Cubs Prohibit Volstad From Victory, End Losing Streak
by Al Yellon on May 12, 2010 5:06 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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It's a step in the right direction, at least.
The Cubs hung on to beat the Marlins 4-3 and ended their four-game losing streak, but not before Carlos Marmol had to have visits from both Geovany Soto and Larry Rothschild. Marmol finally did get Hanley Ramirez on strikes to end the game with the tying run in scoring position. He threw only 18 strikes in 33 pitches, not one of his better appearances.
In the bleachers on a cold, drizzly and windy day, several of us were wondering why the Cubs allowed Cody Ross to take second base with two out -- where he scored the third Marlins run on a pinch-hit single by Brian Barden. I can understand defensive indifference to a runner if you're six or eight runs ahead, but with the Cubs offensively challenged and the tying run at the plate, I think you've got to watch any baserunner very closely. The Marlins, a fundamentally sound team, took advantage of this lapse to score that third run, and one single later the tying run was on second base. Fortunately, it got no farther.
The Cubs managed to score in two separate innings (leading 2-0, and then 4-2 after the Marlins had tied the game in the fourth) by twice getting an extra-base hit with at least one runner in scoring position. I know, I know, your head is exploding just thinking about this idea. But it really happened, and what turned out to be the decisive run was scored by Starlin Castro on a Chris Volstad wild pitch.
Castro, for his part, had a productive day with a pair of hits. He was also originally charged with an error on a ball that got by him into center field -- a ball he may not have even touched. The official scorers are simply going to have to get used to him having a lot more range than the previous occupant of his position.
Lou's retooled lineup produced eight hits and four walks in addition to the four runs. Naturally, as he stated in his postgame remarks, this lineup won't last -- Castro is headed back to the #8 spot on Friday when the Pirates come to town and Ryan Theriot (sore hamstring) and Aramis Ramirez (sore bat) are likely back in the starting lineup.
Credit today again to Carlos Silva, who pitched into the seventh inning -- even though he really shouldn't have, considering he gave up three long fly balls that would likely have been out of the park on a day the wind wasn't howling off the lake. Lou should have hit for him in the sixth, even though there were two out and none on base. Silva struggled through three batters in the seventh before Sean Marshall efficiently bailed him out by getting a double play ball on his fourth pitch. Silva now has five quality starts in seven total outings -- and the other two starts were just mediocre, not horrendous. This is precisely the type of pitcher I thought Silva would be -- someone who could consistently give you six, maybe seven decent innings and keep his team in the game by getting ground balls (11 of 19 outs recorded today were via grounders).
After Marshall's easy day, Carlos Zambrano recorded two quick outs, then allowed a pair of baserunners before Marmol bailed him out. Fascinating Marmol fact: he has now thrown 16 innings -- that's 48 outs. 33 of those outs have been recorded by strikeout. The 33 K's rank 23rd in the National League -- all of the pitchers who have more are starters, and next among NL pitchers who have no starts this year in K's is Tyler Clippard of the Nationals, who has 30 -- but has thrown nine more innings than Marmol, who is averaging 18.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
Once again, a near-sellout announced crowd of 38,637 wasn't anywhere near that -- maybe 20,000 inhabited the house today, many taking off by the seventh inning. More fights occurred in the left field bleachers -- the Cubs need to put more security people there, as they seem understaffed, and continue to be proactive about ejecting abusive drunks (and, as they have started to do, not allowing people who clearly have been overserved into the ballpark until they sober up). The cold conditions were reminiscent of the game 40 years ago today, May 12, 1970, when Ernie Banks hit his 500th career home run off the Braves' Pat Jarvis. Ernie's greatness may have faded a bit in recent years -- his total of 512 now ranks tied for 21st on the all-time list -- but at the time he hit it, only seven other players (Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Mel Ott and Ted Williams) had hit 500 career homers.
Speaking of home run milestones, two Cubs -- Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano -- sit at 297 career HR. Perhaps they could both hit #300 in the same game this weekend, while leading their team to victory.
Victory. Nice thought. Hold that till the weekend and sweep the Pirates. The Cubs owe 'em one.
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I miss wins
May we have dozens more by July
"You’re playing a baseball game. You’re not playing Tiddlywinks. There is competition, for God’s sake."— Lou Piniella
No need to boo today, he he
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
Feels good to win.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
Yes Al.
I get the Volstead Act pun.
I know if I made a Volstead Act pun, I’d be worried that no one would get it.
But I like Scotch,
Scotch, Scotch, Scotch.
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
You've been chocked full
of early 20th century references lately. Did I catch something about a “Silva standard” late last week?
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
What a great history lesson, he he
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
LOL
Too bad the Cubs don’t have a player named “Gold”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Are ya old enough to get Wizard of Oz references with gold?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Um....
… I get the reference, but that doesn’t necessarily make me “old”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al is old for totally unrelated reasons.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions
He's proud of going to high school with george burns.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
the Geico commercials remind him of his "youth"
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Al used to be a gecko?
That’s weird.
"It's Spring Training. You know how many home runs Barry Bonds hit off me? One - in Spring Training." - Big Z
Well...IIRC, Baum wrote that about the gold standard
And I doubt with it being written so long ago that many people know about it other than being a fun children’s book to read. Course activist writing like Gulliver’s Travels usually doesn’t get looked at much.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
No, he didn't
That’s from a paper written in the 1960s that has been thoroughly discredited by academics over the past 25 years. Somehow that paper got into the national consciousness, but it’s not true.
http://www.halcyon.com/piglet/Populism.htm
Now it is possible to read it as a critique of the Gilded Age, but you’d be making and “Intentional Fallacy” to say that Baum was trying to do that. (Actually, the “Intentional Fallacy” would argue that it’s not important what Baum was trying to say. But that school of lit crit has been surpassed by the New Historicism in recent years.)
by Josh Timmers on May 12, 2010 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Wizard of Oz = Populist fable???
The Wizard of Oz as Populist fable is pretty much a myth. There is no real evidence that Baum was a Populist.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 13, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude...
I am not considered old by anyone other than 12-year olds, but I know of the references. Of course, I read Milton Friedman in my spare time, so maybe I’m the exception.
Specie rocks, man. I’m thinking about buying some coinage, and calling my self Goldmember.
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
That forehead looks like mini me.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I got the pun, too
Nice work, Al.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I got it...damn I'm old lol
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't realize that is what prohibition was actually called
Learned from Wikipedia
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on May 12, 2010 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
The 18th amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages. The Volstead Act defined the 18th amendment and gave the Federal Government the ability to enforce it.
by Josh Timmers on May 12, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Some of us do like History!
And can’t wait for the next History Channel biopic of Woodrow Wilson.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on May 12, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I cant wait
for the next Glenn Beck biopic of Woodrow Wilson…
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
You mean the Hysteria Channel?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
i am still waiting for HIstory of the World II to come out
it was advertised in History of the World I but never was releaseddamn it
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
How about How the World Was Made?
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 13, 2010 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Damn,
That’s good. I didn’t get it at first … now, however….
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 13, 2010 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing
about defensive indiffernce. I was shaking my head at gameday thinking they need to at least try to get the runner. If you get the runner, game over. If you don’t, not any worse off but at least you tried.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
until you throw
it into center field and now you have the guy on third where a past ball or a not well hit ball past the infield scores him – good call lou…
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
So in other words
a catcher should never try to get a base stealer in fear of maybe throwing it into center? If a catcher plays that way, he will never be succesful as a catcher.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on May 12, 2010 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
unless he is Mike Piazza
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Mike Piazza didn’t have to worry about his throws making it all the way to centerfield.
Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.
by section229beer on May 12, 2010 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions
no
I am simply trying to show the other side of the coin - in inning #3 having an error put a guy on third isnt as big of a deal as it is in inning #9
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
Indifference
If defensive indeifference leads to a run that wouldn’t have scored otherwise, it should be an unearned run in my opinion.
by cj100683 on May 12, 2010 7:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Cute headline
and man is it nice to go into an off day with a W.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Days off are always nicer with a W in front of them.
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 13, 2010 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions
WDays off?
wha?
"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
Seems like a lot of Castro's "errors" Theriot wouldn't have reached.
I simply cannot stand silly lineup discussions, but this lineup worked a hellva better than other ones.
Can somebody explain to me how and why teams report 39,000 of fans when clearly it is 20,000?
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on May 12, 2010 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
That how many tickets have been sold
“Paid Attendance”
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
They announce the paid crowd
not how many actually entered the park.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
because teams with poor attendance
don’t want to be shown up by the actual amount of people watching a crummy product.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
Actually..
… if that were the case, turnstile count would make the teams with poor attendance look better, because when you have teams drawing 10,000 a game, that’s likely actually 10,000 in the house, rather than the 20,000 or so you had today when 38,000 was announced.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
there is never any reason to buy tickets in advance to weekday games in April, May or September
by holy mackeral on May 12, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Well,
September tickets get a bit hot when the Cubs are in contention, but April and May? Nope. These days, you can get them below face within 48 hours of game day.
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
If the weather had been nice today...
… a lot more people would have shown up.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Which sounds better?
there were 7,567 fans in attendance
there were 33,430 paid attendance?
the difference, tickets sold for the game vs actual turnstile count.
If one is trying to sell advertising and market a team, big numbers are far more desirable.
The 2010 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp ruled!!!!
...not sure what I am missing...
that makes NO sense at all…announcing 38,000 rather than 20,000, regardless of who is there, and giving the big number to your marketing sales team seems to be better
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
Don't Think You're Crazy, But...
these clubs would much rather have the statistics say they had the higher attendance number. I know that more and more people are realizing the huge discrepancies between tickets sold and fannies in seats, but the tickets sold number still looks better. There are still too many who simply look at an attendance number in the boxscore with no regard for how many were actually there.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
The point is that the visiting teams get a cut of paid attendance
They used to get a cut of actual attendance.
In other words, the home team would be better off if it was actual tickets used.
There is no conspiracy here.
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 12, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
But....but...
…it’s confusing for Pat and Ron when they play the Binney’s Beverage Depot Attendance Game for a lucky fan! Some poor schlub gets their name picked, and then they lose out on their free tickets because of these machinations. It’s sad, I’m tellin’ ya!
"I tried to let Ryan know that [jumping over the dugout railing] was a thing that maybe just athletes should stick to." -- Ted Lilly, 28 July 2009
by CaughtInTheVines on May 12, 2010 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I remember Brick saying "total in the house is xx,xxx"
by holy mackeral on May 12, 2010 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions
5 Figures?
It was only 4 figures for a lot of games during Jack’s later years.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
They announced "total in the house"...
… which included comps and freebies. They don’t announce those any more.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"Comps and freebies" always sounds dirty to me...
Ugh. And no, before you ask that’s NOT me…
"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
At one point,
didn’t each league compute attendance differently? NL with actual admissions, AL with tickets sold? Or vice versa?
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I live in Denver and have only been to Wrigley 5-6 times...
…and I’ve yet to sit in the bleachers. But can someone tell me exactly how you get into a fight watching the Cubs play at the best park in MLB? Is the fight over who has better legs in LF – Soriano or Colvin? It’s not a football game – where you can almost understand the hostility. (Reminds me of the great, old George Carlin bit.) Anyway, just asking…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Drunk Idiots do not know the difference between football and baseball games.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Liquid courage.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Idiot in a can.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
I've been to dozens of games at Coors Field...
and I’ve never seen one fight – EVER. But Rockies fans (and I’m NOT a Rockies fan) think that every fly ball is a HR. They are just much more passive.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Well, you can't got too worked up in that thin air...or you'll pass out.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I've only seen two fights at the ballpark
Both of them during Game 1 of the NLDS at Turner Field. Drunk Cubs fan vs. drunk Braves fan on both occasions, and both in the Chop House (bar above RF). Bad spot if you want a fight to go ’til a winner. The Chop House has decent security for sparsely-inhabited regular season games; the post-season security was on both fights before the third punch landed in either.
"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
Cubs-Brewers games at Miller Park
usually have a few fights, all fueled by demon rum.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Aha! I blame Milwaukee!
I lived in Milwaukee for a year and went to many games at old County Stadium, back when Brewers were in AL. And I never saw as many fights at a sporting event as I did when the White Sox were playing the Brewers. Nasty stuff. Being an Indians fan, I definitely kept my distance.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
White Sox-Brewers
were in a league of their own when it came to fights in the stands, as I recall. Cubs-Crew isn’t quite that bad.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I've always found the Brewers fights to be pretty bad...but only in the parking lot.
Once you’re in the stadium they’re not too bad.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I think you're right, Dan
There does seem to be a lot of extra-curricular stuff in the lots at Miller.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Wesconin residence are a drunk bunch, statisically speaking.
Maybe its all the brewpubs up there. I just put this in the “bleacher fights” thread:
Wisconsin residents drink. A lot. And a lot of the people accusing the frat community of the issues seem to be using U of W as their example.
Wisconsin has led the nation in binge drinking in every year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began its surveys on the problem more than a decade ago.
People in Wisconsin are more likely than anywhere else to drive drunk, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The state has among the highest incidence of drunken driving deaths in the United States.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 13, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
What incidents can you recall off the top of your head?
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 13, 2010 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions
At least three times
guys have gotten into fights in my section at Miller during a game. Surprisingly, I was not involved in any of them. :)
In the lots, pregame, there aren’t wholesale riots, but the cops have been called a time or two to cookouts I’ve seen where Cubs and Brewers fans get into it.
All this is beer-fueled, of course. I don’t get it. I drink beer and get mellow. I guess not everybody does that.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 13, 2010 1:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember some of these brawls as a kid
what’s funny is a lot of younger Brewer fans I know claim to like the Sox.
IT's the Bud Light Bleachers....
And they over serve these clowns . Al’s right the Cubs need more security out there . If they are unable to do it get Chicago PD involved .
Geez,
You’re scaring me for the game on July 21. I finally got someone to take that extra ticket.
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 13, 2010 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Ditto for July 1. Maybe the Cubs will have it under control by then.
I don’t want to choke on vomit. My own or other’s.
Sometimes you don’t know WHOSE vomit it is…and you really can’t ‘dust’ for vomit…
Maybe the Cubs need to start issuing THIS to bleacher patrons…
"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 don't think I've seen this
since I was in junior high.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 13, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Like the punny historical reference in the title of the thread
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
If only Dan Wheeler could have been involved in this game somehow.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You should all thank me for not writing the headling "Hi Yo Silva".
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
heres hoping you get to use that one
in about 5 days.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
You can only use that headline if your name is William...
… and you Tell people “This game is Overture!” when Marmol strikes the last guy out.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Certainly
didn’t rise to the level of a witticism.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Well, maybe a HALFWITicism
"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
gotta give him a break
he is a witaholic after all
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
You are just waiting for the right time for that one
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 13, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
the fight today was in center field above the batters eye
i was right behind the plate and saw it immediately, security was slow to get there
Ramlee Zamfukusoridero
Agree X 93
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Corey Patterson has been brought up by Baltimore
Andy MacPhail gives him another chance. this guy is/was loaded with talent, but has had only brief success in the majors. I wish him well.
I wonder if Corey is his own hitting coach too?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
He's helping Bradley in his off time from counseling
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
::muttering to himself::
“Okay, man, if it looks like the pitch is coming straight in and fast at head height, swing hard!”
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
I wish him well too. I just am glad we aren't still hoping he can help us.
Mixed bag I guess. I always liked him.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Cubs Win!
The Cubs actually won! Wow! That’s enough of my in-depth analysis of the inner workings of today’s game.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
All he's done (outside of the errors) is HIT.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions
That partying with Sori peeps here said he would be doing seems to be paying off.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Wells sure would like a word about run support.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions
is this
still in reference to the discussion (I believe yesterday) of taking away the series’ with the Brewers?
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
I don't care what Silva does the rest of the season
He’s been worth it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
the return on investment in getting rid of bradley was amazing
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on May 12, 2010 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions
+2
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 13, 2010 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions
And replace it with 0-4 ...
makes 11-24
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
Let's see how he fares when he starts seeing line-ups a second time....
before getting all giddy…..
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
As a starting pitcher he goes through line-ups multiple times a game.
We can be giddy because I think a lot of us would’ve been happy if we were told, “You can have Silva, but he’ll only pitch 6 games for you. In those games he’ll be 4-0 with a sub 3.5 ERA.”
I’d still have taken that any day of the week.
Starlin Castro has 6 RBIs in 17 PAs batting 8th.
Armais Ramirez has 15 RBI’s in 134 PAs batting 4th, 5th and 6th.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 5:51 PM CDT reply actions
all 6 came in one game...
fwiw
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
Take that one game away and all he has is
0 RBI and 5 errors!! Send him down!!
/sarcasm.
Lohse is starting for the Cards tonight. The world might implode if we moved up a game in the standings.
Cue the sarcastic SWL message about it’s importance lol
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 12, 2010 5:55 PM CDT reply actions
I wanted Lou to go out on a win
I was worried that wasn’t going to happen and we would never have a good time to Fire him/he Resigns.
With the off day tomorrow, it’s perfect. Thanks for the memories Lou, 2008 certainly was great and this organization actually made the playoffs back to back years. Sorry it is time for you to go.
You're in for some bad news in the morning.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 12, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
or do you mean
Tomorrow night and No news
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
I love it when the Cubs win when I am in attendence.
Many thanks to Carlos Silva for yet another great performance! I really like watching him pitch.
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
OT: habs up 2-0 up on the pens with about 1min left
I love Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane in totally manly ways. Kinda.
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
in period 1 that is
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 12, 2010 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions
7pm central
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 12, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
4-0 montreal half through the 2nd
Pittsburgh hasn’t been this dejected since Roethlisberger drove a motorcycle without a helmet.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 12, 2010 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
4-2 now
this is gonna be a good one…
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 12, 2010 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Marmol is, once again...
unhitable this year. 33 K’s in 16 innings and a .173 BAA. The problem is, of course, the walks. If he could conquer his control problems, he’d be the most lights out closer in the game.
He has recorded 48 outs, 33 by strikeout.
Impressive.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Cubs postgame on WGN today
said Marmol last year had more 1-2-3 innings than Mariano Rivera. Hard to believe.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
How do the Cubs
get these attendance figures?
Obviously, you account for the STH – about 22K maybe?
So, the rest?
they look into the accounting books
and see how many people paid for a ticket for todays game?
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
The stadium said there were 38,000
at the game today. No way there were that many. Probably less than 30. Nice win.
www.twentytoeighty.com
So 2 in 5 tix bought
were no shows?
I don’t doubt your 22k number, I’m trying to figure out how ~40% of the people who bought tickets knowing unpredictable Chicago weather would then not show up.
Just win the next game...!
Many of the no-shows....
… may be from season ticket holders.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It was a cold
sort or drizzly and miserable day, not to mention a losing streak.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
Do you think a lot of it could be scalpers
that could not resell the tickets?
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
My husband got tickets by being schmoozed as a client the other night.
They started out a Sluggers before the game with a private party in the back. There was a large group there. Maybe 20-50 people. We left at 6:30pm to get to the game. As far as I know, none of the other people ever showed up. Guess they were more interested in the free beer and chicken wings than the game. I don’t get it.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
100% agreed
I don’t get it either…
it’s like guys from my beer-league softball team. If it’s not 75 degrees, sunny with a light breeze, they don’t show up. Heck, we played in the 45-50 degree weather, misty, windy and storms approaching yesterday evening.
Just win the next game...!
Eminem and Jay-Z...
are being interviewed on the broadcast of the Yankees Tigers game right now.
It’s… awkward.
is the broadcast on ESPN?
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
I HATE ESPN
HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE – seriously, who is Des Moines Iowa wants to watch the Yankees play the damn Tigers?
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on May 12, 2010 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions
You would have loved this past week then.
Sunday night game was NY vs Bos, Monday game was NY vs Det, followed by tonight with NY vs Det again.
Seriously. I mean why don’t they just change their name to ESPNY. Seriously.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
There are baseball teams in New York?
Who knew?
"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 best be careful,
Or they will replace YES as the New York Yankees TV station. Three games on the Excessive Sports Programming Network in four days.
Barf.
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 13, 2010 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions
im not defending
ESPN, but, when they play a yankee game, with the exception of sunday night games, the yes network gets priority so the game last night was braodcast on yes in the NY market. ESPN probably had ESPNnews on in that market. At least that was the way it was when I lived in NY, and is like that now in Atlanta .
That being said, they do overplay them, and use any excuse to get them on. but as bad as the sox are this year, Boston is not getting as much time.
"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra
At the risk of sounding like Old Man Brenly...
Al, the bleachers have really gotten out of control. The last few times I’ve been in have confirmed why I enjoy being out on the street so much better. And events and sights seen described to me by my wife and other regulars this year serve only to reinforce it.
Warning: the following rant may not be suitable for kind, decent folks.
People are throwing up on themselves (and others) and not even bothering to at least go to the restroom and try and wash it off. Nope, they’d rather wear it the rest of the game like some Chunky Badge of Courage. Pushing, shoving, beer-spilling, nacho cheese-tossing and a general degradation of social interaction is now considered the norm.
The homophobic taunting is commonplace, and of course the swearing is off the charts, which normally wouldn’t bother me so much except for the fact that Crowd Control has made of point of saying you can’t say “fuck”. So why have a policy if you’re not going to enforce it?
And here’s the latest low – guys are starting to relieve themselves in the bleachers. That’s right – IN the bleachers. Apparently they attempt to stream it into a cup but given their drunken state, it’s only a matter of time before their aim is off or the cup is knocked over. I’m more than prepared for a beer spill here and there, but when that yellow waterfall is something besides Old Style, that’s it for me.
Al, I’ll take your word for it that Crowd Control and Security is understaffed but the times I’ve been inside, the ones I do see don’t do much. It almost takes a peasant revolt from the real fans before Crowd Control will even force people to sit down during play. Forget about trying any real crowd control. And from what I’ve seen from the outside, the only Crowd Control guys doing anything up top are Jim and Big Mark. Everybody else just walks around until the fight(s) start – then they spring into “action”.
I know you’re in the bleachers every game, but believe me, your upper corner of the bleachers is nothing like the rows down below. Next time Crane or Tom or anyone from the Cubs talks about coming out to the bleachers, I challenge them to sit down low in the trenches.
IMO, the bleachers are still the best place to watch a game, but that’s coming from a former outfielder, so I’m biased to watching a game from that perspective. But advice for anyone who’d rather not deal with what I’ve described above – sit towards the top. You may not be able to escape all the drunken idiots and ensuing chaos, but at least spilled liquids can’t flow uphill.
Now get off my lawn…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on May 12, 2010 7:25 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I don't want peepee on me!
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Oh man Al. We ARE going to be able to sit with you on July 1st, right?
I don’t want someone barfing or peeing on me…
The last time I saw someone peeing in the stands of a ballpark was old Tiger stadium on opening day. We were sitting in the upper deck in Kaline Corner, second row from the back wall.
The guys behind us in the final row felt the bathrooms were too far to walk and just turned around and peed on the wall. Apparently forgetting or not caring that gravity still existed. Ugh.
"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
That reminds me of an "incident" in the old bleachers, several years ago...
Remember how it looked before the recent expansion, with the back of the bleachers being one long chain link fence? Well one night, I was on Waveland, near the alley behind the Budweiser house. Sosa must have been up for me to be playing so far over towards center field.
Anyway, as I’m looking up, I happen to notice a slightly inebriated fan leaning against the fence and facing the street. I thought this a bit odd, but no big deal. Then I hear the tell-tale trickle/splatter of liquid along the wall and on the sidewalk. I look again and sure enough – the guy has stuck his you-know-what through the fence and is relieving himself.
At first I shook my head in disbelief and kinda laughed but then I got a little aggravated. That just wasn’t right. And with me being out on the street, it’s not like I could have easily called security over or anything like that. But I did have a baseball on me (a throw-back ball, just-in-case)…
…so I did my best Juan Pierre impression and threw the ball in the general vicinity of the offender, hitting the fence with a loud clang. Man, even in his drunken state, I’ve never seen someone zip up so fast. He looked around, not quite sure what had happened before turning and stumbling away.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on May 12, 2010 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
There's angels all around us...
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
You should have taken DEAD aim!
Three balls in the side pocket…
"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
Hey bh- Mrs. Zeke and I are coming in Saturday for the Pirates game.
We should meet on the street. I’ll bring my Alan Trammel signed glove and WATCH you guys do your thing before we go in to our seats…
"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, email me if you get a chance
address is in my profile.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
done
"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
nah... a real hero would have done a Shawon Dunston impression and fired one right at him.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
great story
You will have to be played by Clint Eastwood in the movie treatment…
"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
Baseball @ the corner
of Michigan and Trumbull . Boy I do miss it . Comerica does not come close to the memories of the 60’s and 70’s . You might need a rain coat in the bleachers at Wrigley….
The CoMa doesn't smell like pee & stale beer though. Too new of a ballpark.
I go to Wrigley for that aroma ;)
"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
reminds me of the time I was on Boston Common
for the 4th of July Pops/Fireworks extravaganza. Made the mistake of camping out next to the bushes … which into the night many a drunken fool considered a better alternative to the port-o-potty.
I hear you on the bleacher bacchanal. Always found the prospect of sitting there a dubious one.
Ballhawk...
… you have nailed it here. The Cubs need more security. LOTS more. In fact, it’s time for them to have uniformed police officers in the bleachers. A few arrests and maybe it’d stop.
They had similar problems in the Yankee Stadium bleachers years ago. Solution: no alcohol in the bleachers. It worked. The Yankee Stadium bleachers are filled with passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans who aren’t there simply to get drunk.
It is, in fact, getting ridiculous, and I’d tell Tom and Crane exactly what you just said — since you are 100% correct.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That is completely different from the Grandstand
I attended the game on Monday night. I arrived about 6:15 and I was greeted by a fan ambassador on the L platform and numerous Wrigley Field personnel as I walked through the concourse. I tried the Bison Burger and discussed it with the server before I bought it. Very courteous. I did not have any problem with fans in the terrace reserve seats. I have seen a little rude behavior when the crosstown classic is played.
That’s sad to hear because I have had fun days drinking in the bleachers. But I never needed to fight, pee, or be an ass in the bleachers.
"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 12, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
We're speaking of the Bud Light bleachers?
When they name the section of the park seating after beer, it’s use is implied.
No excuse though for the type of behavior mentioned here.
As Gomer Pyle used to say: “Citizen Arrest! Citizen Arrest!”
Maybe it 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
Bleacher Creatures aren't the best example
If you want to create a provincial territory for you and the regulars that routinely makes any outsiders unwelcome, then go for it….follow the Yankee Stadium model.
There’s a happy medium between banishment and debauchery. Work to find it don’t just react.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 12, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
See my comment below
Don’t talk a nice game about improving the fan experience, and then have people find out that fans are literally whipping out their junk in the stands as their “fan liasons” and security stand pat.
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
This is part of the reason
I don’t like going to Wrigley anymore (that and the expense, at least).
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Couldn't agree more
There seemed to be a pretty bad fight out there today too. A lot of people going at it.
www.twentytoeighty.com
Wow...
Just wow. Now this should be a front-page rant, Al. Call it “Share your bleacher horror stories”. Let it syndicate out to a few dozen other sites, and force the Ricketts to respond.
Public indecency at the ballpark? You got to be kidding me
by Damen Jackson on May 12, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Obviously what you describe is a huge reason why Cub fans are hated so much by other teams. I’ve never sat in the bleachers at Wrigley so I can speak to that experience.
I will say i’ve seen the Cubs at Great American many times, usually sit in the outfield. The thing is no matter what game there’s always one group of a%^&* who play the drunken fool role. They’ll even go as far as declaring it’s the bleachers so deal with it or something to that effect. The strange thing is atleast 3 times that i’ve witnessed this behavior the guys responsible have admitted they aren’t even from Chicago nor have been in the bleachers. It’s like there is some universal mandate for drunk idiots to act stupid in the name of Wrigley’s bleachers.
I kind of lost the point of this rant. All I know is it pisses me off going to a game in getting lumped in with jackasses and having others attempting to start fights with me because of the shirt i’m wearing. Obviously that can occur anywhere and for any team but I sure wouldn’t mind seeing a crackdown on this behavior.
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
You're seriously scaring me.
I’m in the outfield bleachers with Al’s group and Allie on July 21 against Houston.
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 13, 2010 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Well that wasn't my intent
You should be fine sitting up by Al. I’ve sat up there as well and it’s high enough above the fray that the worst you’ll probably experience is the occasional fans standing up when they should be sitting down.
I’m not trying to scare folks – and I’m not saying this stuff goes on all the time and everywhere in the bleachers because it doesn’t. But it’s happening often enough and to new levels of uncouthness that I don’t have a problem whatsoever in shining the spotlight on it.
I certainly don’t have any aspirations in curing humanity of their social ills, but I wish and hope the Cubs will start to take this more seriously and figure out a better way to address it. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. I can’t imagine the Cubs would want the lawsuits and bad press that would surely follow.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Thanks for letting me know.
I heard horror stories about Cubs-Brewers games before I went to Miller Park a few years ago, and nothing bad happened there at the game.
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 13, 2010 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of lawns...
Check out the Cubs new pre-game activity. Taken this morning before batting practice.
Can’t tell if Lou is leading the troops or not, but maybe this little display of team kumbaya is the start of something good.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Hot potato?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Didn't know baseball ran
the Okie Drill…
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
reminds me of Mr Baseball
cheek stretch
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Left, left, left right left...
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 13, 2010 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Look, is this what you wanted him to do?
"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 don't think they are quite that bad
Maybe it is a matter of luck, but I sit in left field 10-15 times a year and I have never seen anything close to what you are describing regarding the throwing up and the pissing yourself. Sure, the language can get a bit salty, but nothing beyond what an adult can handle. Fighting etc. is deplorable, but I haven’t seen it increase that much as compared to the last 3-4 years.
agreed on language - I'm more or less inured to the salty stuff
it just bothers me that the Cubs make a point of having a policy on abusive language and then do nothing about it when it occurs. I’d rather they have a looser policy but at least enforce what’s in it.
Meanwhile all the other crap is going on, which at least to me, does far more to tarnish the game-day experience.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
To follow up on my point about Yankee Stadium...
… if you don’t follow the rules, you are ejected. Period. There’s no “little talk”, no excuses, no letting you back in. You break the rules, you are escorted out.
They really do need to crack down — and yes, they need more people out there because there simply aren’t enough, with maybe 25 or so security people and 5,000 seats.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You mean at the Yankee Stadium bleachers if you break the rules you can
fugetaboutit!
"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 12, 2010 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
If i had seen that other stuff, I would feel the same way. I guess it must be luck of the draw, especially since I am not out there every day. I would definitely think twice before taking a kid under the age of 16 out there, but as an adult between the age of 25-35, I am not generally disgusted by what I see out there.
I'm fifteen years old
And went to my first game in the bleachers at age nine. I’ve been about six times, and have never experienced anything to intense other than harsh language. A couple of fights but all from a distance. It seems like everytime, there’s always one group of morons yelling f**k every thirty seconds or trying to start stuff with people around them. But sometimes it feels like the behavior in the bleachers is way overblown. Maybe, like you said, it’s just luck of the draw though, and I’ve yet to experience the worst of it
by Dcr18 on May 12, 2010 8:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I just woke up from a post Portillos nap
During that nap I had a vision. A sweep of the Pirates and Rockies. My post Portillo’s premonitions are never wrong.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
I actually had to call my husband and ask if he was you.
He has had visions like this too and was always right on the money….until a particularly wacky one he had last year. Since that one didn’t come to pass, I’ve been ribbing him to no end. Regardless of my incessant teasing, he had the audacity to tell me about another vision last October which made zero sense when he “saw” it. It sorta makes sense now, so shhh! don’t tell him, but I’m secretly holding a shred (a very, very, very small shred) of hope that maybe, just maybe his vision was a year ahead of time. Nah…who am I kidding. No way. You are both silly. You can’t sucker me in. Of course, now if you are right and they do sweep….God help me. I’m so gullible.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on May 13, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Anyone know the last time...
That the Pirates swept us AT Wrigley? I really need something to fire back at my boss who is a big Pittsburgh everything fan.
I just looked this up.
The last time the Pirates swept a series at Wrigley was almost exactly 10 years ago — May 5, 6, and 7, 2000. Both the Cubs and Pirates were 90+ loss teams that year.
We, of course, hope for that NOT to be repeated this weekend.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I hope the two
days off will give Ramy some sort of an idea at the plate for the weekend.
Silva 4-0, can you imagine. I had him for 3 wins all year.
Goodness this team needs a sweep this weekend.
We're 6 games out and it's only May 12. Oy.
By the time A-Ram and D-Lee wake up, we’ll be 10 back.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Good evening you little ray of sunshine.
The Astros are kicking the Cardinals asses right now. So it will be 5.5 in about an hour and a half. Relax. Nobody in our division is really all that good yet. When the sun shines in late May and June, the men are separated from the boys. June 27th, my anniversary is measuring stick day. If we are within 5 or less, we got a shot.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on May 12, 2010 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
TWSS
I had to, even to myself. “My anniversary is measuring stick day”? I was asking for it, so I figured I would just TWSS myself.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on May 12, 2010 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions
We’re famous over at Second City Hockey!
Seems to be a critique of BCBers’ tendency to jump on whomever doesn’t agree with the masses. I’ll agree with that statement. Like I’ve said, BLou and those with dissenting opinions don’t really bother me; it adds t the blog’s perspective.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
WTF?
" i never knew so many old people used the internet until i went to BCB. seriously i dont give a fuck if you saw the Cubs play in 1960."
Well, EXCUUUUUUSE MEEEEEEE!!!!!!
"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
Perfect. and perfectly said.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 13, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
What a great post.
Echoes exactly the way I feel about BCB. I just wish I was a hockey fan…
dtpollitt n SWL will be discussing this very topic in our next FanPost, which also includes zombies.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
it better have something about the holy fish/meat wars or I'm not reading it.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
when can we expect this latest installment of dtpollitt n swl
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 12, 2010 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
After finals week.
And after we can secure some interview questions.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
WOOO
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 12, 2010 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions
are the questions open forum?
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Oh hell no.
We make them up.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
but but but
i wanted to know
if you are driving down the street in a canoe and get four flat tires, how many pancakes does it take to pump up a dog house. Now i will never know
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Six. But it requires a side of bacon.
Canadian.
"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
Yeah
I can’t argue with their complaints. I hate seeing people get jumped on here when all they are trying to do is contribute or vent.
"I think I'm going to a casino in Indiana and play snake eyes. I don't know what else to say, I'll be honest with you."
Agreed, he's just part of the ensemble.
After all, what would Cheers be without Cliff Clavin?
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
Yeah, so I heard, he he
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
it is funny that they bitch and moan about BLou
then use his FanShot as an example of how we are here. Kinda like the pot calling the kettle black on that one.
That being said, there is some truth to what is posted about BCB at times, and it is the reason Al has asked to have moderators, and people here are asked time and time again to stop attacking. We ALL need to respect each other and stop giving others a chance to take a shot at us.
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
NEVER!. Never I say...
Ernie’s greatness may have faded a bit in recent years
NEVER!
Wait until you see my new Cubs jersey! Just arrived today. Will wear it with pride Saturday.
"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
Never!
"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
We just lost Ernie Harwell. I could stand the thought of losing Ernie Banks too.
Faded?
NEVER! NEVER!! NEVER!!!
"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
argh! could=couldn't
To quote Ronnie: Geez!
"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 IS THAT HORRENDOUS THING ON YOUR CHEST
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
A Spartan my man, a Spartan.
Bleed Green AND Cubbie Blue. Not that OTHER blue down the road…
"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, I still love ya even if you're wearing the wrong college colors ;-)
Sittin' on the ledge and sippin' Kool-Aid...
Well, they've paid the bills in my household for over 30 years, so...
"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've got a damn good deal
University of Illinois just keeps asking me for money…
"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 flipped out at some poor sap in the cold call donation room at Iowa a couple weeks ago.
“I’ve told you guys! Ask me for money when i’m done paying my student loans off!”
In other words, call me in 20 years.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 13, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
And here I thought
people would be ticked off because the Cubs didn’t lose, thereby preventing Lou from being fired/resigning on the off day.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are going to lose a home series to the last-place Astros. Can you believe that? That’s almost as bad as losing a home series to the second-place Nationals.
It’s May 12. Enjoy the rich pageantry of another baseball season.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:07 PM CDT reply actions
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
That's a hell of a picture, actually
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m a bandwith thief but here’s a link, so you can see more of their work. It goes to Flickr by the way.
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
Good stuff
Looks like it’s from Italy.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 13, 2010 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs...
been there, done that already this season, in case you forgot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on May 13, 2010 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly.
And the Cardinals and Astros meet again today. St. Louis could get swept. Let’s hope so.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And lo and behold, they did sweep the Cards
I guess the Cardinals should fire TLR, trade everybody and burn down Busch Stadium.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 13, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Manager swap!
Lou for TLR!
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 13, 2010 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cardinals just lost!
The Cubs picked up a game today. Today was a good day :)
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
Alleluia
"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
Woo Hoo...
oooppss…I’ll try to keep the excitement to myself…
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
You said...
“Castro, for his part, had a productive day with a pair of hits. He was also originally charged with an error on a ball that got by him into center field — a ball he may not have even touched. The official scorers are simply going to have to get used to him having a lot more range than the previous occupant of his position.”…
Ya Think?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
...Jason Marquis?
Silva now has five quality starts in seven total outings — and the other two starts were just mediocre, not horrendous. This is precisely the type of pitcher I thought Silva would be — someone who could consistently give you six, maybe seven decent innings and keep his team in the game by getting ground balls (11 of 19 outs recorded today were via grounders).
Shouldda kept him for his contract year
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
Silva in a contract year by any chance?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
Silva has been worth the price already, KC, considering for whom he was traded,
but I’m not ready to anoint him yet.
He’s done a very nice job, and I’ll leave it at that.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 12, 2010 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yup.....
More wins that last year already….what’s he need to beat the last two?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
I'm quoting Al in my post above....not my words....
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
I realized that because I recognized what I wrote.
Next time put other people’s words in a quotebox — highlight them and then click the little “quote” icon above the posting box. Thanks.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I believe that the error charged to Castro was right...
I think he could have got that ball, it went right under his glove. Instead of diving for the the ball on his stomach, he should have knee slid and caught it on the side. It was too close to him, to dive straight out like that. But anyways, he’ll come around.
On your pic, asking about celebration and relief?
I know my thought was relief when Pat exclaimed, “…got him” to end the game.
Just win the next game...!
Is he the pitcher
you thought he would be Al, or the pitcher you hoped he would be? ;)
Sonny Black: How can John Wayne die?
Lefty: F*****' Indians got him.
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