Game Thoughts And Bleacher Reconstruction Update - April 5
It sure started out well, but Glendon Rusch and Jerome Williams showed why they really should be bottom-of-the-rotation starters today. The Cubs hit three homers but lost to the Reds anyway, 8-6.
And seriously: Bronson Arroyo hitting a HR? The guy was 4-for-55 lifetime at the plate coming into the game and hadn't had a hit in over four years. There's just no excuse for giving a guy like that a pitch to drive.
Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and John Mabry homered for the Cubs today. The best news about those HR are: they accounted for all the runs, which means, unlike last year when it seemed every homer was a solo job, at least people are getting on base before the long ball. Mabry's a good hitter; his HR was to dead-center field. I think we are going to like having him on the bench.
In addition to Rusch and Williams (who was particularly bad, not being able to find the plate), Michael Barrett had a day he won't want to remember long -- he was 0-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout, and the Reds stole three bases on him.
Or, I should say, Ryan Freel stole three bases on Barrett. Freel's a pest. When guys like that are on your team, you love them. When they're opposing you, they're worse than Albert Pujols. Freel walked twice, had a hit, the 3 SB and scored three runs, including an insurance run in the 8th on an infield out. While Barrett's not a great defensive catcher, give Freel some credit. He's a good player. I wish the Cubs had thought about trying to trade for him -- he can play five positions, draw walks, steal bases.
So, the Cubs come home at .500, and thank heavens Greg Maddux and Carlos Zambrano will throw the first two games against the Cardinals (Jeff Suppan will face Maddux; Chris Carpenter vs. Z).
And they'll find brand-new digs waiting for them. After a warmer-than-expected-and-usual winter, the construction crews are putting the final touches on the new bleachers. Yes, there's a sign for that beer that's "sponsoring" the bleachers. It can easily be ignored. David sent these photos, taken Tuesday evening:
Top: presenting the "Bud Light Bleachers" (Ugh!); Waveland Ave., behind left field. Note the strip of soil, at the base of the new wall. This strip extends around the entire bleachers; photo taken at the bleacher entrance. View inside the right field wall, looking south; the "knothole" gate, on Waveland Ave., in the far right field corner.
Bottom: view from Sheffield Ave, looking north; view inside the gate, at the new left field corner stairwell; view inside the bleacher entrance; view inside the gate, at the new right field corner stairwell. This is the passageway inside the Sheffield Ave. brick wall, looking north.
Photos by David Sameshima
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65 comments
Comments
what?
by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 4:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is why
:(
by cubbiejulie on Apr 5, 2006 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He won't have the chance
They would throw up Guzman and or wait for some
of the gimps to return. He just will not be able to
compete with the 3-5 Marin, Tampa Bay & Rockie
pitchers.
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pulled from the rotation?
by cubbiejulie on Apr 6, 2006 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is truly
You all should know by now that I am forever hopeful, but I sat at Great American Ballpark yesterday with my head in my hands. Allowing a pitcher who hasn't hit a homerun since highschool to hit a 2 run shot.... I have no words.
Of course, I've never been a Rusch fan and consider him completely useless. Yesterday, he reminded me why I don't like him so much.
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's keep some things in perspective
Next, the homer to Arroyo. Al said something in about it's inexcusable to groove a pitch like that to such a bad hitter. I think it would've been LESS excusable for Rusch to walk him - or for that matter, even go to a full count.
Don't get me wrong. The fact that Arroyo could catch up to Rusch's fastball is not making me optomistic about his season. But I guarantee if I got however many at-bats that Arroyo has in his carreer.... EVENTUALLY I would get lucky and get one out of a small park w/ the wind blowing out. It happens.
Rusch is NOT good. But that one homer is not the end of the world for him either.
by BCurt10 on Apr 6, 2006 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rusch
I don't think luck had anything to do with it. I have a feeling I could have hit that ball.
The only good thing is this: knowing the Reds and the fans as I do, I know that the pressure that is on this kid after he wins his first game and homers on his first at bat as a Red will be tremendous. If he does not deliver in his next few starts, he will be written off.
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's fair
he doesn't get backburnered until prior, wood and miller are all simultaneouly healthy to going z and maddux. he's the sixth starter, as it were, with jw and marshall being optionable.
what are the chances of all three coming back to stay anytime soon? not very good. w're going to see a lot of rusch this year, i'm afraid.
by gaius marius on Apr 6, 2006 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suppose so. And that is sad.
Of course, that's probably wishfull thinking.
It's also not outside the realm of possibility that Rusch pitches well enough to stay afloat. Not likely, but it could happen.
by BCurt10 on Apr 6, 2006 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Freel
by Sarah Hope on Apr 5, 2006 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rusch
Given their histories we give Z the benefit of the doubt
which is understandable but did not pitch any worse
I am not ready to give up on Rusch or the season yet
I am guessing Blanco will catch for Maddux on
Friday but FYI Maddux has had two very ugly
first starts the last two years.
Um chill everyone ( which should be easy given
the weather report)
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blanco/Barrett - Maddux
by Pa on Apr 5, 2006 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can go either way
Blanco as HIS personal catcher is out my
guess is he will catch the majority of Maddux
games. It is always a debate with Maddux
if he needs Blanco's arm more than Barrett's
bat, but for the opener I think they will want
him in his comfort zone so I think Blanco goes
Friday
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can't..
Rusch had better command, but little movement and the hits against him were mostly hit hard. His stuff was not very good.
That is why you cannot rely solely on stats.
by jazzman56 on Apr 5, 2006 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES!!!
Most of Glendon's pitches were between 83-85 MPH, perhaps hitting 87 from time to time. He had little movement on the ball. The strikezone, from where I was sitting, was pretty damned generous, especially on both corners.
I think we know what we've got from Glendon, a guy who will have a handful of good starts, a handful of bad starts and some in between. The thing is that we have several young pitchers at AAA and, IMO, it may be time, eventually, to find out what they've got.
DmL
by dmlichte on Apr 5, 2006 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?
by sparkles721 on Apr 5, 2006 4:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh I forgot...
But Arroyo? What happened there?
by sparkles721 on Apr 5, 2006 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that sign is atrocious
by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Anheuser-Busch....
Ignore the sign, and don't buy their products. That's the best way to protest.
by Al on Apr 5, 2006 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey
kinda a weird question but ya know im not in chicago that often
by ksucubbie on Apr 5, 2006 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bars
Other guys used to hang out at Stanleys when Moises lived over there on Sedgwick. Also, Rockit on Hubbard is supposed to be a place they go.
This is just what I've heard, I've never actually seen these guys out drinking, but I know girls in this city that have and the players usually let them know they're around.
by Slaky311 on Apr 5, 2006 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
duh
by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Old Style Bleachers"...
by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are the Card's skipping Ponson?
Carpenter.
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 5:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ponson...
by Al on Apr 5, 2006 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got it
of a fair fight but heck this being the Cubs
they could get 10 runs of Carpenter and be
shut out by Ponson.
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
View from home plate
by Ross on Apr 5, 2006 5:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't have a problem...
by Goat Whisperer on Apr 5, 2006 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike B, I assume
As I've mentioned before, A-B has had pouring rights to Wrigley for years, with secondary products like Old Style and now, some micro brews available. Miller snapped up pouring rights to the Cell and Soldier Field in the past years. (Not having been to the UC in years, I don't know what beer is poured there) Don't sweat this, please.
by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Apr 5, 2006 6:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Old Budweiser Sign
I've always thought the limited # of permanent ads added to Wrigley's charm. This exterior ad is not extremely offensive, but a gradual acceptance of it will facilitate interior ad placement down the line.
by ron cey on Apr 5, 2006 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
IIRC....
Yes, believe it or not, at one time that actually trumped the extra $ they got.
You do know they now have ads on both the message board and the side scoreboards, though none are permanent ads.
by Al on Apr 5, 2006 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did know
by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pics of Bud ads on scoreboard & marquee in 80s
The second one is of the marquee http://i2.tinypic.com/t5kl1j.jpg
Kasey
by kaseyi on Apr 6, 2006 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Concerns to the Exterior Sponsorship
by TkGoUWGB on Apr 5, 2006 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well i probably wouldn't have like it then either
by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, there was...
by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Old Bud Ad's
by Tallone on Apr 6, 2006 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2005 Deja Vu
Only the 2nd game...It will get better...This is not 2005.
Okay, I think I can delude myself for another few losses.
by kinglerxst on Apr 5, 2006 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
1 game but
by WGNstatic on Apr 5, 2006 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Corey update
Flew out with man on 2nd and two out earlier
Now THAT is Deja Vu. At least the O's having batting
9th
by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At least we're scoring a lot of runs
If they can keep up that kind of offensive punch, I'll take my chances with this staff and bullpen. And I like their chances with any combination of Wood, Prior, and Miller added to it!
by Tom on Apr 5, 2006 8:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and . ..
by Tom on Apr 5, 2006 8:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interestingly...
one of these gaps.
by Al on Apr 6, 2006 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cincinnati report...
A few quick notes...Rusch looked just horrid, had absolutely nothing all day...Williams is not a reliever and its hard to ask him to be one when he isn't used to it...Jacque Jones is a big hole in the middle of the line-up...Ronnie Cedeno looked great at the plate including his double where he absolutely turned that pitch around and nailed it down the line...I sat next to perhaps the most annoying fan in the history of sports not named Ronnie Woo Woo...The Great American Ballpark, for a very new ballparks really isn't aging well.
I'll fill in the blanks tomorrow, after class, before I head up to Milwaukee to see Game two of the Frozen Four.
DmL
by dmlichte on Apr 5, 2006 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My Goat of the Game
Is definitely Barrett. He looked terrible defensively. Allowed a passed ball for a run, threw a ball into centerfield, and didn't block the plate when Freel tried to score. Freel probably scores anyways, but he could have at least made the little guy go around him. Then he has the audacity to piss and moan at the umpire when he bats the next inning.
The more I see Barrett's defense and the way he calls games, the more I like Blanco.
by salparadise23 on Apr 6, 2006 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't agree
DmL
by dmlichte on Apr 6, 2006 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also...
by Al on Apr 6, 2006 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cringing
That being said, I realize that his Ty Cobb nature does not make him a bad ballplayer, but please, oh please don't wish for him to disgrace a Cubs uniform. You will surely regret it.
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would you regret it?
He was picked up for DUI and wrecking his car on opening day last year. Judging from my conversations with him, he doesn't regret his actions and finds them humorous. I have a feeling that these things will not be the last we hear of him negatively.
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew of the DUI charges...
All I know of him is the baseball he plays. On the field, he plays it well.
If what you say is true, his off-the-field antics are going to eventually get him in serious trouble.
by Al on Apr 6, 2006 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah,
He just makes my skin crawl and my instincts say he's trouble for whatever team he's on.
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also,
by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Passed ball
by salparadise23 on Apr 6, 2006 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soil between wall and sidewalk?
by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Weds Night
by Tallone on Apr 6, 2006 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soil
by cronoj on Apr 6, 2006 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just wonder...
by Al on Apr 6, 2006 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ivy
by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More on ivy
by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One the inside
but is anyone else disturbed that its really clean? its all nicely paved and with fresh paint that isn't painted over 50 chipped coats
by flyball on Apr 6, 2006 8:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to worry...
by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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