Triskaidekaphobia: Cubs vs. Cardinals Preview, Friday 8/13, 7:15 CT
by Al Yellon on Aug 13, 2010 4:00 PM CDT
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That big word in the headline means "fear of the number 13."
Today is Friday the 13th, and for those of you who enjoy discussing superstitious things like this, here are some interesting Cub-related notes on this date.
Playing major league baseball on Friday the 13th is rarer than you might think. Because of the way the 12-month calendar is constructed, there can be a maximum of three Friday the 13ths in any calendar year. There are years when Friday the 13th doesn't occur during the baseball season at all (2009, for example.)
The result is that the Cubs have played only nine games on Friday the 13th in the last ten seasons before this year (2000-2009), and this is the first one in 2010. The team record in those games is 4-5; the last such game was Friday, June 13, 2008 at Toronto, a 3-2 loss. In fact, the Cubs have played two games in Toronto on Friday the 13th -- losing 5-1 on Friday, June 13, 2003.
The last time the Cubs played the Cardinals on a Friday the 13th was exactly 11 years ago today, Friday, August 13, 1999, a 7-1 loss in a season remarkably similar to this one.
Why am I telling you all this? Really. Would you rather hear more about the latest string of losses, or something mildly amusing? (I vote for "mildly amusing.") Incidentally, Starlin Castro, the latest Cub to have uniform #13, is the 10th Cub to wear that number. The others, with the years they wore it: Claude Passeau (1939-47), Hal Manders (1946), Bill Faul (1965-66), Turk Wendell (1993-97), Jeff Fassero (2001-02), Rey Ordonez (2004), Neifi Perez (2004-06), Will Ohman (2006-07), and Andres Blanco (2009). It's not too much of a stretch to say that Castro has already had a better Cub career than any of his #13 predecessors except for Passeau, who is the only Cub to wear #13 in a World Series game. Let's hope that Castro is soon the second.
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Note: the stats in the line above are Jake Westbrook's with the Cardinals only. The numbers in the pitcher box above are his combined stats with the Cardinals and Indians. There's no headshot available of Westbrook as a Cardinal, yet.
Neither of tonight's starters -- Thomas Diamond or Westbrook -- has faced the team he's going to pitch against today. Westbrook has faced three Cubs in the past: Alfonso Soriano (2-for-15), Marlon Byrd (0-for-3), and Aramis Ramirez (0-for-2). And you're saying, Ramirez? But the others are from Westbrook's AL days. When did he face A-Ram?
Westbrook has been around long enough that he faced A-Ram twice when he was with the Pirates -- on June 16, 2001 (result: flyout) and on June 21, 2003 (result: double play ball). A-Ram may not even play tonight, so this is for amusement value only.
Tonight's game is on CSN Chicago and FSN Midwest. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site McCovey Chronicles.
Tonight's first pitch thread will be up at 7:15 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 8:15 pm, 9:15 pm and 10 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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i dislike the cardinals.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
I don't care what our record is I would like to win this series.
I’m right there with ya man.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Castro for ROY!
He’s got a solid case if he keeps this up. I’d like to see a few more homers out of him, though.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
lets not turn him into theriot, please
by jesus christos on Aug 13, 2010 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
His swing has a slight uppercut...
As he develops, we should expect his doubles to turn in to the occasional homer, right? No pressure kid, but 15-20 homers a la Derek Jeter would be nice.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
yes
Castro – just keep doing what you are doing and you will have a fabulous Cubs career (this does not apply to your defense, there you have a couple things to learn, not much but a couple)
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
OT: Dodgers blow a 7-run lead in the 8th inning...lose 10-9....
Is Theriot bad luck? :-)
"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.
no
or else we would be doing something that is called “Winning” right now – not sure what it is meant I just remember hearing about it last year…
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Isn't "Triskaidekaphobia" one of the fears
Lucy asks Charlie Brown about when quizzing him on his fears? I seem to remember something along this line in one of the TV specials from the late 1960s…
We have met the enemy and they are us! ~ Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971
Nope.
But it would have been a good one. Here’s the clip. Maybe you were thinking of Pantophobia-the fear of everything. :)
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
THAT'S IT!!!
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
Did anyone notice that Theriot is now number 13 on the Dodgers?
He’s so jealous of Starlin.
"Get up or GET OUT THE WAY!"
~Stacy King
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 13, 2010 4:12 PM CDT reply actions
Laying down again. Diamond? Really?
WTF?? Why isn’t Colvin starting?? Stupid idiots!
Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Lee 1B, Byrd CF, DeWitt 3B, Soriano LF, Barney 2B, Hill C, Diamond P
"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"
Hoping Fukudome
increases his stats? Not a bad lineup at all, sans Lee in the 3 hole, then again dont really have a #3 in that lineup…and they are hoping Diamond is servicable – not a bad starting 9 considering this is a lost season and Ramirez is out….good god why am I indulging you and replying to your comment?
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
I'm glad you did, thanks!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 13, 2010 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions
We aren't allowed to give Colvin a day off?
He just played 5 days in a row. It’s not like he is languishing on the bench.
it is that time of the year
where we will need to start cleaning off the rakes…
I Love Larry - Brick are you looking at random things around the room and saying that you love them - I Love Larry
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Also, didn't you see him destroy that ball yesterday?
He absolutely crushed a double yesterday in ATT park that went 421 feet.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
He'll get one hit tonight, tops.
Kosuke can’t play in the heat. I predict a poor showing in swampy St. Louis.
Wow! I was worried Lee wouldn't be back to hit 3rd!!!!
Thank goodness everything is Ok again with the lineup!
Whatever happened to...
…Bill Faul, Good Old No. 13 as Mike Murphy might say? I heard he passed away a few years back.
why do I remember that name? I think that I vaguely recall that name?
"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's a poll running on YAHOO...
It clearly indicates that cubs fans have the most reason to be depressed about our team , I dunno bout the rest of you, I’ve sorta come to expect it, therefore, I don’t feel “depressed” by it… that’s kinda sad, aint it?
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
Sadly, I'm stuck in the "we suck" mode
Still baffles me as to how a 97 win team may become a 100 loss team in such a short period of time…
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
Good price - we should pass the hat to buy this for the Cubs' 2010 season
"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
Make sure you don't wear red this today!
…or Sat/Sun :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
delete "this"
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 13, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I wore a red Cubs shirt
To Busch the last time I went to a Cubs-Cards game…made it a little bit easier to sneak out after the inevitable Cubs loss. LOL
"Cubs fans....the wind beneath the Hawk's wings." Andre Dawson, on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 7/25/10
NOT wearing red...
When I go on Sunday. My brother the Cardinal fan bought me a Ryne Sandberg shirt I have been saving specifically for this occasion.
"Cubs fans....the wind beneath the Hawk's wings." Andre Dawson, on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 7/25/10
Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site McCovey Chronicles.
am i missing something?
by LouPiniellaIsRetiring on Aug 13, 2010 4:44 PM CDT reply actions
Not you - Al missed changing his text after pasting it
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I was wondering how long it would take for that to become public knowledge.
Not sure when the Cardinals decided to change their SB Nation blog to “McCovey Chronicles,” but I know they did change it recently. ;-)
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 Aug 13, 2010 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Does anybody else really get annoyed ...
by the fact that Soriano MUST hit sixth? Putting Blake DeWitt in front of him is just ridiculous.
Can we have start a count down for days left in which Lou manages this team?
impossible as we never know
when he’ll leave on “personal matters” again. Don’t misunderstand me, I’da left to be with my Mother too… anyways, if he’s “gone”, Tram is same-old-same-old anyways! I hope his mom recovers, but, at Lous age, the poor mother must be nearing “ancient”. This team needs an enema! :]
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
I am probably the last guy to get upset about lineup positions
But the idea that the 1B must hit 3rd, Sori must hit 6 and the C must hit 8 is pretty odd.
by JSB on Aug 13, 2010 7:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
# 13
With the exception of Claude Passeau, who was before my time but who I think was a pretty good pitcher and key member of the 1945 pennant team, the list of the other Cub # 13s should be fair warning to any Cub who wants to wear that number.
Let’s hope that Starlin Castro, like Claude Passeau, proves the exception rather than the rule!
"All I'm asking for is what I want." -- Ricky Henderson
Hoff went down I assume?
I probably missed in here somewhere.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
Yes, last I heard
Guy still fails at ML Level? Tears it up in minors! I think he was “0-7” here w/ like 5Ks?!
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
He did not have far to go
Iowa is in Fresno. I am sure he will have no trouble getting there in plenty of time for the game.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 13, 2010 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I know it's hot as hell here in Central IL., so, I can only imagine what it's like in St. Louis.
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 ?
I think I saw a 100 predicted in StL this morning- ouch!
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
Diamond is in the sky with Lucy
He needs to come down and pitch a good game.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
lol
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Aug 13, 2010 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Or just stay up in the sky
And pitch a no-hitter like Dock Ellis
gotta give chipper credit for trying to come back from the ACL tear
if i was him i would have said screw it
I'd be pretty ticked off if I were him.
The Braves could go all the way this year.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
would he still get a ring they win the WS?
by jesus christos on Aug 13, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure he would.
Didn’t Nomar get a ring even though he was on the Cubs?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Traditionally any player who was on the roster before Sept 1 gets one
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 13, 2010 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Come on Cubs - Win one tonight, so that I can wake up happy!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Not only do I want the Cubs to win
but I’m rooting for the Reds to beat the Marlins to stick it to El Birdos twice in one night.
"I knew there had to be a place where the game could be fun again. I found that place. It's called Wrigley Field. It reminded that if you love the game, it will love you back." - Andre Dawson, HOF speech 7/25/10
OT: Meat on a stick
"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
Save that man's soul
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I hope the Cubs take good swings like that guy
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I liked Benny Hinn better when he had the comedy show in Britain
I'll go to my grave believing Armando Galarraga tossed the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
Had to minimize both of those.
My browser nearly crashed.
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 Aug 13, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Is Hill our new starting catcher
Castillo actually had better splits vs RHP at Iowa. If Hill is gone next year, as I presume, why isn’t Castillo getting the majority of starts. No one can tell me we’re showcasing Hill for a trade.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Lou can spell Hill
He still hasn’t figured how to spell Castillo yet
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
All three of you
"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
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