Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 4/10, 1:20 CT

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 8:39 AM CDT in Game Threads Comment 393 comments

Much as it pains me to admit this, Jay Mariotti nailed it in his column today:

Except for Mrs. O'Leary's cow starting a fire and burning down the city, I can't think of a bigger aesthetic and civic blunder than uprooting the Cubs. Anybody who messes with the Wrigley Field mystique will be committing baseball suicide. In fact, any prospective owner who even gives it a thought, now that Sam Zell is likely to sell the team and ballpark separately, will be condemned as a plague upon Americana.

Bingo. Mariotti goes on to say that the grandstand could and should be reconstructed (and I agree), leaving the bleachers, brick walls and ivy, scoreboard, and other things that make Wrigley Field what it is. Elsewhere in the Sun-Times today, writer Neil Hayes says the model for how to do this is what the new Red Sox owners did with Fenway Park:

The Red Sox' home was destined for a date with the wrecking ball when the team was sold to a group led by John Henry in 2002. Since then, thanks in part to Janet Marie Smith, the lead Red Sox official on ballpark renovations, they have done what many thought was impossible: Fenway is better than ever. The once-decaying brickpile with the signature green wall in left field has regained its status as baseball's grande dame.

The Red Sox have increased capacity by 10 percent and tapped new revenue streams that have helped them maintain one of baseball's highest payrolls while enhancing the park's historic character and winning raves from fans.

Bingo again. Meanwhile, Darren Rovell, one of the MSM's principal experts on the business side of baseball, writes, apparently seriously, that maybe the Cubs could be sold to a foreign owner, and if you don't like that idea, what about this totally tongue-in-cheek idea of moving them to Santa Barbara, California?

At least it'd be warmer there.

Today's Starting Pitchers


J. Marquis Cubs	vs.	C. Sampson Astros


0-0	W-L	0-0
1.50	ERA	0.00
1	SO	2
2	BB	0
0	HR	0
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

On paper, this looks like a mismatch. Not only is Marquis only 1-3, 5.40 in four lifetime Wrigley Field starts, but the Astros usually hit him hard (7-4, but a 4.89 ERA, and Lance Berkman is .568/.660/.892, 21-for-37 with 4 doubles, a triple and 2 HR off Marquis). Meanwhile, Sampson, as you likely remember, outdueled Sean Marshall in Houston last June, 1-0 in his first major league start. But only four Cub hitters who played in that game are still on the team -- Michael Barrett, Aramis Ramirez, Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno. At this moment it's bright and sunny here, so the weather conditions will be better than yesterday's.

The Mediacenter has all the usual sources, plus a Spanish-language radio broadcast via KLAT in Houston.

MLB.com Gameday

And, for the Astros fan point of view, check out The Crawfish Boxes.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Box score says it was Marshall, not Zambrano.

n/t

by GuntherNancy on Apr 10, 2007 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right.

Z had thrown two days earlier. I'll fix it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball-reference...

... already has boxes and splits for THIS year.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The problem.......

with Wrigley is not whether the new owners will want to move, it is whether or not the owners of the park (if sold seperately) will make it impossible for the Cubs to stay.

IMHO, it will be impossible for the new owners to stay if the team and the park are split.

"I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this." Sue369

by timeforachange on Apr 10, 2007 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily.

What if the new ownership group forms ANOTHER group to buy the real estate? Then they lease it back to themselves.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my guess

is that with the landmarked status, and real estate texes the way they are, that selling Wrigley seperaterly is finanially better for Zell

I could be wrong since I've never bought a huge property like that

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Apr 10, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're probably right.

But again, that still wouldn't stop a new ownership group from buying both the team and the park in separate transactions.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that

actually probably makes the most sense for them as well, then they can apply for all sorts of special considerations for being a historic structure

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Apr 10, 2007 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although being an "historic structure"

tends to cause many, many more problems than it solves. If the park is becoming structurally unsound, the historic designation could hinder an ownership in modernizing.

by davidalanu on Apr 10, 2007 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al.......

even in my hungover world this AM, I understand this.

Unfortnately, this may not occur. Because the TribCo is a publicly traded company, there has to be an open bidding process. I hope that the new owner of the team will also offer the high bid for the park. If they do not and another group takes over the park, it is likely over.

"I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this." Sue369

by timeforachange on Apr 10, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, there doesn't!

Tribco is public.

But Zell is taking them private. Once that transaction is completed, Zell can do what he wants with the pieces.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did.......

not know that.

"I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this." Sue369

by timeforachange on Apr 10, 2007 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley Field

If they (the new owners) ever mess with the overall structure of Wrigley Field (or decide to relocate), they will lose me as a fan of the Cubs.

I am ok with small and needed updates including the new parking/museum structure next to Wrigley, but any major redesign of the ballpark itself would not be good.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Apr 10, 2007 9:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love Wrigley but

the grandstand structure is in dire need of a complete rebuild. Concourses are too narrow. It takes forever to leave the park. If there was ever a fire or similar emergency, hundreds would be trampled to death. Sight lines are horrible. If you've been to any of the newer parks you'd realize that.

As much as I hate to admit, I totally agree with Mariotti on this one.

by Clark Addison on Apr 10, 2007 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As do I...

... and further, I think it's completely do-able. It would make Wrigley Field a modern park, yet still keep most of what makes it what it is, and make it viable for another 50-75 years.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MARQUIS EXPERIENCE!!

HAHAHHAHHAHA. Sorry, still am trying to come to the realization we have Jason Marquis on our team. Better than Sidney-I'll-give-up-EIGHT-earned-runs-Ponson, right?!

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, yeah.

And yes, I know the Marquis Experience is in last place.

But it's early.

And it's not HIS fault.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al

Just how does the head-to-head matchup work? I was confused as to how 7 days of head-to-head converts to 15 games.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Apr 10, 2007 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is a fluid process over a week long span...

...your stats accumulate over the week. So if my guys get 44 runs this week, and yours get 42, I get that "W". At the end of the week, if you won 4 categories, I won 7, and we tied on 4, my record would be 7-4-4 and yours, 4-7-4. Then we get a winning percentage, etc. Basically through a long season you are betting on your guys having a good year. You are going to get screwed because your pitchers won't pitch in one week, rain outs, PPD, etc., but it should all even itself out eventually, which is why the program does not automatically adjust for your team getting more ABs than mine, me having more pitchers throw this week than yours, etc. Got it?/

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understood..

..thank you for the clarification.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Apr 10, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only problem

Is it would take more than an offseason to do all that work.

Would you rather see them at the cell for a season or Milwaukee or a combo?

I say the Cell because it would still be Chicago.

And they better if they do pay rent to the state not the Sox because the State owns the Cell.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 10, 2007 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where to?

No way that the Cubs play their home games anywhere but Chicago. Whether is US Cellular, Soldier Field, the potential olympic stadium, the Cubs aren't going to play home games in a different city. Aside from the logistic nightmare, the Cubs can say one thing that the Cincinnati Reds can't. They are the only one of the National League's eight charter franchises that has played all of their home games, continuously, in the same city (since the league's inception in 1876).

The Reds, the original professional baseball team, was disbanded for several years, IIRC, in the 1880s. The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee and eventually Atlanta. The other charter teams were folded or disbanded.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know, Dan

I bet Milwaukee or a combination of Milwaukee, US Cellular would be considered.

by davidalanu on Apr 10, 2007 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'd consider it...

... but soon dismiss it. This isn't the Bears moving to Champaign for a season of 8 home games. Milwaukee, while convenient for those living on the North Shore, is still an hour and a half drive. It would be two-plus hours for anyone living in the city, more for those living south. The season ticket base won't go for that.

Perhaps a series or two at Miller Park would be aranged if there were conflicts, but while the rivalry with the Sox is cosmetic, the rivalry with the Brewers is legitmate as they play for the same title.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

it took me 2 hours to get home to Barrington after the opener. What a nightmare. I probably could have got home from Milwaukee quicker.

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Apr 10, 2007 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with your reconstruction concept

The idea of leaving the bleachers and outfield alone (since they are special) and re-constructing the grandstand deserves a hard look. The exterior walls of Wrigley are downright ugly and not at all special, so only the sign at Addison and Sheffield would need to be be saved. One aspect of the whole "Wrigley" feeling, however, is the height of surrounding structures (or lack thereof). So sight lines to the outfield from the grandstand need to get consideration. One concept would be to create a Preservation area that would give both Wrigley owners and the owners of buildings that are across from the outfield some tax benefits/reductions/whatever.

Respectfully, FEARLESS BEAR

by Fearless Bear on Apr 10, 2007 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Addison & Clark

i should have said the sign at Addison and Clark.

Respectfully, FEARLESS BEAR

by Fearless Bear on Apr 10, 2007 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed - Make Wrigley Better - Gut the Grandstands

Shuffling down the ramp after a game from the upper deck wedged in a pack of several thousand sweaty fans does take forever on a hot humid day.

It also isn't too fun watching the game with an I-beam in the middle of the field either, while wondering if any concrete chunks will be shaken off when someone hits a homerun.

And who hasn't been sprayed while standing at one of those urinal troughs?

I love Wrigley as much as anyone else but the 'ol girl is showing some age.

by JFCubFan on Apr 10, 2007 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

After dealing with the BS of

getting to Miller Park on Saturday, I'm all for whatever it takes to keep Wrigley.

RAMIREZ!! PRIOR!!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Apr 10, 2007 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I went to UW...

...and had no problems getting to Miller Park when we went. Then again, we always took a van or yellow bus and did keg stands on the way. :)

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We took the Skyway......

and everything was going great until we hit that detour in Milwaukee. 2 hours in bottleneck traffic.....ugh.

RAMIREZ!! PRIOR!!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Apr 10, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YUP

That is totally how it is. It IS fun with Cubs vs. Brew - trash talking on the beltline in bumper-to-bumper is about 25% of the fun!!

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I posted the other day...

... there's a way to get around that, but I won't post it here.

Anyone who's going there and wants to know, email me privately, and I'll tell you as long as you don't post it on any public site.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I saw that...

...but am interested to know if it is only beneficial coming from the SOUTH or the WEST, too? Or is it just flying via a superhero? Because I don't know any.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Flying would help, wouldn't it?

You can use it coming from any direction, actually.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup...

... and the resources that the Brewers and Miller Park make available are totally useless. No redirections on highway billboards or the stadium radio station. It was ridiculous.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley vs Modern Parks

Wrigley must stay Wrigley, but must be modernized. I hold season tickets at Petco in San Diego and attend 20-30 games a year, and if you visited once you would see why Wrigley truly is severely outdated. The grandstands have to be redone, leaving the bleachers and overall look the same.

I am going to Coors to see the Cubs in August, looking forward to seeing that stadium. Wrigley is about the neighborhood, the welcome sign, the bleachers, scoreboard, and ivy. But it's not about the grandstands. Dump them and modernize.

by paulucla on Apr 10, 2007 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley

You don't keep using an abacus when you have a calculator. You correctly pointed out the tremendous differences in stadiums like Petco, Coors, Miller Park, etc. You modernize or you die and the main structure of Wrigley is in massive need of renovation. The issue, however, is whether or not the capabilities exist to do more than just a cosmetic do-over.

Without expanding the current foot-print of Wrigley, I don't know if the upgrades, which will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, will be what the Wrigley need. Can concourses actually be expanded? Can the income boosters (a new stadium club, microbrewery, etc), be added to the structure?

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see your point.

Yes, Wrigley has a small footprint. So does Fenway, and they managed to make the necessary changes there, though they weren't as connected to the actual structural integrity of the building.

I'm not an architect, but I have to believe there's one out there who could figure this out.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 10, 2007 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

footprint

could be a problem - how can you widen the concourses and aisles without taking lots of seats away when the land area remains the same? I suppose seats aren't too important to the team financially as long as they can build plenty of new sky boxes (not exactly a friendly development for your average non-millionaire fan).

I'm OK with re-doing the grandstand, just not sure how realistic it is. And I get nervous when anyone talks about messing with Wrigley. But if a re-do is what's necessary to keep the ballpark there another 50 years, so my grandchildren can watch the Cubs play there, then so be it.

Just don't mess with the bleachers (actually, please do. Get rid of the unsightly renovation that was done last year and erase those ugly ads on the doors below the bleachers. Last year's renovation took what was a beautifully balanced and delicate look - the original design unchanged since 1938 - and made it elephantine.)

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

widening the concourses

want to know how they did this in Fenway? (which has impossibly tiny concourses under the grandstands, worse than Wrigley in parts)

first by the bleachers there is a courtyard with some picnic tables and larger vending stands,
the other thing they did more recently, on game days they close of Yawkey Way, which runs basically parallel to the first base line. at both ends of the block they set up the little turnstiles, and thats the entrance to the park. The independant stores and stands still operate, but you can only get to them with a ticket obviously, but additionally they set up some Fenway food vendors and usually have some sort of street performers out, then 2 hours after the game everything is cleaned up and you can drive and park on the street again

since this probably wouldn't work at Wrigley they'd have to do something else, but there is some other things they could do, with a little bit of design work, and of course money

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Apr 10, 2007 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What Fenway didn't do...

was re-do the grandstand seating. Nor do they plan to. The 15" wide seats, many of which face the wrong way, are a miserable way to spend a day at the ballpark.

But a big thumbs up for the rest of the upgrades at Fenway. I would do some of those types of upgrades at Wrigley if possible--add some new "special" seating in creative places, build the extension building and maximize every inch of space on the block out to Clark/Waveland.

It seems difficult to imagine a new and improved grandstand at Wrigley, as long as the distance between home plate and the NE corner of Clark and Addison is constant. Is there enough room for wide concourses, etc. without making the whole thing as tall as the Sears Tower?

What does Mariotti mean by this: "but you also make sure...the outfield seating sections angle inward -- like Cleveland's Jacobs Field -- instead of into the street."

That's exactly what Wrigley does now down the lines; way more than Jacobs Field does.

by bison on Apr 10, 2007 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seat Angle

What does Mariotti mean by this: "but you also make sure...the outfield seating sections angle inward -- like Cleveland's Jacobs Field -- instead of into the street."

At many of the new ballparks seats down the RF and LF lines don't face straight ahead. They're angled slightly so they face homeplate. So, for example, at Wrigley, if you're sitting in the 200 section, say, near 1B, your seat faces 1B. At many of the new parks, your seat would be angled slightly to the left so you are actually facing the batter.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re

Here's what I would do.

o Put a jog to the left in Clark heading north by taking out the McDonalds, thus freeing up more land to the west.

o Turn Addison into a single-lane street for bus traffic only, thus freeing up land to the south.

o Acquire the strip of buildings on Sheffield and tear them down and then expand the footprint of Wrigley to the east to include the Addison L stop. Move Murphy's over to the northeast corner of Sheffield and Waveland or include it as part of the expansion. Not only would this provide space for all sorts of things, the upper section would be turned into addition seats that the Cubs actually owned. In fact, you could create high-end party suites, just as some of the space is doing now.

o I don't have a good solution for Waveland, at least not yet. The streets to the north make it hard to see turning it into a one-lane one-way street. In the money-is-no-object category is the option to buy the first strip of buildings, convert the land into Wrigley a la the Sheffield side, and then put in a new Waveland on the north of this.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Apr 10, 2007 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coors v wrigley

Since you mentioned it, Coors is a very, very nice stadium. I live in Denver, and have been to dozens of games here, and there isn't a bad seat in the place, tickets are cheap, and there quite a few concessions. The neighborhood around Coors is pretty nice too. I'll be there for all 4 games too!

by pmenadue on Apr 10, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love Coors..

I went there in '98. We bought club (or mezzanine?) level tickets from a guy outside the park for face and I've never had a better time at a game! Waitresess to bring food, and a bar back inside. Great viewing. We went to a bar across the street after the game (Jackson's Whole?) and the satff said we'd just missed Sammy. Nice rooftop deck. I can't say enough positive things about Coors and Denver in general.

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Apr 10, 2007 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re

I've been to the Cubs series in Denver the past two seasons and I have to say, Coors is really an excellent park for a ball game, and the surrounding LoDo area rivals Wrigleyville.

For anyone planning such a trip, there's a B&B withing walking distance that I highly recommend - The Gregory Inn. They have a website. And you will never sleep in a more comfortable bed.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Apr 10, 2007 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

see how any potential buying group would buy the Cubs without making at least their best possible effort to buy Wrigley as well. The team may sell for several hundred million, but half of that worth is simply in the fact that they play in Wrigley field. Without that the financial value of the team is nowhere near what it is now, and they would surely realize that.

Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein

by cubbieblue86 on Apr 10, 2007 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley Field

I love Wrigley. Always have. But it is in desperate need of a major renovation. The problem is there is no economic motivation for the Tribune Company (or the new owner) to make such investment. The park is packed for nearly every game and there remains an over abundance of fans and curious onseekers willing to pay an ever-increasing price for seats.

BTW, I really like Miller Park. It's a beautiful ballpark that is conveniently located and easy to get to. The atmosphere dramatically sours when the roof is closed, but at least they have a hedge against lousy weather.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard!! I READ YOUR BOOK!!

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Miller

You say it's easy to get to. I have no idea. My question - is it accessible by public transportation the way Wrigley is? There is going to be a huge gas crunch in coming years that could make driving a lot less economical and public transportation a lot more attractive to the average person. So saying a place is "easily accessible" when you mean by car only is relevant today, but may not be in the future.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you got time, patience, and money to burn...

Take the Amtrak up to Milwaukee and catch a handful of busses to get there if you're up for public transportation. Personally speaking, I love the tailgating, and you kinda need a car for that for max enjoyment.

"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Apr 10, 2007 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Blue Mike?

Welcome back.

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Apr 10, 2007 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marriotti forced that column as a slam

to Trib columnist Rick Morrissey who called Wirgley a dump last week. Marriotti's column would have been completely different had a Trib columnist been raving about keeping Wrigley Field alive.

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Apr 10, 2007 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good obsevation..

n/t

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Apr 10, 2007 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On a side note...

..has anyone seen the ESPN highlights from last night's Giants/Dodgers game? I think that Dave Roberts has been watching film on Jim Edmonds, as he took a few steps after catching a flyball last night then intentionally (or so it looked to me) slammed into the centerfield wall. When his time in the majors is done, he may look to professional wrestling for extra retirement income.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Apr 10, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley Field footprint

If you look at an overhead shot of Wrigley, the only place they could expand while keeping the roads the same, would be towards the corner of Clark and Waveland. That was supposed to be the location of the triangle building. I'm not an architect, but I'd have to believe that to get a renovated Wrigley to fit into the space of the current Wrigley, you would lose too many seats for the move to make sense.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Apr 10, 2007 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we talk about what´s important now,

and that´s winning some games THIS year. Didn´t these idiots at TribCo realize that this could only be a distraction? Maybe they just don´t care anymore.

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 10, 2007 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As a side note,

I for one love the crowds leaving Wrigley, especially after a victory. I love being whizzed on in the bathrooms, especially during seventh inning stretch time when we already have tons of runs. I love the feeling that the building is gonna collapse, especially after an Aramis dinger. Maybe that´s just me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 10, 2007 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

re: As a side note,

"I love being whizzed on in the bathrooms, especially during seventh inning stretch time when we already have tons of runs."

I know you're in Argentina, lilkimmer, so maybe this is a language thing -- but could you clarify what you mean by getting "whizzed on in the bathrooms"?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ughhhhhhhh..

...this is a CUBS blog, right?

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 10, 2007 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrigley vs. miller/other "new" parks

i certainly agree that wrigley needs some updating and renovating, but it needs to stay wrigley. i'd be severely disheartened if it were turned into, or replaced, by a "new" style park. i was at miller park over the week, and have been there (as well as to a few others) before, and while i enjoy it, it makes me kind of sad long for wrigley when so much of the 'show' there has nothing to do with baseball.

one of my favorite things about going to wrigley, is going there to see baseball as entertainment. i don't go to games to see racing sausages, or people dancing on the dugouts (sponsored by fischer peanuts). i don't ever want to see a cubs pitching change that is brought to me courtesy of a pickup truck driving across the warning track, or a sixth inning stretch with jumbo-tron text messages brought to me by at&t wireless, etc.... shiver....

and as bad as the el can be after games, it's certainly better than waiting in traffic trying to get into a parking lot. (al- i'll email you sometime between now and my next miller park trip in june. i spent as long on sunday waiting to park as i did actually driving to milwaukee from chicago)

by bobby h on Apr 10, 2007 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

An important question

Why does baseball, more than any other sport, feel the need to use incredibly stupid puns on a daily basis?

A Prior Engagement

Jason hoping to be the Marquis of Wrigley

Wheeler and dealer

etc.

Seriously, I know that most sports writers are better than that, so who is the guy who keeps perpetuating the puns?

I can't play [golf] in Japan because every course has caddies, and the caddies all want autographs and don't want to let me golf." - Ichiro Suzuki

by tradeforichiro on Apr 10, 2007 12:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley is a HUGE asset to Chicago.

I just moved here in December from Portland, OR where there was no MLB team. The first thing I thought of when I was being recruited to to take a job here was - I can watch the Cubs at Wrigeley Field. When my parents and my brother came to visit me in January - their first time to Chicago - the first thing they wanted to see was Wrigley Field.

I understand that a new owner should make some changes to allow the franchise to take advantage of modern revenue streams - luxury suites, stadium clubs, etc. - but any whole sale changes to Wrigley that would alter the traditional look and atmosphere would be a disaster in my opinion and just bad business.

by jciordpdx on Apr 10, 2007 12:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Um..

are the lineups up?

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The game!

Any early weather reports? Still another rough day for hitters?

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh, yeah

Skilling's forecast at 12:30 CDT -- I don't see how ANY games can be played this week.

Who says Wrigley isn't structually sound? Crumbling concrete is different than steel girders falling, which happened at Yankee Stadium a few years ago.

And the old washrooms are 'grandfathered' in -- these days (as you can see in the bleacher washrroms, which are new) it's seperate urinals. If those washrooms were gutted, and the same space used -- the lines would be 3x as long, since you could not 'service' (what a word to use) as many 'patrons' as the tank urinals would have.

Waiting in line at newer stadiums is horrid. Honestly, the lines at Wrigley move faster. To the Petco season ticket holder -- don't you think that's one of the WORST aspects of the place? The washrooms are WAY too small, and the wait with a big crowd is terrible....even worse than Qualcomm Stadium.

I can't believe this post has turned into 'potty talk.'

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 10, 2007 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Petco Restrooms

Nope, I have never had much of a problem with restroom lines at Petco. Maybe it's where I sit.

by paulucla on Apr 10, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Be right back

I have to go to the bathroom now. Thanks for nothing.

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there's 26K in the park

the wait is tolerable. Get close to 35K and up -- very, very bad.

Same with the concessions, operated by 'volunteers' who are trying to raise money for their service organization, or group, courtesy of the cheap jerks at SportsService, who use this ploy instead of hiring employees. Every game, inexperienced people run most of the stands.

I will no longer buy food at Petco concession stands because of this policy. Again, it isn't as bad with smaller crowds -- but with large crowds, it's painful to watch some guy figure out how ro run the register, game after game after game....

Instead, I go to "Sluggers" Chicago Hot Dogs, at Park & Market....

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 10, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I totally agree about concessions at Petco. A complete joke.

As for restrooms, I have been to probably 60 games or more since the park opened, including opening day and playoff games, and don't recall any restroom problems other then in Western Metal sports bar before they expanded the bathrooms.

I'll have to try Sluggers. Would love to hear any other local ideas for reasonably priced food and beer. We usually go to Tin Fish before the games.

by paulucla on Apr 10, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of off topic, but..

we've been resorting to bringing in food to Wrigley. I know it doesn't sound like a chic thing to do, but when you go to 20-25 games a year, it gets really costly to buy stadium food.

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Apr 10, 2007 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just heard Lou on the pregame...

...he says it'll be the same lineup as yesterday.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Regarding the lineup:

Lou (in the pregame interview w/ Ron) just said that it's the same lineup as yesterday... Jock in the 2 hole, Floyd batting 5th.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Daver is 11 seconds faster than me...

n/t

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Regarding the lineup:

Ha, you gotta be faster than that, groggman.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murton

Why isn't Lou playing him more?

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They asked Lou

if it was something Matt had done or didn't do and he said it's matchups.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Murton

but have no problem with Floyd splitting time with him. As long as we're not running John Mabry out there I'm happy.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: I like Murton

I agree on both counts -- Orange Guy good, Mabry was freakin' horrible.

Don't look now, though, but it looks like Ronnie Cedeno could be the new Mabry -- hitting homers when it doesn't matter and striking out when it does.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Cub fan because of Wrigley,

having had what can only be described as a religious experience walking up the ramp to the bleachers in July 1977 (walking up that ramp is still one of the great thrills you can experience). I've never lived in Chicago, but I have seen 80 or 90 games in the bleachers over the years. As Oregonian, Ive been to most spring trainings since 1981 as well.

I think of Wrigley as the most hallowed ground in sports. Yet I find myself in surprising agreement with Mariotti and Al--I wouldn't shed many tears if they demolished the grandstand, so long as they didn't touch the field, the bleachers, the ivy, the scoreboard, and they rebuilt the brick. The grandstand isn't what makes Wrigley sacred to me.

What I wouldn't tolerate is moving to the suburbs. If tearing down and rebuilding the grandstand is what is necessary to preserve Wrigley for the next hundred years, I'm on board. Even if they have to play in the Cell for a year.

by bleacher on Apr 10, 2007 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Alright, let's stop this...

...before it gets weird. :-)

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed...

Let's focus our pessimism on today's game!

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed!

Go Cubs!

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Over/Under on homeruns today:

1.5

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Over

Way over.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineups

Houston
Biggio 2b
Ensberg 3b
Berkman 1b
Lee lf
Scott rf
Burke cf
Everett ss
Ausmus c
Sampson p

Cubs
Soriano cf
Jones rf
Lee 1b
Ramirez 3b
Floyd lf
Barrett c
DeRosa 2b
Izturis ss
Marquis p

¡BLANCO!

by 08Cubs on Apr 10, 2007 1:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Modernizing Wrigley

I love Wrigley, and some aspects of it should never be touched. It's been a few years since I was there last, but I have a few questions about the insides of it. Is it possible/feasable to modernize some aspects of it? Is there room to add an indoor batting cage/video room near the dugout? They seem like little things, but I can't help but think they'd help out a little bit during the game for the players.
I totally agree that the concourses and aisles are tiny, but where can they go to add on without losing seats without building onto the building and altering the outsides of it?

by pmenadue on Apr 10, 2007 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No room at all.

Ever notice that walkway covered by tarps in the councourse between RF and home plate? Look for it, attached to the roof of the grandstand. That's how the visitors get from the dugout to their clubhouse, which is above the gift shop, looking out onto Addison. It's dark up there, but you'll see this covered stairway if you look for it.

There was a time when that stairway was NOT tarped over, which probably ended in the 80s. I remember standing there in the 70's and booing Dick Williams when he was managing the Expos as he kept smiling, while he and the team walked those stairs while pointing "We're #1" to the angry crowd below him.....

It was situations like that which probably led to the idea that it would be reasonable to shield the players from the fans...

The Cubs have only a little more room than the visitors. There is no space to add anything.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 10, 2007 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crap,

no Murton again today. :(

GO CUBS!!!

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder...

...what the reason is today.

It certainly wasn't a reward for Floyd's performance yesterday.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lou said

it's matchups.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

Floyd isn't "about to puke" today; maybe then he could get a base hit or two.

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Braaaaaa

aaaaaave!

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I need an abnormal job

I need a job that flexes around the Cubs schedule.

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1 pitch

1 out.

That's what we like to see.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just about to post that

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

...that was certainly a better result than Lilly got yesterday!

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me...

...or has there been a big dropoff in Ron from last year to this year? I love the guy, but he seems drunk more often than not nowadays.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

umm diabetes doesn't make you age slower..

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I know...

I just wonder how many years in the booth he has left.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

theres your double

just a batter later

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh...

...sorry I mentioned it.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

crap

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1-0

Is this Groundhog Day?

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I take back

my Cy Young chant from last start.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We need a 6-4-3 in the worst way.

n/t

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2 run double...

over Soriano's head.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

who is pitching today?

did they bring glendon rusch back . . .

by CZ38 on Apr 10, 2007 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

is it me

or have we played from behind almost every game this year already??

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

See...

...this isn't like yesterday at all! It's worse!!!!

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wake me when this one is over

groundhog day?

this is starting to look like groundhog year.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Marquis

THIS is the Jason Marquis National League hitters know and love so much. Ugh.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's over...

The season is lost. Don't get your hopes up.

by baglesshound on Apr 10, 2007 1:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we need to scored at least one in the first

if we dont.. im turning off gameday

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it too early..

..to start the "Pie for Dontrelle" talk?

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on Apr 10, 2007 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes

but its not too early to send get well wishes to prior . . .

by CZ38 on Apr 10, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

That would be a waste of a $2.99 Hallmark card.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL ...

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

hell no. and if the Marlins take Marquis.. i would drive Marquis to the airport and hell I would drive the damn plane to FLA.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

who will lose their spot in the rotation first, Miller or Marquis? Lou doesn't seem like the type who will stick with something that doesn't work for too long.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Whew

At least he retired that power slugger Everett.

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Offtopic kind of

Why didn't we even attempt to get Jeff Suppan? I think he was a much better option than Marquis. Hell I would say that even if Marquis didn't give up another run after this inning.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

im not 2 sure

but i thought i heard that larry saw somthing in marquis that he thought he could fix. guees not

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

guess not?

I think the jury is still out. Marquis just had a bad inning there. He had six good ones in Cincinnatti. The first outing didn't make him a Cy Young candidate, and the first inning of this game doesn't make him automatically "unfixed", worthless, or anything else.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marquis has lots of bad first innings

Just you watch. You can tell what he's going to do by how he pitches in the first inning. Either he's very good or he sucks on ice.

by Lance on Apr 10, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

does any know if sampson is

any good. im sure we will pitch awesome against the cubs though

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sampson

He pitched 7 1/3 scoreless against us in his ML debut last June in a pretty good matchup with Rich Hill. Final score was 1-0, if I remember right.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4-6-3 by Jock

to unclog the bases for DLee.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that's the Jacque we all love

Maybe Lou will now figure out he should not, under any circumstances, be batting 2nd.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DPs

If the Cubs aren't leading the league in DPs so far this year, they have to at least be near the top of the pack.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget

On a 2-0 pitch nonetheless. Major league hitters do not roll over on 2-0 pitches. That is as poor as you get.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murton

Continuing from the previous thread:

Murton's absence from the lineup here for a second day in a row makes me wonder what exactly he's done to piss off Piniella. He has hit over .300 in 600 major league at-bats, and his power showed signs of blossoming last year. If he's going to be wasting away on the bench, his career can only go downhill. If I were him, I'd be asking for a trade.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Enough

Stop the Murton parade. He's an adequate OF and a borderline 4th OF. He's not as good of a hitter as Floyd no matter how you slice it. This fascination with him has to end. He's adequate, nothing more.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

The reason there is so much fascination with him is because he actually has potential to be something better that he'll never reach by playing in two games a week.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess you

have to accept that there are Murton fans on here and we have the right to want him to play. Get use to it.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's fine

I could care less if you're a Murton fan, but as long as you accept the reality that he's quite simply a marginal major league OF. He doesn't consistently hit the ball hard, and despite being more selective than many Cubs hitters, isn't feared at the plate because he lacks power. He's an average runner, an average OF with a below average arm. Period. You're wasting your time waiting for him to have this big break out season, playing time or not, because he is what he is. He's just average.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

honestly...

Didn't we all see this coming when Floyd signed during the winter? Until Cliff's foot falls off, Murton isn't going to see much of the field.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is very simple...

Sampson is a RHP. Floyd bats well versus RHP, way moreso than Murton. Thus, Floyd plays versus RHP, and Murton versus LHP. Thus, you should not be surprised by Murton's absence.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand

the whole idea with matchups. But I think Murton has the skill to play every day, so he'd be best off going somewhere where he can do that. The Cubs stick by their age-old philosphy of going with a veteran (and in this case, a rather mediocre one in Floyd) rather than giving a young guy a chance.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except in this case...

The mediocre veteran is a better option than the youngster.

It's an unfortunate side effect of having 4 OF worthy of playing time, and two of whom being LH. Murton is a RH hitter, thus he gets the wrong side of the platoon.

This team is built arguably to win now. Thus, playing Murton over Floyd against RHP reduces our chances of winning.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gail Fisher

of CSN asked Lou if Matt had done or not done something and Lou said no it was matchups.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

This team is starting piss me off already. My patience is thin. We need to revamp this lineup. JJ should NOT be hitting second. Dumbest decision by Lou so far. Hell even Izturis is a better option.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

JJ's career OBP against RHP

is around .350

and you'd rather have Izturis there?

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Apr 10, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

I just don't think he's a typical 2 hole hitter. Bat him 6th, and Floyd 4th.

Soriano
Barrett
Lee
Floyd
Ramirez
Jones
DeRosa
Izturis

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

Soriano signed with the Cubs under the express understanding that he would bat lead-off. That was the deal, and Lou Piniella is honoring that deal.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Jim Edmonds

Web Gem

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt Murton

Murton is Mr. Non-Spectacular that some Cub fans have fallen ridiculously in love with. He hits for a nice average and is cheap. That's it. He's restricted to left field, isn't very good in left field and has marginal run production value. Meanwhile Cliff Floyd is a still dangerous left handed bat. If I were Lou Piniella, I'd be splitting playing time in left too.

Perhaps the argument can be made of plopping Floyd in right field and letting Murton play left on ocassion.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 1:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I kinda agree

If he wasn't a handsome white guy, who is admittedly gritty, I wonder how much people would complain.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the deuce?

What does him being white have to do with anything? If Cedeno had his numbers, I'd root for him too.

LOUD NOISES!!!

by NittanyCub on Apr 10, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is

a ridiculous statement.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sort of agree...

I think Murton has great potential, given his plate discipline and youth.

HOWEVER, where I agree with you is that this team is built to try to compete now. And right now, Floyd is a much better hitter versus RHP than Murton is. Thus, if the goal is to win now, you play Floyd over Murton in LF against RHP. Against LHP, you go with Murton over Floyd.

Yes, this probably stunts Murton's development. But, that's the price you pay when you make it clear you're trying to win now, and not 2-3 years from now.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's not what the numbers say

Splits for both hitters since 7/8/2005 (Murton's first day in the majors):

Floyd:
total: 607 ABs, 249/335/430
vs LHP: 140 ABs, 186/274/336
vs RHP: 467 ABs, 268/354/458

Murton:
total: 609 ABs, 302/369/458
vs LHP: 209 ABs, 325/401/507
vs RHP: 400 ABs, 290/352/432

And I did the double splits at some point last year, which showed that Murton's only problem hitting RHP was hitting RHP away, suggesting that he simply needs time to acclimate himself to new ballparks.

by false cognate on Apr 10, 2007 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that's interesting.

Nice stats, false

LOUD NOISES!!!

by NittanyCub on Apr 10, 2007 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember,

Mike never researches his statements.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A comment

Those numbers are highly skewed by the injury-riddled 2006 for Floyd. I'd argue his actual performance when healthy is much better versus RHP. Of course, even considering the bad 2006, Floyd outperformed Murton versus RHP by about 25 OPS points. I'd expect that number to get much larger with a healthy Floyd.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is true

but if you just look at his 2005 numbers, his only real advantage is in the power numbers:

2005 Floyd:
total: 550 ABs, 273/358/505
vs LHP: 143 ABs, 224/284/427
vs RHP: 407 ABs, 290/382/533

I don't disagree that Hendry is clearly putting all the chips down on 2007 and that for that scenario Floyd was a good maneuver, but I would have rather he chased better SP with the money we spent on Floyd and allowed Murton room to grow in 2007 and the future. As it stands right now, Murton's not going to get the ABs that he needs, unless Floyd gets injured, and I want the Cubs to be competitive every year from here on out, not just this year.

by false cognate on Apr 10, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

And why does everyone completely discount Murton's entirely brutal first three or four months of last year? Everyone wants to talk about the "improvement" he made in the second half but what about how bad he was in the first half? And by the way, from the looks of his early season at bats, he's been equally brutal this year, albeit with fewer AB's.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

...maybe because young hitters tend to improve

as they get more Abs in the majors?

by VS on Apr 10, 2007 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

By that ridiculous logic, guys like Kevin Orie and Gary Scott would still be in the majors.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheesh

What is wrong with these hitters. No one is capable of getting a big hit with runners on.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i no..

its the beginning of the year and i have no idea why i am getting so upset and frustrated already. but it sucks. the first inning and the inability to strike back just runined my day

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 1:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DeRosa continues to...

...stare at the sky nightly, praying for the return of his extraterrestrial doppleganger.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 1:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

podrosa: phone home!

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is hard not to be a bit disappointed

This team looks like the "Waterworld" of baseball clubs right now. Costs a ton of money with little to show for it.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 1:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Feast or famine

New manager, same old tricks. The offense remains feast or famine. It's hard to win under that formula unless you are blessed with dominant pitching. Failure to execute and do the little things to score runs is the achilles heel of this ballclub. It's like a broken record.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 1:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

how

do u walk a batter in front of lee.. make berkman put it in play even if it is a hit just dont walk him..

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 2:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

apparently

berkman hits .500 against marquis...so maybe he's a bit gun shy?

by billywan on Apr 10, 2007 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

looks like marquis has settled in a bit

now we need to somehow, someway, score some $@#$#@%ing runs.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Cub hitters have been mowed down by the likes of Woody Williams, Rick White and now Chris Sampson. That's ridiculous.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep, another 1-2-3

I really don't understand what is wrong with this offense. It seems as if they should be able to put up more runs, but they never seem to get it together.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

is missing a lot of very hittable pitches right now.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 2:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

he consistenly gets hisself into alot of 0-2 counts. I'm sure he will turn it around soon though.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

is a leadoff man. And a leadoff man needs to do things to work the count and create havoc when he otherwise isn't in the groove. I am souring fast on this Soriano as leadoff man routine. A feast or famine lineup can't afford a feast or famine lead-off hitter, no matter how lethal he can be at times. But Soriano insists on being the lead-off man and there are no apparent better options.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No offensive gameplan

Thus far, the Cubs offense has been feast or famine. This is a big cause for concern.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Feast or famine?

I think I missed the feast.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Miller Park...

... first inning. Thats about it. This team hasn't shown the ability to score runs more than once or twice a game.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about some discipline??!!?

That was Soriano's 12th 0-2 count in 33 AB's

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good research

And a sad statistic. Definitely not what you want from a lead-off man. But hey, this is the Cubs, a team that once thought Shawon Dunston was an appropriate lead-off man!

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cesar "Gold Glove" Izturis

What a joke.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This hurts to watch.

n/t

2007 Badger Football - 1-0 every week...

by Schwa on Apr 10, 2007 2:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There's the DP we needed.

n/t

2007 Badger Football - 1-0 every week...

by Schwa on Apr 10, 2007 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Failure to execute...

...that's this team's problem time and time again. I'm sitting in a cubicle and I just slapped the side of my head. People probably think I'm nuts.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There we go

Don't let Izturis touch the ball.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to do it yourself DeRosa

by Kornchex on Apr 10, 2007 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of a line...

from 40 Year Old Virgin: "Do you like to... do it yourself?" Great movie.

2007 Badger Football - 1-0 every week...

by Schwa on Apr 10, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

boy..

I wish we had 12 batters that had the same traits and D-Lee and A-Ram.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too

although they HAVE to start showing some power.

DLee has 13 hits and 10 have been singles.

Aram has 13 hits and 11 have been singles.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

it's the cold weather. Lee and Ramirez are not singles hitters.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JJ

Quote of the day:

"Jacque has grounded out twice to the right side on 2-0 pitches."

God forbid anyone is on base for Derek or Aramis.

by Kornchex on Apr 10, 2007 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lilke previously mentioned,ugh.

n/t

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JJ

Has JJones hit the ball off the ground yet this year? He kills any lineup batting second.

RICK SCHWAB!

by ExNorthsider on Apr 10, 2007 2:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just opened Gameday for the first time this year

pretty nifty.

Also, brillinat defense by the Izturis.

by VS on Apr 10, 2007 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon Michael

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What the hell is wrong with our offense

You would think Roger Clemens is pitching.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Another great play by Izzy

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Marquis' fault

JM lollipopped it over there. Stupid, Cub-headed play.

RICK SCHWAB!

by ExNorthsider on Apr 10, 2007 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

I didn't realize Izzy made another error!! Oh boy.

RICK SCHWAB!

by ExNorthsider on Apr 10, 2007 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG.

F you Izturis.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Errors: 3. Izturis: 0.

Well, so much for his much-heralded campaign to get another Gold Glove ...

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

3 errors on

Izturis today. UGH!!

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hahaha...

...third error for cesar sure hands

Cubs Widgets

by seang03 on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

gold glove?

More like gold shower

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wonder if he ever showered with Maddux?

by JFCubFan on Apr 10, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Izturis making a strong argument...

for Cedeno to start. If that's even possible.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hell,

I think he's making a case for Daryle Ward to start at SS.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Send a message

Yank him.

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2006

It's 2006 all over again. Same script, slightly different cast.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, the 2006 team started out hotter

Than this bunch. At least they had the excuse of no DLee for the majority of the season.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually worse than 2006

were 5-3 last year through the first 8.

After this game we will be 3-5.

by JFCubFan on Apr 10, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHERE THE HELL IS THE OFFENSE???

Please don't try to tell me that the 'Stros are this good.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is the Astros

we are losing to. Think about that for a moment as you examine their putrid roster.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My Sutcliffe jersey...

is in my car - I'll go get it & start warming up.

PUT ME IN, COACH - I'M READY TO PLAY! TODAY!!!

I don't care if it's "more chillier" as Ron just said.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Marquis

This is vintage Marquis. And just think folks, Jim Hendry has the foresight to bid against himself and sign Marquis to a three year contract. So when does Larry Rothschild start working his magic that he insists he could do with Marquis? Rothschild hasn't "coached up" a Cub pitcher in five years, but Hendry thought he could be a wizard with a guy that Dave Duncan and Leo Mazzone couldn't figure out. If I weren't laughing so hard, I'd be cryin.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Guzman warming up

How cool would it be if he came in and shut these jokers down and the Cubs offense came back to win this game?

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As Cub fans

dreams are pretty much the only thing we have.

by VS on Apr 10, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even

if Guzman shuts them down (unlikely) they still need to get the offense going, and it's been in a deep freeze.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Even

I'm just sayin', if that were to happen, it would: 1) Give us some hope that, if Marquis and Miller continue to suck, Guzman could step in and take one of their respective places in the rotation, and 2) Give us some hope that our offense doesn't suck as much as it seems to at the moment.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Contrast

Notice how the Astros hitters keep taking pitches when the opposing pitcher is struggling with his control?

That makes sense.

RICK SCHWAB!

by ExNorthsider on Apr 10, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Same old, same old. Doesn't matter who the manager is either.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

It's a trait that all Cub teams I've watched for 32 years seem to have had - the inability to take pitches when a pitcher is struggling. Swinging at a 2-0 pitch to ground into a DP, as Jones did earlier? It goes with the territory.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well....on the positive side

It could be a lot worse than 4-0 right now. The game is not totally out of reach. yet.

Go Cubs!

by Neifi Puppy on Apr 10, 2007 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously you MUST ...

Be watching a different game!

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

New Owner

Looks like Jim Hendry might want to get his resume ready. He is surely as good as gone under a new ownership regime.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so let me get this straight

I was under the impression that we paid a bajillion dollar for guys who could, not only hit, but hit in the clutch. I was also under the impression that they were going to be more patient at the plate.

Not only are they NOT hitting, when people are on, they are the old hack and slash at the first pitch Cubs

by tuuk17 on Apr 10, 2007 2:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

With 160 Ks

last year did anyone think going into this season that Soriano was a patient hitter?

by JFCubFan on Apr 10, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Grip it and rip lives on the Northside !

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

...a walk? I've never heard of such!

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 2:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Same, Same, Same

This is the exact same team from last year except the payroll is much bigger. They are painful to watch. I am starting to puke up the blue koolaid I was chugging over the weekend.

by mgfabc on Apr 10, 2007 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

in other news

Larry Birkhead is anna nicole's baby dad.

yes I am bored.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

re: in other news

Birkhead? Damnit, why did I even bother submitting my DNA?! First the Cubs, now this...I just can't win today.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

Swinging at ball 4...shocker

by tuuk17 on Apr 10, 2007 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Works the count full and then strikes out...

...somehow managing to do something good and awful at the exact same time.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Alfonso

Currently hitting .206... and we wonder why we aren't scoring runs.

I want my Macias!

by wombat on Apr 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Guys, guys, guys...

It's Game 8. Come in off the ledge.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Normally I would agree

But after last year, its not so easy.

And the parallels are all too easy to draw between this year and '06.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is

very disheartening.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a God awful..

Game to watch. I'm sure Al is half asleep.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Or wishing

he was.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

n/t.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs Fan Manic Episode Index: 5

"How soon before Prior is ready??"

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

$136 million leadoff man

That has ZERO patience at the plate, and then is followed by a guy that consistently grounds out on 2-0 pitches.

WILL THIS EVER EVER EVER CHANGE????

by paulucla on Apr 10, 2007 2:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just love Floyd's hustle.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 2:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm turning off the radio

I'm suddenly in a bad mood.

by northsidenonsense on Apr 10, 2007 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ahem...

...like I said, wouldn't it be great if Guzman shut these...ah, fuhgetit.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, after the double

He did shut 'em down.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate the Astros

I want my Macias!

by wombat on Apr 10, 2007 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate the Cubs

right about now.

COME ON! LET'S GET SOME RUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, I leave and come back to this...

This is just awful. Has Lou exploded in anger yet?

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Angel Guzman

continues to have little confidence in his best stuff. You've got to overpower a guy like Brad Ausmus. Not dance around with slop.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Until

Lou starts telling these prima donna leadoff hitter wannabee ballplayers, I do not see the cubs scoring a lot of runs.

"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will

by eswan9 on Apr 10, 2007 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lou

Lou's the manager. He's going to have to make some moves that show he has the authority. Soriano can't keep leading off, and Jones can't hit second. I know it's only Game 8, but what we're seeing now is a fair predictor for what we will see in a month or two.

Some thoughts:

Theriot at SS, leading off
DeRosa batting second
Soriano batting third
Lee 4th
Ramirez 5th

Soriano should feel stroked by Lou for getting the 3-hole. If he doesn't like it, he can sue for breach of contract.

RICK SCHWAB!

by ExNorthsider on Apr 10, 2007 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thoughs

Ryan Theriot is not a major league caliber shortstop. The same Theriot also is 0 for the season so far. Cesar Izturis is an asset to this ballclub. There are many more things broken than our regular shortstop.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Izturis

His 3 errors have really helped us this game

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I think there's a big difference between

Hitting as an everyday starter than as a episodic, pinch-hitter. That said, I do agree that Theriot is probably not our answer at SS ... 2nd, maybe ...

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Izturis ... an asset?

HAHAHAHAHAHA ...!

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like that lineup, Ex!

My 12-year-old and I thought the same thing - why put 40 HRs in the leadoff spot? He wears 12 on both of his teams 'cuz Soriano's his idol.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Lou

I agree that's it's looking like something needs to be done. Lee, Ramirez and (to a lesser extent) Barrett are all hitting, there's just no one getting on base in front of them (Daver types as Jones grounds out). It's hard to favor DeRosa batting second, though, as he has looked completely helpless up there over the last couple games.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lovejones:

8 games is 5% of the season. If we lose today, we're on pace for a 60 win season... and based on how the team has looked the last 3 games, this isn't as absurd as it seems. I think we'll come in from off the ledge when we're given a reason to.

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 3:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i turned off gameday whats the

score

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

4-0 'Stros

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be worse

We could be the Mariners, losing 13-1.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Howz about

LF - DeRosa
CF - Soriano
RF - Floyd
3B - Ramirez
SS - Izturis
2B - Theriot
1B - Lee

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hate to be in the down

8 games in, but the Cubs remind me of all the teams in the past, no patience, no patience, no one gets on base, and pitchers who couldn't get me out get the Cubs out like Sampson who pretends he is Koufax. This team needs a two hole hitter, not Jones, not Izturis, it is Murton.

So much for my 90-72 prediction, hate to go in the tank at 8 games, but this looks bad.
Nice glove Izturis.

Soriano is fine, he will hit. Please.

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Apr 10, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So far

My prediction for them to finish 4th is looking a bit optimistic.

But it's only Game 8, as a number of people have said.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is frustrating

Just gotta hope that they can get something going eventually here.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Apr 10, 2007 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I declare

shenanigans on JJ. i'm getting my broom.

by jbhsxcd on Apr 10, 2007 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There he is....

The incredible, unhittable Rich White. My goodness. Send mediocre starters like Marquis and Miller up against the Cubs and shutouts would rain.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's so good...

that even a typo can't stop him. Look, it's Rick White and his career ERA of 4.30.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe you mean

The incredible Ricardo Blanco.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Apr 10, 2007 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the fuck

Ugh. Another freakin 1-2-3 inning. Sorry for the explict language. But it's needed in this situation.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We'fe all in the down

We have seen this every year. For some reason I thought this year would be different.

by mgfabc on Apr 10, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not me

When they signed a guy with 160 Ks to bat leadoff, I realized there's nothing new to see here.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

White Sox comparison

This team very much reminds me of the pre-World Series White Sox. The batters themselves were tremendous. Frank Thomas at DH, Konerko at 1B, Ordonez and Carlos Lee, along with others. But the team had no offensive strategy. There were games where they scored a dozen runs and there were games that their offense did nothing. Then Kenny Williams let Ordonez leave via free agency. He traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers and he built an offense.

The Cubs have tremendous batters in Lee, Ramirez, Barrett and Soriano, but they have no real offensive strategy. Jim Hendry has built this offense in the mold of the pre-WS White Sox, but there is no real line-up.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Santo just backed you up

He said "we haven't been hitting as a team very well." He's right.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great point

I agree whole-heartedly.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting observation...

And like Sox teams the '07 Cubs have suspect pitching (starters and bullpen) and below average defense.

Catcher, 3rd base, LF, CF and RF are all below average fielders.

Drop Pie in CF, put Soriano in LF and hope the pitching can hold the other teams down.

by DrCrawdad on Apr 10, 2007 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like

changing teams but as soon as I do this team will probably start playing lights out.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could change teams!

Born on the North side, I'm stuck with these damn Cubs. It's in the genetics, you see.

Nice break, Soriano--just enhances that low BA.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you leave when they're losing

you're worse than the fair-weather Sux fans. The Cubs wouldn't have ANY fans if we all left when they were losing.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh for Cris

sake. I've been a Cubs fan all my life. I'm not leaving. I said I feel like it but it's not going to happen. For better or worse I'm stuck with them and they with me.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could never switch teams...

If I did -- then I'd wind up hating baseball. Cubs are the only team I could ever enjoy.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is our fault

for being so optimistic

by Kchance on Apr 10, 2007 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yup

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

but i'm not giving up yet.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fell for it ... again. Sigh.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guys guys guys

See my "It's Game 8" post above

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least the pitching staff is healthy.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

wow wow wow

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

how does guzman look

n/t

by jbhsxcd on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wha wha wha?

A double wha?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

someone should tell them

we are supposed to hit into those, not turn them.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HUH?!?

Methinks that must be backwards...

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sarcastic

so backwards on purpose

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still believe Gooz should be starting

The Cubs are not going to gain anything by trotting out Miller and his 87 mph heater out there every fifth day.

by VS on Apr 10, 2007 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

With Guzman's stuff, if he can figure it out, he could be a productive starter. Miller will be struggling just to avoid getting shelled every time.

But really, the problem for this team haven't been the starting pitching. It's been the (lack of) hitting and the bullpen.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dammit....

n/t

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Apr 10, 2007 3:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rick White

Cub hitters have been mowed down two consecutive days by the ancient and very awful Rick White. As if getting mowed down by the ancient and terrible Woody Williams wasn't bad enough. Or the Les Walrond lookalike called Chris Sampson. Sad. Very sad.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 3:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rick White

This is Rick F-ing White. Are you kidding me? This guy couldn't get out American Legion hitters on a regular basis. Brutal.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sandy Koufax

I mean, Rick White, is making it look easy today!

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Apr 10, 2007 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Perfect

Now bring in the equally mediocre Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler and you'll have a trifecta of bullpen mediocrity shutting down the Cubs.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Apr 10, 2007 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We want Lidge!

To blow the game for them!

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DRose blowz

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For those of you watching it on tv or...

listening on the radio, have the Cubs fans started booing yet?

I imagine that if Soriano (and the team in general) keep this up, it won't be long.

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They were booing

Marquis pretty good

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

According to Gameday

"...Barrett grounds out SHARPLY..."
At least it was sharply... I mean who wants a dribbler?

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

very reassuring

and I thought the offense wasn't producing.

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As Harry used to

"Hot Smash !!"

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fans are

heading for the exits. Hope that's not an everyday occurance for home games.

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If the Cubs keep playing this way

soon there will be few fans showing up, let alone leave early.

by JFCubFan on Apr 10, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't count on it.

Have you not been around the last 20 years?

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

y know thats not true

a 40 win team will still fill up the beer garden on hot summer weekends.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know I am suddenly less than excited

About spending my money to go see this team.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano just called for time...

...because a ball from the stands landed on the field. Are things getting ugly out there?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OMG! Izturis scared Biggio into an error!

What an asset that Izzy is ...

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought

we had cornered the market on errors!

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DP ... pathetic.

It's 2006 all over again. Dusty must have left an out-the-door curse on the joint.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the game is on espn tommorow or today?

Wonder what he will say about the game if in the booth.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think he'll drag his

kid with him?

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FLOYD WAS SAFE

Is that that home umpire from yesterday screwing us again?

by gocubs40 on Apr 10, 2007 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we at least have...

...a consolidation homer? Please, Astros?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Double play

Then Soriano goes down 0-2 in the count. That is the season in a nutshell so far.

by paulucla on Apr 10, 2007 3:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he means consolation...

but I'd take a homer of any variety

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sluggers: Lee, Fonz and Aram

98 ABs

1 Hr

8 RBI

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't disparage Lee and Ramirez

They are hitting well. You can't really blame them for the lack of RBI when no-one gets in base in front of them. The key in that equation is the lack of production from Soriano and the various #2 hitters.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction

9 RBI

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, right...

...I meant "consolation." Can you tell I'm at work?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

According to Piniella

This team isn't built for cold weather. They're not going to hit on days like today...

... well great. Let's just concede the first 20 games of the season because it's cold. Last time I checked the Astros aren't a bunch of small ball hitters and they've managed to score 9 runs thus far in 17 innings of ball at Wrigley.

Fantastic.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 3:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HUH???

SO THEY'RE NOT BUILT FOR OCTOBER, THEN??? Maybe we need Wells, Wickman, et al - some fatties who can take the cold.

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano's 0-2 counts

Just following on gameday. Is he swinging at bad pitches early in the count, or is he swinging at pitches close to the zone?

by jmw676 on Apr 10, 2007 3:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's missing

A lot of very hittable pitches. Swinging through a lot of fastballs on the outside corner.

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ervin Santana

made Soriano look very silly on outside fastballs during spring training. Granted, santana makes a lot of hitters look silly, but for a good fastball hitter, aside from Oswalt and Wheeler, the 'stros shouldn't be too imposing of a force.

hopefully, he'll start seeing the ball better as he gets used to the "franchise" tag and the weather warms.

by jmw676 on Apr 10, 2007 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he swings at everything

still i wouldn't mind it, except that he's the leadoff hitter.

by buckmulligan on Apr 10, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

pitch selection

Soriano has been swinging a lot, but to his credit most have looked like strikes. He is, as said above, swinging through a lot of pitches. The 0-2 counts have come from more his lack of contact on hittable pitches than just swinging at everything.

by okiecubbie on Apr 10, 2007 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grrrr

Has anyone else had a problem getting to an mlb.tv feed or gameday audio feed today?
Or is it just me they have picked on today?

by kiwibob on Apr 10, 2007 3:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

re: Grrrr

My Gameday audio reception has been just fine ... unfortunately.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time to see if we can move up

From complete futility to partial futility here in the 9th. Its possible D-Lee or Aram could give us a cosmetic run or two, I guess....

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Break the shutout! Break the shutout!

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet defeat...

...here we come!

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Double for Jones ...

D-Lee up.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

Soriano swings at everything. He is going to be alternatively a hero and a goat. He is classic feast or famine. The problem is he is principal addition to a already feast or famine lineup. The Cubs cannot afford to leadoff hitter who goes into major slumps and is incapable of doing leadoff hitter type things when his bat is otherwise not smoking. This is a BIG problem.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 3:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Alternative?

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on Apr 10, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Alternative?

No thanks. I prefer classic rock.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a little bit country

LOUD NOISES!!!

by NittanyCub on Apr 10, 2007 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

I'm just saying that even if it's feast or famine Soriano will be in the lineup 99% of the time.

We aren't even 10 games in yet. Let's just give it a bit more time before we decree Soriano "the problem."

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on Apr 10, 2007 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally ... the Cubs score against Wheeler.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

4-1

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A RUN!

wow!

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Leave it to DLee...

...to spoil the shutout. And what do you know...the two hitter gets on base and the Cubs score. Mind-boggling.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Hard to believe we were able to score with Jones clogging up the bases like that, but we did....

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good one

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets go Michael

Comon Comon Comon

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 4:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Every batter this inning has taken strike 1

Where was that earlier?

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Apr 10, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, we're on our way

to last place again until the team can get its shit together. We've now been tied by the last place Astros with three wins in 8 games.

How pathetic.

And the Red Sox beat the Mariners 13-1 in balmy Boston.

They obviously have no problem hitting in cold weather.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Apr 10, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

against a team on a five day break.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is it normal

to have butterflies in your stomach this early in the season?

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

damnit

This team just can't catch a break.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry!

DeRosa's up!

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

4-2

Watching Zach Johnson beat Tiger Woods was a thing of beauty.

by sue369 on Apr 10, 2007 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark "Strike Looking" DeRosa

I'll pass

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just kidding

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

where was this

in 1 - 8???

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on Apr 10, 2007 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I take it back

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt pinch hitting

Here's a chance to win the starting spot tomorrow...

by grogg2434 on Apr 10, 2007 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dear Cubs offense

Sorry you couldn't make it for the first eight innings. Thanks for joining us today for the ninth. Please get an earlier start to the ballpark tomorrow.

by SuperContext on Apr 10, 2007 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

here ya go murton fans

in the big spot to win the game

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oh orange headed rally monkey..

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How many games have ended this year

on infield pop-outs?

I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Apr 10, 2007 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

3 straight pop flies.

I'm sure it's very difficult to pinch hit but come on.

by Kornchex on Apr 10, 2007 4:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Two losses to the juggernaut Astros

Woody Williams, Rick White and Chris Sampson. Unbelievable. Jim Hendry is running out to Kinkos to get his resume printed as we speak.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well...

...at least the game got interesting at the end.

by vegascubsfan on Apr 10, 2007 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Timely hitting..

..would probably have the Cubs at 6-2. 6 men LOB again today.

Even still, they are only 1.5 games out of 1st. Gotta love the Central.

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on Apr 10, 2007 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

Men LOB wasn't the problem. 6 LOB isn't very many. By comparison, Houston had 9 LOB. The problem is we have to get more guys on base (more hits and walks) and we have to get more guys in scoring position (i.e., more extra-base hits).

And on the other side, we have to cut down on walks, and wild pitches/passed balls. Izturis is normally a good defender, so the 3 error game is a fluke, but better defense is important too.

by SouthernCub on Apr 10, 2007 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there are worse losses

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/more/04/10/bridgewater.57.ap/index.html

Bridgewater State set NCAA Division III records for runs, hits, RBIs and victory margin Monday, routing Newbury 57-1 in seven innings.

Bridgewater State also broke the NCAA all-divisions record for RBIs and tied the mark for hits, finishing with 54 RBIs and 44 hits.

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

re: there are worse losses

57-1??!! Isn't there a slaughter rule?!

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not in div-III?

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Newcastle Brown Ales for everyone...

...I'm buying.

El Jefe

by Reverend Jim Ignatowski on Apr 10, 2007 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my favorite

by buckmulligan on Apr 10, 2007 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lou's press conference on Gameday Audio

He sounds exasperated, though he's still falling back on the cold weather.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not really

He acknowledged that both teams have to play in the same weather. He seemed to be saying that the team needed to stop hitting so many fly balls.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 10, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Not really

Oh, OK...I only caught a little bit. I'm not sure FOs are the problem, though. The GIDPs and GOs seemed more costly to me. (Alphabet soup, anyone?)

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 10, 2007 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lou Piniella

Sweet Lou is not an excuse maker. Never has been, unlike his predecessor with the toothpicks. Lou is learning first hand that this roster is poorly constructed in terms of positional players. The pitching has been better than advertised so far. At least if you eliminate Bob Howry and Scott Eyre from the equation. Jason Marquis pitched like Jason Marquis today, and nobody should be surprised. Certainty he did adequate enough job you would think when the vaunted Cub hitting attack gets the benefit of going up against the Houston Astro pitching staff. Outside of Roy Oswalt there is nobody on that staff (rotation or bullpen) that should be able to shutdown a team.

Somewhere Dusty Baker is snickering.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re; Somewhere Dusty Baker is snickering.

only because his dolly* told him a particularly ribald joke**

*rick sutcliffe

**incoherent drunken story

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, at least the Phillies

Are off to a more-craptacular start than us. And they have last year's MVP!

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, atleast we're not Seattle

Lost 14-1 at Fenway today.

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Apr 10, 2007 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but they lost to a GOOD team.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still doesn't mean you can't stay within 10...

Also, don't forget that this bad team we're playing made it to the playoffs being double digits under .500 at the all-star break a few years ago.

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Apr 10, 2007 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True.

Even BB said--yesterday--that the Astros are notorious for starting slowly, but always are in the thick of things at the end of the season.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the Prior I cannot change, and the wisdom to know I'll be disappointed."

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 10, 2007 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AND

they had a five day layoff

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Apr 10, 2007 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrigley and warm-weather team

Agree Mariotti's concept sounds good but how do you re-do the grandstand and not the upper deck?? It too is shy on amenities/concessions/restrooms and has poles blocking views in the rear section. I would like to see a renovation of the entire stadium except for the OF and field-box area, but can it be done in two years or less?? Maybe the new Olympic venues would provide some alt's on where to play in the interim, but that is a long shot and even so, 8 years away from completion.

Meantime, Pinella's comments about the Cubs beibng a warm-weather team bother me a bit...he was in Cincy where it's cold in April also, but in Chicago, near that lake, it really doesn't warm up until around Memorial Day, consistently. I know, I lived there.

You cannot build a team that does well or can cope with conditions 2/3 of the season, what's wrong with this picture? A well-balanced offense (which the Cubs may or may not have) needs to be able to produce runs every day, of a six-month season.

It's a little early to panic but I did expect more "O'' seems we get the hits, No. of hits, but still don't get enough men on base or drive enough of them home.

Pitching continues to be OK, but offense is struggling against some not-great opposing arms.

by writerinwrigley on Apr 10, 2007 5:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reading Marriotti...

...(something I do rarely if I want to get angry), I think he advocates basically tearing down and reworking ALL of the grandstand, which would include the upper decks, press box, etc. His basic thought is to take everything but the wall and new bleachers and replace it with new, better seats, stands, concrete, etc. He'd also favor keeping the outside marquee for preservation on the new stadium stands.

In a way, I like this idea - the charm of Wrigley is not exactly the grandstands - it's completely about the bleachers, the ivy, and the view of the city behind all of that. No one ever gets nostalgic for the stands themselves. Save the sign out front, replace the rest with era-appropriate improvements (i.e. similar colors and materials, just better engineered, and perhaps wider seats!), and I'd be a hapy Cub fan, even if it meant one season playing at Soldier Field, or (ugh) the Cell.

by Chadnudj on Apr 10, 2007 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soldier Field?

Impossible. The old Soldier Field, Maybe. But certainly, not now. The Cell would have to do. But this point of discussion is WAY premature.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 10, 2007 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cold weather versus warm weather team

Lou Piniella didn't construct this roster. Jim Hendry did. Lou speaks the unvarnished truth. Ever since he arrived in town, he's been intimating that this roster has issues. And he's right. Is anybody really surprised? Did anybody really think that replacing Dusty Baker was going to, by itself, result in a playoff-caliber product? This team has strengths, and this team has holes. The feast or famine lineup remains. The defense isn't very good. The bullpen is overrated and only so-so. The rotation is merely decent. Cook all those ingredients up and what you have is a .500 type ballclub in a weak National League.

by BlueMike on Apr 10, 2007 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Goodbye Izturis

...and hello Theriot to the starting lineup!

Honestly, 3 errors? That's pathetic...almost pathetic as your bat.

I think May 1st in the "Theriot replaces Izzy" pool may have been overshooting things significantly....

In related news - Cubs have no patience at the plate, don't get on base, and don't have enough offense. See similar stories from the past 7 or more years....

by Chadnudj on Apr 10, 2007 5:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs