Cubs All-Star Marlon Byrd Shows Baseball World His Hustle In NL's 3-1 Victory
by Al Yellon on Jul 14, 2010 7:30 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintIf only everyone played baseball the way Marlon Byrd does.
He hustles on every play. I've heard it said that he thinks double every time he gets a clean hit to the outfield. He's always doing it with a smile on his face. Imagine that -- a millionaire professional athlete actually enjoying what he's doing on the field.
And in last night's 3-1 National League win over the American League, Byrd showed everyone all of these things, and why he's become a fan favorite at Wrigley Field in only half a season.
First, Byrd worked a walk off the White Sox' Matt Thornton -- after being down 0-2 in the count. This is something rare enough for a Cubs hitter -- the Cubs rank 11th in the NL in walks drawn -- but even rarer for Byrd himself, who has walked only 14 times in 359 plate appearances, the fewest of any of the Cub regulars in the season's first half. Thornton, oddly enough, threw only one inning in the six Cubs/White Sox interleague games this season and did not face Byrd in that inning; he has, in fact, faced Byrd in only one regular-season at-bat in his career. The result? A bases-loaded walk on July 22, 2008.
That loaded the bases and set the stage for the Braves' Brian McCann, who roped a line drive into the right field corner. Byrd, going full speed, scored from first base on a sweet-looking slide, fist raised, with the NL's third run.
But Byrd wasn't done with heroics.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the Red Sox' David Ortiz on first base, the Blue Jays' John Buck lofted a soft line drive into right field. Byrd didn't get a good enough jump to catch it; Ortiz held up, thinking it would be caught, but Byrd snagged it on one bounce, whirled and threw a perfect strike to the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal for a force play. This is a rare enough event in general, and it has only happened one other time in an All-Star Game:
The only other outfield force play in an All-Star Game came in 1957, when Frank Robinson was forced at second base on Eddie Mathews fielder's choice grounder to right fielder Al Kaline.
And just to complete Byrd's noteworthy day, he did this from a position he hasn't played all year, right field -- and he played it only six times all last year.
So the NL wins and thus gets home-field advantage in the World Series -- and the game was actually entertaining and well-played, which has been a recent rarity in All-Star games.
Without getting into detail about the wrongheaded "this time it counts" idea again, it is, as you know, the first NL win since the 1996 game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. That's so long ago that only two players (Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez) who were on the '96 rosters were also on the rosters for 2010. Irony: Pettitte wasn't in the '96 game but pitched an inning last night; A-Rod, only in his second full season in '96, played in that game but not last night (and AL manager Joe Girardi may have made a mistake when he failed to use A-Rod to run for Ortiz). It's so long ago that besides those two, there are only three other players from the '96 rosters who are even active players today: Ivan Rodriguez, Chipper Jones and Jason Kendall.
A couple of final notes: the game ran 2:59 -- amazing, with Fox's blather and endless commercials, they still got it in under three hours, the second year in a row they've accomplished that feat.
And if the White Sox, who are on an amazing run and have a shot at the World Series, do make it that far, they can blame their loss of home field on their own relief pitcher, Thornton, who gave up the double to McCann.
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That was an amazing play by Byrd to nail Ortiz as a TOOTBLT.
Was this his first appearance in the ASG?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010
State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 14, 2010 7:34 AM CDT reply actions
Yes, I believe this was his first ASG
I love sports. Probably in a way that is unhealthy on many levels.
Ahem TOOTBLAN
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2010 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I saw this in a game thread
I think a few weeks back…I like leaving the A in there so its TOOTBLAT – looks the way I pronounce it and looks more fitting…BLAT sounds like an old-timey cartoon character throwing up.
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
If you do that...
… it would be Thrown Out On The Bases Like A Theriot.
“A Theriot” would imply there’s more than one. One is enough for me, thankyouverymuch.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How about
Thrown Out On The Bases Like Another Theriot?
We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. I just can't figure out where else to play!
-- Pat Williams
by Fat Punk Kicker on Jul 14, 2010 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
I THINK I get the points for that
But I’m not going to take credit I don’t deserve. TOOTBLAT just sounds better IMO.
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I like it.
And it was obvious what he meant.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Not Really
I still don’t get what the last 3 letters stand for …
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Jul 14, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep.
That’s what I meant. Ortiz’s baserunning blunder was Theriot-esque.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010
State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 14, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
No wrong play by Ortiz
Even Byrd says so.
“It didn’t matter who the runner was,” Byrd said. “I needed a perfect bounce. I needed everything to work out. I needed the throw to be on the bag.”
"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 Jul 14, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah there was nothing Ortiz could really do.
He couldn’t tell if it would be caught and he hustled once he saw it wouldn’t be…he’s just Lou shaped. The problem was that he was running not that he made a mistake.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Mmmmm BLT...
"I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I aim with my eye.
I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind.
I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart."
by windycitywarrior on Jul 14, 2010 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
mmmm blt...
thrown out on the basepaths with a bacon lettuce tomato?…did we sign kyle wellwood? (sorry, hockey joke)
by andyross1219 on Jul 14, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Lay off me I am starving
We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. I just can't figure out where else to play!
-- Pat Williams
by Fat Punk Kicker on Jul 14, 2010 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions
It was good to see
Marlon making the Cubs look good on National TV.
by ASpecialGuestAppearance on Jul 14, 2010 7:57 AM CDT reply actions
Marlon made himself look good...
The Cubs just make Marlon look spectacular!
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
I don't know why people keep saying that.
Marmol has been incredible. Colvin has certainly been fun to watch. Silva’s comeback. Castro’s defense. Cashner’s live arm.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
by cubswynn on Jul 14, 2010 8:10 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
i agree . . .
. . . it just sucks that the team sucks . . .
marmol, colvin, silva, castro,soto
Unfortunately only individual bright spots
by 300LevelBleacherBum on Jul 14, 2010 8:13 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That's a pretty solid group you just named.
I wouldn’t trade any of them, except maybe silva. Put together some good pitching and timely hitting and this team at least won’t embarrass itself as much.
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
hmm...
yeah good pitching and timely hitting do win games. It would be nice though if it was easy as saying you needed it for it to happen.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Jamie Moyer was a 10 year veteran in 1996
His advanced age is referenced on last night’s “Louie”, if anyone watches that. He’s been the oldest guy in the league ever since Julio Franco retired a few years ago.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Hysterical and uncomfortably insightful show
Louis C.K. is the best comic out there. FDC.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Great job, Marlon
I love watching players who hustle and really enjoy the game. I wish he was on the roster in ‘09, instead of [name redacted] but my Delorean is no longer in working order, so I can’t make that happen. Sorry everyone.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
do you need the plutonium for the 1.2 gigawatts?
or did you upgrade to the garbage processor
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Jigga what? Jigga who?
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Mine was a Jay-Z reference
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
word.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
AL fans now jumping on the
“it’s bullshit that the game counts” bandwagon.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
ha, as soon as I saw the NL won
I was wondering how Al would handle that…artfully dancing past it.
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Fans on other SBN boards - one in particular - decrying the fact that
their guy gave up the winning hit.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Would this be SSS?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Mount Washington conquered July 5, 2010
State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 14, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
The AL's most likely gonna win the WS, anyway, so it's a moot point.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions
And the way they've been playing, it's probably gonna be Thornton's team.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Not "Al" as in me but "AL" as in American League.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I meant you...
I was wondering how you would address it in your recap…
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
If that is what it takes to get rid of this abomination
then that’s fine
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
For sure
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
you disagree with that?
if this game were played and managed like an important game, giradi wouldn’t have had one player on his bench in the late innings. they just need to decide if this should be an exhibition or a legit game, and then that’s it. they want it to be an exhibition for the fans obviously, but the two don’t mix.
This is not early panic, it’s continued disgust with a situation we didn’t like to begin with. - Grinder in Training
I totally agree.
If my team wins 104 games and crushes its division and dominates interleague play, but my league happens to lose the All Star Game, I don’t get home field advantage? It’s horseshit.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't make it home
for the start of the game, but I got Al’s tweet about Fox broadcasting one of the most pretentious pieces in TV sports history. Anyone care to fill me in on what I missed? I thought maybe he’d touch on it in his recap…
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 14, 2010 8:38 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Wasn't really worth mentioning again, but...
… it had to do with a father & son going to Griffith Park Observatory in LA to look at stars, and seeing baseball stars in the telescope. Worthless and pretentious, as was most of the pregame show.
The only thing I like about those are the introduction of the lineups and rosters.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Networks tend to give MLB the "lipstick on a pig" treatment
Now, by no means am I calling MLB a pig. However, I suspect the networks treat it as such. I’m hard pressed to think of a time when an NFL telecast (short of the Super Bowl) isn’t allowed to let the innate beauty and pace of the game speak for itself, which to me says something about how television prefers football and treats it with more fondness and respect.
So it’s the networks who think of MLB as a pig that is nowhere near as attractive as the NFL but still represents a means to make some extra bucks. What happens, then, is that you get a lot of pretentious and contrived crap glommed onto a telecast in the interest of generating interest. Don’t know if it’s the results of focus groups or mossified in-house marketing strategy, but the things networks come up with to get You ’n Me to stay tuned seem very crass and insulting to a respectable IQ.
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
I think it's more a Fox thing than a "network" thing.
Fox tends to get overblown about just about everything.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
True, ESPN isn't quite as bad as Fox
You might even say that ESPN is guilty of taking shortcuts with their baseball telecasts – using announcers who are just good enough, rehasing the same tired bromides, etc.. At least that’s the case when it’s not the Yankees or Red Sox!
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
You might even say that ESPN is guilty of taking shortcuts with their baseball telecasts – using announcers who are just good enough, rehasing the same tired bromides, etc.
Fox does that, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Give PBS the rights, I say!
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
I'm not ready for Prarie Home Run Companion
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
That would be better than listening to Joe Morgan.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Could you imagine Joe Morgan and John Madden calling a game together?
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Made-up stories involving turducken and Tinactin
and the most blindingly obvious statements ever…
PASS. A MILLION TIMES PASS.
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Joe Morgan and Hawk Harrelson.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Joe Morgan, Hawk Harrelson, John Madden and a crowd of vuvuzelas.
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
And and and look at these guys out there talking forever...
BOOM! there goes your eardrums…
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
You know, SET, this reminds me one time,
a bunch of guys were blowing vuvuzelas while I was trying to hit in game 7 of the ’68 World Series…
You don’t remember that? I sure do…
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Dadgummit,
Those bad guys made me mad! Blowin their horns at the good guys! Geeeeeeeeez that twonked my twinkies! But then you got a hit….yessssss yes yes yes!
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, ya know,
hits lead to runs. And when you get more runs than the other guys, you tend to win a lot more games. Here, have some turducken.
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
You know...
Nothing is better than watching a bunch of fat guys willing to get dirty out there winning. Like John Kruk, David Wells…no one seems to care about the fat guy. Look at that Ortiz guy yesterday…can’t catch a break.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL
You two are ready for prime time…
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Nice.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
That's why you don't watch that pregame crap.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
We keep going to games, and keep watching on TV,
to see Marlon Byrd play the game the “way it should be played.” We wish the Cubs were better almost as much for his sake as for our own! He deserves to win so it was especially gratifying to see his hustle contribute so much to the NL victory and to our enjoyment of the game.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
sell high?
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
A few other notes on Byrd...
- He almost made one of his patented diving catches, but missed it by that much
*I thought it was really cool how in his at bat against Valverde in the ninth, he was smiling the whole time. It’s good to see professional ballplayers have fun doing what they do.
"Brant Brown...DROPS THE BALL!!!!"
I saw that smile, too!
I thought he had something in his teeth. I love how Byrd thinks that every game in the majors could be his last. Very refreshing.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Lot of things have me happy this morning
1) Byrd scoring the third run on the based clearing double after drawing a walk.
2) Byrd letting Ortiz know that it’s a bad idea to TOOTBLAN.
3) American Carnage Tour (Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax) pre-sale starts today and I bought my ticket already.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Just heard that force out at second on the audio archive - Byrd is truly cool
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
I was in high school.
Now I’m married. (Oh, and I graduated high school and college, too.)
It’s been a while.
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
I was married with four kids.
Oh. I still am.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jul 14, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Congrats.
Same for me except with only two kids….or should I say two “adults” now. My husband just made hotel reservations for all of us and said “two adults and two kids” forgetting that the “two kids” are both 18 now. I thought it was funny. “The kids” didn’t.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 14, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Our youngest is turning 21 this year. No "kids" left at home.
Well, at least she can buy me a beer at the ballpark now.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jul 14, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
The last time the NL won prior to yesterday
I didn’t even know what baseball was. 3 year-old. I just knew the Cubs had pretty colors.
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 14, 2010 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
In last night's Baseball Prospectus game discussion
Kevin Goldstein wrote
You know how everyone snorted and chuckled last month when the Cubs took Hayden Simpson and the Yankees took Cito Culver? Well, in 1998, Matt Thornton was THAT guy. The 22nd pick in the draft out of tiny Grand Valley State in Michigan, NOBODY had him in the 1st-round mix that year, and here we are an he’s an All-Star. That’s why you can’t get too worked up the day of.
Just something to remember, even if he did give up the big hit.
Most important part of that quote to remember on draft day
That’s why you can’t get too worked up the day of.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Let me fix that
That’s why youcan’tshouldn’t get too worked up the day of.
Because, you know, some people can always get too worked up.
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Long road to the top...
Let’s not overlook that Thornton was drafted in 1998 and was considered a bust before the Mariners gave Matt away for a Sox failed draft pick. Thankfully Thornton turned his career around. Of course as a lefty who throws in the high 90’s he would have found lots of teams willing to pick him off the scrap heap.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
Please oh
please Cubbies…make a Rockiesesque run here in the 2nd half and make things interesting….one can hope right??
You will never move forward by looking back....
by By Santo's Grace on Jul 14, 2010 9:32 AM CDT reply actions
I'm hoping along with you.
Always do, till it’s mathematically impossible.
It would be about the most amazing run in baseball history if they could pull it off. So I’m not expecting, just hoping.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I hope along with both of you!
And there have been bigger comebacks in the past.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
I agree...
But weirder things have happened….only time will tell. Tomorrow is my Daughter’s 1st Bday. I’d like it to be the start of a special run by our beloved Cubs!
Keep the Faith Gang!
You will never move forward by looking back....
by By Santo's Grace on Jul 14, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Why should these teams have had all the fun?
- 1914 Boston Braves were 15 games out on July 6
- 1930 St. Louis Cardinals endured a 12-game shortfall on August 9
- 1935 Chicago Cubs were buried 10 and a half games behind the Giants on July 5
- 1936 New York Giants were grounded in fifth-place in the N.L. with a 42-41 won-lost record, 10 and a half games behind the Cubs
- 1942 St. Louis Cardinals were burdened with a 10-game deficit on August 5
- 1951 New York Giants lagged behind the Dodgers by 13 games on August 12
- 1964 St. Louis Cardinals loitered 11 games out on August 24
- 1969 (we all know about that one)
- 1973 New York Mets were 11 and a half games in arrears of the Cardinals in the N.L. East division on August 5
- 1973 Cincinnati Reds grimaced at a 11-game handicap, trailing the Dodgers, on July 1
- 1978 New York Yankees trailed by 14 games in the A.L. East division on July 20
- 1989 Toronto Blue Jays were struggling in sixth-place in a seven-team A.L. East division with a 38-45 won-lost record before going 51-28 in the final 12 weeks
- 1993 Atlanta Braves suffered a 10-game deficit on July 23
- 1995 Seatlle Mariners sagged 13 games behind the California Angels on August 3
The above is copied from here.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
All of those are true.
And I’m usually the one citing comebacks like that.
Of all those, the nearest comp to where the Cubs are right now is the 1973 Mets, who were 11 games under .500 on August 5, and won the NL East with the worst record ever by a division winner, 82-79.
It’d take a comeback like that and a collapse by other teams for the Cubs to win.
That’d be pretty sweet, wouldn’t it?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
With Pujols having a subpar year (by his standards)...
and Carpenter giving it up alot, the Cardinals aren’t gonna run away with it. And with Dusty at the helm in Cincy, this Central Division is there for the taking.
Ron Santo - 8,143 ABs, .277 BA; 342 HR; 1331 RBI = NO Hall of Fame?
Brooks Robinson - 10,654 ABs, .267 BA; 268 HR; 1357 RBI = Hall of Fame.
Any more questions ?
If the Cubs somehow DID come back...
… it would rank as one of the most amazing comebacks in baseball history.
As I said, I do not expect this. But I can still hope for it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It would in deed!
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
by eths on Jul 14, 2010 2:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks for the careful editing of the 1969 entry
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Secondedededed.
No explanation was needed or wanted lol.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes please!!
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
Great game and verry happy to see a win for the Nationals
However one thing drove me crazy. I grew up in Chicago but have spent most of the last 35 years in Orange County, California and I enjoy watching the Angels and going to their games. I really enjoy living here for a lot of things but the passion of the baseball fans is not high on the list. During the late innings of a very good game you could hear that the fans were doing the wave. How frigging embarrassing. That would never happen in Chicago…North or South side. Made me want to puke.
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
happy to see a win for the Nationals
Yet another reason they should have named the team in DC something else.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
maybe the Lobbyists? ;-)
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
See, now you're thinking creatively.
You’d never make it in MLB management.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not to be confused
With the Phillie Busters.
"All of us are in the gutter...some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
Better than the Intern Busters.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
ew
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Think that's confusing?
Throughout the early part of the 20th Century, the Washington Senators were officially known as the Washington Nationals. The newspapers referred to them as both the Nationals and the Senators. But this was also at a time when most cities had an American and National League team, and teams like the Cubs or Cardinals were often called the Chicago Nationals or the St. Louis Nationals, as opposed to the White Sox and Browns being the Chicago Americans and St. Louis Americans.
But of course, Washington was in the American League. So eventually (sometime after World War II) they just officially became the Senators.
by Josh Timmers on Jul 14, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm just happy to see
the game not interrupted by a beach ball on the field. That was a major accomplishment for Angels Stadium.
by Josh Timmers on Jul 14, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I have never understood that.
You leave your house thinking, “I’m going to a baseball game. Wait, let me bring my beach ball.”
Who does that?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
my sister (I'm ashamed to admit)
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
In the fine tradition of Lincoln Park Trixies
she goes for the beer and the sun…and the distracting mischief.
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
A Dodgers fan typically.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Marlon Byrd and Al Kaline?
Pretty good company Marlon! Way to go!
We have met the enemy and they are us! ~ Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971
Home field advantage won't matter
when the Rangers are curb stomping teams on their way to a World Series championship.
Unless the Cubs make it…lololol
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 14, 2010 9:59 AM CDT reply actions
Great ASG re-cap, Al...
all the way up to the part where you said, “And if the White Sox, who are on an amazing run and have a shot at the World Series”. My Cheerios just don’t seem as appetizing now this morning.
Ron Santo - 8,143 ABs, .277 BA; 342 HR; 1331 RBI = NO Hall of Fame?
Brooks Robinson - 10,654 ABs, .267 BA; 268 HR; 1357 RBI = Hall of Fame.
Any more questions ?
That Cheerios aren't appetizing?
I agree, this is a fact.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 14, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
try the frosted ones
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
Extra sugar?
On cereal?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 14, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
You can never have too much pitching...or sugar.
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
Ugh...saw the commercial for chocolate cheerios.
we’ve already got a billion sweet cereals. Seems so wrong to ruin cheerios.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
no - Honey Nut is the way to go
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
It's probably because they're Cheerios
Try a bowl of Kashi cereal instead.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 14, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Kashi is an excellent cereal.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
The Sox are the hottest team in baseball
- no kidding – but even if they cool off a bit, they’re still gonna be pretty damn warm. Playing .800 ball for better than a month will set you up for a pretty damned successful second half.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
by lostinthevines on Jul 14, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Or a nice cooling period
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 14, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Heard yesterday...
In the Sox last 30 games, they are 25-5. In those 5 losses in the 9th inning the Sox had the winning run on base in each game. An amazing run indeed.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
Thanks, Al for the great post!!
i firmly believe Marlon is our best player this year – for a number of reasons, stats included. This guy plays the way the game ought to be played and with better results than Theriot/Fontenot/other “scrappy” guys.
similar to Karros and yes, DeRo, i think Marlon is a very positive influence for the Cubs. I sincerely hope that as long as he continues to perform even admirably that we should hang on to him for the duration. no sense in trading your best player who also seems to have the most heart.
OT: Sandberg ready for Majors
That’s what he told Barry Rozner here.
I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best
That's a great article.
I think like Oneiri Fleita, I was skeptical of the idea of Ryno managing in general, much less in the minors. But watching Ryno for as long as I did, I should have known better. He has too much personal pride to ever not give 100% at anything he does.
I think the biggest adjustment Ryno will have to make is managing big league egos and big league salaries and guys who are not awestruck by the idea of a Hall of Famer being their manager. And that’s a big adjustment. But I’m past the point of doubting him. If he says he can do it, I’m ready to believe him. And he would be on my short list of managerial candidates I’d go after for next year, along with Bob Brenly and Joe Girardi.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
It's so nice...
…to see a baseball player (Byrd) combine hustle/desire with good baseball instincts. This combination is all too rare in today’s game.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
It's so nice...
…to see a baseball player (Byrd) combine hustle/desire with good baseball instincts. This combination is all too rare
in today’s gameon the Cubs.
by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2010 10:53 AM CDT reply actions
That's an organizational problem
that needs to be fixed through scouting and player development and on up through the system. Only way to fix this problem.
by troutfishin on Jul 14, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
David Ortiz Runs Only Slightly Faster Than Barbara Bush
And I mean the grandma, not the hottie.
Of course Papi was going to get forced out at 2B. Byrd threw the ball from something less than 100 feet away.
I’m not saying it wasn’t a good play. It was: Byrd deked Papi well, and his turnaround to make the throw was quite good as well.
But please, let’s not christen Marlon Byrd as the reincarnation of Al Kaline as a result. That’s just fuzzy Cubbie logic at its most egregious.
Bonus point: Let’s not get too attached to Marlon Byrd. Three weeks from today, he will be playing for a contender.
It was a smart play
some players wouldn’t recognize the runner on 1st or the situation, some players would have gotten the ball to the cut-off man and conceded the runner at second. Smart heads up baseball.
by troutfishin on Jul 14, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Let’s not get too attached to Marlon Byrd. Three weeks from today, he will be playing for a contender.
So you’re expecting the Cubs to be a contender in three weeks? Because Byrd isn’t going anywhere.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Big Gulp Bet!
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
Is it on?
This season I’ll take any entertainment.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Not like Donkey Kong?
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
People talk about the wonderful play and you are worried about
Al Kaline? “most egregious”? get over yourself. There’s no preservation of truth going on here for you, we celebrated his hustle and a great play last night. Of course he was going to be forced is stupid, it took an admitted perfect throw from Byrd to get him…off line or any time to double clutch and Ortiz is safe.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Byrd saw Papi hesitate out of the corner of his eye and knew he had a shot at getting him at second.
Papi had to make sure the ball wasn’t going to be caught. Everyone in the park knew that if there was any shot at catching it on the fly, Byrd would do it. It was a great play. And very entertaining. Helped make a good game even better.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jul 14, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
*facepalm
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Pretty weird to see a 700+ HR guy
“Saved” on the bench for when he was needed. I bet NY rakes Girardi over the coals. I’d want ARod taking a lot more than one AB on my team…have someone else saved if you really think that is needed.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:19 AM CDT reply actions
Joe claims it was a sore thumb
I can see the point of not playing him, but the words of Herman Edwards always ring through my head.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Well if he was injured then he shouldn't have been playing.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
But I have a hard time putting it all on Joe.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
ARod playing is.
The game isn’t. Lots of other players on the team who could have come through and that TOOTBLAN earlier trying to get to third didn’t help either.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
FWIW
Manuel and Girardi both made questionable decisions out there. Kuo and Holliday are just both lucky that they weren’t goats in this one.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Absolutely.
I didn’t understand why either of those two were playing…unless Holliday was a fan selection. Horrible year, not the best fielder for Holliday, and he can’t squeeze the ball shut in his glove. Even Rolen himself took a big risk out there, if he had gotten gunned down it would have been another AL victory more than likely.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
How I only could wish for this
If only everyone played baseball the way Marlon Byrd does.
If the Cubs had a bunch of Marlin Byrds, they’d be leading the division by 12 games…!
Just win the next game...!
Not out of the realm of possibility.
A bunch of Byrds, playing with that much hustle, desire, and heart in the NL Central might have been able to do that, especially with the starting pitching we’ve had. Unfortunately, to put it very mildly, we do not have a team full of Byrds. If anything, we have a team being circled by vultures.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
"A bunch of Byrds"
Wouldn’t that be a flock?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Hustle and good attitude is contageous
Both are complimentary to talent and the three of them are the perfect combination for winning.
Just win the next game...!
Congrats Marlon
on a great game. He is a fantastic addition to this team.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
Even though he struck out
I really enjoyed his AB against Valverde in the 9th. Byrd even got him to SMILE and enjoy the moment after a few pitches. What is not to like about him?
BTW, Valverde is inhumanly great.
Al: Great post EXCEPT for hinting that the Sox might make it to the playoffs.
Isn’t this season bad enough?
"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.
Got that right.
I’m sure they are getting a lot of attention at their own site.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Wonderful line.
And if the White Sox, who are on an amazing run and have a shot at the World Series, do make it that far, they can blame their loss of home field on their own relief pitcher, Thornton, who gave up the double to McCann.
"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
Al, searching for the ...
… dark lining in a silver cloud.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
They're having an excellent season. No doubt.
And are a legit threat to win it all. But I just don’t think I could take 2 White Sox World Series Titles in 5 years…
"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
IF the Sox make it...
… to the World Series, I’ll be happy with that accomplishment and I won’t fault Thornton at all. And IF the situation were reversed and I posted the same as you did, there would be a conga line of folks the same things I have.
BTW the only game the Sox lost in the 2005 post-season was at home.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
Sure was nice to see Byrd draw the walk.
Against Thornton as Fox mindlessly stated “it’s the northsiders against the southsiders”. Gotta love succeeding against the Sox.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Great morning
A long way from Chicago, but I opened the newspaper, and a color photo of Marlon Byrd fist-pumping after he scored was on the front page of the San Jose Mercury News sports section.
And the interview with McCann inside, where he wanted to share MVP with Byrd for his at-bat and his outfield assist was icing on the Cheerios (so to speak).
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Except Joey Votto Snubs Byrd
Apparently Joey Votto is a dick.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I give up
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
There's already a fanshot about it.
He sure was a dick yesterday.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
After my ineptitude
I then saw the fan shot, making my linkage even more of a crapfest.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Votto is being a big baby about losing ROY to Soto.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Home field advantage means nothing
It may at some point, but it really doesn’t so far. Since 2003 the American league has won the World Series 4 times to the National Leagues 3, so it really is meaningless. As we all know some teams play better in away games so you really never know. I don’t think they should scrap this game, but I do think they need to do away with some of the crap that doesn’t have to do with the game. Having the people there before the game, and having a celebrity sing in the 6th or 7th inning is not a good idea. It might be a good idea for a carnival or festival but not a game like this. Also I know we all feel bad about Steinbrenner’s death, but I only need to hear about it once. I heard about it all day yesterday, and then I have to hear about it at the All Star game. Also having a deceased man announce Jeter to the plate. I mean it’s all just turned into some kind of specticle that is just crap.
I agree with most of what you said, except this
Also having a deceased man announce Jeter to the plate.
Sorry, that was a nice tribute, and Jeter himself has asked for that for the rest of his career, a worthy tribute to a man who had the same job for 57 years.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I heard Jeter talking about that.
Seems a very fitting tribute. I didn’t hear it cause I had no desire to listen to all the crap before the game started. I would also agree that Steinbrenner’s death was run into the ground, though there is no way to get around that with Fox, ESPN or any other national network really. They always look for a “human interest” story to try to hook viewers to watch.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 14, 2010 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions
The Jeter/Sheppard tribute was DURING the game.
It was when Jeter first came to bat.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
White Sox not going anywhere
Thornton lost it for the AL, but the team losing the home field advantage in the World Series will not be the White Sox but the Texas Rangers
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