There wasn't much memorable about the 2013 Cubs, but we tried to keep things interesting and entertaining around here at Obstructed View. We saw more contributions from non-founding authors like Sitrick, GW and Myles while myself, Dmick, Berselius and And Counting had various reasons to step back a bit. Without them, OV would have been a much less interesting place in 2013, so thanks to them for their great work. I know I look forward to seeing more from them in 2014 and I hope to contribute a bit more myself as well.
So as a final good-bye to a crappy Cubs year, I compiled my personal Top Ten OV Posts of 2013 (in chronological order):
- January 16 – "How good is Anthony Rizzo?" by dmick89
- May 1 – "Cubs Groundball Rate: Snorting Bosio’s Magic Sinker Dust" by GW
- July 4 – "Diving into Starlin Castro’s 2013 numbers" by Berselius
- August 22 – "What if Jim Hendry Had Been Fired in October 2009?" by GW
- August 29 – "Where Has Dan Vogelbach’s Power Gone?" by Myles
- September 2 – "Contented – My Cubs Marketing Campaign" by And Counting
- October 28 – "Masahiro Tanaka Stats and Scouting Report, Why the Cubs are Interested" by dmick89
- November 8 – "Variations on a Cubs Theme: LOYALTY! PATIENCE! PROGRESS! COMMITTED!" by Aisle424
- November 12 – "Why the Cubs Can't Wait" by Myles
- December 11 – "The Cubs Wanted My Opinion… So I Gave It" by Aisle424
Special Bonus Selection: The entire 2013 Cubs Prospects in Review series by Sitrick, Myles, and dmick89
Maybe other people have other favorites, but this is my post and these are mine.
Happy New Year, fuckfaces!
Comments
Ugh. I was terrible about comics this year. The whole losing my job thing made it tough. I’ll try to cubs up with some funny shit for 2014. I have a feeling we’ll need it.
joshQuote Reply
Damn it, I meant to include this comic of Josh’s and fucking forgot it. Sorry Josh,
[img]http://obstructedview.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Comic-June-24.png[/img]
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ josh:
I enjoyed most of your comics, Josh. Sorry about your job loss but you seem to be a pretty smart & resilient dude so good luck on getting re-employed.
To the rest of the OV crew & commentators – HNY.
cwolfQuote Reply
A little late to the TV show conversation, but I agree with everyone about Justified. I started the show early this year and recently finished season 4 and looking forward to season 5 which I think starts soon.
Another show I picked up recently is Shameless. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it but the characters really keep me interested. William H. Macy is awesome.
LukasQuote Reply
GW’s draft coverage
http://obstructedview.net/tag/2013-mlb-draft
http://obstructedview.net/tag/2013-international-free-agency
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
Good call.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Also, pretty much everything here: http://obstructedview.net/author/dmick89
I couldn’t pick between any of them for the best OV post of the year so I’ll just let you read ’em all. Sometimes I forget how good I am. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
I’m just looking forward to that time when the draft isn’t my favorite time of the year in baseball.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
Yeah, even the trade deadline kind of sucked this year.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
as did the winter meetings
dmick89Quote Reply
So who are you guys most excited about — Justin Ruggiano, George Kottaras, or Wesley Wright? I think a poll might be in order.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Happy New Year, folks. It’s fucking cold outside, and about to get colder.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
they all have the upside of being mediocre.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’d add:
Aisle424 about the need for Wrigley renovation and reaction to reality in the media and twitter:
http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/the-only-thing-tom-ricketts-threatened-was-delicate-sensibilities.html
I suggested to MLBTR that they add that post to their “from the blogs” feature, but they didn’t. 🙁
GW’s run environment in the minors series. If everyone thinks the Sally league is a pitchers’ or hitters’ league, let’s look at the data…
Those come to my mind right away. If I reviewed a TOC, I’m sure I’d see more.
SVBQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Of those three, I pick Jae-hoon Ha
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
Thanks, SVB.
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ SVB:
I was talking about all the new free agent pickups. You know, the big hotstove signings. Forgot to include Jonathan Sanchez and Joe Truth (Jose Veras). Who do you pick now? Suicide is not an option. On second thought, when you make the poll dmick, you should make Suicide an option.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Oh yes, I understood your question. I was just trying to answer with a more creative and less permanent option than none of the above or suicide. (dying laughing)
Given the lousy options, I choose Ruggiano. That should promise that he’ll be off the roster by May 15.
SVBQuote Reply
Brent Musburger opens the Rose Bowl coverage with “Isn’t it interesting that the first Rose Bowl pitted Stanford vs Michigan.” Why? Michigan isn’t playing in the Rose Bowl. Wouldn’t it be have been equally interesting if the first Rose Bowl was MSU vs Cal? Berkeley and Stanford are basically the same place, right? Just another reason why Brent Musburger is one of the worst sports announcers out there.
SVBQuote Reply
SVB wrote:
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Ive enjoyed watching football today, but I can’t wait til the BCS is over. Bring on the playoff, and expand it to 8 teams. I don’t really like the bowl system, but would be fine with it proceeding if there was less conference loyalty by the bowls and more focus on getting good matchups. But the whole BCS bowl set up makes absolutely no sense. I have no interest in seeing UCF or Clemson in premier bowls. I don’t think either of them deserves to be there. Niether is one of the 10 best teams in the country.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Recalcitrant Blogger Nate wrote:
UCF is going to exceed all expectations and only lose to Baylor by 14.
WaLiQuote Reply
[img]http://www.spartan-football.com/wp-content/uploads/custom/hkweef6xfjiqbsyf49tvf2t68.gif[/img]
SVBQuote Reply
i know this has been covered here before, but i forget what the denouement was…
someone gave me a really expensive (for me) wusthof knife for Christmas. i think that someone mentioned here that the key to maintaining one of these is to…what? not using soap or something? maybe not using hot water to clean it?
while i’m at it, does anyone have an opinion one way or another regarding using ceramic pans instead of non-stick and/or stainless? i need to buy some new shit and the reviews i’ve read have been inconclusive.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
cast iron
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
@ SVB:
would have enjoyed seeing Michigan state in a tournament format this year, but of course, ranked #5, they probably wouldn’t have made it. They were good tho, and got better as the year progressed. I never understood all the Stanford hype. They were a good team, but seemingly one-dimensional, and the totally lacked offensive explosiveness. Sure they won their conference and beat Oregon, but I think Oregon is chronically overrated because their scheme puts up absurd numbers. Thats why we need an 8 team tournament. How fun would the “bowl season” be then? I know i sound like im on a soap box, but ive had several whiskeys.
Im also unimpressed with Baylor, but this is the only the 2nd game ive seen them play and they got their ass kicked in the other one i saw.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Nate’s 8 teams for tournament from this year: 1. Forced Sex University, 2. Auburn, 3. Alabama, 4. MSU, 5. Missouri, 6. Stanford, 7. South Carolina, 8. Baylor. Those are the best 8 teams I think. I have no idea why clemson, ohio state, or florida central are in bcs games. The only reason i can come up with is the 2 teams per conference rule. Clemson got their ass whipped (again) by SC last game of the season. So it makes perfect sense that Clemson goes bcs while SC doesn’t? SC only beat missouri, florida central, clemson this year.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
R.I.P James Avery a.k.a Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince. I loved that show and it’s sad to hear he passed. That was easily one of my favorite sitcoms of the 90s along with Martin, Home Improvement and Roseanne. I missed the TV shows discussion in the previous thread and really wanted to contribute.
MuckerQuote Reply
@ Recalcitrant Blogger Nate:
Man you are hating all over “florida central” (dying laughing) (It’s Central Florida btw). Unfortunately they played down to a few of their opponents, but they could have easily beat the Cocks but came out of the half and changed their game plan after leading 10-0 in the first half. It looks like they are about to beat Baylor too in what turned out to be a great game. I do support the playoff schedule though and the more the merrier, although it would probably be tough to coordinate the college students playing more games.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
As I recall on knives, the advice from MO was:
1. Don’t soak in water
2. Don’t wash in hot water
3. Don’t cut on a glass cutting board
4. Sharpen regularly
5. Knives don’t kill people, people kill people.
On the pans, I’d stay away from teflon. As I understand it, these pans have been found to outgas quite of bit of dangerous chemicals. Supposedly, heating a teflon pan in a kitchen (without food in it) will kill a canary if the bird is in the kitchen too. Not sure if that is true, but the standard urban legend sites to debunk it. Plus, you have to be so careful with non-sticks that they become kind of a hassle.
SVBQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Directional schools never get respect.
/WMU grad
SVBQuote Reply
@ Recalcitrant Blogger Nate:
OSU is a one-loss team ranked 7 in BCS. Their only loss was to MSU. Stanford lost to Utah, which is equivalent to a loss to Indiana this year. South Carolina lost to Tennessee, another poor team. A 2-loss team with a loss to a sub-.500 opponent doesn’t qualify as top 8 to me. OSU’s strength of schedule wasn’t great, but you have to beat the teams you play, no matter who they are. Baylor didn’t play anyone in their non-conf schedule either, but I’d leave them in the top eight, at least going into tonight.
SVBQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
I don’t recall a lot of the tips people had, but I’ve had a set of JA Henckels for 20 years now and they’re still in perfect condition. I’ve followed only two rules: absolutely no hot water and keep it away from water as much as you can. Do not soak. Wash in cold water. Hone the knife regularly (I’ve never used anything other than a hone to get an edge back and probably never will). If you do this, the knives should stay good for a long time.
dmick89Quote Reply
So CHI gives Cutler a 7-year deal…
Like You CareQuote Reply
I guess they’re not in the QB market for this draft unless McCown walks (to TB?).
Like You CareQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
WHY! That is idiotic. What are the terms? I actually like Cutler, but the dude is 30 and has an injury history. Very poor move.
Looks like won’t be drafting Bortles 🙁
WaLiQuote Reply
“We want a physical, fast, play-making defense. A defense that causes disruption.” – R̶y̶n̶o̶ Phil Emery.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I guess though in the NFL you can just cut a player any time, so the length of contract doesn’t matter. Is that correct?
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
All I can find is that the first three years of the deal will pay him $54 million.
Either CHI thought McCown’s success was unsustainable AND they didn’t like their chances to land a franchise QB in this draft OR they like Cutler and they’re really nice.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Don’t know specifically how it works but cutting a guy under contract still has salary cap implications.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
That quote is attributable to me as well.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
You can cut a player but it still is money the team would owe if they cut him.
Seriously, how Jay’s agent got him a 7 year deal is BEYOND me. Did the Bears just have no power? I’m seriously beyond confused. Unless it’s something like $10M/year, I have no idea why the Bears would agree to this.
I really wanted Bortles too 🙁
Edit: $54M for the first 3 years? the fuck?
Well, goodbye impact defensive signings!
AkabariQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
That seems like a lot of money to me.
WaLiQuote Reply
Locking up Cutler does fill one key area of need, though. Bringing back Melton would fill another. Assuming they do (because they should franchise that shit if they can’t sign him), they’re probably focusing on the draft to fix their defense. I’d go:
1. Kony Ealy, DE, Mizzou
2. Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
3. EJ Gaines, CB, Mizzou
4. Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville
5. Craig Loston, SS, LSU
6. Max Bullough, ILB, MSU
Like You CareQuote Reply
We’re talking about knives and cutting players. Odd discussion.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ WaLi:
Cutler is a better QB than McCown, imo, but he’s not THAT much better.
Choose one for the next three years:
A. Cutler
B. McCown for one year and draft QB for two, impact S (TJ Ward) OR DE (Michael Johnson), starting CB
The other issue is they set themselves up to be in the QB market again in 3-4 years. This was the ideal time to move on.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Ryno, what do you think about Bostic? Seems like hey have been a bit of a reach to me.
AkabariQuote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
[img]http://www.supergoodtees.com/images/product/you_like_this_t_shirt_Small.jpg[/img]
Like You CareQuote Reply
This press conference has taught us 2 things:
1) The Bears aren’t opposed to the 3-4 and they know Shea McClellin is not playing at the right position.
2) Thanks to RIck Telander, we know that Emery is positive that Jay’s type 1 diabetes will not have an impact on Chicago’s ability to beat Green Bay (dying laughing)
AkabariQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
Oh come on.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ Akabari:
Overdrafted is what I said at the time. I liked Bostic in CHI, but I liked Arthur Brown a lot more and he was still on the board at the time.
I haven’t watched enough of CHI to have an informed opinion on how Bostic played this year, but he probably deserves another year. He had an awful DL in front of him and a worse secondary behind him this year, and that really affects a LB.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
Can’t tell if sarcastic…
In most other systems, Cutler is probably THAT much better than McCown. In Trestman’s system with those weapons, Cutler is NOT that much better. An impact DL or DB is MUCH more important to CHI’s success next season.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Texas coaching search:
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
McCown really performed well but this guy is 34 and was literally coaching high school 26 months ago. Let’s not go crazy. Cutler had some TD throws this season McCown couldn’t even imagine.
Ryno do you think Clinton-Dix is still there at #14? I watch little college football but he really does strike me as a difference-maker in the secondary.
GBTSQuote Reply
Looking forward to another 4 years of the Bears fanbase (present company excluded) despising their franchise player.
Berselius22Quote Reply
GBTS wrote:
All true. I wouldn’t advocate McCown for more than a year. In fact, I think (with the right QB drafted) McCown would only have to be the starter for half a season. This is a good year to draft a QB.
CHI’s defense is bad. Really bad. PHI and DEN led the NFL at 6.3 yards per play on offense. CHI’s defense gave up an average of 6.2 yards per play.
Improve the defense, and CHI’s QB doesn’t have to throw the ball more than 15 yards downfield.
GBTS wrote:
I do. Anything can happen, of course, but I imagine 14 is the highest he’d possibly go. After Melton, though, I think DE is their biggest priority. If you want an impact player there next year, you need to get him in FA or with the first round pick.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
Do not presume to tell me what I like.
Berselius22Quote Reply
@ Berselius22:
Am I wrong?
Like You CareQuote Reply
What’s your prediction for Sunday’s game, Ryno? I have no feel at all for what will happen. Probably lots of Frank Gore.
Berselius22Quote Reply
@ Berselius22:
Looks like a black out to me. Can’t believe packers’ fans don’t want to go out in -15 degree weather to watch their team get beat
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I read something that teams ca buy tickets at 40% face value to avoid blackouts in the playoffs, fwiw
AkabariQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
No Walter you’re not wrong, you’re just an asshole!
LukasQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I’ll be shocked if it blacks out, teams have half a hundred ways to technically make the game a sellout. This sounds like it’s mostly a fuckup due to the team not sending out the playoff tickets in advance. Plus, I think a bigger reason than the weather for the lack of a rush for the tickets is the fact that everyone is fucking broke after Christmas and didn’t get paid again until today (dying laughing). CIN and IND are having trouble selling too.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://deadspin.com/i-was-an-nfl-player-until-i-was-fired-by-two-cowards-an-1493208214
BerseliusQuote Reply
Lukas wrote:
Calmer’n you are…
btw, I’m glad someone read my post in the voice in which I posted it.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Berselius22:
SF’s defense is very good, but it’s also the type that Rodgers feasts on. SF rarely blitzes and the secondary plays a lot of off man. So basically, they (typically) make teams drive methodically. GB will score points.
Offensively, SF has some options. They came out with misdirection against ARI’s top run defense that seemed keyed in on stopping the run. And it worked. Last time they played GB, GB seemed intent on keeping Kaepernick from running. I’m guessing the come out throwing initially.
Last time I saw the line, it was SF -1.5. That seems about right to me. No one seems to give GB a chance, but they’re an 11 or 12-win team with a healthy Rodgers (which is what they are now) playing at home. I’ll tell you what, I’m more nervous about this game than I was about the SF/GB playoff game last year.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I think the deal is that you can cut base salary and get out from under the cap for that portion, but any signing bonus is amortized over the life of the deal. So if you give a guy 5 mil for four years plus a four mil signing bonus, you can cut him after year one and save 15 mil over that three year timeframe but still have to absorb 1 mil per year for those three years.
NFL contracts are pretty much universally nonguaranteed, and I’d expect this one to be as well. (That’s one reason why signing bonuses are so robust.) I’m sure that neither side expects Cutler to be operating under his new deal in 2020.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Berselius22 wrote:
What really annoys me about the whole thing is that basically all of the Packers fans I know are on that bandwagon, too. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to say “if you think Jay Cutler is why the Bears missed the playoffs this year, you don’t deserve to watch a guy like Rodgers play every Sunday” over the past week…
I expect Chicago fans to be dumb about shit like this, but c’mon.
uncle daveQuote Reply
New Shit
http://obstructedview.net/minor-leagues/john-sickels-top-40-prospects-by-position.html
MylesQuote Reply