Pitcher Resembling Ramon Ortiz Throws Well; Cubs Lose To Nationals Anyway
by Al Yellon on Jul 6, 2011 7:30 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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I confess that I saw none of Tuesday night's 3-2 Cubs loss to the Nationals, as I was at the U2 concert at Soldier Field.
Even that event had a brief baseball-related anecdote. As Bono was bantering between songs, he mentioned at one point that bass player Adam Clayton had taken in Monday night's White Sox win -- over "Kansas", he claimed. As you might guess, mixed boos and cheers came from the crowd obviously composed of both Cubs and Sox fans.
"A lot of people here from Kansas, apparently," quipped Bono, who has played Chicago enough times to know there are two baseball teams here and a rivalry between them.
The show was very good, very similar to the show almost two years ago that was on the front end of U2's 360 tour, with the giant spaceship-like contraption taking up almost half of Soldier Field. I wish I could say the same about the Cubs game.
After a shaky first inning, Ramon Ortiz threw quite well; I watched some of the highlights of his seven strikeouts and he looked like he was locating his breaking pitches very effectively. Perhaps my dissing of "retread pitchers" is having some effect. Maybe I'll do this again for his and Rodrigo Lopez's next outings. Too bad I didn't figure this out before Doug Davis was let go, and clearly, he isn't coming back -- the Cubs issued Ortiz his uniform No. 32.
Other than that and another Cub leaving the game with a minor injury -- this time it was Jeff Baker with back spasms -- this game appeared to be fairly dull. Carlos Pena turned a nice unassisted double play and Aramis Ramirez made the final score closer than the game really was with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. 3-2 seems hopeful, but it really wasn't; Tony Campana managed to bunt his way on with two out in the seventh and Marlon Byrd singled with one out in the eighth, but neither wound up past first base.
So the Cubs drop to a season low 17 games under .500 and still seek their first three-game winning streak, which is now... at least three days away. Perhaps tonight, when I will watch the game, they can take at least one game in this series. All things considered, I'm happy to have taken one day away from this team -- even if Bono doesn't know there's not actually a major league baseball team in "Kansas".
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Al, it's getting more and more intolerable with Quade
The constant fundamental mistakes, the close losses now, the mistakes with the pitching staff, a whopping 17 games under .500 in a year (and headed for about 20 under by the break) when parity has never been more prevalent in a truly medicore division. Even if Ricketts wants to bring Hendry back, doesn’t he have to make an executuve decision and get rid of nearly the entire coaching staff? There’s just no excuse for a major market franchise with a payroll of 125 million to suck this bad night after night for three straight months. The leadership and accountability from Quade has been abysmal. He’s not the right guy for the job. What is there to watch the last three months? Enough of this is enough. Truly stunning they could continue to suck this much. When will somebody, anybody be held accountable for the sorry state of this franchise?
I think Quade has sucked too but the amount of money spent on this roster is damning of Hendry,
not Quade. There is no set number of wins you get for $125 Million when it’s been spent as poorly as the Cubs have spent it.
If anyone needs to be held accountable it is Hendry.
I don’t care if Quade stays if Hendry is around in 2012.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Amen, brother! Amen!
"Don't shed any tears. You think about this: Here I am, the grandson of a slave. And here the whole world was excited about whether I was going into the Hall of Fame or not. We've come a long ways." BUCK O'NEIL
by HotDogDude on Jul 6, 2011 8:38 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Quade...
…is simply a by-product of the main issue facing the organization for sometime now.
This has to be attacked from the “root cause” of the problem, and then all the other pieces will take care of themselves.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Whatever else he is, Quade is a rookie.
He’s gonna make mistakes. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t have the players needed to overcome those mistakes.
Nevertheless, I’m sure that even the best managers made lots of boneheaded moves in their first years as manager. Plus, Sandberg being here instead of him would have caused him to pop a blood vessel by now. I don’t think any of us wants a premature end to the Ryno story.
[...]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 Jul 6, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd be there with you -- except for the nature of many of Quade's mistakes.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
yes he is so is most of his staff
goes back to root of problem. Giving a lifelong minor league manager a job and not getting someone with some experience on his staff. I assume both JH & TR had to sign off on who picked and didn’t see that it could have problems
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Correct...
…to put a rookie manager together with a rookie pitching coach and a bench coach without any experience in that role was not very wise.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
The fact that it was ryno and Q as the choices
correct me if I’m wrong Q only major league experience was 3rd base coach and Ryno had none.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Could it be...
…because Hendry knew the public perception was he was on his last leg and that would not allow him to hire a more prominant manager?
Also, when you factor in, that Brenly removed himself for consideration, it should tell you a lot.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I don't think Brenly has been serious about Managerial positions for a while now
So I do not read much into that
I think more the point could be if he pulled his name
were there others we don’t know about that also did.
Let’s be honest best manager/pitching coach/hitting coach/ 3rd base coach/ best back catcher could likely get this team barely to .500
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't kid yourself...
…Brenly would jump at the right opportunity in a heart beat.
Once you have been in the battle, it is very difficult to remove that from your blood.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Brenly might, but it takes two to dance
While he won a WS, he doesn’t have any managerial experience outside 4 years in Arizona. I don’t think he’s as strong of a candidate as he might sound like working TV. I think he knows he’s going to have to start out in rougher situation.
I do believe the Ryno story is already at the end.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
can't resist....
What’s the difference between Mike Quade and methanol?
One is an artificial by-product, and the other is an alopecia by-product.
You really should have resisted...
Not funny.
It's real shame that Ortiz wasn't in the Cubs' organization a month ago
Oh… wait.
Bleacher Nation - Cubs Rumors and News
Team Resembling Cubs lose; Ramon Ortiz Throws Well To Nationals Anyway
Doesn’t sound better somehow…
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Ortiz and Aramis...
Ortiz seemed a little nervous with ticks throughout the game,but from the second inning on he was effective. Maybe he should have been up earlier. Baker didn’t help him by slipping on his first inning throw to second.
Aramis is in a good place right now and is as hot as I can remember. CSN did a poll on whether fans want him back…..did anyone see the results? I do not want the April-May version but the current version over an entire season would be valuable. We don’t have many choices.
This team at 17 under is ridiculous. It’s embarrassing. I may have to start paying more attention to the underdog Pirates, the best story in baseball.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Jul 6, 2011 7:45 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
There aren't many 3B choices.
I can’t see Aramis back unless he takes the buyout and the Cubs negotiate a lower-dollar deal. There’s no way they’re going to pay him $16 million in 2012.
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Do you want him back with lower pay?
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Jul 6, 2011 8:01 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
At lower pay, yes, I could see him back for another year or two.
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Why would Aramis even take lower pay?
He’s going to be the best 3B on the market. If he continues to play like this to the end of the season, I could see him getting a raise from some other team.
by mic on Jul 6, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I doubt that
We’ll see, but he’s still on the wrong side of 30. No way his annual salary will be over $16M next year.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
It's not a very good chance, but it won't be much lower.
He’s been the best 3B in the NL, I’m sure he’ll fine a well-paying suitor.
I still can't see more than 3 years and more than $12M per
Agreed that the 3b market is bone dry, but but guys his age seem to be getting less and less each FA period.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
No way?
Even if he keeps hitting home runs at his current pace?
Yes
His age at the current pace will set his ceiling. Plus, he does have spotty performance the past two seasons.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
i wouldnt bet on that
with hendry writing the checks, remember ramirez pouted a couple years into his first 4 year contract so hendry sweetened it
by Roman the greek on Jul 6, 2011 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions
He didn't 'pout'.
He exercised an out claus in the contract!
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I believe a 3yr/30MM deal will do it.
Buy him out and offer him that contract. That’ll put him playing 12/13/14 then the Cubs cut ties for good when he is 36 years old.
Sounds about right.
The biggest problem is that they don’t have a ready-made replacement, and the FA market is so bad. If they don’t re-sign him, I think we’ll see a DeWitt/Baker platoon at third next year.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
That's unfortunate.
I’d rather cut ties, frankly. But a DeWitt/Baker platoon would be … bad.
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The other question is whether he wants to come back.
And if he doesn’t that leaves another hole.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
It all depends on the price tag.
I mean, I’m no Ramirez booster. But can you imagine our lineup right now if DeWitt/Baker were at third every day?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I threw out the name Brandon Inge a few days ago
His availability will depend on the Tigers organization finally tiring of his Ks and finally ceding to fans’ disillusionment of him. Inge is set to make $5.5M next year, and to be fair he’s pretty good defensively. Not sure who the Tigers would want in return, though…
Yikes, no thanks on Inge...
-0.3 WAR this year and that’s WITH a positive 3.8 UZR/150. He has a .245 wOBA.
For comparison sake, Ramirez has a .359 wOBA a 1.4 UZR/150 and a 2.0 WAR… you really think people would be okay with Inge at 3B for almost 6M?
It's more that a GM like Hendry would be OK with it
Whether it’s Jimbo or another like-minded guy who judges talent by the cut of a player’s jib, they might be lured in by Inge’s defense and his smaller salary.
I can see where my post sounded like I want the guy, but really I was only guessing at how the Cubs front office might think if they were to not bring back ARam.
I think Baker and/or DeWitt will be wearing a different uniform come August 1st
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
Ugh. That seems too long...
…but you may be right. It’s funny. I still like Aramis, but I’d like to cut ties and move on as well. I don’t suppose he’d accept a one-year “pillow” deal like Pena.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
Ramirez
Without injury or slumping, Ramirez will get a longer deal if he signs with another team.
What I would like to see is a $2 million buyout of his current contract, then pay him $8 million next year and $20 million for 2013-2015. The buyout and $8 million is what Pena currently makes. Then they can take what Ramirez and Fukudome currently make and get one of the marquee 1st basemen with money left over. Take whatever is leftover and Ricketts forks-out the rest to sign the best available starting pitcher. Don’t worry about the young players. If anybody from the system is deserving, then he can play RF, or trade or not sign players like Wells or Byrd or Baker, etc.. They shouldn’t just go another season without any chance of contending.
thats what i thought
give Al a break, probably a lot of second hand SMOKE at the concert
by Roman the greek on Jul 6, 2011 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey Al,
Did they do the Space Station/Captain Kelly thing for Beautiful Day like they did in Seattle? I thought that was awesome.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jul 6, 2011 8:07 AM CDT reply actions
Yes.
That was cool.
One more note on the concert: I was less than impressed with Interpol, the opening band. Would much rather have had Snow Patrol, who opened for some of the shows on this part of the tour and who opened at Soldier Field in 2009.
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We had Lenny Kravitz in Seattle. Not bad, if you're into that kind of thing.
I also didn’t invest any time in last nights game, and it’s a lot easier to absorb a loss that way. If Baker turns that DP in the 1st, could have been a different story.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jul 6, 2011 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Kravitz would have been fine.
Interpol – not so much.
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That sucks.
Interpol is an awesome band.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 9:34 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
To each his or her own.
I didn’t like them.
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This team is just plain boring to watch.
It is kinda sad that we are “pleasantly surprised” when we get a good performance out of a player (like an Ortiz or Lopez or Soto) instead of expecting it every day.
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
you could hire any mid level manager
in america to do a better job than hendry
you are setting your sites a bit high
A low level manager/team lead could
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Two and a half months left in the season
Go Pirates!
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
by rlpete on Jul 6, 2011 8:22 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
You know, it's funny.
Back in the 70s when the Pirates were a winning team and regularly defeating the Cubs, I used to dislike them and root for them to lose.
Now, though, I like what they’re doing with their team and they are fun to watch. It would be nice to see them win the division this year.
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I didn't like when the Cubs played them but
I liked the swagger they had with the Lumber Company. I always remember the way Stargell used to swing that bat as he warmed up. I used to practice it (right handed though).
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
The Pirates had four home sellouts in a row until last night.
A close friend grew up in Pittsburgh and was back for two games against the Red Sox. He said a lot of young Steeler fans are showing up for Pirate games now and they never grew up with successful, winning Pirate baseball. The are obnoxious and treat the game like it’s Steeler football. At least they are showing up is my reply to him. He feels that Clint Hurdle is doing a great job as manager, really pulling the team together. There are two central Iowa relievers (Watson and Hanrahan) on the Pirate team, they are getting some press in Iowa because of that. I like the underdog, and to see them ahead of the Brewers and Reds in the standing is fun. Ahead of the Cardinals would even be better.
It’s just sad that a couple of games over .500 and we would be near the division lead. I would have thought it would have been us at the beginning of the season.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
It was the Schmidt-Carlton Phillies I disliked more
I was OK with the Pirates back then. I liked Dave Parker and Bert Blyleven and Bill Madlock, and I even thought the mix-and-match uniforms with the pillbox hats were cool.
For a few weeks now...
…I’ve been flirting with the idea of following the Pirates for the rest of the season. I agree that they’re a likable team, and I hope they win the division, too.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
If only there were some way to pry McCutchen away from them....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
nope, he makes too much $
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, we could give them Aramis and Grabow back.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
They're a fairly well run orgainzation now...
we can’t give them expensive “meh” stuff for cheap “pretty good” stuff anymore.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, then we could give them...
…oh, for God’s sake, would someone just SWL me, so we can end this discussion?!
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Now I feel like I truly accomplished something today.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I have already been following the Rays
though my demented mind still makes me follow Cub games
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
A little enjoyment
Had a chance to watch a few innings last night for the first time in a long time. You know what? I enjoyed watching Ramon Ortiz. I know, I know. The Cubs are awful. The Nationals are not much, But I enjoyed watching an old pro pitch. Get the ball. Throw the ball. Keep it around the plate, even if the ump is squeezing you now and then. Get excited if your defense does well. Just do your job if the defense fails.
He pitched well. And, if his second baseman could start a double play, the outcome of the game could have been quite different.
In a season like this, a person has to take pleasure in small things.
Watching a game like that
you really see where the Cubs fail. Execution. The Nationals roster is no better and possibly worse than the Cubs but they execute when they need to. Monday night, Campana can’t execute but the Nationals execute a very slick DP on Campana. Wood fails and Clippard does the job two nights in a row. Yesterday Baker can’t make the play but Espinosa makes a nice play on a tough ball to end the game. Washington has won 12 of their last 15 one run games. The Cubs could never do that.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
If the Cubs can't execute basic baseball and the Nats can
I fail to see how the Nats roster is worse. I know what you’re getting at, but at some point you have to be realisitic: if your players cannot execute, they’re not good, period. And any player that can execute is better than one who cannot.
Agree with you
I know what you saying. Looking through the Nats roster, they have so many rejects yet they are playing better than the Cubs.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Worst major leaguer right now
has to be Matt Stairs. He looked aweful the last two days. Three Ks in 5 ABs and he never could play any defense. Not sure why the Nats keep him. MAybe Hendry will get lucky and the Nats will cut him. Seems like a natural Cub
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
Good point, I forgot he was
He is much worse than he was then, its a better fit now
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
I will use ANY excuse to post an all time favorite "baseball " clip
Matt Stairs discussing his winning walk off homer for the Phillies in playoff game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiJwoNSLRwg
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think the Nats is a roster of rejects
They have a great, young bullpen, some nice young infielders in Bernadina, Espinosa and Zimmerman. Morse is a monster and Jordan Zimmerman is the real deal. This team will be a playoff team in 2013 once Strasburg, Harper on board and if they can get anything resembling productivity out of Werth.
by BeltwayCubsFan on Jul 6, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed, they will have some tough budget decisions though
they will be hamstrung by the aweful Worth contract, much as the Cubs have been by the Soriano contract. Detweiler is not a big prospect anymore but he looked pretty good. Nice mechanics and a good sinker. Missed his spot too often but he has a live fastball. Desmond has the look of a real player but his swing has a lot of holes in it. When they start the clock on Harper will be interesting to see. Strange they skipped Potomac Cannons and moved his straight to Harrisburg.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
On the broadcast, Len said that Harper will not be up this year
Everybody in the Nationals organization says that Harper has a lot of fundamentals left to learn, and that even if they’re in contention, Harper will not be up in September. Which means that he’ll be there in June to avoid Super-Two status.
I’m not so sure. Harper is the exact guy you want on the 25th spot on a playoff roster where you can go with just 3 starters. He can pinch hit, and he can be the emergency catcher. Think Andruw Jones as a rookie.
If the Nationals can turn it on and catch up to Atlanta for the Wild Card spot by Labor Day, I think Harper will be in DC for the stretch run.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jul 6, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you on next June
They have no incentive to bring him up and start the clock on Super two status. Realistically they are not a contender this year or next. 2013, when Strasburg will hopefully be at full strength and both Zimmerman’s will be in their prime, is realistic. if i was the Potomac owner i would be seriously pissed though.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
The only way he comes up before next June is if he blows away AA...
and they change the rules on arbitration and service time.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jul 6, 2011 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
The one difference is
that right now Werth is their only bad contract. Zimmerman gets paid highly but outside this season, he has been worth every penny.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
True they have some good players but
Ryan Zimmerman has had a bad season and has been on the DL. Bernadina is still a question mark IMO and he is leading off for them.
I like Espinosa a lot and their bullpen is good. They do have a lot of rejects from other teams though with Cora, Stairs, Ankiel, Marquis, Livan, Bixler, etc.
Rizzo caught a lot of flak for letting Dunn and Willingham go but he said he wanted improved defense. It has been working even though they really struggle at times to score.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I watched Saturday's game pretty much from start to finish.
I’ve been pretty busy this summer, but I think that’s the only time I’ve done that in about a month. And that’s amazing. I was even watching entire games in the really bad days last July and August.
What’s happened this season is the ONE thing that the Cubs needed to avoid. The team needed to at least be interesting. Uberfans like us and the regular Wrigley fans would be still following this team if it was hopeful or exciting or engaging. I said last winter that the moves made were an attempt, at minimum, to put together a team that sniffs contention long enough to hold our interest.
But the injuries, the streaky performances by basically every veteran who hasn’t been hurt, Soto’s terrible year and all of Quade’s horrible decisions have put us 17 games under with no real hope — other than the old “if a few things go our way” thinking — of getting back to even being interesting. Most of the blame lies with Hendry, who put together a $125 million team that was rickety enough to be this bad if a few things went wrong.
Frankly, I’m hoping for some trades soon so I can tune in to see some new faces (not named Ramon Ortiz or Rodrigo Lopez, obviously). Until then, I can’t get excited for much on this team not named Starlin Castro (and, to a lesser extent, Darwin Barney). Anyway, this is the type of thing that has to be in the mind of Tom Ricketts, or the Cubs are doomed until we get ANOTHER new owner.
In other words, the lack of interest/bad play has got to be making an impact with the chairman and on his decision making — and I’m holding out hope that it will. He might not understand the workings of a baseball operation well enough, and he might have made some bad mistakes early on. But he understands numbers as a businessman, and he’s GOT to understand what a deathly dull team looks like, if he actually was the fan that he appears to be.
I’m not calling for a 2007-style junk food high to bring back the fans. But the new owners owe it to — if no one else — themselves. Keeping the status quo based on what we’re watching (ha — what we’re NOT watching) would be a huge mistake.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jul 6, 2011 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Agree with you.
Ricketts may have had a rocky start but I am really hoping that he sees the problems with this season. It isn’t injuries, it is a faulty organization. I hope he doesn’t fall for Hendry’s lines of “It is because of injuries” or “The minor leaguers are going to save the day”.
I’m encouraged by the IFA signings. Let’s see Ricketts sign some draft picks and then clean house after the season.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I'd be more afraid that Ricketts ...
buys into the standard defense of Hendry’s moves over the past several seasons — that he’s really a good GM who was forced to do the Tribune’s bidding in 2006-07 — and those moves tied his hands in subsequent seasons — that he took the Cubs further than previous GMs (which is kind of like saying he’s the tallest Smurf) and that he’s put together a good farm system (ahem, after a decade as GM).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Jury's still out.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
This coming offseason will define the Ricketts regime, IMO
by EalyEagle on Jul 6, 2011 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
^this^
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Totally agree.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Of the big three -- Ricketts, Hendry and Quade ...
we have the least evidence against Ricketts. We’ve had a decade of Hendry (enough said). And, though Quade has been manager for less than a year, it’s easier to form an opinion because we see SO much of what he does.
The stuff we see from TR is more big picture and less frequent. While I agree that he hasn’t been impressive, I also think we don’t have a big enough sample size to really judge him.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
This isn't batting average
You don’t need a big sample size. If he retains Jim Hendry after the last three years, Ricketts is a weak owner who either doesn’t care about winning or is totally incompetent
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Jul 6, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
If you mean ...
that Ricketts will be a weak owner if Hendry is retained after this season, then I agree with you.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
The Jury's deliberations are coming to an end.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Jul 6, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
how do you blame him? He just bought the team.
Hopefully he dumps hendry and finds a baseball guy.
Rec'd.
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 Jul 6, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
It was worse live
Transplanted Cubs fan who paid $70 a ticket to see both Monday and Tuesday’s games. They are premium games. When Quade left the Shark in for a second inning I said to my buddy, this never turns out well. Two line drive hits later Quade comes out to get Shark. So apparently he doesn’t realize that yet. It was brutal. No energy from the Cubs at all, other than Johnson who still hustles on every play and hit the ball hard last nite. Ortiz didn’t look bad though the Nats are an aweful offensive team, especially with Zimmerman still hurt and Morse out.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
I live in Virginia but
couldn’t get myself psyched up to attend these games.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I was at Monday's game
After taxes and fees, I paid close to fifty dollars for a ticket in the lower deck on the first base line. It was a nice seat, but it was hot as Hell down there, and I ended up totally baked.
The last time I’d attended a game at Nationals Park, it was the Cubs series there in April 2008, and the Cubs fans basically took over the park. There weren’t nearly as many Cubs fans there this year, but the more interesting thing was that it was clear that the Nationals have developed their own fanbase. There were some attempts at Cubs chants from the Cubs fans in attendance, but they were consistently drowned out by Nationals fans.
There was an obnoxious Nationals fan seated behind me who left right after Bernadini misplayed the Soriano hit and the Cubs took the lead. And when Quade started playing games with the bullpen, I noticed people in Cubs gear leaving throughout the stadium; I think we all knew that Quade going to the bullpen wasn’t going to end well.
I bought a Teddy plush doll. He lost his 400th straight Presidents Race on Monday. That’s a record of futility even the Cubs will never match…
I was there last year and enjoyed the park
Sat in the upper deck behind the plate and had a great view of everything. Taking the Metro system was easy and convenient. And Teddy would have won his first race if that damn Orioles mascot hadn’t tackled him right before he was going to cross the finish line!
What's amazing ...
is that Johnson has been a bright spot for this team! He was competing with Fernando freaking Perez to make the club, and he’s been one of our most clutch hitters and arguably our best bench player.
I guess props to Hendry for giving Johnson a chance … but OTOH, I wouldn’t want to be the GM of a team whose few bright spots include a guy signed to a minor-league deal in February.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Future game recap headlines I would like to see
“Player Resembling Alfonso Soriano Has Walk Off Homer and Makes Game Saving Catch Against the Wall”
“Player Resembling Aramis Ramirez Legs Out an Infield Single, Advances to 2nd On Sacrifice Bunt and Scores Winning Run on 2 Out Single From DeWitt.
“Player in Cub Uniform Executes Perfect Suicide Squeeze to Win Game on Good Call By Quade”
“Team Resembling Cubs Plays Sound Fundamental Baseball, Wins Three in a Row.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Those seem pretty unlikely, at least this year.
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You know Al you could try to help
When you insult retread pitchers in pregame threads they do well, perhaps you could insult some veteran players in the pregame threads?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Got any suggestions?
We need some retread position players first.
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I think crappy vets are the equivalent of retread pitchers
along the lines of my future game recap headlines.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope.
I need a real retread, a guy just acquired who was last good eight years ago, to bash.
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Please Al
I would let you bash Maddux if it was good Karma as your pregame bashings seem to be
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah,
But would you let him bash Fuld at some point? Or would that constitute sacrilege?
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 Jul 6, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Honestly ...
I think the Soriano headline is the most likely. Which scares me to death.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I guess you can dream....
A player resembling Soriano riuns out a ground ball…. would be nice.
A manager resembling Quade removes loafing player from game…would also be nice…
But its just a pipe dream.
but Cassie is only one who needs that lesson!
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Q actually believes what he is saying
Quade said, ‘‘but [managing the staff] in the face of some of the issues we have has been tough. . . . I have reasons for doing what I do. I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’m proud of quite a bit of what I do. Whether people don’t like it or don’t know about it, that’s OK.’’
Is a perfect example of this. They have struggled all year and what ever reasons he has with their record hasn’t been working. But it’s not going to change.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Darwin Barney
Having watched Barney I think he is little more than a backup infielder. Zero power and doesn’t take many walks. Espinoza for the Nats is a far better prospect and has crazy power for a little guy. I love to watch him play but unless you surround him with a lot more offense its hard to give up any type of power from a position.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
I think most people agree.
If he was an 8th place hitter on a strong offense team, he would be fine. Batting second on a team that struggles to score, he only adds to the problems.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
by rlpete on Jul 6, 2011 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
This. A lot.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Could NOT say it any better
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
What is the Pirates' payroll?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Wouldn't say that
Stocking up on high draft picks every year means some talent is gonna get in the system. If the Cubs were picking top 5 every year, the same thing would be happening for them.
[...]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 Jul 7, 2011 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Did anyone catch the most recent interview on the Score with Hendry....
I have been trying to link it but cant for some reason…..
They actually asked the questions the beat writers will not….
Like why do the kids come up and sit and do you think you are misleading the fans when you say the cubs are still in the race?
Hendry got pissed!!!!!!
Hilarious!!!!
After he got off the phone the announcer asked why he should believe anything that guy had to say…
I need a link for this.
Seriously.
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 Jul 6, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Here you go
Its the 1st link at the top of the page
Its a good interview
Hendry definitely takes the blame, I still immensely dislike the man though. Hopefully, he’ll be reassigned to be a scout the AFL after this season is over and then be a consultant or some other job moving forward. Ricketts will never fire him and just eat Hendry’s remaining salary….
^ this ^
Hendry is a good guy and is loyal to the organization. I really believe this. However as a GM he’s a walking illustration of the Peter Principle.
Oh, I don't think Hendry kept getting promoted so he could do less damage.
So I disagree with the Peter Principle comment. I truly think Hendry has fallen behind the curve with talent evaluation, as other GMs and organizations have jumped on board with more advanced metrics.
I agree with the rest of what you said.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Sounds like I should look up what "Peter Principle" means
I always thought it meant people who get promoted to their highest possible level of incompetence.
Maybe I'm wrong.
I always thought it was that people would be promoted to the point where they can’t do any damage …
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I actually think Hendry handled himself pretty well.
Not to say that I think he should keep his job.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I'm not saying I agreed with everything.
But you said that he got pissed. He got annoyed when one of the questioners implied that Hendry was misleading fans — a position the questioner backed down from. But Hendry didn’t get that angry when asked about Castillo or DJL.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I was more annoyed when he said ...
the team was “right in the thick of it for five or six years” — a span which I guess covers 2003-2009.
I’ll give Hendry credit for the 2003, 2007 and 2008 teams. But to imply that there was ‘sustained success’ is kind of ridiculous. Only a GM who knows he is (or should be) on very thin ice would lump those three years with the teams from 2004 (heartbreaking and badly constructed), 2005 (below .500 and not in contention for most of the year), 2006 (96 losses) and 2009 (a team that went backward because of Hendry’s worst offseason by far).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
As I listened to that
I wondered if it’s spin or if sincerely feels he has done a good job. People in a bubble can be be a bit delusional.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I think that comes back to something Al and I talked about earlier this year.
Hendry has a TON of arguable-but-defensive moves in the past few years — and they almost always blow up in his face. In other words, you can look at what he did at the time and say, ‘OK, I see how that makes sense.’ But, a year or two later, it looks terrible. Note that there are the obvious moves like John Grabow that look bad from Jump Street, too.
Anyway, when you have all these moves that make some sense, you’re going to defend them later because, well, they made sense. But when you have so many arguable-but-defensible moves that don’t work out — when you give good players too much money, when you win the wrong bidding wars, when your strategies are sound but your results don’t pan out — it all has to come down to how you evaluate talent.
And I think Hendry and the Cubs generally are a step of three behind the curve on that — even if they have some Castros and Marshalls every now and then.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jul 6, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe not angry
Yes he gave his patent spin on it. But JH def got really defensive.
I am surprised to hear that JH called he guy expressing how he didn’t like what he wrote using foul language.
I normally hate sports radio….. but this was worth my time.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I mean, he was defending the team's decisions.
So, in that way, he was being defensive. But I thought his answers to the young guy questions were, at least, logical — if not what I would have done.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I looked at it as more of a they're (young players) are not ready to be everyday MLB players
but it was worth it to give them the experience because we had a need on the 25 man roster and as long as they weren’t going to be up there for more than a couple of weeks, it wasn’t going to have a major impact on they’re development.
I think the distinction is that most fans punted the 2011 season before it started and Hendry and staff weren’t ready to give up on the season in May.
I don’t agree or disagree with Hendry’s justifiication, it’s just a different viewpoint and I’m not sure he’s wrong. Its not like Castillo or DJ played very well in their limited playing time……
Agreed.
And it wasn’t like Hendry got his hackles up on that question. He simply responded and defended his position.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
His answers about mid season trades was terrible....
So is he saying they would not trade Sorinao for an A player if offered? That would be really stupid.
I think you're dissecting it too far, TJ.
You’re assuming that’s what he meant, when he didn’t mention any player by name.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jul 6, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I have to agree w/ elgato
No GM, brilliant or not would say sell sell sell.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Or mention players by name.
Or refrain from blanket statements when there’s an obvious exception.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Did anyone catch the most recent interview on the Score with Hendry....
I have been trying to link it but cant for some reason…..
They actually asked the questions the beat writers will not….
Like why do the kids come up and sit and do you think you are misleading the fans when you say the cubs are still in the race?
Hendry got pissed!!!!!!
Hilarious!!!!
After he got off the phone the announcer asked why he should believe anything that guy had to say…
I've been looking all over the Score website...
..and the only audio I can find of Hendry was about a 1:00 clip from Hit-and-Run the other day but he never gets pissed off. Where is this interview at? I’d love to hear it.
"Oh, I get a little tired now and then, but knowing my lifestyle, that's only natural."
-Harry Caray
Last Night
Was at game. Once again poor situational hitting so one mistake on defense in first inning is magnified. This team is still waiting for the Home Run.
The Cubs are intentionally walking a batter and two infielders have their gloves off. Who is teaching these players. A runner is at second and Reed Johnson flies out to the wall and the runner doesn’t advance-SAD!
Trade
For my whole life I have been thinking about why the Cubs have not won a World Series. I think it comes down to having a top flight #1 and #2 starter to win playoff series and World Series. That being said, the Cubs should trade Starlin Castro for King Felix. Then sign C.C. Sabathia when he becomes free agent. You can thank me for your first Cubs World Series win.
by drodd on Jul 6, 2011 11:32 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
The Cubs had that kind of pitching in 2003.
Clearly, you need more than that to win it all. And even if Wood/Prior had continued at their 2003 forms for a long time, they would have needed good players around them to get to the playoffs at all.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jul 6, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly.
Was just about to post something exactly like this.
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They had it and it was the closest they have ever been to a World Series in 50 years.
And without going into it (we all know what happened), they were damn close.
As ridiculous as drodd’s comments come across as (I’m guessing he’s being somewhat facetious), there is some truth. The Cubs need a strong, strong, strong 1, 2 before we talk about contention again.
by mic on Jul 6, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Furthermore, I think not having a strong 1, 2 was the pitfall of the '08 team.
That was an excellent team, but they didn’t have the ace to get them through the postseason. Dempster was clearly not the guy that was going to do it. Jury is still out on Zambrano—probably a 3 on a World Series team, though.
by mic on Jul 6, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Right.
Which … is why you need more than two starters.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
That staff also had a young Zambrano and Matt Clement and average middle relief. Still it is typical Cubs, there is ALWAYS a reason/excuse 1969, 1994, 1989…
'average middle relief'?
The Cubs’ bullpen that year was pretty bad.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
if you look at it
Maddux pitched more 120+ pitch games back in his prime (along with FAR more pitches over the entire season) than Wood or Prior in 2003…they just werent durable pitchers…
that 2003 squad....
lacked a decent fifth starter…..and the BP was below average. The lineup, after getting Lofton and Ramirez, was a golden lineup.
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Jul 6, 2011 11:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
CC is becoming a FA only to extract more money from the Yankees
There’s nothing to see here from a Cub perspective.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
i was surprised that Hendry actually...
went on The Score….I’m assuming he knew he was going to get hammered by the hit and run guys.
Tom Ricketts should be their next guest.
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Jul 6, 2011 11:35 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
he's been buddies with the one for like 17 years or something
Does he do that with 2 random guys, guessing not
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm guessing...
Boers and Bernstein aren’t his buddies…
Two Words: Salty Saltwell
by Unclemike on Jul 6, 2011 11:40 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Unless I misunderstoond
it was mentioned that they golfed together. It sounded like they knew each other quite well.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I sure didn't think he got hammered.
No one asked if he regretted paying John Grabow $4.8 million, or why he picked bad backup starting pitching options this spring when teams like the White Sox and Yankees were able to get good scrap heap guys.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Ricketts would rather buy the Score and do nothing with it
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Cubs top Crain’s list of ‘Easiest Places To Work’
by WhistlerWilliams on Jul 6, 2011 11:40 AM CDT reply actions
I presume you know that's a humor piece, right?
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Good presumption.
The Heckler would not be as funny as it is if its stories did not have a basis in reality.
by WhistlerWilliams on Jul 6, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Who'da thunk that you folks born in the 70's respond to reverse-psychology so well?
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Pirates' payroll is $45,630,000, 27th out of 30 teams.
Tampa Bay is 29th at $41,932,171. Both are contenders in their divisions. It’s all about good management getting the best bang for their buck. Interestingly, Tampa lost Carl Crawford, Matt Garza and Carlos Pena to free agency and yet are still very much very strong contenders. We get 2 of their free agents and we suck.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Both are contenders after combined decades of suckitude
Is that what you want?
I posted something on this over the weekend.
The Rays were built thanks to top draft picks. The Pirates not so much. The Pirates were built by a smart GM. Only Alvarez was a top 5 pick and he has been bad. Unless I missed something, the highest contributing player is Maholm at #8. McCutchen was #11.
They were built with smart trades, drafting and some key free agents.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
The Pirates have been built by trying to eek the most money out of losing that they can
The fact they’re having some success this year is in spite of, not because of their fiscal strategy.
No disagreement.
They won’t keep it up long-term. They do have some good young high draft pick pitching coming though. It will be interesting to see if they can pull a Rays type season or two.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
But it's unfair to say they are winning just because of the "decades of suckitude".
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jul 6, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Al -- Re: Castro's Splits
After you mentioned Castro’s abysmal batting order splits the other day I emailed Carrie Muskat to find out if Quade had discussed that with the writers. Maybe this is known to all already, but the disturbing response I got from her was that Quade told them you put the best hitter 3rd and that Castro is their best hitter. … I am so disappointed by the ineptitude of this manager.
That is very disappointing.
You put your hitters where they have the best chance of success.
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even if your best hitter hits better somewhere else?
We might as well have Sori leading again “eyes rolling”
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Best thing to do is let Hendry trade soriano
and then fire himself..
at the game last night...Baker's throw, possibly one of the worst I've ever seen.
The entire stadium erupted in laughter as it appeared he attempted to throw to wear the shortstop normally stands and not where Barney was standing, at second. He apparently slipped, but it was pathetic. Soriano looked awful in the field again letting two balls drop in front of him, that even Blake DeWitt could have caught. And Ramirez also completely doubled off Werth, as was incredibly obvious from the upper deck.
While I did not watch the game
I have to think when Roy Smalley threw balls straight into the stands on the fly or my personal favorite the hapless Marlins pitcher who instead of throwing tot he plate threw into his own dugout in 2003 playoff games were a bit worse.
FYI I have no idea why MLB does not have the last one on a bloopers real. Kasey posted a few years back from his tape of the game and of course MLB pulled it down.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
They don't want to embarass players...
and the Cubs would headline that DVD.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Not to make excuses for Bakey...
…but his bad back may have had something to do with that throw. (OK, I just made an excuse.)
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
I liked Monday's game best because...
the stupid hats allowed you to pretend it wasn’t really the Cubs losing another game.
Wasn't there supposed to be a documentary made on the 2008 Cubs?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Yeah.
But funding on the project was pulled when it was 95 percent completed.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
ISWYDT
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't even begin to imagine what kind of ridiculous baseball the Astros must be playing to be behind the Cubs in the standings.
Probably Boise can beat them nowadays.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
and yet...
we got swept by them.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Missouri has 6 million residents, Kansas 3 million.
I’d be wiling to be Kansas has a higher percentage of Royals fans than Missouri. Missouri is pretty split between Royals and Cardinals fans; not so for Kansas.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
fascinating...
now tell us how many tractors per square acre there are.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
You will shut up, and bow down before me.
I created a new button to honor your stupidity. Respect your master.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
You and your "buttons"...
you’ve been infatuated with getting SBNation to make you all kinds of “buttons” since I can remember. Nice hobby.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
There is also no such thing as the dark side of the moon.
It’s all dark…
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
I'm just curious
those of you who so adamantly believe that Quade/Hendry/the Coaching Staff needs to be shown the door…and that this team is underachieving relative to the payroll…where did you see the Cubs record at the All-Star break, if healthy? Be honest.
Me, I had them anywhere from 5-10 games below .500. Add in all the injuries, especially to starting pitching, and 17 games below doesn’t seem that unreasonable.
Of course, 7 games below .500 would have them 5 games out instead of 12 and one hot streak from being right in the thick of things.
But, honestly, I read these posts and it almost sounds like you expected this team to compete for the playoffs this year, and I just don’t see how that makes any sense.
I thought they had a shot at .500.
I have a question for you. If you thought the Cubs would be this bad, why do you have a problem with people who are calling for Hendry’s head?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Who said I had a problem with it?
I’m just trying to understand the logic, that’s all. If it were my team, Hendry’s replacement would have been on board some time ago.
But, I am still struggling to match up expectations with reality. You guys saw this as a .500 team? Really? You thought the Cubs would be significantly better than last year? I just don’t know what that is based on, other than blind, unrealistic optimism.
I think part of it was that they did good in Sept
I had picked 75 wins
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Good Septembers by teams long out of the pennant race
can frequently be mirages. The Cubs played a lot of teams in close pennant races In September last year.
Cubs with nothing to lose vs teams with everything on the line. This tends to skew the results.
Well, here's my view (FWIW)
regarding Hendry. There was a point where it became clear that the window of opportunity had closed on the 2003 core group of players to win a pennant. You can argue as to when that actually occurred, but there is no arguing that it did indeed occur.
When that happened, you had to have formulated a rebuilding plan…exactly how you are going to go about it.
Free Agents, trades, farm system….or a little of each.
Once you do that, then you decide if Hendy is the right guy to be the architect of that rebuilding effort. The answer for me would have been no (because I would forgo the FA market), but apparently upper management decided otherwise. So be it.
At this point, it is too early to decide whether they were right or not. To change GM now is tantamount to saying Hendry was not the right guy for the job, which is the opposite of the decision you made 6-12-18 months ago…whatever. I believe in making a plan and sticking to it.
As far as Quade and the coaches are concerned, I simply don’t think they can or should be evaluated based upon the rag-tag ballclub the Cubs have been running out there for much of this year.
Do you mean the 2008 core group?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Well I see the 2007 moves
as tied to the promise of of 2003. In a sense, I think the Cubs have been trying to chase the promise of 2003 for 6-7 years. But, somewhere in the last year or so, it has become necessary to let go of that and begin the process rebuilding from the scratch. The long term deals for Zambrano, Soriano and Ramirez has hampered that somewhat, but still that has to be the plan.
Ah. I understand.
I’m not sure how I feel about the tear down/add pieces debate, generally. Seems like one of those arguments that is more hypothetical and less practical than anything else.
I’ll say this — Hendry’s moves to supplement the 2003 and then the 2007 teams sure haven’t worked very well. So, if we’re a franchise that focuses on adding pieces, we have the wrong GM to do it.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Ragtag is a perfect word to describe the 2011 and 2010 Chicago Cubs.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I can only speak for myself.
I knew this team wasn’t a world beater. But there were a few things that made me optimistic (in no particular order):
1) Quade seemed like an upgrade, both in terms of energy (which I’d still argue is the case) and fundamentals. Of course, the fundamentals actually seem to have degraded (the single thing this year that amazes me the most) and Quade’s bad tactical and lineup decisions negate his energy/enthusiasm/positive approach.
2) I thought Ramirez’s play in the second half indicated he was in a slump in early 2010, and not that he would take longer and longer to get his groove after the season started.
3) I thought Zambrano finally had figured some things out. I’d say he has, unfortunately his physical skills just aren’t what they used to be, so it hasn’t mattered that much. He’s a No. 3 starter on a good team now, and I thought he would be better after finishing 2010 as he did.
4) I thought Castro would continue to improve. He has, but he can’t do it alone, and as the team’s “best hitter,” he has to hit in a high-profile spot he is not (yet?) suited for.
5) I thought the bullpen would be better. It has been, but the injuries to the rotation have made that less important — i.e. there are far fewer leads to protect.
6) I thought Dempster would be about what he was the past two years. He’s clearly showing signs of aging.
7) I thought Soto would step up or at least be 2010 good. I didn’t think he’d take a step back.
8) I thought Randy Wells would be better — especially after a strong spring. I suppose he still could turn a corner.
9) I thought Pena would be an upgrade over 2010 Lee.
10) I thought Colvin would be a good No. 6 hitter with power — maybe more.
The biggest disappointments that haven’t stemmed from injuries, I think, have been Quade, Colvin and Soto. The other predictions more or less came true, but they were less impactful (Ramirez, Pena, Zambrano, Castro, the bullpen) because there are so many problems. In other words, those five things have been better than the 2010 versions, but they haven’t been enough better.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Thing I find sad
That you may have spent more time thinking about and writing this than either Q or JH has pondering it
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Is is sad on my end, or theirs?
:)
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think we had them at .500 or a bit over
and with the understanding that the whole division was weak and they could indeed compete for the playoffs. Injuries don’t explain being dead nearly dead last in categories like getting walks, RISP ( the most annoying of all) being absurdly free swinging. Believe me I wanted to like Quade, but his in game decisions are as bad or worse than Lou’s . Ivan DeJesus would waive in Pudge to score from 2nd on an infield single.
I have always like Hendry and I still do but like Dusty before him, the time has come to move on. Nothing says prepared like not having a single pitcher over a 3 month period who could actually be a 5th starter. When you are losing games in the ways the Cubs have been losing it is time to change.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 6, 2011 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought and still think 70 wins is the floor for this team.
70-92 is pretty damn bad; anything below 70 wins is a complete and total disaster of a season. This team has enough decent players to win 70 games, but I can’t put it any higher than that.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I think I will off by about 5-10 games
I won’t be at all surprised to see them be worse than 06
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't see this team winning more than 70 games,
but I can surely see them winning much less, something like 59-62 wins.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Holy crap.
That is the single most discouraging thing I’ve seen today.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
That's only because the lineups for the next game aren't out yet.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Year 2.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I really want them to sign Prince Fielder next season.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Remember when we signed Soriano?
IIRC, Soriano came here because of the money AND because the team was making a commitment to winning (DeRosa, Lilly, Lou, etc.).
My guess is Prince will only sign here if we give him a LOT of cash AND we make a commitment similar to what we gave to Soriano.
Of course, the irony is overpowering that we gave Soriano those assurances and then he got a contract that, for several years, will be one of the things keeping the Cubs from fielding a winning team. Note that I said ONE of the things.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
The division is weak enough that just a big contract and few other trades or FA signings should be enough to convince him.
Assuming what you’re hypothesizing is true about what Prince wants to hear/see.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Is it weak enough?
The Cubs will be coming off back-to-back seasons where they will (almost certainly) have lost 87 or more games. They’ll have an albatross in left, who knows what they’ll have a third or in right, they have a catcher who is only good every other year, good gloves/middling bats in center and at second a rotation with some major issues.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Well, signing Prince automatically hurts the Brewers, obviously.
And then maybe they trade for a pitcher, or perhaps sign one. I think if the cash is enough, he’ll overlook your concerns.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Maybe.
And then we overpay to get him, which limits us down the road.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
All I really care about are the years.
Please, please, no more than six.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
I don't think we'll have to "overpay" him.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
FWIW, Dave Kaplan mentioned recently...
…that his sources told him Fielder is going to be looking for an eight-year deal. I can’t remember the dollar amount he threw out but it was big. Any player putting up Fielder’s numbers (and he’s having a monster season thus far) is going to want to get paid big time. I was interested in signing Fielder for a while, too, but, given the sorry state of this team, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do anymore.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
In that case...
we’re going to be a joke in the NL Central for the next 3 years.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
No one has yet shown me a reason why Fielder will sign here
that other clubs can’t match.
Dollars? Other teams have plenty of dollars and will offer plenty of years for the amount of ticket sales he will draw.
Competitive? That’s not the Cubs next year. Maybe (SLIM Maybe) the year after. But Fielder can go to a contender NOW, so why would he gamble when a sure thing is in his grasp?
I do not see Fielder or Pujols in Cubbie Blue in this lifetime. Better to work on either signing Pena or figuring out who in the system can hold down first for two years.
[...]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 Jul 7, 2011 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Every team has a mini-run at least once a season. I think this team has it in them. 5 under .500 the rest of the way could happen,
but you’re right, it’s probably going to be worse.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Well, there are three reasons why I think
the Cubs could play .500 ball the rest of the way.
1 – The odds are they won’t have as many injuries as the 1st half
2 – It looks like there may be 4 teams in the NL Central race. As I mentioned earlier, when a team with nothing to lose plays a team playing for all the marbles, it can work in their favor.
3 – The Cubs do seem to play better against the better teams, and I think the 2nd half schedule skews that way.
Of course, all three reasons could flip the other way, in which case, 100 losses could be in play.
true but what is the action
I want them to clean house……… but what’s to say TR makes a good decision. I mean my fear is someone like Randy Bush.
As a businessmen that it hasn’t occured to any member of the family to maybe hire a baseball guy. I’ve used the google analogy that the founders realized they needed someone with some experience to help them out. They hired someone who up until recently worked with them. They were a decade ago smart enough to realize they needed some help with their business. How can the Ricketts family not have had that feeling in over 2 years
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 6, 2011 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't imagine they'd promote someone from within after a 100 loss season.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Think about it some more...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
They kept Hendry and promoted McDonough ...
after losing 96 games in 2006.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I'd prefer to remain ignorant to those facts.
They did can MacPhail that year at least.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
I mean, 62-100 is a .383 winning percentage. We’re at a .402 right now. For us to be close to 38% we’d only have to lose two more games. If we’re gonna shoot for 100 I wanna do this right—I want a solid 100, 105 losses.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
no way DAN!
I want them to go on a nice 20-7 run soon so we can hear our GM and owner tell us they “feel pretty good about where we’re at right now” and that “we just need a couple pieces to fall into place to get up back to where we need to be”.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions
105 losses...
… would require going 22-53.
Bad as this team has been, I can’t see them doing that poorly.
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Well, now I have something to cheer for!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Dodger fans
are contemplating the possibility that their team may lose 100 games for the 1st time in 103 years.
and they have (possibly) three All-Stars!
Lastly...
…since the season is basically a hair away from being lost, you will have less pressure to deal with and they may indeed play better as they did late last year.
The thing is this; don’t let this fool you, because it will be meaningless. If you can’t win your share of games in April, May and June (when there is more pressure to get off to a decent start), the games you have remaining just don’t have the same weight.
I said at the start of the year, that they would win between 70-75 games and I still think that will happen. If they win 75, that means they will be 5 over .500 for the duration. Will that mean things are on the right track – hell no!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I thought they had an outside chance at .500 but most likely sub-.500.
I didn’t expect them to be in the race because I really expected the Brewers to be better than they have been. I thought the Brewers were a 90 win team. For the Cubs, I didn’t like the offense especially the middle of the lineup. I didn’t expect the pitching injuries obviously. I expected players like Soriano and Soto would miss time since they do every year.
As for Hendry, I wanted him gone before the season started. This season hasn’t changed my mind much. I soured on him after the Bradley deal. I really can’t understand how anyone could think 3 years was a good idea. Deals like Grabow only make me more sure that he can’t build a long-term winning organization.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
HEY BALLHAWK
You’re kind of mentioned in this article!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
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