Phillies 7, Cubs 1: Same Old Story
by Al Yellon on Jun 11, 2011 7:10 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintIt's really getting old, writing this over and over and over again. Feels like Bill Murray, a huge Cubs fan, should be hosting this "Groundhog Day" scenario.
How many times have we seen this now? The Cubs give up a couple of runs in the first inning -- partly via shoddy defense -- then come close to catching up, although even at 2-1 this game never seemed close.
Then the bullpen comes in and puts the game out of reach. I guess there's one different story today -- the bullpen failure was partly Sean Marshall's. Marshall has been excellent this season, and until today had not allowed a run on the road since August 29, 2010 at Cincinnati.
So there's that, then. Something new, even if it's not good..
Otherwise, same old thing: Cubs starter throws pretty well -- Matt Garza put up a quality start, throwing five good innings after the shaky first -- but the offense could do almost nothing against the opposing pitcher. Give credit to Cliff Lee, who is very, very good and showed it today in throwing eight strong innings and giving the Cubs just four singles and a walk in the Phillies' 7-1 win over the Cubs.
The Cubs have been outscored 48-23 in going 2-7 on the first nine games of this road trip. Since Marlon Byrd got hit in the face in Boston on May 21, a day the Cubs won to stay 5.5 games out of first place, the team is 5-14 and been outscored 101-66.
This is not an excuse, but that is what happens when you put what is essentially a Triple-A team on the field. With Tony Campana, Tyler Colvin, DJ LeMahieu, Lou Montanez, Doug Davis, Rodrigo Lopez and Casey Coleman on the roster, the Cubs have seven of 25 (more than a quarter of the roster) comprised of players who should be playing in Iowa, or Tennessee, or should be on the waiver wire.
Some teams can take injuries by having replacements who come in and are capable major league replacements. The Cardinals, for example, haven't missed a beat this year despite losing key contributors like Adam Wainwright, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman for significant lengths of time and having to play Albert Pujols at third base. Hasn't mattered.
The Cubs do have good prospects in the system. LeMahieu may eventually become a good major league player, but we're not going to find out when he pinch-hits every other day. The rest of the decent prospects are at the lower levels; you wouldn't want them to be in the major leagues now.
Injuries aren't an excuse, but at least when this team was healthy, they were hovering closer to .500. Pat Hughes remarked today that the 3-4-5 hitters in this afternoon's lineup -- the guys who are supposed to be the "meat of the order" -- had combined for four home runs.
Maybe when all the disabled Cubs come back, they can at least win a few games and not look quite so pathetic. It won't make any difference in the result of this season, but it will at least make Cubs baseball more fun to watch as this summer goes on. We do, at least, have the possibility of being able to see Derek Jeter get his 3000th hit at Wrigley Field next weekend. Jeter is nine hits short of 3000 and the Yankees have five more games left on their homestand before they arrive on Friday. The last (and only) player to get his 3000th hit at Wrigley was Stan Musial, who did it in 1958. Of course, we hope the Cubs can beat the Yankees, but seeing a milestone like that would be pretty cool.
In the meantime, Doug Davis faces Roy Oswalt in the roadtrip finale Sunday. Doesn't leave much room for hope, does it?
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Man O Man!
Let’s give DJ LaMahieu a start please. Put DeWitt at 3rd and have someone who can hit RH play at 1B when we face a lefty. I know that’s not much of an upgrade, if any, but at least try something different o shake things up.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Jun 11, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions
Might as well start LeMahieu tomorrow.
He’s going back to the minors when Jeff Baker is activated Monday.
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I'd go with this lineup tmrrw:
Castro SS
Lemahieu 2B
Dewitt LF
Ramirez 3B
Pena 1B
Soto C
Colvin CF
Pitcher
Fukudome
Try it out and see what happens.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 7:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
They ought to let the beat writers pick the lineup.
How much worse could it be?
Or draw it out of a hat.
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If Quade had Z leading off one game
I would not even register a surprised gasp.
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
scene:
Z rumbles into Quade’s office. Quade looks up from his coloring book and claps hands, " Hey Zyzzee!"
“I’m playing Right field today and batting lead off, " the big Venezuelan states.
“Okey dokey, Carlosey, be sure you tell Fukey!”
“You do it.”
“That doesn’t concern me but I will do as you order.” Quade quails quickly.
Quade thinks to himself, “Who will bat third today…I know…Hilly can.”
and scene
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
Here... you'll need a movie poster
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
by SackMan on Jun 11, 2011 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't trust the beat writers.
I suspect we’d see more of the aaaa guys.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 8:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Due up 8-9-1
Go gettum DOME – 2 down
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Who is the mystery RH hitting 1B?
It’s easy to make up players Quade should be putting in the lineup…
We'll all miss you Ron.
I have been screaming
to give DJ a start. Goodness this team is going no where and Q still runs out the same.
This team is going no where
and Ricketts still runs out Kenny
and Kenny still runs out Hendry
and Hendry still runs out Quade
and Quade still runs out a roster full of scrubs
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
First, and second BTW!
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Jun 11, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions
What's amazing is that they scratched a run and a walk off Lee.
I thought he was going to break the no-hit-less streak. Otherwise, I’m not the least bit surprised.
I missed the pre- and in-game festivities here, but I imagine there was a good amount of angst over having Lu Montañez batting 3rd. I know Quady has a shortage of RH batters, but for funk’s sake…
I’ve officially joined the mob that’s running Quady, Jaramilly, Riggy, Listy, Derny and DeJessy out of town.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
A Stunning and Beautiful Summation.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2011 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
And the truth.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
Captain Obvious.
Simple formula, draft well, Don’t pay Aaron Rowand a ton of cash and play Werth, sign a guy like Victorino for pennies and is a star, and get the stud pitcher for Kyle Drabek.
My church softball team is better than the Cubs (right now).
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Jun 11, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Pitchers
I’ll bet no pitchers on your church softball threw 12 consecutive balls. A Cubs pitcher did that this year. Mr. Clean could have pulled a guy out of the stands that couldn’t have done any worse.
"You know what they do in Philadelphia when the game is rained out? They go to the airport and boo the bad landings." — Bob Uecker.
"Sometimes they boo loud enough to wake up the air traffic controllers." — Me.
by The Underground Conservative on Jun 11, 2011 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions
God is on your side
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Cripes.
I could have written those seven words and been done with it.
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Brevity is the soul of wit.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
and per Dorothy Parker...
“brevity is the soul of lingerie”
I would rec that!
and it would go down in history as Al’s greatest game recap
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
It would be hilarious
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 11, 2011 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
It would be hilarious
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 11, 2011 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
What's up with Soto?
I know he had a good game on Thursday, but lately and generally, he has been stinking bad at the plate.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Jun 11, 2011 7:18 PM CDT reply actions
It's an odd numbered year.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2011 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
The anti-Prince
Prince loves odd years. They could pick up each other’s slack. Although Prince’s bad years are still better than most’s good years.
We'll all miss you Ron.
As did Mr. Sabrehagen. But that was probably a bit before your time...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
He's just not as good as his 2008 season would suggest.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Well
I missed this game completely, a rarity for me. Nice to know I have not missed much. Same ols story indeed. The sooner Quade loses his job the happier I will be. Probably have to wait until the end of the season though.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
You'll have to wait until after 2012.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I have waited a long time for a WS for these Cubs.
Guess I can wait that long.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
Well the Cardinals do have Pujols, Rasmus, and Carpenter.
We don’t have anyone on Rasmus’ level, let alone Pujols or Carpenter.
Lemahieu needs more ABs. I expect this to all be much easier after the trade deadline but yeah I could see this being frustrating to watch on an everyday basis.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 7:20 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Getting LeMahieu at bats will be easier after the deadline?
How do you figure?
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
The trade deadline, I believe, should clear up a spot
somewhere. Maybe not Lenahieu (maybe), but Brett Jackson or someone.
I don’t believe the Cubs will sit still at the deadline. It’d suck to be wrong unless some of these vets end up getting us draft picks.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 7:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I could see an outfield spot opening up.
I don’t see Aramis being traded though, and Starlin and Darwin aren’t going anywhere.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
I'd rather have Garza and Zambrano
Than Carpenter. He’s just not the same dude he used to be.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jun 11, 2011 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I DVR'd the Greink/Carp and Pujols/Fielder match tonight.
Im in the second. So far greinke is nasty as usual. Fielder rocked a hr off of Carpenter in the 1st. Pujols hit a double in the first.
One of these guys must end up a Cub.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 7:23 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe. His next start would be Thursday unless
it’s an off day. So yeah, they probably miss him.
The slider is sick nasty awesome. He’s a 1013 FA too I believe.
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 7:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Paging William the Conqueror,
Your presence is needed in England. Please invade in 50-60 years.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 12, 2011 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry TJ!
Didn’t mean to offend you by stating a probable pitcher in a discussion about probable pitchers!
We'll all miss you Ron.
No. I understood.
You’re saying it doesn’t matter who starts against us, because the Cubs will lose. But you were also saying it wasn’t a conversation worth having because of the aforementioned reason. Sorry I disagree, and don’t mind talking about it.
We'll all miss you Ron.
probably Grienke for his home run power
then his arm will fall off
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
one cannot help but guffaw at this team
flippity floppity floop
by jesus christos on Jun 11, 2011 7:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Ted Lilly just stole second
beast
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
I just saw the box score
How did it look?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 11, 2011 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions
All on the pitcher
- add to that he slid in head first.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Bright side of moving to the LA area as a Cub fan
Scully
Never has such old air been so fresh.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
When Lilly stole second
total surprise play obviously by Lilly
“….and Ted Lilly just stole his wallet”
You cannot teach that stuff.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
I agree. I lived in LA for a long time. Didn't like the Dodgers but loved Vin Scully.
"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.
Listened to Vin on MLB network's recap show tonight
Marcus Thames was up in a 6-1 game, so instead of trying to pretend that Thames is a good player or something and getting into a stream of platitudes, Scully riffed for a solid minute on the meaning of Marcus’ last night.
Classic and beautiful. Then Thames ripped an RBI single to short left, and Scully eased right back into game action.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jun 11, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
oops - last name, not last night!
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jun 11, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Is it considered cowardly as
my plans ran longer than expected today and I missed the game? I’m certain you can imagine my surprize when I discovered we had lost…again
"Don't eat the eggs". "Why?" "Bill put LSD in the eggs"... Bill: "and in the water..." "But Bill...we drank the water!" From the parady "Cub Fans that Stare at Pujols".
At times, there's no difference between cowardice and intelligence.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Thank you Shoe
…I think… :)
"Don't eat the eggs". "Why?" "Bill put LSD in the eggs"... Bill: "and in the water..." "But Bill...we drank the water!" From the parady "Cub Fans that Stare at Pujols".
The bad old days...
Pat Hughes remarked today that the 3-4-5 hitters in this afternoon’s lineup — the guys who are supposed to be the “meat of the order” — had combined for four home runs.
Not unlike the era when Jose Cardenal was the team’s “power hitter” – BLARGH!
Even Cardenal hit more home runs than that.
In six years as a Cub he averaged 10 HR a year. And that includes a couple years when he was a part-time player.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Just saw on MLB network that
Quade is unconcerned about Z’s long start.
What kind of monster is this man?
by SenorGato on Jun 11, 2011 8:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
the kind that is incompetent
flippity floppity floop
by jesus christos on Jun 11, 2011 8:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm pretty sure the Cubs
are getting some kind of government subsidy for Quade – that’s the only reason I can see that they still employ the man.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jun 11, 2011 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds like a very positive working environment.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
All 20 of them.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 11, 2011 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
they're the ones not wearing Cubbie blue
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jun 11, 2011 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Tell me TJ11...
How is it you know what it is Tom does or does not approve of? Hmmm? :)
"Don't eat the eggs". "Why?" "Bill put LSD in the eggs"... Bill: "and in the water..." "But Bill...we drank the water!" From the parady "Cub Fans that Stare at Pujols".
Ah then...I see...
Telling the truth can’t get you far here! :)
"Don't eat the eggs". "Why?" "Bill put LSD in the eggs"... Bill: "and in the water..." "But Bill...we drank the water!" From the parady "Cub Fans that Stare at Pujols".
Honest answer
Quade played Soto in both games of a doubleheader this year. 20 innings total. Granted, not in heat like today in Philly.
As for Zambrano, you shouldn’t be concerned about the pitch count total. But the concern should be with the bad innings (lots of pitches in 1 inning) and the mix of pitches (pitches that put more strain on the elbow or shoulder vs. other pitches).
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Jun 11, 2011 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't get the Sac bunt play in the bottom of the 8th
Martinez pops up his sacrifice bunt with Ruiz on 1st base. It looked like Soto could have caught that ball. I’m not sure. I hope he wasn’t trying to catch the runner in no-man’s land and get the double play. That would be stupid. If Soto could catch the ball, the best play is to catch it and keep the runner at first base.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
Fox gave me Reds/Giants, so I didn't see the Cubs game - just as well...
Remember when the Cards lost Adam Wainwright and we thought maybe, just maybe that would even out the competitive balance in the NL Central, maybe the Cubs could hang around and challenge for a playoff spot?? Now, not so much…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
They were hovering closer to .500 because they were playing bad teams
which is something I and others were pointing out when people were claiming "hey we’re still in contention.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Jun 11, 2011 9:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Shhhh
Next you’ll have to point out that it’s not Quade’s fault these guys hack at everything within a mile of the plate. It’s like Soriano is the hitting coach right now.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Jun 11, 2011 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Doug Davis faces Roy Oswalt
Sounds like a Spring Training matchup.
Ah, Mesa Arizona, how I miss thee!
How many times are you going to blame it on the AAA players?
This is not an excuse, but that is what happens when you put what is essentially a Triple-A team on the field.
Quade is, has, and, I suspect, will be playing the under performing veterans while the AAA players are riding the bench. Obviously MQ feels our major league team is the best bet to win games and isn’t that pathetic.
I’ll bet the home office is preparing the next stalling campaign announcing that we’ll have our team back with the addition of Soriano and the boys from intensive care. Of course, we’ll still stink but the excuse then will be the fans have to be patient while they get back in playing shape. And the beat will go on and we’ll be assurred that the real team will show up after the All Star break. But we’ll still watch Pena start against LH and Soriano will still dive after breaking balls in the dirt. Fortunately we’ll watch Hendry work his magic and trade away some decent prospects for veterans who work cheaply.
“He was red hot in Double A,” Quade told MLB.com. “I got a look at him in spring training – nice looking player. He gives us a righthanded bat and some pretty good defensive versatility with he and Blake Dewitt now. We were looking for a guy that can fill in at second, third and even short if need be.”
One start in 14 days.
Free LeMahieu.
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
LeMahieu was...
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Jun 11, 2011 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey Al...
Do you need this again?
You're not deep, You're not an intellectual,
You're not an artist, You're not a critic,
You're not a poet... You just have internet access.
=========
I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to eat lettuce...
by Endrick on Jun 11, 2011 10:50 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Ill be on Webster Lake in Indiana
from July 17-23…….musky style.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
This team will play hell...
to win 3 or 4 more games this month. The 2011 Chicago Cubs may go down as the worst Cubs team I’ve seen…and I’ve seen an ass-load of BAD Cubs teams. This baseball season is already TOO long.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
That is what my wife said
earlier today !!! Just after she found out they lost again . Really there is no end in sight to this mess . Ricketts has to be wondering how to get out of it.
Al, u never mentioned DeWitt in left
he made Soriano look good.
+1
I thought the ball that got passed him made him a shoe in for tonights postgame.
by SenorGato on Jun 12, 2011 1:00 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
he did take a rather circuitous route on that ball didn't he...
Soriano would’ve gotten a better read on it but probably still wouldn’t have caught it – he would’ve pulled up short to play it off the wall. Only SuperFuld would have made that catch.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
i had
hopes after thursdays comeback but this lineup cant handle the likes of halliday or lee.same deal every day crappy fielding and cant drive in the runners.i cant imagine how the cubs will fix this next year.anyone up for moving castro to 3rd next year?at least we would still have a good hitting 3rd baseman. many holes to fill next year.
I am
we will need a SS then, hmmm, REYES. Go get him. Sign him going forward. We need to show that we want to be competitive going forward or no free agent will want to sign here. Reyes can lead off, and help castro with his defense. Albert might be inticed with a lineup in front of him of Reyes, Barney, Castro.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
After reading
the DH story a couple quotes jumped out at me.
Quade ""You’ve got to come with your ‘A’ game when you face them. You’ve got to do everything right."
Quade, this team does not have an “A” game. And the issue is compounded with your bad managing.
And this one from Garza
"All we can do is keep battling, and we will. Everybody’s lacing them up and going out there to play hard. Everybody’s pulling for each other. We’ll get it turned around."
This got me to thinking. Does he really believe what he is saying?
And finally the dager in the heart from Lee
"They keep swinging and missing,"
I think this comment pretty much sums up 2011
Cubs 2011 70-92
I was looking
at the FA list for next year, and other than AP and PF, there really wasn’t anyone exciting to go after. Who will be our RF? It also seems to me that we will need an experienced manager. What quality and proven manager can we get? Please don’t say “anyone”.
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
also, who mans 3B?
I wouldn’t mind ARam at 3B if we can get a Kerry Wood discount.
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
Um, no.
The way he’s playing? Bye-bye, A-Ram.
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I understand what you're saying...
but he is hitting .283 with 24 RBIs. If we get a hometown discount, he would be a GREAT #7 hitter. That frees up money for the marque name next year. ARam is only having a bad year for a #4 hitter. Am I right?
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
Ramirez is on pace for about six HR and 70 RBI
… with a .733 OPS. That’s approximately as good as Ryan Theriot is doing this year. Care to reconsider?
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
as a discounted #7 hitter?
All the pressure would be off of him to be “The Man”, and what is our alternative? I would rather have ARam than a platoon of Baker and Dewitt. Don’t compare ARam to Pujols on the Cards, but rather compare him to Theriot on the Cards. If you’re going player by player, we would have the advantage.
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
Forget it, Ramirez will never take a discount.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
3B FA next year...
Casey Blake LAD
Mark DeRosa SF
Greg Dobbs PHI
or keep ARam?
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
Championship Caliber vs. The Cubs
It is interesting to look at the differences between Championship caliber teams like the Phillies, and our own team of largely hacks and inexperienced players with potential.
The Cubs, for example, do not have a MLB “Ace” on the staff – haven’t for some time.
The Phillies have two.
That’s just for starters. Oh well. I doubt in my lifetime that the Cubs will ever build a perennial winning candidate like the Cards or now – the Phillies.
One always has to have a smidgen of hope as a Cub fan.
Perhaps if there was a third baseball team in town, I might consider rooting for them. But there isn’t, and the Sox…well…
I disagree
Our team is spending money. We aren’t the Royals or A’s. We just haven’t spent it in the right places. Eventually we will get it right. We have a much better chance of winning a WS than the Royals ever will.
I can't sign my name on my computer screen, so no signature!
The number isn't nearly sufficient...
when you take off the money Soriano and Zambrano makes. Neither produce to the level at which they’re paid. You can live with that when the rest of the team has a lot of money dumped into it and/or overproduces. When you make those kind of mistakes, you have to either spend your way out of it or go into rebuilding mode. The Cubs are floundering because they choose to do neither.
Don’t kid yourself, we have a much lower chance of winning than the Royals ever will… again! They have prepared themselves to take advantage of their losing ways. They made mistakes with the free agents they signed. They couldn’t spend their way out of it, so they rebuilt. They don’t need many of their bounteous pitching prospects to come through before they’ll be back in the playoffs again, and their offensive stars are already falling into place.
It’s really funny how you compared us to two franchises that have won World Series in the last quarter century.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jun 12, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, the lack of a true ace has been a problem for awhile.
Dempser fooled everyone in 2008 and Z is a #2 at best.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
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Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
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