Blackhawks Tune Up For Finals By Watching Dempster Dominate Dodgers
by Al Yellon on May 26, 2010 8:01 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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More than a month ago, Ryan Dempster organized an outing for the entire Cubs team to watch the Blackhawks in their first playoff game of 2010 at the United Center.
The 'Hawks lost that game -- but since then, they have roared through the playoffs to reach the Finals.
Yesterday, several Blackhawks, including Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Brian Campbell and Adam Burish, returned the favor by attending last night's Cubs game seated near the Cubs dugout to watch the Cubs' biggest hockey fan pitch against the Dodgers:
"It was exciting for all the guys," Dempster said about having the Blackhawks there. "I've been pulling for them really hard. The city deserves something like that. To see a team in the Stanley Cup Finals -- and what better group of guys than those guys. They're all first-class individuals, and I hope they're hoisting the cup above their heads real soon."
Dempster did not disappoint the 'Hawks, throwing his best game of the season and, arguably, the best start by any Cubs starter so far this year. Dempster's eight shutout innings and Derrek Lee's big day at the plate led the Cubs to a 3-0 win over the Dodgers, only their second shutout of 2010 (the other: a 2-0 shutout of the Braves on April 8).
D-Lee, who also had a slow start last year (prompting calls here -- not by me, though -- to replace him with Micah Hoffpauir), had his best day of the year, with a walk, single and double, and then a two-run homer in the eighth inning that gave the Cubs some breathing room. While Lee has had a tough early season, he's at least given the Cubs some production -- his 27 walks rank 11th in the NL -- and if last night is a sign he's coming out of it, that should help the Cub offense score on a more consistent basis. The HR was the 299th of his career; both Lee and Alfonso Soriano now sit one dinger short of 300. The thought of catching a potential milestone had the ballhawks on Waveland lined up paying rapt attention last night whenever Soriano was at the plate, but he went 0-for-3 with a walk.
But story #1 last night was Dempster, who gave up a hit and a walk in the first inning, and a pair of singles in the fourth, and nothing else. No Dodger got past second base. At 104 pitches, Dempster possibly could have finished, but Carlos Marmol seems in a groove now, and finished LA off for his 10th save -- to the crowd chanting "Manny sucks!" -- by striking out Manny Ramirez. Marmol has now thrown 23.2 innings -- that's 71 outs -- and registered 46 of those outs by strikeout.
One more important thing happened at Wrigley Field last night, off the field. If you came to last night's game with a bleacher ticket, and wanted to drink alcohol, you needed to get a wristband from crowd control. This is an outstanding idea and props to the Cubs for being proactive after the problems a couple of weeks ago and coming up with a solution. There were crowd control people checking ID's as people entered, and also several tables set up inside the bleachers issuing wristbands if you missed that coming in.
While it's not a perfect system, it should cut way down on the underage drinking. Incidentally, even though ID's are checked as you get a wristband, they will be checked again by the alcohol servers. There were a few people ejected last night, but no fights and the crowd, though small -- the bleachers were only about 2/3 full and the paid attendance of 34,749 was the smallest of the season -- was peaceful.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are heating up. They've now won seven of their last nine and, with losses by both the Reds and Cardinals last night, have moved to within four games of first place, the closest they have been since April 27.
Finally, goofy note of the day: last night's game was the first in major league history featuring two players named Xavier. A further coincidence: both were playing the same position -- right field -- Xavier Paul for the Dodgers and Xavier Nady for the Cubs. Both players continued the similarity by going 0-for-3.
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You mean I have to get wristband
for all that beer I drink?. Not a problem as long as I don’t need it for a Big Gulp.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
Attendance down?
I am shocked. Seriously though for some insane reason the Cubs had last nights game in the “plantinum” pricing catagory which is pretty crazy for Tuesday night game in May. They overestimated the draw of the Dodgers and people willing to pay $60 for a bleacher ticket and a lot more for a box.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
On this point, I agree with you.
Making last night and tonight “platinum” games, before Memorial Day, was a bad choice.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Please no momentum givers here
We both know it’ll end up going on a tangent.
Just win the next game...!
She's going to be in the bleachers on Thursday.
Anyone else who’s going to be there, stop by to hear all the discussion.
Will it be Lou-bashing first? Or the Nady/Fuld debate? Or the ticket argument? Who knows?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I can only feel for how that's gonna be
Good luck. Better tune that filter well. Yikes!
Just win the next game...!
I am still under the weather
with a cold & sore throat so you probably will be saved. I figured you would agree on the plantinum thing. Some of the decisions on those were odd to say the least.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions
That crowd was odd last night
The Bleacher attendance was oddly low – center field looked like a 2 hour rain delay crowd. And the upper deack left field corner was strangely near vacant – it looked like a a group bus or two broke down on the highway.
With the weather forecast as great as it was, those tickets should have sold over the weekend.
"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 26, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
It's the pricing for that game.
These two games should NOT have been platinum level. At the next level down, they would have come closer to a sellout, given the team performance over the weekend and the nice weather.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I was initially planning to come tonight
but at $60 a ticket and a tight schedule ( plane gets in at 6) I decided not to.
Just as well with my cold but the $60 played a role.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Platinum vs Gold
$9 differential, plus taxes. That’s a pretty strong $9
For tonight’s game – I can buy 4 Bleacher tickets from the Cubs for $261.56, all taxes and fees included.
On StubHub – $184.95, all fees included.
"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 26, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I ate yesterday's tickets
and I had them on stubhub for about 60% of face.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
How did they taste?
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 26, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Eating Cubs Tickets
A new food options at Wrigley Field in 2010. High in fiber.
"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 26, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Brings new meaning to
the whole “Working Lunch” ads. In order to afford the crazy mid week platinum level tix, people now actually have to work through lunch.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
ticket brokers had lots of tickets left
I bought 4 seats,section 219, row 4-right behind home but back some. $70 face-astounding-I paid $25 each in the 2nd inning. I probably could have paid less. what if it had been cold out?
by holy mackeral on May 26, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Blackhawks stole the Cubs mystique
A beautiful night game in late May. First home game after a good road trip. Against the LA Dodgers of 0-3 2008 infamy. Great #1 pitcher for each team match up.
On every level this game should have been a sell-out or near sell-out – weather, opponent, time of year, match-up.
I can only summarize that the Blackhawks have stole the Cubs status icon of “Where the Cool People Go”.
"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 26, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
How?
There wasn’t a ’Hawks game last night.
The slow start.
Higher prices overall.
Crappy economy.
Platinum game prices.
All these contributed to 34k “announced” attendance.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
It looked like a legit 34,000 in the house.
Empty seats, yes, but the empties were likely unsold.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So ~82.5% capacity
With that being a “platinum” game, it’s likely revenue would have been about as good as a gold game last year.
Just win the next game...!
I would believe that except
With the economy just as bad or worse last year, every home games in May had much higher attendance levels.
It’s discretionary income and a slight shift from cubs and sox to the blackhawks would not be impossible.
"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 26, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
This will happen to nearly all games, even the platinum ones
once you get within 24-48 hrs of game time.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah...No Lou Bashing on Thursday....
She is saving that for me this weekend when I see her in her regular seat. (Will I wear my Lou Jersey this wekend? I have been told I had to do so by one of my seatmates…We will have to see how I feel when I get ready to go to the park this weekend)
Kasey
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Amazing overview of how Marmol stacks up against the league
Closer stats, courtesy of MLB.com
Marmol’s averaging about 2 K’s per inning pitched.
There’s not a single closer in the league who even comes close to that kind of domination… or as wild either:)
"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)
.
Marmol's walk ratio...
… is still high, but it’s down from 7.9 per nine innings from last year to 5.3 per nine innings.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Have fun at the park tonight... you might see a double milestone!
Getting the best weather of the year, and I’m out of town. Figures. Can’t wait to get 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)
.
When you strike out
17.5 per 9, you can afford to walk 5.3 per 9.
17.5 – That’s just nuts!
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
i really think the move to the closer's role
has insulated him from some of the abuse patterns before (4 times in 5 days, 3 consecutive days as well), which has helped sharpen the control
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 26, 2010 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
This is true I think, with our slow start he hasn't had tons of save chances.
So Lou gets to pick and choose more when to use him comparatively.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Mitch Williams
He’s the only closer with any success that I can remember with walk numbers that high. Williams really only had three good years as a closer (1989 – CHC, 1991 & 1993 – PHI). I don’t count 1992 as a good year for Williams because his ERA was 3.78.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
So in other words...
18 K’s per 9 innings.
There’s not an adjective out there that can describe how amazing that is.
AWESOME with a capital A baby.
"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)
.
Does it bug anyone else that Kevin Gregg is 12/14?
Coulda used that in ’09
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
I like how he thought it would be interesting to screw a number of pitchers out of wins.
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 26, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Wait, what?
I can’t tell if you’re being facetious or if you’re referring to something Gregg said.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
He blew so many saves,
Or had rough outings. I don’t honestly know what happened, why he struggled like 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 26, 2010 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, ok.
I read your comment as something Gregg actually said, but yeah, he sucked with us. I remember a friend of mine who is a Marlins fan laughing about the Cubs signing, asking if I liked blown saves. At the time, I was basically like, “No dude, that’s just one year, he’ll be good with the Cubs!” I was wrong.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Should have been Marmol from the start.
He’s really been impressive this year. Very happy for Marmol and the Cubs….and us!
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
I remember the game in 2008 when he blew the save against us.
After that game, I was wondering why we signed him following the 2008 season.
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 26, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Was that the Cliff Floyd
9th inning homerun game?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Daryle Ward, IIRC.
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 26, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I get them confused.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Not really.
Most relievers are up and down from year to year. And he still has a long way to go – we’ll see whether he can keep his home run rate as low as it’s been.
+1
The Cubs have had a lot of so-called closers that had worse seasons than what Gregg had in 2009. I really admire how consistent Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have been from year to year.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Brewers fans might want to have a word with you.
Hoffman has been consistent, but this year, he’s had trouble closing down 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 26, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
2010 Pretty Awfully Horrid
I feel the Brewers got lucky last season with Hoffman doing so well. I’m afraid that Hoffman is at the end of his rope. He should end his career with at least 600 saves. I hope he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It’s very difficult for closers to make it to the Hall. Hoffman had better make it or the Hall will have absolutely no credibility at all.
I wonder if John Franco will even get enough votes to stay on the ballot for a second year after his first year of eligibility. I know he’s got no real shot at making it. I’m not even saying that Franco should be in the Hall, but I believe his numbers should merit consideration.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I'm wondering if Hoffman will make it to 600
He’s not closing right now, and the way the Brewers are playing, who knows how long that might take?
If/when he does get there, I suspect he’ll retire shortly thereafter.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
That's what happened to Carlton Fisk in 1993.
He really wasn’t very good in 1992 but the Sox brought him back in ’93 so he could break the games caught record, which he did on June 22. Six days later he was released. There was some bad blood between Fisk and the Sox which they eventually patched up. Check out the career games caught list — they literally let him hang on until he had caught one more game than Bob Boone.
The kicker, of course, is that Pudge Rodriguez broke Fisk’s record last year and is still going (though now on the DL). And if Jason Kendall hangs on long enough, he might have a shot at breaking the record, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's not a kicker. Most records will eventually be broken.
That doesn’t change the man setting it or how important it was for the team and him.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
At the time it was done...
… it was perceived as selfishness on Fisk’s part, because he was 45 years old and far past any playing usefulness.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I remember it and how it was perceived...thanks for the history lesson lol.
Actually I’d agree it was selfish…I was simply saying that the record being broken later on doesn’t diminish it’s value.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Jason Kendall?
How he hangs on is a mystery. 2009 VORP was -1.1, 71st among catchers. shockingly low power numbers. doesn’t throw anyone out.
Lets Play Two Today
So that's who those guys were.
Duh! (hits self in head). We mute the TV and listen to the radio so my husband and I were speculating why they kept showing the same people in the stands and figured one of them was a celebrity. We are not hockey fans at all and had no idea. Ha.
What a great game!
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
Blackhawks players at the game
Boy do they look relaxed in this pic.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/05/four-blackhawks-at-cubs-dodgers-game.html
Here’s hoping they will be able to bring the cup to Wrigley at least once, during say, I don’t know… a Saturday game in the middle of July ?!?!
Just win the next game...!
I would have posted a photo of that.
But there were no photos of last night’s game available to me. Maybe by later today I can find one.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i posted a bad cell phone picture in the 2nd overflow thread last night
feel free to steal it
by cubsonWGN4ever on May 26, 2010 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I wonder how much of the game they got to see.
Seemed like every time the TV camera showed them they were busy signing autographs.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 26, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice of the guys to come out
Burish (far right) looks like Jim Morrison, circa 1971.
And, great game by Demp! (mumbling under breath) wish we could’ve seen the same effort vs. LA in October of ’08.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
So they gave up their front row seats to other fans, huh?
By the end of the game they were a couple rows up, with other fans in front of them. Pro move. These guys really are sports elite. They deserve a lot more than the cup and the adoration of the city.
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
It was Crane Kenney and a couple of Ricketts who sat in front of them
They weren’t in the front row, they were in the second, but the Ricketts didn’t come till later.
by cubsonWGN4ever on May 26, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry
But the Cup will be in Philadelphia this summer!
Keep telling yourself that :)
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
We'll see
I hope the Blackhawks are as overconfident as the Chicago papers and the fans are.
If you think this is going to be an easy series, you haven’t watched the Flyers this playoffs.
It’s going to be a long 3 days until Game 1!
They would have had a bigger celebration after winning the WC
if they were overconfident, or weren’t focused. This Blackhawks team is focused in a way that other team’s in their place aren’t.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I love hearing about how you're not supposed to touch
the Clarence Campbell bowl or the Prince of Wales trophy.
I read somewhere that they looked at the conference champion winners over the past few years, and it’s 50/50 on who won based on who left the trophy on the table, and who picked it up.
It makes no difference. Whoever plays better in the finals, wins.
The FIFA World Championship Cup made the rounds this year.
Of course, it stopped in soccer-obsessed Mexico in March. And since the president of the country has nothing better to do but go to such events, he decided he’d lift it to show us how awesome and powerful he is. In two nanoseconds flat, three FIFA officials jumped him before he had a chance to touch the trophy and scolded him. Nobody but the World Champions, the president of the country where the WC takes place and FIFA designated officials are allowed to touch it.
It's 50/50 ish just like you said
I watched Toews Sunday just stand there and really I could not care less. You probably feel the same way out there. Don’t mean crap to either team.
What matters most is winning the most prestigious trophy in all of pro sports.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope, no overconfidence on that team
Just ask the ‘Hawks how to beat you and they’ll do it.
See Nashville: Check, check, check, trap, trap, trap…. got it. Play the series along the boards…patience and wait for mistakes, done 4-2.
See Vancouver: Pick a penalty any penalty…got it. Frustrate the shit out of them and plant Buff & his 260lb frame in the slot …done 4-2. In 3 home-ice games, Vancouver never lead a single minute out of all 180 minutes.
See San Jose: Strong, quick and mobile offence and defence. ‘Hawks won nearly all the board battles, played four straight 60-minute intense games, didn’t waver a bit even when they trailed.
Now Philly: Toughest test yet unless the ‘Hawks would have faced Pgh or Det. Quick team, not quite as fast as the ’Hawks. Tough team, probably a wash. Overall, it’ll be a goalie and special teams battle and a bash on the half-boards. I’m confident but not cocky. I haven’t seen a Blackhawks team this good since 1971.
I watched the Flyers. I saw the beantown comeback. Great story. I picked them to go to at least the conf finals. Didn’t think the Caps would implode but knew NJ and Bos were pretenders. Pgh is always tough but Mtl came out of nowhere to shock Wsh and Pgh. If this were last years’ Blackhawks team, I would not be as confident but this team is the deepest of all 16 playoff teams.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
When the Hawks win it in Philadelphia, yes.
But then, it will head home to Chicago.
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 26, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
You have absolutely no idea what kind of buzzsaw your guys are going to run into
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Really
You have no idea what the Blackhawks are going to run into.
You’re overlooking a team that came back from being down 3-0 in a best of 7 series and won? Also down 3-0, in the 1st period of Game 7 and won.
Can’t wait until Saturday night.
Blackhawks are much stronger than Montreal or Boston.
I have a funny feeling that the Flyers won’t be flying so high after a few 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 26, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
They are a strong team
But it’s not the Flyers fault they played Boston and Montreal. You play the teams that advance.
But it’s funny how the Caps and Pens had trouble with the Habs and couldn’t beat them. But the Flyers dusted them in 5.
Mtl blew their load
dispatching Wsh and Pgh. No team going 7 in round 1 has won the cup.
Who’d of thought the ’Hawks would outscore SJ by almost 2:1 in a 4-game sweep? I picket the ’Hawks in six in that series hoping the God they would not have blown their loads beating Vanc.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
But the fact is that the Blackhawks are stronger than anyone the Flyers have played so far.
I said that before, I’ll say it again.
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 26, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
They are strong but so are the Flyers
Look at the defensemen:
The Flyers top 4 have combined for 44 giveaways and 28 takeaways.
The Hawks top 4 have combined for 58 giveaways and 27 takeaways.
That looks even to me
Look at the offences you guys have faced...
I know you can’t pick who you play, but the best team you beat was the 16th ranked offense in the league and the worst was the 30th!
Hawks are #3 in PPG. It’ll be different beast and Philly won’t know how to stop it, even with a good defense.
What Philly did in round 2
against an offecively-challenged team in the B’s don’t mean crap to the fastest team in the NHL.
Philly beat 3 offencively-challenged teams. The ’Hawks just went 8-2 against 2 of the highest scoring teams this season.
It’s going to go along the half-boards and who tries to stop Toews and Kane with Pronger challenging Buff in the slot. Oh, then there’s the ‘Hawks 2nd and 3rd lines. All 3 top lines have interchangeable parts along with defencive pairs. You won’t always see Keith and Seabrook together. When Soupy is mixed in on some of the transition plays, Philly will see something they didn’t see in the RS and haven’t seen in the playoffs.
It’s going to be fun.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Have the Hawks played a team in the playoffs
with 4 top defensemen? They haven’t.
The Flyers match up with the Hawks forwards .
The goalies are a push.
A team is only so fast until they get hit.
This series is going 6 or 7.
...with the Blackhawks winning.
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 26, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, next year.
2010 is the Blackhawks’ year.
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 26, 2010 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Not making any predictions
Philly is a formidable foe.
And remember, we’re talking about Chicago sports. Nothing is in the bag, even when it is.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
True.
Let’s wait for the series to happen before we say anything.
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 26, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
...the Prince of Wales Trophy...
check…
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL
The Flyers are the 1985 Patriots. Hawks in 5.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on May 26, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Won't go that far
There is absolutely nothing in sports that can compare to the physical beating took by the “home” team on 26-Jan-1986.
I’ll simply settle for a parade down Michigan Ave sometime during the 2nd week of June.
Just win the next game...!
I sure don't understand why you chose this thread to talk smack
about the Flyers. Put up a fan post if it means that much to you.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Because the Blackhawks are prominently featured, probably
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 26, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm...you're right there. Probably shouldn't have been surprised.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
Seriously.
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 26, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably all of ours,
For replying to the smack talk.
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 26, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I would think Blackhawks in 5 is reasonable
Seeing as you cannot possibly match our offensive depth and some of the most skilled 2 way players in hockey (Richards is good, Toews is better).
And after round 4, they still would not have faced a top 4 defenceman
Who will match:
Byfuglien, Toews, Kane,… Sharp, Hossa, Brouwer,… and Versteeg, Bolland, Ladd?
Then who will match:
Keith, Seabrook, Campbell & Hjalmarsson.
Don’t forget:
Several ’Hawks forwards have played the PP point.
Now tell me:
Who is going to mind Kane & Toews when Pronger is desperately trying to move a 30-40lb heavier Byfuglien out of the slot? I can’t wait to hear this one.
On the hitting:
Everyone to this point did the same thing. Nashville tried one variant of the LW lock, just a fancy trap… fail. Vancouver hit anything that moved but took too many penalties doing so. Plus their PK was an epic fail. SJ played solid along the half-boards, very well in fact. But the puck-cycling ’Hawks were too much.
I’m not saying this will be easy but if the ’Hawks continue their play of the last 5 games, they will win the Stanley Cup.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Goalies A Push?
Leighton wasn’t even the Hawks 5th best goalie. Niemi is a immensely better and has faced offenses vastly superior to anything he has gone against. It’s not even close to a push. Go away homer.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on May 26, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
The Flyers have had
a pretty easy time to the Finals. I discount the 0-3 to Boston, because the Bruins were not even close to a playoff team. Not to belittle the accomplishment by the Flyers, but the Bruins are not very good.The East, save for Pittsburgh and Washington was a weak conference. the Pens ran into the “repeat” problem. The Caps aren’t really built for the playoffs until they can come up with better goaltending.
The Canadians had one line. It was only Halak’s goaltending that got them this far in the playoffs.If Michael Cammalleri didn’t score, the Habs were going to lose.
Cast-off goalie Leighton is just that….from the waiver wire. The Ex-Blackhawk isn’t going to amount to much in the Finals.
If it wasn’t for a shoot-out win, the Flyers might not have made the playoffs
You are hyped, I understand — and reasonably so. But the Flyers are about to hit a team that’s much, much, much more talented from top to bottom — All 4 lines can do damage.
Philly Cub, your orange-colored glasses are blinding to you what the Flyers are going to be running into…
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on May 26, 2010 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Just a troll
no substance, but then again I’m used to seeing those arguments.
Just win the next game...!
Philly Cub isn't a troll
He’s just a very partisan Flyers fan.
Never, never underestimate your opponent at this stage.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions
When he cites no credible information to defend his statements
to me that’s a troll.
Just win the next game...!
can i punch everyone that responded to this by saying that the hawks will win?
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 26, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I think you have a valid right to do that.
Messing with Karma…bad idea.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Cool...let's hope they see the Cubs win again!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Dempster was awesome last night.
Bonus points to Marmol for the game ending (wicked) slider to K Manny Ramirez… that was icing on the cake!!
Dempster was dealing!
That was a beautiful ballgame to watch. I’d like to order up five more of these for the homestand, please…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Well, if you end up being hurt
we’ll know who did it :)
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
You probably did.
There were very few people in our section, and maybe 2-3 completely empty rows in front of us.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
On D-Lee
If there’s one guy on this team that I know will come through a big slump, it’s him.
Glad to see that shot go out in the 8th last night.
Just win the next game...!
Team is starting to play well
Just got my ticket for strasbugs debut.. Really pumped
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
Dempster was on a mission last night
I was really impressed with his dominance. DLee was al the offense we needed. PLEASE keep this up, it’s much more fun to win!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Wristband question....
Will the ushers check to see if someone WITHOUT a wristband is drinking? Was just thinking of either a 21 year old buying for a teenager and bringing it back to the seats or a 21 year old without a wrist band that had someone bring them a beer. Seems to me like they had better check the seats for drinkers or the wristband thing is a mute point.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Yes...
… they will be checking that. I didn’t see any of that last night, but I assume they’ll be watching for anyone who looks too young to be drinking anyway. Security can still ask for ID’s if they suspect underage drinking.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This discussion seems so freaking strange to me,
after having lived for more than 33 years in a country (and on a continent) where the legal drinking age for beer and wine is (for most part) 16.
The level of rowdiness in American Baseball stadiums is, AFAIK, very low when compared to what goes on in many Football (Soccer) venues over here.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 26, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
As we have discussed...
… European and American cultures are different. Maybe that works in Europe. It would be a disaster here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree that there are cultural differences - I should know...
I wasn’t being negative, it’s just that the discussion “an sich” strikes me as weird. If what they are doing improves the enjoyment for the majority of the fans, I wouldn’t want to be derogatory about it.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
I'm a fan of the drinking, and driving, laws in Germany.
What is it, 16 to drink, and 18 to drive, and if you get one DUI, your license is revoked for life?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
16 for Wine & Beer, 18 for the stronger stuff
Small motorized bikes 15/16 (it depends) and 18 for cars, large bikes, trucks, etc.
DUI of any drug is treated very seriously, and can lead to a life long driving ban, especially if you are a repeat offender.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
That's what I thought, but it's been years since I had a German class
Anyway, I’m still a fan of that law. It makes sense and teaches people to have a greater sense of responsibility. Maybe I’m naive though, who knows.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
As with all things, there are positive and negative aspects.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
I saw those ages and the lifetime ban.
Sounds like a better system, but then there is less traffic and the Autobahn to deal with. Driving on that scared the shit out of me.
It is different cultures and attitudes about drinking and bars. I think you are very right people should be interested in what helps the majority of fans and cuts down on lewd and violent behavior.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Tried to have this discussion...
… and everybody flipped out.
Apparently your strategy of letting kids learn about booze while under the roof of their parents is crazy, and each classes contemporaries should do the job in a compressed environment of 20,000 other kids!
And yet… we all lament how much underage drinking is going on, how badly those kids behave when they get drunk…
Really maddening.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 26, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I like that this is your way of disagreeing
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Does it seem like that's the demographic that causes the issues
For the games where I do see a disturbance in bleacher-land the past few years, all the “combatants” seem to be older than 21, sometimes near double the legal drinking age.
Just win the next game...!
Depends.
Sometimes it’s older guys… sometimes not.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
really? Under-agers and dropping the mitts, eh?
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
What do you guys think of Z returning to the rotation?
Pretty good article in the Sun Times today. Basically says Z does not deserve to come back and one of the other pitchers are going to pay for the fact that he isn’t happy in the pen.
I know this has been discussed before……..But it is becomming a reality now.
I'd still consider that 6-man rotation if I were Lou.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
you might
but the numbers don’t hold that out.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Definite speculation, and where there's any foundation for it I don't know.
But Al likes the idea so wheee…
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I would because odds are after a month we'd be back down to 5
Odds are that we’re going to have an injury to one of the 6, or find a trading partner, or one of the 6 is going to play themselves out of the rotation. It would stretch a bullpen a little thin, but plenty of teams get away with a 6 man bullpen (with only 5 starters), and I think we’d be better off having the “right” 5 people starting in the second half than missing about the oft-used 7th guy in the pen for the next month or so.
Well then....
… sounds like a good temporary solution until and unless one of those things happens.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Oh, I was agreeing with you
I see more harm in wasting one of Silva or Gorz in the pen, or keeping the wrong one in the rotation (and having our hands tied in how long it would take to flip flop them), than not having a 7th arm in the pen, especially given our options for who that 7th guy would be.
I'm somewhat indifferent about it because like madcow it wouldn't last long, probably less than a month.
But it’s not a good temporary solution cause it will keep a bad pen bad. Simple as that. The pen will need help with Z gone. Unless you think Howry is a savior…then I want your head checked.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
you're beating a dead horse there. Lou has said he won't.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I would think putting ARam on the DL would be best for all at this point.
Tracy could come back and platoon with Baker.
Fonty is not really a 3B.
by TJ11 on May 26, 2010 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 6 recs
Fourthed.
I’ve said this for awhile now, and the thumb is just the valid reason Lou needs. He said on the official site he’s open to putting him on the DL and implies it may be longer than 2 days…very good news to me. BB reported Rammy as saying he thought his thumb hadn’t hurt him this season, then played his last game looking in a lot of pain at that last at bat. I don’t think we can count on Rammy to be honest about his injury and the Cubs need to force him to get healthy…for everyone involved.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Become?
I think it “became” that a while ago…
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 26, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
rec'd
Not only because I agree, but for total lack of exclamation points.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
I've said this before and now have no exclamation points. Does I get a rec?
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
A straight faced post from TJ that I definitely agree with
If we’re going to contend this year, we’re going to need A-Ram back to something resembling his norm. What we’re currently doing (trotting him out there repeatedly) doesn’t seem to be helping. We can survive the next 11 days or so (if we put him on the 15-day retroactively) with Baker/Tracy, with the added benefit of hopefully figuring out which of those two should stay on the roster after Rami comes back. And hopefully when he comes back he’s in a better state than he is now.
Fontenot has actually
been hitting very well recently, liked what I saw in the Phillies series. He just doesn’t have enough range at 3B. Baker looked about as bad as Aramis last night at the plate. I would DL Ramirez too, and when he’s ready, make him take a few rehab starts at AAA.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Well I am for that and have been.
Of course I wanted Nady on the DL to start the season as well. Too late for that.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
You wanted Nady on the DL?
Who would have ever guessed?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
In retrospect Al
Would the Cubs have been better off with Fuld or Nady on the roster for the first 6 weeks?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought you were saving this argument for the bleachers.
But we have been over and over and over this. The Cubs’ troubles would not have been solved with Fuld over Nady, unless Fuld could have pitched setup relief.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just laughing. Keeping my mouth shut for once.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
only if it made Rami hit
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on May 26, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Fuld is not a relief pitcher.
So I doubt he could have helped hold some of the games the bullpen has lost.
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 26, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Hopefully this team is starting to jell and a few tweaks could really help this team.
Cashner to the pen sounds good too.
That was also in the paper this morning…..Who would go from the pen?
Cashner would not be the guy from AAA to come up to the pen, so I'm not sure why anyone would report that.
If they Cubs are bringing anyone up, it’ll be Jay Jackson, who they moved to the pen about 2 weeks ago and I believe (but dont quote me) he has yet to give up a run there.
That, of course, would be short term for 2010 before they stretched him back out for 2011.
I agree with this, too.
The “Cashner to the pen” rumor appears to be because of something Paul Sullivan wrote in this morning’s Trib. (And, no, I didn’t click on the article or buy the paper – it showed up for free in my driveway.)
I think even if that article showed up for free...
I’d pay them to take it back! It makes sense it was a Sully article that stated that, which is why I’ve yet to see the rumor for myself.
Newspapers have turned into drug dealers.
They give everyone in the neighborhood a free taste in the hopes you’ll get hooked. But I’m not going for it.
Yep its sad and a fact now.
They do that with the Post Dispatch rag here…and since I no longer have a job where I can read the paper at work, I simply use the net instead. It is a shame that the public reads less as a result, but like with me it’s a reality now.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
What exactly was said?
Randy Bush was quoted less than a month ago saying that Cashner getting a call-up to help with relief was a complete non-starter of an idea (pun intended). If they wouldn’t do it in the midst of that whole saga, can’t see them doing it now.
by Damen Jackson on May 26, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Oneri Fleita has said the same thing.
In Sullivan’s recap of last night’s game, he writes:
Bob Howry has arrived to give the bullpen a veteran right-handed presence, though the Cubs still may call up Triple-A phenom Andrew Cashner in the near future to provide them with a late-inning power arm.
He then goes on to give Cashner’s stats and a quote by Hendry that ends with, “He’s certainly not far away.”
Now I could maybe see Cashner being called up late in the season if the Cubs got into contention but, for the time being, it appears the plan is to keep him on track to become a starter. And I’m fine with that. I could see the team letting Ted Lilly walk (as sad as that would be) with Cashner taking his place.
Unless they think Cashner can help more in that role.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah, if the team can get above .500...
…and start competing with the Cards and Reds, I could see them changing their tune on Cashner. Maybe.
NoooooooOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOO Howry. Yes to Cashner whoever the hell phenom he is.
they’ll make you laugh (at them), they’ll make you cry (tears of desperation)
Unfortunately, I think you'll see it more for awhile.
See Grabow howl from this season.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Finally I can drink my KoolAid in public again ;-)
I love the way this team is turning things around.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
mmmm.... that looks tasty, eths...
Does this mean I should dust off my sunshine pump too??
"People ask me a lot about the values I got from playing for the Cubs for so many years. The value I got out of it was patience. A lot of people these days are not very patient." -- Ernie Banks
by CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) on May 26, 2010 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes! And don't forget your unicorn.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
Someone should change that flavor name to "Cubbie Blue"
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
...
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on May 26, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
I'll leave it here, so if you feel the need to use it...
http://home.mnet-online.de/dj7mgq/CubsPics/CubbiKoolAid.jpg
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
Very cool eths, thanks!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Mmmmm
Blue flavor. When I was in Mexico, I developed this theory that any drink that is blue is good. In my week there, the theory was never proven wrong.
Oh yeah, good win last night. I wish I could have watched more than 15 minutes of it (I was only able to watch the 4th inning, which featured an endless amount of foul balls).
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
That's a shame...hope you can watch a rerun. It was a great game!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I was shocked I was able to watch the Lost finale
Of course for my wife and I, we knew that meant we would get a horrible nights sleep. We really have to sleep whenever we get a chance to do so, which makes doing other things I like, like watching games and playing video games, very rare.
My wife told me she would have her mom stay with us over the weekend just so I could watch the UFC PPV on Saturday, but I declined because sleep is such a precious and valued resource at this point.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Um...I'm glad you were able to watch Lost since you like it lol
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
As Al said yesterday, this is a big week.
Good to start it with a win. I usually avoid watching the Cubs and Cardinals in person — my hatred for the Cardinals is pretty deep, so if I pay $80 for a ticket to see the Cubs lose to St. Louis, I get pretty grumpy. BUT … my parents bought tickets to the game in December.
So I’ll be there on Sunday. Fingers crossed for the rest of the week.
Will you be in the bleachers?
If so, stop by to say hi.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Sorry, Al.
We’ll be in the grandstand, second deck, behind home plate.
But thanks for the invite. Hopefully, we’ll see a good game!
I'll be there Sunday too.
I would prefer to avoid the Cardinal games myself (and White Sox games as well), but it was a good date for the whole family. We’ll be in the upper deck, section 517, third row.
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
hey i'll be just a few sections over from you!
i’ll bein section 511 row 3.
i really like the view from up there
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
Al just wants a buffer between his big gulp and jessica lol.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I told your parents not to buy from scalpers.
The Cubs won’t be playing in December.
;)
WWOZ.org - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station
by Gibbon Jockey on May 26, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking he meant last December for this Sunday's game, but
tickets weren’t on sale yet…???
"And away we go..."-Pat Hughes
brokers that are season ticket holders always start selling early
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
Hmmm ... that's an interesting point.
StubHub, maybe?
Just a beautiful win yesterday!
Dempster finally gets the W, Marmol was big in the clutch – again – and D Lee finally comes through. This team is playing some very good baseball of late which is VERY nice to see (finally). And to make the day even better, the Reds AND Cards lost yesterday so the Cubs are only 4 back! (not that anyone is watching the standings or anything, lol).
Can’t wait to head to Wrigley on Sunday for game three of that huge St. Louis series. Go get ’em tonight Cubs!
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
Great to see Lee with a good day at the plate
If Ramirez can get going it will do wonders for offense. Getting lost in everything though is that Soto is 3 for his last 40 with no XBH and Hill is 2 for last 22 so that is 5 for 62 out of catcher position last couple weeks. Anyone notice anything specific with Soto, it is sad to see him reverting to 2009 form.
For what its worth, Brenly
said on the telecast last night, he though Soto was looking for walks, and taking too many strikes. The lack of XBH from him is not surprising.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
A good point by Brenly....I have thought this for a long time.
He may reach a point soon that he loses time to Hill again, just because Hill is a better Catcher.
I would expect Hill to start tonight.
He’s hit a HR off Billingsley before, and that would allow Soto to rest before starting the day game tomorrow.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And my uncle's a Dodgers fan.
Before the game last night, he was telling me the score would be Dodgers 6, Cubs 2. I predicted a win by three runs, either Cubs winning 4-1 or 5-2.
I had the margin of victory correct. He and I agree on one thing. Kershaw deserved better than an “L” last night and probably should not have gotten the “L”.
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 26, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope they can keep this up through tomorrow.
I have three cousins from L.A. coming to town and we’re going to tomorrow’s game together. Got an email from one of them today and he was positively baffled that the Cubs could shutout the Dodgers and beat Kershaw. There are three of them and one of me, so I’ll need a Cub win to keep them from ganging up on me.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
Anyone listen to the Comcast broadcast last night?
Brenly was really taking Manny to the woodshed… so great to hear. That guy is a wart on the rear end that is the roid era. I wish he’d just go away, or just shut his mouth and play. I was so happy Marmol struck his clown ass out… let’s do that a few more times this series and maybe he can take some more female hormones and hit his toe again… best line Brenly had “Was it the little piggy that went ‘whee-whee-whee’ all the way home?” In reference to his injured toe… hilarious.
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
My toe, my toe, my aching toe....
Duncan Keith gets 7 teeth cracked and knocked out of his mouth or swallowed, gets numbed up, the area sprayed shut, misses only a couple shifts and later on sets up the GWG.
Would have been great if BB happened to mention a comparison of Manny’s toe and DK’s teeth.
Just win the next game...!
Bolland
Keith set up the tying goal, but I agree with the Point
by 300LevelBleacherBum on May 26, 2010 11:04 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If Lee and Soriano hit #300 on the same day
they will repeat what Konerko and Dye did. What are the odds? And Vin Scully says momentum starts with your next games pitcher.
I believe they also hit them back to back
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
You are correct.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with Al.
When it comes to pitching, this was the best game of 2010 by far. To throw a three-hit shutout of a team that came in winning 14 of its last 17 is truly remarkable.
And I also agree that Marmol looked sharp. He threw, what, 11 pitches last night? And retired the side in order, too.
P.S.: I am among lots of Red Sox fans, and I think they would eagerly second the “Manny sucks” notion.
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 26, 2010 9:27 AM CDT reply actions
No Walk to start inning = good start for Marmol
And a pop-up!?! Maybe that wasn’t Marmol after all. Some bullpen impersonator.
"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 26, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Good game for Dempster..
he was accurate hitting his spots . Huge win for the club with the Cardinals lurking in the distance . D. Lee looked the best at the plate in a long time . You can tell that Brenley has Manny all figured out .
And all against true contenders, too.
Let’s keep it going for the rest of the season.
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 26, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
pretty amazing ...
considering we (essentially) lost seven of the previous nine.
Yeah
It was nice to see the team going on a tiny winning streak, and not follow that up with a losing streak. Is that the first time this has happened this year?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
And you know what, dammit
Gorz is due for some f’n run support and a win, for crying out loud. Dude is 2-4. Come on Cubbies.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Gonna be tough against Billingsley.
But he outpitched Jamie Moyer for his second W, and got run support against Arizona for his first win as he beat the Diamondbacks.
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 26, 2010 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Going to be hard to get walks against him
That’s for sure.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Got that right. As Dempster as Wells....lol
We outlasted the Dodgers last night. We’ll need another good performance to beat Billingsley. Every pitcher on LA’s probables has been on a hot streak…we need to be patient and take advantage of chances…pretty much the opposite of the team before this streak lol.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Hardly original, but baseball is a funny game
You’d think the Cubs would have tattooed the Pirates and struggled against the Phillies and Rangers.
I think the recent streak is more a case of the pitching turning it up a notch more than the offense doing anything, however.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm that's a tough call.
Firstly it just shows I think that we have played up to the level of competition so far.
Yes our pitching has turned it up a notch…least besides the pen. Marmol has made a big difference and no I’m not considering him in the pen with this.
But we have gotten more runs and definitely timely hitting
Seeing that peformance last night gives me a glimmer of hope for the playoffs…surely last night was more about pitching than anything else and we will need that against good pitching in the future…there’s a number of them coming like Waino that a 3-4 run quality start will be a loss.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Good points
The hitting has been more timely lately. It just seems like they’re winning more of the low-scoring games recently, because that’s basically all there have been for about 10 days now.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, it does seem that way.
And big losses are easier to take, knowing one big hit likely wouldn’t have made a difference. I’ve agreed with you…Maalox has been needed a lot lately lol.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Dear Mr. Ricketts
I’m glad you liked my wristband idea. Please send me the address to which I can mail my consulting invoice. Payment can be made in cash or tickets, as you prefer.
As an alternative, if you would grant me access to the front-office staff throughout the year, I’d be happy to write a case study on strategic change, which I’m sure would be very popular in business schools across the nation.
zambranofan sbcglobal * net
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
What if you were paid in bison meat?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually, I have high cholestorol
So bison meat would be great. Seriously, it’s much better for you than beef, and tastes great.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Anyone know who is pitching tonight?
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 26, 2010 9:33 AM CDT reply actions
Gorz
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks.
I hope he’s all right after that line drive off the hand. Who’s going for the guys from LA-LA-Land?
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 26, 2010 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Billingsley
Yeah, I hope his hand, or fingers are ok. Getting hit like that tends to make your fingers and hand throb for weeks, not days.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
If Gorz wasn't fine, they could have skipped his turn.
Lilly could have gone tonight on four days’ rest. Thus, Gorz must be good to go.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wonder if Gorz...
is thinking he’s pitching tonight for a chance to stay in the rotation or already realizes he’ll be “odd man out”?
"Has it been 102 years already?...it seems like just yesterday."- Me
I've Wells is just as likely to be the odd man out
which I think is a mistake.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I've heard, rather
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't believe they'd shake his confidence by doing that.
"Has it been 102 years already?...it seems like just yesterday."- Me
I mean I believe it would affect his confidence
"Has it been 102 years already?...it seems like just yesterday."- Me
Cubs site says Gorzo.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on May 26, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Finally getting back to Wrigley tonight...
…and it’s suppose to rain. Ugh.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
Thought it might rain last night
but it held off. wind in from the lake kept the rain at bay.
"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 26, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Right now in Chicago...
… it’s sunny and hot, kind of humid. Hopefully, the rain will be scattered elsewhere.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The most encouraging aspect of DLee's home run last night was the fact that it
went to right field. During his slump he has gotten extremely pull happy to the point of not swinging at pitches on the outside part of the plate. When he is hot, he kills those pitches to right field. When he uses the entire field, he is a dangerous hitter. I hope that he is returning to form and ready to carry this team again.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 26, 2010 9:51 AM CDT reply actions
Good point,
this has been true in the past, let’s hope he is beginning to turn it around.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
I BELIEVE YOU MIGHT BE!!!!
RIGHT ON MAN!!!1 YAY!!!
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 26, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Lol.
Seriously…I am optimistic but it will take awhile yet to drink eths koolaid unfortunately.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
If that happens,
Should we go by the Cedeno/Onedec thing we did in 2008? Oh wait, that’s not right.
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 26, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I know,
Hence why I said “That’s not right.”
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 26, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Sounds better than recycling a 2008 idea. electric derrek ...or electic eel.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
You could go with
Kerred, I suppose.
And let’s hope there’s a reason for SIMARA to start popping up in threads.
I said exactly the same thing
to my co-worker last night after he hit it. That it went to the opposite field is a good sign.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Did you see that thing scream into the stands?
It really was great seeing Lee put it together at the plate.
by Castro Por Presidente on May 26, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I still am not entirely convinced
and refuse to get overly excited until they at least hit .500.
But I am now more intrigued.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Well, they've hit .500 before
They have to get 1 game over it, and not follow that up with a losing streak.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, another losing streak is coming
that will happen.
I just want them to be within spitting distance when it happens. If it’s true that LaRussa and Pujols are fighting, then all bets are off
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Do not speak to me
I do not like you
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on May 26, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
But I like you!
You giant teddy bear klingon!
by TJ11 on May 26, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
BAM!
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't let him discourage you.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Rec for honesty.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Dum spiro spero... | Twitter: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on May 26, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Pujols was quoted as saying on FSM last night in their loss that he thinks the team
takes for granted him hitting over 300, a bunch of homers and a bunch of RBIs. His teammates have been going into slumps and they are hanging on their starting pitching lately which now has two injured.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
really...very interesting....
"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.
there are reasons for optimism
1) Randy Wells/Tom Gorzelanny have had legitimate jumps in peripherals and are solid back-end rotation guys
2) The whole farm system has taken a jump forward and are ready to contribute now. Jay Jackson, Cashner, Castro etc
3) perhaps most importantly, the rest of the league (outside of the Phillies) are having some significant issues. The Cardinals are having health issues and most importantly Pujols hasn’t been Pujols (OPS is down about 200 pts) and that’s really hurting their runs scored. That and bad luck, they’ve actually been one of the few teams that have had worse luck generating runs than the Cubs based on their wOBA
those are all reasons for optimism.
of course there are reasons for concern as well
1) Everyone except DLee and Aramis have basically performed in line or significantly out-performed and we’re still under .500
2) We have had NO injuries. NONE. No one of significance has hit the DL yet. For a team with a core above 30, that’s extremely unusual
3) guys like Byrd, Fukudome, Silva are extremely likely to tail off in a significant way.
It will be interesting to see everything play out. I still don’t think this team is set to win 85+ games without a lot of luck, but the relative weakness of the rest of the league may help get them in that direction.
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 26, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
We have had NO injuries. NONE. No one of significance has hit the DL yet. For a team with a core above 30, that’s extremely unusual
True. OTOH, last year with essentially the same core, only one year younger, there were tons of injuries. Maybe this is the way such things even out.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
even if it evens out
we’ll likely have someone hit the DL at some point, its unreasonable to expect perfect health to continue
Cards have 60% of their rotation on the DL, Dodgers have lost Ethier, Furcal, Phillies have played most of the year without Rollins and started the year without Blanton.
Big difference when evaluating 50 games in evaluating the Cubs full health compared to those teams without key pieces
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 26, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Lilly started the year out being inured
He isn’t quite all the way back yet, but hopefully soon.
Not sure if that’s a positive or a negative.
by Castro Por Presidente on May 26, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Slight quibble on injuries...
We lost our primary RH set-up guy for the season, though that happened in ST.
And the next RH bullpen guy has spent much of the season on the DL, too (granted, some question the validity of the injury).
So while that isn’t like losing a SP or a heavy hitter from the middle of the line-up, it isn’t “NO injuries”.
noted in yesterday's thread
the Aramis thing has been equally weighted by out-performance by everyone else
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/5/25/1487020/cubs-actual-production-vs
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 26, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Which really makes me ask the question
yet again, Why the %$@$## is this man not on the DL yet?
For the love of God, this thumb injury is just the capper. Get him worked out while the getting is good with everyone else, give either Baker or Tracy enough starts over there for a week or two to drum up some trade interest, and fix this. It’s June already.
by Damen Jackson on May 26, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Well said.
Said the same thing before in this thread…just not quite as well lol
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions
eh...
Caridad had thrown 19 career innings at the major league level coming into the year
Guzman’s posted a career 4.82 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He had a big arm but only put one year together
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 26, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Nevertheless...
… Guzman WAS expected to be the primary setup man. His injury led to a series of moves that made the bullpen woes we suffered through in April.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
that's like saying
Grabow was expected to be good
its a stupid expectation to expect Guzman to be healthy a full season. He’d only done it once in his professional career
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 26, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Well...
…. whatever your feeling about it, that was the Cubs’ expectation.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Cubs Expectation
Was even more misguided when you consider the very injury that shut Guzman down in September was resposnible for shutting him down in February, and possibly for his career.
I'm not arguing that it is the same as losing 60% of the rotation...
but losing the two guys who were supposed to be the primary RH bridges to the CL still matters.
A good part of the bullpen problem is on Hendry for relying on a brittle Guzman and an inexperienced Caridad, but that argument has been hashed out over and over.
it matters if those two guys are good
if they’re replacement level how does it matter?
you just replace them with someone equivalent
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by DartmouthCubsFan on May 26, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
last year, Guzman was WHIP 1.05, ERA+ 153, & 1.4 WAR.
As for Caridad, major small sample size warning, but… his 2009 performance was exceptional. In basically 1/4 of a season for a reliever, his WHIP was 0.93, ERA+ 327, & WAR of 0.5 (projects to a WAR of 2.0 for full season). SMALL sample size, but it gave reason to believe he could be a useful member of the bullpen.
My sabermetrics education is not complete, but those numbers are hardly “replacement level”, based on my understanding
Nobody debates that it was foolish to not have a better Plan B for if/when Guzman was hurt. I don’t think anyone really debates that relying on Guzman/Caridad, without some veteran back-up, was a good idea.
You stated the Cubs had suffered no injuries. That’s just not true. They have been much healthier this season compared to last and certainly some of our foes have suffered more prominent injuries. But the Cubs have NOT suffered “no injuries”.
WAR
for Guzman was 0.1
as you mention Caridad’s is 19 innings… that’s not really a relevant sample
if i said “NO significant injuries” would that make you feel better?
These guys were both projected to basically be replacement level
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 26, 2010 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
The baseball ref link I have above shows Guzman was 1.4 WAR, not 0.1.
Can you link to preseason projections that showed they were both projected as replacement level?
And regardless of projection, losing your two primary RH set-up men matters. Not as much as losing some other positions… but the Cubs are clear and present proof that you can’t just slot “replacements” into the bullpen and expect positive results.
I can't find any handy that i can link to
but i was just assuming based on past history and projected FIPs
Caridad, for example was projected for an FIP of 5.08 by Zips (According to fangraphs). He couldn’t have been more than replacement level
Guzman unfortunately doesn’t have a projection there on fangraphs
However, Guzman’s FIP in his stellar 2009 was 4.44. Given his injury history coupled with the FIP the year before he couldn’t have been projected for much beyond replacement (given innings)
now if you don’t think that’s a reasonable expectation that’s fine, it’s largely based off my previous knowledge of how the forecasting sites work
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 26, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Guzman looked very promising at the end of last year.
I bet that’s exactly why the Cubs made that stupid decision to rely on him. That or they didn’t think they had the money after blowing money on Grabow which was a bigger mistake. I think Hendry has shown regardless he should not be picking who is in our pen anymore.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm going to quibble just a bit here...
as my experience has been that Jim Hendry is actually an exceptional evaluator of talent, particularly at the major league level. His problem tends to be more fixation, getting into situations where he overpays, especially so in the last few seasons. I took is as a bit of desperation, sensing that the Cubs might finally be on the verge. But whatever the case, he needed a businessman manager to reign him in a bit, but got Crane Kenney instead, who seems to be just a bit too much fanboy for that job. Or at least he was initially.
That said, it’s blown my mind for the last six months that not only did the Cubs so easily commit to Guzman, but assured Caridad of a roster spot almost before Spring Training started. I’ll pass on the quantitative, but the scouting shows that he was nothing special, which given some of the more high-profile arms in the minors, made the decision that much more puzzling. The level of talent that he was facing late last season wasn’t all that great, but he was a bit fearless, with a nice mound presence, so maybe Lou thought he could channel that.
by Damen Jackson on May 26, 2010 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
That's a complex issue Damen.
I think you might be right he evaluates talent well but the end result of who he selects to sign has been on the whole awful…especially given the size/lengths of his contracts. You may say he was handicapped by the money spent already in ref to the pen, but he created that situation. I like the guy…could very well be a good scout/evaluator of minors, etc. I just don’t want him as GM anymore. In my mind it would be madness to expect different results by now.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, to that last part
I’d have to agree. In my opinion, Hendry has simply burned up too much good will with the signings of the last few seasons to merit handling the organization’s internal compass any longer. Although for the record, the jumping the shark moment in my opinion wasn’t signing [redacted], but giving Aaron Miles a 2/5 deal because he wanted “to get more left-handed”. Put enough of these inflated bullpen and bench deals together, and you can actually afford a real difference maker, or two.
by Damen Jackson on May 26, 2010 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions
i should have added
Sean Marshall’s ascension to a dominant 8th inning guy is also something to be very excited about
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 26, 2010 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
That pretty much sums up where I'm at with this team
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 26, 2010 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
No mention of how QUICK last night's game was?
Box score @ MLB says 2:19…I turned the computer on around 9:30 to see what was going on…and it was over! That’s what happens when you have only combined 3 BB & 16 K.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
If that food is filet mignon.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
It was a very quick game.
All-out pitching duels can make for very quick games when there are very few walks (3) and base hits (9 by the Cubs and Dodgers last night).
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 26, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
If not for all the foul balls....
…. it might have been a sub two hour game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah.
From what I’ve read, Kershaw threw something like 28 pitches in the fourth inning, which inflated his pitch count—and about half of those were foul balls.
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 26, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
That was the inning I saw
And Lee swung at the first 2 or 3 pitches and all were foul balls. Byrd was hacking away, and kept hitting them off of his hands 4 or 5 times in a row. It was nuts. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen that many foul balls hit in a row.
That 4th inning also featured a laughable attempt by Manny at catching Lee’s double, which prompted BB to chide him.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I saw that on highlights.
It was Soriano-esque. He didn’t really run all out or extend his arm far enough. That could also have been a big inning.
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 26, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't want to be totally crass
but I played in a co-ed league last year mainly playing right center field, and the girl in right was maybe the laziest, slowest, least athletic person I’ve ever seen playing a game where you don’t even need to be that athletic. She would lightly jog to where the ball was being hit, and then do nothing else. That’s what Manny looked like.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah,
Soriano probably would have run harder to catch that. Manny didn’t run hard to catch it at all.
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 26, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
If Manny were playing for us in LF
do you think he would be run out of town? I honestly don’t know if LA likes him or not. I think despite his offense, we probably would hate on him like crazy for how much of a lazy SOB he can be.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know, to be honest.
I think LA got him for his offense last year. He was known as a home run threat in Boston, and almost always played his best.
But starting in 2008 in Boston, issues with him began to crop up. Among them were the following:
-He took three straight pitches over the plate, striking out on three called strikes in a game against either Baltimore or the New York Yankees.
-He took a break in a game in Boston in the Green Monster, calling someone on his cell phone.
-He got into a fight with Kevin Youkilis, in an episode caught on Boston-area TV cameras.
-One day after sitting out a game against the Mariners, he told Boston manager Terry Francona through a bench coach that he would not be playing that day. This was just minutes before the game (against the Yankees) was supposed to start.
-He was on first when another Boston player hit a double play ball. He wasn’t anywhere on the TV screens or anywhere near second base when the out was recorded.
So yes, he can be very lazy if he wants to be.
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 26, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Should read "I think LA got him for his offense a few years ago."
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 26, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
didnt he take a piss on the green monster?
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 26, 2010 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
The foul balls and running up his pitch count did help get Kershaw out of the game.
And regardless of your opinion of that, a patient approach I think is what you have to have against good pitchers …run up that pitch count, recognize what they throw, and increase your chances in later innings.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
No mention of what happened in the Twins-Yankees game last night?
It wasn’t just suspended by rain. Play was delayed briefly mid-game because a squirrel got onto the playing field!
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 26, 2010 10:33 AM CDT reply actions
Here's a photo of the squirrel that ran across Wrigley last September.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And other animals have been on the field at Wrigley...
… besides Cubs:
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Any photos of the duck in the outfield?
That was my favorite.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
No, but here are some birds in the bleachers last week.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yuck
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on May 26, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Anytime I think of a cat in a ballpark,
I think of some incident in 1969 (no pictures, please!).
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 26, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
nice.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Apparently, the thing ran a little too close to Brendan Harris
he jumped about six feet in the air. Probably squealed like a girl too
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Heh.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions
....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on May 26, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Great win
Dodgers have been a pain in the side, good to see Demp shut them down. Basically giving the bullpen two days off, huge.
No coincidence that the Cubs go 7-2 and Ramy has missed most of these games?
Catchers right now are a concern. Soto needs to find a happy medium, like his patience however it curbs his agreessiveness when needed.
Go Cubs
Or
Maybe he’s just not seeing many good pitches to drive BECAUSE HE’S WASTING AWAY BATTING EIGHTH!!!! Why the hell he hasn’t been moved up in the batting order is beyond me.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on May 26, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
D. Lee's 3 hits and oppo field bomb
are hopefully the beginning of his turn around. I thought in the Texas series he started making solid contact the last game or two.
Demp, what a beaut of a game sir. A gem.
And my man crush on Marlon Byrd continues to build, keep it rolling guys.
Btw, I thought the Dodgers were hot? 0 runs and 3 errors imply otherwise.
"I don't know what the big deal about Crackerjack is"
by theGraceyslumpbuster on May 26, 2010 10:55 AM CDT reply actions
My Dodger-fan friends out here in LA
are tipping their hat to Dempster this morning while preparing hot tar & feathers for Furcal when he gets back to town. Or for Torre for letting Furcal off the DL too soon when he clearly wasn’t 100% last night.
The rumor mongers out here are also saying the Dodgers are in the hunt for Oswalt although I have not seen that in the news.
Indeed, a most sad day in Los Angeles this morning for Dodger & Laker fans.
Are you sure that's something to be sad about?
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 26, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, I'm not for one
But there are a LOT of Laker fans around these parts and a few Dodgers fans – when they play well.
He had a crap game
Both of his errors allowed runs to score.
by salparadise23 on May 26, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
The Los Angeles times is also ready to blame Furcal.
Apparently, it was his first game off the disabled list. I really don’t know what was hurting him. Maybe my uncle (a Dodgers fan) knows. I’ll ask him.
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 26, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I sat behind home plate last nite
Though this is hardly news, Marmol’s slider is SO FREAKING FILTHY that it strains the imagination that physics is possible in such a way.
by jerry morales rules on May 26, 2010 11:29 AM CDT reply actions
Bet it was worth the admission price alone to watch Marmol K Ramirez hearing Suck it Manny! chants.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Great game last night. The team looks like they've gotten into a bit of a rythm.
And it couldn’t of come at a better time. I’ll take a .500 record this week, considering we’re playing two of the best teams in the N.L. Anything better than that is just gravy.
"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
Watched the Cardinals game after the Cubs game ended last night
and I’m wondering if Pujols’ elbow is bothering him more than he’s saying. He looks very un-Pujols-like at the plate.
Carpenter and Wainwright are wonderful pitchers, no doubt. But nothing else about the Cardinals is giving me a lot of pause these days.
(And that was a good game last night, not just because the Cardinals won. Garland pitched extremely well.)
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 11:46 AM CDT reply actions
Uh, the Cardinals lost.
What team are you referring to?
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 26, 2010 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Brain fart
Yes, the Cardinals lost, and that’s why it was great. Thanks, VCF.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I watched it too after the game and one thing you may be missing in this
is their bullpen. I think the staff going deeper than ours may have aided this, but I doubt they suddenly become 2010 Cublike overnight. Just seeing Reyes’ numbers on screen made me look and stare…Franklin has been good as their closer…I hope we get to the end of the game ahead this weekend.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Their bullpen has been good
I would have doubted Franklin could replicate what he did last season, but he’s been proving me wrong so far.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Granted, Pujols is still having an ungodly season for any mere mortal.
.303 AVG
.941 OPS
149 OPS+
.398 wOBA
But yeah, he’s hurt. Or something’s wrong.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
FYI, I'm being serious, Bruce.
Just watching him at the plate, like you said, he looks off.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
You're right, Dan
Those would be great numbers for anybody else. And most of that was built on what he did in April. He’s not having a very good May.
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't root for injuries.
But I wouldn’t be unhappy if Pujols went 0-for-12 this weekend.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Nothing in rooting for injuries in that hope. I'm with ya!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions
His numbers are definitely down and un-Pujols like.
If he is injured, TLR is the last person that will be honest about it. He’ll get AS because his name is Albert Pujols. Which is definitely the fans’ right.
He does puzzle me…I bet part of his “tiff” is that he’s not hitting as well and TLR suggested some time off because of it. Problem is for them, the rest of the team is spirally downward in hitting so it becomes an issue and hitting sure can be contagious…good and bad.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Been following the site for awhile now...
I have to admit that I haven’t had much faith in Al’s views. Whether the cubs season was over in April (with how horrible they have looked) or even that Silva could contribute this year.
I have to give props to Al for calling those and am starting to have some small glimmer of hope of this team that can at least compete this year.
Now about that Z to the pen thing, oh well, you can’t be right all the time…
The sim got Tuesday's game right, very nice.
Let’s do that again as the Cubs are favored again.
Formerly known as BleedsbluinMi.
"You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright. And that's alright with me" - The Boss
Another 3-2, 2-1 type of game
Just what my stomach needs. :)
by Not Bruce Froemming on May 26, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
the baseball season is extremely long with lots of ups and downs
if you don’t understand that then maybe you should go follow a different sport
Kidding!
Beautiful night for a game
Last night was my first time in LF and going through the NL left fielders, there are a lot more polarizing figures there than in any other position. Obnoxious Dodger fan behind me was cheering Manny’s every move.
Also: was with a friend who actually had his ID scrutinized under a magnifying glass. I’m fine with trying to prevent underage drinking…but really?
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
I think Castro has been on base in every game played
Is there a record brewing here?
"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)
.
not all of them
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 26, 2010 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, all of them!
He’s reached all but 2 games by a hit or a walk, the other 2 were reached on by an error.
nevermind then
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
by jesus christos on May 26, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
According to the afternoon saloon preview today just now
on ESPN1000, there may be 4 more Blackhawks players at the Cubs game tonight!
Just win the next game...!
Since Demp is my favorite
player I was so happy to see him pitch so well. I can’t tell you how happy I am that Derrek also had a great game last night. Exciting team to watch right now.
It was especially cool to see Demp win, pitch so well, and do it in front of Hawks watching...
Since he likes hockey so much. Demp is my fave Cub too and I’m not afraid to say I have a mancrush on him. His sense of humor alone does that for me.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Good Game
I managed to make it up to the North Side for the game last night! It was a fantastic pitcher’s duel for the majority of the game, so the crowd didn’t really get into it until the late innings.
A note on alcohol at Wrigley:
I turned 21 last week, so I was really looking forward to having my first Old Style at Wrigley. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t serve me because I haven’t upgraded my ID (it still says “Under 21” on the card). That really sucked.
Whatever, it was a great game!
ZAMBRANO!
i took some friends from out of state last year
and they had the same problem. their state didn’t require them to get a new ID right away after they turned 21 and they weren’t able to order any. oh well.
I'm getting a tad optomistic also, but then I think that Hendry just signed Howry
And he’s waiting in the wings again.
"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.
Let's hope the Cubs make sure he's not used again tonight!
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Some notes about the Cards leading into the upcoming series on Friday.
Team hitting overall is slumping, Freese has cooled off some, Rasmus a LOT, Schumacker is making Riot look like Tony Gwynn, Holliday is down, etc.
Lohse and Penny are both injured, a replacement will pitch for Penny Thurs but more importantly to us Lohse will be tested today to see if his start will happen Friday. Looks likely a rookie will take his place. Jaime Garcia who has pitched best of all since becoming a starter will pitch today so we won’t see him at all and I won’t miss him lol. that leaves Carp on Sat and Waino on Sunday…we’re gonna need more good pitching.
Their bullpen has been excellent top to bottom, don’t want a 6 man debate but I do think their starters going deep has had something to do with that. With the injuries to starters we may well find out.
Finally, the rumored tiff with Pujols and TLR has had the usual terrified media response here…at least from the beat reporters. Here’s a quote from MLB.com …which at least you’d think might investigate it more.
Meanwhile, other issues swirl around the St. Louis clubhouse, including a rumored tiff between star Albert Pujols and manager Tony La Russa. On Tuesday, Pujols quickly put an end to the speculation.
“We need to flip that page, because I don’t want to talk about it,” Pujols said.
So the Cardinals would like to move forward, and a 1-0 loss they suffered to San Diego on Tuesday doesn’t help.
I did see on FSM a quote on the screen last night from the Mang saying “I think they take for granted me hitting over .300, a bunch of homers, and a bunch of RBIs.”
Come to us , I doubt that will be a problem.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 3:34 PM CDT reply actions
how does rollins have a lead of hanram in the allstar voting?
about as dumb as tex leading 1b in the AL voting
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
I'm sure Hanley opening his mouth and continuing to do so after jogging on that fly
Have something to do with it. Can’t say I blame the fans either if true.
Wonder if our Rami got any votes besides mentally ill people?
Watching all Phillies and Cards in the AS game just makes me hope someone ends up with a great season this year and Pujols doesn’t get MVP. He is the best hitter in the game, but this year not so much so far. Hate it being given to him by default.
"Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two."
by Sandberg's evil twin on May 26, 2010 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions
It's got to be primarily because...
… about three times as many people attend Phillies games as Marlins games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
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