Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:





Facts, Opinions And A Quiz

Here, this ought to keep you all occupied until tonight's game:

Quiz time! Here are the NL Central standings as of this morning, with the team names removed. There's a reason for this, as you'll see:

W L GB 47 34 --- 40 40 6.5 36 42 9.5 35 46 12.0 35 47 12.5 31 51 16.5
OK, got that? Here are two other divisional standings from this date in baseball history:
W L GB 47 25 --- 42 33 6.5 41 32 6.5 39 35 9.0 32 42 16.0 31 45 18.0

W L GB 48 33 --- 37 38 8.0 36 39 9.0 36 40 9.5 34 39 10.0 33 40 11.0
OK, here's your assignment: What divisions and years are those from, and which teams won? I'm leaving the answer in the comments, so don't cheat and look before you guess!

FACT: Ex-Cub pitcher John Koronka DFA'd by the Rangers -- and replaced on the roster by Desi Relaford!

OPINION: For all of you who overvalue Cub prospects, Koronka never was one. Yeah, maybe Jim Hendry could have gotten more than Freddie Bynum in return, but Koronka's a never-was. (Desi Relaford? Wow.)

FACT: Barry Bonds elected to NL All-Star starting team.

OPINION: Reasonable people can disagree about whether Bonds deserves to be on the team or not. That's not my point here -- what I'd like to ask, especially on contentious issues like this, is that you treat other posters with respect. There was some name-calling over this issue in the comments last night. Disagree, argue vehemently, state your position. But please refrain from calling other posters "idiots". Thanks.

FACT: The complete resurfacing of Wrigley Field, originally scheduled to be done this offseason, is now on hold.

OPINION: This is ridiculous; the article says it's being held up because of the uncertainty about the sale of the team. For a job costing $1 million, less than 1/3 of Scott Eyre's contract? And according to the article, "the permit process required for the work was under way, with the plans allowing options to add up to two rows of seating from dugout to dugout -- premium sections that likely would recoup the cost of the project in as little as a year." So why the holdup, especially since the field is likely to be in poor shape after the Police concerts?

FACT: Alex Rodriguez's wife wore an X-rated T-shirt to Yankee Stadium on Sunday, in the company of her two-year-old daughter.

OPINION: These two appear to deserve each other.

FACT: Last night, on Baseball Tonight on ESPN, they were discussing how much of the AL All-Star starting team is foreign-born, and then followed up by saying, "There are more Americans on the NL team, beginning with Russell Martin." Martin's from Canada.

OPINION: Yet another example of bigtime media not doing simple fact-checking.

0 recs | Comment 148 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

Quiz answers...
... The first standings listed, as noted, are this year's NL Central standings as of this morning.

The second one is the 1977 NL East; the Cubs are the team in first place by 6.5 games. The team that won that division was the Phillies, listed there at 41-32. They went 60-29 the rest of the way. The Cubs went 34-56 and finished 20 games out.

The third one is the 1973 NL East; the Cubs, again, were in first place with that 48-33 record. The team that won that division was the Mets -- who were in last place, 11 games out, with a 31-45 record. Those Mets had the worst record of any playoff team ever, 82-79, but still went 51-34 from that date. The 1973 Cubs went 29-51 in the second half.

Just to show you that indeed, anything can happen in the second half of a season!

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 8:36 AM CDT   0 recs

Darnit!
My guess was 1907 and 1908.  The encycolpedia tells me that those were good years.
Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Jul 2, 2007 8:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL
Every Cub fan over the age of 5 knows the Cubs can self destruct. The question is, can the Brewers?
Josh Kroeger. Remember the name. Stay tuned for the fame.

by tharr on Jul 2, 2007 8:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Both those Cub teams...
... looked damn good on July 1. The '73 team was, of course, the last of the '60s-era clubs before it was broken up after that year was over.

The '77 team wasn't really that good, but they did go 40-15 in the months of May and June. That is, incidentally, the best such 55-game performance since 1945.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:03 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What about the 2001 team?
Didn't we have a 5-6 game lead at the break then too?
I'll be a believer once we beat Capuano

by cubbie08 on Jul 2, 2007 9:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True.
The biggest lead the 2001 Cubs had was 6 games on June 22. They were 43-28. From then till season's end they went 45-46, not as bad as some of those other teams. Both the Cardinals and Astros passed them and made the playoffs.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 10:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The 2006 Detroit Tigers
First Half     59  29     455     328    .670
Second Half    36  38     367     347    .486

They had a 10 game lead on August 7th, and finished in 2nd place.  

1-RUN GAMES = 10-15 | EXTRA INNINGS = 1-6 | HOME = 20-21 | updated on 7/1

by SackMan on Jul 2, 2007 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like the 69 Cubs
n/t
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 2, 2007 11:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So isn't it about time
a turn-around happens to the Cubs? Since it has never happened before why not this season?

And don't tell me  the phrase those 'who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it' works here, because it doesn't -- this team does not have any history of coming back, only leading -- and failing causes me to speculate that a different, new way (for this franchise, anyway) to success could be paved this year.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 2, 2007 12:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Easily
Any team that hasn't so much as sniffed the playoffs in 25 years is no lock to do anything, let alone walk away with the Central division.  Unless you weren't watching, all you have to do to combat Milwaukee is throw RH pitching at them consistently.  These are not the 1927 Yankees.  The are beatable, as the Cubs have shown in 7 of the 12 games against them this year.  The magic beans of the Brewers are running out...how else can you explain them missing Santana, Bonderman, Oswalt and Zambrano in the last six series?
Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Jul 2, 2007 1:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No kidding
Big difference with their approach vs. a struggling Marquis as opposed to a hot Marshall.
"60% of the time, it works EVERY time."

by utcubby on Jul 2, 2007 1:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Anything Can Happen
Your little quiz left me a little uneasy about the 36-42 St. Louis Cardinals.
"God watches over drunks and third baseman." - Leo Durocher

by wabob on Jul 2, 2007 3:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ouch!
That reference to the '73 Cubs is almost as painful as thinking about the dive the Cubs took in '69.  Unless the injury bug hits big-time, I don't see a similar fate for Lou's boys this year.  I am concerned about the starting pitching holding up, but what team does not worry about that?

Should we refer to Mr. Martin as Canadian-American?  I get a chuckle out of hearing a reference to Mexican-Americans.  I suppose it would sound incongruous to say "African-Americans and Mexicans" when referring to minorities.

And yes, Canada and Mexico are part of North America along with the good ol' USA.  God bless America.

Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!

by MarcV on Jul 2, 2007 8:45 AM CDT   0 recs

Anything CAN happen
but I sure like where we're going right now. Who would have guessed this lineup during spring training, especially Fontenot-Theriot-absent Barrett? There is some energy, timely hitting and pitching. I can't wait for the second half. Good to see you again Al.........
This is Harry Carray, goodbye from Wrigley Field and So Long Everybody.

by mrcubsfan on Jul 2, 2007 8:51 AM CDT   0 recs

Good to see you too!
Glad you got to see a win on Sunday, after the blowout loss on Saturday.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 8:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well I hope Z and the Cubs
smack the heck out of the Nats tomorrow..cause i got  tickets and the last Cubs game I went to this year wasn't too good, with San Diego winning 11-4..
Bring Back Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Jul 2, 2007 8:59 AM CDT   0 recs

Al Fact checking indeed
A-Rod only has one kid

OPINION: Yet another example of small time media not doing simple fact-checking. Like reading the article.

LOL

Pot meets kettle, kettle, pot.

6-01-2007 the Cubs begin to rise. They will never look back.

by Scott G F on Jul 2, 2007 9:00 AM CDT   0 recs

LOL
You're right. I DID read the article, somehow I parsed "2-year-old daughter" as "2 kids". Oh, well.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I only know
Because I share a cubicle with her cousin. But even he was thinking about it wondering where the other kid came from.

Either way I found it ironic and funny.

 

6-01-2007 the Cubs begin to rise. They will never look back.

by Scott G F on Jul 2, 2007 9:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You share a cubicle...
... with Mrs. A-Rod's cousin? Any scoops you can get?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No scopes
I will if I hear anything of course.
6-01-2007 the Cubs begin to rise. They will never look back.

by Scott G F on Jul 2, 2007 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Defending Al
To be fair, none of us ever believe Al.  :)
"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Jul 2, 2007 9:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I fixed the front page.
Thanks for fact-checking for me!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey!
I never fact check.  Facts are always inconvienent and get in the way of a good arguement.
"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Jul 2, 2007 9:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Facts...
In the immortal words of one Homer J. Simpson:

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!"

"High...pop fly...wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth!" -Harry Caray

by riggs on Jul 2, 2007 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think
the t-shirt is r-rated, not x-rated, fwiw.

Also, any more news on the Izturis/Jones front? Were they rumored to be going in the same deal, or separate deals at the same time. If the same deal, that would seem to limit the number of suitors.

by jazzypete on Jul 2, 2007 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and it'd limit...
the likely return.  Two relatively expensive and unproductive players have less value than just one.

by SouthernCub on Jul 2, 2007 9:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What are
the Rangers seeking in return for Gagne? Wondering if we have what they are looking for and if he would cost too much for us to get?

by Tangled Up In Blue on Jul 2, 2007 9:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"There are more Americans ...NL team"
They must've meant dudes who speak English.
One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Jul 2, 2007 9:11 AM CDT   0 recs

Martin speaks French and English
Two more languages than many MLB players regardless of origin.
"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Jul 2, 2007 11:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In reagrds to name calling and the Bonds Issue....
....can we call Bud Selig names? Please?
Besides the obvious - Go Irish.

Z. He doesn't need an exclamtion point. He is one.

by PopeFlick on Jul 2, 2007 9:15 AM CDT   0 recs

I second this...
we need to have a Bud Selig Exception Rule 501.3(d) as an addendum to the name-calling cessation law.  All in favor???

by eamuscatuli1881 on Jul 2, 2007 9:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

As far as I know...
... Bud doesn't post here, thus, I would say he could qualify for such an exception.

:)

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Open season then
Bud is a @!#$%&* idiot..... He not our Bud...lol. Now I feel better.

by LT on Jul 2, 2007 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not one for civil disobedience....
creating a public nuisance, whatever.

But I know in my heart of hearts, even if I had payed big bucks for seats, if I EVER end up sitting near him I will heckle him without profanity but certainly call him a sleaze bag and other very clear terms until I would no doubt be escorted from the stadium. I don't even know if I could wait until the second inning.

Down the road, he will be seen with Fehr as two of the biggest scums to ever run this game in it's history. Shame on them. F--- them.

Besides the obvious - Go Irish.

Z. He doesn't need an exclamtion point. He is one.

by PopeFlick on Jul 2, 2007 11:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Me and Bud
I was making a phone call at the Wrigely pay phones ( yes no cell phone) during an 03 playoff game and who should walk past but
Bud and some his henchman. As total unthinking gut reaction I
stuck my tongue out at him, He gave me a strange look. I wish
I could have thought of something better but I figure he got my
drift
"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Jul 2, 2007 12:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What you didn't see or hear....
Bud:  Excuse Me, Victor, I believe that woman just stuck her tongue out at me, I would like her ejected immediately.

Victor:  Yes, sir.  I believe she did as well, but from what I understand in the north side of Chicago this means a job well done, so I don't believe she should be ejected.

Bud:  Are you sure?  I always thought that it was negative mocking.

Victor:  Absolutely not, sir.  Every one loves you, sir.  Why would she be mocking you?

Bud:  You're absolutely right!  They do, don't they?  

Victor:  Yes, sir.  By the way, sir, there's a small child here to see you, about five years old, would like an autograph.

Bud:  Tell 'er, that'll be $250, but only on the grounds that she gets my autograph and my autograph only.  Also, I want $25 in royalties from each person that she lets see this autograph.  Finally, if I sign this autograph she is agreeing to buy at least 10 tickets for the next 10 seasons.  And Victor?

Victor:  Yes, sir?

Bud:  Get me a root beer, but only one that was made in Milwaukee.  

Victor:  Yes, sir.

by eamuscatuli1881 on Jul 2, 2007 12:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 1:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think the significance
of this drainage plan being tabled can be overstated. The article goes on to say that the club wouldn't add any new funds until the pool of buyers has been narrowed to a couple, which likely won't take place until NEXT APRIL. And even then, any expenditures would have to be signed off on by all prospective buyers.

This is tremendously bad news. Not only does it mean the Cubs can't be buyers this year, but it would also seem to suggest that the Cubs won't be able to sign new contracts NEXT
OFF-SEASON. The only way I can see around it, unless I'm misinterpreting the article, is maybe if Hendry can clear some salary by dealing Jones, Izturis, and Eyre, AND having someone pay their contracts, maybe that contract money could be spent elsewhere. Maybe.

But this does mean we can say goodbye to big Z. Hendry should probably trade him now or else lose him forever for nothing but a draf tpick.

This is a sad day to be a Cubs fan.

by jazzypete on Jul 2, 2007 9:40 AM CDT   0 recs

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 9:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not by much...
 this shouldn't have been more than a line item on the operational budget, and hardly worth talking about financially. It's very troubling that there is micro-management to this level. Very troubling.

by Damen Jackson on Jul 2, 2007 10:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Now announcing the starting lineups for
your Chicago Expos, uh er, Montreal Cubs, uh...

A little more stalling and the Zell/Tribune will need to step up and appease the fans.  Too much negative press is not good for a smooth sale.  How much is too much?  I don't know, but I'm gussing we'll know it when we see it.

I sort of understand not wanting to pay out JJ's contract, but the field is considered one of the worst in the league and needs repair.

by N Oakley on Jul 2, 2007 11:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

On what basis
do you say that? The sale of the club has already halted the Zambrano extension and the Jones trade, and now there are public reports that the team won't make any new expenditures until April 08, and even then it won't be without approval of all prospective buyers. I would say it is hard to overreact to that.

Maybe you could let me know why you don't think it's such a big deal, I could be missing something.

by jazzypete on Jul 2, 2007 1:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I tend to agree with you
the sale is clearly muddling this thing up, and I can understand why.  From a pure baseball perspective, I think a lot of folks would be leary to give Hendry any more dough.  

If the Cubs are fairly close in about 2-3 weeks (3-4 games), you may see the powers at be open up the checkbook, but that is something we will have to see.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 2, 2007 2:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not sure what stopped the Jones trade
One report said it was Zell, but other reports cited other reasons. McDonough and Hendry denied Zell was the reason.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 2, 2007 2:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not in a million years
would McDonough or Hendry admit Zell nixed eating the dough.  

Somebody told them not to sign Zambrano and not to eat Jones' money, and it is currently effecting the way they do business.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 2, 2007 3:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tell me this...
if Hendry thinks/knows his job is in danger at the end of the year and the imminent deal is precluding him from doing a job worthy of saving his own hide, then why would he stick around?  If the Tribune/Zell/and whomever is hindering progress as much as speculated, wouldn't that be an easy out for Hendry to resign without being fired?  Why would he stick around?  I don't know, I just don't understand why he wouldn't just quit while he has an excuse then to be fired for his repeated mistakes and the fact that he hasn't leads me to believe it's not as bas as some have speculated.

by eamuscatuli1881 on Jul 2, 2007 4:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just suppose
the Cubs made the WS this year. That's got to be in Hendry's mind. If that happened, he'd be considered an amazing GM by a number of other owners.
Josh Kroeger. Remember the name. Stay tuned for the fame.

by tharr on Jul 3, 2007 2:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

if we dont resign big z
it will be the biggest mistake in cubs history bar none!!! flame me all you want for that remark cause i dont give a rats tail. he will be signed long term by the cardinals the day the cubs tell him theres no more money for him. yes i said it, you read it first from me. his attitude isnt always great but he's the only cub ive seen in quite some time with the desire and passion to win every single time out of the gate. i know it hinders him from time to time. he's been a workhorse and for the most part been healthy and that there is priceless in this day and age. if we dont do anything else we damn well better get him hitched for a long time. go cubbies
Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 2, 2007 9:58 AM CDT   0 recs

The Cardinals...
... don't sign expensive free agents, as a rule.

If the Cubs don't re-sign Z, look for him in a Mets uniform in 2008.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah ok whatever
they may have what ever rule you speak of but this will be the exception and i'll put my family jewels on it. i feel very strongly about this. if we dont resign our stud #1 pitcher we can kiss off another century. it will be a mistake that will haunt us for the next 10 years. just the thought of big z with a deadbird on his jersey makes me sick. it would be like jeter playing his home games at fenway.
Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 2, 2007 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well..
... believe what you like, but I'm basing this on reality. The Cardinals simply do not sign people like this; never have, never will.

Omar Minaya loves Z. He'll be first on the phone to Z's agent IF the Cubs decline, and the Mets have the money. So do the Yankees, but Z likes to bat and couldn't bat with the Yankees.

Book it.

Still hoping he'll stay, of course.

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

by Al on Jul 2, 2007 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

big Zapple
i unfortunately agree with al. if whomever is in charge come november doesn't pony up to resign Z, i think he winds up a met. i do believe i almost drove my wife to tears on the way to sunday's game when i asked if she'll still wear her Z jersey next year when he's a met...

if and when he reaches free agency unsigned, there will be some fierce bidding (driven by AL teams, yankees? angels?). i think he will want to stay in the NL, with being able to hit factoring prominently in that decision, and i don't see any other national league team matching what the mets will offer...

by bobby h on Jul 2, 2007 2:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I cannot believe that any management
no matter how cheap, would allow him to be sent packing.  ABSOLUTE CRA-Z-NESS!
MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 2, 2007 2:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fingers crossed
i absolutely hope that you are right.

if it weren't for the ownership trade, however, i don't think that we would even be having this conversation at the moment, so hopefully my visions of Z in blue and orange are just a matter of my cynicism getting the best of me.

by bobby h on Jul 2, 2007 3:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't understand this
Are we going to fall apart because of this sale?  We have a damn good team now and need to make a run.  This team can be good for years to come too, but if we can't purchase who we need to then we are going to fall apart.

by GoCubbies34 on Jul 2, 2007 5:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed
if there were ever a name that we can GUARANTEE will come back to bite us in the ass, it is Zambrano.  He is a lock to be a superstar here...elswhere, according to traded Cub laws, he will win 5-8 Cy Young awards and gold gloves out the wazoo.

Anyone think Hendry will trade himself to cut enough salary to hold on to Z?

How's that for big ideas?

Oh and PS...BARRY BONDS IS A F*%$#@IN PIECE OF *%$# AND DOESN'T DESERVE &%^$!!!!!!

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 2, 2007 11:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree
They should, and will, sign Zambrano.  But if they don't, unless Zambrano turns into Greg Maddux, Larry Himes negotiating "skills" will forever be linked as the worst Cubs free-agent gaffe of all-time.  Mel Rojas be damned.
Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Jul 2, 2007 1:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We've seen this before somewhere
haven't I? Oh yeah, Greg Maddux!
I hope that Z wins his Cy Young and WS here in Chicago!

by Tangled Up In Blue on Jul 2, 2007 10:15 AM CDT   0 recs

Cubs Schedule
I just checked out the Cubs remaining Schedule. For the rest of the Season we only have Five Series and Twenty games against teams over .500.

Remaining games:
Pitt-9
Hou-12
StL-11
Cin-12
Wash-3
S.F.-7
Mil-3
Ari-6
Phi-4
Mets-3
Col-4
LaD-4
Fla-3

The problem with this is the Brewers are playing the same type of schedule, but the Wild Card seems alot more feasable after looking at this. Winning 45 to 50 games doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility, giving us 85-90 wins which has the last few years been close to the Wild Card.

2006-88
2005-89

Maybe the East and West will beat up on each other and either the Cubs or Brewers can sneak in with 88 wins.  

"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Jul 2, 2007 10:17 AM CDT   0 recs

About the schedule
I actually broke this down. For nearly two months, the Brewers and Cubs play virtually the same schedule, playing the same teams on home stands and going on the same road trips. They simply switch teams at the end of each series. It's weird. This goes on for seven weeks, beginning this week with Pitt-Was, leading up to the ChC-Mil series at the end of August.

I still think winning the division will be much easier. Having to leap frog Atlanta, Philadelphia, Arizona and L.A. while holding off teams like Colorado just seems too difficult. It looks like 92-93 wins will be around what it takes, meaning the Cubs to go at least 52-30 (.634) the rest of the way.

by rob9802 on Jul 2, 2007 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the race
So many games left against our own division. I think winning a good chunk of those games is going to be the key for either the Wild Card or the Division. Both the Cards 21-15 and the Brewers 22-12 have done very well in the Central. The Cubs are at 16-16 in the Central thus far. Lets hope we can swap places w/them in the second half
Tony

by tony412 on Jul 2, 2007 12:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Game starts at 11:05 am CT on July 4th?
O brother... who the heck came up with that one.
1-RUN GAMES = 10-15 | EXTRA INNINGS = 1-6 | HOME = 20-21 | updated on 7/1

by SackMan on Jul 2, 2007 10:22 AM CDT   0 recs

That's a noon start locally
And allows all the fans to go home to watch or blow up fireworks... no use for the Nationals to have their own show when they would have to compete against so many others in the area.
Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Jul 2, 2007 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Big Fireworks Show
will be over the Capitol, where I intend to watch it on the banks of the Potomac near the Pentagon.  Seeing the fireworks with the Capitol buildings in the background gets my patriotic juices going.  PBS usually broadcasts it every year.

Oh yeah, I'll be in town Tuesday night for the Cubs-Nats tilt.  I'll be the one with a Cub's cap down the left field line.

Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!

by MarcV on Jul 2, 2007 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

July 4th is a very
festive day (as well as a very crowded day) in Washington, DC as you might imagine.  I'm sure the early start time was an effort to get the game finished (and the fans out of the Metro) before the July 4th festivities get underway.  Believe it or not the world doesn't revolve around Chicago.

by cubsbak on Jul 2, 2007 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

July 4th in DC
July 4 in DC is the heaviest subway ridership day of the entire year, plus for everyone coming to RFK from Virginia, you have to essentially go around 400,000 people going to the Mall.

The 12:05 start time is still going to be a pain for everybody trying to get out after the game is over - they're expecting nearly a sell out (40K+) for the game, and everyone will be leaving at the same time all the other people are coming downtown.

I HAPPILY gave up my tickets for the Fourth (am going Tuesday and Thursday - Section 210, row 9), although I am kind of bummed I won't be getting the George Washington bobblehead.

"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Jul 2, 2007 11:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's hope
the Nats fans will gradually start filing out with their team down big around the sixth inning.

by eamuscatuli1881 on Jul 2, 2007 11:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cubs-Nats
75% of the people there will be Cubs fans. I LOVE my Nats, but only for 155 games a year. The other 7 - I've got my blue on.
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Jul 2, 2007 11:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm sure there's a little league game somewhere
in the DC area, worth watching over the Nats.
1-RUN GAMES = 10-15 | EXTRA INNINGS = 1-6 | HOME = 20-21 | updated on 7/1

by SackMan on Jul 2, 2007 12:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nats
They stink on ice now, but in three-four years, they're going to be a powerhouse. And besides, I'd much rather my money go to the Lerners and a team local than to Satan in Baltimore.
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945

by flyingdonut on Jul 2, 2007 1:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess I just wanted to b**ch about
having to watch a friggin early game. I mean... my fav bar won't even have the doors open yet.
1-RUN GAMES = 10-15 | EXTRA INNINGS = 1-6 | HOME = 20-21 | updated on 7/1

by SackMan on Jul 2, 2007 12:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs