June 17, 2012
BLEEDCUBBIEBLUE – Today, a day in which the Cubs and their new President of Baseball Operations, played his former team, the Boston Red Sox – Carlos Zambrano, once thought to be an afterthought for the 2012 Cubs; has finally reached the potential that so many knew he had – beating Theo’s former team, the Boston Red Sox, a team in the American League Eastern Division, and almost always good; Zambrano has delivered on the trust that Theo showed in him by earning his 8th victory of the season against the team that Theo once worked for – in Boston.
This past offseason – the one after the miserable and failed Mike Quade experiment in 2011, an experiment that sealed the fate of Jim Hendry, architect of the 2003 National League Central Champions, the 2007 National Leage Central Champions, the 2008 National League Central Champions, and bad seasons in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011 – chose to keep Carlos Zambrano on the Cubs roster rather than trade him, send millions to another team; something that made many of you so angry, has proven us all wrong.
The former ace, once born in the past, has always had outstanding potential – he has shown flashes of that potential, like for several years and stuff – and was born in Venezuela, somewhere near Mexico – but is now a resident of the same country as you and I, the United States of America, est. 1776; is now 8-2 with a 3.09 ERA.
Today, a game against the Boston Red Sox – a baseball game, the reason you, the person who wrote a fan post yesterday, today, tomorrow and the day after are here (if you’re new, please read the posting guidelines here at BCB) – the; it’s kind of funny because I was talking to a friend about Christmas and we were exchanging our wish list – my fiend and I – he’s in a Christian Metal band; the Cubs won 3-2 behind the new, improved and now dedicated like never before Carlos Zambrano.
Like many of you, I disagreed with the decision to not trade Zambrano, send lots of money to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Miami Marlins – I hate it when teams change their names so I suggest we all call them the Florida Fish to spite them (remember 2003?) – any other number of teams the Cubs and Theo Epstein, new President of Baseball Operations, could have traded Carlos Zambrano, from Venezuela, this past offseason – the one after last season – but it’s worked out better than you, me or anybody else could have predicted.
Carlos Zambrano is a new man – no longer a child that so irritated all of us. He is a changed man because of Theo Epstein (I hate the Red Sox and Yankees). Today, after 8 innings of Major League Baseball in wihch I attended at Wrigley Field, 39°30′ 20” N , 84°44′ 32” W, Zambrano had given up just 6 hits and 2 runs while walked 2 and striking out 7. His ERA is now 3.09 and he has 8 wins to just 2 losses. It’s a nice start to the 2012 season, but can he keep it going? Let’s all hope so.
UPDATE: As always, when I am confronted with information that proves I am wrong, I mostly ignore it – I’m sick of all the fun suckers out there who think every time you mention something it has to be right – I, unlike anyone else on earth, do occasionally admit when I am wrong and am proud to tell you all about it; it’s part of being a grown up, which is ironic because a friend of mine and I were talking about when we were kids: I have added the correct coordinates of Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Earth below this:
41°56′54″N 87°39′20″W
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder](dying laughing)[/quote]It’s difficult trying to write sentences that long. I mean you really have to try. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]It’s difficult trying to write sentences that long. I mean you really have to try. (dying laughing)[/quote]Correct.
From drunk Uncle Phil:
Two things:
1.) First I’ve heard that Kenney was in on the Soriano deal.
2.) Soriano for Wells doesn’t make sense. They’re essentially the same player now. No on-base skills, still some pop, bad-terrible defender.
Truly, indeed, a sad life, you must lead.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1030-haugh-cubs-chicago–20111030,0,5095483.column
[quote name=You look tired]Truly, indeed, a sad life, you must lead.[/quote]LSA
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1030-haugh-cubs-chicago–20111030,0,5095483.column[/quote]I’m generally against using public funds to renovate or build sporting venues, but I guess if one team got welfare, then you shouldn’t impose a double standard…
All things considered, you’d think the rich bastards would pay for their toys themselves.
[quote name=Rice Cube]
All things considered, you’d think the rich bastards would pay for their toys themselves.[/quote]The class warfare discussion stops NOW.
Well done, MB…reading that gave me a headache, which was probably the desired effect (dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]The class warfare discussion stops NOW.[/quote]OCCUPY 1060 W ADDISON
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’m generally against using public funds to renovate or build sporting venues, but I guess if one team got welfare, then you shouldn’t impose a double standard…
All things considered, you’d think the rich bastards would pay for their toys themselves.[/quote]Two teams. Bears and Sox, plus the city just finished committing money to let the White Sox build the “Barcardi Club” at their place. I’m not surprised that all this is coming out with Green on board now.
That’s your opinion of where Wrigley Field is located. It is further east, IMO.
[quote name=GBTS]That’s your opinion of where Wrigley Field is located. It is further east, IMO.[/quote]East and west are just a matter of opinion, and neither one is truly correct.
[quote name=GBTS]That’s your opinion of where Wrigley Field is located. It is further east, IMO.[/quote]Probably. I didn’t really care to be specific. Pretty sure that’s somewhere on Earth. Other than that, I don’t care. Alvin isn’t a stickler for the facts. Why do you think I would be?
Was this post written because you surmised that Z would stay with the Cubs, because you just needed to make fun of BCB/Yellon, or both?
[quote name=Rice Cube]Well done, MB…reading that gave me a headache, which was probably the desired effect (dying laughing)[/quote]I’m not sure what the desired effect was other than to try and write long sentences and something that’s totally predictable. I almost added a second article from July 3, 2012 that says Zambrano is the same nutbag he’s always been and that Theo should have listened to the masses.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Was this post written because you surmised that Z would stay with the Cubs, because you just needed to make fun of BCB/Yellon, or both?[/quote]Actually it was neither. I was just pissed off that Iowa was getting yards on the ground, but throwing it instead and then missing field goals. So I grabbed my laptop and started an article. This is what came out. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Actually it was neither. I was just pissed off that Iowa was getting yards on the ground, but throwing it instead and then missing field goals. So I grabbed my laptop and started an article. This is what came out. (dying laughing)[/quote]I am sorry that my amusement came at the expense of your sanity.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Two teams. Bears and Sox, plus the city just finished committing money to let the White Sox build the “Barcardi Club” at their place. I’m not surprised that all this is coming out with Green on board now.[/quote]Saw this on the interwebs earlier:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/sc-spt-1030-notes-rogers-baseball–20111030,0,4735617.column
Sounds like Crazy Uncle Phil thinks the Cubs will make some not-so-subtle changes even before they get some taxpayer dough.
[quote name=mb21]Probably. I didn’t really care to be specific. Pretty sure that’s somewhere on Earth. Other than that, I don’t care. Alvin isn’t a stickler for the facts. Why do you think I would be?[/quote](dying laughing)
I just assumed that was the actual coordinates.
MB was close…Wiki says:
41°56′54″N 87°39′20″W
[quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)
I just assumed that was the actual coordinates.[/quote]I have no idea. I searched Wrigley Field latitude longitude and basically took what I could find on the search page. That was good enough. Could be the coordinates for Zambrano’s birth place for all I know.
I, too, was — once — born in the past.
[quote name=Rice Cube]MB was close…Wiki says:
41°56′54″N 87°39′20″W[/quote]Thanks. I updated the new post with another sentence.
MB, the original coordinates you posted was somewhere in the Cincinnati area.
[quote name=josh]I, too, was — once — born in the past.[/quote](dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]MB, the original coordinates you posted was somewhere in the Cincinnati area.[/quote]Why would I get those coordinates on a google search page? Oh well. It’s just an opinion. (dying laughing)
Al, you’re such an amazing writer. This is the only blog I read and I wish I could read you in the newspaper too! Thank you for your wise words that brighten my day every day of the week!
[quote name=mb21]Why would I get those coordinates on a google search page? Oh well. It’s just an opinion. (dying laughing)[/quote]It’s actually just slightly to the west of the Miami of Ohio campus. I guess Google failed this time, but maybe it could be explained away by the link you came up with…maybe the Cubs had just left Wrigley to play the Reds.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I just now tried to explain to my sister why this article is so funny, but it was a miserable and failed undertaking. It’s perfect on too many levels.
At the very least, you were within a thousand miles of where you thought Wrigley Field was (dying laughing)
I was just thinking that by using “BLEEDCUBBIEBLUE” in the text you may have stolen website hits away from Yellon. I guess he’ll see you in court?
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
[quote name=fang2415](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I just now tried to explain to my sister why this article is so funny, but it was a miserable and failed undertaking. It’s perfect on too many levels.[/quote](dying laughing) Does your sister read the blog?
[quote name=Rice Cube]At the very least, you were within a thousand miles of where you thought Wrigley Field was (dying laughing)[/quote]So you’re saying I did a good job?
[quote name=Rice Cube]It’s actually just slightly to the west of the Miami of Ohio campus. I guess Google failed this time, but maybe it could be explained away by the link you came up with…maybe the Cubs had just left Wrigley to play the Reds.[/quote]That could be. There were a few links for all MLB parks, but they were pdf files and I didn’t want that.
[quote name=mb21]So you’re saying I did a good job?[/quote]More or less. It could go either way.
[quote name=Rice Cube]At the very least, you were within 2 or 288 thousand miles of where you thought Wrigley Field was (dying laughing)[/quote].
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) Does your sister read the blog?[/quote](dying laughing)
She grew up in England. My ongoing attempt to make her into an avid baseball fan probably wasn’t helped by the fact that I almost cried laughing reading this and then forced her to read an article that she doesn’t understand 90% of.
[quote name=fang2415](dying laughing)
She grew up in England. My ongoing attempt to make her into an avid baseball fan probably wasn’t helped by the fact that I almost cried laughing reading this and then forced her to read an article that she doesn’t understand 90% of.[/quote]She’ll probably never watch baseball now. Way to go.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder].[/quote]288000 miles is like a third of the way to the moon (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]288000 miles is like a third of the way to the moon (dying laughing)[/quote]In your opinion.
[quote name=Rice Cube]288000 miles is like a third of the way to the moon (dying laughing)[/quote]That’s ironic. I have never been exactly 288000 miles away from the moon.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]In your opinion.[/quote]Exactly. I don’t why all you are talking about numbers. Zambrano’s performance in 2012 has proven that numbers are useless and sometimes we just have to look into our heart and hope players get better.
Who are the best free agents available this year? I’m looking for 15 so we can set up a contest.
[quote name=mb21]Exactly. I don’t why all you are talking about numbers. Zambrano’s performance in 2012 has proven that numbers are useless and sometimes we just have to look into our heart and hope players get better.[/quote]Maybe the moon affects Zambrano’s performance as it ebbs and flows with the tides and changes in gravitational pull. My fancy spreadsheets told me that.
Baseball isn’t played on spreadsheets. It’s played on grass and dirt.
[quote name=mb21]Who are the best free agents available this year? I’m looking for 15 so we can set up a contest.[/quote]Here ya go:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/2012-mlb-free-agents.html
Choose 15!
[quote name=mb21]Baseball isn’t played on spreadsheets. It’s played on grass and dirt.[/quote]I slid into second base while calculating that on my TI-88.
Re: Iowa losing to Minnesota.
What the fucking fuck?
[quote name=Berselius]What the fucking fuck?[/quote]Too bad nobody asked Ferentz that question.
Of the FAs on MLBTR’s list, without actually looking up their numbers, I think the most coveted are (in no particular order):
Albert Pujols
Prince Fielder
Jose Reyes
Jimmy Rollins
Aramis Ramirez
Carlos Pena
Ryan Ludwick
David DeJesus
Grady Sizemore (his option was declined)
Carlos Beltran
Michael Cuddyer
David Ortiz
Mark Buehrle
CJ WIlson
Edwin Jackson
I’m not including relief pitchers as I think they’re overpaid.
To me, today’s loss is simple. You’ve got a guy who was averaging 8 yards per carry so you naturally pass when you need first downs. 3rd and 4? Pass. No way could Coker get those 4 yards. 3rd and 6? Pass. Not to mention, all 3rd passes must be thrown at least 5 yards before the first down marker. In other words, keep the ball out of the most productive player’s hands and pass it to someone at the same starting point of the RB. If that doesn’t work, miss field goals. Not turning it over? Well, you pass the ball and don’t protect the QB.
This is all common sense stuff. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]Of the FAs on MLBTR’s list, without actually looking up their numbers, I think the most coveted are (in no particular order):
Albert Pujols
Prince Fielder
Jose Reyes
Jimmy Rollins
Aramis Ramirez
Carlos Pena
Ryan Ludwick
David DeJesus
Grady Sizemore (his option was declined)
Carlos Beltran
Michael Cuddyer
David Ortiz
Mark Buehrle
CJ WIlson
Edwin Jackson
I’m not including relief pitchers as I think they’re overpaid.[/quote]Thanks, RC. I’d probably add Papelbon as I think he’s damn good and going to get a sizable contract.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Here ya go:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/2012-mlb-free-agents.html
Choose 15![/quote]Don’t tell me what to do.
Wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Sizemore. Might come cheaply with his injury history.
[quote name=mb21]Thanks, RC. I’d probably add Papelbon as I think he’s damn good and going to get a sizable contract.[/quote]There are a bunch of good righty relievers on the list.
I assumed most of the guys with options (minus Sizemore) will have them exercised so didn’t include them. Otherwise I would’ve suggested Brandon Phillips too.
I loathe USC, but this Matt Barkley looks like the genuine article at QB.
I think Joel Zumaya was coming back from an injury too. Not sure if the new regime is into overpaying for relievers though, even though I think Zumaya might come cheaper than usual.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think Joel Zumaya was coming back from an injury too. Not sure if the new regime is into overpaying for relievers though, even though I think Zumaya might come cheaper than usual.[/quote]That would have been a classic Hendry-Rothschild move.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That would have been a classic Hendry-Rothschild move.[/quote]Speaking of, are there any good pitching coaches out there?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That would have been a classic Hendry-Rothschild move.[/quote]I think it’s more of a class trying to find cheap and good relievers move. Zumaya has potential, coming off injury won’t cost any more than $1 million and could help solidify a bullpen. I’d be happy with a deal for him. No more than $1 million.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Speaking of, are there any good pitching coaches out there?[/quote]I read somewhere that Mike Maddux could be a candidate.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Speaking of, are there any good pitching coaches out there?[/quote]There’s no pitching coach that turn the Cubs’ shitheap of a staff into something useful. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]I read somewhere that Mike Maddux could be a candidate.[/quote]As a manager, though, yes? I don’t think he was rumored as a coach.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]As a manager, though, yes? I don’t think he was rumored as a coach.[/quote]I wonder if the Cubs make a play on Mike to see if they can get Greg to stick around. Although I had less of an idea what Greg Maddux did for the Cubs than with Crane Kenney.
[quote name=mb21]She’ll probably never watch baseball now. Way to go, kid.[/quote]
.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]As a manager, though, yes? I don’t think he was rumored as a coach.[/quote]
It’s not a rumor – he has a source.
[quote name=Berselius]It’s not a rumor – he has a source.[/quote]I just asked a guy in a teal shirt, and he said he hasn’t heard anything.
He’s not technically on the free agent list yet, but I would also go after Yu Darvish.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I just asked a guy in a teal shirt, and he said he hasn’t heard anything.[/quote]Teal is where you’re going wrong. Purple is the only shirt color with a proven record of success.
Wisconsin looks like shit against aOSU tonight. Ugh.
Hah, wow, I only just now noticed “imprvoed”. (dying laughing)
This is my favorite article that has every appeared on this blog.
[quote name=fang2415]Hah, wow, I only just now noticed “imprvoed”. (dying laughing)
This is my favorite article that has every appeared on this blog.[/quote]I’m a copy editor, so I noticed that right off. I almost commented on it before I read the article (dying laughing).
I’d like to kick the tires on Grady Sizemore as well. If part of Theo’s competitive edge calculations will include injury and likelihood of recovery, it’d be interesting to see how he rates Grady as a test case.
When he was healthy he had some really good years, but two years of injury is pretty unsettling.
Really, more like 2.5 years of Grady being out.
[quote name=fang2415]Hah, wow, I only just now noticed “imprvoed”. (dying laughing)
[/quote]
Please don’t complain about spelling errors. I don’t walk into your house and piss on your curtains.
If the Cubs sign Yu Darvish, they need to sign a Chinese pitcher named Mi so they can have games pitched by Yu and Mi.
/schtick
[quote name=Berselius]Please don’t complain about spelling errors. I don’t walk into your house and piss on your curtains.[/quote]Maybe that’s why so many people were angry at me at ACB.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Maybe that’s why so many people were angry at me at ACB.[/quote]It must be some talent to be able to piss on that many curtains.
[quote name=mb21]Thanks, RC. I’d probably add Papelbon as I think he’s damn good and going to get a sizable contract.[/quote]Madson is also terrific.
[quote name=Rice Cube]It must be some talent to be able to piss on that many curtains.[/quote]Thus all the IPA.
[quote name=ACT]Madson is also terrific.[/quote]Yeah, I was thinking of all the good relievers on the list but since I could only pick 15, I decided to go with position players and starters first. If I had 20 Madson and Papelbon would’ve been on the list along with Francisco Rodriguez.
[quote name=Berselius] I don’t walk into your house and piss on your curtains.[/quote]At least, as far as you know.
[quote name=Berselius]At least, as far as you know.[/quote]I was wondering why I smelled cheese.
/Packer fan joke
Wow. Stanford are in trouble.
[quote name=josh]I’m a copy editor, so I noticed that right off. I almost commented on it before I read the article (dying laughing).
I’d like to kick the tires on Grady Sizemore as well. If part of Theo’s competitive edge calculations will include injury and likelihood of recovery, it’d be interesting to see how he rates Grady as a test case.
When he was healthy he had some really good years, but two years of injury is pretty unsettling.[/quote](dying laughing) normally I don’t fuck up the title. I’m usually good for at least spelling the words right there. Couldn’t care less after that. I’m an idiot.
I think MB volunteering to copy edit all the GTOD entries has absolved him of all criticism for spelling errors, forever. (dying laughing)
Upset brewing
Clemson and Stanford down. Both good things for the Ducks.
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) normally I don’t fuck up the title. I’m usually good for at least spelling the words right there. Couldn’t care less after that. I’m an idiot.[/quote]Well, that’s why I figured you’d want to know right away, because it is rare. Then I saw the “BLEEDCUBBIEBLUE” and I started to think maybe something was up.
It’s one of those articles you could have let me know and I’d not have changed anything. This was to keep my mind off the Iowa game for a little bit.
Doesn’t Al ban people for trying to correct his errors?
No, I know. I got that it was a joke once I started reading.
I’m not sure if Carlos Zambrano knows if the body of water outside of Boston is Lake Michigan or not. I’m disappointed that Alvin didn’t clear that up for him in this post.
Lulz.
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7152611/st-louis-cardinals-mlb-champions-page-2-predicts-25-world-series-winners
So this happened…
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/boxscore?gid=201110270080
I think Houston stopped trying to score after their last score so it’s not really unsportsmanlike.
If this holds up it will be one of the ugliest wins in Bager team history.
For fuck’s sake
[quote name=Berselius]If this holds up it will be one of the ugliest wins in Bager team history.[/quote]/Curtain-piss’d
Stanfurd still has time!
38 seconds to get that field goal, or else Stanfurd wins in OT.
USC FAIL
This is fan-fucking-tastic, MB. Well done.
[quote name=fang2415]/Curtain-piss’d[/quote]
Phone keyboard’d. I need a special typing wand (dying laughing)
Have you guys made fun of this already?:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1030-theo-epstein-cubs-chicago–20111029,0,2370401.story
BBWAA types doing the “let’s all understand sabermetrics” thing makes my head hurt.
I know MO posted that article earlier and after I read it, I’m wondering, who the hell uses SecA?
[quote name=Aisle424]This is fan-fucking-tastic, MB. Well done.[/quote]I figured we’d written enough articles about the past so it’s time to write articles in the future.
Is he talking about any secondary average metric like wOBA or tAV? Nobody uses SecA anymore.
I’ll give the guy credit for at least trying, which is something that Sullivan would never do.
[quote name=mb21]I know MO posted that article earlier and after I read it, I’m wondering, who the hell uses SecA?[/quote]SecA sounds like a yeast protein.
[quote name=Rice Cube]SecA sounds like a yeast protein.[/quote]False. Bacterial:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2542029
[quote name=Rice Cube]False. Bacterial:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2542029/quote
yes, the sec pathway translocates proteins to the periplasm. it also translocates rednecks to giant stadiums in the middle of nowhere.
new shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/projections/2012-cubs-zips-projections-part-2.html