What, Pittsburgh? Again? Cubs vs. Pirates Preview, Monday 6/7, 11:35 CT
by Al Yellon on Jun 7, 2010 9:30 AM CDT
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Bad news: the Cubs are going to Pittsburgh for the third time this year, an unscheduled stop due to last Wednesday's rainout.
Good news: this will be a quick stop, just one afternoon, and the Cubs don't have to return to Pittsburgh for the rest of 2010. (They do have two more series against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, including one at the end of this month.)
Seriously, I can't figure out what's up with this team against the Pirates this year. They dominated them the last two seasons, going 24-8. They've almost lost that many to them in one-third of a season this year (seven times). The Cubs aren't that bad. Neither are the Pirates that good -- a quick glance at the standings, in fact, shows the Cubs still two games ahead of Pittsburgh. Further fact: take away the games against the two teams the Cubs have faced thus far on this road trip (Astros and Pirates, who have a combined record of 45-68, and against whom the Cubs are 3-11) and the Cubs are 22-20 against everyone else, which includes three teams that were in first place when the Cubs played them (Rangers, Phillies, Cardinals) and another only a game out (Dodgers).
Mystifying. That's what this team has been so far. Let them mystify us with a ten-game winning streak, starting today.
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The record you see above is Dana Eveland's with Toronto this year; he made nine starts for the Blue Jays before they traded him to the Pirates six days ago for a minor leaguer. Those numbers are pretty bad. Eveland made three relief appearances against the Cubs in 2005 and 2006 when he was a member of the Brewers, but the only three current Cubs he has faced are Alfonso Soriano, Xavier Nady and Marlon Byrd, all from his time in the AL. He walks a ton of hitters and has an ERA orbiting the moon. Clearly, we're doomed.
We all know about Carlos Silva's success story this year and hope it continues today. He has made five career relief appearances vs. the Pirates, all, like Eveland's vs. the Cubs, many years ago when he was with the Phillies. He has faced three current Pirates: Bobby Crosby, Akinori Iwamura and Ryan Church; they are 9-for-35 against him. He's allowed seven home runs, but three of them are solo jobs and the other four were with one runner on -- if you limit baserunners like Silva has done so far this year, you can keep your runs allowed down even if you allow a lot of HR. Pretty obvious, but a lot of pitchers don't get this simple concept.
Today's game is on cable, CSN Chicago and FSN Pittsburgh. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 11:30 am CDT, and the overflows will post at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:15 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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So if Eveland went 3-4 and 6.45 pitching in the AL East
he’s gonna go 12-0 and 1.37 in the NL Central the rest of the year. (j/k)
Pregame thread at 9:30 a.m. I haven’t even finished checking my work e-mail. I will be unproductive today—this I swear.
It's going to be a REAL busy day around here....
… what with the launch of SBN Chicago, the game thread, recap, and then we will have a live draft day thread posting at 5 pm CDT.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I just checked out your post on the launch of SB Nation Chicago.
Thanks, Al!
Thanks, Yellon!
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
My email account would like to have a word with yours.
Seriously, though, I’ve seen early games, but this one redefines “early game.”
The only other games that are this early usually are the games on Saturday in Chicago.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
12:35 local time isn't that unusual for a game.
Many teams do this for weekday afternoon games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yabbut
I’m only used to Saturday games that are thankfully not on FOX starting this early. In fact, those start later than this game today.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Haven't had a chance to check.
Sorry.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Hopefully we don't fact Pittsburgh in the NLDS.
Otherwise it’ll end up like Arizona and LA like years past.
Dan
/instantrimshot
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Jun 7, 2010 9:38 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Haha
No, we’ll face the Pirates in the NLCS: no intra-division matchups in the DS.
http://www.fivetoolfans.com
I am sooo glad we couldn't make it for a road trip to Pittsburgh this year.
We really wanted to make that the family vacation, but all of the dates had conflicts. Thank goodness. Those Pirates are a mighty team.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Yabbut...
… the park and the city are still worth visiting.
I wonder what kind of attendance they’ll have for a lunchtime makeup game on a Monday.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm just kidding.
It would be worth it to me just to see the pierogi races. We are really hoping to get there next year.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
It also would have been a bummer to get all the way out there only to be rained out.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Sigh
This happened to my family and I. We went to Pittsburgh to visit my sister-in-law and watched the Cubs play losing baseball. At least my wife enjoyed the visit…
Always have a good time in Pittsburgh
Even when the Cubs lose, which until this year wasn’t often.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 7, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
You mean Carlos Silva, right?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Indecision may or may not be my problem
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 Jun 7, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmmm.
My guess is: Underperformer, potential performer, underperformer, needs his vision checked, performer, performer, underperformer, performer
But the BABIP for the potential performer says he has just been lucky up until now.
"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 Jun 7, 2010 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Unbelievable.
The non-walking guy is leading off again. I think I’d rather have Silva leading off than Theriot.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's so tiring to complain about lineups at this point
but it’s so hard not to do so. Castro is still hitting 8th…Why? Why hasn’t a reporter asked Lou this yet? That may be more maddening than seeing Ramirez bat 4th or Theriot leadoff.
Regarding Theriot though, some other blog did have an article about who should leadoff, and it seemed like it was making the case for Theriot leading off, but the gist of it was, “Bat Theriot at leadoff because why not.” I didn’t agree with it. The guy still doesn’t walk, he doesn’t see enough pitches, etc. It’s like having Soriano back at leadoff, except without the power.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Castro is hitting eighth because they don't want to put too much pressure on him.
There’s some logic to that, but given the lack of other options, it’s a bad argument.
Also, I think Lou needs to put Soriano higher in the order — even fifth would be better. The guy has been our most consistent offensive force this year, and I don’t think he’ll get out of a rhythm if he’s hitting one spot higher.
Also, it’s awesome that Ramirez is our only righty bat off the bench (other than Hill).
Have you seen Castro's stats lately?
Last 14 days: .175/.190/.175 (.365 OPS)
Last 28 days: .279/.315/.314 (.629 OPS)
Theriot has been completely terrible too, but it’s not like Castro is bringing all that much to the table, either. After an amazing first week or two, he’s been pretty quiet.
I think this could be other teams adjusting to Castro
and given time I think Castro will bounce right back.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't disagree, but that's a different argument...
The idea that he’ll probably eventually bounce back and be a very good hitter doesn’t change the fact that, right now, Castro isn’t an appealing option at the top of the order.
I think that eventually Castro will be a fine major league hitter. But for the past three weeks or so, he’s been hitting around .200 with one extra-base hit and two walks. So right now, I don’t want him at the top of the order.
HOW DARE YOU
impune Castro – he is the greatest hitter that the Cubs have – I mean look at it he is hitting nearly .300 – he should bat 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th and put Soriano 5th, Fukedome 2nd and the pitcher 7th, Lee and Ramirez can round out the lineup…everyone else sucks, CASTRO RULES…
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Castro is the best alternative against lefties
In this lineup there isn’t anything close to a prototypical leadoff hitter. I hate to see Theriot up there, but I am not sure Baker/Nady/Byrd/Soto are attractive alternatives.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 10:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'd go with either Byrd or Baker...
Baker’s splits versus LHP (both this season and for his career) are fantastic.
Byrd is about the only hitter that has a comparable BB rate to Theriot
And we need him in the middle of the lineup. Baker v Theriot at leadoff is 6 of one, half dozen of the other. I we are going off career numbers, Theriot is a better choice than Baker. But, it all is just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. Which guy bats one and which guy bats 2 ain’t gonna make or break this game.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 11:06 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Nady would make a better lead off hitter
or anyone of the relatively few Cubs who are actually patient at the plate. Heck I would actually bat LEE at leadoff before Theriot. Theriot will either make an out on 3 or fewer pitches or get a single. He can do nothing else.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 7, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I would love to have seen your reaction if Lou had batted Nady or Lee at leadoff
Let’s see how he does today. He had a couple hits yesterday and maybe the criticism will change his approach. Our lineup against lefties sucks anyways. Hey, you should be happy Ramirez is sitting today.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 11:09 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Can't disagree with that
If the man is hurt he needs to be on the DL. No honor in playing through pain when you are hurting the team.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 11:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I would not mind
I think Castro is the best option but Nady and Lee are at least patient at the plate which I think is key to a leadoff hitter. Being able to see pitches is one of those intangibles that you can’t really see in a box score but Theriot continually going down on 3 or fewer pitches is really a problem. I WAS upset then Lou used Byrd at leadoff. He is a better hitter but not much more patient at the plate.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 7, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, on the upside...
Silva is starting so the Cubs should finally be able to make the Pirates look like the Pirates. On the downside, umm, this is still the Cubs, so nothing is a given.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:04 AM CDT reply actions
Maybe with Colvin laying well, we can use him as trade bait?
After all, the three regular outfielders will be here for at least another 2 years. Maybe we could package a deal with Colvin and Ramirez to get a new 3rd baseman?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Ramirez isn't going anywhere
and I don’t see Jim shooting himself in the foot further by dealing Colvin, who many consider to be part of this team’s future, to another team. Besides, we have a couple kids in our system who will be well suited for 3B, and Chad Tracy is still in the minors.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
ARam won't be here in 2012
Cot’s shows ARam has a player’s option for 2011, which he will almost certainly choose. But in 2012, there’s a $16M club option with a $2M buyout.
I would say the chances are pretty low the Cubs would choose to pay ARam $16M for 2012.
Awful idea
We need to develop our young talent, not trade it away. We really should be trying to clear a spot for Colvin by trading Byrd or Fukudome rather than trading Colvin.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 10:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Fukudome's last year is next year.
And while I’ll be disappointed if he’s here that entire time, I’ve resigned myself to accept it.
That’s akin to telling the Astros to trade Hunter Pence a couple of years ago because Richard Hidalgo or someone was already in RF.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
OT SBN tech related question
How, after posting a non-reply comment, do I prevent the cursor from going back to the subject line? This happens on my work computer and laptop, but not on my fancy schmancy video/photo editing PC, and I can’t figure out why. Anyway, I only ask because it’s really annoying to post a comment, and hit Z to go to the most recent comment, and have Z get typed out in the subject line.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:09 AM CDT reply actions
This could be a browser/OS issue.
Send something to support (at) sbnation (dot) com with details, maybe they can help you.
Although, they are kinda busy right now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ha- I'm typing zzzz's all the time.
One of these days I’m going to accidently hit post and people will think I’m being rude like i’m saying that the content of the story is “yawn.”
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
The Cubs website says
they are looking to add “athletic players” in this year’s draft.
Thank goodness they have the right people in charge of this organization.
yeah, Soto lost a ton of weight ...
and he still can’t find the ’08 magic.
What do you expect
from a city that has the best pizza, best style of hotdog, and awesome italian beef sandwiches?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Good cuz I gained a few pounds
and can’t for the life of me get rid of them.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
See what a good Cubs season could do for you
You could worry about the team, the lineup, the next important series and the pounds would just fall away. Just look at Lou.
Wait, this example is not bearing out well…
"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 Jun 7, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not eating well
but I’m also not really eating because my schedule is really messed up, and somehow I’m gaining weight every day. I’m looking to my baby girl getting to the 3 month point and sleeping at night, so I can get back to the gym and eating right.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking about just not eating at all
to go along with the not sleeping.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Tried that. It doesn't work.
Body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to every ounce. Besides, it’ll make you cranky and/or dizzy which is not a good idea with a teensy baby around.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Also, it says they might draft a player
called Asher Wojciechowski (I had to copy and past that).
I sure hope they don’t. Siiimardziija is enough.
Asher Roth?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't mind being able to call someone "Chowski"
It feels good to say.
by Castro Por Presidente on Jun 7, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Considering there's an ESPN reporter by the name of Gene Wojciechowski
who I also believe is a Chicago area guy, I don’t think they’d have that big of a problem. If they just said the name from memory, they would be ok, but I’d be willing to bet if they read the name and then tried to say it, they may stumble.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
As someone with an often slaughtered Polish name
this one looks pretty easy to me. I think it would be pronounced Whoa ja cow ski. But then I’m told I pronounce mine wrong all the time. We pronounce ours in a more Americanized form than the official Polish way I guess. Idk. I don’t speak Polish.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
I was really lucky to have a very plain and easy to say Polish last name
and yet, it sometimes feels like people go out of their way to completely butcher it.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Ha-mine's not too terribly difficult, yet people just don't seem to get it.
Also, it’s a fairly common name, especially in the Chicago area, but people seem to think it’s very unusual. I’m constantly being asked if I’m related to so and so. I’m so used to saying no that once when someone asked if I knew a Mike____, I automatically said no forgetting that my son’s name is Mike.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Hahahaha
I get the same thing. “Are you related to Dr. Mylastname” or “Is your dad suchandsuch” It’s always a no.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, he is.
Wojo…what a joke of a journalist.
"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
Man Cubs @ 1135 and iPhone 4.0 @ 12.
I’m gonna be so unproductive.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I keep watching the clock for Jobs' keynote
What is it, 2 hours and 10 minutes to go?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Aren't iPhone 4.0/4G and iPhone HD the same thing?
And someone’s been piecing together some connections between Apple and Verizon. Verizon’s stock has been trading very, very well today, and there was something else on Apple’s side to feed to that connection. I’m wondering if there’s maybe an iPhone re-branding for Verizon to get around the iPhone exclusivity deal with AT&T.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
To my knowledge ATT has been expanding their 3G network; they are well out of the 4G realm, but then again, an upgrade 3G network is just as useful as a 4G one with shit for coverage.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'm still so tempted to jump to Sprint for the Evo
but I’m not keen on the idea of paying $10 extra for 4G when 4G isn’t even available here.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Also, PCMag just did a pretty unscientific test of the best networks--which was a speed-centric test.
And ATT won.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I saw that
But AT&T changing up their pricing structure for data plans is almost crippling for a lot of the cool stuff you should be able to do on something like an iPhone.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
You'd think so -- but check your data usage
I guess I don’t use 3G as much as I thought I did. 2GB/month is going to be pretty simple to stay under…. I guess I use a lot of wi-fi.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I don't have an iPhone
or any smartphone for that matter, but if I did, I probably would be all about Ustream and Pandora, which would eat data up like nothing.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
We use Pandora, and somehow never even come close to the 2GB/month limits.
I expected to see something like “40 GB” when I checked this month, and it was like 1.15gb in the current cycle, which was more than half over.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Are you using Pandora over wi-fi though?
For me, Pandora would have to be used over 3G if I did use it, mainly because wi-fi in my office is locked up pretty tightly.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
By iPhone 4.0, he means the OS software. By iPhone HD, he means 4th gen iPhone hardware.
The “one more thing” could be free MobileMe services, or this new AppleTV running iPhone OS, or something else, or nothing else.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I don't think the One More Thing is AppleTV running iPhone OS
since that was already reported a couple weeks ago. The only thing that I can think of that would have a very substantial impact is a partnership with Hulu or something along those lines, but people would be eclipsing the 2GB monthly limit easily if that were it.
Aside from that, I’m leaning towards “nothing else”, but with Apple, you never know.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
"but with Apple, you never know"
Just like the Cubs right? The only difference is it would be pleasantly surprising than unpleasantly disgusting that the Cubs dish out to us.
I hope so. But I've heard that may be a few months away.
If they made a Hulu and/or Netflix partnership wi-fi only, it would tick some people off, but it would still be added value.
The AppleTV with iPhone OS is kind of a transformational game-changing thing – it’s essentially a game console, in addition to a media server. You can expect a ton of 3rd-party accessories for it, and so on. That’s why I don’t expect it to be the one more thing today…. too much to talk about.
I’m expecting “tiered services of MobileMe, with an ad-supported free tier that mimics Google’s free-app functionality, and new services at the paid level.”
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
iPhone OS on the next AppleTV
is a response to Google TV, which that, on paper, looks sweet. As far as using AppleTV as a gaming console, I think that’s a bad, bad move. One, you’re confusing your base because you just got Steam on board for Macs and iPads, so offering your users the chance to play iPhone games on AppleTV is straight up confusing. Two, AppleTV needs to really focus on nailing the TV aspect of their service.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think focus on gaming on Apple TV is such a bad idea
It’s not intended to be a replacement for your PS3 or XBox but it is more directed at the casual gamer.
Those people are already going to be playing those games on iPhones and iPads
Why would they want to buy those games again to play on their TV, when they won’t look nearly as good as they do on their iPhones and iPads. I see the point behind it, but Steam is much better for casual gaming, and there’s no way an AppleTV is going to run Steam.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Apple can 'make' people to buy games again..
There are different versions of games for iPhone and iPad and people bought both the versions because the ‘experience’ is so much different.
I will not be surprised to see Apple TV only games.
Everyone does need that third copy of Plants vs Zombies
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
trust me..Apple can make people think that they 'need' that
or find a solution that addresses these ‘copies’ issue.
Either way I don’t think this is what stopping Apple from pursuing this route.
The bigger problem is finding a way to get the TV stuff on board.
Google TV is stupid.
And I love Google.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Why do you think this?
For me, I would have no use for it since I have a WindowsHomeServer and a small media center PC for running stuff like Boxee and XMBC, but for people who are bad with tech, it’s perfect. Functionally, it’s better than the Boxee Box and any Roku or Popcorn Hour player.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I've heard of Google TV.
It was called Web TV.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I don't think Web TV could do what all the Roku players can do
and give the user some web functionality and Picasa use. That said, for people like you or me, it’s dumb, but it’s still exciting to see the push to move people further away from cable or dish TV services.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
It would need more caps
and a jpg of Ballmer with his tongue sticking out.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
That's right ..Steve uneviled OS 4.0 but I am looking forward to some more announcements
in this direction.
I am just not convinced about the potential for Apple TV unless Apple decides to make it a more powerful gaming platform with the necessary hardware in addition to Google TV like integration with your existing hardware. Many companies failed to make a dent in his market but if anyone can do it, it is Apple.
I am looking forward to some sort of announcement on iTunes.com, free MobileMe services (some features will still remain paid and premium only) in addition to new OS 4.0 announcements to go with the new hardware.
OT: LOVE the new SB Nation Chicago.
"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
Here's the Pirates lineup:
McCutchen CF
Walker 2B
Young RF
Jones 1B
Milledge LF
Crosby 3B
Jaramillo C
Cedeno SS
Eveland P
Certified Twitterfiend.
The Cubs need to save some cash and prospects for the eventual acquisition of McCutchen.
Someone’s going to do it eventually, it may as well be us.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
If got McCutchen
then the next complaint about this team is how they’re too short. It may be me, but McCutchen looks like he has some form of dwarfism (my apologies if I’ve butchered this). It could be because his uni is so baggy and his helmet is so big.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
It has to be the uniform then
but still, look at him. He looks like he has really stubby arms and legs, like he’s all torso.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure,
but Theriot is short, has a small strike zone, and never walks. He is bad batting lead-off.
"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
Would you trade Castro for him right now?
Not a serious trade proposal, just a who would you rather have question. I am torn. I love having a real SS, but McCutcheon is pretty damn good.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 11:13 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hell no.
I want a defensive SS. Speedy CFs are a dime a dozen.
Actually, if I could swear, I’d hit my caps lock and say F*** no.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'm not going to sit here and pretend I'd rather have a CF than a SS.
Good shortstops are RARE.
Good shorstops that can hit and field are MORE RARE.
If you want some speed in CF sign Juan Pierre and his piss arm.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
What?
Juan Pierre? McCutchen at 23 already has more career homeruns than Juan Pierre. I understand your point on wanting a SS over a CF but McCutchen will be a lot, lot better than Juan Pierre.
I think Dan was being facetious...
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
My point isn't to compare Pierre to Andrew.
My point is that you can much more easily find quality CFs than you can quality SS. Pierre may not hit many homers but he does a lot of the same things people like about Andrew—steal, defend, speed, quick.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Not sure I can agree with that.
It seems like it’s about equally as hard to find a good, true CF than it is to find a good, true SS.
Certified Twitterfiend.
SS
Hanley
Tulo
Rollins
Jeter
CF
Kemp
Hunter
Sizemore
Bourne
Granderson
Cameron
Beltran
Jones
Ichiro
Hell, Jim Edmonds
That’s no comprehensive list at all, just what I can think of in 5 minutes. It is much more challenging to play SS than it is CF. This shouldn’t even be a conversation. I can’t believe you think a quality CF is just as hard to find as a quality SS.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
After seeing a ton of poop play SS for the Cubs in this past decade
and being able to say that MAYBE Alex Gonzalez was the best SS we had, yeah, talent at SS is definitely harder to come by. That’s not just for us, that’s for everybody. Why else would a lot of bad baseball players play that position? It’s hard to do so, and it seems like more often than not, the position is filled by a player that is just good enough, and that’s being nice.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
That's exactly my point.
We have had jack shit at SS for more than a decade.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I was agreeing with you
and speaking to those focused on John Pierre.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I was agreeing with you agreeing with me.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I am in agreement then.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I was agreeing with you agreeing with me.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'm seeing double
I need sleep.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
So you're saying it's easy to find...
…a centerfielder who’s both a strong hitter and a good defender.
Certified Twitterfiend.
Daver you're being needlessly obtuse today.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I don't think it's that easy.
You just rattled off a bunch of very good to elite level players. (And Michael Borne was an awful hitter for his first couple seasons…and doesn’t Ichiro play mostly right field?) Most teams wind up with light-hitting speedsters in CF precisely because guys who can hit well and field that position AREN’T easy to find. Look at how the Cubs have struggled in centerfield for the last decade or so.
Certified Twitterfiend.
Ichiro was moved for Franklin.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
He was only a CF in 2006 and 2007.
He’s always been a RF.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
And Gutierrez isn't necessarily a "strong" hitter...
…though he’s having a great season so far. He’s just a touch above league average (per wOBA) for his career. And, again, I don’t see CF like that as being easy to find.
Certified Twitterfiend.
I did not suggest he was a "strong" hitter.
I said the word “Franklin”.
I might make a FanPost this week. SS > CF. Good SS are harder to find than CF, of this I am 100% certain.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'll be interested to read it.
Obviously, much depends on how one defines “good.”
Certified Twitterfiend.
But you are missing the power
McCutchen in his first partial season last year had 47 extra-base hits. That is more than Juan Pierre had in any FULL season. I’m not questioning your choice of Castro but you are underestimating what McCutchen could do in leadoff. It would be something that the Cubs have never had.
I would compare McCutchen’s potential to someone like Grady Sizemore than Juan Pierre.
Jesus Christ, lay off the Pierre comment.
It was a damn joke.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
What a Pandora's Box you've opened.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Pierre isn't a good comparison
Pierre is really an OF version of Ryan Theriot with more speed. The better comparison for McCutcheon is Carl Crawford. McCutcheon is a line drive hitter with gap power and developing HR power. He also plays a very good CF, and has a strong arm. Patient at the plate and an excellent base-stealer. He is one of the best young players in the game. Pierre on the other hand is a slap hitter, with a noodle for an arm and is best suited for LF. I agree that speedy CF are a dime a dozen, players like McCutcheon are not. I still would probably rather have Castro, but it isn’t a no-brainer especially with Lee in the system.
by JSB on Jun 7, 2010 11:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hmm, I'd like to subscribe to your blog.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
My point isn't to compare Pierre to Andrew.
My point is that you can much more easily find quality CFs than you can quality SS. Pierre may not hit many homers but he does a lot of the same things people like about Andrew—steal, defend, speed, quick.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Well, speed is a big asset for any ballplayer...
…but, again, McCutchen has already shown more pop in his couple big league seasons than Juan Pierre can and will ever dream of. Andrew’s power combined with his speed is what makes him so much better.
Certified Twitterfiend.
And then Castro goes to 2B . . .
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 Jun 7, 2010 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Is McCutchen that guy that is super fast?
You know like a lead off man.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Nah, doesn't fit the talent profile the front office is seeking
Unless his is scrappy and left handed…..
He's just super awesome.
He runs, hits for power, gets on base… if the Cubs aren’t already thinking about it, they should be keeping a shortlist of prospects in mind to comprise a “knock-your-socks-off” package to get McCutchen.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
So he's B-Rob 2K10?
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking it's going to be a "lower degree" example when the Marlins ditched Cabrera.
He’s going to be an expensive, elite-level CF with no real holes in his game. If it takes 5 Jay Jackson-level guys, I’d still do it.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Sure.
I’m thinking that the Pirates are going to start to get skittish around the time he’s up for arbitration, which (again, without checking) seems like the end of next season, right? Then, assuming they don’t give him a big extension, maybe you can make an offer they can’t refuse.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
If they don't lock him up
they can still afford the first couple of years of arb-eligible. I really don’t see him available for a few years.
Gameday link not working for anybody else?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Beat the Pirates
Make me feel better about my day, please.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
What's our magic number til we clinch?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Is this some sort of measure of success for the Cubs
because if so, I think I have some bad news for you.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I am more excited for this
than anything sports related today…Unless the Cubs win, the Bears fire Lovie, all free agent rules are broken and LeBron signs with the Bulls, and Pronger somehow is too hurt to play game 6.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
same here..and I really became indifferent to the Cubs this season
Unless something drastic happens, I am not going to be emotionally invested with the Cubs in 2010. I will watch or listen to every single game but I am just not that excited with the Wins anymore or that down with the losses anymore. For me this 2010 season is right up there with the 2006 season and probably even worse because we had injuries in 2006 and that team was really bad even on paper. This team has no life in it, performing worse than its projections and so far I haven’t seen any good things to look forward to.
Days like this though
and all of E3 are like ecstacy for gadget whores like myself.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
mccutchen
he’ll be a pirate for at least another 5 years…not up for arbitration till 2014…talk in pittsburgh about a long term deal in the works…he aint goin nowhere
Clearly
all of the Bucs great players stay to bring a championship to that city.
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
He's up for arb before 2014.
He played most of the 2009 season (108 games), and he’ll remain in MLB to accrue service time. So he’ll have 3 years of service, at the absolute latest, after the 2012 season – the 2010-11-12 seasons.
However, with those 108 games of 2009 service, he’s likely to be a Super 2, and be arb eligible after 2011.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Getting lonely in the first pitch thread.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 12....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 7, 2010 11:36 AM CDT reply actions
This has become the WWDC and Juan Pierre Thread :)
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by Craig in South Bend on Jun 7, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Caption
hey dude, look, thats my batting average
Self-Proclaimed President of the Castro Boobird Face Kicking Club
The Chicago Blackhawks: The only Chicago team worth caring about.
ONE.MORE.WIN
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