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We Really Do Love You, Jacque

All of you know that Jacque Jones was the hero of today's sweet 2-1 win over the Cardinals, which has put the Cubs in a tie with the Brewers for first place and (Let's Go Reds!) perhaps in first place by themselves after tonight.

Jones smacked a two-run HR off Braden Looper in the last of the sixth inning after Albert Pujols' HR in the top of the inning off Rich Hill had given St. Louis a 1-0 lead. This was one inning after he made a fine running catch on a warning-track fly ball hit by the Cardinals' Brendan Ryan, who wears his socks about as high as any major league player today.

What you don't know about Jacque Jones is what a standup guy and hard worker he is, so I'm going to tell you what I've learned about him. He had a tough first half, not knowing exactly when he was going to play or where, and at the All-Star break was hitting .233/.294/.335. A lot of guys could have phoned in the rest of the season, thought, "Hey, I'm getting paid anyway, who cares?", especially when he was getting ripped in the media, in the bleachers, and here at BCB by many of you.

But he didn't do that. From everything I've heard he was the first guy in the clubhouse every day, working hard in the weight room, taking extra BP, and finally, re-learning how to play CF on a regular basis, something he hadn't done in nearly seven years.

The hard work paid off, as he has had a spectacular second half, and after having hit only two HR in the entire first half, has now hit three in the last seven games. I was gratified once again to hear several loud ovations for Jones, the first after his great catch, the second after his HR, and the third when he came up to bat in the 8th inning, even though he grounded out in that at-bat.

We like you, Jacque. We really do like you, and as long as you keep working hard and playing like this -- and don't forget, Jones has been on three playoff teams -- I think you're an integral part of this Cub run, which, just perhaps, we can now be forgiven if we see playoff dreams dancing in front of our eyes.

Yes, there are still forty-one games left, and yes, first place is still not ours, not alone, anyway. But this was a -- well, we've decided not to use the term "must-win" here any more, and if anyone wants to compile the suggestions in yesterday's recap, I'll pick a dozen or so of the best ones and post a poll for the Official BCB "Must-Win Game" Replacement -- "statement game", if nothing else, and especially with the Cardinals coming in riding a five-game winning streak, and the usual several thousand red-clad fans of theirs up from various parts of the Midwest, today's win is even more sweet.

Kudos also to Rich Hill, whose stat line -- 7 innings, 3 hits, two walks, one run, seven strikeouts -- isn't indicative of how he struggled, going to full counts often, thanks to plate umpire Angel Hernandez' weird strike zone (thankfully, that's it for Hernandez behind the plate in this series, because he's about the worst ball/strike ump in the game). With Hill at 100 pitches through six innings and scheduled to lead off the last of the sixth, I was surprised when Lou left him in to bat -- and he nearly pushed a bunt past Looper for a hit. Then he slogged through 15 more pitches in the 7th. 115 may hurt him in his next outing, but it saved the bullpen, as only Bob Howry, who had pretty good stuff today, and Ryan Dempster, who threw only nine pitches in notching his 18th save, had to pitch in relief. Carlos Marmol got up briefly in the 7th, but didn't throw too many pitches in the bullpen. The game might not have even been close enough for that sort of bullpen work had it not been for two very nice sliding/diving catches by Cardinals LF Ryan Ludwick, on Mike Fontenot's leadoff line drive in the third, and a similar drive by Matt Murton leading off the fifth. For his efforts, Ludwick wound up out of the game in the 8th on a double-switch after Chris Duncan batted for Looper.

All of this was done in front of a huge throng of 41,634, including Jessica (in from NYC), her sister and nephew (in from Boise), and Krista, who came to keep Jeff company and also to see the Thunderbirds, who kept the gathering entertained with their practice show, which often is better than the Saturday "real" airshow. They'll get the show in tomorrow, though they'll probably have to do the "low" show due to the forecast of increasing clouds during the day. Fortunately, that forecast holds off rain tomorrow until evening:

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 71. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Rain and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

... so that means tomorrow's 2:55 CT start game should be able to be finished with little trouble. Unfortunately for a lot of you, Fox-TV is carrying only two games tomorrow -- the Cubs/Cardinals game, and the Tigers/Yankees, and naturally, the Yankee game (which, I will admit, at least does have as many if not more playoff implications than the Cubs/Cardinals game does) is going to 73% of the country. I'll post the markets the Cub game is being carried in, in tomorrow morning's game thread.

The crowd was festive and, for a while, not into the game, as there wasn't that much action in the early innings. But as tension picked up later, so did the energy of the crowd, and I didn't see nor hear of any incidents in the stands today. We may want to beat the Cardinals every time out, but I know for me at least, I have a respect for all their fans, who love their team and know the game.

Weird play of the day: Albert Pujols being called out at first base on a pickoff/steal attempt, when Scott Rolen swung and missed at strike three in the fourth inning. Umpire Hernandez ruled that Rolen interfered with Jason Kendall's attempt to throw Pujols out. As a result, the putout on Pujols was credited to Kendall (even though Derrek Lee at 1B was the nearest fielder), giving Kendall an unassisted DP. In the bottom of the fourth, a nearly identical play occurred when Lee struck out while Jones broke for second; Jones was ruled safe, which brought Tony LaRussa out for a lengthy discussion with Hernandez. In past years, this sort of thing would have rattled Dusty Baker into making some sort of bonehead move, but Lou Piniella, I think, is too smart for LaRussa's antics.

In any case, round 1 of this huge series to the Cubs, and now we all become Reds fans for the next three days. Savor this well-played win and let's go get those Cardinals again tomorrow.

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If you don't live in Illinois, Missouri or
Wiscosin, like myself, you will probably have to suffer with the Tigers/Yankees.  Grrr.

by MiniAndretti on Aug 17, 2007 5:27 PM CDT   0 recs

catch my post below
That might help you out??

by ak123 on Aug 17, 2007 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We get it
in Colorado Woo Hoo!
The Cubs Are On Their Way!!

by DenverCub on Aug 17, 2007 8:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Catch the Game on FOX Sports Int'l
Hey everyone, if you have digital cable and get Fox Sports International you can catch the game tomorrow.  

Now I know what you're thinking...how am I going to watch it Spanish?  Well if you get game-day audio tune it up with the game.  It works very well if you have a DVR.

Al, not sure if this was diary worthy alone but I knew it was worth letting people know.

by ak123 on Aug 17, 2007 5:28 PM CDT   0 recs

ooh!
looks like channel 125 on time warner in new york city!

by Mr Snrub on Aug 17, 2007 9:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tomorrow's game
is on Fox Sports Espanol here in LA.

by JFCubFan on Aug 17, 2007 10:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm also very glad to see
Jacque getting to hear some support from the faithful. Yes, he didn't give us much to cheer about in the first half (almost nothing in fact), but think about what our outfield's offensive production would be like without him the last few weeks! If indeed he's taken the approach behind the scenes that you describe then the cheers are all that more deserved. Let's hope he stays hot and the cheers keep coming! Can't wait until tomorrow's game, and GO REDS!

by cubrandy on Aug 17, 2007 5:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Jones Support
Thing is he got booed on as well last year and he ended up hitting .285 with 27 home runs.  He came out cold and the boo birds came.  He seems to be a second half hitter which is exactly what we need.  I'm not a huge fan but I have respect cause he's gone through the almost trade and the fan reaction quite well.

by shawonfan on Aug 17, 2007 6:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hats off to Jones.....
It's taken some time, but I've finally come around to JJ.  I've read the comments through this entire thread  (up through 10pm) and quite frankly am surprised at the still relatively 'luke-warm' reception to Jones.  

I have always been Jones' biggest critic-hated when we originally signed him, wasn't that impressed last year with him, and of course continued to be endlessely irritated with him this year before the trading deadline.  I was out of communication range 2 days before the trading deadline and returned 8/4/07, fully expecting and hoping that Jones would no longer be cluttering up this roster.  

Having said that, as poorly as this club has played over the last 2 weeks, we may have very well gone 2-12 if Jones hadn't been playing.  Swallowing pride (gladly) I've got to give Jones his overdue recognitition, most should as well.  

It seems Jones not only has gotten extremely hot, but more importantly has made appropriate adjustments both defensively and offensively.  It used to be  you couldn't throw anything at Jones that he wouldn't swing at, but he has really develped a pretty (dare I say it?) good eye for the strke zone as well, and recently has actually taken important...walks..which at the time were very important (though the Cubs did proceed to lose a couple of those games).  Jones has shown good discipline at the plate, some thing he (despite his numbers) has NOT done over het last 3-4 yrs.  In a time when our heavy hitters (Ramirez excluded) have struggled mightily, Jones has really become a welcome site in the lineup. He's doing what he does best in going with pitches rather than trying to jack everything out of the ballpark...which has resulted in more power.  As well, defensively, he's been a breath of fresh air, something I never thought I'd say.  Yes, he still has a complete mental block when it comes to throwing the baseball and doesn't always look pretty when making the catch (he SHOULD have called off DeRosa on Pujol's flyball today), but he has, by being able to remain in the lineup, been able to give the outfield MUCH needed range (that is only trumped by Pie who has yet to find his offensive stroke) that we have missed with the likes of Floyd, Murton, Ward and even Soriano.  

It is time to give Jones his due.   I don't expect him to continue his stroke forever, but if we do end up winning this division, we may very well look back to these first 3 weeks of August when, of all people, Jacque Jones helped prevent this team from getting buried when it clearly wanted to be.  

by LuisSalazar on Aug 17, 2007 10:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Call Al!
I was wondering if you were really able to see the Jones catch live, from your vantage point?

Also, from where I was sitting today in the upper deck, it appeared as if the two catches that Ludwick made on Fonty and Murton in LF, that the dives would have been unecessary had he been in position properly. Almost like, had he gotten a jump on them, he comes up with the balls without the horizontal move. Did it seem like it out there?

RE: HERMANDEZ - he was the ump that Mongo McMichael gave crap to about his strike "zone" during his one and only 7th inning stretch appearance. Remember?

I know it was "uncalled for", but I secretly was laughing inside...the Ump is a ball/strike tool!

It is AUGUST, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Aug 17, 2007 5:35 PM CDT   0 recs

Angel Hernandez
Joe West and CB Bucknor have the largest egos of all MLB umpires.  They stare into dugouts.  Antagonize with strike three and punch outs and generally dare managers and players to argue with them so they can run somebody.

by MiniAndretti on Aug 17, 2007 5:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't forget about Froemming and
Larry Poncino
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Aug 17, 2007 5:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dan Iassogna
Easily in tje top three, if not the worst by himself. Joe West is right behind.
Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Aug 17, 2007 6:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Iassogna is a bad ball/strike ump
but he's not an agitator like these other guys. Iassogna's just bad at his job; the rest of the guys mentioned are bad and yet somehow feel their bombastic attitude justifies their obvious shortcomings.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Aug 17, 2007 7:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have mentioned this before
but as far as I can remember - going back like 30 years - I honestly do not remember the Umpires as a group, being worse (inconsistent/slow/etc.) than MLB 2007.

Maybe I am getting old, but the bad home run calls, to the terrible ball/strike calls, to missed steals and outs - it has been an atrocious year and I seriously hope the owners get together this offseason and do something about it.

It is AUGUST, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Aug 17, 2007 7:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't go back quite as far as you
but I feel the same way about the umpiring this year.  Missed calls are always going to be there but the strike zone has been amazingly inconsistent all year.  It seems as if some years they tell the umps to call certain pitches, high strikes, low strikes, etc.  But this year its like they just said "screw it, call whatever you want".  
I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Aug 17, 2007 7:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Kendall double play
on the replays you can see that Kendall knew Pujols either wasn't running or got a late start so he took a full step forward before he threw the ball.  This led to him hitting Rolen and having Pujols called out.  Molina on the other hand made a more traditional throw just standing from the crouch and came nowhere close to touching Lee.  For some reason the fans at VEB couldn't understand that the catcher has to touch the batter (or the batter has to jump up in front of the catcher while waving his arms:) for it to be called interference.
I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Aug 17, 2007 5:37 PM CDT   0 recs

adding to my own post
Len and Bob spent some time talking about how Benito Santiago (sp?) used to take a large step forward when throwing out runners which resulted in a lot of batter interference calls.  So perhaps Kendall was taking a page out of the ol Santiago catching trickery book...
I survived VWR 2007

by akcubfan on Aug 17, 2007 5:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Benito
That, of course, is when he wasn't throwing people out throwing from his knees.

I hate the Madres but I did enjoy watching Benito play ball.

by Kornchex on Aug 17, 2007 6:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh. How can anyone talk nice about 'ol BS
on this site.  Yes he was good when he came up (Reds?), and then with the Pads, but if I have my time line right in my pea brain, his almost stealing money from the Cubs led to the need for an impact catcher.  Thus the big free agent signing of whiff-o-matic Hundley.

Further, when he finished his time (2 years?) with the Cubs, he discovered a magical (!?!) fountain of youth with the Giants to further his career by a few years.

by N Oakley on Aug 17, 2007 7:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fox..
why not show one game on Fox and the other on FX? Or just have only one Fox game of the week..
Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 17, 2007 5:46 PM CDT   0 recs

Nope...
You have to maximize ratings for the advertisers.
The 'other' game is really, just for cover in case of bad weather or if the main game really is going to tank in some other major markets.

Any game NOT on the 'mother ship' (Fox) would also command less in ad rates. (FX)

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 17, 2007 8:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey Al...
weren't you going to post a link to gameday for the Brewers/Reds game tonight?

by sparky36 on Aug 17, 2007 5:50 PM CDT   0 recs

I was.
I forgot... it happens. Hey, maybe that's the way to make the Brewers lose!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 18, 2007 4:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Regarding Cards Fans...
...I have zero respect for them. I went to school in Missouri the last four years and about 20 Cub/Cards games at Busch during that time. Never in my life have I experienced such arrogance as shown by the vast majority of Cards fans. The ones who go to Wrigley are great fans, as I have seen in about 10 games between the two on the North Side, but in MO, they are terriblly ignorant, brain-washed, and arrogant.

by ReySanchez3 on Aug 17, 2007 5:56 PM CDT   0 recs

Here Here!
As a born in Chicago graduate of the University of Missouri...I completely agree!

by Jsheared on Aug 17, 2007 6:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sort of agree
I don't know about the Cards fans who go to Wrigley (never seen the two teams play in Chicago). But in Missouri, Cardinals fans are incredibly obnoxious and self-congratulatory. They will tell you, ad nauseum, that they are the best fans in baseball.

I also went to Missouri -- where about four out of five students are from St. Louis. It was awful.

by elgato on Aug 17, 2007 6:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

another Chicago-MU grad checking in
Seems like there's a lot of us!  I was born and raised in western burbs, graduated from MU in '02.  

Cubs games at Busch comprise all of my favorite games I've been to in person.  Probably due to the fact that my girlfriend's best friend had season tix right behind home plate in Bobby Knight and Charlie Spoonaur's section.  I love being the visiting fan/asshole.

That said, I think the Cubs will still win this game and the Central

by joeschmitt on Aug 17, 2007 8:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe I've met different Cards fans
Because they have usually been quite knowledgeable baseball fans.   A few of them have been obnoxious idiots, but the majority I've known are good baseball people.  I've lived in Southern California and have watched LA and SD, and unlike the fans in Southern California, the St. Louis fans are truly appreciative of good baseball.  

I still can't figure out why people in LA and San Diego go to ballgames.  If they go, why do they leave by the 8th inning?

by zevkalman on Aug 17, 2007 7:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll defend (kind of)
SoCal....especially LA...
The famous "tail-light" shot into the parking lot popularized this notion at Dodger Stadium.
Most Dodgers fans have a very long drive, approx 45 mins to an hour to get to the park (Exceptions would include those who live in Pasadena & Glendale) I would doubt if their season-ticket holders live in the neighborhood -- if you've been to the area below Chavez Ravine, you know what I mean. Echo Park, maybe...and now, some people actually live in DT LA -- but not that many)

Most are driving back to the San Fernando Valley, to the west side, San Gabriel valley, and yes -- the OC. (Also Ventura, and Riverside counties)
If you have to battle terrible traffic everyday, and you go to the games all the time -- with a large lead, or behind a lot -- you leave early.
The Dodgers have MANY season ticket holders. And, of course -- many of those tix are in the hands of companies, who give them to clients. If a 'client' gets the ticket free, there's no perceived 'loss of value' if he or she leaves early.

San Diego is a bit different -- but many of their season ticket holders probably come from north of the city of SD. That could be a 45 min drive.
In both cases, it's the season ticket holders who leave early. It was normal for people to leave Qualcomm early, espcially with a big crowd because of bad access out of the stadium. (The same could be said for Dodger Stadium -- although their new parking plan gets you out really quickly, now.) I don't see this happening as much at Petco as it did at Qualcomm. Access has become pretty darn easy at Petco -- that was such a worry for fans before the place opened.

Also -- SoCal is a notorious 'early to rise' market because of the long drives many have -- and, there are a lot of people who must get to work early, because they have to be in their offices for the EST business day. In the case of SD, there is a substantial military population who are at their bases at 5-6am. (And, a substantial civilian workforce at these bases that must be at work at daybreak)

California is a completely different market than Chicago....and, even though there are great baseball fans in both markets, there are not as many die-hards. There are SO many entertainment options.......

And, now in SD, you walk out of the park into a multitude of bars/restaurants....so, you can still watch the game....but not in your seat.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 17, 2007 8:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, you hit it on the head.
I lived in L.A. and in Irvine for many years.  In L.A. I lived most of the time in Silverlake, near Echo Park, which is very close to Dodger Stadium.  (Silverlake is now a pretty gentrified area, with yuppies and other hipsters taking advantage of its proximity to downtown and the Hollywood and Santa Monica Fwys.)  So close to Dodger Stadium!

Anyway, from the 7th inning on, people would leave the ballpark and get in their cars  Understandable because with all the cars it could sometimes take an hour to get out of Chavez Ravine.  No red line or buses or sidewalks around the ballpark....

But what a waste to only see part of a ballgame!

by zevkalman on Aug 17, 2007 8:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In my experience as a visitor...and as a former
resident, I see MANY people get there in the 3rd, and then LEAVE in the 7th.

Why bother to come at all?

And, don't get me started on the "wave" (throws up in mouth) and the "beach ball toss".

Sorry - but the average Dodger and Pads fans I've met just aren't as "into it" as the "rust belt" urban cities of the midwest and East Coast.

I Understand that they can Hang Ten, go hiking, sailing, golfing, produce a movie, or do many other things - but Pro outdoor sports - Nope. (see LA Rams for other examples of this)

It is AUGUST, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Aug 17, 2007 9:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed
I lived in San Diego for over six years when they played at Qualcom (it was Jack Murphy then). I always got there early and usually stayed for the entire game, but I only went 10-12 times a year. If there was a large crowd, it could take you an hour just to get out of the stadium parking lot, let alone drive home. For about a year I only lived five minutes from the park in Serra Mesa, but it would still take 30-60 minutes to get home on a busy night. The other five years I lived in Chula Vista, which required taking the freeway home. Of course, there were also many nights where there were only 10,000 people there and getting home was no problem. I never got up to Dodger stadium. Cub fans seemed to be more diehard than Padre fans to me when I was there. The stadium was always full of fans from the opposing team when the Cubs or Mets were in town.

by qccub on Aug 18, 2007 2:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cubs fans...
I'm not trying to start any arguements here (being a cubs fan myself), but cubs fans can be just as arrogant and obnoxious as any fans in baseball.  Especially given the amount of beer consumed at the largest beer garden in the world (wrigley).  We do have a lot of die hard baseball fans, don't get me wrong, but we have just as many ignorant drunkards attending the games as well.

by steinmer on Aug 17, 2007 7:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here on the West Coast...
We're getting Yankees/Tigers. I purchased MLB.com a couple weeks ago - but will the Cubs game be a "national blackout"? Anyone know?
"I don't know what I'm talking about, and I'm pretty sure you don't either." -David Letterman to Bill O'Reilly

by hipster17 on Aug 17, 2007 6:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Make that MLB.TV, not MLB.com
n/t
"I don't know what I'm talking about, and I'm pretty sure you don't either." -David Letterman to Bill O'Reilly

by hipster17 on Aug 17, 2007 6:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have mlb.tv also
And when there is a game on national television, even when it is a game that won't be shown to me in Washington, DC, I cannot watch it on MLB.TV.  Pretty stupid MLB rules.  NFL rules are better.

The Fox International method is an option, or maybe the game is on shoutcast.

by zevkalman on Aug 17, 2007 6:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Same here
Live here in DC, and we get the East Coast games for the most part.  And of course MLBTV still blacks you out.  Grrr...

by ar_hawkins on Aug 17, 2007 7:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pretty sure
I'm pretty sure it is blacked out.  I'll be checking anyway.

Per someone's advice here in BCB land I ended up hooking a computer up to my Plasma.  It is fantastic to be able to watch just about every Cubs game "on TV" while living in San Diego.  The picture isn't even that bad.  I think I'll buy the 700k stream next year.

by Kornchex on Aug 17, 2007 6:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Our only hope in CA
is that the Cubs will be on the Fox Sports Espanol feed out here.  If it is, what I do is slow the feed (via TiVo) down by about 8 seconds to get it in sync with the mlb.com radio feed (on my laptop) of WGN Radio (Pat & Ron) and watch the game that way IF we have it on FSE.  

That is my hope, for those of us who can not understand Spanish.

Check DirecTV and/or Cable.

Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 17, 2007 7:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Jones
Hey Al, what's the worst you've heard shouted at Jones in the bleachers?? I've heard it's been pretty bad no matter what ever since he signed.

If I was sitting out there and heard that fucking shit spewed at him, I'd crack the fucking skulls of anyone giving him shit. Fucking idiots. and if I was Jacque I'd mouth-out a "fuck you" whenever I heard that crap.

You'd think he was the equivalent of freddie bynum or jason dubois from all the shit he's been thrown at him. He's had the track record of a very good major leaguer since he came up and apparently many so-called "fans" didn't watch the Twins- a winning franchise- for all those years, a team of which he was more than an integral part.

Jones isn't getting the same number of plate appearances this year, and for good reason because that's Lou's style- playing the hot hand. Well, now we got another hot bat in JJ and his numbers, per AB, will be nearly the same as they were last year, with only the HRs being down a bit. Bottom line, it doesn't matter what he did in the first half, we should admire what he's doing in the second.

I also hate hearing about "yet another base-running blunder" when he's made maybe ONE all year. JJ haters, go fuck yourselves.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Aug 17, 2007 6:33 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm glad JJ has turned it around, too
But I doubt his HR rate will be down "a bit."

The racist comments are never OK. But I think a lot of the criticism early in the season was justified (if not from the bleachers, then on this site). JJ was terrible in May and June.

I'm happy to eat crow (in retrospect). But I don't think criticizing Jacque two months ago was out of line.

by elgato on Aug 17, 2007 7:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow.
You got a mouth on you boy!
MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 17, 2007 7:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fuck yeah!
it wasn't aimed at the posters here I should add. Just making a general statement about some drunken idiots in the wrigley bleachers, who are as bad or worse as fenway, yankee stadium or a few other places. In fact, I don't even think yankee stadium is that bad w/regard to racism.

It's OK to yell out "you suck" or "you bum" or "get an arm because you throw like a girl" on occasion when a player gives a bad effort, but when you hear "stupid-ass nigger" so often, and many people have told me this, it's fucking unacceptable. If I was lucky enough to have season tickets in the bleachers and heard that crap, I would start some shit, believe me. I would get in their faces and tell 'em to shut the fuck up before I knocked out their teeth, even if it meant I would get the shit beaten out of me.

"Get up stand up, stand up for your rights"

-Bob Marley

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Aug 17, 2007 7:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoa there big guy...
I can understand the disgust with the racist commentsa that get thrown around and I even understand the angry need to drop "fuck" before every statement made.

I do not however, support the quoting of such pivotal and inspirationally peaceful man such as Bob Marley while IN one of these hatred packed rants.

I do not think that Marley would appreciate his name being tossed around a speech like yours.  Bob Marley, while definitely a supporter of revolution and justice, preached more about loving thy brother and leading a more peaceful existence.

I think a more suitable quote for your post would have been something like...

"Fuck you I won't do whatcha tell me..."
-Rage Against the Machine

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 17, 2007 8:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yankee fans can be racist, too
I was at Yankee Stadium to watch the Bronx Bombers play Seattle when Griffey was still with them. They came up with plenty of racist remarks. All Griffey did was smile and hit 2 or 3 homers that game.
"When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches."- Ron Santo

by BigJohnAZ on Aug 17, 2007 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Easy Bro
It's so easy for everyone to back Jones now, sure he deserves it he's super hot right now and he single handily won a "must-win-game" for us today.

Were you telling the "Jones haters" off in May, and when he was all but given away? My guess is that you probably weren't.

This happens in sports in every city. I've been  critical of Jones this year. Do I take back the things I said, no and why should I, I meant them at the time.

It's real simple in this game of baseball you play well you will get cheered, You don't you get booed.

Well done today Frechy, I hope you stay hot!

What are the chances Jones finishes with more HRs than Lee?

"We have the rabbit's foot now" -Z

by TheRamZamDLEE on Aug 17, 2007 7:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Reds ahead 1-0 in top of first
Cubs still in first place.

by zevkalman on Aug 17, 2007 7:20 PM CDT   0 recs

As one who trashed the first half contribution
of JJ.  I only derided the contribution versus the contract.  I appreciate the effective bat he is bringing and the solid defense.  

I will not apologize for the earlier comments, his production did not equal a roster spot.  That being said, he has turned it around and I am appreciative.

Keep it up.  

by N Oakley on Aug 17, 2007 7:22 PM CDT   0 recs

Very happy
for the team today. Hopefully they come in tomorrow fired up and get another win.

I never liked the way JJ has been treated but then I don't like for any player to be treated like that. I'm really tired of hearing "this player sucks or that player sucks". Baseball is a game played by human beings. Human beings make mistakes, no one is perfect. They aren't robots. Sure we all get frustrated with the way they play but sometimes our behavior is shameful.

I love this team!!!!!

by sue369 on Aug 17, 2007 7:25 PM CDT   0 recs

Big Mac
GIDP, inning over for BrewCrew
Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 17, 2007 7:26 PM CDT   0 recs

1-0 cinci
Dinosaurs? "Didn't exist. You can't say there were dinosaurs when you never saw them." -Carl Everett

by NDcubsfan on Aug 17, 2007 7:38 PM CDT   0 recs

It's Been a Good Day For The Cubs
That states the obvious, but what with the recent slide and the Cards sneaking up, the Cubs have won three in a row, including the Cards today, AND signed Zambrano, thereby removing a lot of the angst surrounding him and all the propensities projected on whoever the future Cubs owner is.

All that being said, for the next couple of hours, think happy thoughts for the Reds to make this day complete.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Aug 17, 2007 7:40 PM CDT   0 recs

3 in a row?
i think you ment 2
I demind an asterisk be placed behind Neifi Perez's mark of 64 career homeruns

by jds2 on Aug 17, 2007 7:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You Could Be Right
I'm a lawyer. We stink at math.
Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Aug 17, 2007 7:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2-0 Cincy. Nice
Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 17, 2007 7:49 PM CDT   0 recs

good to hear!
fly your W flag Cubs fans!

by love the ivy on Aug 17, 2007 7:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

CIncy 2, Brewers 0 -- no outs in 3rd
Seeing how that run was plated, it's obvious the Reds have a 3rd base coach that knows how to wave runners home.

by zevkalman on Aug 17, 2007 7:50 PM CDT   0 recs

reply
'Were you telling the "Jones haters" off in May, and when he was all but given away? My guess is that you probably weren't.'

I've been telling them off ever since his bad start when he signed last year. I just haven't posted here in weeks or months because I dislike this stupid site. I don't see much of a difference between this site and cubs.com

stupid-ass fucking site this is. good-bye and good-riddance

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Aug 17, 2007 7:56 PM CDT   0 recs

Nice.
Contrarians do tend to get flamed here. I should know.

But generally, you can go to other places, and apparently you will be going there.

It is AUGUST, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Aug 17, 2007 8:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So has Mr F-bomb
been banned from BCB?

He seems to have good high speed Internet capability from his mobile home somewhere near Miller Park.  :-)

Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 17, 2007 8:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

WOW
Attention Captain Ass Clown: You're a complete tool.

Learn how to hit the reply "button"

You don't need Season tickets to get to Wrigley, you can but a single game ticket just like everyone else. And I would pay money to see you start shit @ Wrigley. It pretty much goes against everything you just said.

"I just haven't posted here in weeks or months because I dislike this stupid site."

So you did care enough about this stupid site
to come tell everyone off Today, didn't you.

Your language speaks for it self, you have no valid argument so you just sling obscenities. (No your not frustrated at all, PFFFT!!)

"We have the rabbit's foot now" -Z

by TheRamZamDLEE on Aug 18, 2007 4:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2 out of next three is
what we should all be talking about and hoping for. That would be a huge series victory for us. I really hope those two come in a row and leave us Monday for a sweep.

Al is right on JJ, he could have sulked, quit, bitched, etc. But for those us us stuck on WGNTV, the smile told us he appreciates his success and I feel is not taking anything for granted. We needed this from him.

This is Harry Carray, goodbye from Wrigley Field and So Long Everybody.

by mrcubsfan on Aug 17, 2007 8:16 PM CDT   0 recs

2 out of 3
We play the Cards 4 games. I want 3 out of 4!
8/15 Ted Lilly walked by the lineup card and said to nobody in particular "I can't believe I'm batting 9th again".

by mweil on Aug 17, 2007 8:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We've won the first
now we need 2 of next 3 mweil. I know how many game we play the freakin Cards, this is the series of the year.....until the next series.
This is Harry Carray, goodbye from Wrigley Field and So Long Everybody.

by mrcubsfan on Aug 17, 2007 8:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs