Cubs Accomplish Feat Not Done in 65 Years
by Al Yellon on Aug 23, 2011 7:30 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintThis isn't a math question. What does this number sequence represent?
2, 0, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2
If you were watching Monday night's 3-0 Cubs loss to the Braves, you should know the answer to that question. It is the number of runners left on base in each inning, from first to ninth, in the game. Fifteen in all, and that is also the answer to the headline to this post:
The #Cubs left 15 men on in a 3-0 loss to ATL, the 1st time the #Braves have shut out an opponent who stranded 15+ runners since 9-26-1946.less than a minute ago via web 
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Really, that's beyond ridiculous. The Cubs have had trouble scoring runners all season, but fifteen men left on base? This happened last year, too; the Cubs left 17 on base in a 3-1 win over the Reds on July 3, 2010... but other than that, a Cubs team had left 15 or more men on base only once in a nine-inning game since 1979 (April 9, 2002, and they won that game, too, 2-0). In all, last night was the 10th time they had done this since 1919 -- but the first time they had failed to score any runs at all, while having that many baserunners.
Need more? It's only the third time in the last 20 years that the Cubs have been shut out despite having nine or more hits.
Runners on first base. Runners on second base. Runners on third base. Runners in scoring position with less than two out four times without scoring them. I wish I understood this. What could it be? The only explanation that makes sense is that Cubs hitters are not taking the proper situational hitting approach when they bat in these situations. A number of outs were made in these situations by whacking at the first pitch, never a good idea.
Perhaps the new regime that will come in this offseason will begin to correct this problem.
It's too bad, because Ryan Dempster and three relievers (James Russell, Jeff Samardzija and Kerry Wood) pitched pretty well. Dempster gave up a pair of home runs; the one by Dan Uggla reached Waveland, where it was caught by Ballhawk Dave -- and I witnessed the transfer to a throwback ball, which was hurled back onto the field, nearly making the infield dirt. Meanwhile, the bullpen was outstanding -- three perfect innings with five strikeouts. Wood, after having a mediocre first half, has been excellent this month. In his last eight appearances, covering 6.2 innings, Wood has allowed three hits, one earned run (a home run by the Reds' Ramon Hernandez in a game the Cubs won), issued no walks and struck out 15.
Think about that for a moment. 6.2 innings is 20 outs -- so Wood has K's for 15 of the 20 outs he's recorded in those eight outings. Perhaps he's figured out what was going wrong earlier this season. I'd definitely bring him back next year.
Starlin Castro was given the night off due to Sunday's lackadaisical play. That included being left out of an obvious pinch-hitting situation in the ninth inning -- he was the last guy on the bench and Blake DeWitt was left in the game to face lefthander Jonny Venters (closing for the Braves Monday because their regular closer, Craig Kimbrel, had closed three of the last four games).
DeWitt walked, so I suppose it worked out. But it seemed like a bit too much of this "punishment". It appears to me that Castro has learned his lesson; the lesson to the organization should be, "Get management in here that enforces team discipline."
About 27,000 of the announced 37,000 showed up on a gorgeous late-summer evening on which I snapped this photo of the sunset over Wrigley about 7:45. With schools going back into session, I'd expect those numbers to begin shrinking over the last 15 home games.
15 home games. That's all that remains of this wretched season. And yet, we'll miss baseball when it's not here.
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"the last 15 home games" - OMG, it's almost winter...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Boy, that's a buzz kill
"I've got a head full of whiskey and some bad ideas" - Scott Holt
by Ihatethecards on Aug 23, 2011 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions
What is a throwback ball?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
a ball that gets thrown back. presumably so that the actual home run ball can be kept.
"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella
Correct.
If you see a HR hit onto the street, that’s what gets thrown back.
If I ever catch one from a visiting player, that’s what’s going back, too.
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not to be contentious with my first post of the morning...
but dont you hate that tradition? why participate? or is it so angsty if you dont that its not worth it?
I do hate that tradition.
However, if I do catch a visiting player’s HR ball, I don’t want to be hassled, physically or otherwise. So doing a throwback ball fills that bill.
Besides, it’s entertaining, because I have a message written (not obscene) on my throwback ball.
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I like the tradition.
as long as its the one person who caught the ball throwing the ball back in. i dont like seeing 45 balls come flying out of right field when the homerun was hit to left. I’ve never sat in the bleachers so i dont know how ya’ll act when there is a throwback situation…
YES!!
It is the dumbest tradition ever!! I think it should stop. I hate when a cub p gives up a homer, everyone is mad, then starts cheering cause some yahoo threw the ball back on the field. Just keep it and give it to a kid. Stupid, worthless LOSER tradition
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I love that you used the word yahoo!
Every day is a beautiful day for baseball!!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 23, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
It might be dumb ...
But is sure is fun :)
I agree throwing back the real ball is dumb. But if you are prepared and have a decoy , what is the harm in tossing it back onto the field. ? Keep the real ball , give it to a kid , keep it, sell it …whatever , its your ball. But I believe most fans find it entertaining seeing a ball tossed back on the field . Especially if it comes from OUTSIDE the ballpark .
Oh and Al , it was Waveland not Sheffield … or Uggla has crazy opposite field power and I have unbelievable range … lol
by BALLHAWK.NET on Aug 23, 2011 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Whoops!
Obviously, not Sheffield. I’ll fix it.
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What difference does it make? A ball is a ball?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
yeah, but the real homerun ball has a story...
the throwback ball is some high schools batting practice ball…
Or a MLB batting practice ball.
Thanks, epsilon. You get it.
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I think the whole thing is stupid....
If i catch one from a visiting team……I am keeping it.
I do not care who is screaming at me.
I got a little energized when Hendry was let go and Ricketts showed he would start doing something.
There is a LONG way to go….But it can be done. Keep it going Ricketts…..
I am keeping it too. This tradition is STUPID!
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Honestly, I wish the Cubs would put a stop to this "tradition".
Until they do, I’m keeping a throwback ball with me.
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Not one.
But I’m ready, just in case.
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After 40 + years and thousands of games...
….you NEVER caught a ball??
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Not at Wrigley.
The only game HR ball I got was in St. Louis — in 1982 — hit by Leon Durham.
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when i was 10 or 11
i was on the field standing on the on deck circle and Fred Mcgriff was taking BP he fouled one off hit the wall and rolled right to my feet, still has the brown brick dust scuff on it. still have that ball.
I have had 5 balls in batting practice in various ballparks including 2 oddly enough by the same guy. Glenallen Hill.
But only one HR ball during a game.
Paul Noce in 1987. Anyone else remember him?
Considering it probably wasn't signed by Grace????
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I'm not saying some shady criminal forged his signature
I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be the first time a professional athlete had someone else sign autographs and return his fan mail.
The ball is probably genuine. It was more a joke on my part but to be completely honest, unless you actually watched him sign it, you have no idea who signed it.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Supposedly...
… up to 75% of the Joe DiMaggio “authentic” autographs out there were signed by his sister.
She got so good at it that you couldn’t tell the difference between her signature and his.
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Sure
Filled in for Ryno during an injury right? I think Dunston was also hurt that year so it could have been for Shawon.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
Yep they were injured around the same time. Mike Brumley came up to play SS.
It was his first HR so I got to meet him in the Cubs clubhouse….It was pretty cool…
I was in the upper deck behind home plate. A guy about two rows behind me
Actually jumped Three rows in front of him to catch a fly ball. He hit about 10 people in the process including a young boy with a glove on! Somehow this yahoo (lets make this the yahoo recap) caught the ball. He then found the prettiest girl in our section and gave her the ball.
She promptly called him a douche bag, And gave the ball to the boy with the glove:)
my only foul ball was by Leon Durham as well
at an Iowa Cubs vs. Chi. Cubs game
by cozmotaylor123 on Aug 23, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I wonder if the Cubs are trying to stop the tradition.
WGN and CSN no longer show the throwbacks, just like they purposely don’t show fans who get on the field. ESPN still shows the throwbacks however.
I wonder if they stopped showing it
after the incident with the Reds when a whole bunch of balls came flying out of the bleachers?
Every day is a beautiful day for baseball!!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 23, 2011 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Meh.... I know it gives you a headline, but
Big whoop. It’s a bad team… it’s August… our GM has been fired… our manager is next. The games are meaningless.
"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)
Yes, but...
… there has to be a recap, right? That was the story last night.
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I know... I know...
"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)
Wrong
It doesn’t have to be a waste of time!! It is if Koyie Hill is starting. It is if Castro doesn’t get to face a solid Jair Jurrjens. It is if Blake DeWitt starts. It is if Carlos Pena is starting.
As I posted early August, this time is valuable! Unfortunately, we are stuck with a moronic manager and bad veterans playing out a string.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Who is this Samardzija guy?
and what has he done with the real spellcheck?
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 7:47 AM CDT reply actions
Tomahawk Chopping!!!
I live in Chicago but I am a diehard Braves fan. However, with that said, whenever these 2 teams are not playing I will root for the Cubbies. Simply because if you live in this city no matter who is your favorite, you have to pick between Cubs or Sox and that wasn’t even a question for me. I am going to the game Wednesday in the Bleachers, and it is safe to say I will be decked out in all my Braves apparel.
GO PATS!!!!!!
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!
GO BULLS!!!!!!!
BravesFan22
Stop by in section 301 to say hi.
The Braves have a good team with an outstanding bullpen. They can be dangerous in the playoffs.
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Sounds good!
Like I said, I do still follow the Cubs a lot and I follow “Bleed Cubbie Blue”. I must say I do like reading your stuff.
And thanks for the Braves comments, I am so excited for October, especially after the Heart Break last year, but this is the last place in the world I can complain about Heart Breaks so I will just end it at that! haha
GO PATS!!!!!!
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!
GO BULLS!!!!!!!
BravesFan22
by BravesFan22 on Aug 23, 2011 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions
And NC...
there are tons of Braves fans here.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
castro should have PH....
Quade and his coaches are to blame for Castro as well. But they will never admit it.
While I believe he should have been benched for a start, I wonder if Bobby had gone after Soriano for loafing, would it have been the same deal to Quade?
I do not think so.
Its almost bullyish….You can go after the kid but are scared of the vets,,,,,
Hi Tj!!!!!
i’m kinda glad that they didnt pinch hit Castro, if he would have gotten a hit or a HR and tied the game or drove in runs, he could have pointed to that and never been benched again for something stupid he did. i truly believe there is a double standard with Q, but maybe this lesson really sunk in with Castro last night.
I just felt for the fans who gave their time and money to the team and watched their best player not get used in an obvious situation.
Quade making a point like that is laughable since he holds nobody else accountable.
As I said, he should have lost the start, but dont throw the game for the fans.
Its not like anyone else was going to drive in a run…
true. not going to argue any of that...
but i will discuss it….
1) you are right.
2) “throwing” the game for the fans is kinda on Castro for being a Dork in the field sunday.
3) you are right, obviously.
Regarding point #2
It is? Really? So the Cubs should kick away a game on Monday because a player did something wrong on Sunday?
Bench Castro as a starter? Fine.
Leave him out of an obvious PH situation? Dumb.
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goes back to my previous post
what would happen to Castro’s head if he came into pinch hit and won the game for the cubs ( i dont know in the situation if that was even possible). you screwed up. your penance is that you will not play monday. Will not play monday. I’m okay with it, but i do feel bad for the kid who didnt get to see Castro play. keep your head in the game. not to start that argument again, but i yell that at my 5 year old every game.
however...
if they were in contention…then you pinch hit him. because thats for the better of the team, in this situation 400 games out of first place nothing really to lose- teach castro if you dont pay attention while playing you can pay attention on the bench.
your question is should you i'll answer that one:
yes you should sit for that.
the point you were going for: would he? no, he would not, i would say they dont really respect what Q says, but they(you know who ‘They’ are) pulled the same crap for Lou…so i dont know what the answer is.
I thought Lou should have benched them too....
The whole organization has coddled players for too long.
agreed.
The point had been made. It took ESPN pointing it out for it to be made, but there it was…
If rules and acccountabiltiy were enforced all year for all players I would feel differently. But they have not been.
Quade got pantsed again... on national TV. A thing of beauty.
"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)
That stupid smile of his, makes it look funnier than the original
"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)
I disagree...Quade did right for once...
Castro screwed up and got “spanked”. Hopefully, him sitting on the bench in the 9th inning, knowing maybe he may have helped his team, but couldn’t, strikes a nerve with the kid.
Good job, Tom...now on to the manager problem.
knowing maybe he may have helped his team, but couldn’t
So you’re saying that’s better than possibly winning games?
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What's more important for this team, Al?...
winning a game this year, that keeps them ONLY 19 games outta 1st place opposed to 20…or having their “franchise player” learn a valuable lesson that will be helpful to that man (that’s right…he’s a 21 year old man) AND the Cubs, for years to come?
Good job, Tom...now on to the manager problem.
Sitting him as a starter, fine.
Lesson learned.
Then, when you have a chance to win the game, use your best chance.
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Winning that game meant nothing.
Teaching Castro a lesson might. It’s worth one more L in this crummy year.
Like I said.
Lesson learned by sitting him as a starter.
If you are using a pitcher as an infielder in extra innings, the lesson has become stupid.
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But that wasn't the discussion.
The discussion was about him pinch hitting. I’d much rather leave him out unless he’s absolutely needed to make sure he get a full mental day off.
So, he comes in and hits a walk-off grand slam...
the only lesson learned there is "Hey, now you guys know that I’m “the man” and I’ll do what I want and when I want"… I like my way better.
Remember “Hoosiers”, Al ( I know it’s just a movie), when the kid got hurt and the only player left to go in was a guy the coach was trying to teach a lesson? Kid got off the bench and Hackman said …“what are you doing?…sit down”…classic.
I applaud Quade for sticking to his guns…who knows…the order may have come from further up…like Bush, Ricketts or even TJ.
Good job, Tom...now on to the manager problem.
If he isn't saying it
I am. It’s called accountability.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
What if...
… the Cubs had tied the game and it had gone into extra innings with Castro the only bench position player.
You’re saying you would allow a relief pitcher to bat, possibly losing the game as a result, to hold Castro “accountable”.
That, sir, would be foolish.
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Extenuating circumstance given the course of the game
but I’d surely (and don’t call me Shirley!) give you that one.
Just win the next game...!
Not only that, but...
…if he was needed as an emergency infielder, I’d let a relief pitcher do that, too.
This organization treats losing like it was a virtue or something . The “culture” of this team needs to change NOW. He’s a good place to start, since he’ll be the one that’ll be around here for quite some time. He’ll be a better player for it.
Good job, Tom...now on to the manager problem.
Really, that's just silly.
That’s the wrong lesson — that teaches players that you’re willing to lose a game out of spite.
Any manager who would do that needs to be fired.
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I disagree
a player should be benched for that kind of play( should include all players) including not g
Hustling out ground balls, and staring at homeruns that aren’t homeruns! This kind of crap has been going on to long. It will ultimately lead to more wins in the future if management starts making examples out of these players! And yes they should be sat out the whole game!
No sir
That is called accountability. Your suggestion that the improbable but possible winning of a meaningless game should take precedent over accountability. Not on my watch, sir.
I believe it is time for Tom Ricketts to take charge of his team and to not only hold people accountable for the failure over the last couple of years on the field, but even more so, for the failure to establish a culture of accountability in the Cubs’ clubhouse.
Those were your feelings less than a week ago. Now we’re asked to subscribe to the rationalization approach that got us here.
Often it’s hard to stay the course and do what’s right but it’s essential there be consistent rules. You’re suggesting it was right to sit Castro but circumstances called for removing his punishment because he might help win a meaningless game. We’ve been down that road before and look at the fruit it has borne us.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
by tharr on Aug 23, 2011 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Long term, yes its better
given they’ve been out of it essentially since Memorial Day.
Just win the next game...!
Curse you, mobile posting!
Interesting parallel: in 1997 Rio Ferdinand, then a teenager, was dropped from the England football (soccer to you) squad after being charged with what you’d call DUI. Journalists asked why this was done when Paul Gascoigne had stayed on the squad the pevious year, despite being accused of domestic abuse. The answer, in effect, was that Gascoigne, an established player, was what he was and that there was no point trying to change him. Ferdinand, on the other hand, was at a stage in his career when he needed to understand that his off-field activities could rebound on his playing career and, crucially, was at an age where he could still take that lesson on for the future.
Maybe something similar happening here? I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
by Limey Cub Fan Jay on Aug 23, 2011 9:02 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
So what's up with the,,,,,,,,,,
no more !!!!!!!!!?
I'm crossing my fingers for an Andrew Friedman press conference around Sept 30th
I wanna see that guy run our team like he runs the Rays… but with a little more budget room. Scout and develop awesome talent, and lock up your best players to team friendly long term contracts, while dealing the other guys (or getting draft pick comp), because we have excellent prospects to replace them.
I’d like our payroll to come down to $80 mil or so (twice that of the Rays), but not through the roof at $140, like it’s been lately. He’d still have plenty of flexibility every July to make any major acquisition to put us over the hump… and with a reduced payroll, the Cubs profit margins will increase as well.
"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)
I couldn't agree more
He’s my dream GM for this team, and if he brings Maddon with him, all the better. I think Maddon is the best manager in the game for getting the most out of his team, and Friedman has proved you don’t have to be a big spender to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox. Imagine how good TB would be if they didn’t play half of their games against Bos or NYY? They’d easily be dominating their division. I think $80 mil is a little optimistic for the next few years, but definitely achievable by maybe 2014 or 2015.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions
whats the deal with $80Mil?
if we win the next 5 world series with a payroll of 140 million what does it matter if we get down to $80?
At $140 mil... our approach to putting together a team wouldn't be changing at all, would it?
And that approach hasn’t worked… and has saddled us with bad long term contracts. We shouldn’t need to spend $140 mil to win this division every year. And from the looks of it, our plan is to reduce payroll, and increase the budget on amateur talent in the draft and overseas to develop a better farm system. Something we’ve sorely lacked for waaaaay to long.
"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)
The money we spent on the draft this year, should be an indicator of the future.
Seems to me, all signs point toward reducing this enormous payroll, and reallocating the budget toward the draft and overseas.
"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)
..... WHAT?!
No offense, but this idea is out of this world insane. At $130-140 mil, our approach would change entirely because it’s an entirely new person running the show. Why on earth would you be hopeful that the Cubs would slash their spending by 40%??? I’d trust Friedman with 80M more than I trusted Hendry with 140M, but I’d also trust Friedman with 140M more than I trust him with 80M. You put the people in the best position to win, and advocating slashing payroll like that is beyond crazy.
This whole mentality on this board of, “It didn’t work before, so it won’t work in the future” is starting to get a mind of it’s own. Let’s just get this out of the way: Brett Jackson is not going to fail simply because Pie and Patterson did before him, Castro wont fade into obscurity because Cedeno and Theriot did before him, the farm wont fail to product talent because it hasn’t managed to in the past, and by all accounts, the next GM won’t fail with a 140 million dollar payroll because Hendry did.
I’m all for investing more into the farm system, and if having a a club where we spend 20-30 million annually between the Rule 4 and international draft, improve our facilities both internally and abroad and increase scouting penetration and numbers means we cut down to a 115-120M payroll while the initial debt is payed off, I’m all for it (however assuming the Cubs create their own TV network, which they likely will, there is no excuse to ever go cheap again). But there is no way Ricketts can invest 80 million a year in the minor leagues intelligently (20M he used this year plus the $60 million you propose cutting from payroll).
Agreed...
There’s no good reason why cutting our MLB payroll by nearly 50% is a good idea.
Spending more on scouting and player development is a good idea. So is maintaining a fairly high payroll. Both should be feasible (see Red Sox, Boston).
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Why is my bugdet so insane?
It wasn’t until recently that the Cubs started approaching $100 mil and over. Without looking it up, I’ll assume this happened for the first time post-2003.
The Cardinals always compete for the division with a payroll around $90 mil and excellent management. Why couldn’t we achieve to compete like they do, without blowing millions of dollars on long term contracts that will hurt us later? We’re not in the AL East. Nor, are we in the same division as the Phillies.
"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)
Simple reason...
…putting together a winner without going over 100 mil requires a better organization and more skill in roster selection.
Both of these things have been abscent with the Cubs.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
You may want to look at baseball salaries...
The Cardinals are just under $110 million this year.
What does it matter that the first time the Cubs payroll went above $100 million was in 2008? That doesn’t make it a good idea to lower it again. You’re basically saying that we should that the absolute biggest advantage that we have as a baseball team and give it away because we never used to spend so much. That’s not logical whatsoever.
Hell, let’s just say your numbers were even close to accurate and the teams competing for the central this year were spending $90 million each. You claim they do this with excellent management… okay. Wouldn’t we as a team have a MAJOR advantage over every other team in the league if we had a $135 million dollar payroll and excellent management? How about we focus on the thing in your post that actually IS important – excellent management.
The reason the Cubs aren’t good has nothing to do with spending too much money, it has to do with misplaced priorities. We need a GM who can properly negotiate contracts with big name free agents at a fair market value for a fair length of time. We need someone in player development that teaches strong fundamentals to improve the basics of this team (good plate discipline, good mechanics, sound defense, good footwork, smart baserunning… all the things that can be taught and controlled). We need a manager that holds players accountable and gets the most out of them every single game. We don’t need to slash payroll by 40% to do that.
You’re associating, for some bizarre reason, that lowering a payroll will improve all of the above in some way, shape or form. At the end of the day, we need to improve those regardless, and lowering payroll wont help that regardless – that has to come from better coaching from Mesa through Chicago.
Let’s assume that the Cubs have a cap of around $150 million to spend each year on baseball ops, which I think is a pretty reasonable number even with the debt structure of the team. My goal would be to invest between 25-30 million into the farm each year and to take the other 120-125 million and invest it into the major league team. If we do that and get people to teach the fundamentals and help push strong development, we’d be in the top 1-3 spending for minor league development in baseball and a top 10 team in spending for payroll each year. That should be a recipe for success. Cutting out 60 million for absolutely no reason is asking for a complete meltdown within this organization.
And you do realize that while we may not be in the same division as the Phils or Giants
the Cubs will more than likely need to beat them in a playoff series to get to the world series. and isnt that the ultimate goal?
The old approach didn't work
because of the choices of our GM, not because of the $140M. Imagine Friedman with a $140M payroll as opposed to him with an $80M checkbook.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Optimistically,
I would think that a lower payroll would lower ticket prices, but I’m sure that will never happen. I think it’s just doing more with less. If we have less money to spend, we won’t be throwing $136 million dollars at mediocre players like Soriano. I don’t believe TB has any bad contracts (Upton, possibly), and they can’t afford to. I don’t believe organizations need to go out and sign the best available player each off-season for the most amount of money possible, which is why I’m against signing Pujols or Fielder with the current state our team is in.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll take one for now...
Just getting to the WS is a monumental accomplishment for this organization.
Just win the next game...!
is it the GM or their scouting director and coaches that have
really propelled that team the past few years??
they have hit big on a few draft picks lately.
by cozmotaylor123 on Aug 23, 2011 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Thats true.
They know how to draft and develop players, and it’s one reason that they can afford to lose Crawford, Pena, their entire bullpen, and still compete. They not only draft well, but they know which players fit their team and bring them in. They don’t just go after a big name, they actually look at the numbers, something Hendry had no idea how to do.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
It's a combination of all 3... that's what makes them a winning organization.
One person needs to lead the organization (Friedman), and he has to have excellent people working under him to achieve their organizational goals. They scout and develop talent better than anyone. And when they need to deal veterans away because of money restraints, Friedman gets the input of his scouts and always seems to get incredible talent back in the trades he makes.
"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)
What I also think is great, and something that the Cubs don't do
is that they know when to let players go so that they get draft picks for them. I think the Rays had something like 12 first round picks this past draft, and that’s astounding. That definitely puts the odds in their favor when it comes to developing those players.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep... they had like 12 of the top 90 picks or so.
Now, imagine what he could do with those picks with an even bigger draft budget, like he’d have here?
"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)
My mind is blown.
Maybe it’s all the caffeine I’ve had, or maybe its the thought of the Cubs bringing in guys who actually know how to run an organization that’s getting me all excited. Can you imagine the Cubs have 12 first round picks? That creates a ton of talent which can translate into trading for veteran/established players and actually having players at hand when our starters go down. TB let Garza and Kazmir go, and they bring in Hellickson, Niemann, Davis, etc. They let Crawford go (get draft pick compensation) and the bring in Jennings. It’s amazing.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
And then they make trades like Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce.
and Joyce goes to the all-star game this year.
Or Delmon Young and Brendan Harris for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett.
Or Víctor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir.
"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)
The Twins got some value out of Delmon Young.
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He had a really good 2010
But, Garza and Bartlett together make it a win for the Rays… they got to a world series.
"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)
Of course, one of the reasons the Rays got that way
is because they sucked on ice for 10 years.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions
That doesn't matter. You still have to hire smart people to run your organization.
They were bad for a long time, because they didn’t have the right decision makers. New ownership came in and put better people in place.
"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)
That helped
So did having top draft picks year after year because they were awful. You think it’s good for the Cubs to suck for the next 10 years so they can stockpile draft picks? I don’t think you’d get much support for that.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't matter if you pick 1st or 31st in the draft,
if you don’t have:
1. the rights scouts to choose the talent
2. the right budget to sign the talent
3. the right coaches to develop the talent
Go ask the Pirates if having a top pick for the past 20 years have helped them get to a World Series. They’ve botched it up at every chance, because they haven’t had the right people in their organization to make it happen.
"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)
MacPhail was supposed to be the Cubs' savior
because of all the good work he did in Minnesota. How did that turn out?
I don’t care what organization the next GM comes from, so long as he or she does a good job.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll appluad anyone who gets us to the promised land.
I just happen to be very impressed with Andrew Friedman’s accomplishments, and would like him to be the man.
"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)
MacFail was and still is a fraud.
He took over a Twins team that had a core of players that were developed in one of the best farm systems, ever. Won two WS with those players and then left a decimated farm system behind and came to the Cubs and announced that he was going to build the farm system. We all know what happened to that plan. MacFail is now about to be canned in Balt. Terry Ryan rebuilt the Twins farm system and should be a candidate for the Cubs GM job.
Plus, the Rays are no longer a laughing stock
And no longer have the #1 pick… yet they make shrewd moves to acquire 12 of the top 90 picks in the draft, and load up all over again.
"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)
But the Cubs would never have 12 of the top 90 picks...
because we’d sign the high quality players to extensions, a major advantage we’d have over a team like the Rays. We can afford to do that because our payroll is 300% higher.
Well, it won't be
if some of the posters here had their way. :)
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
Look at the Orioles. There record has been horrible for the last ten years. They draft in he top 8 every damn year. What do they have?
It is all fine and dandy getting top 10 picks, you still have to draft talent. The Rays seem to hit on the majority of there picks. I’ll be glad to have Friedman as Cub GM.
You nailed it!!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I never thought I'd see the day
when a Cubs fan actually was arguing for a payroll REDUCTION.
God help this mess, and I’m not just talking about the one on the field.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Why let the payroll go down to $80M? That is just giving up one of the team's advantages.
If the team can afford $140M and hires someone who can spend it wisely, then spend it all. You don’t see the Phillies and Red Sox planning to reduce their payrolls to gain an advantage, and even the Cards are over $100M.
Right
But the Yankees and Red Sox also have better rosters while spending around the same amount the Cubs do. Would you rather hat Sabathia, ARod, Jeter, Rivera, or Adrian Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Pedroia, or Zambrano, Soriano, Fukudome and Ramirez? It’s a no brainer. The Cubs do less with more money than any of the other big spending teams.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Sure, but that's not a good argument for taking away payroll flexibility
the Cubs under Hendry did less with more money. We’ll have a new GM. There’s no reason we should assume the new GM will do poorly with the money.
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Your point about the quality is fine, but that's not because we spend too much.
You guys are making some bizarre association between spending money = getting bad players on long term deals. Talk about a jaded fan base.
Also, to claim the Cubs are in the same league as the Yankees or Red Sox as far as spending goes means you aren’t paying much attention: Cubs, $134MM, Yankees, $207MM, Red Sox, $164MM. That’s a pretty massive difference on both.
You do know that Hendry is gone, don't you?
There is just no good argument for a major market team with a payroll of $80M. Unless your plan is for the Cubs to automatically shed every good player when they become arbitration or FA eligible, their payroll wil be higher than that. That will not be a path to regular contending teams – even with really smart management Tampa Bay has been a hit-and-miss contender. And note the team rolling to their 5th division title in a row – the Phillies payroll was $172M on Opening Day.
In baseball today, $80MM puts you just above the bottom feeders. It is the moral equivalent of brining a knife to a gun fight. Heck, even with Stealin’ Frank as owner the Dodgers are spending $104MM. And the low-budget Twins are at $113M.
http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/baseball/mlb/salaries/team
This got to be one of the most insane suggestions that I ever read on this blog
Reduce Payroll to $80m really? Wow..
One more fact from last night's game.
When the Braves won, the Astros were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
The Cubs’ elimination number is 14.
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Pass the Kool-Aid!
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
He has a point... you've gone out of your way to be a dick to him.
Can you take it down a few notches, please?
Agreed.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Yes, we will miss baseball when it's not here...
However, the sooner we can get this pathetic season over with, the sooner we can hire a new GM, the sooner we can ditch Quade and the sooner we can begin rebuilding this franchise!!!
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Agreed.
Still… we’ll miss it when it’s gone for the winter.
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i don't how you have the energy to be out there night after night
I live a block away and other than a Saturday or maybe the last Friday game, I wouldn’t go if you paid me. It’s just depressing and unwatchable now as we go down the stretch.
I love baseball, Wrigley and the friends I have there.
The play on the field is often poor, sure. But going to the games is still enjoyable.
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understood, but enough is enough of this roster and team
there gets to a point where you just can’t watch these guys anymore and the horrible Quade. That’s where I’m at.
Hey, if that's what works for you, cool.
Everyone’s different.
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I love baseball too....but
It is becoming more and more difficult with each passing year to watch professional players that play the game as poorly as this group does. I for one will NOT miss baseball for a split second if this is the product that happens to be produced by the team that I voluntarily choose to follow.
This team is terrible, this organization is terrible and only a blind man would suggest that the short-term outlook for this franchise is anything but terrible. I wish it weren’t so but sometimes reality takes over.
So get this season over as quickly as possible and let all of us step aside and away from this mess for several months. I firmly believe that an extended hiatus from this organization would do a lot of good to a lot of us.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Before the Washington Game...
I would have thought you were delusional, but great seats and an unobstructed
view makes a world of difference.
Yes, I’m &$##^% off at how badly this team has been run the last few years and
the seemingly “In WAY over his head” manager we have, but the prospect of a
new GM has given me hope.
Speachless...
I love how happy you are now that you found a spot at Wrigley that works well for ya.
Glad you found it, i hated seeing that you couldn’t enjoy the park for what it was, but obviously understood why you felt that way.
When I miss baseball in the winter...
I pop in one of my mant Cubs-related DVD’s. The Greatest Games box set is awesome when I want to see Sandberg, Sutcliffe, Grace, Sosa, Maddux, Lee, etc… I also have Big Z’s no-hitter on DVR and all the other WGN-produced specials that are much more fun to watch than the current team…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
This is the headline I was expecting
“Castro out of lineup, Cubs take a ’Mental Day Off” "
So Starlin needed a day off to clear his head, what about the rest of the team?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 23, 2011 8:14 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
One things Ricketts did was waste a year in the life
of Cubs baseball by not firing Hendry (which he should have done) at the end of last year. This really has been brutal to waste a full year with Hendry and Quade. That’s where Ricketts needs to be blamed, he clearly wasted one year in this rebuilding product.
I think you're looking for someone or something to blame.
Hendry is gone. Let’s move on.
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understood, but we did waste a year of baseball
and a lot of money on tickets. That was my point.
All it takes is landing one of the big GMs whos contracts happen to be up after this year
and all of the sudden the chorus will sing, “Ricketts’ is a freaking genius!”
Mike is correct
This was a wasted season and many fans were calling for Hendry’s firing last year. It’s almost over but we’ve lost a year of our baseball lives and it’s perfectly acceptable to assess blame. How many times have I heard you refer to Bradley although that’s over and done with also. Fans are allowed to grieve in their own manner.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
by tharr on Aug 23, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I've referred to Bradley if it was relevant.
Blame all you want. I’m ready to move forward.
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It seems you believe
your comments about Bradley are relevant but Mike’s comments about Ricketts are irrelevant. Somehow I just can’t distinguish between them. What say we all accept that this is a new beginning but people are allowed to finish venting their frustrations.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Well said.
This year really has been a waste, just like last year.
Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!
Says you
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he needed time to assess the team.. The money spend on IFA and draft picks plus firing Hendry is a good start.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
by rlpete on Aug 23, 2011 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. besides the new GM would of been handcuffed this year anyways.
They were tapped out as is, so what would of been the point really? I know people here get on Ricketts a lot but the guy isnt a millionaire because he’s a stupid businessman. he isnt goign to rush this, he evaluated his organization, and then when he decided it was time for a nwe direction, he made the move. i don’t think a new gm this year would of made any difference at all realy.
Like Quade, he just seems overmatched to me
sorry, that’s my opinion, he should have started the rebuidling after 2010, that wasn’t hard to figure out. I agree we may not have been much better, but at least the rebuilding would have begun and we would not have endured a year of Quade.
You watch him in that ESPN interview during the Cardinal game and you are just thinking minor league. Let’s see who the new GM is. That will tell us.
He's not a public speaker, but that doesn't change how well he can run the club.
And what the heck was a new GM going to do for this team? You’ve got so many untradeable contracts that the only thing you can really do is sit and wait for them to fall off the books while you invest heavily into the farm.
That's not completely untrue.
Teams were interested in both Reed Johnson and Kerry Wood but they refused to trade them.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
by Tackle Box on Aug 23, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And again, that may be because the return wouldn't have been worth it.
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and what exactly is the point of keeping Reed Johnson?
If you want to argue that at the very least, Kerry Wood is a good pitcher, okay, but to say there were a bunch of un-tradeable contracts is completely untrue.
You could have traded just about any of the vets not named Zambrano and Soriano and probably Ramirez (although, I’d have benched Ram if he’d have told me he would refuse any trade). Dempster, Garza, Byrd, Johnson, Wood, Marmol, and Pena (and I’m sure a few more) were definitely “tradeable”. They just didn’t want to trade them.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Um....why would you bench Ramirez for refusing a trade?
That’s his right by being a 10-5 guy. that makes absolutely no sense.
Garza they just traded several good prospects and he’s only 27, not to mention the best pitcher on the team and under control for a couple more years. no need to trade him at all.
I'd bench him because it serves the team better
to play possible pieces at 3rd as opposed to letting him pad his stats for free agency. You’re right, that is his right. However, I’d want to do what’s best for the team going forward not what’s going to help Ramirez get a better contract.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Have fun dealing with the MLBPA on that one...
Hope you don’t want to ever sign another free agent… ever.
Yeah that is not a good habit if you want to entice other FA
so any time the team falls out of contention they are going to get benched at the end of the year? yikes. and furthermore, there are no 3B options ready. Vitters is at least a year, maybe more. Flaherty maybe, but hes only just recently starting at AAA, and DJL is a 2B. benching rammy in no way is a benefit to the future of this team.
okay, maybe "bench" is a little strong
nevertheless, his playing time would have been reduced as I worked newer guys in. I’m not talking about the next franchise player at 3rd base, but anyone who might be a useful part next year.
I’m working under the assumption that Ramirez will not be a cub next year. Now, if you feel he’s better suited to play 3rd for the cubs next year at his 16M dollar salary, then obviously you have to pay him.
Personally, I think the club is much better parting ways with him and going just about any direction for the next year.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
corrections
“then obviously you have to PLAY him”
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Not so sure actually at this point.
with Hendry there, yes, he’s back. now i think he takes a wait and see approach with the new guy.
You keep Reed Johnson because...
… the return for trading him wouldn’t be worth making the deal.
You’re making a lot of assumptions that might work in fantasy baseball, but not in real life.
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I wouldn't trade for z or sori on my fantasy baseball team
For a coke and a smile.
How does this not help in real life?
Actually, what type of detriment is there in real life?
Reed Johnson is easily replaceable. And even if there is a dropoff this season from his 1.6 WAR…..who cares?
The alternative is, he continues to get playing time and then becomes a free agent at the end of the year. So, you then a) re-sign him or b) let him walk for no compensation. Re-signing him doesn’t really make a ton of sense since he’s not really that good but he is relatively cheap, so he’s got that going for him. But, you don’t have to retain him this year to sign him as a FA.
Basically, he’s a 34 year old 4th or 5th outfielder, who doesn’t walk and hits for little power, not a great defender, is a free agent, and brings no compensation aaaaand…someone is willing to give you something for him. You don’t make that deal? Why?
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
If he didnt in writing then perhaps it was an agreement between hendry and him.
he left 9 million on the table to come back.
There are only a couple of untradeable contracts left, actually
The new GM won’t have worlds of flexibility this offseason, but he’ll have some reasonably big decisions to make.
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
"the guy isn't a millionaire because he's a stupid businessman"
No….he’s a millionaire because his dad is a millionaire and bought the cubs for him.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
pretty sure TR
made his own money after college, granted he had a nice failsafe if his business failed.
I know he built his own company
but the fact is, he didn’t have the coin to buy the cubs. Dad did.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Hm....thought i read he got the money by takign TD Ameritrade public...
could be wrong though.
valid point
my original comment was in relation to “how” he became a millionaire. In the comment I was responding to, it read to me like the commenter was saying he was a self-made millionaire, and while he did start his own company, I don’t think he truly falls into the “self-made millionaire” category.
Maybe I mis-interpreted the comment.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Yes, i wasnt saying he was self made.
but he had his own company and he’s been successful is what i was saying.
News flash
Tom Ricketts is a millionaire because his father, Joe Ricketts, is a billionaire.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Only if you make me your friend
so I can be a hundredaire.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
I have a theory for the LOB problem last night.
The Cubs come to the plate hacking, apparently in part because of Rudy J.‘s “aggressive” approach and because the organization doesn’t draft or develop patient hitters (with some exceptions). Still, in the past few weeks, we’ve seen less of the LOB problem.
I think that last night was more like earlier in the season, but instead of having one of our better hitters struggling or injured, we had one on the bench. It looks like we have JUST enough talent to beat back our hacking approach and be marginally competitive when all of our top guys are playing. But when Castro sits …
Note that I’m not criticizing the decision to bench him (though he should have pinch hit in the ninth).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
How about the fact Jurrjens, despite the control problems,
made good pitches when they counted.
Now I will not say it was all his pitching, just like it was not all our sucking at the plate with RISP. But, sometimes it’s a little of both. Give Jurrjens some credit while we bash our own team.
BTW, Castro might sit again tonight. Q did it last year.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
No way
The opposing pitcher never deserves any credit for anything. :)
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Not Bruce??
Why do you defend Quade at every post? Are you a secret agent Sox fan????
Jair Jurrjens is good, but so would I vs Koyie Hill and Blake DeWitt.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I'm no koyie fan
but the guys been a pretty serviceable back-up catcher!
No he's not!
He was picked up off the scrap heap and is hitting low .200’s. He’s not a good blocker at the plate. He’s BAD!! He wouldn’t be picked up by any other MLB team.
Koyie Hill is Mike Quade.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
and yet the team is 10 or so games over .500 in games he catches.
take that for what its worth.
Using batting average to judge a back up catcher is pretty pointless...
Do yourself a favor and look at some of the back up catchers around baseball… it’s not much to choose from.
Also, he’s widely considered a pretty good defensive catcher, so your thoughtful analysis of “he’s bad,” isn’t going to work there.
Probably the dumbest comment of the day.
And there’s some stiff competition in this thread, you should be proud.
Hawk Harrelson agrees!!!!!!
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I can't imagine Q sitting Castro a second straight night.
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Sure, I'll give him credit.
But the Cubs didn’t score with 15 men on base. That’s pretty remarkable (as Al’s post points out).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Marlon Byrd seems like a class act
But my enthusiasm for 2012 will be greatly diminished if he is back. The guy is hitting .198 with RISP – to be under .200 approaching September is horrific. His RBI number for his place in the order is also beyond a disgrace. I can count his meaningful hits this year on one hand with several fingers to spare.
My fear is that he is a bargain relatively and for that reason will be back starting. I hope they find a more productive alternative.
I posted a fanshot on this earlier this morning.
He’s batting .204 with RISP this year. Dreadful. He is a class act, but he doesn’t drive in enough runs to be batting 5th. He should’ve been traded at the deadline to a contender.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions
sorry missed the fanshot
yeah, this was another Hendry blunder. They could have gotten something for him, he can hit – just not when it matters.
by BeltwayCubsFan on Aug 23, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
He has Rudy engrained
into his brain. He hacks at everything. If they could get a decent player for him in a trade I would do it. He is a great guy, but he should be moved.
agreed.
plus i believe there is a young CF prospect who all of us would like to see sooner rather than later.
I'd be ok looking at
Cuddyer, Kubel, or Willingham. if the price was right mind you. I’m not saying go out and give lengthy deals for large amount of money ha. but 1 of those 3 i think would be a pretty good addition, with me leaning more towards the Twin guys (again, right price)
The key is short-term deals
Don’t invest 3 years in a mediocre stopgap. If there isn’t a big-name available (and in RF this year, there isn’t), fill the void with a 1-year guy.
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly.
Cuddyer i’d be ok with 2 years, based on his versatility. once again, if the price was right.
Right on
Pena is a great example of this. Find a guy for a 1 year deal. You may pay a bit more for it, but $10mil for 1 year is better than $30mil for 3 years when he’s batting .220.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
However, have to figure the goal of the year. Cubs need a 3rd hitter, even if Ramirez stays, as well as a #1 SP, a #3 SP….honestly, let’s just play young guys in 2012 and look to 2013
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
As long as Soriano and Z aren't back year
There are several guys I think still have value that could bring the Cubs good prospects in order to build for 2013. Dempster, Soto and Marmol. Shark and Marshall have been solid this year, add Garza, Castro and Barney, and we have key pieces to build on (and I can’t believe Shark is in this list, but he’s been solid this year). The problem with this franchise is they try to play to win every year, which inevitably leads to overspending and trading good prospects. I’m not against winning, but this team really needs to retool and by selling while some stocks are still somewhat high we should get good returns to help us in the near future. And besides, I’d much rather pay to watch younger players who are hungry to play (which is why watching the Astros has been fun recently), instead of watching Ramirez loaf to first every groundball.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Cuddyer worries me because he's a bad RFer in Minnesota...
And Wrigley is said to be the toughest defensive RF in baseball. Also, he’s coming off of the best years in his career – he’s not going to be looking for a 2 year deal at 32.
He plays a lot of spots which is why i think he could be valuable.
otherwise i’d like Kubel. Lefty, can also play 1B, 29 yrs old. There might be other options out there of course, but just from a brief glance those 3 seemed like the best available. Course i have no clue what they will be looking for in terms of a contract
Kubel is a great hitter.
If he didn’t have the first initial knee injury where he missed the whole season, he would be one of the leagues better hitters.
Rudy should also be moved.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Payback I suppose....
15 home games. That’s all that remains of this wretched season. And yet, we’ll miss baseball when it’s not here.
I’ve been missing baseball for awhile now…
All kidding aside, tis just felt like the opposite of the last Braves game we played, where we struck out 18 times and won…
I know this sounds crazy, but the firing of Jim Hendry has kind of ruined the rest of the season for me. Not that it was anything to watch beforehand. But at least I knew what to look for going forward. I could at least say “This is something the Cubs might do….” but until a new GM is named all bets are off. I guess I wouldn’t have minded seeing Brett Jackson play. But if Randy Bush does his month and a half job correctly, he’ll probably keep Jackson stashed in the minors so they don’t have to put him on the 40 man roster and thus protect him over the winter That would be best for whatever incoming General Manager, and thus, the Cubs. Even Tyler Colvin, the poster boy for this assinine “See what we have movement” isn’t really going to sway an incoming GM one way or the other. Whoever comes in isn’t going to look at his last 40 games, he’s oing to look at his whole ML career, which I believe is in the .240 ballpark with some good power…. but again who knows? Bily Beane might have a totally different view of Tyler Colvin than say Ben Cherington or Rick Hahn. So until we know who the new GM is, these games really don’t mean much going forward….
That being said, I guess I’d like to see Carlos Pena moved and Brian Lahair called up. Not because I thin he’s any answer for the future. But because he seems to be the only player who has excelled at his job this year and deserves any kind of bonus….
"I can't be held responsible for what I personally tell my goons to do...."- C. Montgomery Burns
The reason so many runners were left on base
is because you have Soriano, Byrd, Colvin, HIll, and Dempster as the bottom half of your line up. You get a few guys on in front of this Murder’s Row and they are going to get left on base.
I also liked Pena’s bunt hit late in the game.
Pena SPLITS
For all the Carlos Pena love…Here is what $10 Million dollars get you:
Carlos Pena:
RISP- .167
RISP w/ 2outs- .143
Runners On- .213
DISGUSTING.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
these numbers
apply to half the lineup – Soto, Byrd, Soriano, Pena. These 4 guys have been horrific when it matters most.
by BeltwayCubsFan on Aug 23, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Pena SPLITS
Yet many think he should be back next year……..please, NO!
by DavidArthurKingman on Aug 23, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
could it be that he is one of two guys that could REALLY hurt a team
with runners on in scoring position? not making an excuse for the guy, but looking at the other side of the coin, there’s not a lot of padding in the cubs line up so if a guy is on base i’m sure pena doesnt see the meatiest pitches.
Nope, that's not it.
He’s bad. A guy with that low of an average should not make 10 million a year. He is a middle of the order RUN PRODUCER…except, he doesn’t produce runs.
Trust me, pitchers aren’t scared of Carlos Pena
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Yet....
…alot of people think the Cubs should keep him rather than looking to signe a TRUE run producer like Fielder or Pujols. Not to mention what they would bring to the clubhouse.
by DavidArthurKingman on Aug 23, 2011 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Yah but...
He saves “tons” of errors with his defense at 1B. You know, that club has won tons of games this year because of his defensive prowess…his inability to be a legitimate option in the middle of the order be damned.
Hmmm...not really
Yes, at the beginning of the season, but not in the middle. He made a terrible play on saturday or sunday night when he was too lazy to jump for a ball. Here’s a note: first basemen should be able to scoop balls. I contend Pena is above average D at best. $10 Mil for a defensive 1b…no thanks.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
pretty sure he is considered the front runner for the gold glove.
there aren’t too many better with the glvoe at 1B then Pena. he leads the league in saved throws (poor throws that he’s bailed out). not to mention having ramirez and Castro firing the ball at him. not sure how you get that hes “above avg at best”. that sounds ridiculous.
and of the off season free agent 1B he’s been the most productive i believe (other than Berkman). so what would you of preferrered?
I'll contradict / then facts
I don’t hate the 1-year signing of Pena, but don’t want him back. It was worth a flier without a longterm investment.
No offense, but so typical of cub fans to think we have something special. He’s 9th in NL fielding %. I know that’s not be and end all…but it’s definitely a way to measure. He even has a low range factor. Ever see Pujols? Covers a lot more space ..so does Prince! Gaby Sanchez is fantastic
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/league/nl/order/true
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I'm not saying i want him back or he's special.
but listen to any analyst and they’ll say few are as good as this guy.
I'll use my eyes
He makes good scoops. But there are plenty of solid 1b. Pena gets way too much credit.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
good defensive 1st baseman
You can get by with a slick fielding .223 hitting 2nd baseman or shortstop but not with a .223 hitting clean up hitter
by DavidArthurKingman on Aug 23, 2011 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Once again, what were the alternatives?
LaRoche-been out all year
Lee-Pena’s production is far better
Overbay-Lee was brought to pitt to replace him so do that math
Berkman-wanted to go to StL regardless of the Cubs interest
Nady-Been there….
perhaps he was overpaid, but at the end of the day, of the avilable guys, he’s the second most productive.
The alternatives were much worse
And besides, it was a 1 year deal. It isn’t like he’ll be around for 7 more years making $18mil like someone else we know.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
thats all well and good...
but if we dont land either pujols, which we won’t, or fielder-which i doubt we will…who do you get?
Depends where they go.
If Fielder goes to the Angels, I’d call them about Trumbo or Morales. If he goes to the Nats i’d call about Morse. and so on and so on. i don’t see Pujols leaving, but Fielder is going to go cash in.
I think Milwaukee has had too good of a season
to run…granted, if someone throws insane jack at him he’ll probably bolt, but if Milwaukee can come close to what someone else throws at him i think he stays.
potentially, but im not convinced they'll g et close.
They threw a lot of bread at Braun to extend him, and greinke is a FA end of next year.
Living in Wisconsin
I think if it were up to Prince he’d remain in Milwaukee but Scott Boras sure ain’t gonna go with that thinking.
by DavidArthurKingman on Aug 23, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Quade Loss again?
Sit Castro who has the following sit. splits
RISP-.306
RISP W/ 2 OUTS- .316
Runners on- .335.
Teachable moment?? Just go away Quade, you are embarrassing yourself.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Quade did the right thing
if you don’t pay attention during the game, you should be punished. It’s not like this one game was a backbreaker for the season. Better to actually try to teach a lesson to a young player who clearly has focus problems (see ridiculous errors, allowing Pujols to score from second after the Holliday slide, Sunday’s lack of paying attention).
No credibility
Quade has no credibility. He has blamed Castro and Barney all season for stuff and if you watch every game them (and byrd) are guys who hustle and try every play. So the fans who are happy with Castro being benched should play closer attention.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
So let me get this straight...
BCB agrees with Bobby V.
Quade benches Castro because he agrees with Bobby V.
BCB thinks Quade is an idiot for benching Castro.
by alkappy on Aug 23, 2011 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Ha, nope
Not me and anyone who values a 21 year old who is an all star playing for a AAA manager. As many of us posted yesterday, we don’t agree. How could a young stud play for that puke manager, then watch Rodrigo Lopez start and Ramon Ortiz in the pen.
I just hope Quade doesn’t ruin Castro.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Sorry, if anyone has ruined Castro, it's Hendry for bringing him up in April last year
Castro should’ve spent almost all of 2010 in Des Moines.
Not sure how you make that assessment....
he’s our best player, and was probrably our best player last year as well.
Offensively, sure
Defensively, no.
dWar: -1.2 for 2010, -1.4 for 2011
He certainly could’ve used 4 or 5 months behind someone who would’ve instructed him on his defensive game.
So wait
Theriot’s dWar is -0.8. Does this mean Theriot> Castro?
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Right now, defensively, you could make that case...
Obviously Castro is the more valuable overall player. And at 21, he still has worlds of room for growth. But right now, for all of Castro’s advantages in range and arm strength, you could certainly make the case that he’s no more valuable defensively than Theriot.
Moving forward, I’d hope/expect that statement to not be true.
Theriot
Has also walked 22 times, the same as Castro, in 132 less at bats, and they’re OBP’s aren’t too different, .335 for Castro to .318 for Theriot. So… the real question should be, why wasn’t Theriot an All-Star?
*Let it be known that I’m in no way defending Theriot, I’m just shocked his numbers are comparable to what Castro puts up.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Aug 23, 2011 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Numbers are scary
No adult human being can make the case that Ryan Theriot is better than Castro at anything. Theriot had no range at SS and an awful arm.
Maybe the cubs deserve to lose with these kind of opinions.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
No kidding...
I mean, I could argue that since Koyie Hill has a higher line drive %, lower fly ball % and lower group ball %, and higher infield hit % than Adrian Gonzalez, he will, over the course of time, hit for a higher average than Gonzalez.
Numbers may not lie, but they can sure do a good job of hiding the truth sometimes.
I have a feeling he could have spent
another 5 years going through our system and never learned the right way to play ball. Our player development system is atrocious. It’s just too bad that it took an ESPN announcer to wake up our manager.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
If he was in Des Moines last year (like he should've been until September)
He would’ve been under Ryno. So he was part of the problem too?
INSANE
That is insanity, HE’S AN ALL STAR!! He should be here, he’s the cubs 1st or 2nd best hitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Dude-
watch a game, he makes SPECATULAR plays! sure a few errors, but he is 21. give him a chance.
He’s an outstanding hitter.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I am not questioning his hitting abilities
But his defense could’ve used some more work in the minors before he was called up. His age does not factor into it.
RANKINGS! DO SEE !
Ok, i just read that carlos pena is a gold glove candidate, and he is 9th in fielding % in the NL. GUESS WHERE CASTRO IS???
9th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that’s combined with unbelievable range.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/position/ss/league/nl/order/true
facts are rough sometimes!
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
.993 vs .964
Additionally, Pena is 4 thousandths removed from being #1 while Castro is 3 hundredths. Big difference.
Also worth noting that fielding % is all but useless with the way they judge ability to get to a ball.
Soriano has a career .969 fld%. Just sayin.
SS VS 1B
SS have lower % than 1b, it’s a much more challenging position. I’m just saying both are ranked 9th.
I just suggest watching Castro more. he makes unbelievable plays.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
4 thousandths is a big difference for a first baseman
It’s not as close as you think.
Eh. A groundball looks the same at the ML level as it does at AAA.
they made the right move bringing him up.
You have to be looking at it to see it
Personally, I think he is a great example of a guy brought up too early.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
Ol' Pete
Are you insane? He’s a top 5 SS in the NL right now.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Until he puts on a glove. Then he leads the NL SS in errors and negative WAR.
His fielding has been worth -14 runs this year vs. +15 for Tulo (with several other players in double digit +). And due to fielding, his YTD WAR is 1.4. That’s pretty “meh.” The kid has talent, but he needs to develop discipline on the field and at the plate, or “great” is going to stay beyond his reach.
by ClarkFan on Aug 23, 2011 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well...
how many errors were at the beginning of the season? Castro has been very good over the last month defensively. I didn’t compare him to the best SS in NL, I just said he deserves a chance.
WAR are 1 way to look at things, not the be and end all.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Since the ASB he's only made 3 errors.
there is improvement. he’s still a young kid, he’s only 21. what were most of doing at 21, think about it. he made a mistake, now lets hope he learns from it.
Castro:
Quade has batted him 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th…Castro hasn’t flinched once!! He hasn’t complained. Give the kid some credit.
Why bash Castro all the time!!
Danwood, I bet you love Ryan Dempster, maybe randy wells?? do tell
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
kappy-
how many guys complain they stink when they get moved?
Point is, Castro gives his all and doesn’t complain. Unfortunately, nowadays, people get their panties in a bunch over one soundbite or one clip, because they are too ignorant to make an opinion by actually watching themselves.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Kappy, I think all you need to know
is in vin’s reply.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 23, 2011 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Good god shut up.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Really TJ enough.
Stop this crap now. It’s like this is your life mission. They are allowed to post their opinions or not and god knows we had to put up with your juvenile posts the last 2 years. Please stop calling them out in your posts, it’s beyond old.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
SWL APPROVES!!!!!!!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 23, 2011 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess the Question "Do you want Quade fired" is too difficult some to handle.
I guess its too controversial!!!!!!!!!
It's a stupid question you
seem obsessed with. Let it go.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Well he's wrong about that
like he’s wrong about most things.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
That 9th inning really showed what's wrong with the Cubs approach at the plate.
That guy would have walked 3 runs in if they would let him.
Nice pic, Al.
Kind of reminds me of the one I posted a while ago.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/2/11/1307079/found-this-pic-in-my-iphoto#comments
#10 You will be missed.
Options at 1b???
Al you have mocked my want of Pena going bye-bye and trying out Bryan Lahair…well what about Rebel Ridling??…He has some nice stats (.302/.366/.514) ! Only been in the system 3-4 years.
I just can’t watch a lineup with guys who don’t matter for the cubs in 2012, and that are bad (see Koyie Hill, Blake Dewitt and Carlos Pena). I need to watch something worth my time.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I for one would much rather see Rebel then LaHair if Pena is moved.
But i do not want to go into next year with him as the starting 1B.
i watched Rebel a week back...
he did not impress me. granted it was one game, but nothing about the guy showed me he was stellar.
but he is young.
Some people want to see young players suck instead of old players suck.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
At least
see if cubs have something with young players. This is a GREAT time to find out.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
i agree on u with this.
if Pena is moved, i’d be ok getting a look at Rebel. or even Spencer. Sure, bring up LaHair but use him in a role that he possibly could be, aka a pinch hitter, occasional spot start, whatever.
i think he's borderline in terms of age.
25 at AA for most of the year. I would of liked to of seen him at AAA at least but, who knows.
He was a college player though, no?
and yeah i wish he coulda gone up mid season.
Doesn't matter if he's a college player or a high school player, 25 is old for AA
It’s said that good conferences such as the SEC is the equivalent of A+ or even possibly AA ball, so if he’s a legit prospect out of a good school he should be able to move up to AA by 22 and AAA by 23.. 24 at the latest. He’ll be 26 I believe after this year, which means it’s taken him 4-5 years just to adjust to pitching that good college players were already seeing at 18-21.
fair enough.
i thought he was a bit old, hense my wish to see him up a bit. i think he’s fringy at best, but if Pena were gone, id be ok with a month audition.
I agree a look at rebel would be interesting
but I wouldn’t make the assumption that Pena won’t be here next year!
I'm confused.
You want discipline enforced, yet when Quade enforces it by benching Castro for the entire game, he is wrong? I don’t get it.
Personally, I think Castro just needs a day off once in a great while (not for discipline I mean). Maybe then he would be more alert. Seems like he never has a day off.
WWFCD?
by katie casey on Aug 23, 2011 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
What's worse
Eating sunflower seeds which had no effect on a game, or playing BLAKE DEWITT and batting him high in an order?
I say suspend Quade. That is more painful to us.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I'm assuming you're a bit on the younger side...
You need to have accountability in cases like this, and that’s exactly what was done. It’s unfortunate it took someone from the outside calling the Cubs out, but at least Castro understands his mistake.
Not paying attention during a game, eating sunflower seeds, kicking dirt and staring at the ground, staring up at the sky, playing with his glove and having his back turned while a pitch is thrown is not only dangerous for Castro, it’s disrespectful to the other 24 guys out there.
by bdlugz on Aug 23, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
i agree with sitting Castro
but does anybody think that if Bobby V hadn’t called this out it would have happened
Younger side?
Ha, well, i’m not a baby boomer, but I have watched about 150/year cub games since 84. I’m not saying it wasn’t dumb, but I can understand a guy being distracted when his manager is an idiot, the game is pointless and Rodrigo Lopez is your 3rd or 4th starter! It happens, talk to him and move on. Why hurt the team and cause a loss. CASTRO is one of only a few reasons to even watch the cubs.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
You really think they lost
last night because Castro didn’t play? What about all the other games they have lost that he did play in? Castro’s distraction is on him. He gets paid to play baseball so his attention should be on what’s going on on the field. He admitted so himself. I like Castro but he’s got some growing up to do if he’s going to be a great player.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well...
if you read the posts above Quade benched the 2nd most productive hitter with RISP…….and they left a record on.
So Sue- is it better to bench your 1st or 2nd best hitter for a guy who shouldn’t be in the majors? Do tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
In a season that is lost it does not matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The guy wasn’t doing his job and they have video showing it. There is NO proof that they would have won if he had played!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully he’ll mature and this won’t happen again.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Proof
If the season doesn’t matter, then why do you care what he’s doing! Here is PROOF—-Castro not paying attention didn’t even matter in the game!
Quade playing a terrible player over a good/great one DID.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
HE'S BEING PAID TO PLAY BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s his damn job and it shouldn’t matter if the team is shitty or not. Sorry that concept goes over your head.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I only used them because
he did. :)
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
We have both a SS not paying attention and a manager who cant manage....
They both should have sat out last night.
The manager will be gone.
The SS needs to learn to pay attention to keep his job.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
I agree with tha.
Lets hope the next manager is paying close enough attention to notice that the SS is looking into the outfield with his glove off durig pitches…
....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 23, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Most of the characters in Arthur were either dumb, unlikeable, or both.
Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!
Sadly, they're still making Arthur today
They’re in their 14th season now
I bet they've changed every character's voice fifty times each by now
Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!
Do you seriously not get it?
It’s not the eating of sunflower seeds. It’s the NOT PAYING ATTENTION WHEN THE BALL IS PITCHED. Not paying attention is unacceptable. Benching him was the right move.
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Did it matter?
what play did it effect? poor kid is easy to pick on, because he isn’t from america and doesn’t speak english well. You “cub fans” should really wake up and look in the mirror.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
That would teach him!
Like I said show him the footage and let him go back out there and play. sitting him does nothing.
Does he sit Ivan Dejesus for being the worst 3b coach in history? Does he sit guys who swing at the first pitch after a walk? Does he sit Reed Johnson for the stupid baserunning?? I could go on and on.
Selective anger makes people feel better, but accomplishes nothing.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
Ironic you're selectively angry at everyone but Castro it seems.
by bdlugz on Aug 23, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like...
I like good players and dislike bad players and coaches!
Cubs have only a few good ones, and many many bad ones.
Make sense???
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
that would teach him? or potentially end his career.
Ask adam greenberg or juan encarnacion about getting hit in the head with a ball. so what it “taught them”. you’re acting like he was being sent to AAA or benched for the remainder of the year. he sat for one game. the guy plays nearly every game. a break once in awhile would probrably do him good.
You have lost all credibility with me with this comment...
I’m done with you.
by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's obvious
I mean this anger at Castro is crazy. Someone posted something great yesterday, and I apologize for not knowing who:
“Blaming Castro for the cubs is like complaining about the silverware on the titanic”
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
No one's blaming Castro for the Cubs being bad.
Just that when he screws up, he should be accountable.
Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!
by shoemile on Aug 23, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
He may need it now
Time for mgmt to work with him on whatever issue he may have so as he continues to improve, he won’t need days off like this. A physically exhausted day-off now and then is fine. But the kid needs to make sure his head is in the game too. Time now for mgmt to step to the plate.
Just win the next game...!
i bet if Castro was in the lineup he woulda driven some of those runs in
… now if Castro doesn’t get the most hits in the NL this season Quade will be blamed. He shoulda been in the lineup last night cuz the whole bobby valentine thing never shoulda happened and wouldnt have happened if Quade was paying attention to wut his players were doing. too bad it took valentine to get Quade to know about it and then bench him and it cost the team.
If castro had been paying
attention none if this would even be discussed. This is on Castro, he said so himself.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
by sue369 on Aug 23, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
but if Quade was a good manager his problems with paying attention woulda been addressed already.
…. i am not saying that castro isnt responsible but i think its pathetic that it took an espn analyst making note of it for quade to know about it. Stuff like this should be found out in spring training and the first few weeks of the season not at the end of August. There is no leadership with this team at all.
I agree that there is no leadership
but we have no idea if this was even going on in spring training.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
i bet if JOe Torre or Larussa was in charge here he woulda been focused
… and valentine would have had nothing to criticize. A good manager and good coaches know everything going on with their team when they are in the feild
And Respect
How do you respect a guy who is clearly over is head, has made bad decision after bad decision….Mike Quade is an embarrassment to be a Manager of a team like the Cubs.
I’m defending Castro, because I can empathize. The guy has never complained, plays hard and did something stupid that didn’t harm anyone.
I want a thread that blames Ryan Dempster for sucking. He is awful and he makes what 11mil, 12 mIl? QUADE?? You watch Dempster pitch?
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
I watched the Bears last night.
I’m disappointed in Dempster this season. I’m disappointed in this whole team.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Me too. Cutler looked sharp though.
amazing what he can do when he isnt getting killed every time he drops back,.
Yeah we thought he did too.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Did anyone see Chipper Jones catch the foul ball
then give her the ball directly from his glove? What a class act. I thought that was pretty cool.
Classy, but was it an out?
I thought a fielder must cleanly remove the ball from his glove on a fly ball before the play is ruled a catch. Since he never touched the ball after the catch, should it have been ruled as not an out?
That would be a pine tar type of ruling if the umps used that technicality.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
Did you see the Carlos Quentin play where he injured his shoulder?
I agree with you that, technically, the Chipper catch may not have been a catch by rule, but that is really splitting hairs to a ridiculous degree.
However, I’m sorry that Quentin injured his shoulder, but he dropped the ball from his glove without going in to get it. It was a horrible call. That should not have been an out.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18230013&topic_id=8879206&c_id=cws
by jerry morales rules on Aug 23, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
It's a pretty borderline call
He caught it then rolled over twice before letting go of it as he was standing back up. Tough call
This is a very misleading headline
The feat referenced is vs. one team, the Braves. It’s not like we’re talking about all MLB teams here.
Baseball Almanac list two instances of 16 men LOB while being shutout.
PHI shutout STL on May 24, 1994
TOR shutout SEA on May 7, 1998
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
Was not intended to be misleading.
The headline is, in fact, accurate.
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Was last night the first time
that Hill was pinch hit for with only Soto as the other catcher? It turns out the world didn’t end.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
And Another Thing..............
Quade is so impotent that Holliday illegally slid high and way wide of the bag going after Castro. There was NO payback.
Not even other teams respect Quade.
Again, Castro gets no defense from Quade.
"I feel great, I just wish my team played better"
That, I will agree with.
Holliday shoulda had fastball right in his back. That was unreal.
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