Ladies and Gentleman, Welcome to the Big Top....
Last time I checked I get a bill in the mail every year from the Chicago Cubs, not the Ringling Brothers Circus, in order to renew my season tickets. But what transpired over the weekend series was a far cry from a professional organization running a baseball team admired by millions. It was a circus act, with Not-So-Sweet Lou as the ringleader. It has been brewing for quite some time, but it all boiled over this weekend. Ladies and Gentleman, Children of all ages this is the weekend that was at Sheffield and Addison.... (Start the circus theme song)
The Braves came into town for a three game weekend series. I ran into Jeff Francoeur at the Westin on Michigan Ave and told him to take it easy on us this weekend. But we didn't know we were in store for a wild weekend, oh and Jeff if you are reading thanks for taking it easy, Francoeur had two hits and three RBI's on Friday. With Zambrano on the mound, you know that guy who is supposed to be our staff ace; I thought we would get off to a nice start. When reports came out that Hank White was going on the DL and Barrett would be the battery mate for the Big Wacko I knew we were in trouble.
It is publicly known that Z has asked for Blanco to be his permanent catcher. There is a reason behind everything and with Barrett dealing with his own struggles I knew something was bound to happen. I think it would be safe to say they are the biggest hot heads on the roster. We all know Z is officially nuts, but I think Barrett is a quiet, hide in the shadows type of nut job. With the game getting out of hand, missed signs and passed balls we were in for part one of this two ring circus act. Zambrano was looking for someone to blame for his poor performance and Barrett was an easy target. Barrett has been publicly ridiculed for his pitch calling and recently needed a mental day off. If Z pitched poorly, Barrett might as well have had a target painted on his forehead, it was going to be his fault. And that is exactly what happened, and we all know the rest of the story. Would this ignite a sleeping giant? Would this be what this underachieving ball club needed, a slap fight in the dugout? I'm not too sure, but what I do know it was embarrassing and I was ashamed of the team I love. But in typical Cubs fashion they had a something in mind for Saturday....(Circus theme still playing)
Saturday was a beautiful day, the sun was shining a few friendly clouds dotted the blue sky. I woke up in the morning, took my daily vitamins and an allergy pill. I'd imagine many of us did the same, including Not-So-Sweet Lou. Accept he didn't take an allergy pill....he took his crazy pills. A whole handful of crazy pills washed down with a glass of nut job juice. It was very eerie in Wrigleyville on Saturday. Not too many people in the streets, the bars weren't overflowing with pre-gamers and the stadium was about half full at game time. People were moving a snails pace and they say it gets incredibly still right before a tornado is about to strike. I wouldn't know. But I do know it gets incredibly still and quiet right before a 63-year old, gray haired pregnant looking man is about to go bonkers on an umpire making the right call on a close play at third.
The game was within reach and we just got finished coming back from a 3-0 deficit....granted we allowed the Braves to score again in the top of the eighth, but good teams capitalize on walks. This all could have been avoided, but once again discipline and bad base running left Angel Pagan on second after his shot to the right field corner. Pagan was running with his eyes on Francoeur the entire time, Quade was doing his best Wavin' Wendell impression but to no avail. Pagan put on the brakes and stopped at second....he would have made it to third, I have no doubt. But on a passed ball Pagan tried to advance and was thrown out....and once again you know the rest. As Wrigley erupted I sat down in my seat high above the action and was embarrassed. Lou kicked dirt, his hat, more dirt and his hat again....the second hat kick was pretty good by the way, he was getting some distance. During his tirade the classless fans in the bleachers littered the field with mugs and garbage. I don't know who started the tradition, but it has to stop. Wrigley "Crowd Management" should have kicked out every single person caught throwing garbage on the field. As the crowd chanted Lou!!! Lou!!! Lou!!!, I was not happy or excited. But questioning why Sinatro or Quade didn't try and relax their fearless leader. I was speechless, I knew it was a matter of time, but I didn't expect such a display. I actually felt bad for Lou, he threw a hissy fit in front a 40,000 people.
Could this be what this team needed? Granted they won yesterday and put on quite an offensive performance. But that was one game. They need way more than one victory. This team needs to come together and play like big league ball players. I'm just glad this Circus was of the two ring variety, a third ring and I would make a visit to the pharmacist to get MY crazy pills....Refills: Unlimited.
Until Next Time, but always....GO CUBBIES!!!!
Oh, one last thing, I almost forgot....Turn off the Circus Music.
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I'll agree with you on the Barett-Zambrano thing. What I won't agree with you on is the Lou thing. I see no reason why you should be embarrassed. Again, I think everybody knew what we were getting when we signed Lou. Its part of the package. If the guy had a crappy record and all he did was rant thats one thing. I do believe his arguing had a purpose. And lets face it, if we were 8 games over instead of under .500, would anybody really feel embarrassed? Frankly its refreshing to see a manager in the dugout that shows emotion. That gets in umpires faces when he thinks their wrong and does the same thing to his players. After 4 years of Dusty just sitting in the dugout chewing on his tootpick, and arguing with the umpires using his "mother may I" stlye, its great to see Lou be generally pissed off.
I don't know if this suspension is some type of action by MLB to give the umps more control or not. I've seen the replay about 500 times by now, and the umps are wrong. Lou never kicked him. They may have touched chests a little bit, but the 3b umpire was just as accountable in that argument as Lou was for any chest bumping.
I do think your right in that we will have to wait and see how the team responds after yesterday. The thing I saw yesterday was a team that played a complete ballgame. The defense was pretty solid and the offense worked the count to get pitches to hit like DeRossa in the 1st. I think working the count alone will win us more games in the future just by itself. Pie looked good in his return, allthough when I heard about his alomst .300 point split in his batting avg. rightie vs lefties I could almost cry. around .450 vs righties and .157 I think vs. lefties. So I guess he's not a perfect prospect. It will be interesting to see what happens with the outfield. Right now we have 6 outfielders, and you know that can't stay like that forever. If they can't find a taker for one of them, hopefully Jones, then I think they will have to send Pagan or Murton back to Iowa.
Ryan,
I couldn't agree with you more about Lou. I found nothing embarrassing about his rant, he is notorious for those, plus if you read Soriano's statement: "To me, that gave me more motivation if we have a manager like Lou fight for us," Soriano said. "I came back today with more energy because we have a manager who fights for us."
If gets the players going who cares what he does.
Now after saying that, Shaun I do agree with you, that the crowd in the outfield showed no class by littering the field with beer cups and trash, I really hopes that never happens again. That I can't stand to see.
Lets hope the bats follow us to Milwaukee and we take three from the brewers.
You guys are right, the only embarrassing thing was the fans in the stands throwing trash. We are within reaching distance of making this division ours with a couple well played series ahead of us, lets not throw this season away, still 100+ games...Maybe we will look back at this weeks and realized that all this shit was what got our team together and going...
I watch ESPN this morning report that this team does not have a leader to spark it and I kind of feel that is true. Aramis, Lee and Soriano do lead but by example. [Lee being the next best thing] We need the "Big Papi" kind. David Ortiz not only leads by example but ignites with his fire and care ness to his teammates. Not that the 3 before mention could be, but as of right now, they are not.
Reality
The thing is that two of the three guys on this team that are the closest to what we desperately need e from a leader, started the circus act and the other one finished it. Carlos Zambrano, Michael Barret and Lou Piniella. Lou decided to cut the loses short after the selfish display of Carlos and Michael by diverting reality putting a show of his own. Personally, aside of predictable I felt it was funny and essential to try and close the book on that Black Friday. Barret and Zambrano should be accountable for their acts and responsible for this team’s attitude in the next month of play. They have to just go about their business and strictly perform now that they lost all the respect and power to lead this team.
The Leader
That leaves us to Mr. Lou Piniella and most of you might disagree but he is the answer to this team. This situation will provide the opportunity to “Make or Brakeâ€. Either we become a team or a team will be destroyed. I’ll put my money with Lou and assure you that this is the turning point. Because I have no doubt we are the better talent of the central by far and because this ugly incident might just turn this group of guys into a Team. Don’t think of Lou’s act as one of bad timing, instead think of it as the leader carrying the load for his team. Obviously the team will not fire Zambrano or Barret so Lou had no other option. The only thing I’ll give to Zambrano and Barret is that they really fight to win. However they are self destructive nut heads.
About the bleacher littering…I have never seen a trashcan up there nor a guy with a
Broom. sorry
I'm a fan of Lou and echo the sentiments about a refreshing change from Dusty. He was simply trying to do whatever it takes to light a fire under his team. Its nice to have a manager willing to anything he has power to do to change the direction of the team.
Soriano and some others said they liked Lou's tirade and it motivated them. Derek Lee, however, seemed more cautious and indifferent. There have been several comments from Lee over the past month in relation to Lou that make me feel like DLee may not care for Pinella that much. Lee shows him respect but doesn't seem to like him much. Does anyone else get that feeling or am I completely out in left field on this one??
I was always under the impression that Lee was just a soft spoken guy. They did show a shot of him going into the clubhouse on Saturday, suppossedly I guess to break up the Barrett-Zambrano fight.
I get the feeling Lee is more a team leader that we see. He was in the middle of everything in the dugout, he ran into the clubhouse, etc. I think a huge part of last year was his absence from the ballpark.
He comports himself in such a professional manner it is almost refreshing. He never seemed to talk up Dusty with any type of revere either, and if you like one style you probably will not like the other.
However, I do agree with the idea that there is a need for a 'big papi' type of role. I thought Barrett was that, but not any more.
"Only God can control me." Um...no Carlos, that is why he gave you free will.
I agree Lee is a soft spoken leader. When I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, I read a book entitled "Entangled in Ivy". It was written by a local news reporter whose name escapes me. One of the chapters was titled "This is Lee's team". It spoke to this very issue.
very good Brian, well said.
Shuan:
As always, nice work.
Do you think Silvio will live?
I dont know, even if he does he wont be around for the season finale. But he should be OK when they make a movie. I cant believe Bobby!!! I am already incredibly excited for next week.
Thanks for the props, I knew I would get a mixed reaction with this article. Dont get me wrong I love Lou's emotion, but in doses. I guess I was more concerned with the Braves having to leave the field for 7 minutes and all of the trash. When things are going good, at least we can lose with some dignity.