Game Sixty-Nine: Cubs (34-34) vs. Tigers (40-31)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Comerica Park, Detroit
Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.04/1.06) vs. Armando Galarraga (3-7, 5.62/1.64)
Can the Cubs avoid going below the .500 mark today? This afternoon could be classified as a must win. The Cubs have had plenty of chances since leaving Chicago on Sunday to win a game, if not all three, but they find themselves 0-3 staring at a trip to the South Side on Friday.
Reed Johnson is expected to officially be placed on the 15-day DL before today's game. Johnson has not played since Saturday so the Cubs could backdate his DL stint to June 20. Ryan Freel, who has been on the DL longer than he was in a Cubs' uniform, is expected to be activated to take Johnson's spot on the active roster.
Look for Koyie Hill to be behind the plate this afternoon following Wednesday night's game. Also, with Milton Bradley taking a tumble in right field, it might be his turn to serve as the team's DH.
While the Cubs try to avoid being swept by the Tigers, it all starts with Ted Lilly ... but the offense must do more than just show up this afternoon.
While Ted Lilly has been stuck on seven wins since June 9, the Cubs have won Lilly's last five starts ... and the Cubs need 'The Bulldog' today. The Cubs cannot hit with runners in scoring position and it has cost Ted Lilly at least five wins this season. Two of Lilly's four losses were on days the Cubs were shutout (3-0 loss to the Reds on April 22 and 3-0 loss to the Cardinals on May 19) and in his last four starts Lilly has just one win but has allowed only six earned runs (1-0 in June with a 1.98 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP).
Ted Lilly is coming off a no-decision to the Indians last Saturday. The Cubs won the game 6-5 in 13 innings and Lilly notched another quality start ... three runs on six hits in six innings without a walk and six strikeouts.
For as good as Lilly as been this season he has struggled on the road. Lilly is 3-3 in seven starts outside of the Friendly Confines with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP ... compared to a 4-1 record at home in seven starts with a 1.85 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.
Ted Lilly is 2-3 in nine career games, six starts, against the Tigers with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.
- Miguel Cabrera - 1-for-5 with a home run and a walk
- Adam Everett - 0-for-4 with 2 walks
- Curtis Granderson - 0-for-6
- Brandon Inge - 1-for-6 with a home run
- Gerald Laird - 2-for-5
- Magglio Ordonez - 6-for-23 with a double and a triple
- Placido Polanco - 1-for-7 with a home run
- Ramon Santiago - 0-for-3
- Marcus Thames - 1-for-5 with a home run and a walk
Armando Galarraga will make his 15th start of the season this afternoon. The Tigers are 6-8 in his starts despite his inconsistency. Galarraga is coming off a rough four-inning outing against the Brewers in which he gave up four runs, three earned, on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout. In his last two starts he has pitched a combined six innings and has given up eight runs, seven earned.
The Cubs will have plenty of chances, once again, to put crooked numbers on the board against Galarraga. In 73 2/3 innings he has walked 33 batters and given up 88 hits, with 15 home runs.
Galarraga was about unhittable in April (3-0 in four starts with a 1.85 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP) but fell apart in May (0-5 in six starts with a 8.49 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP). He has been better of late, but that is not saying much (0-2 in four starts with a 5.95 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP).
The Cubs must take advantage of Galarraga's struggles and the fact he has not posted a win since April 26 in Kansas City. A lot of early runs will go a long way this afternoon.
This afternoon will be Galarraga's first career start against the Cubs.
- Milton Bradley - 0-for-2 with a walk
- Aaron Miles - 0-for-3
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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Player's only meeting? I know DLee and company have had them in the past. Isn't it past due for one this year?
If Pinella wasn't "Pinella" he'd be fired by now. Not that I think he deserves it, but it does seem that he's just letting the struggling players try to figure it out at the cost of some wins.
Ryan Freel in CF? Can he be worse that Fukudome at the plate?
Hill/Soto - time for a platoon? Hill's not hitting so much now that he only gets 5 ABs a week.
I'm still optimistic about the season. If the starting pitching stays the course, the team will remain in the hunt.
2007 - Division Title. After 68 games, Cubs were 6 games under .500.
As I said yesterday, I still cannot believe that Bradley has only 16 RBI's this far into the season. That is so pathetic for a guy that is hitting in the middle of the lineup every day.
You could be hitting .050 and get 16 RBI's at this point in the season with all the opportunities he has had by just hitting grounders or flyballs with men at 3rd with less than 2 outs.
It's really incredible at how bad he has been.
Case in point last night in the 9th, when you really need him, with 2 men on and none out, he whiffs. How many times have we seen it ?
You know what scares me about tonight's matchup? Galarraga sucks. He gives up a lot of walks and hits. That leads to baserunners, which leads to runners in scoring position, which leads to us sucking.
If you look at a majority of our home runs this year, they've been with NOBODY on base. Reed Johnson (I think all of his have been with nobody on), Soriano (I believe all but that Houston series at the beginning of the year were solo shots). Fontenot was the same way. I think Hoffpauir and ARAM might be the only ones to hit home runs with anybody on for the most part. Even Lee's blasts have been typically with nobody on.
So even our home runs come with no significance. LOL....We are in serious need of a shakeup.
I've said this before...we have quite a bit of offensive dead weight on this roster, either with significant injuries, or underperforming:
Miles, Freel, and Blanco simply cannot hit
Soriano, Bradley, and Soto are either hurt or out of shape
*that's 6 offensive players for those counting...and at any given time, 4 will be in the lineup.
As for pitcher's, the dead weight consists of Patton (who NEVER pitches but once every 2 weeks), Heilman, who can't seem to find the plate, and Gregg, who gets lit up virtually every outing, but gets lucky on a lot of balls that end up on the warning track, or diving catches in the outfield.
So....Internally if you could replace those guys, who would you replace them with?
Miles vs Scales
Freel vs Fuld/Colvin/Aducci/Deeds
Blanco vs Tony Thomas or Darwin Barney
Soriano (DL) vs Fuld/Colvin/Aducci/Deeds
Bradley (DL or bench vs Fuld/Colvin/Aducci/Deeds
Soto (DL) vs Clevenger or Chris Robinson
Heilman, Gregg, and Patton vs Jackson, Maestri, Papelbon, Gaub, Parker, Carillo, Stevens, Samardzija, Reinhard, and Cashner.
If you're looking for strikeouts (which we need), then Jackson, Gaub, Parker, Reinhard, and Cashner are your best bets. I think Cashner might be ready for a September call-up, while Parker is Parker and Reinhard are probably ready immediately.
I just don't know what to think or this team. I think Hendry failed us big time, and Piniella's asleep at the wheel. It was very clear to pretty much all of us that Miles couldn't hit MLB pitching early on, yet he ran the guy out there everyday until recently. Additionally, it was clear to pretty much all of us that Soriano can't run, field, or hit right now, yet he's playing everyday....same for Bradley. And yet, neither Hendry nor Piniella has the balls to ask either of them to go on the 15 day DL to get themselves right, then come back. They both are KILLING our lineup right now.
How many botched fielding attempts have we seen both of them make (either through lack of hustle, or bobbles)? How many straight fastballs down the middle of the plate have we seen Bradley swing right through? How many times have we seen Soriano loaf after balls in the OF, or loaf around the bases? How many times have we seen him swing awkwardly, and ugly at sliders in the dirt, way off the plate?
Addtionally, I love Blanco's glove....but the guy just cannot hit...he's like Neifi Perez in every way (except slightly better with the glove). Even their stances are the same. I just don't get having a "glove man" on the roster when you need offense....Sorry, but it's obvious.
I also know that once ARAM comes back, he won't even be close to the same player he was before. It's his lead shoulder, so he won't be able to drive the ball as he did before. So, Hendry, like Neil and I have said before....NEEDS to do something, even with ARAM coming back. We need a true, legitimate 3B on our roster as a back-up not only there, but at 1B too.
***side note: Do you realize that ARAM, in just 18 games this year, has as many RBI as Bradley??? LOL....Hendry's a moron!!!!!!
Anyway, at this point, I'd take Uggla, Kouzmanoff, Atkins, Figgins, DeRosa, or Josh Fields.
I think Atkins might cost the least, followed by Fields, Kouzmanoff, Uggla, Figgins, and DeRosa (costing the most)
In my mind, there's just one spot that we can get better (realistically because of no-trades), and that's an IF spot...preferably a versatile player that can play multiple positions. LF, CF, and RF are locked up with $40 million in contracts. Lee is the only one in our lineup that's on fire right now, so he's not going anywhere, and obviously ARAM isn't going anywhere. There aren't many shortstops as good as Theriot offensively, so again, we can't get rid of him...that leaves Fontenot, and we can easily replace him with a host of other worthy infielders that are available out there.
But, I think you get my point....if that's the best we can do, then we're absolutely screwed, because we still have Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley in our everyday lineup....all 3 have been automatic outs for the past month...if not more.
Funny thing is...Bradley IS hitting and walking now...BUT he is not driving the ball with any consistancy and he absolutely fails with runners on base.
Usually when needed...is when he strikes out. What kind of player is that?
My point from last night ... thank you.
As Zig Zigler would say, "WYSIWYG" (what you see is what you get)
85 games played/season average in 10 seasons. Most hr and RBI came last year (22 hr, 77 RBI), along with highest avg and OBP....Did I mention all of this came in 126 games.....soooooooo
What I'm getting at, is for that deal alone, Hendry should be fired IMMEDIATELY. Even if he gives you 22 hr, 77 RBI (which isn't bad...still about average or below for a corner OF), what the hell is your team going to do with the other 36 games that your $10 million/year man doesn't play?!? Exactly!
I never understood his deal from the start. You simply cannot take a broken down player that's a head case to begin with, give him $10 million/year, and expect his poor attitude to get you a championship. You need a healthy, consistent player, who will give you 150-155 games per year, and as a corner OF, and middle of the order bat, drive in no less than 85 runs on the year...it's just that simple. And yet, here we have Bradley, who NEVER has had more than 22 hr or 77 RBI, playing a MAJOR role on our roster. He's averaging right around 5 RBI a month....which is great.....IF you're a part time player:
Bobby Scales: 25 games, 58 AB's, 3 hr, 7 RBI
Jake Fox: 15 games, 30 AB's, 0 hr, 6 RBI
Micah Hoffpauir: 52 games, 127 AB's, 6 hr, 21 RBI
Reed Johnson: 43 games, 112 AB's, 4 hr, 16 RBI
Aramis Ramirez: 18 games, 66 AB's, 4 hr, 16 RBI
Koyie Hill: 24 games, 63 AB's, 2 hr, 7 RBI
.........................................
Milton Bradley: 55 games, 166 AB's, 5 hr, 16 RBI
Adam Dunn: 70 games, 244 AB's, 18 hr, 50 RBI
Raul Ibanez: 62 games, 250 AB's, 22 hr, 59 RBI
Bobby Abreu: 64 games, 235 AB's, 4 hr, 40 RBI
In fact, out of everyday outfielders with the same amount of AB's as Bradley, the following have less RBI than Bradley:
Coco Crisp (Royals)-14 RBI
Carlos Gomez (Twins)-12 RBI
Fred Lewis (Giants)-10 RBI
Wily Taveras (Reds)-9 RBI
Jordan Schafer (Braves)-8 RBI
*Ironically, all of these listed above are lead-off hitters, and NOT middle of the order bats....
So, for $10 million/yr, we got outselves the 6th worst everyday OF in terms of run production (and he's the ONLY one that's a middle of the order bat)....LOL
Can we please start a petition to have Hendry fired? Like...NOW!!!!!!!!
Reason for Statistical Hope:
Current League BABip: .296
2008 NL BABip: .298
Cubs BABip, with RISP: .259
That's not just bad hitting, that's bad luck. If we were at just league average in this category, that would equal an additional 45 hits this year WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION (171 instead of 126). That right there is probably the margin between first and where we are now.
PS: We are over the league average in BABip in only one situation: Runner on First. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, our BABip is .172. That is almost impossible over a full season.
For this reason alone, I guarantee our offense will improve in the 2nd half
Starting Lineup:
LF Soriano
SS Theriot
1B Lee
RF Hoffpauir
DH Fox
3B Fontenot
CF Fukudome
C Hill
2B Blanco
Pinella said Bradley will be out till Saturday, no reason.
he gave no reason on why Bradley out till saturday ? Maybe I can help.
He sucks ?????
LOL
Thank you for posting the lineup...
Aaron says that Bradley should be out the rest of the season....with good reason...LOL
Aaron,
For once, I agree with you. Second base is probably the only option to upgrade the offense. I don't know the contract status of Freddy Sanchez, but could he maybe an option?
Actually, here's a good read...it talks about what you just asked
http://bases.newsvine.com/_news/2009/06/24/2965677-10-most-likely-to-be-traded-infielders?category=sports
Aaron Miles was scratched from the lienup because he hyper extended his elbow in the batting cage....unreal.
Miles is out ??
Bradley is out ??
Sing with me cub nation:
"Happy days are here again" !!!
:-)
Now can we get the LF to sit down too ?
Here's another good read for you...Normally I strongly dislike Steve Rosenbloom, but he was spot on with his assessment, and actually did his research for once.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/06/the-numbers-say-the-cubs-offense-is-bad-but-really-its-even-worse.html
Since Bradley is out till Saturday, I really hope Hoff and Fox can put together two very good offensive days. That way it makes it hard for Lou to put Bradley back in.
I really like out 2-5 hitters.
Note to Soriano: It is time to WAKE UP the BAT!
Keith Moreland could drive in runs, and he's right about the 2nd half. But the Blue now have to win 60% of their remaining games to total 90 for the season. (Last year, 60% got them 97 wins.) I hope so, but that's not likely.
The Cubs will win today, and we do need a win to start a win streak.
I'm off for the game because I'm trying to find a second source re. a blockbuster trade of Z + to the Red Sox. I have identified the purported players involved, and it would be an interesting deal.
I will also be trying to regain a speaking relationship with the trophy wife this p.m. She asked me what I was doing today, and I said, "Nothing". She then stated that I did that yesterday. I replied, "I didn't finish". It's been real quiet since.
Good luck with the wife...Jim.
that's hilarious...wish I could get away with that response....
I am very interested in your blockbuster....would it happen to include Bay? What about that guy you used to talk about with them...Was it Lars Andersen or something like that? Chris Carter? Anyway...we need a power bat, there's no denying it, so can you make sure you include that? LOL
Wow, I wonder if that's why Bradley isn't playing...maybe their going to take him off our hands if they can get "Z".
Good luck JimK, lol!!
A good start by Soriano
JAKE FOX!!!!! That guy can flat out hit!!
JAKE FOX!!!! First career big league home run!
There it is
He already has 9 RBI's, he is going to blow away Bradley at this pace.
Now THAT'S the power we need....we could've used that all year, huh?
I said it last night....he JUST missed 2 bombs last night...one 3 run, 1 slam, hitting both to the warning track in the deepest part of the park. He would've had 3 hr, 10 RBI in 2 games....EAT THAT BRADLEY, you piece of sh$t!!!!
Ha, don't sugarcoat it. Tell him how you really feel!
Foxy !!!
So to follow on to my earlier point about Bradley and his disgusting total of 16 RBI at this point....
just to put into perspective of how bad that is, now compare that to Fox - who now has 9 in 31 AB's !!!! wow.
Bradley - what a turd.
You know who else has been brutal, besides the usual suspects (Bradley, sori, soto) ??
Fontenot. He is now down to .227 with 6 HR, 27 RBI.
That's pretty weak.
I'm just so happy we dumped Dero !!!!
ugh !!!!!
Who thinks Lilly should be a all-star?
I am one who thinks he should be.
for those that care...Bradley was actually benched today...not rested....benched:
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/06/bradley-grabs-some-bench.html
damnit....Soriano sucks....I'm so sick of him. Teams already realize they can easily pick him off because he hates to get dirty, then he can't even get back to first on that drive....
I feel bad for Lee, he absolutely hammered that ball up against the fence...that sucks
WOW! Santiago with a 2-run homer, #5 on the year.
like Brenly and Kasper said...it's like every little mistake we make is magnified because of our incompetent offense...Theriot and Fontenot botch the Everett play, and it leads to 2 runs. You could see how mad Lilly was....I don't think it was just a tantrum from giving up the home run, but a realization that he might lose the game because our offense sucks so bad. Like I said before, when offenses struggle, pitchers put immense pressure on themselves, and often make mistakes because of it, trying to be too perfect
a 3 run bomb, WHATTT!!! Clearly this calls for an extended benching. Until he hits little dribblers back to the mound like he should, Miles will return and show this sucker how its done!
fox needs to be playing everyday and he hasn't done anything to hurt himself defensively...
Agreed....both he and Hoffpauir are victims of the Cubs poor management and biased labeling as saying they were poor defensively. Guess what? They're actually better than Fontenot, Bradley, or Soriano. Bradley can't make diving catches, but both Fox AND Hoffpauir have proven they can make those catches, along with the routine plays
Kosuke with a triple...good job getting one run back
Dome with the Triple!
Speechless....
Game is O-VER
(CLAP! CLAP! CLAP CLAP CLAP)
that's what happens when you have crappy baserunning (Soriano), and automatic outs in your lineup (Hill and Blanco)....you just can't come back. You can't extend innings, and get any sort of rally going. Lou is doing the best he can (albeit, playing Hoffpauir and Fox everyday was LONG overdue), but he's playing with the cards Hendry dealt him...plain and simple
good job Soriano...that'll show 'em....one quick out, then you swing at the first pitch.....compounding your idiotic baserunning gaffe....WOW
The one day we need Lilly to step up and shut em down, he just doesn't have it.
why is mike fontenot still starting?
Right now, I would rather have Freel in there. He was at least hitting the ball good in AAA.
Fox better be in the lineup from here on out!
This team isn't going anywhere.
3rd place at best.
just FYI for those "optimists" out there....if you think there's a chance that we make the playoffs, you're in for a rude awakening.
While we're "just" 3 1/2 games out, we've also been at .500 or below .500 constantly, while the Cards and Brewers, if memory serves me correctly haven't been below .500 since April....that's saying something. So, when you're hoping the teams above you fail, it's never good when they haven't truly failed all year.
For further evidence of this...
Cardinals:
April-16-7
May-13-14
June-11-12
Brewers:
April-12-10
May-18-10
June-8-13
Cubs:
April-10-11
May-15-13
June-9-10
Both the Cards and Brewers have proven they can sustain good winning baseball for a month at a time, each having huge months already. With the Brewers above .500 in 2 of the 3 months thus far, they look like a team that's on the cusp of pulling away...more so than the Cards.
On the other hand, with just one winning month, we look like a .500 team, and that's just not good enough to make the postseason (unfortunately, we're not the NBA).
So while I appreciate and understand optimism, sometimes it's best to be realistic about a situation, and cut your losses. We need to blow this thing up, and I've gone over those reasons MANY times.
We got in their bullpen, and now any chance we had to win is out the window. That's realistic...that's looking at percentages (Fact), and making an educated guess...something Hendry doesn't know how to do.
Aaron, please quit saying 'blow this thing up'. There is no way they can.
I was listening on XM, and the The Detroit announcers said the Cub hitter's 2 strike approach at the plate, was the worst they've seen all year.
I did not hear them say that, but I more than agree.
just no patience at the plate...
As the ESPN guys said awhile ago on one of the Cubs games...I think it was Jon Miller that said it..maybe Morgan....but they were like, "the Cubs little guys are trying to hit the ball out of the park...that's not their job, and that's why this team is scuffling". When you have the likes of Fontenot, Blanco, Theriot, and Miles all lofting the ball in the air, it almost never finds the seats, nor does it get down for extra bases...when we were good last year, our little guys (Theriot and Fontenot) were driving the ball, on line shots to the OF. Even Fontenot's home runs were line shots. This year, however, both of them have lazy fly outs. That's not a recipe for success
And, I have been saying that for weeks. The entire team does not change their approach with two strikes, two outs, runners on ... etc. Situational hitting on this team is pathetic.
Well, unless they can manage a comeback in the 9th, Lee's hitting streak just came to an end.
Hey pitchers! Got a 7 game losing streak? No problem, just have the Cubs come town! My God this team is hard to watch! Galaraga sucks! Who the hell are Rayburn and Santiago??!! We are an unbelievable overrated team and this has already been a LONG year!
MICAH MONEY!!!!
Gotta keep him and Fox on the field!
Sorry Neil....as has been Lou's custom all season long, he'll surely substitute for them the very next game....think Freel and Miles...LOL
On the plus side, at least Fox and Hoffpauir went deep. In fact, they accounted for 4 of our 5 RBI today. Imagine how pitiful it would've been with Bradley in there.
Unfortunately, I'm watching on mlb.tv, and I'm watching the Cards mount a comeback against KROD, which is very difficult. At least Molina lined out hard to left to end it, otherwise we'd be 4 1/2 down. The Brewers are also losing to the Twins, but it's still the 6th, so I'm not ecstatic.
We are 1 game under .500...after winning 4 in a row, we've now lost 4 in a row. Yup, pretty much sums up this pathetic team.
Offensively we are no better than 26th in ANY category....LOL....I need to find a new team. This is embarrassing and ruins my day.
It's likely that the Cubs will just continue to run the same guys out there, sink or swim, as this season seems almost certainly headed into the tank. As much as I would like to see some major shakeups, there just won't be any. The Cubs are out of syn for many reasons and there's no cure in sight. Back to the middle of the pack (or lower) seems the inevitable destination for this team. Man, is that hard to accept when we've come to expect so much more!
Finally we manage to get on base for a whole week like we used to last year and yet come up empty with RISP. Painfull to see this team suck this bad and being unlucky at the same time. Seriously I'd take Rothchild down and even Lou who I really like. Put Ryno and Davies there and see what they can do for the rest of the season. Neil, I agree Fox/Hoff Stay
If the Cubs were a "good" team, they would be taking full advantage of the mediocre play of the Cards and Brewers right now. The real die-hards say that the Cubs are still only so far back and one of these days "when they get hot" they will rise to the top. Does anyone who thinks realistically at all see any way this Cub team will suddenly transform itself into a winner? Their true make-up has been fully exposed and the flaws are so severe that it's just not feasible for this season to suddenly turn around. This Detroit series exposed all the warts one more time for all to see.
Did you guys see that Soto tested positive for marijuana use at the WBC?
that would explain the weight gain with the munchies, that fat ass, piece of sh$t
These are the comments that I don't like. No need to make such personal comments. You seem to be a very smart guy and while I don't agree with you all the time -- I do respect your right to say what you want. But these personal comments just turn my stomach. We are all faithful Cubs fans and I would like to think we are classier than those personal comments.
dude, that is not true. If you say stuff like that back it up or shut up.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090625&content_id=5525432&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc
If you wanted a link then ask for it...or go look it up yourself...and don't tell me to shut up.
my bad.
I just posted a report. It is true.
This team can't put anything together. Too many quick outs, not enough base on balls by Theriot, Fontenot, Soriano, etc. Not enough situational hitting (like someone said before), and horrible baserunning. I don't care if Soriano has an ego, pull him from the lineup when he gets doubled off from the warning track in left. Walks force pitchers to throw more hitable pitches, including more fastballs. If guys got on base in front of Lee, Hoffpauir, and Fox they would drive more guys in. It's as simple as that, at least offensively.
SOTO on POT. It goes so well with his POT belly . . . .
Aaron,
I think we can all agree on one thing, we do wish you would find another team to root for.
Steve, I certainly don't agree that we all wish Aaron would find another team (although he just might with the ineptitude of this Cubs team). He states how he sees things without pulling any punches, and he definitely does his homework to back up most of his assertions. I, for one, really like reading his views on what moves might help this team turn things around. He doesn't seem to mind anyone disagreeing with him if they present some fairly convincing arguments...anyway, he helps me release some of my frustrations with this team for sure!
Really? If the majority on here doesn't want my input...let them speak, but you alone I could care less. How many times have you added to conversation on here? Maybe once, twice a month? If that....
Nice call "We can all agree..." are you the universal spokesman for this site?
Steve, I hate this stuff...worse than a bunch of girls...and I should know...something get your panties in a bunch Steve? When you make a post...speak for yourself and no one else.
Steve, I look forward to your posts
if they are regarding the Cubs. If not about the Cubs...then please go to the Girls Gossip Column.
Think about this for a second ...our regular OF (Sori, Fuk, Bradley) has to be the worst in baseball right now, and we're paying them $40M this year.
$40 for that production !!! That's a crime.
When ARAM and Reed Johnson come back, think about how better this team would be if you put Fox, Reed, and Hoffy in the OF !! I would be excited again.
And between the 3 of those guys they make about 2 or $3M total vs. $40m for other 3 clowns. Wow.
I don't think Lou has the balls anymore to bench guys like Bradley or Sori. He looks old, tired, and disinterested.
ugh.
I wish people some people on this site would stop attacking others. Telling people to shut up, or constantly attacking Aaron is just lame as hell. Don't read his posts if you hate them so bad. Everyone has a right to express their opinion.
Ohhh Cory I wish you would just shut up!!!
dude just kidding. I Ipologize to Draven for telling him to shut up.
Tin-Tin:
So Soto likes the malta eh...
I thought it was a lie because I had not read anything here, but the kid apparently likes to party like a rockstar...just once!
Hey Jim how r you taking this cubs debacle? It sure screws my week, month and summer. Damn no heart watsoever.
It's killing me.
I figured. Ohh well we'll all be watching reguardless...
No worries. All is forgiven. I'll remember to post a link next time.
How appropriate that the Cubs would blow a series in Detroit. They really sucked today. After all it was game #69.
A few thoughts on Aaron:
* He certainly quantify's his comments. (Which is good)
* Very knowlegable about the Cubs and their farm system.
* He played in College and has MLB working experience.
* He may be related to Adam Dunn (lol)
What else can I say he's hard to please
He wants to go 162-0. I guess that there are worse things in life.
I vote Aaron stays!!!!
thanks Jim (TP), the one thing you got wrong though was the MLB experience---I just have minor league experience. As for Dunn, he's my brother...LOL..j/k
Aaron rocks like Geo but without the Malta!!!! Aaron stays.
I like Aaron's posts. I may not always agree with him. And he tends to be verbose. But he expresses his opinions succinctly.
But I'm not a regular, so I don't count.
I like when Aaron gets pissed.
I remember back during the Sosa years it was considered a good day if Sammy hit a HR win or loose.
I HATE LOOSING AND I COULD NOT STAND THAT KIND OF JERK OFF MENTALITY.
Aaron can say whatever he wants and we can agree or disagree.
Jim (TP),
that was the Cubs marketing machine at its pinnacle. They sure knew how to exploit that one star player, then surround him with nothing. I remember during the Sandberg, Dawson, and Grace years that the Tribune simply exploited them, then didn't surround them with any other players, ESPECIALLY pitching.
I still remember a Pirates game where we came all the way back, Dawson hit like a grand slam AND a 3 run homer or something, and we still lost (this was when Bonilla and Bonds were still there), and it was because our pitching was just dreadful. I remember thinking to myself then...."Sandberg and Grace are in their prime...2 great hitters...we should spend whatever it takes to field a winner." But the Tribune never did. I remember Sandberg and Grace were almost automatic for Gold Gloves, and you knew what you'd get with them:
Sandberg- .290+avg, .350+OBP, 20 hr, 80+RBI, 20+SB
Grace-.300+avg, .370+OBP, 10 hr, 80 RBI
Guys, I have to share a sick...sick stat with you....I don't think most Cubs fans appreciated just what Grace did all those years, and how great he really was. In fact, I believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame easily...the only reason he won't, is because he plays a power position, and didn't have much...but here's the stat I want to share with you, and why I'm still boiling over Andy MacFailed pushing him out the door in 2001.
In 2000, his last year with us, Grace had this line:
.280 avg, .394 OBP, 11 hr, 82 RBI...and get this....95 walks vs 28 K's....NINETY FIVE WALKS vs TWENTY EIGHT K's!!!!!!!!!!!!! Folks, that's unheard of nowadays. In fact, in his 16 year MLB career, Gracie NEVER struck out more than he walked, and the highest K total he ever posted was 56 (93 walks that year). I believe he also had the most hits in the 1990's as well.
Anyway, then came the 2000's, and all of a sudden, they switch to pitching. I believe that's very, very important. In fact, you simply cannot win if you don't develop your own pitching. However, the Cubs completely ignored the value of developing their position players, and have suffered ever since. The days when we developed the likes of Dunston, Joe Carter, Palmeiro, Grace, Girardi, Dwight Smith, Walton...and before that Santo, Williams, Banks, and the like are LOOOOOOOOOOONG gone. We sure know how to produce the light hitting ones don't we...like Pie, Cedeno, Theriot, Fontenot, etc.
If it were the Cubs of the 80's and early 90's, there's no way that Hoffpauir and Fox are playing reserve roles...No, they're playing everyday, because that's what we did...we played the deserving players. That's why in 1994, we had Tuffy Rhodes and Eddie Zambrano playing for us after smoking AAA pitching. They didn't just play in 30 games (Zuleta), or 52 games (DuBois), and get called a bust. No, they actually got more of a shot.
I'm not quite sure I understand the politics involved...It's complete bullsh$t. If Fox was playing for us immediately after ARAM was injured, we probably wouldn't even be close to this mess, and who knows, he might even have 10 hr by now, and the most RBI on the team. Ditto Hoffpauir. Fox has 1 hr, 9 RBI in very few AB's. Hoffpauir has 7 hr, 22 RBI in a very limited role as well.
With the likes of Miles, Blanco, Fontenot, and Bradley being rolled out there everyday, it's no wonder we're this bad.
Play the guys that produce....that's all I have to say
Aaron...are you sure you didn't pose as steven to get some kudos? lol
I'm among those that enjoy your posts...although there are times I like to disagree.
Mark Grace was all class and as solid as they come. Dawson, Grace, Sandberg......One thing those guys had in common was that they were extremely fundamentally sound. Something some of these players we have now are lacking, i.e fundamentals of the game.Dawson=49 homeruns and no steroids. My all-time baseball hero.