Jason,

What an interesting perspective. To be honest, that is one of the reasons I am so frustrated with him being signed, bc I expected him to do poorly. His numbers have been on the decline and I was worried about that. I think the reasoning on the booing makes a lot of sense. I also agree that it's time we give him some space, since in the end it will benefit us (don't cut off your nose to spite your face kinda thing). I still am perturbed that he would call out the fans like that, especially considering it probably will only make it worse. If it were me, I would have been honest and said that it kinda bugged me and that I will do everything in my power to bring a winner to Chicago. I'm thinking that would be more endearing to the fans here than lashing out at us. Then again, that's just my opinion.

As I said, great perspective.

Get those brooms out my friends. The bullpen might have to do some work, but I have a feeling the offense is coming to the park tomorrow.

Hey Neil & Trevor,

Great game tonight! This has cemented Marshall's place in the rotation over Rusch...at least in my eyes, probably your eyes, and all of the Cubs Faithfuls' eyes. Now it is just a matter of Hendry/Baker not sticking with Glooroo because he is a higher paid veteran.

Wood (when healthy)

Prior (when healthy)

Zambrano

Maddux

Marshall

Looking pretty good, guys...looking pretty good!

Now we must pray that Guzman has a great outing, and that will get Rusch out of the rotation sooner rather than later!

Anthony,

I was able to sneak in a little Chicago sports talk radio via the internet at work today, and two different shows mentioned that, despite his low average, Jones is giving the Cubs what he normally produces, as he is on track for his usual number of walks/Ks/Hrs/RBIs, etc...

So fans can't be upset with a guy for essentially doing what he has been doing the past few years.

The two shows went on to say (and I agree with this point) that the booing is more likely a way for fans to boo Jim Hendry for acquiring Jones (or for not acquiring someone better, and spending more money!)

In other words...if we had acquired Tejada, or Furcal, or even in the case of Pierre (who was considered a great signing): would we have booed these guys if they had gotten off to the same bad start as Jones? My guess is no, because we knew they should do better. In the case of Jones, we know he won't necessarily do better, and we are booing to say "hey Hendry, why did you get this mediocre player and sign him for 3 years, instead of getting a star. By the way, Hendry, how come you haven't resigned Pierre? Why didn't you just put Pie in RF, and sign Pierre long-term? Why did you basically sign a younger Burnitz?!?!?"

So that is WHY I think the booing is happening. I agree about prices being high and all that...but when it comes to getting your money's worth, it doesn't make sense to boo a strikeout hitter when he strikes out...that is just what he does. So, by default, the fans are booing Hendry for not giving them more value for their high ticket prices.

My personal opinion is that Jones is obviously not equipped to handle the booing (can anyone say "Latroy"?) so if Cub fans were smart, and they want Jones to do well, then I would back off him, and make him more comfortable. Of course booing sucks, and Jones doesn't like it...no one boos a player hoping the player likes it! But fans can still boo if they want...I just don't see the point of doing it if it makes our team worse offensively, especially with Lee out for awhile. If the season was lost, and it was August, then boo mercifully so that Hendry is forced to trade Jones...but don't boo now.

That is what team baseball is all about. Good pitching, timely hitting and sound defense. How bout that squeeze Neil ? I have to admit that I don't like facing all these lefties in the near future without D-Lee, but I think we can hold our own. I can't wait for Rammie to get going as well.

Now to a sore spot; Is anyone else dissapointed in what Jones had to say about the fans? I don't like fans cursing or getting overly personal, but I think they have every right to boo a player who not only is batting .200, but was striking out in alarming fashion. His numbers have been on the decline the last few years and I expect them to get worse this year (and have said that since the day we signed him). I/we pay a lot of money to go to those games and if I want to boo someone for failing to do his job, I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

Thoughts anyone?

Howry is just barely missing his spots tonight. Get ONE more out and get the ball to Dempster in the 9th.

Are you kidding me? CUBS SQUEEZE!! CUBS SQUEEZE!!! Beautiful...way to go Hairston...safe at first.

Marshall is done..great game. Restovich k's on 3 pitches.

Way to go Murton...now who's hot MLB.com? Great job on the sac bunt by Jacque Jones...Hairston has to get the ball out of the infield. Restovich is on-deck and Howry is in the pen. Get these insurance runs....

Matt I agree with Trevor, Marshall is doing very well and the wind and the cold is helping. Marshall has thrown a lot of pitches threw 7 but ahead of a lot of the batters.

Barrett doubled...head first slide, shaking his hand. Left thumb caught the shoe of Ramirez....those head first slides, gotta be careful.

Matt, Marshall looks VERY good. His curve has been devastating tonight. Good rhythm, good composure, and he's not trying to do too much. Glad this guy is up here. (of course the wind IS holding some balls in tonight as well).

Okay, time for Matt to rant.....I have the MLB package on Directv, too close to Florida and waaaaay far from Chicago, so tonight game is blacked out on every channel..Im irritated but watching through gameday..Marshall seems good from the numbers, I hope all is as it seems. Murton seemingly looks good too. Jones and Rami need to turn it up tho.....180 and .200, You two are Major Leaguers, who are capable of waaaaay better, come on troops....I

GREAT JOB!!!!...that's the way baseball is supposed to be played. A walk, a sac bunt and a single for Murton...the only 2 hits on the night are Murton's...WAY TO GO.

Marshall is definitely looking good tonight, it'd be nice to see him and Guzman establish themselves in the rotation.

Marshall is looking good on the VERY cold night in Chicago...Murton just got the first hit off of Willis...Helms given an error...bad call, they should change it to hit

Tonight's lineup was just posted:

Pierre, Cedeno, Walker (1B), Ramirez, Barrett, Murton, Jones, Hairston (2B), Sean Marshall