Blake DeWitt's Windblown HR Gives Cubs Win Over Mets
by Al Yellon on Sep 3, 2010 4:57 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintFall was definitely in the air at Wrigley Field on Friday, blown in from the west on 20 MPH winds -- at least that's what the official game time wind speed said, but some of the gusts were much higher than that.
One of those gusts took Blake DeWitt's two-out, sixth-inning fly ball into the right-field bleachers, breaking a 4-4 tie with a three-run homer. The Cubs bullpen tried to give the game back to the Mets; fortunately, NY homers were with no one on base and the Cubs held on for a 7-6 win. That improved the team record in one-run games to a still bad 18-30 -- but the good news is, the Cubs have now won their last four one-run games and improved to 7-3 under Mike Quade.
Listening to Quade on the postgame show driving home, I was impressed by his attention to detail and his understanding of the troubles Randy Wells has had this year and what they're trying to do to help him. Ryne Sandberg -- who was named PCL Manager of the Year today -- is still my first choice. But Quade is clearly a good baseball man and has done a good job so far. If Sandberg does get the job, Quade as his bench coach would be a reasonable choice.
DeWitt, meanwhile, hit his fourth HR in 110 plate appearances as a Cub. I don't expect him to become a major power hitter -- but at age 25, he could still improve. Maybe he could hit a dozen homers a year from a position where the Cubs have had little power since... well, since that guy named Sandberg was there.
R.A. Dickey, likely the first knuckleballer the Cubs have seen since Tim Wakefield faced them in 2005, baffled them for the first three innings, only once throwing a pitch that measured above 74 MPH on the Wrigley pitch speed meter. (It was an 84 MPH fastball). DeWitt hit a single in the third, the only hit in those first three innings.
Something must have clicked after everyone saw him once, because in the fourth, Starlin Castro, Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady singled for one run, and then Alfonso Soriano -- perhaps the only Cub who has a lot of experience against knuckleballers, since he had 41 PA against Wakefield (and four HR) in the American League -- hit a three-run homer off Dickey that needed NO help from the wind, and gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead.
Randy Wells settled down after yet another awful first inning. If the Cubs can just fix that, Wells should be fine; he now has a 7.00 ERA this year in the first inning, a 4.09 ERA in all other innings. Quade may have left him in one batter too long; Mets outfielder Lucas Duda got his first MLB hit and RBI in the sixth, tying the game and then Wells was yanked for James Russell.
Then Quade did something I didn't understand; he let Russell bat for himself after DeWitt's home run, and then took him out anyway for Andrew Cashner. Why? It's not like the other night when he could have been accused of "piling on" in a blowout -- with a three-run lead in the sixth, you certainly want more runs.
Cashner and Sean Marshall both gave up solo home runs. David Wright's in the seventh off Cashner needed no wind help, but the one from just-recalled SS Luis Hernandez did get a push from the gusty blasts.
Thankfully, "good" Carlos Marmol showed up to post his 26th save, but not until the wind did a number on a popup from Joaquin Arias (seriously, who are these guys? I didn't recognize half the Mets starting lineup), which dropped foul, after which Marmol walked him. Marmol's K of Ike Davis was his 115th of the year, setting a personal career high. The Cubs team record for a pitcher who threw exclusively in relief is 129, set by Bruce Sutter in 1977. He did it in 107.1 innings -- Marmol has thrown 64.1 innings through today.
Always nice to win. I like what I've seen out of this team over the last two weeks -- granted that a lot of it is against other bad teams. Let's get 'em again tomorrow.
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Mark Prior
signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.
I’m sure someone will make a fanpost and then they’ll be a long discussion of Dusty Baker, inverted Ws, towels, Marcus Giles, “perfect mechanics” and being an employee. But I’ll just say “Good luck, Mark.”
by Josh Timmers on Sep 3, 2010 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
you forgot Joe Mauer, Bartman, and public appearance signing sessions gone awry...
…but I too wish him good luck. I haven’t seen anything like that on the mound since Tom Seaver – it’d be nice to see it again.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Good for Mark
I wish him the best. You are oh so right about the discussions of Dusty, etc, etc, etc. Regardless of any drivel I hope he makes it back to the majors.
Interesting.
The link says he’s joining their Triple-A team tomorrow — with what, three days left in the season?
Do they think that maybe he’s going to pitch OK in Triple-A and then they might give him a recall this month.
Worth watching. I, too, wish him well.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree with all of you
at the end of the day I have always hoped Prior would get some luck and end up being a contributor somewhere. He always seemed like a decent guy so I hope this works out for him.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Sep 3, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
There's no way ...
Prior could figure into the Rangers’ postseason, could he? Like as an injury replacement?
Wood and the Yankees versus Prior and the Rangers. Hmmmm.
I'm pretty sure he won't qualify for post season. I think you must be on the 40 man roster before 9/1?
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.
The injury exceptions...
… allow you to replace as many as you have on the DL, with players already on the 40-man roster.
It gets abused all the time. For example, in 2002 the Yankees activated Jon Lieber, who had not pitched all year and wasn’t going to, on August 31 just so they could replace him on their postseason roster.
The same year, the Angels had K-Rod in the playoffs even though he didn’t make his MLB debut until September 18. He threw more innings in the postseason than he did in the regular season.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's pretty interesting.
I may not know all of the ramifications for limiting the post season roster as MLB does, but from seeing players injured in the last month or simply playing with significant ones before, that kind of philandering with it doesn’t bother me. I like to see a playoff team with their best players on the field, although they should have equal opportunities on both sides to do so.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions
That's effectively what the Reds did with Aroldis Chapman
They just beat the clock by 1 day, instead of using the DL loophole.
"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 Sep 3, 2010 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know who, if anyone, is on the Reds DL.
So maybe they had to do it to make him eligible.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Reds sent Edinson Vólquez to the minors when they called up Chapman
They had plenty of guys on the DL if they wanted to wait. With the DL exception, the post-season roster is paper thin. Teams can park a player on the DL just for this reason.
"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 Sep 4, 2010 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
ive been watching the rangers due to the cubs sucking
will be nice to see mark pitch again
by jesus christos on Sep 3, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Greened.
Let’s hope he is able to overcome his injury problems and succeed again. I’d like that for him.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Good luck Mark
"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 Sep 3, 2010 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I liked Mark
when he was here and I wish him well.
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
Dodgers Knuckleballer?
I seem to recall a knuckle ball pitcher on the Dodgers within the past couple years… did the Cubs face him?
by shawon-o-meter on Sep 3, 2010 5:32 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yep - Charlie Haeger
Looks like he’s faced the Cubs just one time – August 22, 2009 – and pitched a pretty good game. 7 innings, 3 hits, 4 walks, and no runs to get the win as Dodgers beat the Cubs 2-0.
Ironically, his current teammate Ted Lilly, took the loss that day.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I had forgotten about Haeger.
Besides him and Wakefield, I doubt the Cubs had faced a knuckleballer since Charlie Hough.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I remember Steve Sparks pitching a great game against the Cubs with the Diamondbacks at Wrigley a few years back.
What's ironic about that?
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
not much
I just like throwing ‘ironically’ (or ‘ironic’) into posts every now and then to appease the usage gods… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
They are demanding deities.
:)
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
I have to say Al, that after 10 games it is even more apparent
Then after three there is a different attitude now on the Cubs. I don’t know if the bullpen entirely got the message…but with the starting rotation banged up now I suppose we are still lucky with the performance even there. At least it makes it a lot more fun to watch the end of a bad year.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 5:44 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed completely.
It may not mean much in the long run, but there’s nothing wrong with a strong finish, even if a lot of these guys won’t be back next year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I thought I owed you and the BCB members that
After emphasizing at the end of the Nats series that while we seemed to have a different attitude, it was only 3 games. I think even from watching TV you can see they play a lot looser now, seem more enthusiastic about the games period. The pen isn’t corrected of course and there will be probably more errors made than other teams…but there is a better performance there and it’s a positive thing to see players we will have next year demonstrating they can do better than earlier this year. If Russell continues to perform that would be another bright spot.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Some observations on the team since Quade took over:
1.) Does anyone else feel that Blake DeWitt is a legitimate option at 2B next year? I do.
2.) I’m becoming more and more convinced that the only potential openings for position players next year will be RF and 1B. If that is the case, I am more and more open (not saying I’m totally on board yet, just open to) the idea of signing Adam Dunn for next year.
3.) Ironic, I know, since offense has been the #1 issue this year, but the pitching staff, both rotation and bullpen, needs to be rebuilt. A rotation of Z, Demp, Gorzo, Wells, and a young inning-eater at #5 is not going to cut it. Marmol and Marshall are good pieces at the back end of the bullpen, but we need one more legitimate setup guy, and some major help in the middle. I’m becoming more and more skeptical of Cashner every time he pitches. He could still get better, I know, but I initially thought he was the real deal.
I preface these observations by referring to the old adage that good analysis in September is a SOB, because you do not get to see how guys react to real pressure. And sometimes that is the most important test of all.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
Does anyone else feel that Blake DeWitt is a legitimate option at 2B next year? I do.
I think the job is his to lose.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
who is going to take it away?
Unless one of the plethora of middle infielder prospects go bananas like Castro did DeWitt has the spot for at least next season to Memorial Day…
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Next season to Memorial Day?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I also think DeWitt is a keeper.
As far as Dunn goes? He’s got them “old player skills” and stuff, ya know? And we need something more than just a guy who hits 40 Hrs and knocks in 100+RBIs and has that .900 OPS. (Sarcasm Alert!)
Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.
let us concentrate on the leadership and let them
put a team together. I really can see Ramirez being moved and a more athletic 3B.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
...and a more athletic 3B what, exactly?
Man, I hate to be that guy, but seriously, this is some of the least grammatic scheiße ever. Write in complete sentences, please.
Careful and correct use of language is a powerful aid to straight thinking, for putting into words precisely what we mean necessitates getting our own minds quite clear on what we mean.
-W.I.B. Beveridge
"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 think it's fair to say 2B is still a weak spot in the lineup for 2011
but the Cubs have bigger problems to worry about – like 1B, SP and bullpen, not to mention trying to move some big contracts. So yeah, if Ricketts wants to open checkbook and empty the farm to solve all Cubs problems for 2011, then I’d expect to see an upgrade at 2B.
But assuming the Cubs only address a few of the problem areas, I’m very okay with going into next year with DeWitt at 2B. Maybe with a RH option like Baker on the bench to quasi-platoon when the matchups are favorable.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Let's hope Ricketts doesn't do that.
It’s the same thing that got us into this mess in the first place, and I think impossible for him anyway with his debt. I’m sure fine with DeWitt at 2nd from what I’ve seen..could be better or worse next year but he’s a decent low cost option while you grow your rookies and wait to shed payroll for 2012. Kosuke and Grabow coming off sure will be nice. Rami will as well unless they trade him. There will be a lot of important decisions to make then.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Thoughts:
1) DeWitt is a keeper — at least until he gets expensive.
2) 1B is really the only opening, which is why Dunn makes sense. At the right price.
3) Getting a No. 2 style starter could be huge. So is getting a Howry 2007 style setup guy.
So is getting a Howry 2007 style setup guy.
Kerry Wood — at the right price.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Sep 3, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The more guys you have like Marshall
The more effective Marmol will be. At the right price that could be a good part of improving the pen. Wood seems to have found a comfort zone of being a set up man and should stay there.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd agree with all three points.
and with your last unnumbered one. For example, Kosuke suddenly catching fire…like Pierre did with us when it didn’t matter anymore. For me I think it means more for a rookie than a vet, but either way a streak during the doesn’t matter anymore portion of the schedule is very tricky to see if it means anything. And, as Al notes before, how many of these guys will be back on the team? Nady is just trying to finally increase his value for someone else. Baker, Tracy…and of course Fonty and Theriot from earlier will all likely be playing somewhere else.
Still is more fun to watch being a spoiler than rolling over, and it lets the Cubs see that Quade can make a connection with the players.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I just mentioned him as someone I doubt will be playing for us next year.
No other reason than that. I hope he does well with the Marlins.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
1. Like others have said, it’s probably DeWitt’s job unless something happens.
Comment: The problem with this is that I think the Cubs still need a better top of the order guy, and with DeWitt at 2nd, that leaves an OF spot to find a player for that role (could be Fukudome in some sort of role), or to simply hope that DeWitt/Castro will be a consistent and solid top of the lineup. Much as I’d be curious about Soto hitting in the 2-hole, I think the chances of that happening are quite slim.
2. I think the starting C, 2nd, SS, 3rd, and 2 OF spots are locked up as well, and I think there’s really only one spot left. The Cubs will likely give Tyler Colvin a twirl somewhere, whether it be in the OF or at 1st base. He might not be the everyday guy (could see the Cubs utilize him in a timeshare of sorts), but I really think it’s one spot left, unless the Cubs start moving guys around.
Comment: I’m not against going with Colvin at 1st and Fukudome in RF. Ideally, we’d clear Fukudome (and some other contracts). Ideally, Colvin would be used in the OF, where he has some defensive value. This is a messy club with flaws, and going for ideals will be tough (although not impossible). If you can’t clear Fukudome without getting a passable amount of money eaten, then you might as well hold onto him, IMO, and find a “partner” for him (while hoping the next manager doesn’t simply toss him by the wayside when he hits his occasional one or two month slump, which he has had consistently since coming stateside). I’m not against Colvin at 1st and Kosuke in RF because it would likely mean no big long term contract signed this offseason, and that’s fine by me. All that said, I don’t expect that to happen. Not impossible, but not expecting it.
3. I agree that a righty setup arm is needed. I also agree that the pitching staff needs help. I’m not that worried yet on Cashner, because his problems this year have resided more with his fastball, and I’ve seen that fastball. He’s just got to find it again, and not overthrow it. Another year of problems, and I’d be concerned. I’d love to see Cashner in the rotation, although my doubts on that ever happening again are growing each day.
Quick thing to point out – Cubs starters are averaging a shade less than 6 IP/GS, which is on the lower end of the spectrum. If you have to consistently bring in an arm in the 6th, that wears down the pen. Adding an innings eater isn’t the worst idea, provided the guy is a decent starter (that is, not some junk being thrown out there for the 5th role). If you get more IP/GS, and find another setup man, I believe the middle relief will work itself out, provided guys are utilized in roles they are suited for. James Russell was decimated against righties this year, and was sterling against lefties. Let him be the middle relief LOOGY (or have the chance to win that role). I don’t think you need too many middle relievers added – add one solid setup arm, and I think you roll with the rest and you should be okay if you can get more innings out of the starters.
Didn't the Cubs face a knuckle ball thrower against the Dodgers last year?
I remembered that they only got 2 hits in that game.
by braziliancubsfan on Sep 3, 2010 6:25 PM CDT reply actions
That sounds familiar.
I was gonna look to see if we had faced O’Day but I think Al meant starting pitchers. I’ll be interested to see if you were right.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah I did mean starting pitcher, and yup, Chris Heager, he allowed only 3 hits.
Cubs got shut out in that game 2-0. And yup, that was last year. Here’s the boxscore http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=AitmvHzsBfU6D3QgrIXFXp.4u7YF?gid=290822119.
by braziliancubsfan on Sep 3, 2010 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Charlie Haeger, not "Chris Heager".
And yes, I forgot about him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Page up.
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 Sep 3, 2010 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions
First game @ Wrigley since Lilly clinched against the Cards in 2008.
14-man 2 day bachelor party kicked off by this game. At 3617 Sheffield in the rooftops; real fun time. Met ballhawk and hung for a few innings; missed Al, unfortunately.
As for the game, I was with 7 Mets / East Coast fans; all of them loved Wrigley.
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 3, 2010 6:50 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Dan,
I for one can’t recommend enough sitting in the bleachers, especially with Al. He has so much a knowledge about the game that it is well worth it if you’re in town.
Glad you had a good time! I’ve never been in one of the rooftops at Wrigley before … what are they like?
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 Sep 3, 2010 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I've sat in the bleachers, and with AY, before.
This game’s objective, however, was a tad different than others.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Sep 3, 2010 8:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I can imagine.
Was this your first game in the rooftops? If not, which one would you recommend?
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 Sep 3, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Did my ears deceive me?
Or have the Cubs put a stop to the “walk-up” music? Hope so.
by bourbon_and_branch on Sep 3, 2010 7:27 PM CDT reply actions
I hope so.
I don’t hear it all that often on TV but hear it frequently on other games I watch…and it just seems so out of place, especially to put in a traditional ball park. I think the organization was looking for any way they could find to drum up interest in games and got a little desperate. Just my thoughts.
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Sep 3, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Here's how much the walkup music bothered me.
If, in fact, they stopped doing it, I didn’t even notice.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I was wondering that today also
It was just organ music. And I won’t miss the pre-recorded junk. IMHO it was part of the “death by a thousand cuts” that they seem to be doing to make Wrigley not the special place it should be — the Toyota sign, more and more billboards in the stands, the Under Armour ads on the outfield wall, rooftop “clubs”, skyboxes, night games……
All the things you mention...
… lead me to believe you want Wrigley to be as it was in the 1950’s.
Need I remind you that the Cubs sucked then?
The ads? Who cares? Does that in any way interfere with you watching the game? Night games? They would have been playing night games at Wrigley in 1942 if not for WWII. Rooftop clubs? Has nothing to do with the team, they didn’t put them there. Skyboxes? Well, if you want the Cubs to be the Pirates, take the skyboxes out.
You can’t live in the past. Wrigley Field is not a museum.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well, maybe more like the 1930s
when they went to the World Series three times. :-) Actually, Wrigley as of 1984 would suit me fine, and that was a pretty good team.
All day yesterday, while my wife and I sat in the front of the LF bleachers, there was a bunch of totally obnoxious guys – old enough to behave better – who were constantly screaming in our ears. The usher in our aisle finally asked them to stop repeated choruses of “Mets take it up the ass”… which they changed to “Mets take it up the butt.” (All to the tune of Camptown Races, inspired by Mets LFer’s surname “Duda”.) But they never. shut. up. My wife finally got fed up and moved to the back row (and had a brief hello from Tom Ricketts).
I suppose the obnoxious drunks who buy round after round of beer contribute significantly to the team’s bottom line. But they denigrate the experience of those of us who would like to enjoy a ball game. And my real point is that a lot of what I have enjoyed at Wrigley the past 50 or so years is how is is not like all the other ballparks – filled with distracting ads, recorded music, etc. What’s next – T-shirt cannons? Cheerleaders? The Wave? Ugh ugh and ugh.
And just maybe, squeezing out every last bit revenue is overrated. The Cubs have the 3rd highest payroll in MLB this year, and what good has it done? There are 25 or so teams with less payroll than the Cubs with better records.
Haven't watched any games since Quade took over
but just a few comments based on the recaps and the comments lately about the Cubs.
I have always thought that Lou was a good manager for a veteran-laden team, and that team taking care of business on the field without needing his intervention or coaching.
The last two years the Cubs have had more adversity than the in 2007 and 2008 when they basically rolled along after Z punched out Barrett and Lou’s only real tirade as a Cub manager. Lou leaned on his vets just as much as Dusty did, even when the obvious decision when they were struggling, was to drop them in the order, give them some consecutive days off, or whatever.
Most of BCB has commented on Lou’s lack of fire/lack of interest, and only Lou and his coaching staff/players really know how engaged he was during the game. I feel that his managing turned into going through the motions, even though he allegedly felt he was trying everything he knew to do to get the 2010 Cubs out of their funk. After the first few “Look, what do you want me to do’s?”, you could tell that that was his ass-covering mantra going forward. I’m not here to bash Lou, just bring up why I think he checked out last year. Obviously, the health concerns of his mother most definitely the main reason this season.
It looks like this team as of today, is playing with more confidence and getting the job done on the field like a good team should. Sure, the season was lost in May or June, and the teams they have been playing are playing out the string as well, but the streak before Lou actually stepped down was mired in lackadaisical play on the players and Lou’s mismanagement of the pinch hitters and bullpen.
It’s nice to read that they are playing a lot better, and that is shown by their one-run wins. Who knows how this season would have unfolded if the current split on one run games was more towards .500 or better?
I give kudos to Quade for him not playing out the string, simply keeping the seat warm for Ryno. He is a professional, and knows how to manage at the Major League level. I also will give kudos to the players for not laying down for Quade and winning like they are supposed to.
I wouldn’t mind Quade as the Cubs manager next year, but for all the good reasons that have been put forth these last few weeks, it’s most likely the Ryne Sandberg regime come next year. I hope that Ryne can use Quade as a trusted resource and instill a winning attitude. I would also like to see the Cubs shore up the basic fundamentals that have been lacking on this team for a few years now.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
If Sandberg gets the job
I still prefer Quade over Sandberg as of now, but if Sandberg gets the job, I hope Quade will stick around. Everything I’ve heard has me doubting it, but here’s hoping. Quade offers a more “new school” approach than Ryno, which I think is the right fit for this time in the organization’s history, and if he’s willing to be Ryno’s bench coach, then he would offer a nice contrast to Ryno.
by toonsterwu on Sep 3, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not knocking Quade
Because he’s been fine so far (although Al’s point about Russell getting an AB only to be pulled bothers me) but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Cubs have been playing better against Washington, Pittsburgh and the Mets. We did lose 2 of 3 to the Reds.
Now Quade didn’t pick the schedule and we had a lot of trouble with Pittsburgh this year before Lou retired. But we need to remember that maybe the team is looking better because the competition is worse.
Lets see how we play against the Cardinals, Padres and Giants.
Well, we did play Cincinatti
And by all accounts could’ve taken 2/3 in that series if the bullpen hadn’t insisted on relinquishing the lead. There was definitely a “no quit” attitude by the rest of the team that game on Sunday.
Right.
And, those games were in Cincinnati, where the Reds have a very good record.
Let’s see how the Cubs do against the Cardinals, Giants and Padres, all contenders, when they play them this month.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I really didn't have that big an issue with the Russell move
My guess is that Quade was trying to manage the game. You’ve got a 7-4 lead with 2 outs, bases empty. Certainly, a lot of us would ponder, considering the rosters are expaned, tossing in one of Castillo/Hill/Baker/Barney/Hoffpauir/Colvin for a PH role. The standard options were available. You could pull a double switch of some sort, but in this case, the previous hitter, DeWitt, had just hit a home run, so do you bring in Barney or Baker at the moment for him? Do you go with Colvin and pull a double switch with Soriano’s spot? Or do you simply use a pure PH move?
It seems quite possible that Quade didn’t want to “waste” a PH here, particularly since he really only had 3 options (you don’t really PH with Barney or Hill in a 7-4 game there, and putting Castillo there is an iffy maneuver if you are hoping that the manager is still managing for the games, and not for “getting a look at guys”). I’m not necessarily defending the move, just saying I really wasn’t that bothered by it if the rationale was to not waste Colvin there and keep him in the pocket in case there’s a bigger situation.
If he simply forgot, okay. Things happen, but okay. I don’t recall how much Cashner had warmed up, so another possibility might be that they weren’t sure if Cashner was warmed up enough. Don’t know, but I’d be okay if they kept Russell in there for a situation like that. Don’t know, I didn’t even really ponder it until reading Al’s comments here about it. It didn’t seem that bad to me during the game.
damn you
you just barely beat me to the punch
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 don’t recall how much Cashner had warmed up, so another possibility might be that they weren’t sure if Cashner was warmed up enough.
Well then — a PH might have been a better idea, because a PH surely would have had a longer AB than Russell.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
fair enough
but he saw 3 pitches, so it wasn’t like the at bat was short.
All that said, I didn’t hear the post-game comments to see if anyone asked Quade about it, but m guess is that he simply wanted to save his best pinch hitter (Colvin) for a higher leverage situation. A case could be made for going with, say, Hoffpauir there, and that’s something I probably would’ve done, but I can understand giving the pitcher the AB there.
here is what I was thinking about leaving the reliever in to bat
since he has done it one other time recently - perhaps he is leaving him in so that he can leave a bench bat there for the later innings if need be – so if its the 10th we dont have Berg out there hitting for himself with 2 outs and the bases loaded
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 still find it hilarious how Bob Brenly only has about 20 less votes then Quade and Gonzalez combined:
Bob Brenly
235 votes
Fredi Gonzalez
126 votes
Mike Quade
128 votes
That’s ridiculous and embarrassing
What's so ridiculous and embarassing?
Let’s look at the tale of the tape, shall we? (apologies for the crude formatting)
…………. G …… W …… L ….. pct … BF . WF avgF WS
Brenly… 565 … 303 … 262 … .536 … 1 … 5 … 2.1 … 1
Fredi … 555 … 276 … 279 … .479 … 2 … 5 … 3.4 … 0
Quade …10 ……. 7 …… 3 …. .700 … 5 … 5 …. 5 ….. 0
BF – Best Finish, WF – Worst Finish, avgF – average Finish, WS – World Series won
Numbers wise, I’d say Brenly has the edge over the other two. And he certainly knows quite a bit about the current Cubs team. Obviously Fredi has some good credentials and is thought of quite highly around the league and Quade shows good promise. Add in the other candidates that will be considered and it could come down to whoever aces the interviews. But I’d say it’s a no-brainer that Brenly can match up against just about anyone here in terms of credentials.
Why do you feel Brenly is so undeserving of support?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Good reply
BB’s got a WS ring in his first season as manager. Thankfully, I was here to enjoy it.
Grace always gives props to Bob regarding him as a manager.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
Brenly got so lucky in 2001 (luis gonzalez on steroids, randy johnson, curt schilling) he really had one great year. The fact that he hasn’t been hired scares the crap out of me. I guess you can say he likes his TV job, but I just think he’s not a very good manager. Again, this is all very subjective. I feel like Gonzalez just blows Brenly away in every area.
Yes, he was lucky that he had Kim as his closer
and he gave up 2 big HR’s in NY in the World Series. Otherwise the D Backs would have taken the series 4-1 instead of 4-3.
Gonzo was most likely on something during that season, so were dozens of other major leaguers.
Johnson and Schilling did what they were supposed to do-win ballgames. Oh and that game 7 win was come from behind. How lucky was that?
Give him his due. He had a good team and won it all with it. It happens.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
yeah fine, but Fredi Gonzalez just blows him away. He knowas how to speak another language, he can be hardass, he’s really good with young kids. Brenly really looked awful during the world series. It’s just what you said, he rode Schilling and Johnson, not much skill. He just really wasn’t a good manager Byung Kim sticks out in my mind. He got ran out of town in 03 because people realized he wasn’t that good. He had one great year,that’s it. He hasn’t had a major league job in 7 years, and he’s about 15 years older in Fredi Gonzalez. Brenly shouldn’t even be mentioned. I’ll still give him props though.
however
gonzalez is going to go to his comfy job in ATL when this season is over…unless the Cubs throw an obscene amount of money at him
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
Ah yes, the "hardass" argument.
I have yet to see any reasonable argument made as to why that’s a good thing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well, it's nice to see that you're okay with you being subjective about who the new manager should be.
Now, if you would, please extend that courtesy to others? Thank you.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Sep 4, 2010 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you!!!
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
So is it hilarious?
Or is it ridiculous and embarrassing? Because those things are not compatible.
I don’t know what it is tonight. Maybe it’s because a very nice, fun dinner party turned into a stupid drunken argument with my GF, but I’m not in any sort of mood to tolerate BS right now. Oh, wait. That’s exactly the reason why I’m in no mood to tolerate any BS right now. So guess what, sunshine?
a) GTFO yourself. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate your petty little choices to anyfreakin’body around here? Where’s your track record of insightful comments? What’s your background? Can you bring anything more to the conversation than some smug sense of superiority and feigned insight? Well, can you?
b) 23 words. I counted. 23 freakin’ words is the best you can come up with to express your utter disdain of the community at large here? Where’s the verbosity? Where’s the anger? Where’s the art? If you’re gonna get angry, get angry! Tell us why we’re no better than the slime that washes up on the pier! Describe where we can cram our stupid, awful choices in a poll! Let us know, in no uncertain terms, that you find us distasteful in the extreme and that we will never ascend to your lofty standards in our pathetic, mewling lifetimes! Do it! Have some f***ing conviction!
c) But seriously, if you really want to comment on the poll, then please do so in the thread dedicated to the post in which the poll appeared. If anyone other than you cared about your opinion 36 hours after it was posted, they’d stay just as interested in it as you. You could have a nice conversation with them there, instead of here.
"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
by Clutch16 on Sep 4, 2010 4:26 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
But seriously, if you really want to comment on the poll, then please do so in the thread dedicated to the post in which the poll appeared. If anyone other than you cared about your opinion 36 hours after it was posted, they’d stay just as interested in it as you. You could have a nice conversation with them there, instead of here.
Yes, how dare I talk about something else cub related on a cub blog, that just would be terrible.
GTFO yourself. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate your petty little choices to anyfreakin’body around here? Where’s your track record of insightful comments? What’s your background? Can you bring anything more to the conversation than some smug sense of superiority and feigned insight? Well, can you?
Thanks for insulting me after joining here for two days. I actually used to write a fantasy/sabermetric based blog for a man named Chris Whiteside. I was the head writer. I would also go out and watch prospects and report back with scouting reports on the local players (we lived by Durham). I would write about their tools and upside/potential fantasy impact.
I’m guessing I’ve got a much better understanding of minor league baseball and what goes into i that you do. I bet you haven’t even watched a minor league game. But thanks for calling be dumb and telling me I have nothing insightful to say. Thanks, I’m just a way more smarter,intelligent person than you. Thanks again for your complete and utter ignorance.
I also love the fact that you’re insulting me for being passionate on a topic. I think you really need to get the hell over yourself. How dare I start a topic on something major cub related right now and using it in the current thread. Relly, get over yourself. Because of your fucking girlfriend you come on here and insult me? That’s really low. That’s what a scum does. Get over yourself.
Dude just shut up.
No one cares who or what you wrote for or how many minor league games you have watched. You are the one who came in here insulting others for their preference in a new manager. That is what Clutch and ballhawk are trying to get across to you. You come across as an arrogant ass. You won’t get far in here with that attitude.
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
Al said there was no power at 2B since Sandberg.....
How can we forget Mark Bellhorn and his 27 HRs one year!
One year.
… in the 13 since Sandberg retired.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
In fact
Todd Walker hit 15 in ’04 all while playing 2b. DeRosa hit 21 HR in ’08 but only i thnk six or seven while playing 2b.
You are correct, outside of Walker’s 15 and Bellhorn’s 15, there has been a lack of power from 2b since the Sandberg days. But than again Sandberg was an above average hitter for 2b.
Go Cubs!
I think DeWitt could become a Walker-type hitter.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Too
bad Walker could not couple good fielding with hitting. Yes certainly if DeWitt can put up Walker type numbers, and field better, the Cubs could have a 2b for a few years to come.
Go Cubs!
I see where
Castro is third in the league in batting average. Not too far from second. Nice start to his career. Hopefully the fielding follows, which I think will.
Go Cubs!
i did
not recognize half the mets players in the lineup.that said you think people say that about the cubs? seeing the way the cubs have improved under a new manager it makes you think what if the cubs had done the right thing and fired pinella at the break. sometimes loyalty can blow up in your face. thanks jim.now what do i do in oct???
oh yeah
and im liking this blake dewitt guy. hopefully no more games at 2nd base next year give the job to dewitt.
with sandberg
winning mgr of the year hendry will never hear the end of it if sanderg does not get the job.
Glad to see they came
back and won this one. Wish I could have seen it.
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
Somedays
I think Randy Wells makes Rich Hill look good. Lets hope he pulls it together.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Sep 4, 2010 11:24 AM CDT reply actions
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