Here's something interesting I discovered today: Starlin Castro has exactly 100 career walks.
Here's the breakdown:
29 in 2010
35 in 2011
36 in 2012
63 in Wrigley Field
6 in Great American (next highest)
55 times with the bases empty
12 times with just a man on first or just a man on second (next highest, tied)
0 times with the bases loaded
72 times when the Cubs were tied or trailing
38 times on just 4 pitches (14 intentional walks)
33 times on 6 or more pitches (fouled off at least once)
1 time on 10 pitches – the Cubs were down 10-5 against the White Sox against Scott Linebrink. It didn't help.
1 3-walk game
9 2-walk games
One time (09-18-2010), Colvin scored on a walk, but the bases weren't loaded. There were men on first and second, and Colvin advanced home on E-2. That run tied the game, Castro would later score the insurance run, and the Cubs would win 5-3.
22 walks in high-leverage situations.
It took Castro 1912 plate appearances to get his first 100 walks. Adam Dunn drew 105 walks this year, in 649 plate appearances.
Castro's last walk took place on the last game of the season. The Cubs were tied in the bottom of the ninth with 2 men on and 2 outs. Castro walked on 5 pitches, and LaHair singled in the winning run.
Congrats, Starlin, on 100. Here's to 900 more.
If I thought he was even a marginally effective teacher, I’d suggest hiring this guy to teach the Cubs system how to walk more.
@ GW:
Just did a quick search and this was the first link (did not read anything other than two paragraphs): http://savetheplasticbag.com/ReadContent667.aspx
Also only read two paragraphs: http://greenreview.blogspot.com/2008/08/plastic-bags-are-bad-but-they-are-not.html
I’m somewhat confused, but that’s probably because I only read a couple paragraphs. (dying laughing)
If Castro can develop a little more power I think it will help his walk total, but he’s never going to be a patient hitter.
@ dmick89:
Yeah, OK. So natural gas. Which makes a difference if you are in the “no foreign oil” contingent, but not if you are in the “no fossil fuels” group.
Re: The bag law, in my mind it’s just so simple. If you know that your law is going to do the exact opposite of what you intend (ie increase oil usage), don’t pass it. A gas tax would have been so much more effective in that regard. But adding a few cents at the pump doesn’t do anything to make the scenery at the grocery store conform more closely to their idyllic view of what the world should look like.
Rice Cube wrote:
That guy seems awesome, I wonder why he stopped playing
@ GW:
It kind of sounded that way, but I didn’t know. Didn’t they at one point make them out of corn starch or something?
@ Rice Cube:
I remember some stories years ago about how the Giants would have their best young players shadow Bonds during spring training. I also seem to recall him being a surprisingly good tutor, but I highly doubt he has any interest in being a hitting coach.
@NYPost_Mets
Valdespin says he is OK … Asked where he got hit: “My dick,” Valdespin said.
(Off a wayward Verlander fastball, by the way)
@ dmick89:
They probably could, but it would just be more expensive. (And always a bad idea to encourage stuff like that. When oil/natural gas gets expensive enough, the most efficient alternatives will sort themselves out.)
@ dmick89:
Even if he did decide to coach he’d do it for the Giants. But I wonder if baseball has ever tried something like a “walking coach”. Because Bonds was insanely good at it.
dmick89 wrote:
That’s kind of what I’m thinking, too. The only issue with that is he makes good contact, which extends at-bats (in the sense that he fouls off more pitches), but it also lowers his chances for a walk drastically (by putting more balls in play). Pitchers offer Castro balls in the zone at a roughly average rate. If his power goes up, that number will go down. That should lead to more walks, but only if Castro a) swings at those worse pitches less often or b) Castro fouls those bad pitches off. A is probably wishful thinking, so B is going to be the way he gets more walks. If Castro’s power develops and he maintains his excellent contact abilities, his productivity might explode even without a huge amount of walks, like a Miguel Tejada or Nomar Garciaparra-type. Garciaparra never walked much, but his power and contact abilities still made him very feared.
I just want to point out that we are literally talking about dog shit removal instead of the Cubs.
I read Game of Shadows and Bonds was at least portrayed as an awful person (of course, that’s what they want to portray him as). That being said, it seems crazy not to try to employ the greatest hitter of all time, which Bonds certainly is. The man knows baseball.
WaLi wrote:
They’re great. While other parents complain about spending $40/week on diapers, we spend maybe $10/month in extra water/electricity usage. We really liked Cloth-eez brand (check out Green Mountain Diapers) and we now use the newborn sizes as liners for the larger size for night time. We use cloth wipes (warmed in a wipe warmer that was a gift) though we used to keep some disposable wipes around for trips (don’t really need them anymore at 2) and the Potty Pail is a back/knee saver I wish I would have purchased right off the bat. We also have 4 wet bags of various sizes for daycare, trips, etc. We use Charlie’s and Rocking Green soaps, depending on what’s available.
If they’re entirely breastfed (which is tough for twins, I hear), you won’t need to rinse at first. Breastfed baby poo is basically yogurt and entirely water soluble. We travel with them all the time and it’s no big deal assuming you have access to a washing machine. We’d use disposables if not, but we’ve never actually needed to.
I find that I have to clean the washing machine more frequently (once every six months instead of once a year. Bleach rarely.
I don’t know what else. Wash them a bunch of times when you first get them to wash out the natural oils so they will absorb liquid (like full wash and dry about 5 times).
I can give more information as needed.
My wife is due in 4 weeks, and we are going to be doing cloth diapers as well. We heard that instead of washing/drying them 5-10 times (to break them in), you can boil them for like 15 minutes. I don’t know how feasible that is (if it’s any easier/quicker), but something to consider.
@ Myles:
What type of pot do you use to boil cloth diapers?
@ Myles:
Without a doubt. My guess is the Giants eventually get in touch with him about being a coach, but it’s probably several years away yet.
I think there are enough reports to suggest that Bonds was undoubtedly an asshole, but assholes can still be good teachers. I can’t remember who it was, but one of the young players said he learned more from Bonds in 6 weeks than he had learned his entire career. Can’t think of the guy’s name.
@ GBTS:
Fine. Since cubs are young animals, we’ll talk about baby poop. Happy?
@ josh:
Thanks. That is great shit right there.
@ dmick89:
Hopefully Nate Schierholtz learned a thing or two in his year with the Bonds and the Giants.
@ Myles:
Yeah, that might work. So long as you get good quilting and absorption afterward, that’s the key.
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
I would guess a stockpot.
@ josh:
Stainless steel or cast iron, don’t want that PTFE non-stick stuff in your diapers, although that might help the yogurt poop clean off.
What is this I don’t even
http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20130311/NEWS01/130311017/1079/
@ GBTS:
We may need an expert here (Mish?) but I don’t believe you manufacture marijuana.
Also it sucks that MB got busted. Seemed like a good plan.
Percy Harvin —-> SEA
2013 1, 7 and 2014 3-5 —> MIN
Ryno wrote:
SF: O RLY?
Anquan Boldin —> SF
2013 6 —> BAL
@ Ryno:
That seems like a lot for a WR, right?
Quick NFL digression:
Anquan Bolden —-> Niners (for a 6th rounder?)
@ WaLi:
I’d MUCH rather give up a 6 for one year of Boldin at $6 million than what SEA gave up for Harvin who’s going to demand a big-ass contract.
I know Harvin was probably the best player in the NFL for the first half of last year, but they paid a much bigger price (and will continue to pay for it) for the upgrade than SF did for theirs.
@ Mish:
Too slow.
GBTS wrote:
(dying laughing) 20 years in prison for growing a drug that is legal is some states. Does manslaughter even get 20 years? What a joke.
btw, everything I post here is my opinion and doesn’t reflect the opinion of anyone else.
@ Ryno:
I agree with that. Wrote my question regarding Harvin before I saw the Bolden trade.
@ GBTS:
20 years? Jeebus.
@ WaLi:
Percy Harvin is right now (if healthy) what Reggie Bush was supposed to be. I would absolutely pay what SEA did for him if I know I get him fully healthy for 80 percent of the regular season and 100 percent of the playoffs at no more than 60 percent of what he’s reportedly asking in contract for no less than three years.
@ GBTS:
Rodeo clowns have the best weed.
For a 6. Yes.
@ dmick89:
I don’t ever worry about the weed clowns. It’s the meth clowns that you have to watch out for.
Jeff Samardzija just killed a baseball.
@ Rice Cube:
Beef Castle did too to bail F7 out.
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
Reminds me vaguely of this:
dmick89 wrote:
Clothespins: which work better, the springy ones or the other kind?
Somewhere dmick or somebody commented that the reusable bags get dirty. My colleagues in food science tell me absolutely never put meat in the reusable bags. Meat is never wrapped well, sits on carts/shelves which had other leaky meat on them etc. Those should always be wrapped in another plastic bag (maybe from the produce aisle) and then put in a disposable grocery bag. Guess either paper or plastic is OK. We only have plastic here. They say when you get home you should throw away the plastic bags you put the meat in, and not use it for your lunch the next day.
I’ve found that those bags are OK to put the clumps of used kitty litter in though, if they don’t have holes. I too sort holey plastic bags from intact ones, like my fellow OCD WaLi. The bags that had meat in them don’t seem to harm the quality of the clumps in the trash can.
@ SVB:
I’m sure there is plenty of bacteria from other products, but the meat would be the worst. I think i read an article a few months ago that reusable bags have more fecal bacteria than your underwear. Some of that is meat, but some of it is from other products touched by people who don’t wash their hands much. Most people don’t clean those reusable bags.
Just saw Kansas City is 13-1 this spring. Only spring training, but wow.
dmick89 wrote:
Why do you hate the environment?
Whoa – did anyone else see AZ Phil from today?
http://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/210786#comment-210786
Dillon Maples hurt & Vogelbach taking grounders at 3rd.
@ Chet Masterson:
I was going to say if Miguel Cabrera can “play” third, but then I looked at the listed weight on bref. Cabrera is listed as 6’4″ 240lb… Vogelback is listed as 6’0″ 250lb… wow that’s a big kid. I guess he has lost some of that though.
They’d be wise to check in on Eric Winston as well.
Glad to see they have given you back your Internet privileges at the home, Ryno.
Putting together my big board, and I LOVE Day 2 of this year’s draft (I’m talking about the NFL Draft, in case you didn’t know). Round 3 especially.
If I were a team like…the San Francisco 49ers, for example, I would consider trading my 1 for a 2 and 3 this year, a 2 for a 1 next year and use some Day 3 picks to get back into the third.
@ Suburban kid:
My nips were well enough.
How can the Bears afford Jake Long or Jermon Bushrod? Those are 8+ mil guys, right?
Finished Baseball Between the Numbers (especially liked the chapter on why Billy Beane’s shit doesn’t work in the playoffs). The numbers are optimistic on Castro improving over the next few years, so that’s something.
@ Myles:
Cuts and restructures. Long and Bushrod weren’t very good last year, though.
Apparently CHI is looking into Loadholt. Good target for RT.
Ryno wrote:
It’s going to take a lot of them, though. Peppers is a good restructure target, but Cutler probably isn’t get an extension. Marshall and Melton probably aren’t getting restructured either, so your next best bet is probably Tillman.
I don’t know much about cap math, but it doesn’t look like the Bears have a ton of room to work with.
@ Myles:
Agreed. Peppers and Tillman are the best bets. I haven’t watched the team enough to know who should be cut.
Might be more cost effective to go after a G in free agency and draft a T.
So apparently this is happening…
http://deadspin.com/good-news-everyone-dennis-rodman-is-on-his-way-to-the-453349957
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
(dying laughing)
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/12/a-kid-friendly-wrigley-field/
@ Mish:
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Here is a sneak peak at Bleachy.
@ Mish:
Don’t the Cubs already have a kid friendly mascot, or is he a little TOO kid friendly?
@ Suburban kid:
I don’t think we want to see your search history to find that picture. (dying laughing)
@ Suburban kid:
Is that serious? God I hope not.
@ dmick89:
Bleachy? No. That they might invent a mascot? Yes.
SK, did you shave your body hair for that picture?
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
Makes sense to me. After all, Obama has Rahm available in Chicago to teach Rodman diplomacy
Suburban kid wrote:
Wouldn’t this be a good kid friendly Cubs mascot?
@ WaLi:
I’m going to puke when they inevitably name him Cubby.
@ Mucker:
Just used a bucket of Nair to get that super bleached out look.
New aside: http://www.obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/who-needs-two-face-value-cubs-tickets-available.html
Hey guys, AZ Phil says Vogelbach was in minor league camp taking ground balls at…
… 3rd base (dying laughing)
It’s ok, because he’s in the best shape of his life.
The Cubs lost Harry Pav to the Nationals:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2013/03/12/introducing-a-new-baseball-analytics-feature/
This is seriously awesome for Harry.
Italy ———> up 4-1 on Dominican Republic in WBC
Berselius wrote:
RIIIIIZZZZZZOOOOOO!!!
CHI interested in Martellus Bennett…
The Dominican came back to take the lead in the 7th. Fernando Rodney in for the potential save in the top of the 9th.
Cub loses.
Still tweeting up a storm I see, Aisley:
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/twitter-trolls-remorse-after-boxer-he-taunted-shows-up-on-doorstep-29125341.html
AZ Phil says Cardenas isn’t in Cubs camp and hasn’t actually signed anywhere since he became a free agent in November (via Cubs Den)
@ Rice Cube:
Mackerel Sky (or whatever) is going to be very disappointed to learn that Cardenas = #NotCOMMITTED.
@ Rice Cube:
Sweet. Thanks for the (devastating) information.
@ SVB:
God damn it… Now I’m a fish?
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
Actually a cloud
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altocumulus_mackerel_sky
@ Mobile WaLi
Well there you go. Apparently I need to add “Doesn’t know a cloud from a fish” to my name… What’s the max number of characters any way?
@ Mobile WaLi:
Here, now it can be both
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
From the immortal song…
“A fish is an animal that swims in a brook, he can’t write his name or read a book…”
Seems appropriate.
If I could post only short clips of Youtube, I’d post the Bruce Willis version instead of Bobby D, but I’m not a competent YouTube poster, so you are spared that….
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or whatever.:
Doh… The tribune is running a mascot contest. Guess who’s winning..
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/poll/chi-spt-0313-cubs-mascot-poll,0,3870451,post.poll
@ mikeakaleroy or elroy or Mackel-roy or Mackerel Sky(which is apparently a cloud or something) or whatever.:
What a stupid poll. They don’t have Bill Murray listed.
@ Rice Cube:
If I’m not mistaken, he is inside of the Burger King costume.
WaLi–do you have one of these for your Pitbulls?
@ SVB:
I’ll just post the whole damn thing and class this place up a little.
(dying laughing)
@ SVB:
I actually liked that movie (dying laughing)
@ SVB:
@ WaLi:
I think it got Razzies and stuff, but I’m a huge fan of Bruce Willis and so I too enjoyed this movie.
I was kind of disappointed in the most recent Die Hard movie though. But at least John McClane got to blow shit up.
@ whatever.:
This is the easiest part of the the name to remember.
@ dmick89:
That reminds me of a guy who used to post on the Cubs newsgroup in the olden times. His user name was user name.
I’m really enjoying this offseason’s Packers UFA signings so far
new shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/rating-prospects.html