Is Castro Ready? Rookie Makes Three Errors, Cubs Lose Again
by Al Yellon on May 11, 2010 7:30 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
Email
PrintIf you think this is going to be an anti-Starlin Castro rant, think again. I feel bad for the kid after his three-error game last night, and you can't blame him for the Cubs' 4-2 loss to the Marlins -- most of that comes from leaving two runners on in the second and the bases loaded in the fourth inning, when the Cubs could have scored several runs and given Ted Lilly a cushion.
Same old story, right?
Booing Castro after he made his third error and then let the ball sit on the ground while Hanley Ramirez scooted to second base -- what's the purpose of that? It's not going to help him; there's no question that he realizes what he did, after Lou called him into his office for a talk after the game. I've linked that Paul Sullivan article because it contains this quote from Alfonso Soriano:
Soriano, who had three hits and two RBIs, is putting Castro up in his condo for a while. He said he'd talk to Castro when they got home.
"It's part of the game," he said. "He plays very good defense, but I think he was a little nervous with his first game in Chicago. It's normal. I had the same game my first game in New York. I understand him being nervous, because that's the dream of every player, to be in the big leagues."
Although Soriano did make six errors in 15 games in 2000 -- playing third base and shortstop -- before being sent back to the minor leagues (not to be recalled until September), he didn't have a single game during that time like the one Castro had yesterday. (In fact, the first game he started in Yankee Stadium on April 12, 2000 was errorless.) The last young player I saw at Wrigley who had a game that bad in the field was someone who may eventually go to the Hall of Fame -- Roberto Alomar, who made three errors on April 29, 1989. (Check out the team error totals for both teams that day!)
So the question I ask in the headline to this post is rhetorical, rather than any sort of demand to have Castro be sent back to the minor leagues. Jerking him back and forth between the minor leagues and the major leagues at this point, in fact, might be more detrimental to his development. He's going to have days like this -- and he's going to have more days like last Friday, when he dominates a game offensively. He's going to make spectacular plays in the field, too, with his range.
I'm cutting Castro some slack here, and I hope fans will tonight at Wrigley Field.
Not so much slack can be cut for the Cubs' offense, which looked just about as bad as it has most of the season. They left eight men on base and as I noted above, could have broken the game open in the early innings.
What bothered me more than that was the clear difference in fundamental baseball that the Marlins showed. Forget about the errors -- Marlins pitcher Nate Robertson laid down two perfect sacrifice bunts, the second of which helped lead to a run and Marlins baserunning was outstanding. Cody Ross took advantage of Ted Lilly's attempted pickoff of Cameron Maybin to steal home and give the Marlins a two-run cushion in the seventh inning after Ronny Paulino, who absolutely kills Ted (now 8-for-16 lifetime with two doubles and two HR), smacked a ball into the left field bleachers just below us.
The Cubs dropped to five games under .500 for the first time since June 23, 2007 -- but on that day, they had defeated the White Sox to get to 34-39 and were on their way up. This five-games-under is definitely going in the wrong direction. Last night, of the 38,266 announced, maybe 28,000 were in the house -- and that isn't going to increase unless the team starts winning. With 12 NL teams still within 5.5 games of each other, it's not too late.
But it needs to start tonight.
684 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
You don't get cut slack
in the majors. That’s the point. The booing might be in poor taste – I think so – but he’s a member of the Cubs now, and not only are the fans unhappy with their play in general, but he looked awful in particular.
I won’t ask fans or the team to coddle him.
Not asking for coddling.
Just asking for a little slack. Castro might have a great game today.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Normally, I abhor booing the home team, but I didn’t have a problem with booing the non-hustle play after his third error. That was, to me, booing the play and lack of hustle, not the player.
To me, the booing becomes deleterious when it crosses into being attached to the player not the play. Had he been booed when he came up to the plate, that, would have bothered me.
Eamus Ursuli!
Absolutely agree
While I find booing pretty Neanderthalic in any instance, boos were well deserved for jogging after the ball on the third error. Physical errors happen….mental errors like that are inexcusable.
But here’s the real trouble, who in that organization can point out the mental error part to him? On a team absolutely loaded with guys that make mental errors routinely, Lilly had more than his share last night, that kind of play has been tolerated for far too long.
And don’t point to many of the veterans….watching Lee and Ramirez jog and sulk AB after AB is certainly no way to indoctrinate a kid into how to play major league baseball. Those two guys are clearly reading from the Fred McGriff book of refusing to break a sweat.
"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 May 11, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 9 recs
I like what you said and want to make it green, thanks
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions
To Krummy's point about the mental errors
I think it also says a lot about how this club (and probably many others) handles players once they arrive at the major-league level. I think Lou expects guys to know and execute fundamentals on their own, and therefore doesn’t invest a whole lot of time to take infield and go over basic execution. Management’s attitude might be that once you make the big time, you’re no longer here to be taught – you’re here to win.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
which is yet another reason why Castro should absolutely not be on this roster
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
And another reason I'm hoping for
Ricketts to bring in a new (pardon the expression) “master plan” along the lines of what the Schuerholz-Cox Braves had going on, where the raw talent is properly refined and groomed by the time it reaches the Show.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
here to win??
I heard Lou say on a preview of his interview (which I’ll watch today at 2) that fans should understand that this was a business and Cubs baseball should be entertainment, and that there are 30 other teams trying to win. I think that is a good attitude to take for anyone EXCEPT the manager of my team! He should think of nothing but winning and I dont think he does anymore.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I heard mention of that, and if Lou actually said that
it’s time to hit the road. Yes it’s a game, one in which the point of playing is to win. It’s not even about the losses anymore (though losing 6 of 7 to the freaking Reds, Pirates and Marlins is bad enough) it’s about how god awful they look doing it.
This isn’t rec league softball. That comment is akin to me telling my boss “Well, no I didn’t get that report done you asked me for, but hey! I showed up to the office! And that’s what’s really important.”
I loathe Lou Pineilla, and Jim Hendry, I really do.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Sounds like Lou's version of "walks clog the bases"
Incredible thing for him to say, especially given his fiery past. I guess life begins at 65…
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
That's a really odd thing to say.
It does appear that Lou has lost the fire.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He's lost his competence
that’s almost a certainty
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
It was an odd statement, and I agree with your feelings, but to be fair ...
Lou was commenting on how he thought fans should approach cheering/booing for their team. While we can disagree with that, he was not saying that is how he felt, or how the team thought.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
I'm sure you're probably right, but I couldn't help getting the feeling that he thought that way too.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm getting ready to watch the interview now, and I was thinking, if Lou IS telling me
that I should watch baseball for the entertainment value cuz there are 30 other teams trying to win the WS also…..then I think Lou is telling me that winning is not the prioroty, entertaining is while he is manager. I might as well watch Wrestling!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
meh, didnt say that much, mostly about his past.
and yeah he was probably talking to fans about just enjoying the games. That only tells me he doesnt understand me or anyone else here very well. I want to enjoy the game, but win or lose I want to see strategic managing, focused and hustling players, pitchers who wont feel like they’re giving their all for naught, I want to see good baseball. That is what I wait for all winter.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Very nicely put. Rec'd.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Should be ENTERTINMENT!?
Holy crap…he dosn’t care anymore does he!? Alright now I firmly believe it’s time for him to go.
by iowacubfan69 on May 11, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I might be completely wrong but I’m correct in remembering a post a few years ago complaining about the Cubs not taking infield or something before games? I can’t remember if this was under Dusty or Lou. Anyone else remember this or am i completely off base?
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
Things are getting bad when I absolutely agree with Krummy12!
Well said and rec’d.
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
by BleedsbluinMI on May 11, 2010 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
I guess you’re seeing that some of my negative views on where this team is are actually semi-sensible.
"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 take each comment for it's own worth, no matter who posts it.
I was just making a little funny. This is right on, though.
It seems that (some) big payroll teams have more trouble with the fundamental stuff. That is a problem when the team is scuffling. D can’t bail you out, no one knows (or is willing) how to bunt to mover some runners, etc. etc. The game last night showed that. The middle of the order not hitting = no offense and no ability to generate some.
The Marlins payroll is a little over a 1/3 of the Cubs. They are taking extra bases and stealing home on hustle plays. The Cubs just can’t do that.
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
by BleedsbluinMI on May 11, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Right with you
I’ve posted some pretty asinine comments on certain things before….they are what they are. Some are more fueled by emotion, some aren’t….they don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things either way.
I really think it’s come to the point that the teams that win are teams whose players stay responsible to their occupations for longer preiods of time than the others. These guys have families and all of that and while it’s an entirely odd way of looking at things, when families get in the way of the drive and desire to play, performance suffers.
I have personally known several major league players and the random fan would be absolutely aghast at how most of these guys treat their jobs no different than anyone else treats their job, despite of the glare of the spotlight and significant bank accounts.
Every team has talent, some more than others but at the end of the day, the teams that are most successful have more players, coaches and managers who still place their occupations above all else….and it shows on the field.
"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 think....
… that’s likely any different than it was 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago, do you?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Seriously. Ditto. Rec'd.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know if anyone noticed it but...
When Castro was being intentially walked a bit earlier in the game with Soriano on second base, the Marlins pitcher ALMOST threw a wild pitch. Instead of paying attention and being ready to take third, Sori was standing on second joking around with Hanley Ramirez. That also needs to stop.
I like what you said here about the team krummy.
But Castro made a mental mistake as you said, what is the point of booing him for that? You really imagine after the game he didn’t realize it was a bad mistake without the booing? I’d agree he has a lot of bad examples to learn from, but booing a player for mental mistakes that has zero experience and is 20 is pointless. He will be told by Trammell and Lou what he did wrong. You’re just putting more pressure on a kid. He’s hustling out there, and he’s surely willing to break a sweat.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh man.... that last sentence is unbelievably harsh...
…and sadly enough, appears to be true.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
With three errors?
You dream, sir. He took a match to the slack in that rope.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I was referring to last night
specifically. You make three errors, and you’re gonna get booed.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 7:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Again...
… booing should be reserved for lack of effort. On that last one, there was lack of effort — but I doubt you will see that again.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Could be people are booing the decision...
…. to call him up in the first place.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Says you....
I’ll say it again; I personally found it – as with most booing – in poor taste, but I’m going to let fans be fans how they want to be fans.
So to all of you who blew a few C-notes to come out to the ballpark on a cold Monday night, in the hopes of a win (or at least some competitive baseball), and got this instead, I understand your frustration if you booed.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions
As I've always said here: Fans are booing the play, not the player.
The team deserves to be booed, as Castro was last night. If the team improves, fans won’t boo anymore. Fans are paying to see major league baseball, not the Bad News Bears.
I’d rather hear fans boo in the current situation because it shows me they care. Winning will take care of it. I wouldn’t make much more of it.
by Fraggin Judge on May 11, 2010 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Booing Effort
Or lack thereof is always acceptable, in my estimation. If Castro is the player we think he is, he’ll accept it, redirect it positively and not make the same mistake again.
As for whether or not he’s ready, that question is irrelevant as this team is going nowhere fast. Sell off and get the house in order.
getting ridiculous
It’s almost as if Cub fans want to see failure. What ever happened to trying to positively influence what is happening on the field, (home field advantage) instead of sitting back and waiting for a chance to strike out against the home team. Cub fans (we) are becoming toxic and its going to start hurting the Cubs performance if it hasn’t already.
Ron,
no disrespect, but professional sports arenas are among the most toxic environments for a psyche in existence. That’s just life as a pro, especially in a larger market. The Cubs fans don’t have a lock on this behavior, and I wouldn’t even rank them as in the Top 10 of the worst. And I say this as someone who has frequented more than my fair share of venues.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions
And if I might add...
most of the teams that I would rank in the Top 10 are quite successful.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Been to soccer venues in Europe? Or South America?
Not exactly nurturing environments there
"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
I know it's just a SBNation username
But that comment seems ironic coming from Ron Swanson
Irony
Ha! Indeed it does sound odd coming from Ron Swanson.
I agree that Cub fans don’t have a lock on it. The suggestion of a top ten is subjective of course but there would also be a subjective top ten professional sports environments where the home crowd is more supportive and perhaps positively influences the product on the field.
And I might get signed by the Cubs at the next Fantasy Camp....
….After I lose weight and learn how to hit a curve and lose 30 years.
There’s more to being able to handle the bigs besides being naturally, physically gifted. This kid is only 20, and the odds are great that mentally and emotionally, Castro is not at all ready for what he’s been thrust into here. I’d say Soriano might recognize this, which is why he’s having the kid stay with him. He tried to take Pie under his wing, too. A kid that grows up in the inner city is much more able to handle the bigs than a sheltered, unexposed kid like Castro. While many of them CAN handle it, just as many can’t. IMO, it’s wholly unrealistic to expect any kind of success from him at this stage, no matter what his physical gifts, until mentally and emotionally he’s allowed to develop as well.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Huh?
I mght actually believe this tripe about handling pressure when you can show me how it is more difficult fielding a routine ground ball and throwing it to 1B on a line in Chicago as opposed to Daytona or anywhere else along the minor league line. The first two erros were throwing errors because of poor footwork, nothing more. The last error was a tough one and the laziness that followed was more egregious than any of them.
Not one of those errors was made because of some nonsensical pressure-related issue. If this kid feels pressure, its is strictly self-induced, in which case the Cubs have far more problems with him than merely his footwork at SS.
"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
Easy, tiger
Think about it. A 20 year old kid from the Dominican is nowhere near ready to handle the type of pressure thrust upon them at the major league level. Physically, maybe. Dealing with the pressure and frustration from failing at that level? Rare is the 20 year old Dominican who can do it.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on May 11, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Come on man
You’re making the uneducated assumptions that Castro has never been in a pressure situation on the baseball diamond. Here’s a couple of hints….MLB is not the only high-level league foreign-born players have played in. Secondly, playing for one’s country at any level might actually mena more to some of these guys than MLB does…despite what an American might think.
FAct of the matter is, the pressure argument is nonsense on many levels.
"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
You're still not getting the argument
I’ll put it plainly- the kid is very likely an unsophisticated young 20 year old, incapable of handling much of anything besides a baseball. He signed when he was 16, so I doubt high school entered the picture for him much of the time. He’s a babe in the woods in just about every respect.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Agree 100 % that
20 yrs old is very young to be thrust into a MLB clubhouse . Then take into account that the team has alot of problems . Gotta give Fonzie credit for helping the kid out . At the time I thought it was the wrong call up . The fans have to understand the kid is not in a good situation .
I was at the game last night.
I did not hear ANY booing of Castro at all. As a matter of fact, I heard the reverse. When he came up for his last at bat, there were lots of people cheering him on. Maybe we are just nicer in the upper deck than you bleacher folks. :P j/k
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
We'll find out Saturday katie! Our seats are in the upper deck this time...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
I'll bet those in the upper deck are more sober than in the bleachers ;-)
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Based on my first hand observation, yes...but
silly, inebriated behavior knows no section limits…
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Have fun!
Too bad I have a show this weekend. Wish I was going to be up there with you guys.
Going again tonight though. This time it’s terrace res’d. Not usually down there so I don’t know how those folks behave. However, I’ll probably be one of the inebriated ones this time. We are being schmoozed as clients so the beer will be free. :)
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
Aw, I was hoping we'd see each other.
No worries. We’re coming in for the June 30 and July 1 games. Will you be there?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Dagnabit, no.
We got June 19th and July 4th. We are splitting season tickets 4 ways. Got about 16 nights and weekends. After last night though, I realized we were pretty crazy for doing so. We just live too far. Left at 2:30pm and didn’t get home til midnight. I’m beat.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
Only because it takes the beer guy longer to get to the upper deck
"The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing."
Dizzy Dean
That is the point
he isn’t ready. I didn’t like the call-up then or now. One of his issues in the minors was he wasn’t consistent on defense. All the people that said he was ready, where are you now?
It was panic move number 2 from Jim and Lou. Zambrano to the pen was panic move number 1. I can hardly wait for number 3.
by rlpete on May 11, 2010 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
The Z move....
…. didn’t bother nearly as much as calling up Castro. Calling him up was wrong, period.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
The Z move bothers me more than it did at the time
Because they are actually botching it worse than I thought they would. I wasn’t remotely a fan of that decision, but I was willing to give it a shot. But the guy with arguably the best stuff on the team has thrown 7.1 innings since that move. This team is just very poorly run
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
That's a standard shot at Lou
That he doesn’t know how to manage a bullpen. It also happens to be one with which I agree. How he’s using Z now that he’s in purgatory is another example.
"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
Agree completely that castro was a panic move...
…which is as good an indication as any that Jim Hendry has lost whatever gravitas he once had as GM. At this point he’s desperately doing whatever he can to save his job-even at the risk of sseverely retarding the progress of our #1 prospect.
I’m on record as having been dead set against calling Castro up but, now that he’s here, I’d just as soon they let him play and figure things out. Ping poning him back and forth between the majors and AAA could be a recipe for disaster.
by bluekoolaide on May 11, 2010 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree that he should stay now that he's here.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 11, 2010 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree with both of you
It would be great to see a Cub prospect actually turn in to a star. At this point he deserves a LOT of rope. I would have loved to see him season some more.
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
He may be ready...
…and he may not be, but I do agree Hendry is in scramble mode like he never has been before.
He just stated publicly you woudn’t see Castro for a while, and then boom, here he is.
I just wonder what Ricketts is thinking right now.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
This is rich, coming from the same fan base
that whined all last season about Lou/Hendry not making moves fast enough (like pulling Gregg out of the closer’s role.)
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I get that nuance isn't something you're real familiar with
but wanting the CORRECT moves made faster doesn’t actually mean we’re going to be for EVERY move the team makes, no matter the situation.
That’s not how life works
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
And of course, you know
all the correct moves to make, since you’re part of MLB management. Oh, wait …
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
and of course, you know
how to always be right every godddam time someone says something you happen to disagree with.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
and of course that isn't even remotely what I said
but by all means, keep arguing a completely different point when someone pokes a hole in your nonsensical comments
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Has a reporter tried...
Standing about 60’6" away from A-Ram in a press conference and holding up fingers to see if he can see or if he squints? Might be a good call out there.
And when fights in the bleachers draw more attention than the game on the field does, you know it’s bad.
by cj100683 on May 11, 2010 7:38 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Was there a fight in the bleachers last night?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Castro's arm
What blew me away was his 4th rough play that wasn’t an error. He slipped at the edge of the outfield grass and basically from his knees/seat threw nicely to D-Lee. Granted, that throw should not be made, but, it did show his impressive arm.
Eamus Ursuli!
Like Shawon Dunston
Dunston was a very young shortstop with the Cubs with a great arm, who got sent down in the middle of the 1985 season after beginning that year with the Cubs. It’s too early to tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Castro got sent back down between now and September 1. We still have a small sample size with Castro. Heck, he looked like Ernie Banks in his first game.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I saw that.
and said “Theriot can’t make that throw to 2b, much less 1st.”
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on May 11, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Great great play
Had the baserunner not been a speedster it would have been a webgem
by cubsonWGN4ever on May 11, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the booing is a hustle issue...
It doesn’t matter what player – and for what team. All baseball fans want to see is 100% effort and hustle. It doesn’t matter if it’s Soriano jogging to first because he thinks he’s hit a 500 foot HR – but the ball is off the wall – or Castro who was clearly walking after the ball while the runner hustled into second. It really rubs old school baseball fans the wrong way – and booing is an effective way to immediately express that displeasure.
That specific play didn’t come back to hurt the Cubs, but I’m sure Marlins fans were thrilled to see Hanley Ramirez hustling and taking the extra base. That’s what fans want to see….
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Old school or not
He needs to take off for that ball. Granted he was really shaken, the best thing to do is get the ball in your hands and to the pitcher, and get the runner on the next one. Bad hustle your right. I dont care how good you are you can hustle. It reminds me of being taught to hustle through first base on every hit, which is something Castro needs to know as a rookie
I'm all for cutting Castro some slack.
I don’t expect him to keep making these types of mistakes. With that said, you have to put a big part of the blame on him. One of the runs was because of him. And Lilly lost his rhythm because Castro kept making errors.
To not score runs is unacceptable. But when you are not scoring runs, you have to play defense.
Disagree in part
So Lilly’s continued ability to hold runners on, particularly runners on 2B, had to do with Castro’s errors? I disagree.
"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 went out with friends last night.
I didn’t check the score of the game on my phone and didn’t see the final score until around 11.
This is a maneuver I plan on using a lot more in the coming weeks and months. Instead of being pissed off at another failure by this nucleus to score runs — a way that I’ve felt since April 2009 — I’m in a pretty good mood this morning.
I’m not a fair-weather fan. I enjoyed watching the ‘06 team down the stretch more than this. I have tickets to one more Cubs game this year (Memorial Day weekend against St. Louis), and I don’t plan on going to more games at Wrigley. I went to about a dozen in each of the past two years.
Frankly, I’ve gone past anger and frustration with this team to apathy.
I enjoyed watching the ‘06 team down the stretch more than this.
Seriously? That was the worst Cubs team in my lifetime.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This team could rival that one
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
How so?
A couple injuries to the starting pitching and it could happen.
Recent memory? Yes.
Lifetime? Doubtful. Those early 80s teams made the ’06 team look like World Series champs.
The 1980 and 1981 teams were pretty awful.
But the 2006 team… pretty close to that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
End of 1979 Through First Half of 1982
That was a truly awful time for the Cubs.
August 31, 1979 – July 5, 1982: 142 – 237
That includes the last 32 games of 1979, all of 1980, all of the strike-shortened season 1981 season, and the first 82 games of 1982.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Seriously.
The ‘06 team late in the year was a glimpse of the future. It’s strange to say it now, but I never missed a Rich Hill start from July to the end of the season.
Yeah, that team was bad. But at least it wasn’t filled with a bunch of high-priced veterans who can’t execute. That’s what I’m sick of.
by elgato on May 11, 2010 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think there comes a point
that watching a losing team is much more fun than watching a mediocre team. The mediocre ones keeps lifting your hopes only to dash them. With a losing team you don’t expect anything, so you can just watch without the heartbreak. This team this year is painful to watch because they aren’t playing up to their capability.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
exactly
couldn’t put my finger on how i feel about this team, but you’ve summed it up exactly.
Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off... the right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases. ~Rick Maksian
by Corner of Clark on May 11, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
This team is building up to hurt more than last year because we don’t have, to look to for blame/reason for poor performance.
The guys are just not playing well enough to win games. Outside of the pen, I wouldn’t think that looking at this team we would perform at the level we are at now, and that coupled with trying to figure out the short term and long term plans for the team make this very frustrating.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
I didnt mind watching them either
Rich Hill was a fun pitcher that year to watch. Greg Maddux was having a resurgence in April. You knew they weren’t winning anything but the team also didn’t seem as miserable as they have been in 2009 and 2010.
It was WITHOUT A DOUBT the worst professional sports season I've ever followed.
And I watched just about every game. That team was beyond horrible, Maddux wasn’t the same after April, and Rich Freakin’ Hill was the only enjoyable aspect. I pray we never reach that level of suckitude again.
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
It was bad
But the vibe was different than this year.
In 2010 we know our team is capable of so much more…yet they just don’t perform.
2000 Cubs stunk out loud, too
By this time that year I completely lost interest, save for reading the box scores every morning.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
It's worse when only 3,000 people show up at Wrigley
like the games in the late 70s with those horrendous teams back then. Nowadays there are more people at the park (and on blogs) to share your sorrow with so some of the angst is softened.
I'm not sure more people soften the angst
I think it might just multiply it and intensify it.
If only 3,000 people show up, it’s just apathy more than anything else.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Cut him some slack, he's 19!
He’ll bounce back. I think he’s a winner. He didn’t cost us the game, and if he did so what? He’ll win many games for us in the future.
Sorry, you're right.
The older I get the younger 20 seems to me. You still have a lot to learn at 20. You may be considered an adult, but maturing takes time and some errors will be made.
20 IS very young
and whether 19 or 20, Castro has a LOT of maturing to do. That he’s being asked to do it now in front of 35,000 people every night is likely something he’s going to find hard to do.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
One more thing I left out of the recap.
The umpiring last night was horrendous.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think that complaining about the umps
is equal to booing.
How so?
They need to do their jobs. It’s another reason we need replay.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So fans express their displeasure when
either one doesn’t do their jobs. Last night, the umpires did their job better than the Cubs.
The players are on the field to determine the outcome and get paid for that.
The umpires are on the field to call the plays as they happen correctly, and they get paid for that. Once the umpires start to determine the outcomes of games, they are doing a terrible job.
It’s apples and oranges, you’re simply wrong here.
by bdlugz on May 11, 2010 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Agreed.
Just look at the NFL referees, they are starting to affect the outcomes of close games.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
They didn't determine the outcome of this game.
The Cubs’ sucky play and the Marlins’ heads-up play determined the outcome of this game.
Way to completely miss the point, but whatever.
If any umpire is making bad calls, it changes the entire outlook of the game. Derrek Lee had the out at first yet the runner was called safe. Now instead of no one on 2 outs, they have a runner on 1st with 1 out. You think that doesn’t change the way Lilly pitches to the next guy? Or how many innings he can go?
Like I said before, you’re just wrong here.
what?
Official El-Presidente of the Unofficial Little Castro Blocker Fan Club
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Every time we tried to see a replay on the TV's
they would cut to that stupid old guy at Great America commercial. It was rather annoying. I don’t think they wanted us to see how bad the ump’s decisions were.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 11, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Early 60's
I go back to 1960. The ’62 & ’66 teams were pretty bad, but at least they had Billy, Ron, and Ernie on them.
"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields
Think of it this way
Castro cannot even legally drink alcohol, and he has hit a home run in the major leagues and a 6 RBI game. That may not be a big deal to you but three errors is not going to change my view of him. In my mind he is comprable to Jason Heyward, and now since Castro has had his first bad game, he will be able to bounce back in my mind. Give him some major leaue experience, at the end of the year i think we’ll be looking at a .300 average.
Just my opinion
Yes
I tend to be that way with younger players. But with the Cubs i feel i need to be optimistic, and this guy has a good future as a Franchise player with the Cubs. I hope he becomes somewhat of a Derek Jeter type guy, except I despise the Yankees
No .300 AVG in 2010
I think he can hit .300 in 2011. My guess is he’ll hit .270 in 2010.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Only saw the highlights of the game
but when I saw the 3rd error (and what happened after) I wondered how the crowd reacted. Can’t say I was surprised that he got booed for lollygagging to get the ball. I chalk it up to a rookie mistake made by a frustrated kid. Glad to hear Lou talked to him about it after the game, and from what I’ve read I doubt we’ll see that happen again. Can’t say I’m crazy to hear that Castro’s crashing at Soriano’s place though; I haven’t heard that Sori’s been the best of influences on young players.
Here we go again
What bad influences has Soriano imparted on other players? Every indication is that Soriano is a good teammate.
The thing I've heard that concerns me
is Sori’s love of the Wrigleyville nightlife. I assume since he’s a vet he knows himself well enough to know what he can get away with and still be able to perform his best for the next game. Not so sure that the young guys he’s taken under his wing can say the same and that can’t help their development. I don’t doubt that the other players like Sori, he seems nice enough. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the best person to be taking the young players under his wing is all.
I love the Wrigley nightlife too
But that doesn’t mean I can’t help other people. This is a lame argument – and pretty damned accusatory.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
by StevenABQ on May 11, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
agreed and rec'd
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Eh... professional athletes and their love of nightlife isn't new or unique to Soriano.
When it becomes a problem, it’ll get attention. Until then, no reason to concern ourselves with it.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Its good of Lou to show leadership and get on the kid for lack of hustle!
Starlin needs to know you have to be an experienced player like ARam and Soriano to get away with not hustling. Lou knows this and I am sure he let him know.
I'm tired of losing this way.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on May 11, 2010 8:20 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm tired of losing any way.
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
by Schwa on May 11, 2010 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
Hey!!!
Maybe the Cubs can’t get the first over all pick next year, wwwwweeeeeee!!!!!
All this buttoning and unbuttoning
I don't like booing the kid and I wasn't there.
It sounds like the booing was limited to the play when he allowed the extra base by not getting to the ball quickly after the error. This makes it much less a problem for me. We are all bemoaning getting out-hustled and the lack of fundamentals. I believe it was explained very clearly to him after the game why it happened – that should leave a mark and stop it from happening again.
It is disappointing to see the new kid up from the minors already pulling this. I hope it was an isolated incident, and the occasional loafing by his more senior teammates does not rub off. You would think the kid would be hustling after everything, let alone after already having several errors. Trammel – get on this and fix it, let’s not ruin this guy.
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
I like the way this article puts it
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AhSZgN4SX3RMY4ZTsy55o4MRvLYF?slug=jp-tendegrees051010
they put it in good perspective, and everyone talking about we need to develop within, this shows the Cubs really made a good choice here, and HOPEFULLY (probably not) will be headed in this direction with more players
If we paid attention to Josh77's minor league reports
We’d all know that this what Castro does. He’s been an error machine. According to The Baseball Cube, he had 32 errors in 90 games for Daytona before he was brought up for the end of the season Southern League playoffs. For Tennessee, he had 7 errors in 29 games. Starlin will be a good player for the Cubs for a long time if he can fix this little thing he’s been known for since he started moving up the ladder.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
HOLY GOD
32 errors in 90 games? That simply has to be a misprint. If it isn’t then the kid has an iron glove and shouldn’t be playing shortstop at all.
For christ’s sake.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
It's not a misprint
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=castro001sta
The kid committed 63 errors in 224 minor league games.
Some chalked it up to bad infields in the minors. However, I think it’s fair to at least entertain the possibility that the kid is just very inconsistent defensively at this point in his career.
I'm not sure inconsistent is the right word.
He might have been ready with the bat, he clearly wasn’t ready with the glove, Jesus christ what a clusterf&*(& this team is
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
This is why I was saying it wasn't a sure thing that he'd improve the defense...
it’s possible that the errors were evidence of bad infields in the minors. It’s also possible that the kid just isn’t yet ready defensively.
I don’t question the tools the kid has. But defense is not just a matter of tools. It’s also a matter of focus/execution.
every other team is playing on the same infields
were other shortstops committing 32 freaking errors? That seems like an insanely high amount for 90 games
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
It does seem like a lot of errors...
it definitely seemed like the kid had error issues in the minors, and it appears that this is carrying over to the majors. Hopefully, he cuts down on those error issues with more experience.
I saw that after I posted it.
I guess it’s not insanely uncommon. Though I didn’t see, were those error numbers the years right before their call-up, or were those error numbers worked on and reduced before they were called up.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Both Jeter and Hanley were called up at a very young age.
I’m sure their error numbers looked pretty similar before they were called up.
looks like you were incorrect.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
So 30 errors is okay?!
You’re seriously going to argue that if Castro had 29 or 30 errors last year you’d say, “oh, well then, he was certainly ready.”
The one who was wrong is you, for claiming he has an iron glove and is not fit to play shortstop. Let’s leave the scouting up to the professionals, who say Castro will have an above average glove and a plus arm at SS through his arb years at least.
Jeter stayed in the minors for two more years...
he had 25 errors in 1994 in 138 games, and 29 errors in 123 games in 1995. In 1996 with the Yankees, he had 22 errors in 157 games. So yes, he greatly cut down his errors before he came to the big leagues.
Ramirez followed up his 22 error season with 19 errors in 115 games. And then he had 26 errors in 154 games as a rookie in MLB. So again, his error rate translated similarly to the big leagues by the time he was called up.
They were not the seasons right before call-up
Hence my comment that Castro wasn’t ready for call-up.
and I agree that he shouldn't have been
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions
IMHO I'm starting to think Castro was called up just to sell tickets
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
of course he was
The middle infield, while not great defensively, was doing fine offensively. Clearly Castro is not actually a defensive upgrade at this point in his career, so that wasn’t the reason.
The reason for calling him up was to divert attention away from this trainwreck Jim and Lou are helming.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
That's what I thought.
Cynical person that I am, I thought that he was brought up as a spark for the fans rather than a spark for winning.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 11, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
They'd have a place for
Soriano, Nady, & Colvin. Castro would still be pulling out a glove.
may addition by subtraction be real
As a 19 yo,
Derek Jeter made 56 in 126 games and Hanley Ramirez made 45 in 98 games.
High error rates aren’t always indicative of whether they player can remain at SS. In Castro’s case, it just isn’t ready. I didn’t like the move when it happened but Jim and Lou are in panic mode.
C'mon
Even Hank Aaron had 42 errors!
Its common knowledge ask Ogilvie!
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Returning to the Lou theme
I think he left in both Dempster and Lilly long enough to lose. And why let Lilly hit in the bottom of the 6th? In the next inning the Marlins pinch hit for Robertson with two out and got him the win.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
No leaving Lilly was NOT a mistake
He was cruising on a very low pitch count. It is one thing not to pull a clearly struggling pitcher but another thing entirely to pull a guy who is pitching great AND you have the lead.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Still coming off an injury, as far as I'm concerned.
Maybe he needed a low pitch count game, and the Cubs certainly needed a hitter to come up with the bases loaded and two out. They need all the runs they can get as this entire season has demonstrated. Two runs wasn’t going to, and didn’t, win it.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 11, 2010 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions
So you pull a pitcher who had not given up a single earened run
and had thrown I think about 70 pitches on the off chance someone from the Cubs bench gets a two out hit. Then you get to go to the Cubs bullpen for 3 more innings. I am more than happy to question Lou’s moves but this one was totally correct.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I still think the Cubs needed the runs.
Robertson wasn’t looking too bad either and after pitching six the Marlins pulled him for a pinch hitter, at that point also with a one-run lead, and got themselves into a situation where they scored another run for a two-run lead. So the Cubs decide to go with the pitcher and blow it, while the Marlins go for more runs and win it.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 11, 2010 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Robertson had the lead at that point, had only thrown 86 pitches, 51 for strikes.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 11, 2010 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
So it comes down to the Cubs don't trust their bench
to get a clutch pinch hit, don’t trust their bullpen, but trust that they’ll hold a one-run lead? I still say you gotta go for the runs when you have the chance. You don’t let a pitcher who’s hitting, what? .000 with 3 whiffs in 8 PA come to the plate in the 6th inning with the bases loaded.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 11, 2010 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
It comes down to not pulling a pitcher throwing a great game in the 6th inning when you have the lead
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd agree if that was the only consideration, but it wasn't.
Lilly was an almost guaranteed out late in a one-run game with the bags loaded.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 11, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
+1 billion
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree, Jess
If a pitcher is pitching the way Lilly was, you don’t take him out.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
not to be a smart-a$$ but isnt that why we have Marshall and Z in the pen
so we can use them in that kind of situation? I know Lilly was pitching well but we’re not getting runs very easily these days and PH for him seemed right, especially since this was the 2nd time we had bases loaded and our pitcher up.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
ding ding ding
give the lovely lady a prize
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
If you're behind
maybe you consider making that move.
If you’re ahead? Absolutely not. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a manager who would.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, not 'maybe consider'
You do make it. Not with a lead.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Also, how many innings did Robertson throw less than 10 pitches?
The Cubs were way too aggressive with the bats, IMO. Alot of first pitch groundouts. They let Robertson off with like 5 pitches in the first inning. Ya gotta do better than that.
Especially Theriot’s lead-off first pitch swing. I always believe you see if this guys is going to be off his game at the start… see what he’s throwing tonight. Take as many pitches as you can. He might be wild and you can open up a big inning till he settles in.
by RMRZisMYmanCRUSH on May 11, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs went down on FIVE PITCHES IN THE FIRST INNING
That was pretty much the game for me. I got excited when they got a whole one run lead but a five pitch first inning shows you how lacking in fundamentals this team is.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
and in 7 pitches in the 2nd!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, at least we can't say they've tuned out Lou
“You hit your way out of a slump!” Trouble is, hacking isn’t hitting.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
First 11 batters saw a total of...
21 pitches. IIRC.
I’d hope for a little better plan going into an at bat. Especially from the game’s leadoff hitter.
by BringBackRyno on May 11, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I could have sworn Lou claimed he was going to stress the fundamentals
when he came here.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
No it wasn't
And it’s the same sort of move that has cost us a few other games this season. We needed runs. Allowing the pitcher to bat with the bases loaded in the sixth inning was laughably stupid.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Really?
Find a game where we should have pulled a pitcher in the 6th inning who had not given up an earned run and was on low pitch count when they had the lead and there were two out.?
It is not like I am a big supporter of Lou’s moves
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Like Al says, DS, we don't often agree but on this one we do.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Lou is trying to get fired
That’s what it seems like he’s doing.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
It's seemed that way since last season
Some of you just wouldn’t admit it
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
If it were me...
I would just negotiate a buy out and walk away on my own terms. I wouldn’t drag things on like this if I wanted out.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
its might be dragging on because of his reputation, how do you get rid of a guy like Lou Piniella?
no seriously!?!?
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Pay me some money to work for the Cubs for a day and I'd do it for them
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
you go into his office, and say,
“Lou, thanks for your effort, but it isn’t working. Resign, or be fired, it’s your choice. You aint got to go home, but you can’t stay here”
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
♪♫ How do you solve a problem like Piniella... ♪♫
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Look ♪♫ I'd like to say a word in his behalf
Piniella makes me laugh. ♫♪
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 11, 2010 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Troubles off the field?
Has there been any word of an illness in Lou’s family, similar to what Ryan Dempster and Derrek Lee went through with their kids?
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
No, Lou is simply a moron
let’s not try and find reasons beyond the simplest ones.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Lou isn't a moron
That is too offensive to other morons to group Lou in with them.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
In Lou I see a guy who's not used to losing
but on the other hand lacks the skills and resources to stop it. That would explain a lot of the baffling in-game moves and comments.
Or, he’s just a moron. :-p
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
then he should get a brain
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
If I'm that guy in the "morans" picture-meme
I wouldn’t know whether or not to revel in the infamy.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
mentally inept?
is that a better term? I certainly didn’t want to offend the morons out there :)
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Works for me
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Oh please. If you want to get on Lou (valid at this point) at least try to make a worthwhile argument.
Lou Pinella:
* All-Star selection (1972)
* 3× World Series champion (1977, 1978, 1990)
* 1969 AL Rookie of the Year
* 2× AL Manager of the Year (1995, 2001)
* 2008 NL Manager of the Year
The dude has a World Series and 6 Divisional Titles. He may be old, tired, indifferent, any number of things you could make a valid argument for. But he certainly isn’t a moron.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed Andrew.
I understand fans’ frustration with Lou beyond and sometimes including individual performance of the team, but bashing him for being ignorant or a moron is not only disrespectful, it’s disingenious.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Consider the sources
of that particular criticism.
That said, Lou is not above being questioned.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Perhaps calling him a moron is a bad "president" to set
can I say his moves have been moronic, or are you going to quote more stats that have no bearing on the current situation?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Thank you Captain Grammar!
It should be noted that you failed to use sufficient punctuation and capitalization in your post. Perhaps we should all mock you thusly!
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Technically, that wasn't incorrect grammar I was pointing out to you
that was using the completely wrong word
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I hit the "s" button instead of the "c". I'm pretty sure my general point was still communicated.
The humor of somebody picking on simple grammar mistakes on a message board will never subside. We are talking about the Cubs here, not writing our senor thesis.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Uh oh, i misspelled "senior".
Quick everybody! Point and laugh!
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
not to worry - you were just having a senor moment...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Whats more...
… if you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend that Lou’s history of being honored as a good manager and baseball man has no bearing on his “moron” status, so be it.
I don’t debate its time for him to move on. But not because he is a moron.
Thanks for playing.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Keep playing semantics if you want about the word choice
The stats you quoted have no bearing on whether or not he is a good manager RIGHT NOW.
That’s why I said they had no bearing on the current situation. I could care less if you agree with my characterization of the man.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
The stats show that he has a history of being a capable manager.
I find it unfathomable that he made it this far, that he’d have so much respect around baseball, if he was, in fact, a moron.
Chances are, he’s tired. Checked out. Frustrated. Any number of things that quite reasonably explain his failures of this and last season.
It isn’t an issue of semantics, its an issue of stating things in a reasonable manner. Its an issue of perspective.
I suppose i should consider the source before i head down that road, though. You did just mock me for a typo, after all.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he's a moron
I just think he’s old and done.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Again to me batting Nady cleanup is the FU thing
That is simply mind boggling. Soto, Soriano, Byrd even Castro might have been better choices.
In any event when you take 12 pitches in two innings there needs to be some kind of closed door tirade.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
On this we agree
Batting a guy who is hitting under.200 in between two guys flirting with, and well below the Mendoza line is simply inexplicable
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Your obsession on this is getting unhealthy.
Do you really think batting Nady cleanup is the reason for all the failures?
I think I liked it better when you were obsessing about ticket sales.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Do you really think batting a guy who is sub .200 in the cleanup spot
is a GOOD idea? Especially when our 3 and 5 guys are epically failing right now?
You going after Jessica every time she mentions Nady is also a bit unhealthy
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Only because she keeps harping on this as a major cause of the team failure.
Which it is not.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
but she WASN'T harping on it this time
She was pointing out what was an incredibly stupid decision. And it’s yet another incredibly stupid decision that Lou repeats often. Nady in the cleanup spot, means that the odds of the middle of our order actually producing actually go down.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Al as I have told you many times it is a symptom of the failure
or I said Lou’s FU moment. It shows he just does not care a rat’s ass. I posted several days ago what I would do to fix it, flip Z & Get A-Ram either on the DL( I am still hoping something is physically wrong) or at the VERY least start sitting him preferably for Tracy who should be brought back, find a way to get Nady on the DL and bring up Fuld ( yes Al there it is again but why would anyone want a guy who has 11 walks to 2Ks) and get Colvin more starts.
Seriously batting Nady clean up is the same as batting A-Ram clean up and while the batting order is not that big a deal it says volumes about Lou’s managing.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
OOPS I meant flip Z with Silva
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Who's gonna flip Z - have you seen how big he is?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Silva is bigger
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
TWSS
Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin
by Schwa on May 11, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not that exact move, but I specifically remember where he has made poor pinch hitting decisions
I don’t remember exactly what game it was, but it was in the fourth or fifth inning, and Soto had just hit a double to reach second with one out. Lou pinch hit for the pitcher with CARLOS ZAMBRANO. Who promptly failed, we didn’t score and lost the game by a run or two.
This offense is not good. You cannot cede runs when you actually have a chance to score. A good manager would have pinch hit for Lilly, then gone to Zambrano for two innings, and Marmol for the 9th.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Sadly this is Lou's idea of creative managing
God bless him, but the man simply isn’t a sharp tactician.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Oh he has made a TON of poor pitching decisions
This was just not one of them
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
well, you and I clearly disagree
The decision was beyond idiotic
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
this is a lose-lose situation for lou
he kept him in because he was cruising and crapped out
if lou put in marshall and z and they blew it you would want his head
i still think lou should go, though
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
can't believe I'm arguing about this
Lilly had given up one damn hit and was in control of the game. He had thrown around 70 pitches and the teams bullpen sucks. Sorry, but you don’t pull the damn starter.
It's second guessing
And it’s weak.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on May 11, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
No it's not
It isn’t always second guessing. I don’t care how many pitches Lilly had thrown at that point. When he didn’t pinch hit for Lilly with the bases loaded in the sixth I was SCREAMING at the television long before Lilly was retired.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Alright, I have no reason not to believe you
But had they done so, and that horsehit bullpen given it up, would you have said that Piniella made the right move?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on May 11, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
depends on what his moves were when the "horseshit bullpen" was brought in
but as far as pinch hitting for Lilly, yes I still would have said that was the correct move no matter what the bullpen did after
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Shouting doesn't make your point more valid, it only makes it look wrong.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
huh?
Sorry, but anyone who honestly believes that a pitcher throwing a one hitter, with the lead, a pitch count around 70 and one of the worst set-up corps in the sports should have been lifted after six innings is out of their mind.
by dmlichte on May 11, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Very well said.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
My point as you certainly understood was only that shouting doesn't make your point better.
You want to argue so much you respond by saying something completely irrelevant to what I said.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
and I don't "want to argue"
I don’t want to argue at all… I want people to think a bit and not be irrational and take every opportunity to criticize.
Good post
Succinct and on target.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
you don't care what the result was?
So we pinch hit for Lilly, the pinch hitter hits a grand slam, the bullpen records out, and we win the game. The move was still wrong?
And I’M being idiotic?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Or the pinch hitter makes an out
and the bullpen blows the lead.
Or the pinch hitter makes an out, the bullpen HOLDS the lead, and the Cubs win, anyway.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Its really easy..
… to live on the road not traveled. You nor I have no idea what would have happened had Piniella lifted Lilly. What I can guarantee you with 100% certainty is that had Piniella done so and the bullpen had blown the lead (which they have done very well this year), the bulk of BCB posters would have wanted to lynch him and Al’s game summary would have started with “Lou, once again, this one is on you”. So I guess I should be happy that only a few people are blaming yesterday’s game on Lou .
Saying that Lou should have lifted a starter, with the lead, with a pitch count of 70, having surrendered one run on one hit is idiotic.
by dmlichte on May 11, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah cuz Lou probably would have lifted Lilly and put in Grabow...hehehe just kidding (sort of)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Highly rec'd
The pile-ons are just going to increase if this season does not take a dramatic turn for the better.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Man, Mrs. Zeke and I are coming in for our first game Saturday and I honestly don't know what we'll find when we get there.
Will the Red Line station near our hotel be finished with the remodel?
Will street vendors have been banished from around the park?
Will there be only a smoking shell of a ballpark left at Clark & Addison?
Will Lou still be managing the Cubs?
Will the team have moved to Dubuque?
Will little Timmy be rescued from the bottom of the well?
Tune in Saturday for the answers. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Holy good questions, Zeke-man!
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
by BleedsbluinMI on May 11, 2010 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Hold on. Commissioner Gordon is on the line...maybe HE has some answers for this Cubs team...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Holy losing streak, Batman!!!!!!!!!
"For the charming if somewhat curious branch of mankind known as Cub fans, spring is a sanguine time.. Every spring holds the blithe hope that perhaps this is the season in which Satan will grow weary and ease up on the headlock in which he has diabolically held Chicago's mightily struggling National League baseball team since 1908..." Lonnie Wheeler- "Bleachers"
by tommy veryzer on May 11, 2010 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Even Alfred smirks at this Cubs team...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Makes me think the Riddler has taken over at GM.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
The one and only Riddler: Frank Gorshin
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
I'm coming in this weekend. What's up with the Red LIne?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Last year the station near our hotel was under re-construction.
It was open, but lots of plywood, piles of broken concrete and hanging wires.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Can't wait for your
accurate report on Saturday . Maybe you can tell us what the he— is going on there .
Oh, man. You mean I have to pay attention now?
I’ll call ’em like I see ’em folks.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
What station?
Most of the red line / brown line stops are good to go now – Belmont and Fullerton are SO NICE. I’m almost ready to move back north.
Grand is still a mess for sure, so if you are staying in River North, watch for that.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Um, Grand maybe?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
First game of the season this Saturday too
4th Annual “Boys Day Out in Wrigley”. See you and the Mrs. at the game, Zeke!
I may have my new #14 "Zeke" jersey on! It shipped today! Yeay!
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
I disagree with Bill Simmons and others
who think it’s lame for grown men to wear personalized jerseys. Good on you Zeke!
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
I couldn't wear my other one anymore.
Ernie signed it for me in January!
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
A good friend and avid card collector...
gave me a mint 69 Topps Banks card this week. Out of the blue. I was floored and almost teared up.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I would have bawled like a baby...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Driving or the Rails ??
THe train was on time last month both way . In fact almost to the minute. Sevrice on the Blue Water is better also . Hope ya’s have a great time .
Driving. Only 3-1/2 hours for us (one way). Not too bad.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
So far the street vendors are still there.
As to your other questions…who knows?
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 11, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
"Da Shadow do..."
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
by Zeke on May 11, 2010 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
is it me
or does the winning always need to start “now”???
every recap thread feels like the Cubs last chance
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on May 11, 2010 8:38 AM CDT reply actions
Well, it better start soon...
because things are looking pretty grim right now, and the Cardinals are looking like they’re going to be tough to catch if you get too far behind. No, you can’t win a pennant in April and May, but you sure as hell can lose one.
things loooked grim in February
they look slightly more grim now
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on May 11, 2010 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Back to the roster
Ramirez technically had a hit but in fact it was an error that could not be charged to any particular player. Basically he went 0-4 with two Ks. Nady was back at clean up and while he got a nice double in 4 ABs he also ground into a double play at the key moment. How much longer can Ramirez play ever day? How many more times does Lou try Nady at clean up?
Despite the 3 errors , the game was winnable with a little more hitting. The errors only resulted in one run. I still say
they should bring Tracy back ( if Baker can’t clear waivers than too bad) and give him some starts or give them Baker or Fonty or someone OTHER than A-Ram. Give Colvin more starts.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
I agree with you here
I’d rather see more of Tracy than having both Fontenot and Baker on the bench.
You *are* still alive
I was worried that Nady batting 4th AGAIN might have finished you off.
"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
I thought that their not bringing up Fuld would have done that.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
The best thing that could happen here...
… is for Castro to get a mysterious calf injury, DL him, call up Darwin Barney to replace him, which is what should have happened in the first place if solidifying the infield was the goal here.
The Cubs tried to catch lightening in a bottle. They did, for one game, and then it got out. Castro should go to Iowa, spend time with his next MLB manager, and learn from him. THEN bring him up, if he’s ready. He’s just not ready at present.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Dead serious
The kid should never have been here in the first place.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Castro will be fine.
If he has bad nights like this more-so than the good ones, then you send him down. But Castro will be fine. He’s going to make mistakes, and that’s the risk you make with a rookie.
2010 is OUR year.
Maybe he just needs a dose of Castro-oil...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
you're basing the fact that "he'll be fine" on what exactly?
The fact that he was a freaking error machine in the minors?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
So you think he'll continue to be a error machine?
Castro has some players that can help him fine-tune his skills on the team. He’ll get better, and I say that because it’s mostly a mental thing with him.
2010 is OUR year.
considering instead of actually working with him in the minors, they called him up
and he’s continued to be an error machine, I’d say my hypothesis is based much more in reality than yours is.
Exactly what players are going to work with him to fine tune his defense? Theriot? Fontenot? Name a fundamentally sound member of the Cubs.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Alan Trammel
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Trammel hasn't improved our middle infield defense at all since he arrived
but he’s magically going to improve Castro? We’re gonna have to agree to disagree on this one
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Zeke might have been goofing with ya
The fact that the bench coach and not any of the players is the most fundamentally sound guy in the dugout doesn’t bode well.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
It's OK to disagree.
Your question was:
Name a fundamentally sound member of the Cubs.
I watched Alan play with the Tigers for 19 seasons. He’s as fundamentally sound as you can get. Now whether getting today’s multimillion dollar players to actually listen to and absorb the teaching is a whole ’nuther kettle of fish…
No, I’m not goofing, EE. Some players refuse to listen.
And do we know how much WORSE they’d be playing if Trammel wasn’t working with them on a daily basis? It could be a REAL horrow show out there without him…
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
horrow=horror
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
One other thing on Trammel.
Alan and Lou Whitaker both came up to the Tigers as 20-year olds in the late 1970s out of AA ball (Birmingham). They made errors. Lots. But they learned and grew together to the longest-tenured double play combination in MLB history. It takes time.
Unfortunately, time isn’t on the side of this edition of the Cubs.
It took Alan and Lou and the rest of the Tigers of that era 6 years to hit pay dirt in 1984. Remember 35-5?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Late 1970s Tigers = 2010 Cubs?
That I could live with and be happy. Those were transition years for the Tigers, with legendary heroes like Stanley and Horton and Hiller on the way out and future stars like Trammell, Whitaker, Morris, and Parrish making their debuts.
Would love for the same thing to happen with the Cubs – Lee and Theriot and others making graceful exits and guys like Castro, Cashner, and B. Jackson taking the stage and enjoying successful ML careers.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Yes. But remember, those were also some very ugly teams
with the likes of Tom Veryzer and Gary Sutherland at short and 2nd base. If it weren’t for Mark Fidrych, Ron LeFlore, Rusty Staub and John Hiller, it wouldn’t have been possible to stomach.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
true true
The 1976 and 1977 teams only won 74 games but there were signs of the youth movement to come: Fidrych, Rozema, Jason Thompson, and the guys I mentioned above. Sure, the Bird and Rozema and Thompson never developed into megastars, but in them you could see the tide turning. That’s what I’d like the next couple years for the Cubs to be.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Yep. And remember who the manager was: Ralph Houk
Very patient man and worked well with ‘kids’…
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Zeke - you'll love this one
I was down at ST in Florida one year, spent a lot of time at Lakeland. One day, Sweet Lou is hitting ground balls to the minor league infielders and working on their positioning. He’s trying to explain to the kids what happens when a ball hits the “seam” between grass and dirt and can take unexpected bounces. One player just doesn’t get it and gives Lou a little body language attitude.
Lou shakes his head, smiles a little and then whacks another grounder right at the kid. Dang if it doesn’t hit the seam, take a wicked hop up and glances off the kid’s chin. I look back and Lou is doubled over at the plate, cacklin’ up a storm… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I love it.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Montgomery not Birmingham
The Montgomery Rebels were affiliated with the Tigers at AA when Trammell and Whitaker were in the minors.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
You are correct. My mistake.
Not sure why I thought it was Birmingham.
Now Montgomery is/are the Biscuits, right? Tom Dixon & Sherri Myers owned?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Rebels Moved to Birmingham
The Montgomery Rebels moved to Birmingham before the 1981 season to become the modern-day Birmingham Barons.
The team, now in Montgomery, is called the Biscuits. That franchise moved to Montgomery from Orlando.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Maybe that's where my initial confusion came from.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
well, my response was in regards to Unique saying there
are PLAYERS who will help Castro improve his defense, so I guess sometimes context is key. And yes, maybe Theriot and Fontenot would be falling on their faces every time a ground ball is hit to them if Trammel wasn’t here, but this team clearly does not stress fundamentals, and I doubt it’s suddenly going to change with Castro.
For the record, I’m a huge Alan Trammel fan, and was excited when he was brought in as bench coach for just the reasons you laid out, I just think Lou’s idiocy and laisez faire attitude has permeated this club to the point where he can’t offset it anymore.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Here we agree completely.
Sometimes I think Alan must feel like the little boy with his finger in the dike.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
As much as people want to bash Theriot
he pretty much did most of the fundamental things you can do as a shortstop. His shortcomings were pretty much due to the fact that he didn’t have the talent to perform as we would like.
2010 is OUR year.
double clutching every throw is not fundamentally sound
neither is consistently being out of position
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't say he was flawless,
Theriot isn’t a gold glover by any means. SS is not a position he should of been playing.
2010 is OUR year.
no, but you said he has done pretty much everything you can ask
fundamentally of a shortstop, and that isn’t true.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think he created mistakes a lot
Because of his lack of range and noodle arm…he knew his chances were lousy on balls hit a distance from him and would over-compensate a lot as a result. It’s a lot of a chicken before egg argument.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
see above on Trammell
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
so says the fantasy team owner who snagged him early and is still riding the coattails of that 6 RBI day... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That would be me :-)
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
you're right
i can’t think of any better way to develop baseball players than have them not play
BRILLIANT!
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on May 11, 2010 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions
What part of ...
…send him to Iowa and let him learn under Sandberg says not play?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I don't think he should have been called up
I also don’t think it’s a good idea to send him back down after four games. That would be piling wrong moves on top of wrong moves. Right now you need to play him, and see what happens.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Ideally....
….if Castro was too big for AA then AAA would have been the next logical step. It’s where he should be right now. I agree, sending him downalready messes him up in the head even further. That’s why I suggested a DL trick, to fool no onebut at least some way of saving face. Of course, if this was a desperation move then by all means let him play and make all these errors, endearing him to pitchers everywhere.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I'm not worried about saving face, I'm worried about wrecking another prospect
DLing him right now is the exact same thing as simply demoting him. It’s not a remotely good idea four games into the experiment.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
you said to DL him
did you mean send him down?
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on May 11, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure that I agree...
I don’t know that sending Castro to the DL or benching him is a good alternative at this point.
I completely agree that calling Castro up was a questionable decision – certainly financially, and perhaps in terms of readiness. I think the readiness remains to be seen.
But now that the move has been made, I don’t want to see a repeat of the Felix Pie situation, in which the team was impatient with struggles from a young player and benched him – stunting his development. Don’t compound one questionable/bad decision with another one.
I've always said Castro
has been ready, IMO, offensively. His defense has been alittle shaky for a while, but he’ll be fine. He needs to calm down and make plays more relaxed, from the times I’ve seen him, and even last night — he looks like he thinks too much about the play and overthinks what he should do in any situation. Plus last night – he was more than likely nervous and Im sure that had a role to do with it
2010 is OUR year.
For the first time my thought are..
First off, I knew Castro was going to make mistakes especially defensively. He looked like a rookie, and he’s going to be great by the end of this year. That’s really not the problem, however. This team should of won this game by 3-4 runs and we are shut down again. As much as I love Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, they are really 7 and 8 hitters on a .400 winning percentage team, only hitting 3 and 4 or 5 because of their track record. Ramirez has turned into David Ortiz overnight, and I have no idea why. He is a huge talent, but it puzzles me to see such a talented hitter struggle this bad.
Marlon Byrd has done his job, for once Alfonso Soriano has pulled his weight this year. But really we can not rely on them all season. Geovany Soto has performed really, really well this season and is looking even better than 2008. It’s just the nucleus of this team that needs to be re-done. Get a new face of the franchise and I don’t mean Starlin Castro. While I think Castro will be in plenty of all-star games and will be a force, he
is too young to be looked at as the face of this franchise. Hell even A-Rod had Griffey and Randy Johnson on his team to get some of the weight off him.
What I hope is that the Cubs don’t pull any another Felix Pie and ship Castro if he struggles this year and next. I’ve said many, many times that I thought Castro’s offense was ready, but his defense is alittle shaky at times. He’s very raw, and he just needs reps and he will get better. He will.
2010 is OUR year.
Sight Seen Last night before the game
Soriano and A-Ram were doing their pregame running, and stopped to chat with Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu. They were laughing it up, as veterans do. Wish it weren’t so congenial, but that ship has sailed.
What was interesting to me was Castro joining them, shaking hands with Ramirez and Cantu (hug for Hanley), and generally acting like he has been here forever.
That is fine, but let’s make the routine play, and always hustle. H-Ram, just having hugged the guy, made him look terrible by legging his one base error into a two base error.
Steve Swisher - 1976 NL All-Star Catcher; DNP - Sparky Anderson's decision
The throwing errors on the routine plays are easily corrected. Focus.
The error in the whole against H. Ramirez I don’t really agree with. He probably wouldn’t have gotten the speedy Ramirez anyway. It is an example of the errors he will get BECAUSE of his range. Theriot never gets to that ball. He actually almost had a 4th error on the throw from his butt. He should have put it in his pocket. His Wrigley debut was as bad as his Cincy debut was great. He’s 20. He’ll learn what a grind baseball is and that he has to focus on every play.
As far as the offense goes, same game different day. Lineup should be Theriot, Fuk, Byrd, Soriano, Soto, Lee, Casto, Ramirez and pitcher.
Disagree on the third error on the Ramirez grounder...
That ball was a slowly hit ball that Castro just misplayed. It was not a display of great range. Theriot gets to that one, too. And had Ramirez not gotten to 2B on the play, maybe they don’t call the error. But by allowing the runner to get to 2B on a slowly-hit infield grounder, you have to give an error.
It was perfectly placed in a whole that Theriot has never visited.
I agree if the error was charged for the man getting to second. But I still don’t think he gets Ramirez at first.
I agree Castro doesn't get Ramirez at first...
But I completely disagree that Theriot doesn’t get to that ball. Theriot doesn’t have a chance at throwing out Ramirez, but he gets to that ball for sure. It was not a display of great range. It was hit so slowly that Castro was starting to charge the ball, for crying out loud.
The error may or may not have been called if Ramirez didn’t get to 2B (likely not an error). But it was a guarantee as soon as Ramirez got to 2B.
living with Sori??
anyone remember a guy name Felix Pie that lived with Sori??? is this a good idea?
Hence my earlier post.
Sori’s living proof one can be a good teammate and a less than stellar influence!
Yep, I missed it. My bad.
But I do recall hearing a few things on 670 the Score a few years back where they were hinting that that was pretty much what was going on. No I don’t remember exact dates and times they were talking about it, and I didn’t see anything personally as I don’t live in the area. I have gotten the impression over the years though that the Score’s guys tend to be fairly accurate with their stuff. That’s what I was referring to.
"I have gotten the impression over the years though that the Score’s guys tend to be fairly accurate with their stuff."
That’s your problem right there
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Sports radio being "accurate" is laughable
That’s not to say that blind squirrel doesn’t find a nut sometimes, but they are there for entertainment. A couple of those guys (Mully and Handley come to mind) are actual journalists but the rest are pure entertainers. Even the guys who write opinon columns are there just for the entertainment and not for the uncovering of a story.
The reason that they may have “hinted” about things is because theses guys get access to the players and and develop relationships. They know who parties and who doens’t just by hanging out with them. I’m sure that everyone knows who the partyers in their office are.
The “news” in what you wrote was that none of those guys were willing to do any in depth reporting on it and only “hinted” at “allegations”.
by jerry morales rules on May 11, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
please point out where he has influenced
ANYONE in anyway. If you don’t have actual proof that he’s a bad influence, then please STFU.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Chill out there buddy.
Asking somebody to STFU for posting their thoughts on a blog that gets thousands of comments at day is silly.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Would it make a difference...
… if I said in San Francisco a few years back, I never saw Pie and Soriano apart at the team hotel? And that after they left the restaurant, we overheard Hendry, Santo, Piniella and Sinatro talk about what a good job Soriano was doing showing him how to navigate big cities, road trips and basic things like eating after games? Because we did.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
sometimes, you really should look at your comment and wonder just how dumb it's going to look
before you hit “post”
You think Soriano was the reason Pie was cut loose? REALLY?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, come on..........
Give the guy a break- he’s trying to be a good teammate and take a kid under his wing- he doesn’t deserve crap like this
"For the charming if somewhat curious branch of mankind known as Cub fans, spring is a sanguine time.. Every spring holds the blithe hope that perhaps this is the season in which Satan will grow weary and ease up on the headlock in which he has diabolically held Chicago's mightily struggling National League baseball team since 1908..." Lonnie Wheeler- "Bleachers"
by tommy veryzer on May 11, 2010 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions
im just saying
couldnt he have stayed with the DeRosa family??
by cozmotaylor123 on May 11, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
geeeeesssh.
that was an awful game back in 89… 11 errors total… wow. Sandberg with 2 and Alomar 3.
Please don’t boo the kid… you think he doesn’t know what he did??? He’ll be alright. Should be more worried about A-Ram. Peter Gammons said, “He looks old.” He looks pretty bad, I’ll give him that.
Go Cubs. Go Irish.
"I was in awe every time I walked on to the field." -- Ryne Sandberg
"No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more, or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen." -- Ryno
He better damn well know what he did
with or without my booing
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Why is anyone surprised by the errors?
Castro had 5 errors in 26 games at AA this year before the call-up. The reports on him was that he had a strong arm and that he threw high to 1B sometimes.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
I have believed that "treadmill"
is where the team will be until Ramirez and Lee get their shit together.
The question will be just how far out of it will they be when it happens?
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on May 11, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe. Remember what Mrs. Lovell said about her boy Jim:
“If NASA could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could pilot it…”
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Are you kidding me?
“Last night, of the 38,266 announced, maybe 28,000 were in the house — and that isn’t going to increase unless the team starts winning.”
Al you have been to enough ballgames at wrigley to know better. It’s early in the season, kids are still in school and the factor of inclement weather. All of those seats are bought and paid for, that’s the great thing about the “shrine” on addison, it’s bad baseball proof and recession proof.
Ever wonder why ownership has never adopted and adhered to a specific baseball philosophy? It’s because they don’t have to, Wrigley is easy money.
I hope you're right
but as we’ve learned through recent history, attendance at Wrigley is not an indicator of wins and losses.
Had the Cubs not retooled for 2007...
… they might have seen a real decline in ticket sales, given the awful 2006 season.
Don’t assume it can’t happen again.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
4 Straight Awful Seasons Could Change Things
I don’t want a repeat of 1980-1983 in reverse order. That would hurt attendance. I mean repeat in reverse order because attendance increased in 1982 and 1983 because the Cubs weren’t as bad as they were in 1980 and 1981.
If the Cubs should have 4 straight seasons averaging over 90 losses a season, then you will have number of tickets sold, not just fannies in the seat, fall off.
I don’t see the Cubs being that bad for that long in the foreseeable future. I wouldn’t say that the Cubs are bad baseball proof.
The paid attendance may not suffer much this season, if the Cubs keep up the poor play, but the number of fannies in seats will drop off along with concession sales.
After all that has been written, it’s not time to push the panic button. The Cubs can still turn things around and make a run at the wild card, but It’s not looking like they will right now.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I'm just excited about seeing the same basic lineup that has scored 4 runs in the last two games
trotted out there again tonight. Because god forbid Lou ever actually sit ARAM or move him back down.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
or actually manage a game for that matter
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
You ever lose discussions with yourself?
I don’t.
Yes I do!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
"Quiet, I'm having a rhetorical conversation!"
- Max Bialystock
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Great game, Lou. I especially liked that move in the seventh inning when you scratched your balls for an hour
"The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing."
Dizzy Dean
Someone talk about something good instead of errors, and lack of hustle.
Lily pitched a hell of a game. There were 9 hits. C’mon there gotta be something we can salvage from this misery.
Ummm, Aramis Ramirez only struck out twice
instead of all four times
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
He hit a Skyhigh pop up that the infielders could not catch
He was only given a hit because you could not say who to charge an error to. It was not a hit.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
That wouldn't have been a home run in a phone booth
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I guess defensive indifference doesn't apply here...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Defensive confusion
“I have no idea where the hell that ball is.”
"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
Do you think the sun got in their eyes?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Lilly pitched a decent game for him.
Not “a hell of a game”. I’d say he shouldn’t have been in there to pitch to Votto, up to that point he had pitched a good game. But he earned 3 of those 4 runs solely on his own, getting snookered into a run scoring at the end was definitely his own fault. Yes it was the offense that was to blame for losing this game…but Lilly didn’t pitch a gem either. He threw the pitch for the 2 run homer even if he shouldn’t have been in there.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Good point. Paulino. Man these game sure run together with how horrible they are.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Booing
Booing Castro after he made his third error and then let the ball sit on the ground while Hanley Ramirez scooted to second base — what’s the purpose of that? It’s not going to help him; there’s no question that he realizes what he did, after Lou called him into his office for a talk after the game. I’ve linked that Paul Sullivan article because it contains this quote from Alfonso Soriano:
Way off base here, Al.
I don’t boo to provide information to a player. In fact, if a player NEEDS my booing to tell him he screwed up, I want him off the team and out of baseball.
I don’t boo to help the player. I don’t know how to help players anymore than I know how to prepare a five-star meal, play in a symphony or film a movie. That’s their job, not mine.
I boo because it’s my goddamn right as a paying fan and because I am paying to see these clowns perform and when they do not perform with effort and intelligence, they are stealing my money.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
The players don't owe you a damn thing.
You boo because you feel you’re entitled too? Last time I checked, there is no gaurantee on the ticket that says “Cubs fans gaurantee every play will be performed to your expectations.”
This is a game, and you have every right to go and watch it if you chose. You have a right to spend your money to go to the stadium, you can watch it for free on television, or you can not watch it if they are not living up to your expectations.
You’re acting like someone is holding a gun to your head making you watch the Cubs. You have a choice – if you’re unhappy, just walk away for awhile. But don’t start to think that the Cubs owe you a damn thing.
That's not entirely true
they owe the fans 100% effort 100% of the time. They are being paid extremely well to do a job that would not exist if not for the fans.
I don’t agree with Worf on booing, but I can NEVER agree with people who think the players “don’t owe anything” to the fans
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
You show me that Castro didn't put his entire heart into that game yesterday and I'll agree.
100% effort does not mean flawless. Worf is saying he’s mad because they aren’t performing, not because they arent trying.
and as I said I don't agree with Worf
but YOU said the players don’t owe us a thing, and I don’t agree with that either
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Bingo
It’s a big reason I’ve been doing a personal boycott of all merchandise and attending Cubs games.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
And that's completely fine. It's your right as a consumer or a fan to completely disapprove of the product.
But what the hell is the point of paying to go to a game and boo if you dont like what they’re giving you?
I can certainly understand it
I’ve done it before.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
again, that isn't the point
but I have a feeling you’re either not going to get it, or ignore it completely.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
I understand what you're saying - I just don't agree with it.
Your point is that they owe the fans 100% effort because they’re being paid by us going to the games.
What if they give 100% effort and the product still stinks? Do the fans owe it to the Cubs players because they’re trying really hard?
It goes both ways, you can’t say they owe it to give 100% effort unless you are also willing to say we owe the players to fill up Wrigley every day if they give it their all.
There are two ways to approach this
1) Continue to pump money into a bad system. If you’re paying money for a product that is bad anyway, what’s the point of booing? The reasons are to make yourself feel better and to show your displeasure for the product on the field.
2) Don’t give them any money. I suppose this can get people called fair weather fans, but I see it as finding other ways to spend your money. Just as an example, I refuse to buy anything from Ozzy Osbourne after how he and Sharon screwed Lee Kerslake and Bob Daisley in the re-recordings of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. It’s my right to spend my money as I please and I choose not to contribute to the Osbournes. It’s the same with the Cubs. It would be like knowing you’re getting ripped off and complaining about it without doing something.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Wut?
That makes no sense at all. Are the players paying us to attend? They aren’t volunteering to play the games, and the games aren’t free. It doesn’t go both ways. The fans are spending money to see a specific product. It may not always be winning, but fundamental baseball and 100% effort should be expected every night.
The players expecting us to shell out that money when they aren’t doing it is beyond ridiculous.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
To be clear, I don't disagree with you...
But im not going to go back over my entire point. I was making an extreme comment to show that no one is forcing us to attend games, or buy merch, or pay their salaries. That is a choice you are making. If you’re unhappy then don’t go.
not hustling to the ball equals not 100% heart into the game
by alabamacubbie on May 11, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
that was
pure frustration last night. he looked back to see if H.ramirez was gonna advance and was burned by a good ballplayer at the top level. He will learn from this, hopefully.
"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra
This... he was probably so into the game that he was beating himself up over a bad play.
Which resulted in another bad play. But you’re really going to try and tell me that Castro isn’t 100% into his first game at Wrigley? You’re nuts.
Considering what? That you know him that well?
Listen this guy is a 20 year old kid who recently turned 20. He’s not going to have as much heart in the game as a veteran would. Not saying he doesn’t care, but if his frustrations beat him up that bad that he doesn’t hustle, then that is not heart. The greatest players of all time experience frustrations, but how they handle them is what they are known for. Getting your ass back on that field and playing 100% and forgetting about it, is how you achieve that 100% heart that you’re saying that he has. Did he have that last night? No. Will he have it eventually? Yes. It’s hard to say when, but he’s got a little growing up to do and he’ll have it, I promise you that. Just didn’t have that heart last night.
by alabamacubbie on May 11, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I disagree 100%
Derrek Lee goes out every night and does what he does – he most likely doesn’t overthink anything and he knows what to expect. He gives it everything he has, but he’s also seen it all by this point.
Castro is playing his 1st game at home for one of the most historical baesball teams in the world. He has butterflies and wants to do everything he’s capable of and then more to try and win this game for the team and for the fans. He puts so much extra pressure on himself he takes his mistakes personally.
This is obviously an opinion, but being a coach and seeing kids go through this, it is not at all uncommon.
I'm saying that heart=someone trying which = hustle
If he made errors because of butterflies, that is fine, no one is saying it isn’t. The moment he gets disappointed in himself or frustrated and this causes another mistake, that means you give up. He gave up last night because he was pissed. I think that means that he didn’t have his head or heart in the game at that time. It’s easy to do when you lose so many.
by alabamacubbie on May 11, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
The players DO owe us something
They owe us effort and intelligence. They owe us professionalism.
And yes, I shut the game off last night.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Booing is no more a detriment to a player's performance than cheering is an incentive
As always, IMO.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
This is what you get when you bring in a minor league player so young and inexperienced.
Anyone who saw him hit for 6 RBIs his first game and expected him to be consistent or that it validated him being called up was definitely fooling themselves.
Management was desperate to bring a spark to a lifeless team that needed a good shortstop. It’s still possible I suppose he can develop fundamentally here in the big leagues, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it with all the pressure he’s feeling. This is why he needed more time to be a polished player.
So was it worth it? The jury is still out. The Cubs still need a spark, the don’t have a better SS in my opinion. For myself and I think even those that think he needs more time, I don’t think anyone expects him to continue to field that poorly.
I just think people need some perspective on him, he isn’t going to be rookie of the year I doubt, and the Cubs did need a spark to help the team. Since they did call him up this early, I agree with Al that shuffling him back and forth between the minors and the bigs is a bad idea. Give him a chance, and if you need to send him down after, leave him there until the end of the season.
And to you Worf, though I do agree with you many times, I disagree with booing Castro. He’s wet behind the ears…whose fault is that? The Cubs knew what they were getting and so did you. There’s no reason to boo a twenty year old rookie doing his best.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:35 AM CDT reply actions
There is every reason to boo a kid
Who sits and looks at the ball while the player runs to second. If your 11-year-old did that in a Little League game, you’d give him a talking to.
Effort has nothing to do with age.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
He was completely flummoxed and mortified...
because he made yet another error in his big-league home opener. It doesn’t speak to his character at all. This is why 20 year old players are rare in the major leagues
Franklin !#@$!&*%#
That was a mental mistake from a rookie.
I haven’t seen him do anything from a lack of hustle yet, and that play was just bad judgment.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I think we can be pretty certain he'll never do that again.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not that mistake in particular.
But probably other ones. And we will have more posts from people expecting him to play consistent, mistake free defense.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Heaven forfend!
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
How's the beer up there Harry?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
tasty! Did you know that the moon isn't made of cheese?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Did you ever use Marla Collins' phone number?
I distinctly remember watching the game where you said that number on her ball girl uniform should be her phone number heh heh. She was a tasty little trollop, wasn’t she?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd give him a talking to sure. I would NOT boo him or call him out in a blog
For making a mistake he had not made before at that level. I doubt you would either.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
You play to win the game
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
You go to work to earn money.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry to troll but this whole thing is just mind-boggling to me...
1) The kid just turned 20 and, while obviously talented, is indisputably raw and could benefit from working on the fundamentals in a low-stress environment. Clearly, it’s not possible to say that “he has nothing more to learn/prove in the minors.”
2) He doesn’t represent much of an upgrade over Fontenot for 2010. MAYBE a win, and that’s being charitable.
3) Playoff chances are very small. The Cards are a 95 win team. The Cubs would have to go 81-38 to reach that, and the WC looks like a 4-6 team, 90-win scrum.
4) They let him bunk with Soriano???
This is just crazy – way crazier than demoting Z.
Franklin !#@$!&*%#
LOL
Yes, I know that’s still a stretch. Just correcting the math.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This team isn't going to make the postseason, Al.
I know it’s early, but I just don’t see enough positives to hold out hope. This isn’t a young team finding its way or a team that’s just had too many tough losses.
it's also not a group of guys who have yet to come together ...
like the 2007 squad. This nucleus — and I keep using that word for a reason — isn’t forming. It’s fully formed and not performing well enough.
Starlin Castro is not a Major Leaguer
He doesn’t even have a Twitter account yet! Good Lord! He obviously needs more minor league time…
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
And when he does can we expect:
“…just made an error…”
“…ooops. just made another…”
“…awesome. Just hit a dinger…”
“…someone just lit my shoelaces on fire!…”
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
"...No pie in face at interview. WTF?..."
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on May 11, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Completely agree Zeke.
It’s surprising to see how many people said on the day he came up, oh sure I won’t jump on a rookie with no experience. Guess I should have realized this was BCB lol.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
The booing at the game was not that bad last night
It might have been some frustration. There was a Marlins 5-4-3 double-play in the bottom of the 7th that did not look legit last night. The throw to second pulled the 2B off the bag, yet they made the around the horn play. Just did not seem right.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on May 11, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I wasn't referring to booing at all with that post. I meant those on BCB
Blasting Castro for his bad night fielding.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Real Booing vs. Internet Booing
Compare and Contrast…
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on May 11, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm booing this post from inside my office.
People are looking at me kind of weird
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Do you call them by their names spelled backwards?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Boo spelled backwards is Oob
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I read this morning that...
Soriano has invited Castro to live with him until his (Sori’s) family arrives next month. I love that. Boo him all you want, but Soriano is a great teammate.
last year?
wut?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
NM
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Cool
Then Castro can be his baby-sitter when Soriano and the wife head out for dinner…
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on May 11, 2010 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
He can be mine also.
I’ll pay him 100 dollars a hour. Me and the wife haven’t had a night to ourselves in 2 years.
2010 is OUR year.
Yeah,
I’m pretty much desperate — but at the same time, with this crazy world nowadays, we are scared to leave my daughter with anyone.
2010 is OUR year.
LT is currently available. Better hurry...prolly not for long.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Piniella is to blame
The losses of the past week or so are the fault of Piniella and no one else. let’ sstart py putting the players in the right spot offensively:
Theriot
Fukudome
Byrd
Soriano
Soto
Lee
Ramirez
Castro
by jerry morales rules on May 11, 2010 9:56 AM CDT reply actions
I still don't like a leadoff hitter who has three times as many strikeouts as walks
but Jim and Lou wanted Theriot at leadoff, and we really don’t have anyone else who can do it.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Dome is hitting .240 this month
it appears his post April slide has begun
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Small sample size.
Up to the last two games — one of which he did not start — he was hitting .286/.375/.429 in May.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
yes I know it's a small sample size.
however the fact that his average steadily declines over the course of the year in his career is not.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I know I'll get disagreed with here
But I think Lou is not seeing what Fukudome can do with platooning him. It would be something to try at least. Problem is then all the Colvin supporters get riled…not many ways to please all the fans for Lou in this situation.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Except that Colvin isn't Dome's regular platoon partner
Nady is, and Lou seems to think that X is just dandy in the cleanup spot.
"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
I really don't understand what you mean
Dome CANNOT hit lefties. He can barely hit righties after April. Are you suggesting he stop platooning him?
I’m honestly asking
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Um Fonty, Baker or a rescued Tracy over Ramirez
The guy HAS to sit out a few games. Also Flip Dome & Theiriot. You can’t have a first pitch swinging guy leading off.
Also get COLVIN SOME STARTS.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 11, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey sweetheart, Colvin had a start just a few days ago
what do you want me to do? Actually do what I claim I’m going to do, like starting him 2-3 times a week?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
That might help, sugarlips
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Is that 'name redacted' holding Lou back?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
C.B. Bucknor?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Ramirez
he is a veteran and I do think that for the long term he is an excelelnt option, not jsut for the Cubs but just about any team that he’s on. He will fight through this. Now, could I be convinced that he should sit for a few days? Yes, I could. I can see both sides and don’t have too much of an opinon. On this one, I’m siding with mgmt. However, he should not be batting 4th or 5th.
Flip Dome and Theriot? OK. That’s kind of a toss-up for me too.
As for Colvin, I like how he’s being used right now. I just can’t shake the feeling that the more he gets used, the more exposed he’ll become, and the quicker the rest of the league figures him out. I’d love to be proved wrong though.
by jerry morales rules on May 11, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Theriot is not the problem
This guy is not Jimmy Rollins, but why with all the issues we have right now, is he still the goat? 2 of those errors probably wouldnt have happened last night if he was at short. I love having Castro up, but he will have his struggles. Plus Lilly came up twice with the bases loaded and 2 outs i believe. we have to get soto and sori moved up until lee and rami start to hit. they keep getting on to see the pitchers come up and strand them.
"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra
No one thought Theriot was THE problem
Not even SWL.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm as critical of Theriot as SWL is
And I’ll say with confidence that he isn’t the only problem (or even a large part of the problem) with this 2010 squad. I’ve also commented that it’s nice to see him playing his natural position – I have much more confidence in his ability to play 2B than SS.
The lack of patience at the plate? Part of that is pressing since the team is scuffling right now, and part of that is just that he’s seeing more junk in the leadoff spot. Bat him 8th and keep him there, and his K/BB ratio will start looking more sane.
"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
sorry, I don't buy that
I think his K to walk ratio is what it is because he’s not a very good hitter. Yes he hits a lot of singles. He has almost no power (despite his little power surge last year) I don’t think he has a particularly good eye, and I think major league pitchers are starting to wise up to that fact.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Nobody has ever accused him of having power
I’ll go find the splits if you like, but his on-base numbers have historically been far better while batting lower in the order. IIRC, his best numbers came from batting 7th, and 8th wasn’t far behind. Maybe the same number of BBs (denoting a lack of eye/patience), but fewer Ks to go along with it.
"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 problem is...
our best hitters aren’t hitting and the ones who are hitting aren’t in the correct spot in the lineup.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with your points here.
Especially about moving Soto moved up. That was very frustrating to see with Soto so late in the order…though he left a man on 2nd with one out, I think if he had been up earlier in the order, perhaps it wouldn’t have created Lilly up there with the bases loaded.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
As the one who sparked this arguement to begin with
I just want to say I am not going to boo Starlin Castro anymore, unless he has another bad game. I am not going to hold him accountable any longer for one game. I believe he will improve, and be a good player for us. I will give him some slack tonight.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
This may be for another thread...
but I didn’t get to see the game last night. What did everyone think about the new Toyota sign at Wrigley? Too big? Too much? Or was it discreet enough?
You needed 3D glasses to see it
And those cost extra at the souvenir shop. Nice sign though. Sparkly and pretty.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on May 11, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
oh, i thought they were putting it up based on the post you posted a while ago
which had some pictures of a sign going up
that was a temporary sign, just to get a better feel for sightlines and such.
Cubs had wanted to have it up by the third homestand (which is this one) and it has been approved by the Landmarks Commission group but still needs City Council approval and the local alderman (Tunney) is squawking a bit.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
My guess is...
… the sign will be up by the end of this month.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
and then the Toyota megadollars start rolling in,
the Cubs make a few deft upgrades with the cash, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Megadollars = just over SEVEN GAMES OF SORIANO'S SALARY FOR EACH OF THE NEXT THREE SEASONS.
That ugly sign isn’t going to pay for anything.
Note: I know you were being sarcastic. The thing just pisses me off.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
that just made me throw up
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Soriano's probably been our best player for the last two weeks
Stopped clocks, and all that, but still…
"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
....its a hard perspective to grasp :(
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Fair enough, lets attach it to a guy we don't like.
Hot damn! It’ll pay for 83% of what we are giving Aaron Miles this season!
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Everybody keeps justifying the damn thing with the...
… “anything to shore up the payroll” or “Wrigley really needs the renovations!” arguments.
It doesn’t work like that.
The thing is supposed to be worth $2.5 million over three seasons. $833,333 a year. Soriano makes $117,283 a game.
This will literally pay for 28 Soriano plate appearances for each of the next three years. Whoopee! Totally worth attaching some ugly to Wrigley and setting the president that its cool to do so.
But i digress…
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I think you mean precedent.
But perhaps you think Obama has something to do with it?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Pointless comment is pointless.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
This team is a mess
and the manager needs to be held accountable. I believe things will only get worse before they get better. Lou has about much control of this team as I do.
As far as the booing goes. I think it is bullshit. 20 year old kid, hell almost a teenager and boo his ass for 3 errors. What does that prove?. Oh I will show him, yeah right. Yeah he will be really comfortable in Chicago if we boo him at every failure. Booing shows you have nothing to offer, and is a cop out.
This team is horseshit right now. This team needs direction and it sure in hell is not getting it from Lou.
The booing IS bullshit-I agree completely
But, under the circumstances, shouldn’t be unexpected. Hendry made the decision to throw a twenty year old kid into the middle of this mess in a desperate attempt to save his job.
If anyone deserves boo’s at this point it’s our increasingly incompetent GM,
by bluekoolaide on May 11, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
No question
This team is in a free fall, with appears no one is in charge. I never thought I would see this with supposedly a strong hand that Lou used to have.
No focus, no direction.
That's kind of what I was getting at with the long post on Sunday.
Lou managed to take a team that seemingly had little direction at the start of 2007 and bring it to the playoffs.
He just doesn’t seem to have that fire any more.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
'Fire' is for a fireplace
I hear some of what you’re saying, Al, but this “doesn’t have the fire” trope is well past its expiration date.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Really?
You think Lou looks interested? Most of the time, to me, he just looks tired.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Appearances deceive, Al
My reply to sue sums up my feelings about it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah....
Aramis appears to be sucking…and Soto appears to be hitting well.
But Lou actually knows what’s REALLY going on.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Best Cubs manager since Durocher, SWL
Best winning percentage since Grimm, too.
But whatever.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
You know managers can't really win games for the team right?
But they sure as hell can lose them.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Man
I had a ton of money in my 401k before the economy tanked! Living in the past is awesome and totally invalidates whatever is happening now! YEAH!
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
This make me wonder why the Cubs would ever get rid of Durocher...
since he was good and stuff.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
This reminds me
I’m just going to start being a dick to my wife since I was so nice in the past. I mean, that more than makes up for being a complete douche, right?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
and I'll just start showing up to work and not really do anything anymore...
and remind my boss what a great worker I’ve been for the past 13 years.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
NBF knows a way to live
that only few have attempted.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
You're right about Durocher.
And at a certain point, it was time for him to go, too.
Same for Grimm.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't think we're at that point yet
Let’s see what the landscape is like in a month.
(Thank God Craig in SB and SWL don’t run a major-league team.)
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Or you either.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Now that might be
the most sense-filled thing you’ve said all day.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions
great...
now take your hands off the keyboard until someone else says something you don’t like.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Like you just now?
Practice what you preach, brother.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, me calling you out on that was wrong...
please continue to administer ball-breaking ad nauseam.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
"Ad nauseam"
is reading the same whiny bs from the same whiny posters day after day after day.
If it ain’t fun for you, take up stamp collecting.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
and your wise, constructive criticism really breaks up that monotony
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I react to what I see
Fight fire with fire, I always say.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
This is an amusing metaphor...
considering you’re responding to “whiny bs from the same whiny posters”.
Fight whiny bs with whiny bs?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
What are you
73 years old? Christ…I’m almost sorry we’ve seemingly taken you away from watching Judge Joe Brown or Bass Masters.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I prefer
People’s Court and Entertainment Tonight, thanks.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't forget me!
You don’t like me either!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I don't like like you...
and I’ll never forget you.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I like you, Dan
I just wonder about you.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
you're right, it's not a lack of fire
it’s a lack of competence.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a bad combination
of inconsistent players and a manager not known for shrewd manipulation of a lineup and bullpen. Give Lou a team full of Nasty Boys and Edgar Martinez-ARod-Olerud and he’s as good a skipper as any.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Oh stop it NB.
Your defending him has gotten old. Lou has not looked interested in this game/team for the last year.
You would have hated Tom Kelly, then, sue
and all he did was win two World Series.
Maybe someone jumping around and acting like he’s on speed does wonders for your fragile psyches, but it does NOTHING for a baseball team.
Don’t project your ennui and irritation about how things are going onto the people in the dugout.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Ennui
n. a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom
In case anyone else also went “huh?” after reading that.
I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all.
+1,000
for the Mike Nesmith reference.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
It’s not about jumping around on speed. When you see mistakes being made and players underperforming and a manager that looks uninterested for most it would signal a problem.
When Lou sits there looking bored and the team looks unfocused and undisciplined it has nothing to do with him jumping around and everything to do with whether one believes he is engaged with his job requirements.
They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best
About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback
And forgive me
if I don’t join the lynch mob, which apparently you have, too. I always figured you had more sense than that.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
You can say
whatever you want. I haven’t been happy with Lou and some of the decisions he’s made the last couple of seasons. I don’t expect him to jump around and act like he’s on speed. Those are your words not mine.
We disagree and that’s fine but I damn well have the right to post my feelings like you do yours. Just becasue I don’t agree with your thinking doesn’t mean I have no sense.
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
What's to get?
Oooh, sparkly!
"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
"More sense than that"
does not equal no sense.
And I damn well have the right to criticize your feelings, as you do to criticize mine.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
What do you suggest?
Pistols at 20 paces? Swords? Arm wrestling? Full-contact karate?
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
wet t-shirt contest
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions
The Seinfeld solution
Loser has to be the winner’s butler.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
If it's a wet T-shirt contest,
I’m afraid I win hands down.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
There were already too many comments posted on this for me to start another post, but you said it very well here. Blame the person who brought the rook in so early if you don’t like the performance. It was a move of desperation and the way Castro has performed (sans one game) is completely predictable. He’s still a top young prospect, and let’s hope he doesn’t get damaged completely by this experience.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
It says that
discerning customers are not happy with the quality of the product that they’ve paid (handsomely) to watch, and are having a visceral response. I don’t think that they really care about proving a point.
And really, Lou seems off his game, but are people ultimately going to hold him accountable for what looks to be a roster that yet again tries to put a square peg in a round hole? Personally, I’d welcome Lou back next season, provided he’s given a competitive roster. Hendry? His time is up.
by Damen Jackson on May 11, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm booing the entire "booing" debate. Get over it already. People boo.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
Seriously.
Even if everybody on BCB agreed about booing, it’s not like the fans at Wrigley would act differently.
Hisssssssssssssssssssssssss
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Booing
You don’t boo a 20-year old kid just up from the minors. That’s wrong. If he lollygags for a few months, then it’s different.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
I'm all for lollygagging
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
What does that make you?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 11, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
What happened
to the post by the kid who was blaming Wrigley Field for the Cubs losing?
I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all.
It was edited by the OP....
… to strip out most of the original content, and added nothing. I deleted it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I kinda feel bad for him...
His heart was probably in the right place… but his head was up a different place.
I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all.
He and the guy that was griping about not being able to scalp his $24,000 worth of seson tickets...
… are somewhere together whining about ridiculous crap together.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Those season tickets are increasing in value every day
Wish I had an investment like that
"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
Oddly, i think that was his COMPLAINT.
It depresses me that people with such backwards thinking have the opportunity to even buy season tickets, when i’ll never have the chance.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 11, 2010 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
The way I'm wired, after a performance like that, I'd demand a press conference.
If I were Castro, I’d ask to talk to the media.
“Yep, that sucked, didn’t it? Man, try being me out there, making three errors – I felt and still feel horrible; I wish I hadn’t done it. I’m sorry my debut went like that, but, rest assured, I’ll get better, and I’ll be trying extra hard tonight. Go Cubs!”
Something like that – clear the air, try to get my mind off it.
Obviously, though, that’s not the way to do business, because you rarely see anything like that.
"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw." - Alone, Edgar Allan Poe
a 20-year-old kid fresh from the Dominican Republic
Is going to have his own press conference? Sorry, but this kid is not just in from Hollywood.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
I'm sure you're right.
Maybe not press conference. Maybe just a statement or something.
If he’s got any kind of competitive spirit, he must just feel awful.
"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw." - Alone, Edgar Allan Poe
yes, I agree that it would be good for him to vent
I haven’t seen an interview with him yet, but I would expect that his english would not be great. He should have plenty of Latino players to give him some guidance, including Sori for some guidance on handling the booing.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
It's ugly in here
And I thought it was bad in my posts.
But the point of my story stands: Starlin Castro is not being rushed by historical standards. He had a bad game. He was nervous. It can happen to anyone.
Let’s give it at least a month before we jump to conclusions.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Well, some are trying to keep a more upbeat outlook...
…but it’s getting harder to do day by day… ;)
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
there is a powerful tidal force
or maybe Ti-Dee-Bowl force, that is hard to resist this season. I had low expectations to start with, but I feel like I will be called a kool-aid drinker if I don’t admit right now that the Cubs will only win 60 games.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
But I've already got my mat!
"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 federal facility is not the country club people make it out to be...
may addition by subtraction be real
I said it last night and I'll say it again...
Yes he made mistakes, but if it was you or me out there can you say that
at 20 and being where you wanted to be since you were old enough to
pick up a baseball bat, which is playing in the Major Leagues for the first
time in your home ball park for home team fans and knowing that the team
and the fans tout you as THE HOTTEST PROSPECT they have that you
wouldn’t be nervous as hell…?
I can tell you I’d be crapping live butterflies if it was me…
This isn’t ARam who can’t see to get his Anal/Cranial inversion problem
fixed, work with Rudy and start hitting like the Professional Base Ball player
he says he is…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
LOL
Thanks for the vivid imagery – “crapping live butterflies…”
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Makes him better than me. I'd probably be closer to trying to move sea urchins.
may addition by subtraction be real
I just want to comment on...
Lou allowing Nady to bat against the RHP in the late innings last night (7th?) with runners on? Not to get all Doggie Stalker here, but Nady sucks. Or at least he has sucked thus far. Put Colvin or Kosuke in there. It’s absurd NOT to. And, of course, Nady hit into the rally killing DP.
more piss poor managing from Lou
I really don’t think he pays much attention once the lineup card is filled out. Except for the obvious situations like pinch hitting for a pitcher late in the game…….and even then he screws it up
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on May 11, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Short answer: the kid will be fine. It was one bad game and even if he fields flawlessly they still lose 3-2.
Which brings me to the REAL issue with this team: the complete and utterly miserable performance on display from the two cornerstones of the diamond and the lineup. We have a large enough sample now to clearly see that Lee and Ramirez are the cause of the losing. They are in every game, seeing every run-scoring opporunity, and are batting like pitchers.
If Lee is hitting less than .220 in June I think you put Colvin at 1b. I would even consider Hoffpauir or possibly teaching the position to Soriano, because the Cubs cannot compete with this level of offensive production at 1b. If Lee isn’t able to hit effectively until the season becomes a lost cause, then he sucks period and does not help you even if you are contending. It now seems less than a coincidence that he is only effective when the Cubs are out of contention. Put another way, he chokes under pressure.
If Ramirez is still under .200 come June, he needs to take a back seat, too. Fontenot can play 3rd, if not a recall of Chad Tracy.
If the Cubs are going to “panic” they may as well do something about the two problems staring them directly in the face.
by Jerry Mumphrey on May 11, 2010 12:55 PM CDT reply actions
Lee chokes under pressure? Kind of harsh doncha think?
He has been a great player for the Cubs, and people need to remember that. I will always look upon him with respect and admiration.
BTW, I remember he came through with a real clutch hit in 2003. Of course, he was wearing a Marlins uniform then. Remember that? And his World Series ring?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
...and he batted 5th.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
He famously choked during that entire playoff run. I think he got one hit total off the Cubs.
by Jerry Mumphrey on May 11, 2010 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, it was a "Cubbie Occurrence"...
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
In the 2003 postseason:
Derrek Lee was 17 for 72 for a .236 avg. He had three walks, 17 Ks, 8 rbi, and scored 6 runs.
2007 postseason: .333 .385 .333 .718 1r, 4 rbi, 4 Ks.
2008 postseason: .545 .583 .818 1.402 2r, 0 rbi, 2 Ks.
These don’t tell the whole story, but are interesting.
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
by BleedsbluinMI on May 11, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting stats. No wonder the Marlins got rid of him :-)
He has been getting more clutch as time goes on…as his playoff appearances have occurred…
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
I have to say the way that we are losing is just miserable
We out hit the other team, but can’t outscore them. That’s the Cubs motto
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
Man these philosophical debates on BCB are getting boring.
Booing, firing, pressure.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
which is more boring...
talking about booing or talking about soup club?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
We don't have anything else to talk about, because the alternative is talking about how crappy this team is.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Man this team is crappy...
I knew they were going to be kinda crappy, but they’re alot more crappy than I had figured them being. Is their crappyness more or less crappy than you expected?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and I think Al should officially change the name of these posts to Recraps until the Cubs win
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I was holding out hope that they'd only be semi-crappy
…and be able to stay with the long enough for Hendry to pull off some brilliant deals at the deadline and turn on the gas for a post season run.
Am I an idiot or what?
by bluekoolaide on May 11, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think you should post this too often.
I get the feeling anti-Cub trolls would use it against us.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I can think of one person on BCB who would like this.
BLou
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
"To [Vermont Cubs Fan], good luck, stay strong!"
-Captain Richard Phillips-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 11, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
reminds me of Old Dutch beer
a real six-pack of crap…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
But
can I get this printed on a roll of toilet paper?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
too vague...size? color? texture?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
without pictures it never happened.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Is crappyness reserved for only white players?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
How about lineup changes??
Many posts last nite and on this thread wondering why guys who ARE hitting (Sori, Soto) aren’t moved up in order and Lee and A-Ram moved down to 6-7. Makes all kinds of sense, can’t have such a huge suck-hole in middle of lineup much longer. I give ‘em rest of this week and then make the move; don’t agree with sitting them cuz we don’t have any good replacements available. And need to find out if they’re just in prolonged funks or are just done; hard to believe that would be the case, esp. since Ramirez is only, what, 31 y.o?
I've been holding my breath for Soto to be moved up....
I’ve passed out 26 times.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
What kind of baseball do YOU play?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Now *that* was a crap game
Turned me off baseball video games for life.
"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
MLB 10 The Show will turn you back to them
or the 08 or 09 versions.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
For life
Although Nintendo did undo some of the damage with the little baseball module on the Wii Sports game
"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
Fair enough
That was a long time ago though…I mean, RBI Baseball AND Baseball Stars wiped the floor with NES Baseball, and those were released shortly after NES Baseball. I think you picked up your chips and left the table too soon, but that’s your choice.
By doing that though, I will say you have missed out on some pretty terrible baseball games. Triple Play 99 comes to mind.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
No Intellevision option?
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
MLB 10 is amazing
Best baseball video game ever made, unless you’re a fan of the MVP 05 flavor. I will say though, that if you have 09, you’re fine with sticking with that, but you would be missing out on playing as a catcher and calling pitches in The Show, and while the franchise mode in 09 is pretty robust, the 2010 iteration expands on that even further.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 11, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I had 09 but traded it off late last summer...thought it was great though.
I was debating going and picking up 10 today….thanks for helping me part with 60 bones!
Lou has no problem...
moving some players out of their roles when they aren’t performing. I.e. Z to the pen, Sori pulled in the late innings, etc. But others he doesn’t touch. Stop playing favorites, old man.
I felt bad for Starlin
last night and for as bad as we all felt it’s probably nothing as bad as he felt. He knows he made mistakes and I’m sure he’s been talked to about it. Booing him was ridiculous.
I know people say they boo the effort or the play and others boo the players but how do the players know the difference between the boo for effort/play or the boo for them?
If I may, Sue - and please don't get upset
It would see to me that in any profession where a customer pays for a service, whether it’s sports or the theater or cooking, the provider must realize that criticism is not to be taken personally. The movie critic that slams a director’s film is not making disparaging comments about the director as a person; rather he’s finding fault with the product that the director created (along of course with the writers, actors, etc).
Applying this to the Cubs, if I’m watching a game and I see Soriano have a horrible at-bat where he swings at ball four in the dirt and ends the inning with runners in scoring position, I’m gonna yell and shake my head. I’m “booing” the strikeout…NOT Alfonso Soriano. He’s by all accounts a good teammate and is proud to play for the Cubs, and I commend him for that. But whether it’s Soriano or Castro or Soto who has an ugly at-bat and wastes RISP, I will show displeasure for that at-bat. It is nothing personally directed at the batter.
Where I think a gray area may exist is in “effort”. I think we can all agree the effort is there and everyone to a man tries their hardest – too much so sometimes. So going back to my example, I appreciate Soriano wanting to get a hit and clear the bases. I know the effort is there – after all, who wants to intentionally suck? Still, I think a fan can separate the effort from the result and not feel ashamed to “boo” the resulting strikeout. I guess what this comes down to is that, even though Soriano or whoever it is tried, he didn’t “try the right way” IMO.
So let this be my official statement why I don’t find fault with people who boo. I know it’s unpopular and the “Worst. Argument. Ever.” according to another BCBer, so I’ll do my best not to repeat it when the topic comes up again.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
We're not, and so be it 'cause we're still good
Sue, do me one favor – if you see me going off on this argument ever again, you have permission to flag me. I don’t want this derailing any more Game Threads.
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Read the thread and now my head hurts
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 2:50 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
its because there is a nail sticking in it ;)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Howdy from Menorca
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 2:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I just saw some pics...looks like a cool place, hope you're having some fun!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on May 11, 2010 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, a follower... ;-)
Wonderful time and a very beautiful island. Now if only the Cubs were to get their act together…
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 3:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
have you stopped to consider...
that they’ve already done that because what we’ve seen so far may in fact BE their act this year?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I (at this point of the season) refuse to
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 3:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
They've played 20% of the season...how many more games do you need to see?
What do you think they’re going to do with the 80% left?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
If they turn it around 180 degrees and play the rest of the year with the direct inverse winning percentage as they have now..
they’ll win 88 games. You think they can…
a) actually start winning games at a .575 clip?
and
b) 88 wins will be good enough to take the Wild Card?
I don’t.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
6 of 30 teams played baseball that was .575 or greater in 2009.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Likely? Maybe not, but one always hopes.
In German: Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 3:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Carpenter holding nail to apprentice with hammer:
“When I nod my head, you hit it.”
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Some always have the last word...SWL has the last gif....
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
that kid makes me mad
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
It's more like this
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 11, 2010 3:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, that hits the nail on the old head all right...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
And for the next 5 games as well
Everybody’s in “This Team Sucks!” mode right now, which isn’t all that unfair. Getting above .500 is about the only thing that’ll begin to turn the tide of opinion right now.
"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
Now now, not everybody.
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
Castro
It’s fair to give Castro another chance after a bad fielding performance because he is considered a good fielding shortstop. If it turns-out that he isn’t, then cross that bridge when it is apparent.
If it isn’t one thing it is another with this team. A stretch of winning should raise the team’s confidence again. There is still plenty of time. A big part of the competition is too capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.
Insight from Jeff Passan at Yahoo
Article here
Here’s the smart part to remember
And that’s what everyone must remember: These players are, like Serra said of the 16-year-old Castro, little more than what we project them to be. They may seem sure things. We damn sure treat them like sure things. But they will fail, and their ultimate value as a player will be how these failures affect them.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
Whoa! Some serious of this going on here today...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
So some of you got your wish tonight...
kind of
lineup for tues nite is rf fuke, 2b riot, cf byrd, 1b lee, 3b ramy, lf sori, c soto, ss castro, p wells
its a start
kind of…
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't get it....
He didn’t really do anything different.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
so what...
lee and rami are 4-5 instead of 3-4….big fat farking yippee….swap lee and rami with Sori and Soto and you have something.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
surely you jest
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't call him Shirley...
"Until we solve our bullpen problems and figure out how to score runs consistently, it's going to be a struggle. I'm just being honest. What are we going to do? Some of these kids are just going to have to get better. We thought (the bullpen) would be better than this. Boy, it gets out of hand in a hurry."
- Lou Pinella, May 8, 2010
I want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
That koolaide turned my tongue blue.
by BleedsbluinMI on May 11, 2010 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
do I look like I'm even a little bit kidding?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
the idea of moving 2 players out of their usual spots in the lineup BEFORE july
is rushing things
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
We're 14-19 and have lost 9 of our last 12 games and those two haven't really hit for crap in the 33 games we've played...
so let’s give them another month and THEN do something?
We’re going have less wins than the Astros before Lou moves either one of them out of the middle of the order.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
If you think they're going to hit .210 and .150 all season, yes
Of course, if they do that, it won’t matter where they bat in the order.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
yes it does
having a giant void in the middle of the order doesnt exactly help with driving in runs
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions
THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE BATTING NOW...
it’s what they’ve batted for the first 20% of the season…we’re losing games because the middle of the lineup makes outs instead of driving in runs. WE DON’T SCORE RUNS.
This is the same logic you tried to use regarding Lou not being let go because of how many games the team won the last 3 years. Let’s keep doing the exact same thing that hasn’t been working because it used to work.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, call the dugout and give Lou your brainstorm
I’m guessing they’ve thought about doing that and decided against it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm guess Lou hasn't even CONSIDERED it.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
You really think so?
Why? That he hasn’t done it is no evidence he hasn’t considered it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
wouldnt surprise me, really
this is the guy that kept using gregg, heilman, and howry…
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 11, 2010 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions
But makes panic moves
like Z to the bullpen and Castro at SS. Got it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Why do you think he has?
Oh wait…we won some games a few years ago, so Lou must have looked into whether or not putting the two worst hitting players in the middle of the order was a good idea or not. My mistake.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Quit frothing at the mouth
and come back to earth. Christ, you’ve all gone mad.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't hear you very well with your head in the sand like that.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Better in the sand
then up your arse.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 11, 2010 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
uh-huh...
we’ll see who’s right in about 3 more weeks.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 11, 2010 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bleed Cubbie Blue
Related FanShots on Bleed Cubbie Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
