Cubs 4, White Sox 3: What To Do With A Shark?
by Al Yellon on Mar 11, 2011 6:10 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintSCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- This one, I skipped due to the parking lot situation at Camelback Ranch (and also, I had some other things I needed to get done today). Thus, I saw the Cubs' 4-3 win over the White Sox on TV with everyone else.
One thing I could not figure out: was the failure to identify Cub replacements in the field deliberate on the part of the Sox announcers? They should have a roster in front of them and a list of the Cubs' traveling team. Yet they failed to identify Matt Camp, who came in to play left field (and later, shortstop), and Augie Ojeda. Both of those players are listed on the Cubs' non-roster list.
Anyway, today was another day of fine pitching on the part of the Cubs -- until, that is, the ninth inning, when Jeff Samardzija was touched up for three hits, culminating with a two-run homer off the bat of Lastings Milledge, who hit all of four home runs last year with the Pirates. This was after Ryan Dempster (who became the first Cubs starter to go five innings this spring), Sean Marshall, Thomas Diamond and Scott Maine held the White Sox to three hits over the first eight innings.
Yes, I know. It's "just" spring. But the Shark now has an 8.44 ERA and two HR allowed in five innings. Yes, I know it will cost the Cubs money if they just release him. But can they really afford to keep him?
Carlos Pena had a pair of hits and his first home run of the spring, a long blast into right-center field. Geovany Soto had two hits and is now hitting .333, and even though Marlon Byrd went 0-for-3, it was really his first bad game of the spring; his average is "down" to .565.
Attendance today was good -- the biggest crowd to see the Cubs this spring, 11,599. Other games: Diamondbacks/Angels at Tempe, 8,038; Rangers/Reds at Surprise, 6,062; Dodgers/Athletics at Phoenix, 4,898; Athletics/Brewers at Maryvale, 3,801; Mariners/Indians at Goodyear, 3,621 and Royals/Rockies at Talking Stick, 9,790. Some of these numbers are up (the Angels and Rockies games in particular), but the others still seem low. We'll see if things continue to improve this weekend.
One thing I learned today, when I was over in Mesa this morning for another purpose, was that when the Cubs play an away game, they dress and hit at HoHoKam and then bus over to the other park. These practices are open to the public and free. There were maybe 30-40 people watching, then waiting for autographs near the team bus when it left about 10:45.
One player who did not take the bus was Marlon Byrd. How do I know this? Because when I pulled out of the parking lot, I was behind a maroon Maserati with Texas plates. Pulling alongside it at a light, there was Byrd, in full uniform, with one of his teammates, heading to Glendale. I didn't recognize the other player -- it could have been Augie Ojeda, but I'm not certain. Nice wheels, though, Marlon.
Tomorrow, half the squad heads to Las Vegas, where James Russell will start against the Reds' Mike Leake. In the other split-squad game, also against the Reds, Carlos Silva gets the start for the Cubs, while Cincinnati will counter with Homer Bailey. The Vegas game is on WGN-TV; the Mesa game is on WGN Radio with Pat and Zonk -- I'll be back reporting from Mesa tomorrow.
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You know, it was.
I knew that. I’m not sure why I typed “3”. I’ll fix it.
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♬♬♫♪♫♩♬ ...Two can be as bad as one It's the loneliest number since the number one... ♬♬♫♪♫♩♬
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Also forgot to mention...
… Jeff Baker continues to rake lefties — hit Mark Buehrle’s first pitch for a rope double down the LF line.
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Silva and Russell starting on Saturday
Insert snide comment about needing comebacks in both games here.
I'll be there!!!
By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.
by VegasCubFan on Mar 11, 2011 11:21 PM CST up reply actions
And a lefty who doesn't give up a lot of HR in general.
Pena has 48 career plate appearances vs. Buehrle — only one HR — in the regular season.
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But he came from TB
Nothing positive can come from him being with us.
Let's
send Shark to the Cards…………he can take Wainwright’s spot………..j/k.
Seriously though, I’d love if they would release him, but it isn’t going to happen, unfortunately. We know he never should have been signed in the first place, especially for 5 yrs at 10M with a NTC. He should have been allowed to play football!
Who’s the one that scouted him anyhow? Other, than Hendry that is.
I'm all in favor of cutting bait
if the reliever we would instead send to Iowa is better. Shark>Berg
Shark did look good
striking out Konerko. That’s why you hate to cut him loose.
The other ABs is why you hate to keep him.
Well, exactly.
He’ll show you just enough to make you think he’s good… and then blow up.
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If the Cubs keep Shark
he has to be the 10th or 11th guy in the bullpen. The Cubs usually keep a 12th guy who has options and can be shuttled to Iowa for a fresh arm in the event of a pitching shortage due to an extra inning game or a short start by a starter. As we all know, Shark is out of options and can’t ride the Iowa shuttle.
Samardzija
Someone ought to tell him there’s no such thing as “pitching for the cycle” – I guess with those two flyball outs he was trying to give up a triple too.
If the Cubs keep Shark
they are screwed if he enters the game. HE IS NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHER. PERIOD. If he enters a game late, they are screwed. I normally like to be optimistic, but this guy has pissed me off one too many times. Awful pitcher, terrible hair & facial hair. Dude should have played in the NFL (which is looking like there will be no NFL next year, BTW, but still…).
I can’t stand this guy. He does not bring anything to the table. Didn’t like him in 08 and don’t like him now.
Eat the money.
Keep that Q Train rollin' in '11. Let's win it for Ronnie.
I got a mass e-mail from NFL Coomisioner Roger Goodell
telling the fans their side of the story, not how I would want to mend a widening rift.
Sometimes, there are no winners...
"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
hill will swing and miss wildly at sharks 2footer "curveball"
the world will then proceed to explode
He's my Hossa
HO-HO-HO-HO-HOSSA
by jesus christos on Mar 11, 2011 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
send him to iowa
Just send him to Iowa and forget about him
His contract says he can't be waived. He's out of option years, so he can't be sent to Iowa w/o consent.
It’s a tough situation.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Get Rid of the Shark and not Silva?
“Yes, I know. It’s “just” spring. But the Shark now has an 8.44 ERA and two HR allowed in five innings. Yes, I know it will cost the Cubs money if they just release him. But can they really afford to keep him?"
Sorry can’t help myself, but your saying this about a guy with a 8.44 era but your willing to give a guy with an ERA over 29 the benefit of the doubt? Please lets not use the excuse that Silva has a track record and the shark doesn’t, Silva’s track record is pure suckitude.
Pure suckitude?
Well, except for the first half of 2010. Maybe he can get that back. That’s worth 2-3 more starts.
Shark has NO track record. That’s exactly the point.
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First half of one season out of an eight year career...
…doesn’t make for a positive track record, odds are he reverts to the mean which be all indications this spring he already has.
Yes suckitude, I know you love it. You can use it if you like. ;)
You have a point.
However, I’d like to see Silva get a couple more starts before we totally give up on him.
Shark hasn’t been good in the major leagues — ever — with the exception of a few outings late in 2008.
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I personally feel
If they get his arm in shape, which is what ST is for, he could be passable for the first 2 months + and you could find someone to take him. Too bad he cannot be Livan Hernandez.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Yeah, really.
The deal for Oliver Perez might work. Otherwise…
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If somehow the Cubs were able to get him...
…in a girdle, some team may think he got in shape in the off-season and take a flyer on him. I’m telling you, it would take a miracle and eating a lot of cash to get rid of that guy.
Well, which is why I mentioned Oliver Perez.
That’s the only possible deal I can think of — bad contract for bad contract.
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Oliver Perez?
The guy is due $12 million this season. And he’s worse than Silva.
No thank you. Even if you even out the money, I’d rather have Silva.
by Josh Timmers on Mar 11, 2011 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
Alright, Silva gets two-three more starts...
…this spring, if he doesn’t improve the Cubs just release him. Can I get an Amen!!
Amen
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
Too bad too
Good natural lefty movement on his pitches. If he only pitched with his eyes open.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Perez has had an ERA over 6...
…five of the last seven seasons. We get Perez and then we sit here and try and figure out how to get rid of him.
to be fair
he pitched in 25+ games in 08, and was very to outstanding overall. the wheels have come off since then
I really can’t tell what’s wrong with him now, if anything. It is worth keeping in mind that this is still just ST stats, which do not a career make. That said, it would be better if he was getting torched by a scrub like Milledge.
by PrincetonCubs on Mar 11, 2011 11:51 PM CST up reply actions
He had a fastball that he was locating well in '08
The league started to figure out that his secondary “pitches” were very, very hittable by September, though. Since then, he has yet to develop anything else, so he is essentially a one-pitch pitcher from whom you wait for a mistake.
"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 know you hate Silva but he has just a little more than 'half a season"
of good pitching. He has actually pitched in 9 seasons. The first two were in relief and in 2009 he was injured and pitched only 30 innings, If you take the five seasons where he actually started a significant number of games , 3 including last year were decent ( one was actually prett good) and two were awful. Not the best track record but a hell of a lot more than half a season and no comparison to Shark who has NEVER had a good season unless you want to count his 27 innings in 08
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 11, 2011 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
In reality I would love to see the Shark get released and
go back to football. It would probably take a year for him to get NFL ready but he would be good.
It'll take a year
For the players & owners to settle their differences. Shark won’t miss a thing. I was seriously excited for his future during his rookie year. I am beginning to believe he will never meet his potential. It is the flashes of brilliance that cause me to second guess myself. If the options aren’t any better, the Cubs are better off sticking it out.
I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.
by cub in louies nest on Mar 11, 2011 7:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Truthfully I was dissapointed when he chose to play baseball...
…I thought for sure just base on his career at ND that he choose Football, the guy was pure money on the FB field.
Its so hard though
To 1. Pass up the $$ security for you and future generations and 2. Cherish your names and brain etc.
Was cool seeing videos of his running routes with Derosa who is a former QB
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Yeah I know, a 10 million dollar...
…signing bonus and the fact that he gets to keep his faculties, I love football so it’s wishful thinking on my part to see him suit up in the future.
Why did I same names??
Meant knees.
I like Shark just wish he could harness it all.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
So was a guy named Kirk Gibson
the guy was pure money on the FB field.
I’m not saying Shark will ever amount to anything on the diamond at the MLB level, but you never know.
Many thought Gibson was nuts to quit football for baseball. Seems to have worked out for him and his teams. (And Gibson sucked at baseball at the start of his career)
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Was unaware Gibson played football
The Cards successfully switched a pitcher to outfield. Major position changes happen. He Cubs may be better suited to teach him another position. The guy is athletic (Receivers almost have to be). He should have some success in another position or enough success he isn’t a liability.
I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.
by cub in louies nest on Mar 12, 2011 6:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Shark (as with all pitchers)
needed to upgrade secondary pitches and command/control to be successful. As of now, he hasn’t.
I would keep him on the staff unless the reliever we would option is better than Samardzija. I sense our depth is 12 months away from doing that.
Gibson was an All America wide receiver at Michigan State
he didnt play competive baseball until his last year at MSU. The Tigers drafted him in the first round, and he was exceptionally talented and expectionally raw. It took him some time to put it together.
ask not what the Cubs can do for you - ask what you can do for the Cubs.
by holy mackeral on Mar 12, 2011 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
I once saw Gibson score two consecutive touchdowns
on crossing patterns over the middle in a game vs. Indiana.
MSU touchdown
Kickoff, Indiana goes 3 and out.
Punt
MSU: same play. Same result as before.
He simply outran the defenders. They knew what was coming and STILL couldn’t stop it.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Classic case of poor command by Shark
I love being able to see games like this on TV, because a box score isn’t going to tell you that the catcher had his glove set up on the outside corner and his pitch sailed up and on the inner third. Give Milledge credit for taking it out of the ballpark, but Shark is going to have to do a heck of a lot better than that….
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
It's a really sweet looking ride.
If I can get a photo of it in the players parking lot one day, I will.
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Derrick Rose and
Kirk Hinrich drive those too.
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
It was maroon colored?
He should give Barney a ride.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 12, 2011 12:00 AM CST up reply actions
Barney would clash
I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.
by cub in louies nest on Mar 12, 2011 8:09 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I thought it was close enough
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 12, 2011 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
OT - about Fukodome
Al do you know if he has been in contact with family & friends? I cried when I heard about the quake this morning and wondered about Okinawa (Stationed there 83-85). My thoughts shifted to our missionaries & then ’Dome & his country. Many MLB players will be affected by this tragedy.
I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.
by cub in louies nest on Mar 11, 2011 8:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Don't know why I didn't check there
Normally BCB is the first place I go for Cubbie news. Thanks for posting that.
I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.
by cub in louies nest on Mar 11, 2011 9:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sure hope Dragonsfanatic is OK too
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. -J.R.R. Tolkien
send him
back to the minors whats the worst that can happen?somebody claims him. maybe its time for a change of scenery.
Vegas
Anyone off hand know the availability of tickets for this Sunday in Vegas?? Since I moved I have so many more opportunities and one is a 3.5 hour drive to Vegas. Not that I am the biggest fan.
The wife is sick so we may consider a day trip Sunday. Thanks if anyone knows. Name of the ballpark??
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Cashman Field.
Here’s the ticketing page. It appears the only thing left for Sunday is berm tickets. At $35, that’s pretty pricey.
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it is not worth $35 to sit on the berm.
By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.
by VegasCubFan on Mar 11, 2011 11:24 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know if they'll let him go or not
OT: I read that Hill was the Cubs lead Union Representative. Could that have anything to do with him having a place on the team?
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
No, that certainly wouldn't have anything to do...
…with keeping Hill around. The Union Rep designation would just go to another player.
oh
I don’t know anyting
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
That's sayin something to that from MJ
The Bulls could be a half game out of first tonight. Celtics lost.
For those interested
I believe they are honoring the ’91 team at halftime tomorrow I believe.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
I was 11 and still remember just about all of it.
Horace and Pippen at the game today.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
and Laddie Renfroe
ask not what the Cubs can do for you - ask what you can do for the Cubs.
by holy mackeral on Mar 12, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know what I loved more that year...
…seeing them kick the crap out of the pistons or the Lakers.
Attendance Update
Today = 57,868 (8 games) 7,234 per game
3/12/10 = 59,071 (9 games) 6,564 per game
This week (Mon – Fri) = 219,579
Same week last year = 201,630
Look for attendance to increase significantly starting tomorrow. Spring Break has sprung.
This Saturday last year = 82,033 (including a game in Vegas)
- Cubs, D’Backs, Giants, Mariners and Cubs in Vegas all drew 10,000+
With the Cubs, Cubs in Vegas, Giants and D’Backs all having home games today, the number should be similar.
With all due respect
… I don’t know where you got those numbers. Whose numbers are they? Not the Cubs. Here are Cubs numbers.
Through eight games in 2011 = 57,150, average 7,143
Through eight games in 2010 = 86,463, average 10,808
In 2010, the Cubs had one sellout in the first eight dates, and four other crowds over 10,000. Smallest was 7,496.
In 2011, the Cubs have had no sellouts yet, one crowd over 10,000 and six that have been smaller than the smallest of 2010 to this time.
Cubs attendance is down. WAY down. Yes, I know this spring schedule began earlier than last year’s and spring break hasn’t started yet — the figures from last year include games from March 4-20 and this year it’s Feb. 27-March 11.
Still, that does not entirely account for a 34% drop. Yes, thirty-four percent. As I mentioned, the Cubs would have to sell out all their remaining home dates to even come close to last year’s numbers. I don’t expect that to happen.
Also — I could be wrong, but I don’t think so — I do not believe the Vegas numbers are included in “Cactus League attendance”. The games are not in Arizona. And, I believe the Vegas games may not draw what they did a year ago: 11,553 and 10,448.
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11,012 in Vegas
and 10,211 in Mesa today!
by doofus cubs guy on Mar 12, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
I got those numbers
From the official MLB box scores
Yes, Cubs attendance is down. My numbers are slightly different from yours, but not substantially:
Cubs 2010: 85,834
Cubs 2011: 56,650
But, the D’Backs are up by even more (almost double in fact):
D’Backs 2010: 51,504
D’Backs 2011: 96,208
I’m not disputing that the Cubs attendance is down, I’m disputing that Cactus League attendance is down, which is what you have been posting every day for a couple of weeks now.
And it really doesn’t matter whether you include the Vegas games or not. If you take them out, the net effect is the same.
man
this team needs to start hitting. not looking forward to another 35 1 run games. a talented linup i cant see why they have so much trouble manufacturing runs.
Nobody on the team
would bat 3-5 for the Yankees or Red Sox. That’s part of it.
Lineup is no longer that talented
Several guys who used to be good, but are now in decline. This is the downside of the moves to to all in for 2007 and 2008.
I loved going to the practices at HoHoKam when the team was away....
When I lived there I would frequently do this. It’s great if you don’t mind missing games (I took them for what they were – practice games) and they are playing on the other side of the valley or Tucson (at the time).
Most of the time it’s just a run of the mill practice but I do remember in ‘99 being there and Mark Grace coming over to all 20 or so of us hanging out and saying ’Who’s got a glove? If you do, come on out and shag flies with me.’ There were a couple of people that had gloves and went out there with him – of course I didn’t. Same practice one of the coaches kids had an aliuminum bat so Gaetti and Sosa took their hacks with that. Odd hearing the sound of aluminum coming off the bats of the big boys.
I love spring ball. I’ll have to get back there again some time, although it’s changed a lot in just the last five years since I’ve been there with all of the new teams from Florida and no teams in Tucson anymore.
Regarding Bubba Starling
If the Cubs contemplate Starling, I expect Chicago will have ‘a number’ in mind. If that won’t get it done, they’ll get a different solid player instead. I doubt that number would exceed 3 Million.
Just a hunch.
Err... There is going to be a museum in the Triangle Building? Isn't there?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
My opinion of shark is sadly the same as the two word review for this album.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
by katie casey on Mar 12, 2011 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
Uh, we posted our comments within one minute of each other
Is it ever possible for you to post without being a self-righteous snark?
"Reaction to SB 1070"
I highly doubt that, if there is any noticeable decline in attendance it’s more than likely due to the global economic crisis.
30 clubs in 30 days
Did anyone catch when they were doing the Cubs all time lineup. They said “Ernie Banks – the ONLY most valuable player on this list”
This was after they had Sandberg leading off and Sosa behind him. Weird. Looks like 3 in a row to me. Then going on to list Gabby Hartnett.
So thats 4 out of the starting 8 position players. Hardly THE ONLY MVP on the list.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Saw that also
could not figure out how they came up with it . But that was after I saw the shark get blasted in the 9th . I was seeing red by then .
Spring Training
Spring training raises more questions about openings than it answers. It isn’t a good way to see if the minor league players can match or exceed the abilities of major league players, although it’s better than nothing.
With ST less than half over, it looks like the Giants have the best pitching in the majors, but the Cubs probably don’t have the worst.
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