So many of us live and die with this great game of baseball because it reflects life so much and in so many ways. We get our hopes and expectations up, only to see them often squelched in painful and cruel ways. The exhilaration can be wonderful but the lows can be agonizing. Sorry, I was just thinking about this as I contemplated this gut-wrenching loss tonight to the Braves. There is always "tomorrow" in a long baseball season and we faithful want to hope that the new day and another game will give us a start toward better things to come....just as hope does in our real lives. It's just really hard sometimes to move ahead positively, isn't it. Thanks, Neil, for such a great place to get it all out!

this is the worst day of my life.. i want to kill things

Don't bro, go to sleep tommorrow can't be worse.

Aaron....I agree with your assessment of how Hendry will spin this season. I think though that Lou will be gone by the All Star break. Tonight will break this team's heart, and this team won't rally for Lou's management style.

There's no winning with this team. There's no effort with this team. Every single thing this team did after Wells finished pitching was wrong. Not only that, but this game signified EVERY problem the Cubs have: they have no offense, their bullpen is horrible, their big bats are shoddy on defense, their coaching is clueless...every facet of this team is just horrendous. Hell, I'd like to blame the lack of ownership but even with an owner, trading away DeRosa and not resigning Wood to favor more left handed hitting and go with a completely average PITCHER (meaning completely below average closer) would mean this team would be awful until the ownership could authorize a big trade.

There's a lot of things that just aren't good with this team. There's very few things that are good with this team. And, realistically, there's no quick fix: you can't just bring up Vitters because he's not MLB ready yet...he's doing great in the minors, but he needs to progress through AA and AAA for a year or two more before coming up to the bigs, and even then, it'd be better if he didn't have the current coaching staff up in the majors.

There's absolutely nothing watchable with this team without a big trade or signing to shake things up. And even if they do win more, I just don't think I could watch, cause they certainly don't deserve to...

I can't watch this anymore.

As we all know, this is a TEAM sport and unfortunately even an experienced J. Vitters could not make this a good, winning ballclub. There are too many missing pieces and the team is demoralized, without leadership, without the chemistry it takes to be a winner. Sad but true.

"What if we hire Charlie Brown as our new manager?"

Who, or what, is Charlie Brown?

And if he is with the Cubs present organization the answer is NO!

Something needs to happen.

-The hitting coach should get the ax.

-Heilman and Gregg need to go.

-Fox has to get some starts somewhere. No point in having a guy as hot as him not play.

-One of Scales or Blanco needs to be sent down.

- Need to get someone who can produce at 3rd. Should have happened by now.

Twice in extra innings, we got a runner on 1st... Didn't even attempt a steal either inning.... The team has 0 speed.... this might be the first season no one steals even 10 bases.

oh...classic line from Chip in this game...and so true:

"boy, you really have to feel for Randy Wells in this game, pitching no-hit ball, 5-0 lead, and the Cubs can't hold it. This could really be the turning point in the season for the Braves."

Ironically, June 2nd, is the turning point in our year, if we already didn't have an epiphany.

Prediction: By All-Star break, we're 10 out. Bradley is finally placed on the DL, Lee sits at around .250, Soto around .240..Bradley, while on DL is at .230. Combined, they have 17 hr. Harden is placed on the DL in August, and is shut down for the rest of the year.

Despite their 5+ERA's, Gregg and Heilman are still on the team. So is Miles, who hovers around .220 with his average.

Hendry says, "we did what we could with the ownership situation being what it was. It just did not allow us to make many changes. We had to fill holes from within, and we had to deal with a lot of injuries. You can't account for those things in constructing a team."

Uh....actually Hendry, you can. Bradley and Harden already had health issues, and you knew that. You also knew about Soto's hand, and in ST, you knew about his shoulder. You were hoping that Bradley and Miles would continue with their career years, and yet, you seem surprised when they flopped. Why? They had no history that'd suggest they could sustain their production.

Anyhow, back to what I was saying...

Piniella resigns at the end of the season, much like he did with the Rays, and retires once and for all, claiming, "boy, this season took a lot out of me" Actually Lou, you took a lot out of our season that could have been better by continually running out Cotts, Patton, and Gregg, when they were so clearly overmatched. You killed us by leaving Soto, Bradley, Lee, and Fontenot in there on an everyday basis, when it was so evidently clear that they needed a week off to clear their minds and play better.

I am going to post in the Community section now if anyone wants to join me, because I need to explain more and don't want to piss others off on here that don't want to hear it.

Come join if you want.

They should sell off if it comes to that.

This team isn't going anywhere.

Aaron,

I'm all for that. The Chiefs have as much talent down here as I've seen through the last 15 years. (Including when the won the Midwest League title as a Cardinals' affiliate.)

Don't forget Brenly, Ridling, and the big kid Nelson Perez in right field. Perez was playing catch before the game, and one of his teammates coaxed him into trying to throw the ball from the rightfield line into the left field bleachers (much like Z tried to do last time out). The first one banged off the wall, and his second shot fell harmlessly on the warning track. You could see them laughing after they looked at the flags and threw some grass into the air just to watch the 15-20 mph winds throw it back into Nelson's face.

$10 says that he'll try again tomorrow when the winds are calmer AND he'll reach the bleachers.

His partner over threw him in warmups and we were able to get them both to sign the ball we retrieved.

I love minor league ball.

If the Cubs do get a good owner, and that's a big IF, the first thing he should do (if he is a good owner) is fire Piniella and his staff, then fire Hendry. Bring in a good baseball man as GM, and let someone else manage the team through the rest of the season.

And if they do get a good GM, he will find a way to dump Soriano, Lee, Gregg, and Heilman. Then send Soto back to the minors to get in shape and work on his game. Hill is OK until then. Play the kids; Fox, Hoffpauer, and Vitters.

Can't be any worse than what's out there now. At least there would be a future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3LazuRx6Eo

What if we hire Charlie Brown as our new manager?

He keeps his complaints privately to his penpal, a little better than Lou?

And if this game would have prolonged longer, we'll run out of options, and Lou could have pitched like Charlie, and take the responsibilities!

(I actually like Lou, but tonight he's an easy target for trusting Gregg... since opening day...)

And there you have it...PATHETIC!

The LOVABLE LOSERS of yesteryear have officially returned to Chicago! But they are not so "lovable" this time around. By the way, didn't I read a recent quote from Piniella stating his bullpen was "finally coming together?" Is he in total denial? The list of what's wrong with this club is lengthy, all defining a second division loser. That's negative but truth is truth.

Weak...

So Fox sits on the bench. Now Vitters is lights out, and he "waits".

How about a lineup of:

Johnson CF

Fukodome RF

Hoffpauer 1B

Fox LF

Vitters 3B

Scales/Fontenot 2B

Hill C

Theriot SS

Vitters is light out in rookie ball.

Let him do it in AA or AAA then we can talk Vitters.

Matt...would it make a difference at this point the way this team is playing....they need an injection of something.

Hey, you think Lou will talk to the media after this one?

Here's how it will go down:

Ques: "What happened in the 9th, Lou?"

Lou: "Hey, whatta want me to do about it? Whatta want me to do?"

Nothing Lou, just like you've been doing - nothing.

He's more of a whiner than Dusty.

ernie,

do you think we can hire Charlie Brown as our new manager?

He whines privately to his penpal, at least, and if this game would have prolonged longer, we'll run out of options, and Lou could have pitched like Charlie!

MLB's worst LF almost threw that ball into RF. Did you see that hustle?

LOL...Lee so completely overmatched against a flamethrower. What a joke.

This whole team is crap, except for our rotation and Fukudome (maybe even Johnson)...

wow!! I can't say any good things, because I honestly hate this team right now for what they did to Wells.

Staked to a 5-0 lead, they couldn't pull it off.

I blame Lou mostly for throwing Gregg in there.

Can we all adopt the Peoria Chiefs as our team? At least they have some decent prospects like Vitters, Harrison, and Flaherty to get excited about, and others like Rhee on their way from EXST.

Neil,

Can we start a Talkin' Live: Peoria Chiefs chat, just to rub it in Hendry's face for the crap he gave us?

well, Hendry DID build the Peoria team, so i can't see how the new Talk'n Live will slap on Mr. GM's face.

The GM is learning new things everyday, it seems to me, but he had good moves as well as bad moves.

I'm not on the fire-Jim boat, you know.

I live in Peoria and was going to watch the Chiefs play tonight against Beloit. My sister and I entered the ballpark when the gates opened and much to our disbelief saw Jim Hendry at the condiment bar loading up his hot dog. We said hi, made a little small talk, and made on our way.

We originally thought he was just down to see Vitters, who is leading the league in HR and second in AVG, because he might be a long shot at 3B this year.

The game was delayed about 30 minutes because of the threatening weather, they eventually decided to start it, but only got in a little over an inning of very wet and sloppy play. The word from one of the grounds crew workers was that Hendry wanted to see the starting pitcher tonight for the Chiefs and they were holding off covering the field as long as they could.

Chris Archer was the pitcher; the same Chris Archer that we recieved with two other pitchers for DeRosa.

Speculate all you like, but I know the DeRosa rumors have been flying about and thought this could be more fuel for the fire.

Regardless of the outcome, this team needs an Extreme Makeover, plus a heart transplant.

MAn vs Wild with Will Ferrell. Hilarious.

Nothing like an 0-6 night, huh Theriot? Remember, you are NOT an f'n homerun hitter!

Where's your hittability, Riot? It's really sad that our on-base machine from last year lost it. This might turn epidemic: the virus that eats away Cubbie hittabilities...

I'm starting to pay more attention to the Movie Underground commercials than this game.

the Nightie Watchman indeed.

Hmmm.

Does Soriano EVER hit a ball in the hole, up the middle, etc for a single? Stop swinging for the darn fences everytime! 13 HR's and 26 RBI's. Does anyone know how many RBI's he has outside of HR's.

One pitch one out. Going back to the same crap that lost us games before.

It will be incredibly disheartening if the new owner is a new clown owner. It breaks my heart to watch such frightfully bad mangement of my hometown team.

Kosuke with another good catch.

And Fukudome saves Heilmans butt.

KOSUKE! WOO! Jesus..

everybody is gonna blame people like marmol and gregg for this loss.. but i'm blaming wells for not pitching the no-no..

Haha, that's a good one~

I sure hope you're kidding 09Shine.

wow...Atlanta can actually get a bunt down.

Heilman is losing this game for us...I have no confidence in him..NONE.

Heilman coming in now. GAME OVER. CUBS LOSE. NATION PRESENT. CUBS LOSE.

What a F-ing joke!!!! This team is a joke! Can't hit, now they can't play defence, the reliof pitcher can't throw f-ing strikes and they can't even win 1 f-ing game for a kid who alomost throws a no hitter? OHHH but it's early, and we need Ramirez back!!!!!!!

What a bunch of pansies!!! Two playoffs withoput a f-ing win. Another 100 f-ing years without a World Series!

Brenly's commentary on Cox v. Lou is really accurate. "Lou carries his emotions out in the open, and that can intimidate some of the players". I really think this team has stopped responding to him.

Heilman? Good night folks.

This game will be remembered as representative of how the wheels have come off the Cubs' season. It's so disappointing for us but the handwriting has been on the wall, so to speak, for the month of May and now into June. This Cubs team, as now constituted, is not a contending ballclub and time is short.

I don't know who is more useless... Gregg or Heilman?

Koyie Hill? Are you sure Lou? I don't think he's spent the appropriate amount of time on the bench.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Heilmans warming up....

My thoughts exactly Baron.

Hahahahaha....do they really think HEILMAN is the answer to this?? Really?? And they've gotten to face Soriano in this game, why are they not swinging for the fences? Christ this team is awful.

At times I really hate this team.

Cubs management is really FUC#$# with Fox..... he is now a MLB bench warmer....

why not send him back to AAA if this is how it's going to be --- because Jim Hendry has the brains of a Rhinoceros

Guzman stunk and is yet so much better than Gregg. Lets go Cubs, we need this one.

tonite's game, it was Lee who saved Guzman's ass with the bases loaded and this pitcher gave away a strong liner to the first baseman. Any other league-average fielder would have lost the game, thanks, Guzman, you made my heart weak.

Oh man.... pass the Dewars

WOW.

The walk usually haunts back at ya, so ... well, Wells, bad sad mad...

Walk McCann too now. No sense in giving him something to hit...

The Cubs really want to lose this game don't they.

All closers have that one bad game when a save is blown BUT this team really, really needed to start this roadtrip on a positive note and needed this save from Gregg very badly (particularly so after Wells' sterling performance). But did they get it? Of course not because Gregg is not a closer for a winning team. Does Hendry and Piniella need any more evidence?

I have a horrible feeling....

What were the Cubs thinking when you bring up Fox who's batting over .400, and then sit him on the bench to now get 2-3 at bats a week. This is ridiculous roster management. The kid's was on a roll, and he collects pine. More Lou brilliance.

No question. You walk Chipper.

The only runner than matters is at third..

Jim's comment about Franceour wasabsolutely correct. This kid has been skewered in the local Atlanta press, and the Braves are looking to peddle him. But Gregg throws a batting practice ball right down the middle to him.

What a joke of a night this has been. You just wonder what Lou was thinking.

Scott...I have to agree. How can Lou say we're OK. We are far from OK...we are terrible. When one thing finally goes right, another part of the team falls apart. There HAS to be some changes now...if they keep waiting, the season is gone.

I don't know who plays worse, the Cubs or me internet poker.

Gregg is a Joke and Soto better get on a Jenny Craig diet.

I think Soto ate her.

internet poker.

Lou is a bad manager. If he can't figure out by now that KEVIN GREGG STINKS UP THE JOINT, he can't figure at all.

When Len said after the 9th ended: "And Fracouer tied it."

No!

Gregg freaking tied this freaking game!

We have one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, but where we ended with?

Games of error plus error and then Blown Save-s (!

What is Hendry doing? Call more "internal options" up? We have options!

When your bullpen sucks, do it the other way. Hit some long balls!

!Good job Kohsuke to the opposite side! (But I really hope you find your power sometime after the All-Star, better later in the season and keep up with it than too early...)

I know Fox will lose runs defensively. Maybe Hoffpauir would.

But we are already losing runs with a mediocre 3B out of Fontenot. There's no loss to try something different. Fielding is something players can develop with experience. But the longball, it's not. It's talent. And Hoffpauir and Fox need more playtime...

Lou & Hendry's company, learn from mistakes! Learn from success stories (Phils, Cards, longballs win)!

>Lou & Hendry's company,

>learn from mistakes! Learn

>from success stories

>(Phils, Cards, longballs

>win)!

Well, I need to add that both these teams have excellent infielders. J-Ro and Utley is arguably the best mid-line combo in the Major League. While the Cards, they did great converting a good athlete of Schumaker into second base, in addition to Pujols and Duncan...

... I meant to say Thurston, but Duncan is a good leftfielder. He can catch deep flyballs and turn difficult outs. Quite a long way to get here, dffensivley, but he made it well... or should i say the Cards coaches turned him around?

*sigh*

We need better coaches.

If Marquis becomes stellar late in the season, I would jump into the fire-Roschild boat...

game over....this team can't come back from this. ARe you kidding me?!?

As I said before, I hoped Lou would've learned with Gregg....but he didn't. I never thought after last season we'd see Gregg on this team in the first place after the 9 blown saves with the Marlins. But, hey, I guess Hendry was trying to catch lightning in a bottle again...WOW

This team has no heart, and Wells deserves better.

If Hendry were smart, he'd force Bradley on the DL, regardless, force Soto to DL to get himself right, and DFA Gregg and Miles...his 2 of his 4 biggest mistakes this offseason

I love that they walked Lee to get to REED! GO REED!

I feel that if the Cubs don't score here, they will lose.

Pinch hit Jake Fox PLEASE!!!!! BRAINSSS

What the hell kinda motion does this dude have..

Gregg should be demoted to AA. Thats were I put him in my MLB The Show league lol.

What a pathetic closer. Words cannot describe what happened. Jeff Francour(sp) has been so bad that the Braves are trying to get rid of him and Gregg gives up a 2run shot that was riht down the middle of the plate. Guzman and Marmol should be the 8th, 9th inning guys.

DFA GREGG

Guys...I was at the game tonite (left in the 8th after Chippers hit). Wells is the real deal, and was lights out tonite. Unbelievable efficiency.

This one goes on Lou. Why pull the kid after 70 some pitches. Idiot!

especially with the Cubs bullpen. I feel bad for Wells. Has he gotton a win yet? Has the bullpen blown every outing fro him?

Nope...bullpen has blown two in the ninth

I said in a post the other day that Gregg would have to fail in several important save situations for Piniella to FINALLY make a move and get him out of there. Well, as predicted, step 1 is now in the books....three or four more to go. Unbelievable..NOT!

Well Gents... do you believe it? I am speechless.

From a potential no-no to a potential (likely?) loss.

Oh, but we're okay. Really, we're fine, it's only June 2nd.

If it's not the offense, it's the pen. If it's not the pen, it's the offense.

I'm thinking if I was Ricketts, I CLEAN HOUSE. The three stooges, Jim/Lou/Larry, and their supporting band of idiots.

GONE.

So can anyone on this board still defend Hendry's offseason for the argument that he made us a better or more athletic team?

Randy Wells has seen two gems blown by this bullpen.

You know what would be great right now..? If Zambrano popped out of the dugout and uppercutted Gregg right in the chin for blowing the save and the win for Wells.

Gregg reminds me of Borowski

Borowski could actually close a game from time to time. Gregg cant't, period. What a turd.

I can't be a fan of this bullsh$t...sorry...I know that makes me sound fairweather, but sorry....this is disgraceful.

no words. Piniella should fine his players for losing the game for Wells, specifically Lee, Marmol, and Gregg

Leave it up to Gregg...if Lou sticks with that clown for a closer he needs to be fired right now!

The weird thing is I'm not mad, because I'm not surprised.

Right down the frikkin heart of the GODDAMN PLATE. I HATE GREGG!

Belt high fastball with no movement...speechless!

Sheesh, just get it done already.

You know what..this is bullshit. Wells pitches his heart out..Gregg and the bullpen serve up the game to the Braves.

I'm morbidly disgusted..

God..damn..it...

here we go... I salute Gregg and Marmol for an outstanding job... NOTTT!!!!

Man we need a DP