Happy Birthday, Lou Piniella!
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.
0 recs |
172 comments
Comments
Lets just hope
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..
by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 8:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Brewers
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.
by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Save the Cards...
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 up reply actions 0 recs
It was a great game and the best part
by N Oakley on Aug 29, 2007 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
what's up with booing uecker?
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.
by mike on Aug 29, 2007 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i'm torn
by holycow07 on Aug 29, 2007 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I told...
by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've got no problem
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 up reply actions 0 recs
Booing Uecker
by section101 on Aug 29, 2007 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To the best of my memory
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 up reply actions 0 recs
Mr. Belvedere? you meen Brocktoon?
by BigJimSlade on Aug 29, 2007 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand the surprise
by MPH73 on Aug 29, 2007 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. He always does it.
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: I don't understand the surprise
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.
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 up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
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 up reply actions 0 recs
I highly doubt he was offended
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 up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Cub fans
by LAcarl519 on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely!
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.
by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because.....
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 up reply actions 0 recs
Those boos
by No Southern Belle on Aug 29, 2007 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Z
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
by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great to see
by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well said
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 up reply actions 0 recs
Great win
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 reply actions 0 recs
Hear! Hear!
by danimal15 on Aug 29, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He saw 8
Need Big Z to perform tonight BIG TIME.
by BigJohnAZ on Aug 29, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uecker
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 reply actions 0 recs
I'll admit...
I've always had respect for Uecker and like his broadcasting style. Glad he did it that way, then.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what he sang...
by Damen Jackson on Aug 29, 2007 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The best storyteller, bar none
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 up reply actions 0 recs
He's Great.
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!
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow that's old.
by N Oakley on Aug 29, 2007 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GEEZ - JACK PAAR?!
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Having 5 channels
And the Pony Express delivered the mail.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 29, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the story
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).
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 29, 2007 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't stop laughing
"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 up reply actions 0 recs
Well... he always sings it that way
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has Sheets pitched any rehab
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 reply actions 0 recs
They should
by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or cheer when certain relievers come out.
by WartburgCub on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Al, was the ball carrying last night?
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 reply actions 0 recs
Soriano
by Chanman25 on Aug 29, 2007 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a bigger brain.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Soriano...
by Damen Jackson on Aug 29, 2007 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd be happy if he promised...
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get Jones get in on this deal too?
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oddly....
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's going on this year?
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But the opposing teams
Its not the wind.
Its the players.
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. This team has little power.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well - if you REALLY want to research
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.
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have some pitchers who give up the long ball
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.
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well - check THIS out Sacker:
Our own in-game BP Pitcher!
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap!
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just did some diggin around
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.
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jenkins gave up tons of homers
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 up reply actions 0 recs
IMO - the ball
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.
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't that humid last night, just hot.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitching inside
Also, the Booing of Uecker was all in good fun and I am sure he got a good laugh out of it.
by Imtrejo on Aug 29, 2007 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Zambrano...
He could have five more starts - 4-1 would mean an awful lot.
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Put up or shut up
by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As we all know...
But this is a testiment to Lou, he accomplished two things by letting Jones swing away;
- 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.
- 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 reply actions 0 recs
HIGGY, we were discussing
Can someone "make a living" as a BP pitcher?
Would a "bullpen catcher" be in the same range?
Just curious...
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
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 up reply actions 0 recs
LOL! Agreed...
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!
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely...
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 up reply actions 0 recs
How much did Glendon Rusch make?
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HA! See my reply post to yours,
LOL!
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of bunts
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some Long Faces
Thanks to whoever posted the link for the SOPcast on a previous post. While the feed gets broken sometimes, it beats the Gameday boxscore and diamond.
by SpudV on Aug 29, 2007 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
different situation
But if the Cubs can't beat this Cardinals team, it doesn't speak well of the Cubs. Braden Looper? Kip Wells? Yeesh.
by raisin on Aug 29, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
SackMan vs Girlfriend
After a week-long road trip (which left the SackMan mighty antsy), the girlfriend opened the series at home last night.
Almost zero patience at the plate... but another MVP-type performance. 3 for 3 with a grandslam, and a HR in early BP this morning.
Plus, the GF watched the game with me last night!
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow...
Zero patience at the plate is always a good thing, look at JJ last night!
By far the best thing of the night is that she watched the game with you!
by HIGGY on Aug 29, 2007 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
She's goin with me to the game on Saturday
Was gonna take her during the last homestand, but I decided against it due to the crappy rainy weather.
She got a cute little Cubs tank-top and everything... can't wait!
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rich Hill
Pitched a great game last night. ( His bunting notwithstanding) I think 8 of the 9 strikeouts came on fast balls. At least five of those people were sitting on a curve ball and flailing miserably at a ball past them in the zone. It was good to see. He totally deserved the win and I'm glad he got it.
by yahoodi on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also of note...
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That at-bat scared the heck out of me
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Howry seems
The pitch he got him out on was a splitter, and it was not the greatest location, but it got the job done. If Howry could ever develop a good change, or command that splitter, he would be more effective then he already is.
by MPH73 on Aug 29, 2007 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Howry
by montanacubby on Aug 29, 2007 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Splitter
Howry threw 11 straight fastballs before retiring Gross on a splitter that he had hung.
"He got himself out on that one," Howry said, "because it wasn't a good enough pitch to say I got him out."
Not that it really matters. The change in speeds finally got Gross. I thought it was a changeup myself.
by roscoevillage on Aug 29, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Maddux comments on Sheets
by LAcarl519 on Aug 29, 2007 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And the 2007 Cubs MVP is...
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, that girl
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lest us not forget
They had managed three singles up until this point.
by TheEman on Aug 29, 2007 10:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Zambrano
by KedzieKid on Aug 29, 2007 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Simply put the Cubs need to win 18 more games
Forget matching up with the Cards...Cubs play 24 days in a row, (25 games) counting yesterday. Cardinals are worse....they have no off day here on out....plus must still travel to AZ and make up two away games during long road trips, Chi & NY.
All the Cubs need to do is win baby win, either take away games or put pressure and pull away. Let me ask, what do you propose to do without an off day to change the rotation? Start Gallagher against whom and when?
by Ivy Walls on Aug 29, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fans
Ok, just had to vent about that guy; he was miserable, not to mention gross to look at. I've been going to the bleachers for a long time and I can say he was one of the worst drunks/"fans" I've ever seen.
Let's go Z!
by 10 14 23 26 on Aug 29, 2007 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's been a while
by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But
At the end of that commercial I'm pumping the fist. Good stuff.
by krummy12 on Aug 29, 2007 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: But
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been searching
by Lou In Blue on Aug 29, 2007 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't seen it
by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Many thoughts....
Hill seemed mentally ready last night using his fast ball far more effectively going inside and out and especially working up the ladder that seems to be effective for him since he has the big whooping crane delivery. The curve served well...another quality start 16 out of 25 for the #3 starter. I especially liked Hill picking up Kendall for the first run for the Cubs.
Offensively the Cubs are becoming a big inning team bunching hits together. The crowd definitely has that playoff fever feel to it as it comes across the MLB rebroadcast very well. This feel will continue to build with each pitch and each AB.
As for Soriano I think he needs a week before he gets all the cob webs out. Good to see him in there for he pushes the bench deeper. Although I think Piniella might consider substituting Monroe in for Soriano late in a ball game defensively like he does Floyd, a healthier OF'er might have caught Fielder's duck snort in the 8th inning.
Finally Dempster sure quietly has become consistent again, 3 up 3 down.
Tonight look for Zambrano to be more focused work on being workmanlike as the Venz. press has returned after following him around in SF and AZ. As for Sheets I cannot see him going beyond the 6th inning so the Cubs should be in the Brewers weak bullpen early. As for the Cubs their bullpen lines up with a fresh Marmol, Wuertz, Wood and possibly Eyre who now has the Piniella seal of approval. I don't see a change in the lineup unless Soriano tightened up tonight.
A win tonight and you can almost order the Brewers done medium well for September where I could see the new ownership even firing Yost and Maddux. Too bad, they have a real good farm program but the young team is so weak defensively and short of effective pitching they remind me of the Cincinnati Reds, big offense worse defense.
A win tonight and Thursday day game could see the Cubs rest Ramirez, Floyd and Kendall. Yost says he is going to pitch a LH'er out of the pen. He is grasping for straws with these two starters (Sheets and a no-name).
As for the Cardinals and Cubs. Cubs simply have to play solid baseball this homestand, going a minimum of 6-4, 7-3 would be better of course 8-2 is not to be expected so let us stop there. Tonight the Cardinals face Oswalt with their Kip Wells. If Houston is going to win a game in that series it will tonight for their new manager. Look for an Astros win. BTW that means that Cubs will not face Oswalt in Chicago.
Good time to be a Cub fan.
by Ivy Walls on Aug 29, 2007 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thurs night
by LAcarl519 on Aug 29, 2007 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
SackMan is the one pounding the sheets now.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uecker may be funny
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Woody Allen wasn't bad
by TR on Aug 29, 2007 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: Uecker may be funny
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
september
by benjack on Aug 29, 2007 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've got it
by KedzieKid on Aug 29, 2007 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great game but
ranting on this as well as the inability to get sacrifice flies in crucial situatioons ALL YEAR. Ok so I worship one of the best bunting pitchers of all time but guess what he STILL practices his bunts virtually every day he is not pitching and that after 20 years of doing it well. I don't watch batting practice but how often does anyone see the pitchers practicing bunts , or god forbid the postition players. Bunting is a skill that can be improved on with practice. It does not require you to be a great or even good hitter but you MUST practice. My guess is that the lack of ability of Cubs to bunt starts in the minors and continues on up. I am feeling good about the team overall but very disappointed that Lou has not practiced the fundementals that he supposedly preaches.
by jessica on Aug 29, 2007 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Preaching is one thing...
Executing it in game situations is still another story.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but you can't execute what you don't know
You sit out there for nearly every home batting practice.
How often do you see the pitchers or positon players practicing their bunts? How often to the pitchers even take BP at all? Overall the Cubs pitchers seem to bat better than most but there is simply no excuse for their bad bunting. Also I disagree with your inference that in effect more practice would not make them better in game situations, I believe it would. I believe there is a strong connection between Maddux being a great bunter and the fact that he still practices it and takes a LOT of BP ( pretty much all the coaches will allow him). You do not have to be a great hitter to be a great bunter but you do need to practice as much as possible. Keep an eye out and tell us next time you see bunting practice.
by jessica on Aug 29, 2007 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Practice is important
One final note, bunting is also made much more difficult if you are facing a certain type of pitcher, or if they execute their pitches well. Suppan, did a good job of starting out high with Hill (toughest pitch to bunt) and then moving low to make him adjust. On Sunday the Dbacks reliever, was exceptionally difficult to bunt against with his exploding fastball that was typically at the letters. Sometimes, the pitchers don't get enouph credit, for making it difficult for the hitter to put down a good bunt.
by MPH73 on Aug 29, 2007 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
DeRosa was on ESPN
by mgfabc on Aug 29, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just to amplify
The overall team improvement was very noticeable. So, bunting proficiency CAN be taught and improved through instruction and practice.
Back in the day (when I played and coached) you were always required to lay down a bunt at the end of your time in the batting cage. And if someone had difficulty doing it, they were taken aside and worked with until they could do it in their sleep.
BTW, Butler was managing in AA (Mobile) this year, until he had a mild stroke. The last I heard he was recovering nicely.
by jazzman56 on Aug 29, 2007 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitchers and bunting
by RynoHoF on Aug 29, 2007 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: Great game but
I'd also point out that the Cubs have had at least two successful squeeze bunts this season.
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bunting is evil!
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not only the Cubs.
by Fraggin Judge on Aug 29, 2007 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to contradict your point,
My biggest gripe along these lines is still patience at the plate and being more selective. I see that as a big problem yet. How many walks did we draw last night? One? Ugh. Base-clogging = wins.
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
In fairness...
Two more walks and the Cubs will have walked more than they did all last year.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My problem with bunting
On another note, how big is the inability of Kendall to get down the sac on Sunday ? Right now, it is quite possibly the difference between a 2 game lead over STL and a 3 game lead.
by scotteboy on Aug 29, 2007 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woody Allen
Dangerfield was the best of the last 20-30 years at the type of humor we're talking about. Henny Youngman was probably just as good, but he was a little (ok, a lot) before my time. He was the heavyweight champ of one-liners though. Not a lot of comics doing that style these days, at least not doing it effectively.
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hannah and Her Sisters is non-comedic?
by TR on Aug 29, 2007 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not saying
I totally agree in regards to your standup comments, although I don't remember how much assistance Dangerfield or Youngman had with their material, especially Youngman. Being a writer/teacher of composition myself, I'm partial to Woody as well because he's such a great writer, whether it's essay, fiction, or film. He's the most talented, by far, of the three we're talking about. My initial point stands, however, that Dangerfield was "the best" at self-deprecation.
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For non-comedic Woody see Interiors,
by TR on Aug 29, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Match Point is a very good movie.
by Imtrejo on Aug 29, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
From Back to School:
"Well, why don't you call me some time when you have no class?"
Also gotta love the idea that Vonnegut would get an F on a report written about himself! I laugh just thinking about it.
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
re: From Back to School:
"Hey, Kurt, do you read lips? F*** you!"
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
in reference to your sig
by Kchance on Aug 29, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He either smiles...
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't find the post above
A "real class act we are" people! I'm sure Ueker could care less...oh well, kinda funny really.
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 29, 2007 11:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Catching another rotation break
I am sure Roy will be sorry to miss all his old friends on the Cubs
I meant to post this a few days back but seemed not to go through so apologies if it is a duplicate.
by jessica on Aug 29, 2007 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
not that it matters, but...
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)
at the pinnacle of linebrink's jump, the ball made contact with the heel of his glove...more a poorly timed leap rather than an extraordinary effort.
by rm463 on Aug 29, 2007 12:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Still...
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
by cubsbak on Aug 29, 2007 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I thought
by John Q Freejazz on Aug 29, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
compare apples to apples
The pitcher is on uneven ground is less than 60 feet away and must time himself in an instant....it was a hit....it would have been a hit if a high bounder bounced off the 3B....
by Ivy Walls on Aug 29, 2007 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, but...
Sure he mistimed his jump, but to properly time a leap when you only 50+ feet infront of the plate and coming out of your follow through is pretty tough.
I'd have given Theriot the RBI.
by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One more thing
Why is it that when a player reaches on an error he is penalized with an 0-1, no different than if he had been out. In my opinion, those plays should go down as a non-at bat, similar to a walk. Sure, there are the straight up botched plays (easy grounder through the 1B legs). But there are also an awful lot of errors on hard/weirdly hit balls, and/or a hustling runner who makes a fielder rush a throw, etc. I say give the hitter some credit
by WGNstatic on Aug 29, 2007 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What bugs me....
"Hitters should get credit for forcing the error!"
"That shouldn't have been an error!"
"That should have been an error!"
So many times, fans from both sides will complain about the scoring of errors. And yet just try to convince people that errors are a bad fielding metric. That they don't matter.
It's so frustrating.
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No error
That ball was slow enough, and Theriot is fast enough, that if Linebrink doesn't get a glove on it, then Theriot is safe and the Cubs score. The second baseman doesn't have time to get to it.
If he catches it and throws Theriot out, it's a great play. If he whiffs altogether, Theriot is safe, the run scores, but no error.
I don't think you should give guys errors for NOT making great plays.
by lancaster99 on Aug 29, 2007 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The official scorer disagreed.
Which is why arguing about whether or not the error was deserved is missing the forest for the trees, in my opinion. The error doesn't tell us anything! Over the course of the season, so many errors that could be called are called hits, and vice versa. It's up to the whimsy of dozens of different official scorers and what mood they're in that day. It's meaningless.
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
(Which reminds me, errors by the pitcher should COUNT toward ERA, but that's another rant...)
But, either it's right or it isn't.
I don't believe Linebrink should get an error. And conversely, I think Theriot should be remembered as getting a timely, well-placed hit and beating out a ground ball, rather than saying he reached because of failure by the other team.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Stockton gets all his assists, regardless of how many times he dumped the ball in to Malone and watched him make 17 moves to score.
Warner gets 41 TD passes in a year, even though some of them came from Faulk going 80 yards after a dump-off pass.
You're right. Forest, trees. I'm just in a tree-mood today.
by lancaster99 on Aug 29, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once upon a time...
Ah, Henry Chadwick... your greatness is only exceeded by your mistakes.
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right in what you said...
However, THAT error made the final two runs against Linebrink unearned -- thus having a fairly significant effect on his ERA.
That's the real impact of such a play; it affects pitching records as well as fielding records. ISTR a play a number of years ago where a hit was changed to an error after the game had ended, thus making NINE runs charged to Curt Schilling unearned rather than earned.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is why...
It's like if you're driving around a '77 AMC Gremlin, and it starts making bad noises. You can sit there figuring out if the transmission belt is at fault, or you can wonder why the hell you're still driving a Gremlin. The problem isn't the fact that Scott Linebrink was able to keep two earned runs off his ERA, it's the fact that the voters for awards need to find the cluetrain and stop looking at errors.
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can watch...
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I watched it again.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll admit that when it happened...
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly why it should have been an error.
by Al on Aug 29, 2007 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
White man can't jump
by Ivy Walls on Aug 29, 2007 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fielding a high hopper
by MPH73 on Aug 29, 2007 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: Fielding a high hopper
If Linebrink had made that play, it would have been a Web Gem for sure.
Me: Jacque Jones
My Wife: He's cute. He has a nice smile.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 29, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lineup
by TheRiot4Life on Aug 29, 2007 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Some love for Al
I just went to the Brew Crew Ball blog. It is lousy. Just win-expectancy nonsense and minor league goofiness.
They should be talking all things Yost and pulling Suppan, not giving me binary code for what a computer thinks after Jacque Jones knocked in the tying run.
Sheesh, we've got it good here, compared to some of the sister sites.
by lancaster99 on Aug 29, 2007 12:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
amen
by TheRiot4Life on Aug 29, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I enjoy win expectancy graphs...
No, what annoys me about Brew Crew Ball currently is that they have proportionately about twice as many amateur sabermetricians there as we do, and yet not one of them can bother to cough out the words "pythagorean win expectation" in the past few days.
Geez, I wonder why.
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
cards
by bigzaccountant on Aug 29, 2007 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cards
by KedzieKid on Aug 29, 2007 2:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
7th Inning Memories
The Cubs had just lost 2 of 3 to the 2nd place Mets in NY narrowing our lead to 6 games and raising again the ugly ghosts of '69. This Monday afternoon the Cubs were playing the Phils and were down 2-0 going to the bottom of the 7th when that magic "something" happened.
In unison, everyone in the ballpark, all 26.083 of us, rose to our feet simultaneously and began cheering and screaming as the leadoff hitter, Ron Cey, stepped to the plate against ex-Met Jerry Koosman. The noise was deafening and my Dad and I literally had chills going up and down our necks. We'd never, ever, heard the ballpark as wild before or since -- the energy and urgency were just incredible.
The Cubs proceeded to score 3 runs in the inning while everyone kept yelling at the tops of our lungs -- with the Cubs winning by a final of 3-2. I am convinced to this day the fans simply willed the Cubs to victory that day ... In my mind that game got the Cubs over that final hump for winning the division and maybe, just maybe, Al, that's something like what you felt last night at the old ballpark, too.
by wrigley1 on Aug 29, 2007 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Attendance
by wrigley1 on Aug 29, 2007 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome story. Just awesome.
But those of us remaining were on our feet with the same will... as we miraculously came back to win. Incredible. I hope to experience the same with a full crowd befoe the season is over.
by SackMan on Aug 29, 2007 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm stoked
by sue369 on Aug 29, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I have seen
Woody seems to be a very divisive person; either you love him or you hate him. Several people I know just don't like him at all, but my wife and I have always loved his work. One of our faves, whether it's comedy or drama, or just one of his essays.
Speaking of film, TR, are you a fan of Lynch, Gilliam, Wes Anderson, or Solondz? Some of my other "working" faves.
by Kegler on Aug 29, 2007 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, had to chime in
One of the more painful experiences I ever had. It could be that it was shot on a PD-150 and blown up. It could've been the painfully uncomfortable seats at the Music Box. Or it could've just been the very hard to watch crap on the screen, I don't know.
'Mullholand Drive' was great, I like 'Wild at Heart'. But I nearly broke my head against a wall as I sat through 'Easerhead'.
Gilliam is great, but 'Brothers Grimm' is none too good. Seen 'Lost in Lamancha'? That thing made me weep for him. 'Brazil', 'Time Bandits' and 'Munchausen' are brilliant though.
I love Wes Anderson.
When was the last Solondz movie? I still haven't seen 'Storytelling'. But 'Happiness' and 'Welcome to the Dollhouse' are great.
I'm partial to Gondry, as 'Eternal Sunshine' I thought was amazing. And 'Be Kind, Rewind' looks to be absolutely fantastic.
by WittyUserName on Aug 29, 2007 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't it "Inland Empire"
I haven't seen it yet, but I'm glad you're bringing down my expectations a bit. I love me some David Lynch, usually even the ones others don't like.
I still argue that "Lost Highway" is better than "Mulholland Drive", but almost everyone I else I know thinks the opposite.
by SuperContext on Aug 29, 2007 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I like all the usual suspects.
Lynch is the only one I'm not wild about but I did love Blue Velvet when it came out. Also liked Citizen Ruth and Election from Alexander Payne.
I used to love Woody Allen but he's just not very funny anymore. Bullets Over Broadway is the last one of his I saw that I laughed consistently at. It wasn't inspired like Annie Hall, Manhattan or Hannah And Her Sisters but then, he shouldn't have to make a masterpiece every time out. Just wish his comedies weren't painful now. Plus, some people don't like him because of the whole marrying his daughter thing.
by TR on Aug 29, 2007 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers lineup tonight
RF Gabe Gross
1B Prince Fielder
3B Ryan Braun
LF Geoff Jenkins
CF Corey Hart
C Johnny Estrada
SS Craig Counsell
RHP Ben Sheets
http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/08/29/counsell-in-at-shortstop-tonight.aspx
by Oscarson1 on Aug 29, 2007 3:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
...you pull J.J. Hardy why now?
by cwyers on Aug 29, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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