Non-Clever Cubs/Brewers Recap Title

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 5:46 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

These games are starting to blend into one, and, I suppose, will continue to do so until I get to Arizona next week (the first game I'm attending will be Thursday 3/13 vs. the Padres at Mesa).

And so, I don't have a cute or clever title, and you'll have to make do with just a few notes (and links) for today's 10-6 Cub loss to the Brewers in 10 innings, dropping the ballclub's record to 2-4. They rather pointlessly tied the game up on an error in the last of the 9th, then Jose Ascanio coughed up four runs in the 10th. Just under 10,000 attended today (9,997).

Ryan Dempster is a great guy. "Gets it". Does funny impressions. But he really isn't suited to be a major league starting pitcher. The game line doesn't look too bad -- one run in three innings -- but there were also a couple of walks, and all in all, if he's in the rotation and does this all year, we are NOT going to be happy.
Sean Gallagher had a really bad day -- gave up two HR, one to Tony Gwynn Jr., the other to Mike Cameron. Someone hinted at this in the game thread, but just let me agree that I hope the Oriole scouts were watching and that this outing will put him on the "let's not trade for him" list.
Chad Fox didn't help his cause, allowing two runs in his inning of work. Kerry Wood DID help his cause, posting a scoreless inning, although with no strikeouts (that doesn't really matter, I just found it unusual).
Kosuke Fukudome had a big day, slapping two singles and slamming his first home run in a Cub uniform over the right-field wall. Geovany Soto drew two walks and had a two-RBI double. Derrek Lee also walked twice.
Carmen Pignatiello worked a scoreless inning and each time I see him put up zeroes, I think he might just force his way onto the 25-man roster. Same for Kevin Hart (although I think Hart's probably going to make it anyway, and he struck out the side in his inning today).

A couple of links of interest:

Scott Eyre owns an RV which he, along with Gallagher and minor leaguer Nate Spears, drove from Florida to Arizona for spring training. Interesting stories.
My dad sent me this interesting take on the steroid issue.
The scoreboard at the new Nationals Park in Washington is going to be a high-definition technical marvel. Almost makes me want one for us. (I said almost.)

Tweet Comment 64 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ugh...

the last line of that article about the National's HD jumbo-tron is the reason I H A T E the "new" ballparks being built nowadays.

"We want to have entertainment going every second," Lundin said.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 4, 2008 5:49 PM CST reply actions

This is what I hate about the Cell.

Their theory is that 5 seconds of silence is a bad thing.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

Spare me

from being entertained - please! The 7th inning stretch "singer" is more than enough "entertainment" already.

"Hey hey - kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, 5-17-79

by danimal15 on Mar 5, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

re: Spare me

Exactly. It's sad that the game on the field isn't considered entertainment enough. Then again, this is the Washington Nationals we're talking about.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 5, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

The Nationals are my second team

I'm actually looking forward to seeing how the young outfielders of Milledge, Pena and Dukes work out. The Nationals surprised last year and with the rapidly improving farm system, they are in a much better position than teams like the Pirates.

by rlpete on Mar 5, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

re: The Nationals are my second team

I guess that was kind of a cheap shot against the 'Nats, wasn't it? I actually have a bit of a soft spot for them myself. The one thing you can say about them, and the Rays for that matter, is they have young talent that's fun to watch. I also admired Dmitri Young's comeback season last year.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 5, 2008 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

Yes, it was a cheap shot

but I agree with the constant noise problem. Living in Virginia, I get to more Nats games than any other team. I don't need a constant barrage of noise.

by rlpete on Mar 5, 2008 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

Scoreboard

looks nice. I'll actually be going up to Washington D.C (From NC) at the end of April to catch the 3 Cub games. I am really excited to see the new park, and see my cubbies.

by Glacier on Mar 4, 2008 5:54 PM CST reply actions

just

read the RV thing with Eyre. I must say its amazing that he watches Grandma's Boy. Absolutley awesome.

"The TVs are linked to an in-motion satellite, so the three could watch their favorite shows. They mainly played movies while on the road, and they can recite most of the one-liners from "Grandma's Boy" with ease. "

by Glacier on Mar 4, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions

What's this Grandma's boy you speak of

Never heard of it.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 4, 2008 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

you can't be serious?

Greatest movie ever

by Glacier on Mar 4, 2008 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

Basically...

...a 30-something year old man lives with grandma and has American Pie + Old School adventures. Very, very enjoyable.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 4, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions

One of the funniest

movies I've seen in a long time.

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 5, 2008 8:29 AM CST up reply actions

Dempster

He was pretty shakey in the first inning, but he settled down nicely after the triple in the top of the second. He isn't the first big league pitcher to struggle with control in the first inning. So it's to early to say he isn't really suited to be major league starting pitcher. I do agree he needs to improve on his control. But I see postives that he didn't walk anyone in his first start, and he didn't walk anyone after the first inning today.

It was great for Fukudome to shut up some negative Cubs fans who were just about ready to call him a bust after struggling in his last 6 Ab's. It was also good to see Wood, Hart and Pignatiello pitching well. To bad Ascanio struggled, it looks like he will need some more time in Triple A.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 4, 2008 6:09 PM CST reply actions

Reply...

"I do agree he needs to improve on his control."

this is the essence of why he has not succeeded as a starter the last time around.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 4, 2008 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

It seems to me

that spring training stats aren't useful for much more than confirming biases.

I don't mean to pick on Al, but his opinions are known and documented here. So, what he wrote illustrates this point well.

Al is clear about liking Gallagher a lot and not liking Dempster for the rotation. So, when Dempster has a good line, but 2 walks, it's "See, Dempster doesn't have the control for starting." And when Gallagher has a bad line, including a HR by Tony Gwynn Jr who has a career ML SLG of .315, well that doesn't mean Gallagher shouldn't be in the rotation. No, it's a good thing because we know secretly that he's a good pitcher and hopefully now the Orioles won't think he is.

If we're going to read anything into Dempster's line, I think cubsfan25 has made an interesting point here - if Dempster sometimes struggles with control in his first inning pitching, but can later get it under control, doesn't that suggest he might be better in the rotation than in the bullpen? When he's in the 'pen on the days he can't get control for an inning - it's going to be ugly. But if he starts an inning without control and gives up a run or two, but then can give you 5 solid innings, that's a quality start.

But see, I'm already biased, thinking Dempster will do fine as a starter, so what do we really learn from these spring stats after all?

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 4, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed...

making conclusions based on early spring stats can be misleading, and are easily influenced by personal biases.

I personally don't think Dempster will be a very good starter, but I agree that it's too early to tell these things based on the first five innings of the spring.

by SouthernCub on Mar 4, 2008 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

Yup

wether we like or dislike a guy, if he can be a solid #5 starter, keeping you in most games til it gets to the pen, I think we'd all take that.

Personally, I think the Cubs will get that out of Lieber. Marquis and Dempster, we'll see. I might lean more towards Marshall, but I guess time will tell.

They're not booing, they're saying FUUUUUUUUUUUKE!

by Hugest Canadian Cubs Fan on Mar 4, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions

i think i agree with this

- at least as far as what we've seen so far. it'll be interesting to see how dempster does as starting pitchers increase their innings over the course of the spring

by anormal on Mar 5, 2008 12:52 AM CST up reply actions

I would accept

a new scoreboard at Wrigley if it was made as an exact copy of the existing one, done in LCD/LED or whatever the Jumbotrons' diplays are, but when the game is going on, it is lit all in green with whilte lights/LED's to mimic the team names and lines and scores.

When the batter comes to the plate or a pitching change, it can morf into the usual smiley picture with his stats, then back to it's "default" configuration. You could show replays and PSA's and all that in the same way. The one thing I REALLY hate is the generic hotdog or sausage or condiment "race". Don't need to see everyone smooching, either. Every other scoreboard in professional sports does that, we don't need it at Wrigley. The other thing I hate is the 5 minute before game promo that is done everywhere else to get the home fols all spun up. Maybe opening day and the first game of a playoff series, and that's it.

Just show the out of town scores, balls and strikes, maybe add the pitch count. But leave it as basic as possible when it comes to the other crap, and I'll go along with it.

If I find a nice pic of the existing scoreboard, I'll try to Photoshop it with a Jumbotron look and post it.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 4, 2008 6:14 PM CST reply actions

Behold the future!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 4, 2008 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

Urgh...

I think I shall now be sick.

Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.

by Cool Hand on Mar 4, 2008 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

Santoswoodenlegs...

Was it you that posted the picture of the obese baseball coach? I was looking for that picture and I couldn't find it. I believe you put "There is nothing funny about this picture."

by cubfanwill on Mar 4, 2008 10:28 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah...

guilty...why?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 5, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind...

... a larger "ribbon board" on the upper deck IF -- and ONLY IF -- it were used for the sorts of information that you can't get with the existing board, and NOT just for extra advertising.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

as long as

there is no snake hissing its way around the stadium, a bigger ribbon is fine by me.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 5, 2008 7:17 AM CST up reply actions

Wrigley scoreboard

You cannot mess with it. It's a landmark (at least you can't mess with it now - they'll probably find a way around that little landmark designation)

"Hey hey - kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, 5-17-79

by danimal15 on Mar 5, 2008 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Yup

If ISFA gets control of renovations, then according to the article posted in the diary, Wrigley would lose landmark status...

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Mar 5, 2008 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

Whoawhoawhoa!

That's about ten steps ahead of what's actually happened, or is about to happen.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 5, 2008 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

If a jumbtron does go up, maybe they can show

this clip as a PSA before every game - just to serve as a warning to any fan who might be thinking of running on to the field later on.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/sports/2008/03/04/vo.aus.cricket.streaker.ninenetwork

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 4, 2008 6:37 PM CST reply actions

White lips

What was with that dude's pasty white lips?

"You know what? You want a job? Go out and earn one." Sweet Lou

by Kyle Turney on Mar 4, 2008 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

Al, this is why bigger isn't always better....

Like everything else, Texas likes to proclaim itself to be bigger and better. So when they build their new scoreboard a few years ago, they loved to brag about how it was the biggest and bestest in the world. However, they managed to achieve something few thought possible... the actually made the score harder to read and the video smaller than ever.

It's well earned the moniker the rival Texas Aggies gave it... Adzillatron.

[img]http://images.google.com/url?q=http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper410/stills/36vp170b.jpg& amp;usg=AFQjCNEtORNpUPgIawoP0jsmHEic7xia7Q[/img]

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply actions

Darnit,

I always forget to use HTML on this board. Here you go...

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

I want to know...

... how there can be 24:41 left in the first quarter of a football game.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

College game

is two halves?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 4, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

This was taken

Either before the game or during halftime.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

Must have been before the game.

It says "QTR: 1"

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

True

But don't discount just how terrible Texas is at match :)

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

That should of said math*

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

Or...

how bad New-brass-cans are at spelling.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 4, 2008 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

You know what they say

The "N" is for nowledge.

(Hey, you have to be able to make fun of yourself!)

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

Besides...

My O-State Cowboys will probably beat our Cubs championshipless streak...only in NCAA Div 1 Football.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 4, 2008 6:56 PM CST up reply actions

Well, sure

But your coach is "I'M A MAN! I'M 40! I'M NOT A KID!"

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 4, 2008 6:58 PM CST up reply actions

I LOVED

that

LOL!!

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 4, 2008 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

What was the score of that KU/NU football game this year?

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 4, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions

Texas playing North Texas

and the score is still 0-0, it has to be before the game.

All those ads do look terrible though.
BTW, Hook em 'horns!!!

Is it March yet?

by Me and Lou WS 07 on Mar 5, 2008 1:23 AM CST up reply actions

Cubs and Tigers having "discussions"

According to This. Tigers looking for bullpen help and the Cubs ofcourse, looking for a RH CF platoon for Pie.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 4, 2008 7:07 PM CST reply actions

the Tigers are crazy about MPH

if they're looking for MLB-ready, Petrick, perhaps?

by PrincetonCubs on Mar 4, 2008 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

You must be referring to

Inge?

That is a longshot.

HE had a poor offensive year last year, in any case.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 4, 2008 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

Interesting.

Inge has played 20 games in CF in his major league career -- 19 of them in 2004. I still would NOT want him to be the RH platoon partner for Pie -- that would be a defensive disaster.

Marcus Thames would be better defensively, but Thames had a .278 OBA last year in 269 AB -- horrid.

Let's hope the talks between Hendry and Dombrowski remain "general". Hendry likes toolsy players like Thames. Unfortunately, Thames doesn't really have any talent. And Thames has played ZERO games in CF in his major league career.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2008 7:47 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

Inge can stay in Detroit.I'd rather have Payton (and Roberts ;)

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 4, 2008 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

3-way

Maybe we could send some of Detroits prospects to the O's for Roberts

I'm likely to start as many MLB games as Neifi Perez in '08

by jds2 on Mar 4, 2008 8:48 PM CST up reply actions

Raburn or Guzman?

I don't know much about either of those guys, but Guzman has good stats against LHP in a small sample size and Raburn tore things up last year, playing all over the field for Detroit. I don't know if either is available, but given Inge's contract and desire to play 3B everyday, I'd think Raburn or Guzman might be preferrable.

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 4, 2008 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know about Guzman, but

I don't see any way the Tigers will be trading Raburn. You're right - he did tear things up last year, and after the Tigers gave up the farm (literally) for Cabrera and Willis, I don't see them trading any of their good young guys any time soon.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 4, 2008 9:13 PM CST up reply actions

I loved

the Eyre RV article.

by sue369 on Mar 4, 2008 7:10 PM CST reply actions

Nats Tickets

A PSA given Al's mention of the scorebaord - single game Nats tickets went on sale today. Opening night went in six minutes.

Everybody come on out to DC!

¡BLANCO!

by 08Cubs on Mar 4, 2008 7:42 PM CST reply actions

Interesting Take?

The Abraham Socher article was no more interesting than any of the 10 billion other reefer-madness, we're-going-to-hell-in-a-steroidal-handbasket think pieces we've seen.

I trust all these plaster saints who are weighing in on steroids have never: driven over the speed limit; driven while intoxicated; cheated on their taxes; participated in denying a person a job for race or sex orientation reasons; struck their spouse; or driven a gas guzzling Hummer, all of which are far more egregious sins than taking steroids.

Otherwise, quit blaming baseball players for the collapse of western civilization.

by 100yearsofineptitude on Mar 4, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions

video of home run

Does anyone have video of the Fukudome home run by any chance?

That rug really tied the room together.

by TCobb1911 on Mar 4, 2008 9:08 PM CST reply actions

Amazing...

Anyone who has driven an RV knows how quickly you realize all the things you didn't secure when you make that first turn. Eyre had a checklist.

"When we first took off the first morning, my Michael Barrett bobblehead slid off the counter because I forgot to tape him down," Eyre said. "He didn't break; he just got a bruise right on his cheek."

Wow, Eyre, you are awesome.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 4, 2008 9:46 PM CST reply actions

That's brilliant.

Ol' Stevie Eyre has jokes. That's pretty good stuff.

"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 Mar 4, 2008 9:56 PM CST up reply actions

Recommendation

Al, the more entertaining/random/offbeat stories like Eyre's RV you link to, the better. I had missed this. Thanks.

by JDay on Mar 4, 2008 10:04 PM CST reply actions

Great quote

I love this quote: "I told the lady I play for the Cubs, I don't party a lot, I don't booze up every night," Eyre said.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 4, 2008 11:49 PM CST up reply actions

New Ballparks

The good thing is that MLB is running out of teams that even need to make new ballparks so there should be a LONG wait between this rash of new ones before anyone else needs a new one.

Here's whats on tap for the not to distant future

Washington Nationals - Nationals Park - 2008
New York Mets - Citi Field - 2009
New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium 2? - 2009
Minnesota Twins - Twins Ballpark? - 2010
Florida Marlins - Marlins Ballpark? - 2011
Oakland A's - Cisco Field - 2011/2012
Tampa Bay Rays - Rays Park? - 2012

Renovations
Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium - 2009?

Looking at other teams around baseball I don't see many prospective new stadium seekers. Wrigley and Fenway aren't going anywhere. At the most they will be rebuilt on their current sights until the end of time. I don't see the Dodgers doing anything but possible additions and upgrades to Dodger Stadium. The only new stadium I see happening in the next 20 years after this wave would maybe be this one...

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - built in 1966 but has had several renovations including a major one in 1997. I don't see them seeking a new stadium deal until 2018-2020 at the earliest.

After that the oldest stadium would be The Blue Jays Rogers Centre which was built in 1989, so it will be a long time before they need a new one.

by Gleebo on Mar 5, 2008 12:39 AM CST reply actions