As Cubs fans we’re used to not getting good news. If some player leaves a game early we’re trained to think it’s a career ending surgery that will lead to Aaron Miles or Neifi Perez taking over full time. If the team is leading we think it’s only a matter of time before they’ll be losing. If they get a hot-shot manager we believe the team is headed toward failure. If they sign a no-name manager the team is headed for failure. If they sign a young GM we’re waiting for the deal to collapse. If the deal doesn’t collapse we’re waiting for the plane to crash. If he arrives in Chicago we’re waiting for his car to be hit by a bus on the way to Wrigley Field.
In the years since I started following this team, Antonio Alfonseca could count on one hand the number of times I’ve been confident of this team entering a season. The first was in 1985. In 1990 I was quite confident following their 1989 division championship. I really liked the 2001 Cubs entering the season. I thought they could win the division and they came close. The other years were in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 1985 the entire starting rotation was on the DL. At the same fucking time. I’ve honestly forgotten about what happened in 1990 so please don’t remind me. The 2001 Cubs got off to a solid start, lost 8 in a row, won the next 12 and then played about .500 ball the rest of the way. The 2007 team got off a horrible start and when they realized the season had started they kicked ass all the way through 2008. Nothing went right in 2009.
After two terrible seasons, three if you count how disappointing 2009 was, it’s remarkable that a fan base can be as optimstic as Cubs fans have been. I think most fans understand that the hiring of Theo Epstein isn’t going to lead to immediate division championships. Most people aren’t the optimists that I am so it’s been surprising.
Throughout all of this optimism and the dancing gifs and proclamations that the Cubs will soon be better organization than the Cardinals and general happiness, something has been left out: the Cubs roster.
We form our opinions of an organization on what we see on the field. It’s quite likely the 2012 Cubs are going to be as bad as the 2011 version. They may even be worse if the team doesn’t invest the money coming off the books back into the MLB club. Aramis Ramirez is all but gone. He wants a 3-year contract and it’s hard to believe the Cubs will give him one. Carlos Pena is gone. He could be brought back. The Cubs have numerous question marks all over the diamond and throughout their rotation and bullpen. Their defense is horrible, but if you replace Ramirez with some slick fielding 3rd baseman the Cubs may actually have a solid or even above average defense.
I don’t think too many of us will be pleased with what see on the field in 2012. I expect it will be much the same as the last couple of years. Some fans will undoubtedly use that as evidence that signing Theo was a waste of time and money. We may find that some of the players the Cubs choose to play are ones we’d think don’t belong on a decent team. Well, the 2012 Cubs probably aren’t going to be a decent. They’re likely to make many of the same stupid baserunning mistakes. The rotation is likely to be a little better than last year, but not considerably better.
Cubbie Occurences will never be completely gone, but in the coming years they’re likely to be fewer of them. That’s not lkely to be true in 2012.
The improvements we see in this organization are going to be similar to the improvements we started to see in this organization this past summer. They’re not going to be evident on the field, but the Cubs will have a good draft, spend money on international free agents, and the process will now be well on its way. The front office will be more familiar with the organization, have a much better idea where the organization has to go in the future and there will be more of them. There will be more scouts and more analysts.
These are the things that aren’t visible on tv or at the stadium in 2012. Cubs fans are super excited right now and they should be. In the near future the Cubs are going to be good. I have no idea if they win a championship, but I do know they’ll be good. That’s a great reason to be excited and optimistic, but for many fans that optimism is going to turn to skepticism as the 2012 season drags on.
Cubs fans are almost universally behind Theo Epstein right now. That won’t be true this time next year. This is much the same as a politician’s approval rating. It’s generally higher the less time they’ve spent in office, but as time drags on there is more and more for people to dislike. Maybe Darwin Barney gets traded and some fans think that hurts the Cubs chances of #Darwinning. Maybe they sign a free agent who gets injured. Fans will complain and say it’s a terrible signing.
As more and more fans become skeptics, the performance on the field will become more important to them. It will be evidence that something has gone wrong in the front office. It won’t be, but I completely expect we’ll hear more and more about how it’s not working this time next year.
On an unrelated note, I was thrilled with the press conference today. I don’t know why I’m always giddy about these things, but I am. I loved it when Greg Maddux returned to the Cubs in 2004. I still remember that press conference very well. I loved the first press conferences for Dusty Baker, Lou Piniella, Nomar Garciaparra, Milton Bradley and others. I knew I’d like it today. I also knew that we’d learn absolutely nothing.
Every time that is true. Today was no different. Other than learning that it was indeed Theo in the Starbucks, we learned nothing. We already knew the Red Sox Way was going to become the Cubs Way. We knew the Cubs player development would be a primary focus. We knew that analysis would be combined with scouting. We knew that the size of the front office would increase. We knew that one of the reasons he wanted this job was to help the team win its first title in 100+ years. It was a huge draw to him and we knew it. We know that Mike Quade will be fired, but he didn’t even tell us that bit. We learned nothing whatsoever during the press conference today. Nothing.
And I loved every minute of it.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]On PTI, Theo said the 2 bigger problems with the Cubs ML team last year were bad defense and hacking away on offense. Wonderful to hear the truth.[/quote]What about pitching?
Pitching was the biggest problem last year.
good post
The Cubs’ offense was pretty close to average last year. They just allowed way, way too many runs.
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7149390
pti link
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs’ offense was pretty close to average last year. They just allowed way, way too many runs.[/quote]I think Theo’s assessment was probably based on what he remembered from watching them on TV more than a thorough analysis at this point.
Well, if Theo said the problem was “hacking away” on offense, that’s true enough; the Cubs had one of the worst walk rates in the league. Still, the Cubs hitting overall was greatly improved over the past 2 years (mainly due to the left side of their infield).
Anybody catch Derrek Holland doing a weak Harry Caray impression yesterday? What the hell was that?
Do people really think Harry Caray sounded like Will Ferrell imitating Harry Caray?
MB- I watched Tribune Live. His Z comments were interesting. I would not be surprised if he was in the rotation. At least for the first couple months.
[quote name=ACT]Do people really think Harry Caray sounded like Will Ferrell imitating Harry Caray?[/quote]I guess so. Maybe I feel protective of Harry because I grew up listening to him. He kind of would get rambly sometimes, but he was like the voice of my childhood.
[quote name=ACT]Do people really think Harry Caray sounded like Will Ferrell imitating Harry Caray?[/quote]Ferrel’s imitation was horrible.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]MB- I watched Tribune Live. His Z comments were interesting. I would not be surprised if he was in the rotation. At least for the first couple months.[/quote]What exactly did he say?
[quote name=josh]I guess so. Maybe I feel protective of Harry because I grew up listening to him. He kind of would get rambly sometimes, but he was like the voice of my childhood.[/quote]I was a huge Caray fan, Impersonations are more about fame than anything else so I don’t mind it. I just wish some of them were good at it.
Classic Harry.
[quote name=mb21]I was a huge Caray fan, Impersonations are more about fame than anything else so I don’t mind it. I just wish some of them were good at it.[/quote]Harry was a notorious lady’s man in his younger days.
I read a theory once that Michael Jordon was under secret suspension for gambling, and that’s why he “retired” and became a “baseball player.” The theory went that the commish of basketball at the time thought it was better to secretly suspend MJ then to tarnish one of its biggest heroes.
[quote name=josh]Harry was a notorious lady’s man in his younger days.
I read a theory once that Michael Jordon was under secret suspension for gambling, and that’s why he “retired” and became a “baseball player.” The theory went that the commish of basketball at the time thought it was better to secretly suspend MJ then to tarnish one of its biggest heroes.[/quote]Ah yes, the Bill Simmons theory.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ah yes, the Inexplicably Famous and Hopelessly Stupid and Douchey Masshole theory.[/quote]Fixed for truth.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ah yes, the Bill Simmons theory.[/quote]It’s far-fetched, and yet satisfying in some way, if only because it explains the heartbreak of him retiring when he did.
http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Fixed for truth.[/quote]My fault for not being specific enough.
I still can’t believe that was actually Theo at Starbucks. (dying laughing)
Today was really fun, and there wasn’t even any baseball to watch.
It was cool, like a celebration. It was probably a long-ass day for Theo, though.
I’m disappointed none of you bastards saw this: http://www.obstructedview.net/tag/i-dont-like-anything.html
[quote name=mb21]I’m disappointed none of you bastards saw this: http://www.obstructedview.net/tag/i-dont-like-anything.html/quoteOh, I just kind of assumed.
I absolutely love we have a GM talking about “projecting future performance.” Fucking love it.
Well, that didn’t last long. Thanks a lot, MB.
[quote name=mb21]I’m disappointed none of you bastards saw this: http://www.obstructedview.net/tag/i-dont-like-anything.html/quoteSaw it. Didn’t like it.
I kind of agree with what Rodrigo said in the last thread regarding Zambrano. It did sound like there was a hell of a lot better chance of him being with the team than we’ve heard before. It’s going to be interesting to see how that ends up. I’d love it if he were.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Saw it. Didn’t like it.[/quote](dying laughing)
[quote name=Aisle424]Well, that didn’t last long. Thanks a lot, MB.[/quote]You’re welcome. (dying laughing)
Re: Big Z
He commeted that Z is talented and implied the Cubs havent helped him reach all of his potential. And that obviously the Cubs are short on starting pitching.
Wish I could articulate it a little better. I’ll try to find a quote for you.
I don’t think most or any people around here are going to be swayed by how this team plays next year, but we know some fans will be. We know the media will become more critical.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Re: Big Z
He commeted that Z is talented and implied the Cubs havent helped him reach all of his potential. And that obviously the Cubs are short on starting pitching.
Wish I could articulate it a little better. I’ll try to find a quote for you.[/quote]There’s a video of that available on that CSN link I posted above.
[quote name=mb21]http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs[/quote]
Trying to read into what he’s saying too much, probably, but it sound like he is not wanting to sign Ramirez.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Re: Big Z
He commeted that Z is talented and implied the Cubs havent helped him reach all of his potential. And that obviously the Cubs are short on starting pitching.
Wish I could articulate it a little better. I’ll try to find a quote for you.[/quote]Hmmmm…Big test for Tom. Didn’t he say earlier he expected Z wouldn’t be back?
[quote name=mb21]I don’t think most or any people around here are going to be swayed by how this team plays next year, but we know some fans will be. We know the media will become more critical.[/quote]I can’t wait, I’ve had a lot of anger building up the past couple seasons and I need to write some more “fuck all y’all” posts for our blog. I’ll be paying much more attention to the “kids” (like, the real ones who aren’t 30 yet) and the draft. But I do know that I’m in the minority.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Re: Big Z
He commeted that Z is talented and implied the Cubs havent helped him reach all of his potential. And that obviously the Cubs are short on starting pitching.
Wish I could articulate it a little better. I’ll try to find a quote for you.[/quote]Like I said, keep Z, cut Z, trade Z, I’m going to roll with it because for once I’ll feel like it’s done for better reasons than guts and pride.
[quote name=josh]Trying to read into what he’s saying too much, probably, but it sound like he is not wanting to sign Ramirez.[/quote]I think MB has his finger on the pulse of what the Cubs will do with Ramirez.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/6901/video-five-good-minutes-with-epstein?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
some really good answers from Theo about what the Cubs lack right now
[quote name=mb21]I don’t think most or any people around here are going to be swayed by how this team plays next year, but we know some fans will be. We know the media will become more critical.[/quote]Morrissey already started with his “What makes you think you’ll succeed where everybody else has failed for 103 years?” remark.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hmmmm…Big test for Tom. Didn’t he say earlier he expected Z wouldn’t be back?[/quote]He said it was hard to imagine a scenario, but he also said that Theo gets the reigns. He left the door open.
Man, I haven’t come around here in quite awhile. Got a promotion at work, and school started at the same time, so I haven’t had much time. Didn’t catch much of the press conference, but I caught him on PTI, and in 5 minutes he impressed the shit out of me. Pointing straight to shitty defense and too many swings and misses.
I think what really made me smile was that they asked him about Bart man and he said something to the effect of: He’s a Cubs fan. We should reach out to him. What better than having more Cubs fans.
I can’t believe how excited I am for a team that will likely be projected to win about 71 games next year.
[quote name=josh]Like I said, keep Z, cut Z, trade Z, I’m going to roll with it because for once I’ll feel like it’s done for better reasons than guts and pride.[/quote]Yeah, it feels good to know at least most of the personnel decisions aren’t being made on the basis of a dream of fielding a team entirely composed of media-and-fan-friendly 2B.
[quote name=Aisle424]Morrissey already started with his “What makes you think you’ll succeed where everybody else has failed for 103 years?” remark.[/quote]By the Sons of Worvan, no other town is so filled with incompetent sports journalists than Chicago.
[quote name=mb21]There’s a video of that available on that CSN link I posted above.[/quote]
Oh ok thanks.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hmmmm…Big test for Tom. Didn’t he say earlier he expected Z wouldn’t be back?[/quote]He said he couldn’t imagine a scenario where Z would be back. Theo may be able to talk him down. I don’t know what I want. Obviously, I want the team to do as well as possible next year, but part of me just wants to start fresh. It’s not like Z will be around for an eventual World Series run in the best case scenario.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hmmmm…Big test for Tom. Didn’t he say earlier he expected Z wouldn’t be back?[/quote]I think his exact words were something like “it’s hard to imagine a scenario” but he didn’t rule it out. He will leave it up to Theo.
[quote name=dylanj]http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/6901/video-five-good-minutes-with-epstein?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
some really good answers from Theo about what the Cubs lack right now[/quote]
I haven’t posted here in months, and the first post I make I get scooped!
[quote name=Aisle424]Morrissey already started with his “What makes you think you’ll succeed where everybody else has failed for 103 years?” remark.[/quote]That one douche wants his Cubs back.
[quote name=Aisle424]He said he couldn’t imagine a scenario where Z would be back. Theo may be able to talk him down. I don’t know what I want. Obviously, I want the team to do as well as possible next year, but part of me just wants to start fresh. It’s not like Z will be around for an eventual World Series run in the best case scenario.[/quote]He’s got a year left and there’s almost no way his last year option vests so I feel like it makes sense to just keep Z around instead of paying him to pitch elsewhere. Just purely from a financial point of view though, and assuming he can still provide value.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hmmmm…Big test for Tom. Didn’t he say earlier he expected Z wouldn’t be back?[/quote]Besides, I think Tom’s out of the crosshairs now, for a while. He’s putting up one of the best front offices, so I think he’s removing himself from being the day-to-day decision maker. That can always be his defense.
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Man, I haven’t come around here in quite awhile. Got a promotion at work, and school started at the same time, so I haven’t had much time. Didn’t catch much of the press conference, but I caught him on PTI, and in 5 minutes he impressed the shit out of me. Pointing straight to shitty defense and too many swings and misses.
I think what really made me smile was that they asked him about Bart man and he said something to the effect of: He’s a Cubs fan. We should reach out to him. What better than having more Cubs fans.
I can’t believe how excited I am for a team that will likely be projected to win about 71 games next year.[/quote]I really liked the Bartman part too. It’s about time the Cubs have some class.
[quote name=mb21]That one douche wants his Cubs back.[/quote]
[quote name=Aisle424]He said he couldn’t imagine a scenario where Z would be back. Theo may be able to talk him down. I don’t know what I want. Obviously, I want the team to do as well as possible next year, but part of me just wants to start fresh. It’s not like Z will be around for an eventual World Series run in the best case scenario.[/quote]Yeah, I agree with that. I think theo kind of said that too. The best teams know how to tap that potential and the best teams know when it’s time to move on. I like that he’s open to the idea. Zambrano can still pitch and they’re not going to replace his production unless they somehow get a team to pay most of his salary.
I think Gary Karton is Rick Morrissey’s pen name. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]I really liked the Bartman part too. It’s about time the Cubs have some class.[/quote]Yeah, this is a different Cubs team than we’ve ever had. He’s probably the best Gm since Green, and Green, well, Green was maybe the most wildly unprofessional GM, ever. (dying laughing)
[quote name=melissa]I think Gary Karton is Rick Morrissey’s pen name. (dying laughing)[/quote]And Rick Morrissey is Paul Sullivan’s alter ego. Maybe Chicago has just has one shit journalist writing under 8 names.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]And Rick Morrissey is Paul Sullivan’s alter ego. Maybe Chicago has just has one shit journalist writing under 8 names.[/quote]It’s a computer: the Hack-o-tron 9000. Philip K. Dick was right all along!!
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]And Rick Morrissey is Paul Sullivan’s alter ego. Maybe Chicago has just has one shit journalist writing under 8 names.[/quote]Ironically it must take some kind of special ability to churn out that much shit.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ironically it must take some kind of special ability to churn out that much shit.[/quote]
They’ve plenty more where that came from. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, this is a different Cubs team than we’ve ever had. He’s probably the best Gm since Green, and Green, well, Green was maybe the most wildly unprofessional GM, ever. (dying laughing)[/quote]I always wonder what would have happened if the whole damn rotation didn’t go on the DL at once in 1985.
How would he have handled the Palmeiro/Martinez/Mrs. Sandberg mess? I’m betting he would have gotten more for Palmeiro than Mitch Williams at the least.
But they started to lose and the Tribsters couldn’t be patient with such a raging asshole in the GM spot, so they used the opportunity to oust him. That pissed me off then and I was only 15.
Wow. McNutt is having a super shitty AFL.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ironically it must take some kind of special ability to churn out that much shit.[/quote]A thousand pulp paper novelists living in Southern Cali disagree.
love this blog
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ironically it must take some kind of special ability to churn out that much shit.[/quote]
al thinks Theo is totally the right guy and he gets it.
Of course he does. He would have wrote that if we hired Bob Brenly for GM
[quote name=Aisle424]I always wonder what would have happened if the whole damn rotation didn’t go on the DL at once in 1985.
How would he have handled the Palmeiro/Martinez/Mrs. Sandberg mess? I’m betting he would have gotten more for Palmeiro than Mitch Williams at the least.
But they started to lose and the Tribsters couldn’t be patient with such a raging asshole in the GM spot, so they used the opportunity to oust him. That pissed me off then and I was only 15.[/quote]Yeah, a lot of people still get mad at TribCo for that and while they might be right to a degree, Green kind of ran himself out of town by being a total asswipe to everyone not named Dallas Green.
[quote name=dylanj]al thinks Theo is totally the right guy and he gets it.
Of course he does. He would have wrote that if we hired Bob Stopanski from Tinley Park for GM[/quote].
[quote name=dylanj]al thinks Theo is totally the right guy and he gets it.
Of course he does. He would have wrote that if we hired Bob Brenly for GM[/quote]Yep. After Alvin gets to interview Theo or someone close to Theo BCB will become a sabermetrics blog. Sabermetrics ONLY!
[quote name=blindcat88]love this blog[/quote]Thanks! We do our best to make all Main Stream Media hate us.
[quote name=mb21]Yep. After Alvin gets to interview Theo or someone close to Theo BCB will become a sabermetrics blog. Sabermetrics ONLY![/quote]Oh, the CERA threads they’ll have!
[quote name=mb21]Yep. After Alvin gets to interview Theo or someone close to Theo BCB will become a sabermetrics blog. Sabermetrics ONLY![/quote]The “Intangibles” talk will stop NOW!!!
[quote name=Aisle424]Thanks! We do our best to make all Main Stream Media hate us.[/quote]I guess I just found out why I haven’t been banned.
[quote name=josh]It’s a computer: the Hack-o-tron 9000. Philip K. Dick was right all along!![/quote]Maybe it’s just Phillip K Dick, or his zombie (I’m guessing he’s dead)
[quote name=Aisle424]The “Intangibles” talk will stop NOW!!![/quote]I’ll flag this myself.
I can’t wait for Alvin’s interview with Theo. I literally Can. Not. Wait.
[quote name=Aisle424]I can’t wait for Alvin’s interview with Theo. I literally Can. Not. Wait.[/quote]BCB: So, as a fellow SABR member….
/Theo gets up and leaves
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe it’s just Phillip K Dick, or his zombie (I’m guessing he’s dead)[/quote]He is. Or he isn’t. It depends on which conspiracy theorist you subscribe too. I’ll split the middle and say he is alive, but was abducted by aliens a decade ago.
[quote name=josh]He is. Or he isn’t. It depends on which conspiracy theorist you subscribe too. I’ll split the middle and say he is alive, but was abducted by aliens a decade ago.[/quote]I think he faked his own death by killing himself.
[quote name=Aisle424]I can’t wait for Alvin’s interview with Theo. I literally Can. Not. Wait.[/quote]Will it go better or worse than his chance encounter with Ronnie Woo-Woo?
[quote name=Aisle424]The “Intangibles” talk will stop NOW!!![/quote]I will guarantee you that will be said by Alvin at some point in the next 2 years. He’s the most predictable human on earth.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I think he faked his own death by killing himself.[/quote]He was a clever madman, so you might be onto something there.
[quote name=mb21]I will guarantee you that will be said by Alvin at some point in the next 2 years. He’s the most predictable human on earth.[/quote]Correct.
[quote name=Aisle424]I can’t wait for Alvin’s interview with Theo. I literally Can. Not. Wait.[/quote]
You’re telling me he will actually get to do that interview?
What are the chances OV can get one?
I can almost see Alvin coming here and telling us that we don’t understand the game because we don’t talk non-stop about stats. I can’t wait for Alvin’s conversion.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]You’re telling me he will actually get to do that interview?
What are the chances OV can get one?[/quote]I’m sure he’ll get to do an interview at some point. I can’t wait for it.
Theo won’t return our call. We sent him angry letters telling him we want our team back.
[quote name=Aisle424]Correct.[/quote]False.
[quote name=mb21]I’m sure he’ll get to do an interview at some point. I can’t wait for it.
Theo won’t return our call. We sent him angry letters telling him we want our team back.[/quote]Did you mention his cultural or ethnic background prefaced with “Now I’m not racist, but…”? That’s how you get his kind to respond.
[quote name=josh]Did you mention his cultural or ethnic background prefaced with “Now I’m not racist, but…”? That’s how you get his kind to respond.[/quote]We should make sure to give him tips like informing him that Lake Michigan is not, in fact, the Atlantic Ocean.
[quote name=Berselius]We should make sure to give him tips like informing him that Lake Michigan is not, in fact, the Atlantic Ocean.[/quote]Al actually wrote this in his blog?
[quote name=Rice Cube]Al actually wrote this in his blog?[/quote]Correct
[quote name=Rice Cube]Al actually wrote this in his blog?[/quote]
Not exactly, but close:
(dying laughing)
Al’s conversion to sabermetrics should go smoothly, he already uses punctuation like he’s writing in SQL.
[quote name=melissa](dying laughing)[/quote]Ye gods.
Boston has streets with bricks. When you’re driving on the upper NW side, you’ll drive over some of them when hit potholes. You’ll feel at home. But those aren’t bricks, they’re cobblestones.
[quote name=Berselius]We should make sure to give him tips like informing him that Lake Michigan is not, in fact, the Atlantic Ocean.[/quote]All the salient points will be covered in the tour he’s giving Theo, I’m sure.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Boston has streets with bricks. When you’re driving on the upper NW side, you’ll drive over some of them when hit potholes. You’ll feel at home. But those aren’t bricks, they’re cobblestones.[/quote]
You forgot to add that they’re right by Alvin’s house just like the Starbucks. (dying laughing)
Boston has fish and chips stands. When you drive by Susie’s on Elston, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t a fish and chips stand, it’s a hot dog stand.
Boston has bars. When you drive by Lottie’s in Bucktown, you’ll feel at home. But that’s not a bar, it’s a tavern.
Alvin tried to warn Theo about Ronnie Woo-Woo too:
Theo should have taken off running today when he was approached in front of Wrigley. That would have been (dying laughing) worthy.
Boston has tall buildings. When you drive by 1 S. Wacker, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t a tall building, it’s a skyscraper.
I hope Alvin let’s Theo know the Cubs spring training is in AZ not FL and that the leathery lady in the crowd is his friend not a handbag.
I must be lucky or something, I’ve never had a terrible experience with Ronnie Woo-Woo…of course I’ve only talked to him three times, so small sample size applies.
Boston has a river. When you’re crossing the LaSalle St. bridge, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t a river, it’s a shit-filled creek.
so ive noticed that when i use chrome and open an article at the daily herald all i have to do is hit stop on the page as soon as it loads and their paywall stuff doesnt work. epic fail for them
mike inmrem of the DH thinks Theo should run for president once he leaves the Cubs. No joke
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]But that isn’t a river, it’s a shit-filled creek.[/quote]St. Louis’ problem.
Boston has a signature craft brewer. When you’re driving by North and Clybourn and see Goose Island, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t a signature craft brewer, it’s a bunch of soulless sellout motherfuckers.
Boston has Affleck and Damon in the box seats. When you look into the left field bleachers, you’ll see me. I’m no movie star just the Cubs best customer.
Boston has talented celebrity fans. When you see TV personalities at Wrigley, you’ll feel at home. But those aren’t stars, that’s Jeff Garlin and Jim Belushi.
Boston has several historic sites. When you drive by the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t the building where it happened, that’s an old folks home.
[quote name=dylanj]mike inmrem of the DH thinks Theo should run for president once he leaves the Cubs. No joke[/quote]MLB Commish Crane Kenney will be a tireless advocate for his cause.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Boston has talented celebrity fans. When you see TV personalities at Wrigley, you’ll feel at home. But those aren’t stars, that’s Jeff Garlin and Jim Belushi.[/quote]
Don’t forget Cusack. (dying laughing)
Boston used to have Kevin Millar. When you see a guy at ST taking BP with a KFC bucket on his head, you’ll feel right at home. But that isn’t, no, no wait, that’s actually Kevin MIllar.
[quote name=melissa]Don’t forget Cusack. (dying laughing)[/quote]Which one? (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]MLB Commish Crane Kenney will be a tireless advocate for his cause.[/quote]If that’s honestly Kenney’s aspiration, he’s even more of an arrogant assbag than I thought.
Of course, seeing as it came from Hobbiton, it’s probably this
close to being somewhat true
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Which one? (dying laughing)[/quote]
I feel sorry for Joan to be associated with her douchey brother.
I liked “High Fidelity”…and “Hot Tub Time Machine” was very enjoyable. That’s about all the John Cusack I can stand though.
Boston has assholes on the internet. When you happen upon this site, you’ll feel at home, but this isn’t Facebook, it’s a discredited Cubs blog.
I loved High Fidelity. Most of my dislike for John is based solely on his attention getting appearances at Chicago sporting events. He jumped the shark in 05 when he begged the White Sox for World Series tickets.
Boston has an asshole baseball writer. When you see an oddly shaped ginger, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t Dan Shaugnessy, that’s Paul Sullivan standing on Gordon Wittenmyer’s shoulders.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Boston has an asshole baseball writer. When you see an oddly shaped ginger, you’ll feel at home. But that isn’t Dan Shaugnessy, that’s Paul Sullivan standing on Gordon Wittenmyer’s shoulders.[/quote]I love it when a meme comes together.
John Cusack lost all credibility when he beat up Benny “The Jet” Urquidez in “Grosse Point Blank”. I mean, this is the same guy who had badass fight scenes with Jackie Chan back in the day, and he’s getting his ass kicked by John Cusack? Come on.
[quote name=Rice Cube]John Cusack lost all credibility when he beat up Benny “The Jet” Urquidez in “Grosse Point Blank”. I mean, this is the same guy who had badass fight scenes with Jackie Chan back in the day, and he’s getting his ass kicked by John Cusack? Come on.[/quote]
Hey even Justin Timberlake is considered an action star nowadays (dying laughing). Not by me of course, but still.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Hey even Justin Timberlake is considered an action star nowadays (dying laughing). Not by me of course, but still.[/quote]If Justin Timberlake is an action star, then I am the ultimate destroyer of worlds.
[quote name=Rice Cube]John Cusack lost all credibility when he beat up Benny “The Jet” Urquidez in “Grosse Point Blank”. I mean, this is the same guy who had badass fight scenes with Jackie Chan back in the day, and he’s getting his ass kicked by John Cusack? Come on.[/quote]I love that movie so much. “Thanks for the pen.”
One more time:
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(It’s funny because it’s true)
I like Cusack (mostly for Grosse Point Blank, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Being John Malkovitch) but I hated High Fidelity. Or to put it in the framework of the movie, I hated High Fidelity before it was cool.
Hey, do you like hockey?
Amazing play by Kane last night. Wow.
[quote name=Snyds01]
Merry Theoweenmas Everyone[/quote]
You fancy city slickers from Chicago just think it’s OK to dance, don’t you? Like it’s not going to lead to sex and eternal damnation or anything.
[quote name=Berselius]
[/quote]I have no idea if there is any sort of underlying premise here but (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]I like Cusack (mostly for Grosse Point Blank, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Being John Malkovitch) but I hated High Fidelity. Or to put it in the framework of the movie, I hated High Fidelity before it was cool.[/quote]I agree with all of this though I just generally like Cusack. It’s mostly for the movies you mention, but there have been a couple others. I wasn’t a big fan of HF.
I’m surprised Ryno hasn’t posted this yet: http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=30018
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]
[/quote](dying laughing) I don’t know why I have no sympathy for the child, but I just don’t.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]
[/quote]
[quote name=mb21]I’m surprised Ryno hasn’t posted this yet: http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=30018/quote
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Epstein is really going through the media wringer today (dying laughing). He’s on the WGN morning news. Julie’s collecting some quotes and tweeting them
“Mike Quade is the manager. We’re gonna sit down and talk and figure out what direction we’re going to head.” –Theo
“Ryne Sandberg is under contract with Philadelphia, so I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk any more about that.”–Theo
“I need to sit down with Carlos and get to know him a little bit better.”–Theo
“We need to end that perception (that Theo is a magic wizard) right away.” –Theo
“my popularity is probably at an all-time high right now, simply because I haven’t done anything.”–theo
Theo talking about his first meeting with Ronnie Woo-Woo.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]It’s a classic Ryno video. I’m disappointed in him.
Hopefully one of these days Theo can do some work.
[quote name=mb21]I’m surprised Ryno hasn’t posted this yet: http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=30018/quote
I would have, but my computer has a foreign faget filter on it.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]I would have, but my computer has a foreign faget filter on it.[/quote]Your computer is a funsucker.
Do you think that is true because this blog is smarter than the average Cubs blog?
[quote name=WaLi]Do you think that is true because this blog is smarter than the average Cubs blog?
[/quote]I don’t think so.
[quote name=Berselius]I like Cusack (mostly for Grosse Point Blank, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Being John Malkovitch) but I hated High Fidelity. Or to put it in the framework of the movie, I hated High Fidelity before it was cool.[/quote]
One more movie – I enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine but was extremely disappointed that they didn’t make an explicit Better Off Dead reference in a movie that starred John Cusack, took place at a ski resort, and involved time travel to the 1980s.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1026-sandberg-cubs-chicago–20111026,0,5554219.story
(dying laughing), never change, Chicago Tribune
[quote name=Berselius]http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1026-sandberg-cubs-chicago–20111026,0,5554219.story
(dying laughing), never change, Chicago Tribune[/quote]“Hey, that one guy wasn’t a total crackpot, so we might as well just start printing every rumor we hear.”
[quote name=Berselius]http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1026-sandberg-cubs-chicago–20111026,0,5554219.story
(dying laughing), never change, Chicago Tribune[/quote]Why do the legwork of finding credible sources when you can just get a quote from Lee Tammers and Mary Gerdle outside Billy Mitchell’s Diner?
[quote name=Aisle424]“Hey, that one guy wasn’t a total crackpot, so we might as well just start printing every rumor we hear.”[/quote]Pretty soon, Sully won’t ask questions, he’ll just hand the player a piece of paper with “Do you like me? Check ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ ” on it.
[quote name=Berselius]One more movie – I enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine but was extremely disappointed that they didn’t make an explicit Better Off Dead reference in a movie that starred John Cusack, took place at a ski resort, and involved time travel to the 1980s.[/quote]Correct
[quote name=Rice Cube]Correct[/quote]I’d have to watch it again, but I think someone did say something about “two dollars” at some point. If they did it was very inconspicuous.
[quote name=mb21]I’m surprised Ryno hasn’t posted this yet: http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=30018/quoteThis wasn’t posted here? I saw this like a month ago and I can’t think of any other blog I read that’s sick enough to post it…
Also, that cat one is like an update on this old classic:
The ED caption reads “Justice.” (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Pretty soon, Sully won’t ask questions, he’ll just hand the player a piece of paper with “Do you like me? Check ‘Yes’ ‘No’ or ‘Maybe’ ” on it.[/quote].
[quote name=fang2415]This wasn’t posted here? I saw this like a month ago and I can’t think of any other blog I read that’s sick enough to post it…
Also, that cat one is like an update on this old classic:
The ED caption reads “Justice.” (dying laughing)[/quote]That cat is a ninja.
[quote name=fang2415]This wasn’t posted here? I saw this like a month ago and I can’t think of any other blog I read that’s sick enough to post it…
Also, that cat one is like an update on this old classic:
The ED caption reads “Justice.” (dying laughing)[/quote]I don’t think it was posted here. My dad sent it to me last night and I laughed my ass off.
I love this quote.
[quote name=mb21]I don’t think it was posted here. My dad sent it to me last night and I laughed my ass off.[/quote]There’s a series of like six of them on youtube with the same kids failing to pull the thing off the table in various ways. That one’s the funniest though. Even if they meant to do it, I don’t know how that kid doesn’t end up in the hospital.
It reminds me of this sequence, which I’ve always loved:
(dying laughing) it’s amazing this is worthy of a news article on a major company like the Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1026-sandberg-cubs-chicago–20111026,0,5554219.story
That’s something I’d expect to see on BCB.
Yeah, the kid had to be hurt, which is why I actually felt bad about laughing, but it was just so damn funny.
Doesn’t Ryne Sandberg live in Chicago? IronPigs season has been over for a month anyway.
I think he lives in Arizona.
[quote name=mb21]I think he lives in Arizona.[/quote]They’d probably use that to fit a narrative if Mike Quade is still the manager by spring training
I DID see Sandberg when I lived in Arizona. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he lived too far away from where Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine lived. I had a buddy who lived next to Dave and that place was nuts every night of the week. We had Thanksgiving dinner at that guy’s house and Dave and company started partying on Wednesday evening and the party did not stop until Friday morning. Insane.
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7151119/chicago-cubs-president-theo-epstein-admires-ryne-sandberg
Plot thickens.
Probably just a rehash of the morning tweets though.
[quote name=Rice Cube]They’d probably use that to fit a narrative if Mike Quade is still the manager by spring training
[/quote]
Sandberg has a home here as well.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Sandberg has a home here as well.[/quote]In Chicago? I’m guessing he has homes throughout the country. (dying laughing) he’s no exactly hurting for cash.
http://www.thefriendlyblogfines.com/2011/10/thank-god-theo-epstein-signed-his.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thefriendlyblogfines+%28The+Friendly+Blogfines%29
Sweet Jesus.
[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.thefriendlyblogfines.com/2011/10/thank-god-theo-epstein-signed-his.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thefriendlyblogfines+%28The+Friendly+Blogfines%29
Sweet Jesus.[/quote]I just think it’s funny. Woo Woo is an odd duck, but he’s never made me as angry as some.
[quote name=mb21]In Chicago? I’m guessing he has homes throughout the country. (dying laughing) he’s no exactly hurting for cash.[/quote]
Yes in Chicago. But you’re probably right because I know he probably has a home in Washington state and definitely in AZ.
[quote name=mb21]I just think it’s funny. Woo Woo is an odd duck, but he’s never made me as angry as some.[/quote]He seems mostly harmless, but I can see how he would get annoying.
[quote name=Rice Cube]He seems mostly harmless, but I can see how he would get annoying.[/quote]It bugs the shit out of me that a deranged, homeless, pee-smelling groper is my favorite teams’ mascot. I don’t know how he gets into EVERY FUCKING GAME, but there he is. That fucking guy will most likely be at a Cubs World Series game and I’ll be watching on my couch. At least Al pays to go to games.
Kermit thinks the Cubs pay to have him there. I don’t know about that, but he is getting subsidized from somewhere for being nothing but an insane letch. It irritates the hell out of me.
[quote name=Rice Cube]He seems mostly harmless, but I can see how he would get annoying.[/quote]Also, his little schtick is somewhat funny in clips on the internet. When you have him sitting behind you for an hour and he WON’T. SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. You start to want to have him drawn and quartered.
[quote name=Aisle424]That fucking guy will most likely be at a Cubs World Series game and I’ll be watching on my couch.[/quote]
That’s depressing.
[quote name=Aisle424]It bugs the shit out of me that a deranged, homeless, pee-smelling groper is my favorite teams’ mascot. I don’t know how he gets into EVERY FUCKING GAME, but there he is. That fucking guy will most likely be at a Cubs World Series game and I’ll be watching on my couch. At least Al pays to go to games.
Kermit thinks the Cubs pay to have him there. I don’t know about that, but he is getting subsidized from somewhere for being nothing but an insane letch. It irritates the hell out of me.[/quote]I wasn’t sure earlier (forgot who said it) whether the Cubs really did have a line item for Ronnie Woo-Woo tickets. It might be a personal thing (I’ve only met Woo-Woo three times) but he doesn’t seem like he’s that out of control and I’m more ooged out by the Pedobear with a Cub jersey on.
[quote name=Aisle424]Also, his little schtick is somewhat funny in clips on the internet. When you have him sitting behind you for an hour and he WON’T. SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. You start to want to have him drawn and quartered.[/quote]I see your point (dying laughing)
I didn’t know Woo-Woo sat in Aisle 424.
Got at least one agreement that Billy Cub is creepy!
http://www.thewrigleyblog.com/2010/06/creepiest-cubs-mascot_21.html
Ha.
[quote name=WaLi]That’s depressing.[/quote]Actually I probably wouldn’t be thinking about that
ifwhen the Cubs are in the World Series (dying laughing)Edit: /Theo’d
I blame the media. They keep feeding the monster. Woo Woo might still be annoying as fuck (many people are), but if people just ignored him it wouldn’t be nearly as bad.
I doubt the Cubs even want the guy around. There’s not a single living person on earth who likes Woo Woo. He’s the kind of person that will get the organization laughed at. Ricketts isn’t retarded and neither was the Tribune. They’d pay a million dollars to see him go away and in return have Alvin Yellon be the face of the Cubs.
To believe the Cubs are paying this guy in tickets or something else requires you to think that the people running the Cubs are literally the dumbest people who have ever walked the earth. The mere fact they make so much damn money on a team that hasn’t won shit for a century suggests they just might be fucking geniuses. They sure aren’t the dumbest people who have ever lived.
Hard to believe that Theo Epstein is running the Cubs. Still hasn’t suck in yet. Can’t wait for next year’s draft.
Eh, is Ronnie Woo Woo really the face of the Cubs? No one outside of Chi really knows about him. I miss the days when Sosa was clearly the face of the team. Now that Theo is running the show he’s probably the new face of the team.
This Woo Woo talk will stop NOW! Or i will go on the most Woo’d rant that has ever Woo’d!
[quote name=Berselius]Eh, is Ronnie Woo Woo really the face of the Cubs? No one outside of Chi really knows about him. I miss the days when Sosa was clearly the face of the team. Now that Theo is running the show he’s probably the new face of the team.[/quote]I know I’ve seen Brewers and Cardinals fans mention him. I’m also pretty sure that an announcer this year brought him up. He’s obviously not the face of the team though. I was just saying that the Cubs would pay Yellon to be the face of the team before they would consider just giving tickets to Woo Woo.
[quote name=mb21]I know I’ve seen Brewers and Cardinals fans mention him. I’m also pretty sure that an announcer this year brought him up. He’s obviously not the face of the team though. I was just saying that the Cubs would pay Yellon to be the face of the team before they would consider just giving tickets to Woo Woo.[/quote]
I don’t think the Cubs are giving him tickets, but has to be some sort of implicit understanding about him among their event staff for a guy who has been going to games for so long and been that annoying. Not to mention what I’m sure have been numerous complaints about him groping people, etc.
[quote name=mb21]I DID see Sandberg when I lived in Arizona. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he lived too far away from where Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine lived. I had a buddy who lived next to Dave and that place was nuts every night of the week. We had Thanksgiving dinner at that guy’s house and Dave and company started partying on Wednesday evening and the party did not stop until Friday morning. Insane.[/quote]
(dying laughing) it’s amazing this is worthy of a news article on a serious blog like OV
That’s something I’d expect to see NSBS…
[quote name=mb21]I DID see Sandberg when I lived in Arizona. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he lived too far away from where Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine lived. I had a buddy who lived next to Dave and that place was nuts every night of the week. We had Thanksgiving dinner at that guy’s house and Dave and company started partying on Wednesday evening and the party did not stop until Friday morning. Insane.[/quote]My son works with a Venezuelan guy who has a friend who is Ronny Cedeno’s brother-in-law. This friend has met Carlos Zambrano several times and says he is totally non-crazy, doesn’t drink, super religious, and a real family man.
Sounds like the weather in St. Lou ain’t so hot. Might see a postponement.
[quote name=Berselius]Eh, is Ronnie Woo Woo really the face of the Cubs? No one outside of Chi really knows about him. I miss the days when Sosa was clearly the face of the team. Now that Theo is running the show he’s probably the new face of the team.[/quote]
[quote name=mb21]I blame the media. They keep feeding the monster. Woo Woo might still be annoying as fuck (many people are), but if people just ignored him it wouldn’t be nearly as bad.
I doubt the Cubs even want the guy around. There’s not a single living person on earth who likes Woo Woo. He’s the kind of person that will get the organization laughed at. Ricketts isn’t retarded and neither was the Tribune. They’d pay a million dollars to see him go away and in return have Alvin Yellon be the face of the Cubs.
To believe the Cubs are paying this guy in tickets or something else requires you to think that the people running the Cubs are literally the dumbest people who have ever walked the earth. The mere fact they make so much damn money on a team that hasn’t won shit for a century suggests they just might be fucking geniuses. They sure aren’t the dumbest people who have ever lived.[/quote]
He’s a noodge. He first started going to games by getting drunk bleacherites to give him tickets. Eventually, to drunk fans, he became an attraction. I think some of the Cubs people saw him as a cheap marketing tool and started giving him things, like extra tickets and a uniform. I think it was the players who chipped in to give him money for teeth b/c somehow he got in the ear of somebody in the club house and wouldn’t stop bitching about it. The players also chip in to buy him a bus ticket to Arizona each year for spring training. I think that’s hilarious, that they just give him enough to ride a Greyhound down there. I agree, though, I hope it stops.
[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.thefriendlyblogfines.com/2011/10/thank-god-theo-epstein-signed-his.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thefriendlyblogfines+%28The+Friendly+Blogfines%29
Sweet Jesus.[/quote](dying laughing)
Theo (to woman): Okay, I look forward to it — I’ve gotta go, I’ve got a lot on my desk.
Man: Can I have your autograph?
Theo: Sure.
Ronnie Woo-Woo: Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO! Theo! WOO!
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I actually love Ronnie Woo-Woo for shit like this. He’s like a cross between the Wesley Willis of Cubdom and the batshit insane guy who’s taken up residence in the attic of your neglected 100-year-old house.
Someone on twitter mentioned this morning that whenever he thinks of Ronnie Woo Woo he thinks “minstrel show”. That must be wrong though, because we know that enabling Cubs fans/bleacherite Chads aren’t racist.
I think Mark Grace said the players back in his day used to give him tickets to games and/or spring training.
I believe the Tribune did not like him or acknowledge him, but the Ricketts may be different.
I first encountered him when he was a relatively young man and didn’t have a uniform or anything. Same shtick, different decade. (“Monday Woo!”)
Saw somewhere earlier (twitter?) that Mike Maddux may be a candidate for the Cubs job if/when Quade is fired.
Woo Woo should get Rebecca Black to sign Firday Woo for him.
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]
I recently encountered him when he was a relatively young man and didn’t have a uniform or anything. Same shtick, different decade. (“Monday Woo!”)[/quote]
Fixed
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]My son works with a Venezuelan guy who has a friend who is Ronny Cedeno’s brother-in-law. This friend has met Carlos Zambrano several times and says he is totally non-crazy, doesn’t drink, super religious, and a real family man.[/quote]The first sentence of this is like a Sullivan article. And then the second sentence is like the opposite of a Sullivan article. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]Fixed[/quote](dying laughing)
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]He’s a noodge. He first started going to games by getting drunk bleacherites to give him tickets. Eventually, to drunk fans, he became an attraction. I think some of the Cubs people saw him as a cheap marketing tool and started giving him things, like extra tickets and a uniform. I think it was the players who chipped in to give him money for teeth b/c somehow he got in the ear of somebody in the club house and wouldn’t stop bitching about it. The players also chip in to buy him a bus ticket to Arizona each year for spring training. I think that’s hilarious, that they just give him enough to ride a Greyhound down there. I agree, though, I hope it stops.[/quote]Yeah, a part of me just thinks “poor guy” and wishes the Cubs would just commit a few grand a year to put him up somewhere safe with someone to look after him. That would be in keeping with their charitable activity thing and could honor his bizarre place in Cub history with the added benefit of being able to keep him the fuck away from Wrigley every once in a while.
[quote name=Berselius]Someone on twitter mentioned this morning that whenever he thinks of Ronnie Woo Woo he thinks “minstrel show”. That must be wrong though, because we know that enabling Cubs fans/bleacherite Chads aren’t racist.[/quote]Yeah, there is that too. There used to be a homeless guy in Ann Arbor who became sort of a Michigan mascot in a similar borderline-racist way. And… I think then he died.
.
[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.thefriendlyblogfines.com/2011/10/thank-god-theo-epstein-signed-his.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thefriendlyblogfines+%28The+Friendly+Blogfines%29
Sweet Jesus.[/quote]The funniest part of that is at the end where the Daily Herald gives you information on how to purchase the video.
[quote name=fang2415]Yeah, there is that too. There used to be a homeless guy in Ann Arbor who became sort of a Michigan mascot in a similar borderline-racist way. And… I think then he died.[/quote]There seem to be homeless pseudo-mascots attached to every team. The one that sticks in my mind besides Woo-Woo is the guy who goes to all the SF Giants games who disappeared for a couple months and the team and their fans freaked out because they thought he was dead.
Like I said, if Ronnie Woo only existed for me on the internet in 30 second bits, that would be one thing, but the man never shut sup and never goes away. He doesn’t come up to 424 that often, but I have had him sit 2 rows behind me for over an hour and he didn’t stop Wooing the whole fucking time. Eventually enough people complained that ushers had him removed.
I thought “Wow, they actually threw Ronnie Woo out of the game.” No, he was just moved to a different section where I’m sure he annoyed the fuck out of everyone there because I heard him still going on.
He feels entitled and he has no problems coming into a group of people and feeling up the women as much as they’ll let him. Usually out of shock. If people want to approach him, then whatever, but I din’t want some creepy, pee-smelling (that uniform is fucking rank) dude feeling up my girlfriend while I’m trying to have a pre-game drink somewhere.
Like I said, I don’t know who does it. But SOMEONE pays for his shit because he sure as hell doesn’t. I’ve never once in my entire life seen him produce money in exchange for food, drinks, or tickets and I see him A LOT down there. I don’t understand it and I wish whoever was doing it would just fucking stop.
[quote name=mb21]I DID see Sandberg when I lived in Arizona. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he lived too far away from where Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine lived. I had a buddy who lived next to Dave and that place was nuts every night of the week. We had Thanksgiving dinner at that guy’s house and Dave and company started partying on Wednesday evening and the party did not stop until Friday morning. Insane.[/quote]Dave found Jesus and doesn’t drink or love Satan anymore.
From internet clips, I just assumed Ronny Woo was mentally handicapped. Honestly have never seen him or met him. I didn’t know he existed until like two years ago.
Non sequitur moment:
http://chzmemeafterdark.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/naughty-memes-god-says.jpg
Figure you should just click the link because the pic of Agent Smith is kind of creepy.
[quote name=Aisle424]Like I said, if Ronnie Woo only existed for me on the internet in 30 second bits, that would be one thing, but the man never shut sup and never goes away. He doesn’t come up to 424 that often, but I have had him sit 2 rows behind me for over an hour and he didn’t stop Wooing the whole fucking time. Eventually enough people complained that ushers had him removed.
I thought “Wow, they actually threw Ronnie Woo out of the game.” No, he was just moved to a different section where I’m sure he annoyed the fuck out of everyone there because I heard him still going on.
He feels entitled and he has no problems coming into a group of people and feeling up the women as much as they’ll let him. Usually out of shock. If people want to approach him, then whatever, but I din’t want some creepy, pee-smelling (that uniform is fucking rank) dude feeling up my girlfriend while I’m trying to have a pre-game drink somewhere.
Like I said, I don’t know who does it. But SOMEONE pays for his shit because he sure as hell doesn’t. I’ve never once in my entire life seen him produce money in exchange for food, drinks, or tickets and I see him A LOT down there. I don’t understand it and I wish whoever was doing it would just fucking stop.[/quote]I guess the Cubs can’t just say he can’t come in or there would be an uproar. It’s the way cult symbols work, unfortunately.
[quote name=fang2415]Yeah, a part of me just thinks “poor guy” and wishes the Cubs would just commit a few grand a year to put him up somewhere safe with someone to look after him. That would be in keeping with their charitable activity thing and could honor his bizarre place in Cub history with the added benefit of being able to keep him the fuck away from Wrigley every once in a while.[/quote]
He’s a married man. Or, at least claims to be. A buddy of mine carpooled with him to games on occasion so that’s how I have limited info on him (dying laughing)
[quote name=Aisle424]Like I said, if Ronnie Woo only existed for me on the internet in 30 second bits, that would be one thing, but the man never shut sup and never goes away. He doesn’t come up to 424 that often, but I have had him sit 2 rows behind me for over an hour and he didn’t stop Wooing the whole fucking time. Eventually enough people complained that ushers had him removed.
I thought “Wow, they actually threw Ronnie Woo out of the game.” No, he was just moved to a different section where I’m sure he annoyed the fuck out of everyone there because I heard him still going on.
He feels entitled and he has no problems coming into a group of people and feeling up the women as much as they’ll let him. Usually out of shock. If people want to approach him, then whatever, but I din’t want some creepy, pee-smelling (that uniform is fucking rank) dude feeling up my girlfriend while I’m trying to have a pre-game drink somewhere.
Like I said, I don’t know who does it. But SOMEONE pays for his shit because he sure as hell doesn’t. I’ve never once in my entire life seen him produce money in exchange for food, drinks, or tickets and I see him A LOT down there. I don’t understand it and I wish whoever was doing it would just fucking stop.[/quote]I just sent Woo $1000 said it was from you.
[quote name=josh]Dave found Jesus and doesn’t drink or love Satan anymore.[/quote]Did he really? I’m shocked that he’s not on his 3rd or 4th liver at this point.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]He’s a married man. Or, at least claims to be. A buddy of mine carpooled with him to games on occasion so that’s how I have limited info on him (dying laughing)[/quote]I refuse to believe there is some chick out there so fucking insane that she’d marry him. I just don’t believe it.
I’ve always assumed the guy is mentally handicapped as well.
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/double_walk_to_replace_ibb/#65
I’m now solidly in favor of the 2-base walk on 4-pitch walks and no-strike HBPs. Pitch to the fucking hitters.
[quote name=mb21]http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/double_walk_to_replace_ibb/#65
I’m now solidly in favor of the 2-base walk on 4-pitch walks and no-strike HBPs. Pitch to the fucking hitters.[/quote]Oooh, that’s pretty slick. I kind of liked the idea of penalizing them with extra outs, but this proposal significantly increases run expectancy since the guy is now and second base and potentially forces someone else into scoring position.
Rules changes have to be voted on in the CBA, correct?
[quote name=mb21]http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/double_walk_to_replace_ibb/#65
I’m now solidly in favor of the 2-base walk on 4-pitch walks and no-strike HBPs. Pitch to the fucking hitters.[/quote]
I agree with this guy for the most part, but I don’t agree with his justification re: deliberately tilting things towards the hitters. That’s more because I’m one of those fans who enjoys good pitching > good hitting. Definitely hate intentional walks though.
Yeah, RC. I don’t think this would pass, but I love it. I used to be a huge fan of pitching and I still am, but I want action. i want runs. Give me lots of them. The low-scoring nature of the game is a huge reason why children pay little to no attention to MLB. Most of them think it’s only slightly more entertaining than golf or bowling.
I didn’t agree with the reasoning either, but I do want offense. The most exciting baseball I ever watched was in 1998 and 2001. I love good pitching, but you can have a 3 ERA and be damn good if the league RA is 5.
The IBB is like the Hack-a-Shaq. So annoying. But I doubt the players would ever vote it down.
[quote name=Rice Cube]The IBB is like the Hack-a-Shaq. So annoying. But I doubt the players would ever vote it down.[/quote]Actually I take that back because while you’re stopping Shaq from breaking the backboard for two points, Shaq doesn’t have the luxury of having another guy take the foul shots for him, but I think you understand where I’m coming from. IBB = cowardly.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Actually I take that back because while you’re stopping Shaq from breaking the backboard for two points, Shaq doesn’t have the luxury of having another guy take the foul shots for him, but I think you understand where I’m coming from. IBB = cowardly.[/quote]
I don’t think it’s cowardly, I think it’s just stupidly deployed most of the time.
2 bases for a 4-pitch walk (or worse, a HBP) still seems way to harsh to me. It increases offense, but not in an exciting way (the baserunner gets to walk another 90 feet).
[quote name=ACT]2 bases for a 4-pitch walk (or worse, a HBP) still seems way to harsh to me. It increases offense, but not in an exciting way (the baserunner gets to walk another 90 feet).[/quote]I still think if you want to increase offense, you just give them the base with no further alterations, but just subtract an out. I didn’t look up the numbers but I’m sure most offenses can do something awesome with an extra out.
Doug Glanville ———> Wrigley Talk Friday this week
[quote name=Berselius]Doug Glanville ———> Wrigley Talk Friday this week[/quote]Congratulations! That’s awesome.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/10/26/bernstein-time-for-cubs-fans-to-grow-up/
OMG this
.
[quote name=ACT]2 bases for a 4-pitch walk (or worse, a HBP) still seems way to harsh to me. It increases offense, but not in an exciting way (the baserunner gets to walk another 90 feet).[/quote]
But the hope is that teams would not choose to do a 4 pitch walk and would actually pitch (at least 1 strike) to the batter.
It’s still very easy for pitches to get away (it only takes one bad pitch to get away and hit the batter). It also may increase the willingness of batter to take pitches until they get a strike.
[quote name=Berselius]http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/10/26/bernstein-time-for-cubs-fans-to-grow-up/
OMG this[/quote]
Give me a break. There’s nothing wrong about having fond recollections of a Cubs season just because the team didn’t go all the way.
So then it would increase offense as pitchers would want to throw more strikes giving the batter more opportunities to swing at good pitches. And it would teach batters to have a better eye. Both wouldn’t be awful.
Not sure what to do about HBP… why change it from how it currently is? Currently the umpire can eject the pitcher if he determines if it is intentionally, right?
[quote name=WaLi]So then it would increase offense as pitchers would want to throw more strikes giving the batter more opportunities to swing at good pitches. And it would teach batters to have a better eye. Both wouldn’t be awful.
Not sure what to do about HBP… why change it from how it currently is? Currently the umpire can eject the pitcher if he determines if it is intentionally, right?[/quote]I think HBP should just be the way it is. I think for the IBB though, I’m cool with either the subtracted out or the extra base, as long as the team issuing the IBB is penalized much more than they currently are.
[quote name=ACT]Give me a break. There’s nothing wrong about having fond recollections of a Cubs season just because the team didn’t go all the way.[/quote]I think people probably remember the heartbreak but I would doubt many of those people would call it a “fond” memory.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think people probably remember the heartbreak but I would doubt many of those people would call it a “fond” memory.[/quote]
I think that was meant to be a dig at Bernstein’s callers. SO many fans call in and say “I’ve been a fan since the 1950′s” or “I was there for the ’69 team and this current team ain’t that”, etc. First, how long you’ve been a fan doesn’t give you any added credibility and Bernstein loves attacking these people.
[quote name=Mish]I think that was meant to be a dig at Bernstein’s callers. SO many fans call in and say “I’ve been a fan since the 1950′s” or “I was there for the ’69 team and this current team ain’t that”, etc. First, how long you’ve been a fan doesn’t give you any added credibility and Bernstein loves attacking these people.[/quote]Ah, you would know better than I…I don’t often listen to the radio shows or watch the CSN sports shows or anything.
I really liked the one game I went to last season when Dempster shit the bed and the Cubs had to rally back from down 7-1 or something and won big. That was a fond memory. The season itself was not.
OK, but the piece reads as really condescending to me. The 1969 team was really, really good and worthy of being celebrated. Saying they “don’t deserve the attention” or that they “choked” is unfair.
I assume most know already, as Game 6 has been pushed to tomorrow.
Weather > MLB
[quote name=ACT]OK, but the piece reads as really condescending to me. The 1969 team was really, really good and worthy of being celebrated. Saying they “don’t deserve the attention” or that they “choked” is unfair.[/quote]I also find it odd that Bernstein wrote this piece about a week after I emailed him AC’s comment from here that was to the same effect, minus the condescension.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think HBP should just be the way it is. I think for the IBB though, I’m cool with either the subtracted out or the extra base, as long as the team issuing the IBB is penalized much more than they currently are.[/quote]
What’s the big issue with an IBB? Bottom of the 9th 1 out and runners at 2nd and 3rd and you’re penalizing a team for an IBB to setup a DP opportunity?
[quote name=pinetar]What’s the big issue with an IBB? Bottom of the 9th 1 out and runners at 2nd and 3rd and you’re penalizing a team for an IBB to setup a DP opportunity?[/quote]
good point
[quote name=pinetar]What’s the big issue with an IBB? Bottom of the 9th 1 out and runners at 2nd and 3rd and you’re penalizing a team for an IBB to setup a DP opportunity?[/quote]Based on the previous discussion, if they throw at least one strike, the IBB penalty is not assessed, so let’s say they pitch “around” (the intentional, unintentional walk as it were) and then they fire the 3-0 strike to remove the penalty. Under the new rule, the batter knows that he won’t get IBB’ed unless the pitcher is Marmol, and thus knows that he has one chance to make that strike count. I’m probably overthinking this, but I believe teams could work around the new rule to still set up the bases-loaded DP opportunity if they wanted to.
[quote name=Andrew Cieslak]If Theo’s computer in Boston was named Carmine, I can only assume with the Cubs it’ll either be called Trixie or Chad.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, RC. I don’t think this would pass, but I love it. I used to be a huge fan of pitching and I still am, but I want action. i want runs. Give me lots of them. The low-scoring nature of the game is a huge reason why children pay little to no attention to MLB. Most of them think it’s only slightly more entertaining than golf or bowling.[/quote]Fuck all that IBB niggling. They should just bite the bullet and switch back to the Massachusetts Game. First team to 100 runs wins.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-epstein-on-soriano-theres-more-in-there-20111026,0,3876300.story
I really like this new Cubs approach. Believing more in players and working hard to exercise all potential.
Aramis…not sounding quite as gone as he did, hearts Theo:
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7152458/aramis-ramirez-says-open-return-chicago-cubs
[quote name=fang2415]Fuck all that IBB niggling. They should just bite the bullet and switch back to the Massachusetts Game. First team to 100 runs wins.[/quote]Wouldn’t each team need 30 pitchers then?
[quote name=Rice Cube]Wouldn’t each team need 30 pitchers then?[/quote]No. They wouldn’t throw very hard, and there’s only 1 out per frame.
No basepaths, either. Batter stands between home and first. Defenders can throw at the runners to get them out. Other than that, the game is much the same.
And its played on horses.
[quote name=GBTS]And its played on horses.[/quote]That sounds like fun!
[quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Aramis…not sounding quite as gone as he did, hearts Theo:
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7152458/aramis-ramirez-says-open-return-chicago-cubs/quotequote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-epstein-on-soriano-theres-more-in-there-20111026,0,3876300.story
I really like this new Cubs approach. Believing more in players and working hard to exercise all potential.[/quote]It’s going to be reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyy interesting to see how Cub fans respond to this approach.
Caller to Score:
Cubs player that lack “acumen” and are not “winners:” Castro, Ramirez
Red Sox players that are “smart” and are “winners:” Pedroia, Youkilis
Now Bernstein says ethnicity can predict weight gain. Nice. Dr’s Gall and Aggasiz greet you at the dawn of this great discovery.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Caller to Score:
Cubs player that lack “acumen” and are not “winners:” Castro, Ramirez
Red Sox players that are “smart” and are “winners:” Pedroia, Youkilis[/quote]The latter group are arguably better though (dying laughing)
[quote name=ACT]No basepaths, either. Batter stands between home and first. Defenders can throw at the runners to get them out. Other than that, the game is much the same.[/quote]Oh yeah, and no foul territory.
[quote name=ACT]Oh yeah, and no foul territory.[/quote]Sounds like cricket.
[quote name=Rice Cube]The latter group are arguably better though (dying laughing)[/quote]Yes. But not for the reasons given.
[quote name=ACT]Oh yeah, and no foul territory.[/quote]And a moat. There has to be a moat.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes. But not for the reasons given.[/quote]I assumed as much.
[quote name=ACT]2 bases for a 4-pitch walk (or worse, a HBP) still seems way to harsh to me. It increases offense, but not in an exciting way (the baserunner gets to walk another 90 feet).[/quote]It doesn’t increase offense because of the IBB. Many, many fewer IBB’s will be issued. The entire point of the IBB is to put someone on 1st base. Teams rarely IBB someone when there is already a runner on 1st. They certainly would IBB anyone with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Offense increases because teams are pitching to Prince Fielder 32 more times.
The point of this rule is to eliminate IBBs.
[quote name=pinetar]What’s the big issue with an IBB? Bottom of the 9th 1 out and runners at 2nd and 3rd and you’re penalizing a team for an IBB to setup a DP opportunity?[/quote]If those were when most of the IBBs took place I wouldn’t have a problem, but when they’re used to pitch to the best hitters less frequently it bugs the piss out of me. I want to watch the best players hit. I think most people do, which is why people boo when one of their best players is IBBd.
[quote name=mb21]It doesn’t increase offense because of the IBB. Many, many fewer IBB’s will be issued. The entire point of the IBB is to put someone on 1st base. Teams rarely IBB someone when there is already a runner on 1st. They certainly would IBB anyone with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Offense increases because teams are pitching to Prince Fielder 32 more times.
The point of this rule is to eliminate IBBs.[/quote]Right, but there are still unintentional 4-pitch walks and hit batters.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]And a moat. There has to be a moat.[/quote]Sounds like this:
[quote name=ACT]It’s still very easy for pitches to get away (it only takes one bad pitch to get away and hit the batter). It also may increase the willingness of batter to take pitches until they get a strike.[/quote]Hit a batter with no-strikes and it’s the same thing as a 4-pitch walk. Batters being more patient? I can live with that. Batters taking a few pitches in hitter’s counts? That’s too bad, but in my opinion it’s better than watching the best hitters get IBBd.
[quote name=mb21]If those were when most of the IBBs took place I wouldn’t have a problem, but when they’re used to pitch to the best hitters less frequently it bugs the piss out of me. I want to watch the best players hit. I think most people do, which is why people boo when one of their best players is IBBd.[/quote]
[quote name=ACT]Right, but there are still unintentional 4-pitch walks and hit batters.[/quote]Yeah, though I’m guessing we’d see non-intentional 4-pitch walks decrease by 50%.
No system will be perfect, but if I pay money to go to a game, I want to see the best players play. I don’t want to see the best players walked. I don’t want to see the 8th hitter pitched around so that the worst hitter on the team can bat.
[quote name=ACT]Give me a break. There’s nothing wrong about having fond recollections of a Cubs season just because the team didn’t go all the way.[/quote]I agree. I hope the Cubs top the 2008 team, but it’s going to be tough. That was an outstanding team who played poorly for 3 games. It happens, but it doesn’t erase the 162 game season. More memories are created in April through September than in October. People forget that.
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[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Sounds like this:
is better:
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=156442&title=blernsball
BLERN!
[quote name=Rice Cube]I still think if you want to increase offense, you just give them the base with no further alterations, but just subtract an out. I didn’t look up the numbers but I’m sure most offenses can do something awesome with an extra out.[/quote]If MLB did that to do away with the IBB, I’d be OK with it. Offense would go through the roof if teams actually issued IBBs. It would increase some assuming they just pitched to those guys.
[quote name=WaLi]So then it would increase offense as pitchers would want to throw more strikes giving the batter more opportunities to swing at good pitches. And it would teach batters to have a better eye. Both wouldn’t be awful.
Not sure what to do about HBP… why change it from how it currently is? Currently the umpire can eject the pitcher if he determines if it is intentionally, right?[/quote]That’s a good point.
Walks are part of baseball. They’re a reward for a hitter..
Between no instant replay, inconsistent strike zones, pitchers using unlimited pickoff attempts, 5 game divisional series, and stadiums with fucking hills in fair territory, getting rid of the IBB is pretty low on my list.
[quote name=mb21]More memories are created in April through September than in October. People forget that.[/quote]Spoken like a true Cubs fan. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]Based on the previous discussion, if they throw at least one strike, the IBB penalty is not assessed, so let’s say they pitch “around” (the intentional, unintentional walk as it were) and then they fire the 3-0 strike to remove the penalty. Under the new rule, the batter knows that he won’t get IBB’ed unless the pitcher is Marmol, and thus knows that he has one chance to make that strike count. I’m probably overthinking this, but I believe teams could work around the new rule to still set up the bases-loaded DP opportunity if they wanted to.[/quote]They could and they would. But at least the pitcher has to put something in the zone for the batter to hit.
[quote name=GBTS]Walks are part of baseball. They’re a reward for a hitter..
Between no instant replay, inconsistent strike zones, pitchers using unlimited pickoff attempts, 5 game divisional series, and stadiums with fucking hills in fair territory, getting rid of the IBB is pretty low on my list.[/quote]But every time a batter is intentionally walked, God kills a kitten.
[quote name=GBTS]Walks are part of baseball. They’re a reward for a hitter..
Between no instant replay, inconsistent strike zones, pitchers using unlimited pickoff attempts, 5 game divisional series, and stadiums with fucking hills in fair territory, getting rid of the IBB is pretty low on my list.[/quote]I gave up on instant replay. There’s very little way to incorporate more of it without eating more time. The last thing I want is a 4 hour game unless it’s the Sox and Yankees. At least that’s 4 hours because they’re really good. There’s nothing that can be done about the inconsistent strike zone either. If you have a computer calling the zone you’re going to miss the occasional pitch right down the middle. I’d rather get that obvious call right and some borderline calls wrong. I’d hate to see some team walk in the winning run in the World Series on a pitch that was center cut. 5-game division series will eventually be eliminated. I’m guessing it’s remained 5 games because the players aren’t paid an additional amount for playoff games. I think we’ll see that change in the near future.
I agree 100% on that fucking hill. (dying laughing)
This was a memory I recently enjoyed:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3478790
I don’t want an automated zone, I want a robot catcher whose mitt equals the size of the strike zone, and automatically changes with each batter.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s going to be reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyy interesting to see how Cub fans respond to this approach.[/quote]We know how some are going to respond. Truthfully though, I’m far more interested in how good the Cubs are going to be in 5 years. for the first time we can find enjoyment in the Cubs rather than Cubs fans. (dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]I don’t want an automated zone, I want a robot catcher whose mitt equals the size of the strike zone, and automatically changes with each batter.[/quote]Can the robot wear a Hill jersey?
I hate this two-base four pitch walk idea because you will never, ever, ever again see someone swing at a 3-0 pitch, and that already pisses me the fuck off. (dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]I hate this two-base four pitch walk idea because you will never, ever, ever again see someone swing at a 3-0 pitch, and that already pisses me the fuck off. (dying laughing)[/quote]Yes because so many of these automatons swing at 3-0 pitches now.
[quote name=GBTS]I hate this two-base four pitch walk idea because you will never, ever, ever again see someone swing at a 3-0 pitch, and that already pisses me the fuck off. (dying laughing)[/quote]For one thing, I think you’ll see far fewer 3-0 counts. I don’t think you’ll ever get a batter to stop swinging on 3-0. Maybe it’s not 8% of the time like it is now. Maybe it’s 6% or 7%, but there’s no way it’s going below that. Hitters are arrogant and they think they can hit the ball out of the park on every swing. HR >>>>> 2 base walk.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes because so many of these automatons swing at 3-0 pitches now.[/quote]I’m saying that’s what pisses me off (them not swinging on 3-0), and this will exacerbate it.
[quote name=GBTS]I don’t want an automated zone, I want a robot catcher whose mitt equals the size of the strike zone, and automatically changes with each batter.[/quote]I thought part of the mystique in baseball was the ever-changing zone and the ability (or lack thereof) of the pitcher and batter to adjust to it as the game goes on.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes because so many of these automatons swing at 3-0 pitches now.[/quote]Exactly. It’s only 8% right now so I’m pretty sure that it’s not going to be much lower. Where I think we’ll see a noticeable drop is on 2-0 counts. That’s too bad, but if it means I get to see the best hitters hit more frequently then I’m all for it.
And can we finally get rid of the pitcher batting?
About 11% of the batters that get to 3-0 are already intentionally walked. Another 50% result in walks. What we’ll see is that about 60 to 65% of 3-0 counts result in walks. Same as it is today.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is better:
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=156442&title=blernsball
BLERN agreed
reminds me of this, though I can only find it in Spanish (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]I gave up on instant replay. There’s very little way to incorporate more of it without eating more time. The last thing I want is a 4 hour game unless it’s the Sox and Yankees. [/quote]
And hopefully soon the Cubs, if this whole “let’s not hack at the first pitch” org philosophy plays out.
Where is this whole ZOMG computers will call pitches down the middle strikes!! stuff coming from? Just curious. I have far more confidence in a quality ball-strike machine than I do as an umpire. I don’t think you can compare to whatever is out there right now either. If MLB puts out a competitive bid to do this with much better accuracy than human umpires, I feel confident that it can be done.
Hub Arkush just made a good point re: Forte’s deal. Tag value for a RB next year is ~$9 mil. Hub think Forte rates about $18 mil guaranteed on a new deal, so he argues that sicne the Bears can tag him for the next three years, they end up spending the same to just tag him the next two years, so the Bears should just tag him. Makes sense to me.
[quote name=Berselius]Where is this whole ZOMG computers will call pitches down the middle strikes!! stuff coming from? Just curious. I have far more confidence in a quality ball-strike machine than I do as an umpire. I don’t think you can compare to whatever is out there right now either. If MLB puts out a competitive bid to do this with much better accuracy than human umpires, I feel confident that it can be done.[/quote]
Aramis has never been very good at using his leverage in contract negotiations, so maybe he does lack acumen.
Did that whole Astros to the American League thing actually happen?
[quote name=GBTS]Spoken like a true Cubs fan. (dying laughing)[/quote]He said September, not June.
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]Did that whole Astros to the American League thing actually happen?[/quote]www.didtheastrostotheamericanleaguethingactuallyhappen.com
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]Did that whole Astros to the American League thing actually happen?[/quote]
Last I heard, the Astros new owner was trying to wheedle a $50m discount off the price from MLB for doing them the favor of moving.
[quote name=ACT]OK, but the piece reads as really condescending to me. The 1969 team was really, really good and worthy of being celebrated. Saying they “don’t deserve the attention” or that they “choked” is unfair.[/quote]They did choke though.
What’s unfair is scorning fans for remembering the best team of their generation.
I mean, if we can’t remember 1969 fondly, then we can’t celebrate 1984, 2003, 1945, or even all those great teams of the 1930s. We cannot remember any team in living memory fondly at all.
I also thought the piece was unfair to Jim Hendry and other “lumpy baseball men” and a little too fanboyish on Theo and his “young lieutenants..”
Aisley, I think we can safely amend this tweet of yours from:
to
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]www.didtheastrostotheamericanleaguethingactuallyhappen.com[/quote]
?
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]?[/quote]They must have taken http://www.didtheastrostotheamericanleaguethingactuallyhappen.com down. It was working for me yesterday.
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]They did choke though.
[/quote]I don’t like the term “choke” with its implication that that the players performed poorly because of the high pressure they were under (at least, that’s how “choke” is normally used).
[quote name=mb21]Exactly. It’s only 8% right now so I’m pretty sure that it’s not going to be much lower. Where I think we’ll see a noticeable drop is on 2-0 counts. That’s too bad, but if it means I get to see the best hitters hit more frequently then I’m all for it.
[/quote]
ibb’s only happen around once every two games, and a significant chunk of these are to #8 hitters in the NL. A severe rule change, in contrast, is going to affect around 25-30(?) plate appearances per game.
[quote name=ACT]I don’t like the term “choke” with its implication that that the players performed poorly because of the high pressure they were under (at least, that’s how “choke” is normally used).[/quote]OK. I guess I see it more as failing to close the deal, or falling back after leading a race most of the way, without any assumption of “why” it happened, but you’re probably right that most people see it that way.
At the same time, failing due to an inability to cope with high pressure does happen. I agree it’s unfair to draw that conclusion from afar.
[quote name=Berselius]Where is this whole ZOMG computers will call pitches down the middle strikes!! stuff coming from? Just curious. I have far more confidence in a quality ball-strike machine than I do as an umpire. I don’t think you can compare to whatever is out there right now either. If MLB puts out a competitive bid to do this with much better accuracy than human umpires, I feel confident that it can be done.[/quote]Pitch f/x misses the occasional pitch right down the middle. Maybe you can reduce the number of times that happens, but you can’t eliminate it. Not to mention, there’s zero chance that ever happens. Whether that’s right or wrong is another issue, but it won’t happen. There’s a much greater chance baseball goes to 2 outs per inning to speed up the game AND reduces commercial time than an automated system calling balls and strikes. And as long as you have a human doing it, the zones will be inconsistent. One thing I’m certain of with regards to the rules in baseball: there will always be 3 outs in an inning.
As far as additional instant replay goes, baseball can and will do that. The question at that point is in what way you can force a replay and what cost there is if the umpire was right. Or do you speed up the game in other ways? Limit the number of mid-inning relievers, actually fucking enforce the amount of time a pitcher has to throw the ball to home, or something else? As much as I’d like to see baseball get as many calls right as possible, baseball is already boring. Slowing the game down will just make it even worse.
isn’t harry pav against the automated strikezone? I though he mentioned that on twitter. I’d be curious as to why that is.
[quote name=Suburban kid 23]They did choke though.
What’s unfair is scorning fans for remembering the best team of their generation.
I mean, if we can’t remember 1969 fondly, then we can’t celebrate 1984, 2003, 1945, or even all those great teams of the 1930s. We cannot remember any team in living memory fondly at all.
I also thought the piece was unfair to Jim Hendry and other “lumpy baseball men” and a little too fanboyish on Theo and his “young lieutenants..”[/quote]I couldn’t finish the article because of that. I bookmarked it so that I can read it and laugh after the Cubs have won a combined 210 games over the next 3 years. Why laugh? Because the same person will write the exact opposite.
[quote name=GW]isn’t harry pav against the automated strikezone? I though he mentioned that on twitter. I’d be curious as to why that is.[/quote]I don’t know if he’s against it, but if I recall he doesn’t think the umpires screw up nearly as much as some think. By some, I mean me. (dying laughing)
This is just a stupid argument. Maybe it misses some now, but people can work on that shit. This is like complaining about umpires because there’s a chance they could show up drunk to a game, or be bribed, etc etc.
[quote name=GW]ibb’s only happen around once every two games, and a significant chunk of these are to #8 hitters in the NL. A severe rule change, in contrast, is going to affect around 25-30(?) plate appearances per game.[/quote]?
I would think calibration and maintenance issues would be huge and ongoing in trying to implement a reliable automated strike zone system.
[quote name=mb21]?[/quote]
how many 2-0 plate appearances do we see now per game (combined between the two teams)? Now presumably bump that up slightly as patient hitters become even more valuable.
[quote name=Berselius]This is just a stupid argument. Maybe it misses some now, but people can work on that shit. This is like complaining about umpires because there’s a chance they could show up drunk to a game, or be bribed, etc etc.[/quote]Even if they had been bribed and drunk an umpire isn’t missing a pitch down the middle. A blind umpire might.
Look, I used to get pissed at the strikezone, but it’s a few borderline pitches per game. Out of the 275 to 300 pitches per games, there’s a handful of pitches that are called wrong and all are borderline. I can deal with that.
heavily incentivize the 4 pitch walk, and we’ll see:
1. fewer carlos marmol types (who can be excruciating, but are some of the more exciting players in the game to watch)
2. longer games
3. more patient/scrappy guys (who can afford hit while behind in the count).
(just my predictions, of course)
[quote name=GW]how many 2-0 plate appearances do we see now per game (combined between the two teams)? Now presumably bump that up slightly as patient hitters become even more valuable.[/quote]I’m still not exactly sure what you mean. About 14% of plate appearances last year started out 2-0. That would be considerably lower. Ryan Theriot gets to 2-0 much less frequently than Pujols for a couple reasons. First, pitchers throw him strikes so he hits the ball earlier in the count. Second, when they get behind they throw him strikes. Pitchers get behind 2-0 to Pujols and others because a 4-pitch walk is one base. What the current 2-0 rate is now is irrelevant. it would be much lower. Pitchers are going to throw Albert Pujols a strike in the same ways they throw Ryan Theriot strikes.
Counterfactual thread, FTW
[quote name=GW]heavily incentivize the 4 pitch walk, and we’ll see:
1. fewer carlos marmol types (who can be excruciating, but are some of the more exciting players in the game to watch)
2. longer games
3. more patient/scrappy guys (who can afford hit while behind in the count).
(just my predictions, of course)[/quote]I’m perfectly OK with 1. Marmol has been exciting because I’m a Cubs fan. There aren’t many non-Cubs fans who give a shit about Marmol whereas most baseball fans pay attention to Mo or Billy Wagner when he was in his prime. Carlos Marmol is not either of them.
The games would be a little longer, but we could deal with that: enforce the time between the pitch, no more fucking around after a batter comes to the plate, limit mid-inning relief changes or eliminate the warm-up tosses from the mound and so on.
I don’t think there will be an increase in the scrappy guys, but an increase in patient hitters. Scrappy hitters are already thrown strikes. They’d be thrown more of them even if the pitcher had to groove the fastball. Ryan Theriot is still going to suck because pitchers don’t nibble with him.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Counterfactual week, FTW[/quote].
[quote name=mb21]I’m still not exactly sure what you mean. About 14% of plate appearances last year started out 2-0. That would be considerably lower. Ryan Theriot gets to 2-0 much less frequently than Pujols for a couple reasons. First, pitchers throw him strikes so he hits the ball earlier in the count. Second, when they get behind they throw him strikes. Pitchers get behind 2-0 to Pujols and others because a 4-pitch walk is one base. What the current 2-0 rate is now is irrelevant. it would be much lower. Pitchers are going to throw Albert Pujols a strike in the same ways they throw Ryan Theriot strikes.[/quote]
(dying laughing). such equilibriums are not so simple to predict.
[quote name=cwolf]I would think calibration and maintenance issues would be huge and ongoing in trying to implement a reliable automated strike zone system.[/quote]That’s true. Like I said, I used to love the idea, but I don’t like it at all now.
basically, my point is that ibb’s happen about once every 150 plate appearances. allow a double for a four pitch walk, and you are going to effect a hell of a lot higher fraction of plate appearances than that. i don’t particularly care for them, but i’m not going to design rule changes to prevent them unless i’m fairly certain that i will like the outcome.
http://twitter.com/#!/ScottMCBSSports/status/129351513024892928
[quote name=GW](dying laughing). such equilibriums are not so simple to predict.[/quote]Obviously, but do you really think that Pujols isn’t going to be thrown more strikes on 2-0 counts or before?
In his career Pujols has about a 13% walk rate. He’s earned a walk in 5% of bases loaded situations. I’m betting very few of those have been 4-pitch walks.
Pitchers can throw him more strikes than they do. They just choose not to.
[quote name=GW]basically, my point is that ibb’s happen about once every 150 plate appearances. allow a double for a four pitch walk, and you are going to effect a hell of a lot higher fraction of plate appearances than that. i don’t particularly care for them, but i’m not going to design rule changes to prevent them unless i’m fairly certain that i will like the outcome.[/quote]By a hell of a lot higher you mean 2 to 1. For every intentional walk in 2011 there was 2 4-pitch NIBB walks. That would obviously be less with a new rule though.
[quote name=GW]http://twitter.com/#!/ScottMCBSSports/status/129351513024892928[/quote]Any news on their coffee shop of choice?
[quote name=mb21]Obviously, but do you really think that Pujols isn’t going to be thrown more strikes on 2-0 counts or before?
In his career Pujols has about a 13% walk rate. He’s earned a walk in 5% of bases loaded situations. I’m betting very few of those have been 4-pitch walks.
Pitchers can throw him more strikes than they do. They just choose not to.[/quote]
my larger point is that you are likely to change not just pujols pa’s but likely the composition of players in the league, both pitchers and hitters.
Interesting: http://www.ibj.com/the-score/2011/10/12/college-football-financial-listing-reveals-winners-losers/PARAMS/post/30084
[quote name=mb21]Interesting: http://www.ibj.com/the-score/2011/10/12/college-football-financial-listing-reveals-winners-losers/PARAMS/post/30084/quote
Wow.
I also love Rutgers valued at -$19 (dying laughing)