Open Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 8/19, 7:05 CT

The national media can't call a Cub game anymore without mentioning Steve Bartman.  They keep talking about how we're all obsessed with Steve Bartman, but in reality they're the ones obsessed with Bartman.

Date reaching 63 wins:

2007.  August 18th
      
2006.  September 23rd
      
2005.  August 30th

After only 4 hits the last two games, an offensive breakout would be a pleasant sight.

In my best wide-eyed glance, I joined many hushed conversations about how the Cards were doing against the lowly Cubs....AND IT WAS GREAT!!!

Go Cubs !!

Is MLB the completely worse run professional sports organization?  Sure, right now we have QBs electrocuting dogs, and refs working for the mafia, but who's to thank for the steroid DECADE and, of course to a lesser extent, this f***ing blackout package?!  

This is so maddening.

Dan

But lord knows that I don't put a lot of faith into the error as a fielding statistic. So... how about his Range Factor?

.576.

Woooooow.

I'd love to get some early runs with tonights weather.

No Jon, sure dont. I remember when the Yankees were that man back. Shut up. Why do you either of you exist.

Oh, 8:01 on the "Z breaking bat over his knee" remark. Followed by a Big Z, Jouquin Andujar comparison.

70-90% chance of precipitation all night...

Especially if rain causes problems tomorrow.
We are beginning to nit-pick here.

I sure as hell wouldn't want to play a DH Monday, if I am a Cubs player, manager, or GM.

I heard the slip of the tongue regarding the Red Sox....nobody's perfect...

Writers have the chance to re-write, stop -- start again, re-write some more -- live radio & TV -- stuff does happen.

Of course, stupidity from banal announcers (Matt Vasgergian, for one) can't be helped. But in a live, ad-libbed situation -- you are really thinking on your feet -- and it's not really easy.
Many a news anchor, during crisis situations -- you will suddenly see not seem as crisp, and authoritative -- they are used to a script.

And, of course PBP sports is not scripted. So, set aside the gripes, perceived gripes, and slights at times. Sportscasting can be great fun (I did it at the college level) but it can also be quite challenging.

It's just unfortunate that not enough individuals in the business do their homework coming into a game -- and are content to slide through a telecast.

I love radio/TV critics who do find one glaring error and hold it up for ridicule in their column, or whatever -- but what about everything the sportscaster did right?  That's not usually mentioned.

Curt Gowdy, Jack Brickhouse, Lou Boudreau, Vince Lloyd -- all made errors. But, we look back on them fondly. Will we do the same with this current crop? Not sure, and there may be a host of reasons for that.....

</end sarcasm>

Atleast we get some great Ankiel feel-good coverage.

Does anyone remember when they used to show old all star games and world series highlights during rain delays?  It seems like they mostly cut to network shows now.

Just curious.

http://analogik.com/multimedia/video/qrio/sony_05.wmv

The new Cubs long man???  Takes almost as long as Trachsel between pitches but he can go forever...

But back on topic, do you think we will see any more of Carlos tonight?

Someone pointed this out earlier - common off day on Aug 27.  Cards players would have to sign off on this as I think this would make more than 21 consecutive days with games.  Cubs coming back from AZ and start a series with Mil on Tues.  Cards coming from home and start a series at Hou on Tues.

Second common off day is Sept 10.  But the travel logistics suck for this one.  Cubs on road going from Pgh to Hou and Cards on road going from AZ to Cin.

Third option would be wait until end of season and play it only if it impacts playoffs.

I love Wrigley to death, but the field is in massive need of being redone and flattening with a modern drainage system put in place.  I'm still confused why the planned task was canceled for the offseason...

I can't imagine they're going to plan to play two tomorrow, with the Cubs scheduled to fly to SF.  Unfortunately, that would mean that this is likely to be a "play on October 1 if needed" game.

From the current roster, I gotta go with Daryle "Tidal Wave" Ward.

All-time Cubbie...  Three way tie - Big Daddy Reuschel, Big Red Sutcliffe, or Rod The Shooter Beck.

I am a complete conspiracy thoerist, but the Cubs knew this was the forecast. They knew it. If they call the game before game time, no $$. This way they at least got all the concession $$. And of course pancho money.

Gotta pay Big Z somehow.

The only thing I'm not clear about is whether it's mandatory to play the game at the next available date (tomorrow). Also, it doesn't say who decides that.

I'm pretty sure they could have gotten another 2 innings in at this point.

I assume the Cubs won't want to play two games tomorrow before embarking on a road trip to the West Coast. That would only complicate the rotation and tire the bullpen.

Now, they better play it before the last scheduled game between these two teams, or Z will lose his K's and Murton his single. If they don't complete it before the last game scheduled between these two teams, the game has to be restarted from the beginning:

Maybe the Cubs would rather wait to play the game if needed and not give a hoot about individual statistics.

Link to article

I didn't doublecheck that clause (7) in Rule 4.12 was not one of those six reasons. They are: curfew, time limit, light or tarp failure, darkness, weather stops a regulation game (which this game wasn't), tied regulation game (which this wasn't either).

So, I eat crow. Forget everything I wrote earlier. The game doesn't count. It's a called game and it will have to be played in its entirety. Individual records are erased.

My sidewalk is now completely dry.  I don't think it has rained since a little past 9:00.

Al, I hope you read this (lots of stuff to scroll through, i know).  But, I believe you live a little closer to wrigley than I do.  Did it rain there?

...very confused

1. Langerhans DFA'd
   
2. Mike Myers is a White Sock
   
3. Jose Cruz Jr. is a Yankee

This is what Torre said when pitcher Kyle Farnsworth was cheered Saturday after being repeatedly jeered during the year. From The Yankees official web site: