Mike Quade Meets Bad Old Cubs In Sunday's 7-5 Loss To Reds
by Al Yellon on Aug 29, 2010 3:33 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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For five games under new manager Mike Quade, the Cubs -- even in their 7-1 loss Friday to the Reds -- played solid baseball, with good fundamentals and good pitching.
All of that went right out the window again Sunday in an ugly 7-5 loss to Cincinnati which included a pair of errors. The first, on an attempted steal, was given to Geovany Soto, but as Bob Brenly correctly pointed out on the WGN broadcast, that error was Starlin Castro's fault for not being in proper position to block the throw from going into center field after it was clear it hadn't beaten Drew Stubbs trying to steal. That led to an unearned run to give the Reds a 5-3 lead in the 7th. That run might have scored on a subsequent hit, but there was no guarantee; thus, the unearned run.
The second, on an ill-advised throw from Kosuke Fukudome (who's usually solid defensively), resulted directly in the Reds' final run of the day after the throw went into the third-base dugout when Sean Marshall wasn't in proper position to back up the throw.
The two unearned runs were the difference in the game, increasing the Cubs' MLB-leading UER total to 84. This is something that absolutely has to change for the 2011 team. Good fundamentals and good defensive choices are going to have to be drilled into next year's team no matter who the manager is come spring training.
The mistakes ruined a game in which the Cubs came from two runs down not once, but twice. The Reds nibbled at Casey Coleman, scoring single runs in the first, second and third to take a 3-1 lead while the Cubs left the bases loaded in the first inning. Almost forgot -- that's yet another thing the next manager is going to have to work on, good situational hitting so the 2011 Cubs don't leave so many runners on. Today's LOB count: 10, including leaving RISP in the first, fourth and fifth innings, and oh yes, having Jeff Baker thrown out in a rundown in the second, blunting what could have been better than just a single run scored in that inning.
Fundamentals have to be fundamental in 2011. Starlin Castro needs to work hard on them, in particular; the errors, I can forgive, I know those will diminish in time. But he also casually strolled off second base early in the game and was nearly tagged out before he realized what he had done. That kind of thing just can't happen in the major leagues.
Fukudome continued his hot hitting, raising his BA to its highest point (.274) since June 24, and in his last ten games he's hitting .438 with two HR, seven RBI and six walks. As explained by Len & Bob, because the Cubs don't have enough right-handed bench players, one of Fukudome, Blake DeWitt and Tyler Colvin had to start today. Fukudome is hot, so he got the nod. At the very least, he is increasing his trade value; perhaps the Cubs can figure out something else to do with him if he ends up this season strong, going into next year.
But they just have to start playing smarter. This game was winnable.
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The Pirates are coming! The Pirates are coming!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Ugh.
4-12 vs. Reds this year.
3-9 vs. Pirates this year.
Pick your poison.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
John Russell
I still think the Pirates are going to fire John Russell after this season. Two guys I think they ought to look at are Tony Pena and Phil Garner. Pena deserves another shot at managing and Garner was successful with Houston. Garner’s also a link to the ’79 Pirates and “We Are Family.”
by jeffmills1972 on Aug 29, 2010 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Russell got a contract extension earlier this year.
It would be a real surprise if they fired him. Garner will be 62 next year and hasn’t managed in three seasons. I doubt he’s the kind to manage a young team like the Pirates.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Contract extensions don't guarantee a manager will be back
I hear ya about Garner. But Pena would probably be a good fit with a young team like the Pirates.
I think this could wind up being a record year for managerial turnover once the season ends. I don’t see Jerry Manuel coming back to the Mets.
by jeffmills1972 on Aug 29, 2010 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed on it being a record year for turnover.
There could be as many as 10 open jobs.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
All those openings, and we're going to wait 3 weeks after the season to see..
if the Yankees throw $25 million at Joe Girardi, or not?
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 29, 2010 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
So we don't wait and don't try to get him at all?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 29, 2010 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
That was semi-rhetorical, I guess..
but the way this is setting up, I get this nightmarish scenario in mind: where Hendry waits out the playoffs for his chance to talk to Girardi, and all of the best candidates are snapped up by the time we’ve been used as leverage for Joe to get a few extra million out of the Yanks.
If Girardi is such a genius, why would Cashman ever let him get away? (Of course if he’s Hendry’s pick, and there’s some wink ‘n nod between them.. no one else can be in on that.) Assuming it’s an legit process, I don’t see us winning a bidding war.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 30, 2010 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Assuming it's a legit process, I don't see this turning into a bidding war
Both teams are going to offer him a boatload of money – more than enough for it to be considered a lucrative contract. Normally you might expect the Yankees to draw the line on $, thinking that the prestige and honor of managing the Yankees speaks for itself. But I’m sure they realize what they might be up against in terms of the Cubs being a siren trying to lure Girardi back to Chicago.
In the end, I feel it’s simply gonna come down to what does Girardi want to do. And whichever way he goes, I’m pretty sure money won’t be the reason.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I think
at least this is how I would do it if I were in Girardi’s shoes, that if he wins a WS this year he is for sure a Cubbie manager next year – if not then it is up in the air.
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
Maybe in addition to the annual FA match game contest
we should have a manager one as well
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Still waiting on the results from last year, aren't we?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 29, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Or was that the "these things will happen" contest?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 29, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the FA contest got resolved (that was Al's) but I still owe folks here the results
from the “these things will happen” contest. It’s amazing what you can procrastinate about when the season goes down the tubes…. But I’ll have to post them soon so I can start getting ready for this year’s version.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
How about contracts for GM?
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
The Irate Pirates
You know it’s a bad year when the Pirates are excited to play you.
by jeffmills1972 on Aug 29, 2010 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't you think you are putting a little too much emphasis on the manager here
A new manager can’t solve all the teams problems. And how does a manager work on good situational hitting?
I know that.
I do think the manager can emphasize good fundamental baseball.
Situational hitting — well, a manager can encourage it and a hitting coach can help coach it. But the players still have to do it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How do you encourage good situational hitting?
The skills involved in good situational hitting are the same ones as involved in hitting without men on base. I don’t really get your angle here.
Sexy cheerleaders on top of the dugouts?
Maybe call them the Windy City Rickettes?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Given that we're 102 years away from a WS win, maybe THIS is more appropriate:
Skip: You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? ... Larry?
Larry: Lollygaggers!
Skip: Lollygaggers.
I disagree.
You can change your approach with runners on base. Pitchers do; why shouldn’t hitters?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Notice I said skills not approach
I can maybe see how a manager’s “encouragement” could help a team have more success in getting a runner in from 3rd with a sacrifice. I don’t see how the manager has any influence on whether a team gets base hits in the clutch.
Yes, having hitting skill is paramount.
But players can work on situational hitting in practice. The Cubs appear to not do that now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Good lord
Your efforts to put everything on the manager this year are embarrassing. Lou Piniella isn’t to blame for the Cubs inability to hit in the clutch.
Are you suggesting he's blameless?
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
No one's suggesting he's blameless
But the way people (like Al) blame every thing wrong with this team on the manager (like previously with Dusty) leads many of us to think maybe it’s not the manager who is the main problem.
Is this like that time a few weeks ago
Where you claimed the Cubs weren’t doing certain drills and you were informed you were wrong?
What this club needs is better players. Let’s try and find a way to blame the manager for that, too.
Even good hitters sometime forget or simply choose not to have a good AB
I was flipping around and unfortunately landed on the Cubs game today. Marlon Byrd up with one out and men on first and second. He tried to pull every pitch and eventually grounded into an inning ending DP with the Cubs down only one or two at the time.
If he would have tried to hit to the right side, you would think that better outcomes were available. He looked like D Lee up there. So, was it his fault or Quade’s fault?
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
His, obviously.
Quade has been his manager for six games. You’re not going to change this mindset in six games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Managers can insist on a better approach
However, when players continue to ignore them, if there is no penalty, why should they bother to change? This team has become thoughtless under Piniella’s tutelage. It has been accepted and that philosophy must be changed. Quade had an opportunity to make a statement when Soriano dogged it on his triple. so what is the penalty for the players to do the right thing. Just like Cox did to Jones early in his career, sit the guys who think it’s OK to play stupid baseball. You want to teach Castro a lesson, pull him when he does something mentally dumb.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
I'm not saying the players are blameless.
There’s plenty of blame to go around this year, including to the GM. Things must be fixed this offseason.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thus that should become one of the prime considerations
in selecting a manager.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
New manager
No, a new manager can’t solve all the teams problems. And it’s not fair to place all of the blame on the skipper for a team’s misfortunes. But the role of a manager is to be the leader of a ballclub and his role is to delegate his vision to the rest of the coaching staff so they can do it for the rest of the ballclub. And it helps to have a manager who is paying attention, watching the game and not just resting on his laurels on the bench.
Quade was handed a bad baseball team. He knows he’s lame-duck. And I think he knows deep-down that there’s a slim chance he returns to manage in 2011. All he can do is the best he can and try to prove himself worthy of managing the Cubs in 2011 or another team. I wish him the best.
by jeffmills1972 on Aug 29, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
"And how does a manager work on good situational hitting?"
By being named Ryne Sandberg, of course
People were complaining the Cubs don't teach fundamentals in the minor leagues
Well, isn’t Sandberg a minor-league manager? Or is he the only manager in the Cubs minor-league system who stresses that?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 29, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Couldn't have said it better, Al
I like Mike Quade. I would like to see him come back next year-as the bench coach. But anyone who thought that Quade was going to catapult the Cubs into an above .500 team for the past month and a half was blowing smoke. This is still a bad baseball team. There are a few diamonds in the rough, but mostly it’s rough in the diamonds.
I still think Ryno is the best guy for the job. The only other guy who could be considered IMHO is Girardi. But I don’t see Joe Girardi leaving the Yankees. Just like I don’t see Derek Jeter leaving the Yankees.
Jim Hendry has to interview other candidates and I’ve no doubt that Ryno will ace his interview. That being said, if Hendry hires someone else other than Ryno, he will be tarred and feathered by Cubs fans.
As opposed to having been tarred and feathered for moves like Game Board?
I don’t think Hendry is as influenced by the fans as you think he is
Coleman threw 6 innings and gave up 4 runs...
He’s better than Diamond. In September the Cubs will have Demp, Gorzo, Z, Wells, Silva, Coleman, Shark, and maybe 2 or more minor league starters. I wounder how that is going to work out.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
WONDER not wounder
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
You haven't seen September yet
“wounder” may have been right…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
As important as fundamentals and defense are...
I don’t want those things to turn into the “we need to get more left-handed” or the “we need guys who can catch the ball” mantra of the offseason. I’m already seeing rumblings of this crap from Bob Brenly, who’s decided to make Aramis Ramirez his whipping boy du jour. While Ramirez has his defensive miscues, the Cubs are going to need him if they want any hope of competing in 2011.
Unearned runs hurt and all, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Cubs are in the bottom half of the NL in runs scored. If the Cubs can find a high quality bat who provides good defense and fundamentals, great. However, given the composition of this team, I’d rather have A-Ram over someone like Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Fundamental play is a red herring
Yes, the fundamental play has been bad this year, but it isn’t the reason the club sits where they are.
Fundamentals are overrated
Sure they help, but I will take the talented team with bad fundamentals over the untalented team with good fundamentals any day of the week. Let’s get talent here first.
Talented teams, by definition, have good fundamentals.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Fundamentals are overrated.....WOW!!!!!!!
We can have all the talent in the world but if they cant play fundamental baseball and hit in the clutch, they will lose….
But then again we have discussed your guy Sosa and he fits this totally!
Learning situational hitting is a fundamental.
I don’t see how you could disagree with that. Now, the player still has to do it. But we have seen many RISP at-bats this year when a Cub hitter swung at the first pitch and hit into a double play. That’s not good situational hitting.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Tell that to the Padres
Goodness all the Padres have is a great bullpen, one stud hitter and sound, real sound fundamentals. This is how the Padres are winning, there talent does not even match with the Rockies, or Giants.
by Grockcubs on Aug 29, 2010 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
We shouldn't try to emulate the Padres
They are a nice story, but not the blueprint the Cubs should follow for building their team.
Padres
They also have the most pitcher-friendly stadium in baseball and designed their team according to their ballpark. Trying to re-create that Padres team with the Cubs would be an absolute disaster.
by Outshined_One on Aug 29, 2010 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I call BS on that comment
Fundamentals can elevate a middling team to a winner IMHO. Look at the D Backs 3 years ago, they won a lot of one run games because they didn’t give games away. Part of that is solid fundamentals. When they lost, they usually got their asses handed to them, but their wins were typically close games. If they gave up as many unearned runs as the Cubs did this year, their season is over early, like the Cubs.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Everyone has to be good at fundies
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Did you check the numbers Al posted a few days ago?
The teams with good fundamentals are all near the tops of their respective divisions or are in the playoff chase. The Cubs and Nationals are have allowed more unearned runs than any other teams in baseball. Not surprisingly, they’re at or near the bottom of the NL East in Washington’s case, and the NL Central in the Cubs’ case.
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 29, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Fewer unearned runs = better fundamentals.
More unearned runs = worse fundamentals.
And the more errors a team commits, the more often the chances are they’ll give up unearned runs.
BTW, I think the point I was trying to make is pretty clear.
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 29, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure
It’s obviously better not to commit errors. But, I think we shouldn’t go overboard and try to run out a team full of David Eckstein’s next year. Let’s get talent first.
Of course I don't want to see a team of David Ecksteins.
That would mean the Cubs’ offense would consist of nothing but singles.
First place I think the Cubs should get talent is at first base. Right now, 1B is a hole and no one on the Cubs’ roster is adequate there.
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 29, 2010 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Eckstein is an annoying little hobbit
but having him over say Theriot is why one team wins and the other loses. He was just voted ( by a huge margin) “player with the least talent who does the most with it” by his fellow players. That is not an insult, Eckstein would not be caught dead in a tootblan. The man freaking got Cedeno called out on a walk and there was no question he had been waiting YEARS to do that to someone because he knew the rules.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not JUST "not committing errors".
As I wrote, it’s having a bullpen that can shut down a team AFTER having his teammates commit errors.
That’s more execution than fundamentals, granted.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You are confusing fundamentals with being a good team
Clutch hitting, defense and the bullpen aren’t fundamentals that can be fixed overnight by a good manager. They are skills. Hiring Ryne Sandberg to teach the Cubs to “play the game the right way” isn’t going to fix these problems overnight.
by JSB on Aug 30, 2010 10:35 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I am willing to bet $1 billion BCB bucks
that you will find a positive correlation between wins, RISP success, higher fielding percentage and a team being sound with fundamentals. Now a team full of superstars with a $200 million + payroll can be a sloppy fundamental team but a team such as ours needs better fundamentals…you just throw away too many outs by not playing the way you should.
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
2010 results
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. San Diego Padres
4. New York Yankees
5. Toronto Blue Jays
6. San Francisco Giants
7. Philadelphia Phillies
8. New York Mets
9. Tampa Bay Rays
10. Chicago White Sox
There are two teams in the top ten that are NOT in contention. I dont have much more time to dig deeper currently but again if you take a look at all of the categories that could be chaulked up to playing sound fundamental baseball I am willing to bet that being in the top ten in many of those categories oftentimes will find you being in playoff contention.
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
So not much correlation from year to year
What other categories can be chalked up to playing good fundamental baseball? Sacrifice bunts? Don’t say hitting with RISP, because that is NOT fundamental baseball, the way we are talking about it in this post.
I can almost guarantee you there is a higher correlation in wOBA, FIP and UZR than there is in these so-called “fundamental” baseball categories.
what I was trying to say
was that fundamentals are vital to being a winning ballteam and that you cant strictly look at just one category, and you may be absolutely correct that there are other stats that you can point to besides the ones I listed – I was merely providing examples…I guess next time I should highlight, bold, italicize, quoteblock that line so every knows that I think there are several other categories you may want to look at
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 believe most errors
are of the physical variety rather than mental mistakes.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
unless you fail
to back up third base on a throw from right, or walk off of 2nd base because you think you are cool…this team needs to get it through its thick skull that none of them have done shit and stop acting like they are too flippen cool to run out a gounder to first or hustle to a ball in the gap. THAT is fundamental baseball, laying down a decent bunt to move the runners over, having your freeking head in the game and not getting caught in a rundown between 2nd and 3rd. Basically this team lost this game today because their heads were up their asses and there is no way around it. The talent got them 5 runs but when it mattered the findaments caused them to lose 2 runs and lose the game. TODAY IS WHY YOU STRESS THE FUNDAMENTALS. Do you honestly think that if we had the fundamental skills of half of the t-ball teams out there we would be so horrendous in one run games? And tharr this post is directed at you (except for the first sentance), I just got on a roll.
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
Couldn't possibly disagree more
I’ll take a solidly fundamental team from organizations like the Twins or Braves any day over the “throw a fat contract at talent and see if it sticks” approach the Cubs have used for the past several years. Then again, I’m of the belief that consistent results are better than upside any day of the week. The focus on high school sports and every league’s draft have convinced many otherwise.
That said, teaching fundamentals HAS to be from the top on down throughout the entire organization. The manager at the major league level can help, but it has to be preached throughout the organization, with consequences to pay for poor fundamentals.
Correct Zonk
Twins stress throwing strikes, good defense, good fundamentals from day one in there organization.
And Hansman I agree with your comment about: “this team needs to get it through its thick skull that none of them have done shit and stop acting like they are too flippen cool to run out a gounder to first or hustle to a ball in the gap.”
This team for some reason thinks or they give the appearance like they are WS champs, and yet they have won nothing.
I want a team of talent sure, but I also want guys that hustle there ass off and play smart ball.
wow you outdid yourself this time
and that is all I have to say about that
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
Exactly. I was just about to post something to that effect.
The same thing happened in 2005. The problem isn’t as much the errors and unearned runs is that our position players aren’t good enough at all the other things to make up for it. If the front office starts filling the roster with Neifi Perez/Izturis types to get better “fundamentals”… yikes. Right now this team (collectively) doesn’t hit or field. Fixing the second problem at the expense of the first isn’t really a solution to anything.
And Jim Hendry is just the man to overeact
and sign bad players to fix the problem.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
yes
lets fill this team with Soriano’s
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
Soriano's problems aren't fundamentals
He wasn’t a great fundamental baseball player in 2007 or 2008. But he more than made up for it. The problem with Soriano is he just isn’t very good anymore. Period. All of this circle jerk about “playing baseball the right way” is fine and dandy, but if the Cubs run out an infield with both DeWitt and Barney next year, I don’t care how fundamentally sound they are, they aren’t going to have a good team.
by JSB on Aug 30, 2010 10:32 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
he is still pretty good
not elite, but for a decent contract I would not mind having him on the team…I doubt Barney is a starter next year and DeWitt is a very capable starter – he is a tick better than Theriot was at 27 and is 2 years younger…he was a great steal in the Lilly/Theriot trade
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
Jeff Baker is not a second baseman
He looked really bad on that routine DP in the 8th.
We have to have guys next year, who can field their positions. Again, look at the Padres. Basically a bunch of no-names who field their position to go along with a tremendous pitching staff.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Aug 29, 2010 4:23 PM CDT reply actions
I'd sit Ramírez and play Baker on 3rd and De Witt on 2d.
What do we have to lose?
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2010 4:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
On TV and in the game recap people are sying we had to play a LH batter today.
We did not…..Barney could play 2b and Baker can play RF. This is already happened……
You're exactly right
but Fukudome did have a better day than we could have expected from Barney.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
True, also better than we could usually expect from Dome vs a LHP....
He hit a clutch HR….The throw from RF….not as good, but ARam HAS GOT to knock that down!
While I do believe in the lefty-righty thing as a general approach
the complete adherence to that approach usually is a bad idea. How many times have we seen that and then ended up facing a pitcher from the opposite side so we couldn’t counter that in a late inning pinch hit situation?
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Too many times.
Especially with Lou, who seemed to think that was a religion.
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 29, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Wouldn't it be interesting if a manager
changed his starting pitcher in the 1st inning to take advantage of the opposing team’s overload of lefties or righties?
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
the throw wasnt that bad
just 2 feet off line – not a great throw but not bad – the fielding of the throw was horrendous
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
Fundamentals and better players.
Ramírez has lost a step and is dead weight in the lineup. Castro and Marshall should have blocked those balls and avoided those runs. We can’t win with Ramírez on 3rd and as clean-up hitter.
I was at the 3 games. Last night, Jim Hendry was talking with a group of fans next to the Cubs dugout, before the game started. Good for him. I was on the other side of the stands, so i don’t know what they were talking about.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2010 4:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Hopefully he was passing out his resume and networking.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Japan's defense wins them the Little League World Series.
The Cubs should learn from that.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2010 4:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Wow, you're reaching...
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 29, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Really hard to watch them lose a winnable game and series
Hopefully they get the defense and situational things turned around for next year. A couple moves for next year and this team could be back near the playoffs, especially considering the way the Cardinals are playing towards the end of this year and who knows whether the Reds will be able to repeat this years season next year.
While it may look bleak now, I believe they have a lot of good pieces that will help them make a run at the playoffs in 2011.
This wasn't worth a separate post
With the Yankees win today, the Orioles were mathematically eliminated from the AL East race.
If the Rays win tonight, the Orioles will be mathematically eliminated from all playoff contention.
The Cubs tragic numbers are 12 (NL Central) and 15 (wild card).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
What is exactly is the role of a "bench coach"?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
He coaches the bench to keep it in shape.
The bench, not the players, mind you.
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 29, 2010 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
But seriously, a better title would be “assistant manager”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"Assistant manager"?
Or assistant to the manager?
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 29, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
While at the games in Cincinnati...
I noticed that Trammel and Quade were constantly on opposite ends of that large dugout at the ballpark. That is not normal because it doesn’t help them communicate among themselves.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2010 5:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
They showed a couple of shots of them talking to each other during today's game
Maybe they were checking out the game from different perspectives and then comparing notes when the Cubs were batting?
"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
Brenly seemed to be getting down on ARam for his lack of effort on Dome's throw.
Used the words "Ole’ and again…..
I think Bob thinks he is pretty lazy.
I think he is just sleepy!
Maybe Brenly will piss A-Ram off enough he'll opt out?
Then we could all look forward to an infield of: 3B- DeWitt , SS- Castro , 2B- Barney and possibly (Al’s pick) 1B- Kila Ka’aihue or Colvin?
That infield will definitely keep us BCBers busy with our “WTF?” posts.
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Brenly has moved on...
from pointing Soriano’s faults every single game. Now Ramirez is the one. I wonder who it will be next.
I wonder if that is due to his former days as a manager.
I’m pretty certain it’s not lazy selfish players he’s criticizing, but more a lack of effort on the part of the players themselves. Seems Aramis has had trouble getting behind ground balls this year, for what reason I do not know.
It would be interesting to hear the perspective of one of his former players in Arizona letting us know what he was like to players he thought were underperforming.
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 29, 2010 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
It does not sound like he was very nice....I wonder if he benched the ones he thought were loafing?
That does not seem to be how things are done with the Cubs….
The Cubs are nicer than Bob Brenly!!
"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.
Whatever he did, it musta worked...2001 WS Champions.
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Maybe we'll add a bed check coach next year.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Castro
Him being aloof on the bases needs to be correct by his teammates first. They need to sit down with him and stress the importance of keeping your head into the game.
This team does need to tighten the “D”. Errors drag a team down, not only leading to unearned runs, but leads to " who is next to misplay a ball.
Win some games next week. Cubs will miss Santana in the Mets series.
This is so stupid. Colvin should be auditioning at 1b, while Fukudome plays every day in RF.
The Cubs have gone so far as proposing this very alternative, but then spiked it for no apparent reason other than the fear of somehow damaging Colvin’s psyche. Quade manages like he coaches 3rd base — risk averse to a fault.
by Jerry Mumphrey on Aug 29, 2010 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Since the DLee trade, it’s largely been Nady starting at first with the exception of a handful of games when Hoffpauir started there.
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 29, 2010 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Something had to have happened
I know Lou has a pattern of saying stuff that doesn’t happen, but this one (trying Colvin at 1B) seemed to be more than just a passing fancy of Lou’s. I’d have to think Hendry was on board and anyone else in the Cubs player development braintrust. Just because Quade took over doesn’t mean that idea should have died.
Seeing as how it got as far as Colvin working out there in practice, one plausible idea is that he simply just didn’t have the skillset Cubs mgmt felt was necessary to start playing him there this season. Maybe it’s still in the plans, but something that winter ball or ST will have to address.
Another somewhat less plausible idea is that the Cubs are/were showcasing Nady. We should find out in a few days if that is/was the case.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
All of that is plausible.
If Nady does get traded or waived to another team and then Hoffpauir plays 1B, then we’ll know something weird is going on.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That was my point
A logical explanation is that they saw him take ground balls, weren’t impressed and didn’t think it was worth game experimentation. I have no way of knowing if this is true, just a guess.
that is my thinking
and even though this is a lost season you dont want to embarass yourself by throwing him out there if he is horrendous
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
Apparently he's having significant problems fielding ground balls.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Just because he hasn't gotten into a game doesn't mean he hasn't practiced there
Maybe he did and maybe the coaches didn’t like what they saw?
He must keep playing the guys they're trying to move...
…when the 1st of Sept. gets here then they’ll have all sorts of options. I’m not sure why the push for Colvin at 1B tho. Sounds sort of ridiculous. If they wanted him to play 1B, then they shoulda been grooming him for it from the moment they drafted him.
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Hitting and fielding fundamentals
There have been many instances of Bob and Len bemoaning the fact that they have seen fundamentally sound teams working on those fundamentals pre-game while the cubs were chillaxin in the clubhouse. It is the duty of the manager to make them put in that work.
It is also the job of the manager and hitting coach to promote situational hitting. How do they do that? Award playing time to the smart hitter who shortens his swing in those situations and gets the job done like all great hitting players. I really hate seeing the same swing 0-2 as there would be on 3-1. Making the players responsible for their actions in the box and on the field will be job #1 for the new manager.
"Keep the sun out of your eyes and be yourself"
by cubbietenor on Aug 29, 2010 9:18 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Exactly...
Fundamentals are:
From an offensive perspective:
Shortening your swing with two strikes to put the ball in play, hitting to the right side to move runners over, working to get the pitch you can hit (and taking or fouling off those you can’t), putting the ball in play with a runner on third and less than two out, getting the frigging bunt down when called upon to do so, taking the extra base on the basepaths when prudent, tagging up and advancing, etc.
From a defensive perspective:
Getting into the right position to field the ball (vs. ole), holding onto the ball when you have no play, communicating with the other fielders, hitting your cut-off man, backing up throws, knowing your infield rotations (such as on bunts).
In short: fundamentals are baseball smarts. They’re hard to measure statistically (other than unearned runs, perhaps), but they’re really obvious to anyone who knows the game. It’s equally obvious when a team does not have them. From my vantage point, the Cubs are terrible at all of the above, particularly scoring runners from third with less than two outs.
And for the record, it doesn’t have to be fundamentals OR talent. It just seems like the Cubs pursue the latter without stressing the former.
by Zonk on Aug 29, 2010 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ha Ha Ha
Do you really think the Cubs manager next year will sit Soriano and Ramirez and award playing time to bench players?
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Well...
I have seen many “star” players be benched for lazy or bad play. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but we need that manager with the cojones to do it and the GM to back him up.
"Keep the sun out of your eyes and be yourself"
And it's official.
With the Rays win, the Orioles are mathematically eliminated from any playoff possibility.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Their chance to make the playoffs this year are just as great as ours.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
but we still have a chance at the playoffs
granted it was about the same chance as Lloyd had in getting Mary – but there is still a chance
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
Fundamentals today
also included a failure to get bunts down or even advance runners when we did bunt. Our pitchers were horrible holding runners on allowing the Reds to run at will. That’s all a holdover from lou’s regime and must be improved if this team is to compete. essentially we’ll only be swapping one position player next year- Lee- so the offense we see in 2011 will consist of the players we’ve seen fail this year.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Right.
And Ramírez had to block that throw from RF instead of trying to field it sideways. The same with castro on the catcher’s throw. Plus bunts have to be executed. And Castro and Byrd have to stop trying to pull every pitch.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2010 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I just saw the replay
anyone who says Ramirez’s fielding has come a long way is either dead wrong or Ramirez used to not be able to catch a cold in a daycare. That is how I would have fielded that throw and I SUCK at fielding in baseball…
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
ya
which is the way I usually am – I am afraid its going to smack me in the face
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
a ball that just hopped off the grass - sure
I can afford the plastic surgery then…
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 am not that gloomy about the game.
Two poor throws and/or poor fielding efforts were not as bad as most of the “baseball” played by the Cubs in the weeks before Lou stepped down, IMHO.
The team did play some ugly ball, but still had a real chance of actually winning the game. There were many times in July and the beginning of August, when one could not have said this.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
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