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Happy Birthday, Lou Piniella!

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.
-- The Beatles

In the seventh inning last night, when the up-till-then quiescent Cubs began what was to be their game-winning rally, the chant "Let's Go Cubbies" sprung up, and last night sounded different than any time I think I've ever heard that chant before. It was more urgent, more plaintive, as if everyone, standing in a near-playoff atmosphere, felt that they themselves could push the Cubs to victory simply by shouting those words.

Whether that's true or not, a few moments later Jacque Jones lasered a double to right-center field, tying the game, and there couldn't have been a happier man in Chicago last night; Jones enthusiastically clapped his hands upon reaching second base, and is, at last, getting recognition from fans, every day. The non-deal of Jones to the Marlins could turn out to be one of the best deals the Cubs didn't make -- Jones is now hitting .331/.373/.483 since the All-Star break with 3 HR, 14 doubles and 29 RBI in 39 games. After an intentional walk to Daryle Ward, Jones took third on a sharp line drive to right by Alfonso Soriano, and then Ryan Theriot bounced a ball that Scott Linebrink had to leap to knock down.

Linebrink bobbled the ball long enough for Jones to score; he was given an error (a tough error, I thought, as he made extraordinary effort just to get to the ball), and then Derrek Lee's single scored Felix Pie, who had gone in to run for Ward.

And that, happening nearly as quickly as you just read about it, was how, on Lou Piniella's sixty-fourth birthday, with a first orange-looking, then very bright white, picture-postcard just-past-eclipsed nearly-full moon rising in the eastern sky above Wrigley Field, was how the Cubs beat the Brewers 5-3, clinching the season series, and knocking Milwaukee into third place (with the Cardinals' 7-0 win over the Astros, St. Louis moved ahead of the Brewers into 2nd place, two games behind the Cubs).

So, it appears the best way to beat the Brewers is to spot them a lead -- and not just a small lead, but a three-run-plus lead. Over at Baseball Prospectus on Monday evening, Nate Silver, perhaps presciently, noted that Milwaukee had, through Sunday, blown 13 leads of three runs or more (and nine of those from July 28 through August 26). This number isn't a record -- the article says that twenty such blown leads (by the 1998 Mariners and 2000 Astros) is the most since 1959 -- but the Brewers moved up a notch on that list with last night's blown 3-0 lead.

The crowd was very quiet as the Brewers built that 3-0 lead; Rich Hill had a strange game. He struck out five of the first six batters he faced, but gave up three two-out runs by the fifth inning, and got booed when he failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt after Jones and Jason Kendall had singled leading off the third. He made up for it by driving in the Cubs' first run with a single of his own after a two-out Kendall double in the fifth.

But after that Hill settled down and wound up with nine strikeouts (now ranking sixth in the NL), with no walks, and after the Cubs took the lead Bob Howry faced pinch-hitter Gabe Gross after Kevin Mench had been hit by a pitch (the third HBP of the game, and fortunately, no warnings were issued, because I don't think anyone was deliberately throwing at anyone else). Gross fouled off six pitches after two strikes, and the at-bat went into its twelfth pitch with Mike saying to me, "At-bats like this rarely have good endings." But this one did -- Gross popped up to Mark DeRosa in short center field to end the inning, to a roaring, rousing cheer from the 40,884 in attendance (I saw a ton of people pouring out of the ballpark after Ryan Dempster had recorded the first two outs of the ninth -- must have been Brewers fans taking off early).

Bob Uecker, the fine Brewers' radio broadcaster, was asked, as he has been several times before, to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". And as he has done several times before, he sang, "Root, root, root for the Brewers", to loud boos (No, that wasn't people saying "UUUUECK", either!). After he was done a spontaneous rendition of "TMOTTBG" was sung by much of the crowd, with "root, root, root for the Cubbies" sung properly. As noted in the comments in the game thread, since the Cubs proceeded to have a four-run seventh, maybe Uecker should be asked back tonight and tomorrow, too.

Finally, a note to anyone in the Cubs' publications department who sees this: the scorecards, printed on the off-day Monday, still do not (for the third consecutive series) have Felix Pie or Kerry Wood listed on the active roster, this despite the fact that Pie has been back from Iowa since August 8 and Wood was activated from the DL on August 3.

And so onward; the Cardinals, apparently, now become the Cubs' primary competition, as they have reached .500 for the first time since April 16. The Cubs will have five more shots at them in September -- coincidentally, the same number of games in which they faced them in that memorable September 2003 series. In the meantime, let's go Astros (at least through tomorrow), and Ben Sheets returns from the DL tonight to face Carlos Zambrano.

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Lets just hope
Sheets gets another blister

but the thing that sucks is that even if we sweep this series, it doesn't effect our standings in the division unless the Cardinals lose..

Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 8:37 AM CDT   0 recs

The Brewers
Sure, the Brewers seem dead in the water, but didn't the Cardinals about a month ago?

Sweeping this series would be fantastic.  If the Cubs can put away (as much as a 4.5 game deficit would be) the brewers, I'll be thrilled to have one less team knocking on the door.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 8:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Save the Cards...
for the 5 games we have left against them.  We need to distance ourselves from the Brewers, and then distance ourselves from the Cards when we play them later.

Ultimately, as long as we keep winning games, it doesn't matter much what the Cards do.

by SouthernCub on Aug 29, 2007 8:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha
as long as we don't lose a single game for the rest of the season, the division is ours!
Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 8:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL
But seriously, if the Cubs go out and win their game, they don't need to worry about what anyone else does.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was a great game and the best part
was the way Hill was pitching.  (Confession: I still like Uecker).  In the interview in the booth, Uecker admitted he just can't say cubbies, but encourages all cub fans to root for them.  He then commented on the re-sing, laughing.

by N Oakley on Aug 29, 2007 8:39 AM CDT   0 recs

what's up with booing uecker?
this isn't the first time he's gone up there and sang it that way. I was dissapointed when I heard the booing at home. No need to boo him, just shout out CUBS even louder.

other than that, it was a good night. Good to see the Cubs push the Brew Crew a bit further back. Now if someone could just beat the redbirds for us I'd appreciate it.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Aug 29, 2007 8:39 AM CDT   0 recs

i'm torn
on this one. most people admire ueker but you just do NOT send in the rival's announcer to sing TMOTTBG in the midst of the hottest series of the year in the tightest race in MLB.  cubs marketing were setting him up for that.  
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs" - Alvin Dark

by holycow07 on Aug 29, 2007 8:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I told...
The guy sitting in front of me, look i hate this guy Ueker right now and i will until the end of thursday's game.  Sorry but i have to!  (hate is such a strong word in this case, but i cannot cheer for him while we are playing the Brewers, not morally correct for me!)

by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 9:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I've got no problem
with Eucker or what he did.  What was he supposed to do?  He's an employee of the Brewers and of course he's supposed to be on thier side.

I do think it was a bad idea on the Cubs side to invite him.  It did work out well though.

by NO100 on Aug 29, 2007 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Booing Uecker
The boos were obvious residual resentment from the demise of Mr. Belvedere... the booing IS appropriate if invited announcer goes away from "Cubbies" or "home team"- at that point- Uecker, Scully or ANYONE invited to the booth are fair game... respect the team AND the 40,000 plus in front of you- or suffer the consequences.

by section101 on Aug 29, 2007 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

To the best of my memory
Vin Scully said "Cubbies" the last time he was offered the 'stretch' gig. Always the perfect gentleman.

Unfortunately, he doesn't make these road trips anymore, so I'd pass on asking Charlie Steiner or Steve Lyons to sing. Lyons would probably drop his drawers...

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 29, 2007 12:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mr. Belvedere? you meen Brocktoon?
I should want to write him a fan letter.  I shouldn't type it on a death certificate.

by BigJimSlade on Aug 29, 2007 2:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't understand the surprise
hasn't Ueker inserted the Brewers in the song for several years now?
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Aug 29, 2007 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah. He always does it.
I don't get what everyone is so worked up about.
1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 34-31 | updated on 8/29

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

re: I don't understand the surprise
Me neither. It seems like Uecker has sung at least once a year for at least several years now. Maybe longer.

My feelings fall somewhere in between what others have said. I don't hate Uecker, per se. I respect his history in the game and I agree that he's a pretty funny guy. I also give him kudos for trying to be neutral when singing.

BUT I stick to my own personal party line when it comes to the seventh inning stretch: It should be sung by ONLY current or former members of the Cubs organization (players, managers, coaches, etc.) or devout fans. That's it. You just don't give representatives of opposing teams a voice in your own house.

My Wife: Who's that guy?

Me: Jacque Jones

My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree
It seems the Cubs PR machine are desperate to get celebrities - whether they root for the Cubs or not - Uecker, Lasorda, Ozzie Osborne, Jeff Gordon - the list is endless.

Personally, I am getting a little tired of it myself but it still annoys the piss out me when I hear those fools.

If the Cubs organization can't get singers or would-be singers who show proper respect for this tradition that was started by Harry Caray, don't do it at all and let the fans sing acappella like they did last night.

by JFCubFan on Aug 29, 2007 12:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I highly doubt he was offended
There are times when booing is appropriate, and that was definitely one of them.

If anything it probably put a smile on Bob's face, and likely most of the Cubs fans' after the re-sing.

It's part of the fun in spectator sports.  I don't understand why booing must be always cast as bad sportsmanship.

by slink on Aug 29, 2007 9:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree. Cub fans
boo Poo-holes and Fielder, so it make Uecker feel like an athlete again and not just an announcer. It made him feel like he has an impact on the game. There was nothing politically incorrect about it. This is a big series and Cub fans were showing fierce loyalty to THEIR team at a critical point in the game and the players heard it and noticed it and it motivated them. They spoke about it after the game. Good for the fans and good for the Cubs!
Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely!
Booing the Ueck in that situation was perfect, and of course he was expecting it.

There are different "kinds" of boos.  The cold-hearted, hate filled booing of Jacque Jones or LaTroy Hawkins, is mean.

Booing the Ueck here was TOTALLY different, he seemed to get a real kick out of it.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 12:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Because.....
The Brewers are normally harmless, but this year they are not.

Couple that with the fact that more and more people are well aware that Eucker is going to change the song even before he sings.

The other BCB trashed Cub fans for disrespecting "Mr. Baseball."  I would ask them how their fans would react to Ron Santo coming into their ballpark, getting on the PA and announcing his love for the Cubs and shoving it in their face.

by martyblue on Aug 29, 2007 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Those boos
I was a little stunned at first with the booing and I thought to myself, instead of Uecker it should be Yucker. He's bringing it on himself and he knows it. I did like the second rendetion of TMOTTBG. It seemed to ignite the Cubs. I hope it continues tonight. I'll be there again.
"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Aug 29, 2007 12:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Z
What a huge game.  Sure, a big part of it is beating the Brewers, but as far as I care, we ABSOLUTELY need Zambrano to get back on track.

The bottom part of the rotation is pitching well, but I am nervous about the possibility of Hill Marshall and marquis carrying us through Sept.

c'mon z

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 8:43 AM CDT   0 recs

Great to see
Jacque Jones have another big game.  He's the MVP of this team in the second half in my book.  After the Soriano experiment failed miserably, center field was a huge problem.  JJ has solidified it, playing excellent defense and getting a ton of big hits in the second half.  He's been terrific.

by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 8:48 AM CDT   0 recs

Well said
I agree completely. Who'd have thought that this year, arguably our two most important players would be Jacque Jones and Ryan Theriot?

Of course, they wouldn't have to be so important if ARam picks it up again and Derrick Lee starts hitting those outside pitches into the basket.

by montanacubby on Aug 29, 2007 10:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great win
I was literally wailing and gnashing my teeth when we couldn't get three runs off Jeff F***ing Suppan. Luckily, Yost made a terrible decision in taking him out.

Soriano- i think he saw literally 6 pitches last night. Can we end his leadoff stint already?

by SouthsideCub on Aug 29, 2007 8:48 AM CDT   0 recs

Hear! Hear!
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Aug 29, 2007 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He saw 8
you would think that not seeing live pitching for a few weeks that you try and take some pitches to get to a better hitter's count. I guess once a hacker, always a hacker!

Need Big Z to perform tonight BIG TIME.

"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 29, 2007 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Uecker
I was watching at home....during the 7th inning stretch, here is what Uecker sang (the second half may have been drowned out by boos):

I'll root, root, root for the Brewers,
And you do the same for the Cubs,
Cause it's one, two....etc.

Now, for a man who is a BREWERS BROADCASTER, I think that's overall pretty respectful of the Wrigley tradition. It's not like he could say "Root, root, root for the Cubbies" and leave it at that....and letting the crowd sing it would have been a cop-out.  

So I, for one, thought his modified lyrics were apropos for a rivalry that we all hope (a la Cubs-Cardinals) remains both highly competitive and highly friendly between the I-94 cities. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

by Chadnudj on Aug 29, 2007 9:00 AM CDT   0 recs

I'll admit...
... it was very hard to hear Uecker at the ballpark over the crowd noise. If that's what he sang, that does sound respectful.

I've always had respect for Uecker and like his broadcasting style. Glad he did it that way, then.

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

by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's what he sang...
 And I only wish you could have caught this one on TV Al. Listening to him in the booth with Len and Bob while the Brewers were melting down was priceless.

by Damen Jackson on Aug 29, 2007 9:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The best storyteller, bar none
Uecker speaking of attending a Milwaukee Braves reunion:

Those things are a lot of fun, you get to hear a lot of the old stories you've heard before and they're just as funny. I do get a little aggravated, though, when they ask who I am.

Nobody does self-deprecating humor better than Ueck.

by scotteboy on Aug 29, 2007 9:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He's Great.
I don't know if you caught this last night, but I mentioned I am old enough to have seen him on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

He was always very, very funny.

Still, I cannot say I blame the Cubs fans for booing the neck-and-neck rival of them in a Division race. Sorry, I do not agree.

Drive Ron Santo up to Miller under the same circumstances next year and see what happens!

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow that's old.
Just kidding.  Some of us grew up on Carson, others on Parr.

by N Oakley on Aug 29, 2007 9:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

GEEZ - JACK PAAR?!
Before COLOR T.V.!
It is AUGUST, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Having 5 channels
and rabbit ears was much simpler. And I don't remember people complaining (but I was just a kid) "There's nothing on!" We just watched whatever happened to be on, and enjoyed it.

And the Pony Express delivered the mail.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 29, 2007 1:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I love the story
of being pinch hit for before he even had an AB in the game once.

He is funny and I say big deal to both...the rendition of the song and the booing.  it is ALL a part of baseball so people just need to deal with it.  He said what he said (which isn;t that bad) and he got booed (which also isn't that big of a deal).

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 29, 2007 11:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Couldn't stop laughing
at the pitch hit story last night.

"Runner's on the corner...Manager calls me over...thinking he's going to put a hit and run on or something...pitch hits for me...next pitch is a wild pitch...runner from third scores...Skip looks over at me and winks...Like I couldn't have stood there for the wild pitch!"

Listening to Bobby, Lenny,(as Uecker called them) and Uecker was rather enjoyable...

by Tangled Up In Blue on Aug 29, 2007 3:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well... he always sings it that way
And I applaud him for it.
1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 33-31 | updated on 8/22

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Has Sheets pitched any rehab
assignments for them?  Wonder if he'll have a pitch count limit of some kind.  Can't wait to get back into that bullpen.  Suppan made Floyd look sick on the first two pitches then hits him in the elbow and Yost yanks him.  Best decision of the night for the Cubs.  The

Cubs should play Bowie singing, "Putting out fire with gasoline" next time Yost goes to the pen.  Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar would be nice to hear from that song as well.

by TR on Aug 29, 2007 9:06 AM CDT   0 recs

They should
cheer Ned Yost every time he makes a move..
Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 9:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or cheer when certain relievers come out.
A couple years ago the Red Sox fans gave Mariano Rivera a big ovation at Fenway.  I think he had blown a couple games previously.

by WartburgCub on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Al, was the ball carrying last night?
The flags were shown on TV indicating that the wind was blowing out but there were no HR last night. Is there a difference at field level and up were the banners are?

Also, Brenly said that Floyd is using a lighter bat. If that's so, I expect more big hits from him.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:17 AM CDT   0 recs

Soriano
he's the one who needs a lighter bat!
Now that he is back, play Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 9:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And a bigger brain.
He swung at an inside pitch on 0-1 and grounded to SS. That's more than free swinging. That's anxious, bad swinging.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Soriano...
 needs to promise himself that he'll take the first pitch each at-bat for the rest of the season.

by Damen Jackson on Aug 29, 2007 9:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd be happy if he promised...
not to swing at bad pitches. That's all I ask.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Get Jones get in on this deal too?
1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 33-31 | updated on 8/22

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He has.
Actually, I think Jones has been more selective and that's been key to his success in the second half. In games wehere he's hacking he's not successful.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oddly....
... although there was a pretty good breeze during BP, and balls were flying onto the street then, the wind died down during the game (at one point to total calm) and nothing carried.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What's going on this year?
There haven't many HR at Wrigley this year, by any team. I remember asking you whether you thought the remodeled bleachers have anything to do with those dying fly balls and you said you don't think so. Now, has there been some new construction across the street that is altering the wind patterns? Or should we expect Al Gore to add the lack of HR at Wrigley as another consequence of global warming?

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But the opposing teams
still have nearly a 2-1 margin anyway.

Its not the wind.

Its the players.

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree. This team has little power.
I may be wrong, but it seems that even opposing teams are hitting fewer HR. And there's no doubt that most days the wind hasn't been blowing out.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well - if you REALLY want to research
Mr. Fraggin', check out Baseball-Reference.com, or MLB Stats section in ESPN.

Let us know!  (if you are so inclined, that is)

I vaguely recall that in 2006, and of course this year, we have been homered against much more than our team doing the same to the other teams.  Unlike 2003 and 2004, perhaps.

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We have some pitchers who give up the long ball
Thankfully, Marquis (20 HRs) is far off his pace from last year, when he gave up a whopping 35.

Hill's givin up 24 this year... and this could become the norm for him over his career.  

Lilly's givin up 23, which is right around his average.

Zambrano's tied his career high with 21... and has 5 or so starts left.

1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 33-31 | updated on 8/22

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well - check THIS out Sacker:
Glendon Rusch, 2006, 21 HR's in 66 Innings!!

Our own in-game BP Pitcher!

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Holy crap!
Slapping my knee with laughter.
1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 34-31 | updated on 8/29

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 10:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just did some diggin around
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/home_runs_allowed_records.shtml

Fergie Jenkins lead the NL in homers Allowed in 5 seasons: '67, '68, '71, '72, '73

Bert Blylevin has the all-time record of 50 HRs in 1986 for the Twins. He won 17 games that year... and if he had just pitched 1 more year in his career, he may have won 300 games (287).

Jose Lima set the NL record with 48 HRs in 2000.

1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 34-31 | updated on 8/29

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 1:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Jenkins gave up tons of homers
but since he didn't walk anyone there was often no one on base.  Obviously no one likes to see their pitcher give up homers but one could argue that if a pitcher is going to give up a run the solo homer is the best option.  It sure beats 10 or 15 pitches to two or three batters to give up a run.

But then, comparing the current staff to a HOFer isn't really fair on my part.  No one on the staff is even close to Jenkins at this point.

by TR on Aug 29, 2007 2:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IMO - the ball
was DYING last night.

The BREW had two hard hit balls that would have gone out on many nights, and the Cubs haqd two as well. One by Floyd, one by DLEE.

Apparently, it has been proven that baseballs/golfballs travel farther in humidity - but that certainly was not the case last night.

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It wasn't that humid last night, just hot.
I'd expect higher humidity today.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pitching inside
I metioned this in the game thread last night, the Cubs pitchers threw the ball inside today pushing the batter off the plate and so a few Brewers got hit. It's definately a result from earlier in the season when the Brewers just leaned out and crushed us early on.

Also, the Booing of Uecker was all in good fun and I am sure he got a good laugh out of it.

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

by Imtrejo on Aug 29, 2007 9:19 AM CDT   0 recs

Zambrano...
IS the key to the Cubs winning the Division.

He could have five more starts - 4-1 would mean an awful lot.

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:24 AM CDT   0 recs

Put up or shut up
time for Carlos.  He's being paid more than any pitcher in the history of the game not named Clemens to win games like this.  Hopefully he gets it done.

by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT   0 recs

As we all know...
I am a JJ fan, but i have to apologize to him.  I was looking for him to bunt last night.  i really thought that it was the right move.  

But this is a testiment to Lou, he accomplished two things by letting Jones swing away;

  1. Lou put confidence out there for Jones to grab up and he did.  And adding to this, he was sending a message to the players on his club, look i have confidence in all of you and when the time is right i will trust that you will get the job done.  And that is exactly what Jones did.
  2. Lou was also making a statement to the Brewers, i am not playing for a tie here, i want to win this thing right here right now.  And he did.

by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT   0 recs

And
3.  Lou was also making another statement: I'm not gonna take the bat out of the hands of the hottest hitter on the team.

by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

HIGGY, we were discussing
in the stands the range of salary a BP pitcher can make.

Can someone "make a living" as a BP pitcher?

Would a "bullpen catcher" be in the same range?

Just curious...

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL!
Not with what the Cubs pay!  Actually according to the Cubs i was the first person hired outside of the organization to throw BP ever, so really they paid me nothing.  I knew that going into it and i was cool with it for the obvious reasons.  Usually the Cubs have coaching staff members do the BP thing.

Now when i was at the Cell, the Sox guy was full time, that was his job, just to throw BP, and i am guessing it was a decent living for him because he continued to do it.

I am not a 100% on the bullpen catchers, but i think they get paid league minimum if i am not mistaken.  but i am not really sure about that.

by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL! Agreed...
Well - a decent 2nd job, then!

So you must have been the "guy" that got the gig in the "cattle-call" tryouts when Dusty was bitching that we needed a LH BP pitcher.

Good for you!

You're going to have some golden memories the rest of your days.

Just not a pension from the Cubs!

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

by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Definitely...
a decent second job!  It worked out well because i work for my father, and obviously he was not going to say no to an offer like that!!

Technically i was not a part of the "cattle-call".  I was the guy who 'knew somebody' that assisted in getting the job for me.  He knew Dusty was looking for someone, and said i know the perfect guy.  I did witness a few tryout guys, but they let them throw about 5 pitches and called it wraps.

I will have golden memories for the rest of my days, i just wish they brought me back this year...those memories, wow...

Definitely no pension.

by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How much did Glendon Rusch make?
1-RUN GAMES = 16-19 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-7 | HOME = 34-31 | updated on 8/29

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs