010 6:37 PM CDT reply actions
OT again, Howry here in the 9th
just gave a HR with 2 outs. 6-2 Snakes.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Check that, he just gave up ANOTHER bomb!
6-3 Snakes.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
I mean just right of the hitter's background
that ball was TAGGED!
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Game over, hot liner to 2B, AZ win's home opener 6-3
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Stephen Drew hit an inside the park HR
in the exact same spot Lee hit his a couple of years ago.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Heartburn Howry
I don’t miss that guy one bit!
"The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose." Ernie Banks
Me either.
He’s still the same.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions
two things from this game:
It’s Hendry’s fault.
If Fuld had been out there, the game would have been different.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
Oh god
See:Stalker, Doggie.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I only agree with the second one
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't agree with either.
I presume you and Ross are talking about Riot going back on that one blooper and Byrd not calling him off? That ball started over the infield, and REALLY drifted.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
and also,
Fuld very likely doesn’t hit that 3run HR.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I am pretty sure this was a joke
and I assume the second was a joke for me.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions
It was written very much tongue in cheek....
Just trying to add a bit of levity to a frustrating game.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
Got to my bar late
It was already 6-3. I had fun predicting who Lou would put in. I knew he would not let Marshall actually go say 4-5 innings and save the bullpen. When he put Shark in , I left right away to go outside because I could not watch.
It is just one very bad game. I am not that worried about Z but I am as always worried about Soriano .
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
what to do with Shark Bait?
If he goes down to the minors this year he should be relieving and not starting.
Fine with me
He is not an MLB pitcher
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Sure, he's an MLB pitcher...
… unfortunately, that pitcher is Kyle Farnsworth.
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
three walks from him
three from Berg
Why can the bullpen not throw strikes? I don’t get it.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
different year same problem
Lou HATES bullpen walks, and we get bullpen walks, maybe if he came out in favor of them we could get different results?
Wait a minute..........
Berg and Shark were terrible, Marshall/Russell/Grabow were fine. Don’t broadbrush it by saying “the bullpen”………..
at this point?
honestly, I’d cut him. He had one good half a season. He’s not tied to a huge contract. Cut your losses, and give someone else a shot.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Seems a little over the top
Keep him at AAA and hope for some sort of transformation – maybe inspired by him realizing that his chances for success in the majors are dwindling.
If they would actually keep him in AAA
he might have time to progress.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 5, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Part of me wonders if Hendry believes Jeff will drop baseball for football if he's not given a shot on the roster
Although at this point, I wonder if the ship has sailed on that career too.
part of me wonders why Jim is so terrified by that thought
Jeff isn’t a very good baseball player, quitting the sport to play football wouldn’t hurt us in the least
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 6, 2010 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly, when was the last time he did speed work running
and playing football at game speed. Pitchers can put up a target and start working on motion. Wide receivers need to work with defensive backs and quarterbacks. Let’s also not forget he wasn’t super fast in college, back when he worked on running speed.
may addition by subtraction be real
he spent a whole lot of time
in AAA last year and the year before. None of it seems to have worked.
I rarely agree with BLou, but at this point… Spellcheck is not a good pitcher. Just let him go.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions
24 games in AAA
for his entire career. That’s much less than a season. Part of the problem with Jeff is that he was rushed through all levels despite not showing he could master any of the lower levels first. Then he had a strong showing up in the majors and it seemed like he was destined to stay on the team, no matter how bad last year got.
I agree that he’s probably not a good pitcher. But why let him go? Is our AAA roster simply that chock full of blocked pitching that we can’t afford to let him ride out the rest of his contract and hope for some improvement? Or are you that worried about how the Iowa Cubs will fare in the standings? For what it’s worth, he’s put up a 3.99 ERA at the AAA level, so that doesn’t even seem like a problem.
alright. Put him back in the minors. Just keep him off the big club’s roster.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
Keep him far away from a ML roster until he proves himself (if ever).
24 games in AAA is nowhere near enough.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you serious?
You realize Randy Wells spent almost three years in AAA. Should we have cut him after the first?
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Wells
has proved he can hack it. Shark hasn’t, and Shark was widely touted as a sure thing.
But fine, put him back in AAA. Just keep him away from major-league baseball games.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Not just put him in AAA, but put him in AAA with a plan to
develop him as a reliever. All his time in the minors was pressing to develop him as a starter.
He has some talent, but has no idea how to use it as a reliever and isn’t good enough as a starter to be in an MLB rotation.
may addition by subtraction be real
It was one game
marathon not sprint, blah blah blah
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
We watched Shark
in Iowa at the start of last season. He went about 4 innings and stunk it up. Not sure he should be pitching relief either. Maybe he should turn to shooting the weiner t shirt cannon for a living.
"The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose." Ernie Banks
Maybe he should hop in a time machine and tell himself that going to the NFL is a better idea
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
yes, find that man a hottub asap!
"The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose." Ernie Banks
maybe have a competent pitching instructor
work with him; one on one; quietly & DELICATELY and see what has gone wrong here.
by brian custer on Apr 5, 2010 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions
competent pitching instructor
and Cubs do not mesh. Try again. Different idea this time.
:)
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
More OT, Al, I know you dislike Grace
the DBacks have JoBo as post game pundit.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
He's ok. Still early
So far, he hasn’t embarrassed himself. He’s calm and his commentary is pretty typical. I liked him as a player, I am sure I will like him in this regard.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
does he sweat?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't look like it
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Bad calls all even out in the long run..
.. Who know? the Cubs might get a call in their favor tomorrow.
Besides, why take away the human element of the game? If you want instant replay, put the DH in the National League. I’m all for the DH.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Cubs might get a call in their favor tomorrow
But they probably won’t.
"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
The one thing I was always told at umpire school
Is to NEVER give make up calls.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I dont think he means a make up call
But a bad call by a different ump sometime int he future
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
I got you
My bad.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
what would
putting the DH in the national league have to do with implementing IR?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
umm, what does one, have to do with the other?
If you want instant replay, put the DH in the National League.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 6, 2010 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions
How does advocating for Instant Replay involve putting the DH in the National League?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't like the "Challenge Flag" idea
Too NFL. And it’s also saying that if you’ve got more than two bad calls go against you, tough luck. If you’re going to use replay to fix calls, then use it and don’t limit it.
Put an umpire in the booth like in the NHL or NCAA football. The Ump in the booth can call down to say a call was bad. Or conversely, the umps can ask for replay help when they need it. Don’t you think the umpires during the conference today would have just said “Let’s just ask the booth” rather than debate it amongst themselves?
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
I see your points
and they are good ones. The dynamics in baseball and how the game is played is different than any other sport when it comes to penalizing a team.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
I agree that dynamics are different, but look at basketball...
no flags or challenges, just certain elements that are reviewable (clock issues, did ball hit rim, was it a 2 or a 3,etc.) and others that cannot be examined (goaltend, traveling, fouls, etc.)
balls and strikes, tag or force plays at a base – not reviewable
foul/fair, catch/trap, HR or not – reviewable
biggest difference I see is that basketball refs can interrupt play and review, while Umps tend to wait until after a play has concluded. There are, however, exceptions on both sides (balk call for example and plenty of basketball refs will check a clock situation or a “2 or 3” at the next dead ball.
I think the ‘slowing down the game’ thing is crap. Nobody could convince me that an official looking at the replay there would have taken longer than the ‘argument’ Lou put up. Hell, we, as the TV audience, saw 10 replays of it in that time.
by JCD on Apr 6, 2010 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Indeed.
But then this solution would create the argument that there’s no need for umpires on the field and that every call ought to be made from the booth.
There's the rub
There has to be a trigger of some sort and a limit as well.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
There's still balls and strikes
But if that’s the case, who cares? Tennis calls all of it’s line calls with an electronic eye. Is that a problem?
You’re still going to need an on the field ump to handle things like the roster, pace of the game and checking for cheating.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
problem:
none of the umps on the field apparently thought there was a problem with the initial call. How would Lou be able to challenge that if it is only up to the umpires to call the booth for review?
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
Valid point.
Especially if Bud disagrees with integrity of calls.
Al is in Rolla to get his kicks.
on-you-know-where.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 5, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Rolla - been there done that
Spent a weekend there on pass from basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. Enough for me.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 5, 2010 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Fort Leonard Wood basic training - Same here man
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 5, 2010 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
But they there was enough doubt
to talk about it. What most of them said in that conference was “I didn’t see it” and not “I saw him catch the ball.”
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
I saw him catch the ball too
but I also saw him drop the ball, then I happened to see the ball rolling along side of him for a bit, then i saw him pick up the ball and throw to first
Lou could ask
And if an umpire deemed his request valid, they’d do it.
Lou clearly asked the umpires to ask around to see if someone else saw it. Umpires are not going to not do it just because they didn’t see it. They want to get the call right.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Josh,
I completely agree with you, the umpires for the most part want to get it right.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
Great point. Manager goes out to protest. Crew chief asks crew
if anyone believes the manager may be right. 1 crew member votes he may have seen it the way the manager saw it. To Replay.
The only question is where the technology resides. The hooded box down the dugout? Spare crew member in broadcast booth? I could care less on this part.
may addition by subtraction be real
MLB has to institute the NHL system
Do the ‘war room’ as is done in the NHL. Take the official call out of the hands of the on-field personnel.
What MLB has to do is to institute a set of rules that dictate how the league will use the war room. Not just the type of plays (e.g. HR – yes, balls & strikes – no) but who initiates its usage. Can a manager request it? If so, how often per game? OR, better yet the league office reviews the plays automatically and calls down to the stadium to inform the on-ice/field officials.
Just win the next game...!
That ugly dateline
of Rolla, Missouri reminds me of my basic training days at Fort Leonard Wood. Rolla is the closest town to Lennie’s Woods, which also had the nickname Fort Lost in the Woods, Misery.
And that describes my feelings watching the Cubs today.
One game...three glaring realities
1. As long as the Cubs continue to pigeon-hole a 2B as their starting SS, they will give up runs they shouldn’t. Case in point, Ryan Theriot’s woeful attempt at catching a pop-up in the first inning. That’s just can’t happen. In the past couple of years, while marginal, he was the best SS option the Cubs had. Not anymore. Starlin Castro is ready…NOW. He’s a better SS than many starting in the majors right now and for whatever ill conceived reason, he’s starting in AAA. If the Cubs really want to win, Castro will play a good majority of games at SS in Chicago this year, not Des Moines. He should have broken camp with the club…PERIOD.
2. This team will not…no, cannot…contend even at the divisional level with this pitching staff. They are short on the starting end and very short in the bullpen even if Ted Lilly comes back soon. As soon as someone reminds Zambrano that he needs to change speeds, perhaps he’s a viable SP. Until then, he’s batting practice.
3. No. 12 is done. He does not belong getting signifcant AB’s and should be relegated to a part-time role. Tyler Colvin earned a spot to play for the first month by doing what he did in the spring. No. 12 is indeed a sunk cost but by playing him, this team is hurting itself. One game, 1,000 games….everyone around baseball can see it….he’s done.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
by krummy12 on Apr 5, 2010 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
So... Carlos Zambrano is not a viable SP?
That may be the biggest overreaction I’ve seen all day. And that says something, given that it’s opening day.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Apr 5, 2010 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Biggest overreaction?
Have you read all the BLou posts?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Overreaction? Nonsense
Reading comprehension is a skill.
You will notice that I said that “IF” Zambrano continues to refuse to change speeds like he did yesterday , he is not a viable SP. One fastball after another that have little movement and catch way too much of the plate get hit hard and often. Quit wishing and watch a game for once with a little more understanding than a little league parent.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
and "IF' Derrek Lee does not learn to throw and hit
He is not a viable MLB player. He had no hits and committed an error which means he will bat .000 and have 162 errors.I mean that is what I take from one game played Vs his entire major league career & same with Z. It is legitimate to argue if he is an “Ace” by whatever definition you want to use, but a “viable” SP? That is an insane overreaction.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes COMMA, reading comprehension is a skill PERIOD.
ELLIPSIS… and using that skill COMMA, I would like to ask the following questions COLON:
How does Zambrano getting shelled on Opening Day prove that the rest of the pitching staff OPEN PARENTHESIS (including pitchers who did not pitch yesterday) CLOSED PARENTHESIS is not good enough to contend QUESTION MARK?
Second question COLON:
How does spelling out a punctuation mark in capital letters offer evidence that Castro is ready for the majors now COMMA or that he is better than many starting SS in the majors QUESTION MARK?
Finally, my reading comprehension skills tell me that your rebuttal above starts focused on varying pitch speeds (“‘IF’ Zambrano…”), but tries to support that argument with evidence from two separate aspects of pitching: location and movement (“One fastball after another…”)**. While these are all valid points on some level (pitchers should vary pitch speed, encourage ball movement and away from the center of the plate), they are independent of one another and, therefore, you cannot use the lack of two aspects to prove the lack of a third (poor location and movement does not mean there was no variation in pitch speed). Your nonsensical argument essentially destroys whatever ground you had to stand on when insulting the other reader. It is especially damaging to your analysis because the other reader is questioning the manner in which you reached these rather harsh conclusions.
- NOTE: Fastballs can be thrown at varying speeds by the same pitcher, even in Little League. Even slight fluctuation in speeds can disrupt a hitter’s timing, therefore, “fastball after another” is not necessarily support of consistent pitch speed.
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
This game today was just ugly.
And one to forget about. The bullpen was solid outside of Shark. They need to send him down immediately. I’m sorry, but he’s just not a major league caliber pitcher. Byrd man’s HR was nice. A good start to his Cubs career. Z was awful, and so was Shark. But it’s only one game. 161 left. Go get ’em on Wednesday.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Fontenot.....exposed as not-a-starter last year
Castro to SS, Theriot to 2B where he kind-of belongs.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 5, 2010 6:56 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Uh huh
I am thinking the same way.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Castro can be exposed too.
We don’t know if he’s for real. Would like to see him dominate AA this year.
And I was on boat with keeping him at first too.
2010 is OUR year.
That was no typo.
He’s in AA. And will be until further notice. Better pitchers and competiton.
2010 is OUR year.
I missed when that was announced
Logic makes sense given the slightly backwards way the minors work. I suppose having Barney ready for a callup if needbe is a decent side effect.
I'm not ready to do that yet
but I really don’t like Fontenot at 2B as well. A couple more weeks and I’d bite the bullet on arb and call up Castro.
But don’t overreact to one game.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Rolla, Missouri = crap hole.
It’s about 3 1/2 hours southeast of me. Been there once. Never will go back. I feel for ya, Al.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Notes from the game
Z just didn’t look right. Hope he can figure it out and dominate in his next start.
Fontenot, Soto, and Soriano all look like they weren’t ready for the season to start. I’m worried the most about Soto, then Fontenot. I think Sori will heat up as the season gets going.
Russell impressed me. I’ve seen him pitch before but I think he might stick. Berg I’ve never been a fan of. But I think he deserves a chance for some more outings.
Samardzija needs to be in Iowa. Nothing left to say with that.
2010 is OUR year.
He didn't look right because he's "Nice Z" now.
I want the FIRE back!
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
I'm not worried about anyone except
Soriano…
I think the only way he gets hot is if someone slips some Icy Hot in his jock…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
How are you not worried about
Soto (who didn’t have a good spring, at least), and Fontenot who isn’t a full-time starter? I’m the least worried about Soriano.
2010 is OUR year.
I'm not worried cause
Soto is in his 3rd season… He’ll find himself…
Not worried about Fonty cause he can be replaced. Not as fast as some would like but if he is as bad as people expect him to be he can and will be replaced…
Soriano is in his 12th season and should be able to not have months of Cranial/Anal inversion disease at the plate like he’s had and He has a white elephant of a contract. After last year and if this year is as bad as people expect there in not a damned thing we can do except eat the contract and ship him to Timbucktoo…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
I agree with everything you just said
I hope that’s a good thing :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Well assuming
you’re not trying to be a Kool-Aide drinker or a ledge jumper but someplace in the wait and see camp then yes it’s a good thing…
It’s one game, one loss and only opening day…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
I do try really really hard to be in the middle
but I probably lean toward the Kool aid
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
can I gets me some of that?
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Same here... shhhh...
I don’t wanna get swarmed by the ledge jumpers… lol
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
You and me both.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
By "It's Time For Replay" I'm assuming you mean
signing Zambrano to a long-term contract, and not one blown play that occurred today?
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 5, 2010 6:59 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Lincecum dominating down in Houston. 3-0 SF, top of the 4th.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
I've never liked Samardzija, and if it were up to me, I'd send him down immediately...
…to the NFL.
Having said that, it is just one game, and they’ll be fine. Byrd and Ramirez teed off on a couple of pitches today, which was nice to see.
However, it did concern me that Soriano looked like he had never swung a bat before in his life though.
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
he did that all last season
and Cubs management (Lou included) kept trotting him out there.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
but he was hurt....apparently.
that excuse isn’t gonna fly this time.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2010 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
The thing is..
he often looked like he was lost at the plate in his career. Then he turns it on and hits 10 home runs in 2 weeks. The question is .. does he still have that ‘hot streak’ in him?
2010 is OUR year.
I'm willing to bet not.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Let's give him 475 AB this year and find out!!!!!!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2010 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
With Colvin a better defender and looking for at bats, Soriano won't
see north of 425 at bats this year. IMO.
may addition by subtraction be real
YES!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions
not to mention there were quite a few people on here who continued to claim
that the team could not win without him in the lineup. It was BIZARRE
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 6, 2010 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Zambrano, Soriano, Theriot, Fontenot and Spellcheck played exactly how I figured they would.
This is going to be the longest shortest season in a long time.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2010 7:02 PM CDT reply actions
long, short, long, short
AHHH!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Who the crap can be positive about our middle infield and 15% of our pitching staff being a crap shoot every day?
With more crap that shoot.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2010 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
never thought of myself as an ilk before...
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," == Lou
me neither.
Of course, I’ve often said that I don’t care for either Fontenot or Theriot starting where they are. I’d much rather have Baker starting at second, and Theriot simply gone, assuming Castro can hack it. Which we don’t know.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with Baker.
Don’t know why we based who was gonna play primarily at second based on Spring.
2010 is OUR year.
It seems like every team's bullpen is a crap shot this season.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
it's one game
I don’t have a whole lot of faith in Soriano or Spellcheck either but bitching about them here is not going to rid us of them any sooner. Say what you want about Therio & Fontenot, they have won titles at all levels together. Are we using them correctly, probably not but again, being shitty about them isn’t any fun. I cannot stand the way our bullpen walks people constantly, I cannot stand Lou’s apparent loyalty to Soriano, but again, stuck with them. I like BCB for the fun and camaraderie, Some people seem to forget that abut I deal with them because they are also Cubs fans. Sorry for the long post.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
You thought Zambrano would give up 6 runs in 1.1 innings?
B-Lou and you must be related in some way, shape or form.
2010 is OUR year.
I figured Zambrano would implode if the slightest thing went wrong...
opening day = pressure
pressure usually = Zambrano shitting the bed
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2010 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
have you watched Zambrano on opening day?
except for last year, he’s been pretty awful.
I have a buddy who’s a Braves fan, and he called me after the Marlon Byrd home run. He actually conceded the game, saying it was a nice opening day for me. I gloated a little, then said “it’s not over yet, Zambrano is notorious for poor pitching on opening day”
I didn’t expect the level of implosion I saw, but I certainly expected him to struggle
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 6, 2010 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Most of us
saw this happening today….Not to the extent of 8 runs. But, still this opening day does not surprise me at all.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
I was blessed by MLB-AM and missed large parts of the game.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
by eths on Apr 6, 2010 1:07 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
But If you know Z
then you saw this coning…
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
I thought it was funny when the ESPN broadcast crew said that we were "rather average" up the middle.
That was being VERY, VERY generous.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
I think he means the infield...
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
thought the phrase
“up the middle” was usually c, ss, 2b and cf?
could be wrong though.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
You're right
But I think he’s talking about 2B/SS only. Of course, I could be wrong too.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
ESPN were certainly referring to
Soto, Fontenot, Theriot and Byrd.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
OT: Look at the puppy
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
he's a cutie.
hell on 4 legs. :-P
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
its one of my favorites.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Great picture!
Saw the video you posted on YouTube, too!
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm talking about Theriot, Fontenot, and Byrd.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Mane, this game was too silly.
The Braves look to be the only challenge this month. A bad opening day is nothing new for the Cubs.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
It was great to see young Heyward for the Braves.
That kid can jolt the ball and looks great.
Just remember we have a phenom ready to step up to the plate sometime this season. Things might not look good now, but the future will be brighter.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
Al, I see you're in Rolla, MO
I’m there right now. Attend school at Missouri S&T, graduating this May.
"The finish line is just the start of the next race."
When it comes to umpiring
If you’re making crappy calls that affect potentially how the game is played/won, you should be fined or fired.
These men are making a lot of money to do their jobs correctly. For the last 3-4 years, they haven’t. Time to step up and make some changes. Either add replay or get better umps!
Probably for much longer than that
The television coverage, number of cameras, HD, etc all have put the problems into the spotlight. This is a good thing – now that we’re all keenly aware of it, it needs to change.
Exactly
It just annoys me that these umpires work a daily job like all of us here do. And they’re getting paid a nice salary for doing a poor job.
For example in today’s game, the Cubs probably weren’t going to win if they umpires got the call correct. But who’s to say that the lineup could have gone on a roll with hits. We could have had a guy on 1st and 3rd with no outs.
It’s just really frustrating to me.
I don't believe umps screw up more than I screw up at my job
But my job has processes in place to review work to ensure that things don’t slip through and “count”. Given that the MLB has this option, it is ridiculous that they do not review in a similar way.
Doesn't the NFL come out
When a call is wrong and admit it? Except when it is a “roughing the pussy” which benefits the New England Patriots, they usually are pretty good about admitting calls that are wrong.
That was until the playoffs last year, however.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions
And now we get the new "Saints Rule"
Yay NFL.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Umpire outrage is ridiculous.
1. I haven’t seen any reason to believe umpiring has taken a turn for the worse in “the last 3-4 years”. It’s just been under more scrutiny.
2. As far as I can tell the umpires do about as good a job as you could expect humans in their positions to do.
3. The reason they’re under more scrutiny is that we have more technology to scrutinize them with than ever before, and we have too much free time and the Internet. If we want umpiring to improve the answer is to use the technology (i.e. instant replay), not to rip on umps.
4. The baseball season is long. Missed calls aren’t likely to make much of a difference in the standings at the end of the year. I know a lot of people will disagree with me (especially right now), and I wouldn’t complain if replay was instituted, but I don’t really think missed calls are that big a deal.
I agree
but I do think umpires should be:
1. in good shape. If an ump is too lazy/fat to get into position, then it makes for more bad calls.
2. thick-skinned. I HATE when umps start barking at players and walking TOWARDS them when the player is going back to the dugout. If I was king of baseball, any ump that did that would have a one-way ticket to the pacific coast league.
But for the most part I think they do about as good as can be expected given human error. But i think MLB umps are completely outclassed (as a generalization) by NFL refs.
DEJESUS!!!
I'd like to see...
…a mandatory retirement age imposed.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I will disagree
Maybe I’ve just become more observant the last few years but I truly believe umping quality is at an all-time low.
And as for #4, it worked in Cubs favor in 2007. They made two lousy calls against the Brewers the final week that resulted in losses. In fact, I really believe Cubs/Brewers might have met in a Game #163 that year had the umpiring been better.
It was a game against the Braves (Texeira was out on an infield single but called safe) and a similar incident happened with the Padres the game the Cubs clinched.
Point
1) The umps blew the call.
2)it would not have mattered, we still would have lost.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
That blown call wasn't the reason we did lose
but no one knows how we would have went from there with two men on and no outs. It certainly mattered.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
Yeah, it was 8-5.
Although, the next three batters were Soriano, Fontenot and Soto…. not inspiring much confidence those three.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
soriano would have tied the game ;)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
yeah, just thought with the meltdown of shark, and Berg
the game would have been over.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Dunno if those blokes would have been called on in a tied game.
It’s all pissing in the wind anyway. We got towelled, a bad call was made.
Now the boys have to pick themselves up and get out there again. How we react to that lost will tell us a lot about the character of the team.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
S'alright
I made a vow, to stay postitive all year, no matter how bad this game was. I was a little peeved by all of the ledge jumpers there, and the blown call didn’t help.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
I just think, if you cant be sure how players would advance with replay
how can you possibly know the effect a horrible call like this would be….IMHO this had really bad consequences.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Yeah but its part of the game, bad calls happen all the time.
I think Z not manning up in the 2nd inning was worse than the blown call.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
the defense
in the first didn’t help either. There was at one point 4 catchable balls that didn’t get caught.
DEJESUS!!!
Yeah, agreed
The defense is something which i am concerned about.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
If MLB adds NFL style Replay
can the Cubs hire Ron Turner to be their Offensive Coordinator? Then Turner can sit in the booth and tell Lou to challenge an obviously unreverseable call.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
Not a pretty game at all.
I found myself ledge-jumping more than once today. But we still have 161 games left, so no biggie.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
I am actually quite pleased that mediocrity does not seem to be good enough to start the season
If it were, things wouldn’t change. Shark was supposed to be a 6 or 7 inning guy. Im glad that his crap pitching was hammered by a real team. Shark will not sniff the 6th or 7th. I am sure that Baker will get his hacks this week, but when is the cutoff for calling up Castro without losing a year of arbitration eligibility, because that is when we should all expect the call up.
I am not a ledge jumper, just a realist. Jeff Gray is better than Shark. They will trade places when Gray gets some more innings. When it is cost effective, Castro will be up too. This team actually has answers in their own system. If the flaws are pointed out sooner than later, we can fix those flaws without spending more useless money.
Oh yeah. Over/Under on Colvin in LF? I got my money on Saturday.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
Arbitration
For an organization trying to convince it’s fans it intends on “winning” this year, the arbitration clock issue does not fly for why Castro is in the minors. Hell, that argument didn’t work for the 10,000 fans of the Rays, there is no reason in the world that should fly in Chicago. That anyone within the Cub organization even hints that Castro “isn’t ready” let alone says it by not having him break with the club is preposterous at best. He’s a better player than their current starting “SS”…a term used very, very loosely for Theriot. He gives them a better chance to win games right NOW, not five years from now because his arbitration clock started early.
Here’s a thought….win ONE title sometime, anytime, and then worry about having to pay your young players down the road. Doing otherwise is a loud and clear signal that the organization does not believe it can “win” in 2010.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Calm down buddy.
While I won’t disagree that Castro is better than Theriot – lets let some of the season play out before we call for Castro.
He’s no lock.
2010 is OUR year.
Save it
Perhaps you work in the Cub organization. Admitting that a player is better than another and then somehow trying to rationalize why he’s not playing ahead of that player with basically no argument…very, very sound logic indeed. Maybe you grew up in Theriot’s living room….who knows.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
I don’t give a darn about Castro’s arbitration status.
I care whether or not he’s ready. I don’t think that’s proven. But he’s almost certainly going to get his shot this year.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
More reading comprehension
“Admitting that a player…”
This sentence contains no active verb. All verbs used in the sentence are limited to the phrases in which they sit. (For example, “admitting” and “is” are only part of a subject phrase. “Trying to rationalize,” the contracted “is” in “he’s” and “playing” are part of a second larger phrase.) Perhaps you ellipsised your verb. This would be poor writing.
Furthermore, it is perplexing that you take issue with Unique’s lack of argument (“basically no argument”) for two reasons:
1. Unique is not actually making an argument. Unique merely suggested that a larger sample size be taken before a judgement is made.
2. You present NO evidence to support your opinion that Castro gives the Cubs a better chance to win now.
If you are going to continue to throw insults around (as you have done elsewhere in this post) and call people out, then you should be sure to back up your opinions. At the very least, you should try to avoid doing the very thing about which you are complaining.
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
What a big, stinking pile of poo THAT game was!
Onward. It can only get better from here.
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," == Lou
Glad that SOMEONE is being positive here. God knows some people here need it.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
I'm confused...why are you in Rolla/this post's title?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Apr 5, 2010 7:28 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Driving back from Arizona
It’s on the way home.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions
The Braves are who we thought they were
They’re who we thought they were.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Vintage kool-aid philosophy
The Cubs get the crapped kicked out them and the multiple flaws of this roster rear their ugly head, and the conversation focuses on a botched umpire call.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Yeah if there's one place we should expect objectivity about a team it's on their fan blog.
My god you’re a douche.
by Wreckard on Apr 5, 2010 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
Good Lord.
IT’S ONE GAME.
Yes their are flaws on this team. If Berg & Samardzija don’t stink up the place we could of still been in the game.
Good thing about this team? We have some depth and we can make adjustments. Most of the flaws can be fixed.
2010 is OUR year.
What team did you watch today
I watched a team with a cast of suspects and nobodies in the bullpen. A team with the sophomoric and tiresome Zambrano getting the ball on opening day. A team with not one but two joke defensive liabilities in the middle infield. A team that actually pencils in the name Soriano to the everyday starting lineup card. A team that doesn’t understand that Hill is the better option at catcher versus the dubious Soto. A team that is past it’s peak in too many important ways. A team with a manager who does not fucking care and will very soon again start sleeping in the dugout and pouting the same way he did in Tampa Bay when he was saddled with a poor club.
This is a bad baseball team. Prove to me otherwise.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
A team that doesn’t understand that Hill is the better option at catcher versus the dubious Soto.
You really have lost it now.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Get back to me with Geovany's stats inventory in three months
Soto was on steroids in 2007 and 2008. WIthout the juice he is a borderline major league catcher. So like I said, get back to me with his offensive performance totals come June 1st. To go along with his work behind the plate in blocking pitches, throwing out runners, etc.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
prove it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Like I said, get back to me with his stats as of June 1st
I’ll also lay odds that he’s shipped to Triple A at some point this season.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
PROVE IT.
You’ve accused someone of a crime. Do you lack so much honor that you cannot stand behind your assertions with proof?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Just ignore him Drew
I have been following this site for some time and just assume his statements will continuously will redundant no matter how many LOGICAL statements you will make on this forum.
LOGICAL statements
Explain your logical rationale of the following.
1. Theriot at SS
2. Fontenot at 2nd
3. Soriano in LF
4. Soto at Catcher
5. THe bullpen
I’ll talk “logic” with you all day my friend. And I will win the argument of OBJECTIVE analysis of this ballclub right now.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Sort of like the logic
when you said MB would be the best player ever early last year and then reversed course later….
by LT on Apr 5, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions
The bullpen needs no rational
Normally you hope to use your bullpen for 3 innings or less. The Cubs needed a bullpen after 4 outs. 3 of the bullpen guys pitched GREAT and two who are marginal at best did not. The entire bullpen sucks because Shark was bad and Berg little better? I don’t know about you, but these were not the guys I was counting out of the pen. Lost in this debacle was the absolutely outstanding work by Marshall & Russell. I think Lou made a big mistake pulling Marshall who was lights out under very difficult circumstances. Marshall can go LONG, and he should have been used for 4 innings or more. Russell was huge and pleasant surprise. I thought Lou was playing with fire letting him pitch the second inning. As usual you only want to see the bad and yes there was plenty of it, but never anything good and Marshall & Russell ( and Grabow) were very good.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Consider the source.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Make it an official bet
I say give Geo until mid-season, literally. 81 games. Lets just see where he’s at after 81 games.
Just win the next game...!
Well for starters.
Baker should be starting ahead of Fontenot in the first place and that would solve one of your problems.
If Castro starts lighting up AA like he should AND Theriot struggles the first month or two, that is a solution also. I don’t care about the nobodies. Grabow, Caridad and Marmol all have either good arms and/or a history of being good options. I agree with you on Samardzija and Berg. Marshall continues to do well when he is put in ANY situation.
Look, rarely do you have a team that breaks from Arizona and stays together the whole time. We have a up and coming system and we can use that to call up players or make a trade to get a reliever or a second basemen when the time is right. We still have a good core of players, but we do have question marks – and we need some guys to perform like they should.
There is no reason to give up until this team starts losing games at a rapid pace.
2010 is OUR year.
Speaking of bullpen
Marshall and Russell did a fantastic job.
If you’re going to knock the team, give the guys who did a good job today credit.
I'm sure there's something creative from Advice Dog to fit this situation
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
No one is denying the Cubs sucked today
But we’re entitled to discuss the umpire issue because they sucked today as well.
Don't overreact to one game, but don't ignore that this is a bad baseball team
This Cub team could easily get to 90 losses in 2010. I for the life of me don’t understand how so many of you can ignore the hard cold realities of this team right now. These signs have existed for over a year.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
really
you knew over a year ago that a Cubs team with Byrd, Russell, Berg and Baker would suck?
Why aren’t you a millionaire?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm still waiting for you to build the business case for me being homophobic
Vintage drewish. Fly by tattle-telling. You’re a nutbag.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
seriously?
you make multiple comments about how Hendry is performing oral sex on Smardzjia, or vice versa, or other people, as a reason to keep players you decide are bad on the roster, and that’s NOT homophobic?
I’ve been mostly ignoring you this season, but this really takes the cake. You’re a bigot. You’re not very smart. And you’re a huge pain in the butt.
You, sir, need another time-out.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jeebus,
Can’t you two stop? I have a hard enough time seeing the Cubs-related things in your shouting match.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
at some point
he has to be stood up to.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it's working
better than letting him run free.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
but its good vs evil
black vs white
kool aid vs bombast
lets make it a movie!
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
it's funny
because while I agree with BLou that Shark shouldn’t be on the roster, I’m cast in some opposing role because he’s using offensive language and I’m calling him out on it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
i wasnt referring specifically to the shark debate
i believe everybody realizes shark is not a pitcher
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Vintage mambochicken
Create controversy where none exists under subliminal strategy of getting Blou banned.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
How long do you think it will take the Cubs to rebuild?
And how long after that to be a contending team?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
(stay out of it)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions
No.
I’m being serious I want to hear what he has to say. I want to know his opinion on how long he thinks it will take. That’s all.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
New front office regime is needed for a rebuilding campaign
Jim Hendry and his subjective and arbitrary decision-making has to go. Hendry has flip-flopped on his strategy for winning more times than people change their underwear in a year.
What this team needs is a Larry Beinfast type running the show.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
THANK YOU
That is who BLou claimed he had the inside dope on . I could not remember it yesterday
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Why should he know?
Or Why should I stay out of it?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I was given the same request to stay out of it
Only I was more interested in posting images.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
OT: Have you played Final Fantasy XIII yet?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Yes
That game is so boring. The game practically plays itself.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Wha?!?!?!
I kinda get what you mean, but I still like it.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
It's far too tedious for my liking
I miss the JRPGs of old, but alas, they’re of old.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Oh Lord...
Please spare us the honest broker routine. You’re offensive. You consciously go out of your way to be offensive. Whatever insight you have about baseball is usually negated by the fact that the choose to wear the buffoon cap when saying it.
And really, he’s dead on. Stop with the homoerotic nonsense. Bite the pillow? He must be getting blown? Really, just stop.
by Damen Jackson on Apr 5, 2010 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I know Al has asked us to stop,
But you’re still going after me here. Please stop.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
No, I am not.
And I believe I owe you an apology. Someone else here (not Al) just talked some sense into me, and made me see that I was wrong to challenge you here.
Sorry man.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah, a name from your final days as MDBNIU.
Knew it was only a matter of time.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 1:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Where's Sandy Alderson?
In the Dominican Republic where you need to be Slaprichard!!!
he doesnt like you drew, and no matter what you say he'll disagree with it.
all though he doesn’t like anyone, he especially has it in for you ….probably cuz you do call him out on stuff
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
I hope likes me.
I think of my self as a lovable goof.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Both.
Whats a goon to a goblin? Only I know.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
You'd have to be a goon first.
Cooliogirl47 just isn’t goon. Maybe Cooliogoon47, which you are not.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Sorry to Al in advance.
But BLou, there really isn’t any possible way to describe you other than being an idiot. Not just an idiot, but an idiot that isn’t even a decent person. Seriously. If you’ve seen the inside of a woman’s leg without looking in a magazine I’d be shocked. Computer tough guy. Make all the evaluations to piss everyone off so when they come true you can fly your flag high. And if you’re wrong? Well you get the reward of being a fan. But, you’re really not a fan. You’re a turd. A turd that really doesn’t have baseball knowledge, and if there was a shred of it, you certainly wouldn’t know how to put it to good use.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
by TCobb1911 on Apr 5, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
You know...........
he gets off to this type of shit. Just so you know you probably just gave him a reaction he was looking for.
I really don't care.
I’m not sitting at home fuming because of something he said. Those are my deepest, truest feelings for the guy.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
I for the life of me
Don’t understand why you even watch or waste your time on here. With such little faith you clearly are waisting your time.
Plus, no one has an ounce of respect for you on here. Find a medium where people don’t think your a prick.
by ak123 on Apr 5, 2010 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Check some of the
other SBN blogs. They have the same opinion of him as you do.
by sue369 on Apr 5, 2010 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
By the way, reading the post below
That disgusts me. I’m sorry even a coward behind a computer screen would call you that.
I saw that post when the incident I referred to was there.
The reaction was that all the Bears fans rose as one to criticize BLou in that post. However, I’m with Dane Noble or Adam T, that remark should have been erased.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure if you can do that.
From what I can see, they think the same way of him at Windy City Gridiron and Second City Hockey.
In that first FanPost there, he called sue a “c***.” The word has since been deleted. Several other members of WCG and SCH have great comebacks to him in those posts he wrote.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
if only we had him!
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I have him on my fantasy team.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Can we trade the Cubs for your team then?
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions
no
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Cue Carmen Fanzone.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
fine. won on saturday.
dont play again till wed i believe. seems like they’ll get the #4 seed
i hope they beat SJ in the season's finally.
Did you see the Cubs game?
by braziliancubsfan on Apr 5, 2010 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions
God I miss him.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
In fact, he's my screen saver on my computer. In a Cubs uniform, of course :)
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
C'mon, folks
Let’s not start that again.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
never!
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
on an unrelated note
a new member of the cardinal trinity is needed
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure one
will establish himself at some point this season.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
if only heyward was a cardinal...
actually no, thats a bad idea
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you think Atlanta would agree to a trade to send him to the AL?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
heyward for
ADAM LIND
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
ABSOLUTELY!!!1!!!1!!!
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions
then how do we aquire lind?
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Three-team trade.
We send Samardzija to Atlanta, Atlanta sends Heyward to Toronto, Toronto sends us Lind.
GETITDONEJIM!!!!
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
With DeRosa
Three and out in the playoffs.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
.333
4 for 12 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. The only Cub who hit. Maybe if we had 7 more like him we wouldn’t have gone 3 and out.
It's the Curse of Mark DeRosa
It bit the Cardinals last season too.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Not that I don't like DeRo
Isn’t it funny that in the last three years, his teams have gone 3 and out in the playoffs?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
10,000 spoons
thats right I went there
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
But will Cubs fans
ever move on? I wonder.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Marlon Byrd
will put up better numbers this season, different position, but he’ll give us that production.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Zambrano's velocity...
I wasn’t keeping perfect track, but it seemed like he was topping out around 91 mph. Did anyone else notice that?
I’m not sure if that’s a function of it being so early in the season or not (didn’t seem like other starters today were down so much). But I hope he is able to jack it up a bit and get some dance to his pitches. 91 and without movement isn’t gonna cut it.
All in all, he just didn’t have his stuff today. Next time hopefully though.
That said...
a lot of the first inning was just bad luck. Not particularly bad pitching.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 5, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
the first at bat to Melky Cabrera, Z threw 8 pitches.
He eventually walked him, and after one inning, he threw more than thirty pitches.
by braziliancubsfan on Apr 5, 2010 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions
That's true.
But he was also forced to face more guys than he might have because of bloop single/texas leaguer hits. It’s hard to fault him too much when the other team gets fortunate like that.
That said, he clearly was having issues, apart from being unlucky.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 5, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
if he threw 8 pitches
that means he threw 4 good ones…obviously 50% isnt great just Melky did a good job fighting for a walk (can we hire him as Colvin’s batting coach?)
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
He hit 93 a couple times.
But yeah, the stuff he had today wasn’t good enough. Wasn’t locating either. Bad combination.
2010 is OUR year.
He's not an ace
What CArlos Zambrano is? A workhorse innings eater. Frontline starting pitcher? Nope. The PROBLEM is that the Cubs are paying Zambrano to be an ace. The PROBLEM is this team needs Zambrano to perform like an ace if they are to meet all these goofy kool-aid predictions that exist.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
That may or may not be true.
Whether he’s an ace or not though (I think not), my point was simply that his velocity was down. I would’ve said the same thing if he was listed as our #5.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 5, 2010 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I said it in the game threads,
And I’ll say it now too.
Zambrano is not, and should not be, the Cubs’ opening day starter. More often than not, he psyches himself out and this is the result.
My counsel is to wait, and give him some time. I think for this game, he just put too much pressure on himself to do well, with disastrous results.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can agree with this
Cubs pitching is mediocre across the board, mediocre pitching can get you to the playoffs just need a competent offense
The only goofy prediction that exists..........
Is your “haterade” prediction that the Cubs will lose 90 games.
I think its better if you guys just ignored Blou from now on
I knew once the Cubs got their asses handed to them he will come and start stating the obvious ludicrous statements.
by Geo4MVP on Apr 5, 2010 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
As sure as night follows day
In this case, ignorance is bliss.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
dear god I always want to comment on his posts but then I realize its like talking to my alcoholic brother when he is drunk…useless
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
bottom line on the pen
If Russel, Marshall, Marmol, Grabow, and Parisi can be decent throughout the season, then the pen should be in decent shape.
parisi is in AAA
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh damn really..
Wow, I thought he would at least make the team. Then how did freekin Spellcheck make the team?
I thought going with 11 pitchers and not trading Blanco was a better option
Obviously, Lou didn’t listen. He didn’t even poke me back on Facebook!
"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
Because, well,
I can’t figure it out. Samardzija shouldn’t be anywhere near a ML roster. I seriously don’t understand how much more convincing Hendry and Lou need, or why they aren’t convinced already.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions
He doesn't belong
We pretty know that experiment has failed. Hendry is committed because of all the promised money.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I really question
the way he was progressed through the minors. He NEVER dominated any level according to reports I’ve read. He might of put up decent numbers in some stops but never was he overpowering – which he has to be because Samardzija’s stuff isn’t going to fool anyone.
2010 is OUR year.
I know...
He only has one pitch, fastball, lol. His changeup sucks and he has minimal command on his fastball.
And yet Lou keeps sending him out there.
Will he ever learn?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I've said it before...
… and i’ll say it again. The Cubs stand to make an ass load of money of the Shark takes off. White guy, northern Indiana, Notre Dame, sort of dreamy… they’d sell a lot of green memorabilia if dude actually played well. Eying that has to have them salivating. It’s hard to let that sort of dream go.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Apr 5, 2010 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Nevermind, I was thinking bout Caridad
My bad, I confused those two for some reason.
Let's go Butler!
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Only one game
I know. But the first game. This is killing your engine at the start of the Indy 500 bad. Puking groom bad. Tripping when getting your diploma bad. Cubs must be better prepared than this. After an offseason full of Old Cub names and a couple of new players a strong showing win or lose is all that is expected. Thank God for the off day and lets start this thing over.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
This is depressing....
The Cubs couldve taken Heyward in the 07 draft and opted for Vitters
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Hindsight..
Vitters still has a chance to be good. I don’t know about Heyward good (mainly because of the discipline).
2010 is OUR year.
who knows how good Heyward really is? Its only one game
Atlanta had a rookie do this last year and everyone was quick to drop to their knees about him too. He’s now either on the bench or in the minors
no ones calling Vitters the next Pujols either
which has been said about Heyward
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Well Vitters has been compared
to V-lad – which isn’t too bad. Vitters has the potential to be great. But he really needs to improve his walk rate. That’s the only thing keeping him from being a top 10 prospect in baseball.
2010 is OUR year.
You might want to delve into current assessment of Josh Vitters
Good grief. Vitters would not be drafted in the first 10 rounds of the amateur draft if he were on the board this June.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Release the kraken!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
It's hard to tell because it's falling.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Apr 6, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'd be willing to bet everything I've got he would be, granted, I don't have much.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
and we could have had hamilton
life sucks, huh
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions
We could have signed Joe DiMaggio too
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
yep - imagine an outfield of Heyward, Pie, and Hamilton
Oh the humanity!!!!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
More Jim Hendry failure
Jim Hendry hired the overrated Tim Wilkens. Wilkens was run out of town in Toronto.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Hang tight on that one
The Cubs farm system is projected to be much better these past few years under Wilkens than they had been previous to his arrival.
Just win the next game...!
Agree with Blackhawk
I think Wilken has done well so far in sterring our farm teams in the right direction. We actually have some young, upcoming players we are excited about. Here is an excerpt I found online about Wilken’s work in Toronto:
As a crosschecker (1989-94) and as scouting director (’95-2000), he played a vital role in the Jays’ streak of 12 straight first-round picks who reached the major leagues from 1988 (Ed Sprague) to 1999 (Alex Rios), with such impact players as Shannon Stewart, Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells in between.
While Rios and Wells may have fallen off, 12 straight first round picks reaching the majors is pretty impressive to me.
Learn this line, and use it often- "Yes dear, you're right, I'm sorry" -Bob Brenly
Baseball drafting is like playing the lottery
You don’t know what the hell you are going to get out of the player you draft. Whether it be Vitters or Heyward. 12 teams passed on Heyward and ther ehave been multiple solid players who have been passed by teams like the Twins, Sox etc.
Yeah, but...
The Cubs have failed and failed spectacularly with their top draft picks ever since Hendry has played a role in minor league development dating back to 1996.
Josh Vitters is not panning out so far. If there was a “do-over” in the draft, Vitters would not have been picked in the first 10 rounds.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I have GOT to hand it too you
If you didn’t exist, I don’t know that I’d come here so much.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Well hes got a point
how else would you explain the dearth of position prospects the Cubs have produced over the past 20 years?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
like Riot
and Soto?
I don’t think anyone will argue that the Cubs minor league system was great 15 years ago, but it’s certainly been improving.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Not to mention
The 2nd most number of prospects on the top 100.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not totally disagreeing with him
I just had to award him.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Some of it was an organizational philosophy
under Andy MacPhail, who believed that the way to build a franchise is to draft and develop pitchers and then trade the extras for position players.
In the beginning it was just Jim Frey, who had no clue.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Be a bit more patient
He’s still very young and lets see how he progresses through the course of this year.
Didn't scouts say they expect Vitters to be a 30hr hitter in the MLB?
He did well in the fall league and the ST. Give him a little bit longer.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Good grief...
I’m sure the Cubs aren’t the only team that would like to have a “do-over”. Wow. You think the 29 team that passed on Pujols how many times in the same draft might want a “do-over”?
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Patience.
Vitters is just starting his MLB career. Let us wait and see what he can do before we say he is a bust.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
(Stay out of it)
I kid.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
He could be pissed off that the cubs lost like most fans
But this is his way of venting.
It would be soooo funny
if the Cubs won the World Series this year. I would pay to see what he would have to say then.
2010 is OUR year.
BLou would be quite entertaining in that situation
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
He'd say
it was all luck and that Hendry should be fired.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Real or perception?
Is it really that the Cubs have done worse than normal in drafting, or is it just perception?
Other than Beckham, the Sox have a long history littered with lousy top picks.
I think that when you’re close to it, as a fan following your favorite team you are aware of the top picks and perhaps have a measure of emotion invested, so perhaps it feels like your favorite team is worse than others when it fact it might not be.
Heyward had a heavenly home opener and start to his career. Heyward has had a lot of hype. A great opening does not equal a great career.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
by DrCrawdad on Apr 5, 2010 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Strange day indeed
Dr.Crawdad drops in for a well intentioned but as always futile attempt to argue reason with BLou. Thanks for trying and congrats on your win.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd like to see...
… a balanced, objective analysis of this subject. Not a ‘kicking the dirt, look at the guy they got that we (along with X number of other teams) passed on…’
I think my favorite team is at least as bad but perhaps worse in this area. But that could very well be my perception.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
Oh and ...
… thank you for your kind words.
The only thing an opening day loss proves is that our favorite team won’t go 162-0.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
Had to rec that Doc...
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Actually Doc a great Opening Day might equal a great career
in Japan. Per previous post Tuffy made 3.2 million LAST YEAR. Not to bad 15 years after his big day with the Cubs.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions
You're right.
And I didn’t intend that as a dis of Mr. Rhodes who, as you mentioned, has had a great career in Japan. Best wishes to Heyward.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
How far back are you going with that?
IIRC, seems like the Sox had a great run with top draft picks not that long ago
1987 – Jack McDowell
1988 – Robin Ventura
1989 – Frank Thomas
1990 – Alex Fernandez
Granted, they didn’t do much before 87 and after 90 until Beckham, but for that four-year stretch, that’s a bunch of awesomeness right there: a HoFer, two quality pros, and a decent #3 starter for more than a few years.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You're right too
I was going to specify the last 20 years. Himes had a terrific run there for those years. I don’t know if Himes merely got lucky or what but he didn’t carry over that success to his next GM position after leaving the Sox.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
One more thing...
Please let's not even mention that name
Any reference to Mr. “I can get 3 mediocre pitchers for the cost of Maddux” makes my blood boil and I do have high blood pressure.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't give up on Vitters.
He could still be a very solid major league player.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Obviously
Heyward would have been the better choice in retrospect. But 13 teams passed on Heyward and maybe the Orioles (Matt Wieters) don’t regret it.
But it’s not like Vitters is a bust. In 2003, Twins fans might have said “Man, we could have had Mark Prior instead of Joe Mauer.”
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
I actually wanted the Cubs to draft Wieters.
But weren’t we afraid of the potential contract problems?
2010 is OUR year.
drafting wieters would have made the 08-09 offseason very interesting
having 2 stud catchers in the wings
maybe we would have PV afterall
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm afraid I don't know who you're talking about.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
this guy
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Not ringing any bells, I remember this guy though
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you sure you don't mean...?
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
Yeah
There were issues with the sale and going over slot on draft picks. (Gosh, can you believe the sale stuff started that long ago)
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
and how would you feel if Vitters was tearing it up? Exactly – the baseball draft is such a crap shoot from pick 1 to pick 1600 – dear god do they need that many? I literally typed in 1526 as a crap shoot number but I was actually too low…
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
On to other things....
Poohole homered twice (good for my fantasy team anyways). Lincecum is filthy good. DeRo homered. And even though today stunk for Cubs fans, hey, baseball is back. What did we all have to agonize and pop Tums over all winter??? Looking forward to Wednesday….
"The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose." Ernie Banks
What's good about today?
Byrd homered in his first at bat… The Cubs are only a game back of first! And most importantly, they play again on Wednesday. It’s good to have baseball back.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Apr 5, 2010 8:52 PM CDT reply actions
Cards and Pirates share first place.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
They're also tied for last.
What, I can’t joke for awhile?
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah, it's the absurdity of opening day...
We have nothing else from this year to go on and we’ve been waiting a whole offseason for baseball, so it’s natural to over-inflate the importance of game1. But in reality it’s no more important than game 73.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Apr 5, 2010 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I predict...
Either Cashner or Castro (highly doubt it) will be called up by midseason.
castro is more likely
than $
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the Cubs want Cashner
to be a starter. Not sure if they will go all out, but that would limit the chance that he gets called up soon.
Castro… if he gets off to a hot start and the team is hovering around .500 and needs a spark.. I could really see it.
2010 is OUR year.
<patiently await blou’s next stupid comment/>
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
Woah
That makes sense. But I can’t let everyone know that!
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
he is like talking to a drunkard
but half as fun
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
What's the deal with all these blackouts?
I took a sick day today to watch the game at home, but the game was ended due to blackouts. It was freakin ridculous. I have DishNetwork, did anyone else have this problem. Didn’t know if anyone else had the problem in the southern area or around atlanta? What should I do to prevent this or can I prevent this?
OT: Where in Alabama do you live?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Florence
it’s about 50 miles west of Huntsville.
by alabamacubbie on Apr 5, 2010 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I used to live in Russellville,Al.
I’m sure you heard of it. Less than a hour away from Florence.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I actually graduated from Russellville
small world
by alabamacubbie on Apr 7, 2010 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions
The game should have been available
on SportSouth. I saw the beginning of the game there on Extra Innings.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Its hard to describe the feeling
of coming home from work, turning on the dvr and realizing Opening Day was blacked out. I’m still fuming.
Fuming?
Trust us you were lucky. You did not miss anything.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 2:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
it went downhill quick after the Byrd home run. I live in Iowa, and everyone around here was scared ESPN would black it out (like their midweek games sometimes are here), but we did get to see the game in it’s entirety, so it worked out ok, except for the final score.
Learn this line, and use it often- "Yes dear, you're right, I'm sorry" -Bob Brenly
I went through the same thing Sunday night.
In the “five questions with the Braves”, you will see a rant I went on about this.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
You was probably already fuming before the game...
work pisses some people off
by alabamacubbie on Apr 7, 2010 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Does
anyone else hate the tradition of a day off after opening day? It drives me nuts—if you win, you want to get back to winning, if you lose, you want to wash the taste out of your mouth. Nobody wants a day off. I don’t care if opening day gets rained out, if it rains monday it’ll probably rain tuesday too.
Booo
DEJESUS!!!
100% agree
Why not play all teams on monday AND tuesday?
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2010 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
what if you have a ticket for Opening Day and it gets rained out
are you okay with settling for some game later on in the season, knowing full well that tickets for all the good games are probably already gone? I mean, this is Opening Day – to some people, it’s annual tradition full of much personal pomp and circumstance. Some folks really go through a lot of time, effort and/or money to snag OD tickets.
If Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on a Monday, you’re okay getting stuck with a lesser game and letting the game 2 ticketholders see all the glory and grandeur of Opening Day?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I know its only 1 game...
buta few thoughts about today:
1. Zambrano is not a #1 pitcher and his best years are behind him. As Cub fans we need to stop making excuses for him. Ex. He was too amped up like he usually is on opening day.
2.Our middle infield defense is garbage. The sooner we can move Theriot to 2B and Castro to SS our defense and offense become better. Fontenot is not a starter and proved it last year.
3. Jeff Samardjiza is given a roster spot because of $$. He should take his 1 year of eligibility left in the NCAA and play one year at Notre Dame and hopefully start a football career in the NFL somewhere. He is not a major league pitcher…
4. Byrd is a leader. If anyone heard after his HR after he touched homeplate he yelled to the dugout" COME ON GUYS NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THIS TEAM." Obviously they went the other direction. I sorta like that he is being vocal with this team.
5. Marshall should start. It sucks that our bullpen is so bad that he has to been one of the few quality arms in the pen.
6. Our offense looks good.
I agree with both of you..
But he is better than Fontenot…IMHO
That's not saying much.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
moving Riot to 2nd
does NOT make our offense better.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes it does..
Cause castro and Theriot are offensively better than Fontenot
by BadDecisions on Apr 5, 2010 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions
maybe.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Nevermind that Fontenot has a higher OPS
Although I’ll give you that its happened facing plenty more righties than lefties
The Byrd response seems worrisome
He shouts NOW IS THE TIME and they proceed to be outscored 16-2.
Yikes.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 6, 2010 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions
don't you understand? It was that blown call that was the entire downfall of the team!!
Or some other excuse that makes little sense, but completely excuses the players for a piss poor performance
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
If you guys don't like it..........
DON’T READ IT!
Easier said than done
given the way the threads are formatted and the way the pages are laid out. Hopefully SBNation will someday roll out an “ignore feature” like other message boards have.
Well, Robin Worf, Little BLou and their band of merry men pretty much covered all the other topics.
Al had to write about something…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Look through the comments.
There are plenty of conversations about Zambrano and Shark.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Does the 16-5 loss completely devalue the need for expanded replay?
This is just another in a long list of examples of where it was needed. This game is over, so we can’t do anything about it now. It doesn’t change the fact that replay needs to be expanded to prevent crap calls like the one we saw today.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Apr 5, 2010 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The playoffs last year
Definitely merited instant replay. That was just one blown call after another.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions
No doubt
It’s hard enough to win when you not only can’t beat the team you’re playing, but you can’t challenge a bad umpire decision?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Indeed.
Isn’t there some kind of place where people can look up how players view umpires? I seem to remember seeing something like that, and that C.B. Bucknor (who was at the heart of the umpire controversy last October due to three blown calls in one game) ranked as one of the worst umpires in the view of the players.
I might be wrong, but let me do some online searching.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Here you go.
Baseball players survey from 2003.
I must say, that link is very interesting, I had never even seen some of the polls featured there. I find it interesting that Wrigley Field features in both polls in some cases (best and worst facets of the game).
Another survey from 2006. This one is just about the umpires.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Did you notice
Pujols had a 1% vote as the player to do the most with the LEAST TALENT in 2003? Boy, was that ever premature!
Seriously?
I need to give that survey another look-through.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
and not only that
but the favorite manager was none other than Dusty Baker. Although it does seem like there weren’t many responses to some of the questions (I think the Pujols question was one of those).
Or some of the questions had runaway answers,
Which would make for fewer answers, and some strange ones, too.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Yelp can produce a similar site called "Yump"
and the players can post reviews after each game… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Slow down an already slow game?
No, I don’t think it would work in MLB’s favor. It would be an obnoxious spectacle added to a game that has no room to have more stoppages. Why didn’t the umpires conference to make the right call? One of them should have had a clear view of the ball bouncing not only once, but twice.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Look at how long it took
Piniella already took more time by trying to argue the call.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I was hoping he would
That way Piniella could get ejected before Cox in Cox’s final season.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
He has five more chances to do it.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Didn't watch the game
I just think it’s kind of dumb to have challenge flags for such a traditionalist game like baseball.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
If something is broken and you have the means to fix it...
…by all means, you fix it. There’s no excuse not to have expanded replay with all the technology we have. It’s more important to get a call right than worry about traditionalist sensibilities.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I suppose
but like the post below from GateCity, VA Cubs fan, an ump saw the play and failed to make the right call. Why didn’t they conference and make the correct call? I
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Who was the crew chief yesterday?
Does anyone know?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't use flags either.
I’d just have the managers walk out as they do to perform other business like lineup changes and impassioned haggling.
that is the one thing I will miss
when replay gets installed someday – manager tirades
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
There is no question
Cubs will go 0-162. And BLou will become the GM of the Cubs, he will then marry Kenny Williams and Theo Epstein will be best man.
All of the Cubs woes will come to an end. Ramy traded, Z traded, Soriano released, Soto will get daily PED tests, Shark will be forced to play wideout for the Bears.
Tomorrow the sun will rise.
I was sitting in section 124 (Filled with Cubs fans)...
and the place went crazy with that call in center. Very obvious from where I was sitting and I had about the same view as the third base ump. Even a few obnoxious Braves fans around us admitted that the call was bad.
"No enemy is more dangerous, than the enemy that has nothing to lose." Mark Grace
by GateCity, VA Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 9:46 PM CDT reply actions
It is only one game....
…but it’s time everyone face reality with Zambrano.
His best years were 04, 05 and 06 and he has had a steady decline ever since that time. What makes him more of a concern, is now he has had a recent history of shoulder problems and that can be a recurrring issue.
IMO, Z is a solid pitcher and someone you can count on winning 12-15 games if he stays healthy. For the most part he has been overated and people haven’t paid attention to the red flags he has displayed for several years now.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
The guy's 28 years old.
I’m not going to write any post-mortems on him now.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 5, 2010 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not writing a post-mortem...
…I am simply saying people haven’t paid attention to his recent declining productivity trends and also now being an injury risk on top of it.
I said he is a solid pitcher if healthy, but the dude has been overated for sometime now.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
That's a wonderful content rich argument...
He’s only 28. Heavens to mergatroid. When do the kool-aid drinkers belly up to the bar and start offering up legitimate and compelling argument for their optimism?!?! All this soft mamby pamby idealistic shit. Nary a dose of reality in any argument.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
You use a LOT of funny words.
I like that about you.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Apr 5, 2010 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, you're stealing my trailer! I like that.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Your trailer?
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Apr 6, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
No, Velma's.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Look, i'm all hopped up on meth right now, so i'm sure its my fault..
… but i have NO IDEA what you are talking about.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
It was a poor
segway into a stupid Simpsons quote. It’s the spring break episode with the alligator dying from Homer’s bad airboat driving. Velma is the owner of the trailer they’re renting to escape from Florida justice.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Soriano and Z are very similar...
in that they both have the ability to be completely dominant and the opposition really has no chance when they’re “on.” But those moments are rare. Very rare. And for guys who are each making 18 million dollars, they need to be dominant the majority of the time. Not once every so often. I love me some Big Z, don’t get me wrong, but those two contracts are going to hurt more and more until they expire.
Baseball is 162 games...
…so while those brief displays of dominance are nice to watch, it is the complete body of work over the season that helps your team win.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
The "best" players on this team are all in decline
Ramirez? The most important player on the Cubs is not the same force he was. Still quite good and supremely important, but not what he was given the growing injury issues that have come with advancing age.
Lee? 2009 was a renaissance year for Lee, but he is into his mid 30’s and on the last year of his contract.
Soriano? He’s on the cusp of total uselessness.
Zambrano? See MPH73’s commentary above.
====
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
There is a good chance...
…the window closed on this core group after the 08 season and we’ll see if that rings true over the next several months.
Your best offensive player is one reactionary dive away from being out for the year, and both Soriano and Zambrano’s contracts could very well turn out to be an albatross for the next couple of years.
This club has a chance of squeaking into the playoffs (if a bunch of things go well), but they have a better chance of falling a bit short.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I'm distinctly more pessimistic
75 wins the high water mark…90 losses a real possibility
There is way too little to hang your hat on with this team. The payroll mess, the bullpen, the decline of critical players, the makeup of this team up the middle of the diamond, the Soriano debacle, paying $13.5 million a season for a platoon type singles hitter in right….
None of my critics can point to “viable” strengths of this club. Instead, the default argument is that the “Cardinals aren’t that good,” “it’s only 1 game,” “this team won 97 games in 2008.” Very flimsy horseshit defenses of this mess.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
None of my critics can point to "viable" strengths of this club. Instead, the default argument is that the "Cardinals aren’t that good," "it’s only 1 game," "this team won 97 games in 2008." Very flimsy horseshit defenses of this mess.
Only because you refuse to read what people write.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Why don't you provide synopsis of the what people write that is viable, objective statement in support of optimistic outlook on this team
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I open this up to ANYBODY...
Instead of attacking the pessimistic branch, lets here compelling arguments for why there shall be optimism for this 2010 Cub team. Nothing to do with the Cardinals or the Brewers or the Reds….what YOU see and interpret about THIS Cub team that makes you excited and bullish for 2010.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
This team has the potential to either to be mediocre or very good
It all depends on a rebounding season from Soto, Baker getting more starts over Fonetnot, the bullpen (Caridad, Russel, Marmol, and Grabow being reliable), and whether or not the bench can be consistently productive (which I think they will). Its sad to say this but if Soriano can put up 65-70 RBIs, I am satisfied. I am not worried bout Aram because sure he may be a liability to an injury, but that is why the Cubs got Chad Tracy. Dlee can still post up 90+ RBIs and I am confident enough that he will put up decent numbers.
I expect the SP to be decent. Lily, Z, Demps, and Wells combined will give the Cubs plenty of chances to win. Out of those 4 I don’t expect" OMGWTF" but respectable numbers that can put the Cubs SP on par with teams like the Dodgers. This team realistically has a decent shot at winning the WC. I like the Giants SP but their offense has far more questions marks than the Cubs. The Mets, well, are the Mets, the Braves SP has more question marks than the Cubs along with their offense not being a juggernaut, and the Reds will never live up to their potential with Baker being the manager.
Overall, I expect the team to either be 81 win team if things continue to go bad for the Cubs or 89 wins if the above expectations come true. Blou, I remember last year when everyone (including you) thought the cubs will be contenders, but baseball is an unpredictable sport.
There are a lot of "ifs"
I’m pessimistic for the present (this year), but very optimistic for the near future (2-4 years) because of the team’s developing youth movement.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
I'm optimistic,
about the minor league players that could take over at SS, OF, and also the ownership we’ll realize and correct the mess that is the bullpen.
Dont be surprised if Theroit declines this season
Castro will be called up and Theroit will get benched with Baker starting at 2B. Fontenot shouldn’t even be starting, but should be sitting on the bench (or traded) and continue his role as a pinch hitter or spot starter.
Pretty hard..............
To make an argument either way after 1 game, don’t ya think?
Rami is back, Castro is in the wings, Marshall, Russell & Grabow pitched very well, Byrd is a good player, Rudy Jaramillo is a great hitting coach, we have the best starting rotation in the NL Central, we have a backup if Rami goes down, Soto got motivated and lost 40 pounds, we have a new, motivated owner, and there’s 161 games to go.
None of which is news to you.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
On what fucking planet do we have the best rotation in the NL Central?
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
this one
get over yourself. Lilly, Dempster, Wells and even Z give this team the best rotation in the NL Central.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Romulus
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
That's one hell of a list
Lot will have to happen for the rotation to be the best in division. Not that it can’t happen, just not likely.
Just win the next game...!
I think the rotation
is already the best. But that won’t necessarily reflect in Wins and Losses.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
a bit of a sidestep
but here is a link to the article when Sori was signed.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
OT:
Duke 51, Butler 49. Duke wins NCAA Men’s Basketball championship.
I was also spending some time in the NCAA March Madness threads over at Stampede Blue (the Indianapolis Colts’ SB Nation blog), and comments there were 3-to-1 in favor of Butler.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2010 10:56 PM CDT reply actions
great write up al....
i almost got kicked out of bar for yelling “he didnt f’n catch it” at the top of my lungs for five minutes…
here is what i have said
http://antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?t=276465
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
You know,
We DO have a blank countdown thingamajigger now that could stand to be used for this…
by Steven Schweickert on Apr 6, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Instant replay isn't going to happen...
…until the Yankees or Red Sox get screwed by a bad call on national TV.
MLB has made it more than clear that they’re the only two teams that really matter.
and ESPN
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Ugh.
If that’s what it takes to get instant replay, then I’ll know that MLB is irrevocably corrupt and needs to have a “moneychangers in the Temple” style cleansing.
So have ESPN, er, BSPN,
And FOX.
It also isn’t going to happen unless the Cardinals get screwed on national TV either. MLB apparently only cares about the Red Sox, Yankees, and Cardinals.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
This team can't execute the fundamentals and
till they can, they will continue to lose games like this. Period, end of story. Lou isn’t teaching them and it shows. The Ricketts family will see this and clean house. The embarrassments have got to end soon or it will be another 100 years before we see another winner. Clean house now!
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
I don't mean to nitpick here, but
one thing that struck me was Marlon Byrd’s defense. I know there were quite a few bad things about this team that have been rightfully pointed out above, but this is what that I noticed most. The Theriot pop up could/should have been his, he made a couple of bad throws, and he misread a ball of the wall (which turned into a triple I believe). Maybe he just had a rough day in the field, but should we be concerned?
agree
from what I saw on TV, Byrd should have reached some balls which I thought were automatic outs. He seemed sluggish more than anything.
On top of Z’s terrible performance, I really like what I see from the Braves.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
"Sluggish" is a great word to describe it.
I think this is just as important as any other topic—Z won’t pitch like that again, Shark will be in AAA by the end of the week, but Byrd is in center for the next three years. To me, Kosuke seems like a better option in center defensively.
Makes more sense to me.
I thought Kosuke was above-average last year in center. At least I never saw him make a bad play.
I like it
Kosuke is a better centerfielder.
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
no, he's not
Fukudome: 125 games in Center — UZR= -13.5
Byrd: 529 games in Center — UZR= 0.2
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
What the hell does that mean?
Byrd didn’t get to the ball when it counted yesterday, that’s only stat I care about!
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
Well, looking at the stat above...
I’d say it means that Fukudome wouldn’t have gotten to the ball either.
"Juuuuuuussst a bit outside. He tried for the corner and missed..."
- Harry Doyle
by Rusty in Peoria on Apr 6, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
And, many others.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
colvin should have gotten it from the dugout
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 6, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Fuld should have gotten it from Iowa
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
it means
that Fukudome is a bad centerfielder, and Byrd is an average one.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
UZR doesn't measure a fielder's "arm"
Byrd made at least 2 bad throws, and he consistently missed the cutoff man. If you think a stat like that can measure defense so conclusively, you are out of your mind. Stats can measure a lot, but they miss a lot too.
by mic on Apr 6, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
UZR measures
a fielder’s defensive ability. Fukudome is a poor center fielder. Byrd is an average one.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 7, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually
yes Z will pitch like that again. How many times last year did you say to yourself, “Z absolutely needs to perform in the clutch tonight”, only for him to fail?
As far as the outfield is concerned, I agree I think Byrd is much better suited for RF. But even in RF he makes me nervous. Didn’t Nady used to play the outfield with the Pirates?
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
Z will probably have about 4 more more outings this year where
he will be just awful (hopefully not this awful). What I mean is, he won’t be a liability every outing, but Byrd might be.
As far as Byrd hits like he did today, I’d like him in the lineup. He seems to be better suited in right though.
Right
but if we truly want to look at the bigger picture here then we have to deal in realities. First off Zambrano is NOT an ace. Second Soriano is a cancer…not in the club house sense, but as performance is concerned, he kills any inning he’s in. Third, our bullpen, Is full of potential but in all actuality is full of spare parts. I think our only chance this year relies on our rotation. We desperately need Lilly to come back to full health and Demp, Wells, and Marshall to pitch to their career highs.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
who knows!
there’s no way of knowing whether the Cubs could have come all the way back.
maybe they would have scored 12 runs to take the lead that inning! might could! but they umpire blew those hopes away!
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
After game 1
Cubs are already missing Millar.
What was really discouraging was how sloppy our play was. The throws from the outfield had me cringing.
Russell and Marshall were obviously the bright spots. Hopefully someone can pick us up Wednesday.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 6, 2010 12:18 AM CDT reply actions
You lost me there.
How exactly where the Cubs missing Millar? Would having him yell “Cowboy Up” gotten Z or Sharkt to pitch better or players throw better?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Chemistry is everything
Those players looked unhappy after losing by 11 runs. If Millar is there they could have laughed it all away. Which, of course, has zero effect on the standings.
I agree that chemisty is vital,
But with respect, I think even Kevin Millar would have had trouble laughing that one off.
Better living through chemistry
I know Millar would not be able to help with the bad throws from the outfield, and maybe I’m making way too much of this—> but I always feel Opening Day is a statement day of sorts. Like the last game before the All-Star break. And the Cubs opening day was pretty awful. So maybe a guy like Millar keeps the team loose during the off-day and helps them shrugg it off as a team.
Perhaps the Cubs should pay Millar to be the team’s #1 fan. He can be shuffling the cards and nipping Jack in the clubhouse during the games, awaiting for the game to finish.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 6, 2010 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
25th man on the roster usually won't win games
Playing respectable defense and pitching at a major league level does. Let’s hope the team can do that Wednesday as it doesn’t get easier the next 2 games.
The team should show its true face on Wednesday.
If they don’t, then I’ll start being worried. Before then I’ve got my brown paper bag, my emergency ration of Kool Aid and 161 plus play-offs games to look forward to.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
I agree about play review, but neither the umps or that call decided this game!
The Braves scored 16 runs! That is what decided this game. This is not the kind of game to say the Umps caused the Cubs to lose. Let’s get back in touch reality a little, shall we?
The Best Offense You Can Have Is A Really Good Defense (Mike Ditka)
Z is not a prototypical ace
Largely because he has always been inconsistent. What most people think of as an ace is a guy who goes out almost every outing and keeps you in the game. Halliday for example. Z is a good pitcher but he is more inconsistent than a true ace.
Lets Play Two Today
16 games.
Rather than jumping to any number of ‘absolute’ conclusions based on one Opening Day stinkeroo, I believe in making assessments after 10% of the season has unfolded. Avoid knee jerk reaction.
16 games.
I believe that is a long enough period for your regulars to have established patterns of ‘real season’ performance (not ST). Your starting 3 (other than Lilly) will have had at least 3 turns to gauge where they are as well and the bullpen will have had plenty of opportunity to show what they will do.
Some may argue it takes the first month of games to make those kinds of calls. 20 games. 30 games. Maybe. But I think that first 10% can tell you what you need to know.
It’s a long season and others may say that early season statistics don’t really matter and it’s too soon to predict what will happen during a long major league season . Well, I think early season stats DO matter. A loss in April counts just as much as a loss in September. Same with wins. Ask the 1984 Tigers what a 35-5 start did for them or the 1969 Cubs what an 11-1 start meant to them. They ALL count.
And THIS Cubs team does not have a large margin for error. There were too many “so and so has to rebound and produce” scenarios for the team to make the playoffs. If the Cubs wait too long into April to start making tweaks to their line-up, then BLou may be right. The Cubs could lose 90+. Or they could WIN 90+.
But sticking with underperforming players simply because of their team seniority or contact length or ‘hoping they’ll play their way out of it’ is a recipe for finishing in what was once called ‘the second division’.
16 games.
Yes, Monday’s game sucked. Let’s give the Cubs another 15 games to begin to establish patterns of performance and see what Lou, Jim and Tom do then. If they do nothing, then it could be a long season.
Or we could be 15-1 at that point. The Cubs fan in me is hoping for that. We’ll see…
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
The Cubs' "pattern of performance" has been established
as sloppy. Bad fundamentals. Bad decisions in the field and on the bases. I think they came out of ST with bad fundamentals, which have never been real strong under Lou IMO, and yesterday was as if every bad basic baseball mistake that could be made was made. It sure seemed that way. This is what worries me, more than Z getting the ball up in one game.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
Exactly
Lou treats these guys like veterans and doesn’t spend time going over fundamentals because he expects them to know them, he’s even said that after several baserunning gaffes last year. We are never ready to play and have serious defensive liabilities in LF, SS, & 2B. Samardzja showed that he’s made zero progress from last year and that Rothschild is a worthless pile of crap as a coach. Same old crap coming off a season of endless crap. Nothing has changed, they didn’t work on anything in ST, just expected it will all get better magically now the Milton is gone.
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
Agree in part
But one of the glaring issues with this club is their middle infield, particularly their current starting SS. Theriot is a nice player, just not a very good SS. He will continue to misplay balls in the field at an alarming rate and for once they have a viable replacement. If a proper assessment is to be made, it has to be once he’s called up…which can’t come too soon.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
On the umps
I’d say add the foul line umps like they do in the playoffs, but look how well that worked last post season.
Just win the next game...!
Yesterday's Season Opener
was remarkably similar to the Cubs ST game at Hohokam on March 31st, Zambrano’s last start in the spring. A game the Cubs lost 11-0 to the Angels.
In both games, Z gave up a first inning HR and struggled with his command.
In both games, Marshall relieved Z and pitched well.
In both games Samardzija got rocked, and in both games Berg gave up runs late.
But, as Al’s headline proclaimed in the game recap, “Spring Training Results Mean Nothing”.
Does this mean Silva will be lights out?
I really like Z, but hey if Spring Training really indicates how a vet is going to play in the regular season I can live with Silva being the Ace.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
You are free
to hope.
Speaking of Silva, I was watching Felix Hernandez pitch for the Mariners and was wondering what sort of training table the Mariners provide for their pitchers. Catered by McDonalds?
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/albert_chen/05/09/feliex.hernandez/t1_hernandez.jpg
looks svelte compared to Carlos
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Neither one of them
looks like a professional athlete.
I was wondering if David Wells was the pitching coach in Seattle.
Let's not forget the immortal words of John Kruk
In response to a woman who berated him for being a fat slob and bad example for an athlete
" Lady, I’m not an athlete. I’m a baseball player. "
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
John Kruk was the festering ass pimple of baseball when he played
and now he’s the festering ass pimple of ESPN, which has quite a few candidates. The world would be a better place if Kruk lost the ability to speak.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Actually
the way I remembered it is that the woman was berating Kruk for smoking.
The tradition of rotund baseball players goes back at least as far as Babe Ruth.
But, it is one thing to be a position player, i.e. first baseman, catcher, etc., and be hefty. To be the size of Silva, Hernandez, Sabathia, etc as a pitcher takes some doing. Makes you wonder what these guys will look like when their playing days are over.
You never know
Rick Reuschel was HUGE but rather spry in his playing days. He comes to the Cubs Convention and he is really good shape. Lost at least 50 pounds.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
And as big as he was in his days with the Cubs
he moved pretty well for his size.
Just win the next game...!
Yes I said he was spry
I remember being at a game when he stole 2nd and I was afraid the stadium would shake or shift. Same thing when Prince dove for a ball at a game. To watch guys THAT huge slide & dive is kind of scary.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 6, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Sabathia
is a good athlete, too.
I think there is a difference between a guy who has always been big (Sabathia, Reuschel) and the guys who just keep getting bigger as they go along (Wells, Hernandez, Silva).
Bigger than this?
http://atssportsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/CC-Sabathia.jpg
I didn’t see the game on Sunday, but I can’t imagine.
Oh my.
That’s huge.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing Sunday night, AZ
it was something to watch CC pitch as well as he did while slinging that belly between home and second
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," == Lou
The Hard Ball Times looked at fat pitchers last year
I think their conclusion was at worst it doesn’t matter and it might even be a little helpful to put on weight.
shrug Some fat players are great athletes even though they are hefty. It’s probably somewhat akin to being an offensive lineman, flab is fine, probably even desirable, as long as you’re conditioned enough to play an entire game.
but how can they conclude that?
I can see concluding that there are seriously overweight pitchers who have had or are having successful careers, but how can you conclude that David Wells, Sabathia, etc couldn’t be even better if they weren’t so hefty?
i believe they looked at guys that had reported significant weight gain or loss
and then looked at their performance before and after the gain or loss. tough to isolate out all the other variables though.
One game in, and there already are wars here between the "Sky is falling" and "Sunshine and puppies" crew
I didn’t catch much of the game, obviously the box score is far from appealing, but can we remember that this was one game? There are 161 more chances for the Cubs to be great/terrible/average/mediocre/good/etc.
Oh, and agreed 100% we need replay. A shame Bud Selig is the worst commissioner not named Gary Bettman.
Insert Clever Statement Here
...
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Apr 6, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Heard the Cubs play only 3 of first 32 vs.
teams with winning records in 2009. Does anyone know if this is accurate?
If true, this team could contend even with a subpar team..at least until Memorial Day..
The journey is the reward!
There were 19 teams
whose win totals were more 10 or more games different in 2009 vs 2008 (including the Cubs).
Some notables: Colorado went from 74 wins to 92. Atlanta went from 87 wins to 72. Houston went from 86 to 74 The Giants went from 72 to 88. Cleveland went from 81 to 65. New York Mets went from 89 to 70. Detroit went from 86 to 74. Tampa Bay went from 97 to 84. And Yankees went from 89 to 103.
Whose to say that some or all of the teams the Cubs play in the first 32 won’t be among the surprise teams of 2010?
your right nevermind..
I’m sure team records from one year to the next are completely uncorrelated. Thats why it was such a great “accomplishment” for the Cubs to have 3 winning seasons in a row and why the Pirates have had a losing record 17 years straight..
The journey is the reward!
I think the point is
clear.
Read what I just wrote. 19 out of 30 teams had SIGNIFICANTLY different results in 2009 vs 2008. That includes the Cubs who went from the best record in the NL in 2008 to essentially a .500 team in 2009.
If you had the Cubs on your schedule in 2009, based on 2008 you would think that would be a tough go. If you have the Cubs on your schedule this year, based on 2009…not so much.
makes sense
but using previous years isn’t completely meaningless.
huh?
So teams records from one year to the next are nearly random events? I don’t know, I would think there should be some degree of predictability. I would also think if results were random that the Cubs would have won a World Series in the last 100 years. I don’t think your one year example is quite normal. I could be wrong. But just for fun, let’s look at the Cubs opponents in the first month:
Atlanta, Cincy, Miwaukee, Houston, Washington, Mets, Arizona, and Pittsburgh.
Atlanta clearly the toughest opponent. I don’t think any of the others are expected to with their respective division.
The journey is the reward!
You just proved my point
Atlanta is the toughest opponent? They were well below .500 last year.
Arizona? They were in the NLCS in 2007, just missed the playoffs in 2008 and lost 90+ games last year…all with pretty much the same core of players they have now. So, which team will they turn out to be this year?
Mets..same thing. Good in 2008, lousy last year.
Houston….same thing.
Milwaukee…same thing. Good in 2008, last year, mediocre.
Braves in 2009 were 86-76.
Injuries certainly are not random if you have a roster of injury prone players.
I really don’t know how you can believe that records from year to year are random.
The journey is the reward!
Right.
It was 2008 the Braves lost 90 games. My error.
The other fallacy of your argument can be shown by looking at how the Cubs finished in the last three months of the season last year against teams that were below .500. They lost series to the Padres, D’Backs, Mets, and Nationals in the final months last year. All of those teams were terrible in 2009.
Well, unless you believe
that injuries are somehow not random, that players performing either well above or well below their career norms is somehow predictable, then yes, it is pretty random.
Seems cruel that we have to wait til 6:10pm tomorrow for another game.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
It's interesting that after the opening day game, we hear all of
the crying whining and bellyaching of “Z is not and ace”, “this team will only win 75 games” or “the bullpen sucks”. Isn’t this a baseball season? Don’t they play 162 games? It is asenine to make any predictions after the first game of the season. Based on that logic, the Yankees will finish last in the AL East this year. How many of you think that will happen?
A baseball season is 6 months long and has many peaks and valleys. Would we be reacting this way if it were July? No, we would shrug it off and say “Let’s go get ’em tomorrow”. Chill out folks, it’s just one game. No one knows what this season holds, but we certainly can’t tell after one game. This isn’t the NFL where one bad game can ruin a season. It’s baseball. They play in a park, they make errors and the object is to go ‘home’. Lighten up and enjoy the weather.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 6, 2010 10:30 AM CDT reply actions
It's asinine to not be able to spell asinine
And save the lectures. Z still sucks.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
yup
a constant 30+ games started, career ERA of 3.55, has six more strikeouts than opposing batters have hits… he sure sucks.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks, Worf. We can always depend on you to make dumbass comments when it comes
to Zambrano. It’s typical of you to make comments about spelling and completely disregard the content of comments. Sure, Z sucked yesterday. He may suck again in other starts. That’s the way baseball is. Pitchers are never going to have their best stuff everytime out. If you knew as much about baseball as you knew about smartass comments, you would see that, but that’s about all I expect from trolls. Go back and hide under your bridge.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 6, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Based on that logic, the Yankees will finish last in the AL East this year. How many of you think that will happen?
We can dream. :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
It's one game folks.
Do they have issues? Yes. Are they any we didn’t have concerns about before this game? No. Spellcheck, Berg and Fontenot probably don’t belong here. Theriot is not the greatest shortstop. Z can’t dig himself out of a whole when things go bad. None of this is a surprise.
The good news is they look like they are going to hit. Everyone in the lineup hit the ball hard in at least one at bat, except Soriano. Fukudome, Ramirez, Lee and Byrd looked great.
Hendry has to fix the bullpen. As long as “Teddy baseball” comes back healthy, the starting rotation will be fine.
Have some faith. The Cubs pitching staff has been in the top 5 (ERA) in MLB, 5 of the last 7 years.
Hendry and Lou both know what is riding on this team being successful this year. I think they will do everything they can to make the necessary adjustments. It’s a six month season. Baseball is back. Try to enjoy it.
How long should we sit back
watching this bullpen implode?
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
the bullpen
with Marshall, Grabow and Russell in it?
Marshall — 2.2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 BB, 0 Runs, 5 Ks.
Russell — 2.0 IP, 2 Hits, 0 BB, 0 Runs, 1 K
Grabow — .2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 BB, 0 Runs
2.2 + 2 + .2 = 5.1 IP. That’s half the damn game picked up by the bullpen, with the Braves held to two hits.
Yes, Spellcheck bit it. Yes, Berg didn’t do much better, but at least he pitched a whole inning. Send Spellcheck down. But he’s not the whole pen.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
amaru said “the bullpen”.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
It's going to be a long season
with shark, Russell, Berg.
Especially if Marmol doesn’t get it together. A quick look up of last years stats:
IP 74
BB 65
If he keeps that up we are going to agonize over every 9th inning.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
Also
I don’t have any confidence with any of our bullpen players until Guzman gets back.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
you have no confidence in Marshall?
Or Grabow?
Guzman’s done for the season, dude.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I do have confidence in Marshall
and some in Grabow. But I don’t like the way Lou uses Marshall. He always seems to pull him from a game way too early, and usually for reasons like bringing in a right handed pitcher because a left handed batter is up. Sometimes you just gotta go with whats working and stop thinking about what “should” work. I’m not sure this is in my head, but it just seems like Lou doesn’t know how to manage the bullpen.
So all in all, I have confidence in only two of our bullpen guys. Who sets up Marmol? Grabow? What happens when Marmol starts walking people?
I guess I’m jumping the gun a little, and should give these guys some time to prove themselves, but their inexperience really makes me nervous. Just a gut feeling I have that the bullpen is going to give me ulcers all summer long….
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
whut?
Russell pitched two scoreless innings.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
In order to "fix the bullpen", as you suggest,
Hendry can start by sending Samardzija down past Iowa to possibly Peoria or somewhere else. Not even Iowa is an option at this point, as I seem to remember someone commenting that he was terrible even in Iowa.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 6, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
The Yankees lost on Sunday night...
So do you think Yankees fans are jumping off the bandwagon? They are the World Series champs. It’s one game. Opening Day gets MAGNIFIED so much because it’s Opening Day. The Cubs are going to win plenty of games this year – let’s see where they are in a few weeks. I’d be shocked it Big Z doesn’t come back with a great game his next start.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
If we won the WS last year with essentially the same players, no I wouldn't be worried
But we didn’t, so it’s neither here nor there.
Was at the game--a couple observations
It was awesome to see Hank Aaron both literally and figuratively hand the torch to Jason Heyward…saw Hank several times as a player at Wrigley—but it was great to see him again.
He is class and is the true HR champ.
Saw an older man up near the suites with a cane and a t-shirt that read “Hank did it with only steak and eggs”
Ran smack dab into Jim Hendry minutes later—really a gracious guy. He had a couple arrows in his back—one was labeled Bradley and one Soriano. (I keed—I keed) I wanted to hug the guy for signing Maddux back into our organization—what a HUGE move…but just shook and said hello instead.
Z looked really determined and ready during warmups—but big games get him beyond amped and I have to agree with Al—that opening day may not be good for him. He also seems to pitch better in tight games—give him a lead and as Brickhouse used to say—he just can’t stand the prosperity…other than the HRs, the hits against Z were check swings—seeing eye bouncers— and bloopers..he deserved better. The pitch Heyward hit 442 ft was low and away and moving—the kid is just special and he went and got it.
The reason we lost and they won was mainly becuase of outfield defense or lack thereof—not bad calls. I try not to bash Fonzie—but doggone it—he KILLS us on D. Fly balls that any mediocre MLB OF could trot in and catch and he lets them fall..that’s what did in Z in my view. You could almost see the air come out of the team—but they kept fighting. McClouth on the other hand made several brilliant catches on screamers into the gap with men on. I’d platoon Colvin and Fonzie in a heartbeat..he looks about as lackadaisacal out there as I’ve ever seen.
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know. " Abraham Lincoln
I like Ryan Theriot,
I really do. I remember watching him play for LSU here in Omaha when the Tigers won the College World Series. I think he plays hard, and I think he can be a solid lead off hitter. But he NEVER makes those A+ plays in the field that turn potential RBI singles into inning ending double plays. His defensive limitations are becoming more and more irksome…
Yes
The Cajun connection can give us some offense on occasion, but I’m also frustrated by our lack of range in the middle infield. Especially SS, that’s a position I would gladly sacrifice offense for defense. I want a guy that can pick it and save some runs.
by salparadise23 on Apr 6, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree. They don't seem to care about offensive production at 2nd base, since they keep running Fontenot out there.
So move Theriot over and put a real SS in there.
Fontenot....
…is one guy who has overstayed his usefulness with the club.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
that may happen by Memorial Day
Paging Starlin, Mr. Starlin, please report to Clark & Addison….
Just win the next game...!
Be serious!
If it was Byrd who drop the ball and the runners for the Braves were called you would not be crying for Replay. Am I right or wrong? I love the cubs but the replay idea is too much to ask for.
We'd probably say
That the Cubs caught a serious break and will take it. However, knowing Al, he would still bring up the Instant Replay factor, just not delve into as much.
I would definitely have mentioned it.
Replay now. For all situations (except balls and strikes).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I would. Win by winning, not by missed calls.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Even if a call benefits you,
That doesn’t mean that it should. I’d much rather have it that the call was right than the call was wrong.
"Juuuuuuussst a bit outside. He tried for the corner and missed..."
- Harry Doyle
by Rusty in Peoria on Apr 7, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
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