I wanted to look over various statistics to see what the Cubs were good at. It’s a bad team, but even bad teams excel at something. Right?
Batting average is a useless statistic, but I figured if there was one thing the Cubs were good at it would be this. The Cubs .258 team average beats the NL average of .253, but Wrigley is a hitter friendly park. It’s hard to say the Cubs were good at this. Above average perhaps, but more likely just plain average.
Their team .316 OBP is below the NL average of .319. Factoring in the Cubs better than average batting average and their home park it’s safe to say they were pretty bad at getting on base in ways other than a base hit.
The Cubs have slugged .404, which bests the NL average of .391 by quite a bit. Aramis Ramirez is 14th in the NL, Carlos Pena ranks 24th and Alfonso Soriano ranks 26th. As much as we (pretty much just me) have complained about Castro’s lack of power, he ranks 37th in the NL among all qualified batters.
The Cubs wOBA ranks 8th in the NL. Their wRC+ ranks 9th so they’re not exactly good when using this metric.
The Cubs UZR ranks 12th while their DRS ranks dead last by quite a margin. In Total Zone they are just -2 so barely below average. These metrics overall show the Cubs to be pretty damn bad defensively. This isn’t shocking news.
The Cubs have turned just 117 double plays. Only the Dodgers have turned fewer (113). The Cubs are dead last in errors by a long way.
The Cubs OPS is .721, wich is better than the NL averag of .710. Their OPS+, which is adjusted for home ballpark is 96 while the NL average is 95. They’re not good, but they’re not terrible.
The Cubs have 141 home runs to the league average of 133.
I thought the Cubs would be near the top in doubles, but they’re barely better than average at 271 (average is 256).
The Cubs have 34 triples while the NL average is just 26. It’s safe to say the Cubs have been good at hitting triples.
The average NL team has stolen 98 bases. Were it not for Tony Campana, they’d rank last in the NL. The Cardinals have only 50 of them while the Cubs have 60.
They’ve been thrown out trying to steal a league low 19 times and rank 5th in NL in stolen base percentage. This is largely thanks to Tony Campana and his ridiculous speed. Campana has 22 stolen bases and only 1 time has he been thrown out. Removing those fantastic numbers lowers the Cubs percentage to below league average. Campana has made the Cubs successful in stealing bases. Starlin Castro has been quite good as well having stolen 21 and thrown out 7 times. The Castro and Campana-less Cubs have stolen just 22 bases and have been thrown out 11 times.
They’re basically league average in terms of striking out at the plate. Only the Astros have taken fewer walks while the Pirates and Astros have each been given fewer intentional walks.
The average team in the NL has been hit by a pitch 48 times. The Cubs have been hit by a pitch 58 times. That ranks 3rd behind the Nationals (62) and Reds (61).
Only the Padres (52) and Dbacks (46) have fewer sacrifice hits in the NL than the Cubs 55. League average is 66. Mike Quade isn’t too fond of giving up outs.
The Cubs have allowed 4.78 runs per game, which is only better than the Astros 4.82. The Cubs 4.42 ERA is barely better than the Astros 4.43 ERA.
The Cubs have pitched only 2 complete games. The league average is 5 and only the Brewers (1) and Padres (0) have thrown fewer.
The Cubs 5 shutouts is next to last (Reds have thrown only 4 shutouts).
League average saves is 41 and the Cubs have 40.
The Cubs have allowed 155 home runs (league average is 136) and rank 12th in the NL.
The Giants 522 walks by pitchers is only better than the Cubs 540. Cubs pitchers have struckout 1152 and league average to 1100. So there you go. The Cubs pitchers are fairly good at striking batters out.
They have the next to last ERA+, the worst WHIP, 3rd worst hits per 9 and they ranks 12th in FIP.
No team in the NL has as large a difference between their ERA and FIP than the Cubs do. Their xFIP is about average, their tERA is 3rd worst, and their SIERA is a bit better than average.
They’ve stranded the fewest runners on base, allowed the highest BABIP and walked the highest percentage of batters in the NL.
There are a bunch of other stats I could look at, but what we’ve found is that the Cubs are literally only good at two things: hitting triples, not sacrifice hitting and striking batters out. One of those is largely the result of the manager so one could argue that the players on this team, collectively, do two things well. It’s impressive when you’re that bad.
Comments
Well, we need to know how many attempts they’ve made to determine that. The Cubs certainly have a lot of pitchers who have no idea what to do with a bat in their hands (also, Z is less likely to bunt than most pitchers; this tells us more about Z than about Quade).
ACTQuote Reply
There was an article a year ago, maybe even before Quade became manager about how he didn’t like to give up outs when talking about the sac bunt. I’m not surprised they’ve bunted fewer times than the league average.
From 2008 to 2010, the Cubs sac bunted 190 times. The NL average was 200. Z averaged just under 70 plate appearances those 3 years. He has 48 this year.
I agree we need to know how many times they tried, but based on what I read and the numbers, I feel confident saying he doesn’t like to give up outs.
mb21Quote Reply
Hey, I’m trying to stream the Bears game on my phone, but the league seems to be blocking it out on the CBS ap that worked last weekend. Any ideas?
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
I have no idea. Is it a local thing?
mb21Quote Reply
Is it just me or is that last sentence incomplete?
binkyQuote Reply
Don’t think it’s local, I’m in StL., and I can still get the Score (until it goes to filler while the sox are on. But wbbm is coming up as unavailable. This means I’ll have to go watch it in the company if other humans. *shudde*
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]Don’t think it’s local, I’m in StL., and I can still get the Score (until it goes to filler while the sox are on. But wbbm is coming up as unavailable. This means I’ll have to go watch it in the company if other humans. *shudde*[/quote]You aren’t missing much so far.
binkyQuote Reply
**r.*
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Is it just me or is that last sentence incomplete?[/quote](dying laughing) no, it’s not you. I’m an idiot.
mb21Quote Reply
I completed the sentence. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
This Bears game isn’t going so well Time to check the Cubs game…
Oy
binkyQuote Reply
The Cubs are really good at playing off the bench, maybe? Reed Johnson, Tony Campana — game makers!
binkyQuote Reply
Oh, and generating interest for the GM position.
binkyQuote Reply
The Bears are bad at football.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]The Bears are bad at football.[/quote]Martz’ offensive gameplan was inept, and the man is so full of himself that he never made any adjustments to the easiest thing to beat in football: the weak-side blitz. GB gave a blueprint for how to beat Gregg Williams’ gimmicky scheme and Martz came in and did basically the opposite and he’s lucky he didn’t get Cutler injured. 11 sacks in 2 games and no adjustments from prideful ignorant jackass Mike Martz, the fucking donkey.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Martz’ offensive gameplan was inept, and the man is so full of himself that he never made any adjustments to the easiest thing to beat in football: the weak-side blitz. GB gave a blueprint for how to beat Gregg Williams’ gimmicky scheme and Martz came in and did basically the opposite and he’s lucky he didn’t get Cutler injured. 11 sacks in 2 games and no adjustments from prideful ignorant jackass Mike Martz, the fucking donkey.[/quote]Exactly. The Bears looked like shit. Games like that are the reason why I can never trust the Bears. Every time they start to look good, the come out and play like that.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]Exactly. The Bears looked like shit. Games like that are the reason why I can never trust the Bears. Every time they start to look good, the come out and play like that.[/quote]Martz has to adapt to the players he has. This OL can’t hold up on the 7-step drops and long-developing pass plays. He’s the wrong OC for the Bears’ personnel package. They need to be running a WCO, not this suicidal bullshit Martz persists in.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Martz has to adapt to the players he has. This OL can’t hold up on the 7-step drops and long-developing pass plays. He’s the wrong OC for the Bears’ personnel package. They need to be running a WCO, not this suicidal bullshit Martz persists in.[/quote]Very much agreed. This line can’t block a 3 step drop and he consistently has Cutler taking 5 and 7 step drops. This line is killing the Bears offense. They should just do screens to Forte all game because it’s the only play that works.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]Very much agreed. This line can’t block a 3 step drop and he consistently has Cutler taking 5 and 7 step drops. This line is killing the Bears offense. They should just do screens to Forte all game because it’s the only play that works.[/quote]GB’s line is every bit as bad as the Bears, but McCarthy has set up Rodgers to get rid of the ball quickly to receivers with quick slants and drag routes. That’s what the Bears need to do.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
For instance, today Rodgers throws an 84 yard TD to Nelson, but that ball only went about 8-10 yards in the air.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
It seems like to me their problem is that Cutler can’t get rid of the ball fast enough, and it may well be that this is because he doesn’t have anyone open to throw to. It just sucks. Then, once they have a little pressure on them, in terms of the team, it’s like they at some point just give up. I don’t know if that’s Martz or what, but their offense has been broken for a long time. On the plus side, Forte played a pretty good game.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]GB’s line is every bit as bad as the Bears, but McCarthy has set up Rodgers to get rid of the ball quickly to receivers with quick slants and drag routes. That’s what the Bears need to do.[/quote]I was just saying that to my brother. Why do the Bears never do slants? It’s amazing how well it works against the Bears but they are the only team in the league that can’t execute it. I don’t understand this team.
MuckerQuote Reply
Why is Hester even a WR? I don’t know if I’ve seen him make three catches total.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]It seems like to me their problem is that Cutler can’t get rid of the ball fast enough, and it may well be that this is because he doesn’t have anyone open to throw to. It just sucks. Then, once they have a little pressure on them, in terms of the team, it’s like they at some point just give up. I don’t know if that’s Martz or what, but their offense has been broken for a long time. On the plus side, Forte played a pretty good game.[/quote]Cutler has no time, and the few times he did, Martz had everyone going deep, so by the time they were open, Jay was on his back or on the run.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Is Cam Newton good at football? At the least he’s had a pretty good fantasy day.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cutler has no time, and the few times he did, Martz had everyone going deep, so by the time they were open, Jay was on his back or on the run.[/quote]Yeah, exactly. They act like they’ve never even imagined a team would blitz them.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Why is Hester even a WR? I don’t know if I’ve seen him make three catches total.[/quote]He’s not a good WR at all. He never gets opened and he seems to drop the ball when it is thrown his way.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Why is Hester even a WR? I don’t know if I’ve seen him make three catches total.[/quote]Because he’s incredibly dangerous with the ball in his hands. He just doesn’t run very good routes and has trouble getting open. But look at the TD to Nelson from Rodgers today. There’s absolutely no reason the Bears couldn’t run that with Hester.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Is Cam Newton good at football? At the least he’s had a pretty good fantasy day.[/quote]I’m not sure. He threw three really bad picks today, so I wouldn’t be surprised if his numbers came down as teams get more film on him.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Guess b is going to pat himself on the back today as Pena just made the Astros suck again.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]He’s not a good WR at all. He never gets opened and he seems to drop the ball when it is thrown his way.[/quote]6 drops by the Bears today. 2 from Sanzenbacher, 1 each from Forte, Hester, Hurd, and Knox.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Because he’s incredibly dangerous with the ball in his hands. He just doesn’t run very good routes and has trouble getting open. But look at the TD to Nelson from Rodgers today. There’s absolutely no reason the Bears couldn’t run that with Hester.[/quote]It’s amazing that any other team would be able to take Hester’s speed and agility and use it to their advantage. Then there is the Bears who don’t know at all how to utilize him. Why can’t the Bears use him like the Pats use Welker?
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Because he’s incredibly dangerous with the ball in his hands. He just doesn’t run very good routes and has trouble getting open. But look at the TD to Nelson from Rodgers today. There’s absolutely no reason the Bears couldn’t run that with Hester.[/quote]Yeah, that’s true. It’s just mind boggling how they refuse to run plays that fit their team. It’s really frustrating.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]6 drops by the Bears today. 2 from Sanzenbacher, 1 each from Forte, Hester, Hurd, and Knox.[/quote]Yeah, just a terrible game from the Bears. The defense isn’t off the hook either. How do you run 2 safeties deep and still give up an 80 yard play?
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Yeah, exactly. They act like they’ve never even imagined a team would blitz them.[/quote]It’s a weak side blitz. You beat it by running quick slants over it or drag routes behind it, and by running misdirection-type running plays right at it.
Martz did exactly zero of those things today.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]It’s amazing that any other team would be able to take Hester’s speed and agility and use it to their advantage. Then there is the Bears who don’t know at all how to utilize him. Why can’t the Bears use him like the Pats use Welker?[/quote]Exactly. Use the guy’s strengths, instead of forcing him to be their deep man when he doesn’t have the hands for it. It makes no sense.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Guess b is going to pat himself on the back today as Pena just made the Astros suck again.[/quote]
Umpires and replay shut me right up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]Yeah, just a terrible game from the Bears. The defense isn’t off the hook either. How do you run 2 safeties deep and still give up an 80 yard play?[/quote]Because the CB in the slot never got the jam and Chris Conte is fuckign slow.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s a weak side blitz. You beat it by running quick slants over it or drag routes behind it, and by running misdirection-type running plays right at it.
Martz did exactly zero of those things today.[/quote]Frustrating as hell. I know they have more talent than this.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]It’s amazing that any other team would be able to take Hester’s speed and agility and use it to their advantage. Then there is the Bears who don’t know at all how to utilize him. Why can’t the Bears use him like the Pats use Welker?[/quote]Because Welker is an amazing route-runner. The Bears do some good thigns with Hester, like the bubble screen play he scored on vs. ATL. They just need to run mroe plays for him where gets the ball in stride. Like a drag route. Or a slant.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Anybody watching the Pats vs. Chargers game? Brady literally has about 7 seconds to throw the ball. What a fucking asshole!! (dying laughing)
MuckerQuote Reply
I can’t be too hard on the Bears D. They spent almost 40 minutes on the field because Martz refused to alter his gameplan. They gave up one big play because of a breakdown in coverage. Although I will say Lance Briggs continued to have the worst contract push in the history of the NFL. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I can’t be too hard on the Bears D. They spent almost 40 minutes on the field because Martz refused to alter his gameplan. They gave up one big play because of a breakdown in coverage. Although I will say Lance Briggs continued to have the worst contract push in the history of the NFL. (dying laughing)[/quote]Given when they had to do, I’m inclined to agree that they held their own on all but one play.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Because Welker is an amazing route-runner. The Bears do some good thigns with Hester, like the bubble screen play he scored on vs. ATL. They just need to run mroe plays for him where gets the ball in stride. Like a drag route. Or a slant.[/quote]Welker is a gamer. That little fucker kills teams. He just finds the open holes in the coverage and sits there and waits for Brady to go back through his reads for the third time. It must be extremely frustrating as a defense to have good coverage but it breaks down because the QB is still on his feet in the pocket after 7 seconds.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I can’t be too hard on the Bears D. They spent almost 40 minutes on the field because Martz refused to alter his gameplan. They gave up one big play because of a breakdown in coverage. Although I will say Lance Briggs continued to have the worst contract push in the history of the NFL. (dying laughing)[/quote]I don’t suppose Lovie can just override his OC, assuming he is intellectually capable of such.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t suppose Lovie can just override his OC, assuming he is intellectually capable of such.[/quote]I don’t know how Lovie doesn’t see how bad the play calling is. Is he putting all the blame on Jay?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t suppose Lovie can just override his OC, assuming he is intellectually capable of such.[/quote]That’s what a HC is there for, to manage his coordinators.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I don’t know how Lovie doesn’t see how bad the play calling is. Is he putting all the blame on Jay?[/quote]I haven’t heard his postgame, I don’t know what he said.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t suppose Lovie can just override his OC, assuming he is intellectually capable of such.[/quote]Lovie is actually very smart. He surrounded himself with 2 coordinators who have reputations of being very good so if their respective units still suck, it’s not his fault. He gets to sit back and claim zero responsibility.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That’s what a HC is there for, to manage his coordinators.[/quote]Lovie seemed like such a genius when he had a defense that could basically win the game single-handedly. But now that they need an actual offense, he doesn’t seem quite as impressive. I’m surprised he’s still HC, but I guess they did go to the postseason with their half-assed team last year.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That’s what a HC is there for, to manage his coordinators.[/quote]I don’t understand how you can have a pass-wacky offensive scheme when the O-line is subpar…I admit I haven’t followed the Bears all that much but that just seems intuitive to me.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I haven’t heard his postgame, I don’t know what he said.[/quote]This seems like an extension of what we saw a lot last season. I know they went to the postseason, but it seemed more like they lucked in with a couple of bad referee calls. I didn’t feel good about last season, but maybe I was wrong.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t understand how you can have a pass-wacky offensive scheme when the O-line is subpar…I admit I haven’t followed the Bears all that much but that just seems intuitive to me.[/quote]The Martz hire was fucking dumb. The Bears have a WCO QB and a WCO personnel group. And they hired a guy who runs a PAC-12 style offense.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
That was a frustrating turn of events in the Cubs game, but it seems minor compared to the horribleness that was the Bears game.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]This seems like an extension of what we saw a lot last season. I know they went to the postseason, but it seemed more like they lucked in with a couple of bad referee calls. I didn’t feel good about last season, but maybe I was wrong.[/quote]Yeah, and last season only turned around when Martz was reined in after the Giants debacle (yet another game where he proved unable to stop a weak side blitz).
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, and last season only turned around when Martz was reined in after the Giants debacle (yet another game where he proved unable to stop a weak side blitz).[/quote]At this point, I’d feel better if they just let Jay call the plays. Or a monkey who calls plays by whipping feces at a board.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]That was a frustrating turn of events in the Cubs game, but it seems minor compared to the horribleness that was the Bears game.[/quote]Pat and Keith suggested it was a good call.
Oooh, I like the new sidebar graphics, just noticed that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]At this point, I’d feel better if they just let Jay call the plays. Or a monkey who calls plays by whipping feces at a board.[/quote]Yeah, they’ll never fire Martz this season, but he needs to go before Jay gets seriously hurt by his stupid playcalling.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Umpires and replay shut me right up.[/quote]Cubs got screwed by the initial HR call, since it led Castro to slow down when he could have scored. This is a downside to HR replay review, I guess.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Pat and Keith suggested it was a good call.
Oooh, I like the new sidebar graphics, just noticed that.[/quote]They showed on TV that it bounced off the yellow line and into fair territory, and I guess under Wrigley ground rules, it’s in play. Really tough break for the Cubs.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, they’ll never fire Martz this season, but he needs to go before Jay gets seriously hurt by his stupid playcalling.[/quote]I don’t know why they didn’t put Hanie in for the last 2-3 minutes and let him take the hits.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]They showed on TV that it bounced off the yellow line and into fair territory, and I guess under Wrigley ground rules, it’s in play. Really tough break for the Cubs.[/quote]Players are going to have to start running it out every time, just in case. Maybe there’s a signal the 3B coach could give for close calls like that.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I don’t know why they didn’t put Hanie in for the last 2-3 minutes and let him take the hits.[/quote]Yeah, that was some unnecessary punishment. Jay said in the postgame he got kicked in the throat at one point. Someone needs to get control of Martz.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
If they had put Hanie in, the story would be that Cutler is soft, like last season when he took himself out of the game. Like he can’t play through a torn ACL!
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]If they had put Hanie in, the story would be that Cutler is soft, like last season when he took himself out of the game. Like he can’t play through a torn ACL (dying laughing) (dying laughing) no doubt
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
With all the talk of Fielder and Pujols, the fact remains that the Cubs have a decent offense and that run prevention is the true problem. They have to figure out how to get better on defense without making their offense worse, or improve the pitching staff. With no frontline starters other than Garza, this is clearly what they need to make a push for. Dempster will regress, Zambrano is gone, and Randy Wells is maybe not much good. There are major holes there, but everyone seems mostly concerned about what to do with Pena, Ramirez, and Soriano, and not about how to fix a rotation verging on catastrophe.
Is this a baseball blogQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Players are going to have to start running it out every time, just in case. Maybe there’s a signal the 3B coach could give for close calls like that.[/quote]The only solution I can really think of is to put some kind of near-negligible tracking RFID-type device within the baseball that will allow some signal to 3B coaches that will let them know whether a ball has left the yard or not. Might add a dollar or so to the cost of each baseball but you’d eliminate the need to replay boundary calls (except for fan interference which is considered ground rule double anyway) and allow the runners to keep running at their own peril.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Is this a baseball blog]With all the talk of Fielder and Pujols, the fact remains that the Cubs have a decent offense and that run prevention is the true problem. They have to figure out how to get better on defense without making their offense worse, or improve the pitching staff. With no frontline starters other than Garza, this is clearly what they need to make a push for. Dempster will regress, Zambrano is gone, and Randy Wells is maybe not much good. There are major holes there, but everyone seems mostly concerned about what to do with Pena, Ramirez, and Soriano, and not about how to fix a rotation verging on catastrophe.[/quote]I would say that the offense is in as much trouble as the rotation (which, as you point out, is a problem area), especially if Ramirez walks.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
If Aramis leaves, I think the Cubs should be able to replace his production with the money that comes off the books. Also, If LaHair can more or less replace Pena’s production, that’s more money coming off the books.
ACTQuote Reply
I’ve noticed that few teams have more than 100 yards total rushing in NFL games early in the season. Is it because the lines are full of fat people now, or is it just that hard to gain yards on the ground?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]If Aramis leaves, I think the Cubs should be able to replace his production with the money that comes off the books. Also, If LaHair can more or less replace Pena’s production, that’s more money coming off the books.[/quote]All rumors seems to indicate any FA money will be sown back into the rotation.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’ve noticed that few teams have more than 100 yards total rushing in NFL games early in the season. Is it because the lines are full of fat people now, or is it just that hard to gain yards on the ground?[/quote]Bit of both, but mainly, teams are going to a RB-By-Committee approach, with RBs being expected to be as big in the passing game as they are in the running game. Less focus on rushing yards at that position and more focus on total yards.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Bit of both, but mainly, teams are going to a RB-By-Committee approach, with RBs being expected to be as big in the passing game as they are in the running game. Less focus on rushing yards at that position and more focus on total yards.[/quote]That makes sense. I think you guys were previously discussing yards after catch which running backs might be able to pick up anyway as they are more involved in the passing attack. It probably doesn’t matter how the yards are accumulated as long as they continue to get racked up, but it’s kind of interesting to see so many games with 300- and 400-yard passing days and then only 60 yards of rushing. I feel like you want to have a better balance of rushes in order to keep the defense honest, but maybe I’m just old school.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think Forte is really good at picking up yards on short passes, and that’s why the Bears should invest in young arms, or even trade Garza to improve the OL.
binkyQuote Reply
But only if Aramis walks and goes to play tight end for another team.
binkyQuote Reply
Seriously though, I think their rotation is in way sorrier shape than their offense. If they could shore up that and maybe upgrade a few defensive spots, I could see guys like LaHair and Castro offering enough cheap runs to be competitive in the Central.
binkyQuote Reply
I’ve just learned from WGN radio that the problem is Jay Cutler. So thanks everyone for playing.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Seriously though, I think their rotation is in way sorrier shape than their offense. If they could shore up that and maybe upgrade a few defensive spots, I could see guys like LaHair and Castro offering enough cheap runs to be competitive in the Central.[/quote]I have no confidence in LaHair. I don’t deny he has power, but he was pretty ordinary until arriving in the PCL, a notorious hitter’s league, and he’s 29. Maybe he’s Mike Morse. I worry he’s Micah Hoffpauir, or Jason DuBois, or Josh Kroeger, or a thousand other players that have had big years in the PCL.
I just see this team as pretty deeply flawed. Upgrading the rotation helps, but if you’re going to have to expect those guys to allow 2 runs or less every time out to win, you’re not gonna improve much.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I have no confidence in LaHair. I don’t deny he has power, but he was pretty ordinary until arriving in the PCL, a notorious hitter’s league, and he’s 29. Maybe he’s Mike Morse. I worry he’s Micah Hoffpauir, or Jason DuBois, or Josh Kroeger, or a thousand other players that have had big years in the PCL.
I just see this team as pretty deeply flawed. Upgrading the rotation helps, but if you’re going to have to expect those guys to allow 2 runs or less every time out to win, you’re not gonna improve much.[/quote]No, I basically agree. I guess I see the bigger hole as being the pitching, but “contend” was too strong a word.
binkyQuote Reply
Besides, I see them bringing Pena back and using LaHair off the bench or in a platoon.
binkyQuote Reply
I’d like to see the Cubs field a team that’s at least watchable next year, even if they’re rebuilding. I think the organization has enough resources to prepare for the future without completely sucking for a couple years.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I’d like to see the Cubs field a team that’s at least watchable next year, even if they’re rebuilding. I think the organization has enough resources to prepare for the future without completely sucking for a couple years.[/quote]I would too. I don’t think Fielder is going to make them watchable, but maybe.
binkyQuote Reply
Fielder would at least give me something to look forward to each time through the order (in addition to Castro, of course). I would worry about his contract going the way of Sori’s, though.
ACTQuote Reply
MLBTR seems to believe that the Rockies will make a run at Garza, but they also said that we could see TLR as the Cubs manager, so they may just be talking out of their asses.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]MLBTR seems to believe that the Rockies will make a run at Garza, but they also said that we could see TLR as the Cubs manager, so they may just be talking out of their asses.[/quote]Nah, they have a source.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Game over.
ACTQuote Reply
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/7716372-417/cubs-bullpen-looking-mightier.html
Uhh… what? If you have a guy who’s only good at getting out lefties, you promote him to a starter, but if he’s really good against both righties and lefties, you keep him in the pen? That makes no sense.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Is this a baseball blog]With all the talk of Fielder and Pujols, the fact remains that the Cubs have a decent offense and that run prevention is the true problem. They have to figure out how to get better on defense without making their offense worse, or improve the pitching staff. With no frontline starters other than Garza, this is clearly what they need to make a push for. Dempster will regress, Zambrano is gone, and Randy Wells is maybe not much good. There are major holes there, but everyone seems mostly concerned about what to do with Pena, Ramirez, and Soriano, and not about how to fix a rotation verging on catastrophe.[/quote]I’m not too concerned mostly because I don’t expect the Cubs to try and fix it in one offseason. They did that after 2006 and while it led to 2 division championships, it’s kind of a big pain in the ass at this point considering the contracts.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/7716372-417/cubs-bullpen-looking-mightier.html
Uhh… what? If you have a guy who’s only good at getting out lefties, you promote him to a starter, but if he’s really good against both righties and lefties, you keep him in the pen? That makes no sense.[/quote](dying laughing) Mike Quade isn’t the smartest man in any room he’s ever been in.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I’d like to see the Cubs field a team that’s at least watchable next year, even if they’re rebuilding. I think the organization has enough resources to prepare for the future without completely sucking for a couple years.[/quote]Short of contending, about the only way the 2012 Cubs are going to be watchable is if they call up Brett Jackson to begin the season and at some point early on we see Trey McNutt and maybe another prospect or two. If we assume the Cubs won’t trade prospects, who is available via free agency that doesn’t cost a ton and is even the least bit exciting?
I don’t think they have to completely suck for a few years, but I think they have to see if guys like Brett Jackson and Trey McNutt can become big league players.
mb21Quote Reply
MO, tell me you saw the play where Urlacher tackled the running back by tossing Olin Kreutz into him.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]MO, tell me you saw the play where Urlacher tackled the running back by tossing Olin Kreutz into him.[/quote]That was the highlight of the game. I thought it was the FB at first until I saw the replay. That was Kruetz all year last year and people were mad the Bears didn’t sign him? I don’t get it.
MuckerQuote Reply
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19379503
Game of inches.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]That was Kruetz all year last year and people were mad the Bears didn’t sign him? I don’t get it.[/quote]Do yourself a favor and don’t search “Olin Kreutz” on Twitter. That’s all the talk of the interwebs.
GBTSQuote Reply
My favorite is the tweet where the guy says he knew the Olin Kreutz trade was a bad one. (dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]That was the highlight of the game. I thought it was the FB at first until I saw the replay. That was Kruetz all year last year and people were mad the Bears didn’t sign him? I don’t get it.[/quote]Team leader, locker room guy, brings his lunchpail to work, mob connections, the usual reasons Chicago fans like a guy.
josh22Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Do yourself a favor and don’t search “Olin Kreutz” on Twitter. That’s all the talk of the interwebs.[/quote]I can’t believe how mad people are. Did they not watch Kruetz play? He was non-existent for most of the season.
MuckerQuote Reply
If anyone comes across video of that play, please post it.
GBTSQuote Reply
It’s obvious they should have resigned Kruetz. Last year’s OL? Worst ever. This years’? Still still bad. It’s obvious.
binkyQuote Reply
I just watched the Pena home run. What are the ground rules on that? It’s obvious Castro slowed up when the umpire signaled home run. How does that not factor into what base Castro should be allowed?
mb21Quote Reply
That’s the argument that got presumably Quade ejected.
ACTQuote Reply
Just in case people haven’t seen this yet:
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]That’s the argument that got presumably Quade ejected.[/quote]We’re presuming who got ejected? Was he wearing a ski mask?
GBTSQuote Reply
I meant to place “presumably” between “that” and “got.”
ACTQuote Reply
Pujols —-> 95 RBI
/useless stat’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Greinke has given up more than two runs in a start one time since July 4.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Just in case people haven’t seen this yet:
[/quote]That didn’t quite seem fair.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I just watched the Pena home run. What are the ground rules on that? It’s obvious Castro slowed up when the umpire signaled home run. How does that not factor into what base Castro should be allowed?[/quote]Pat and Keith were arguing that Castro was running on the play and would have easily scored if it had not been ruled a homer, and therefore should have been awarded home. Pat said it was umpire discretion if the runner would have made it.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]That didn’t quite seem fair.[/quote]Don’t hug Floyd Mayweather.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]That’s the argument that got presumably Quade ejected.[/quote]I wasn’t watching the game so I really don’t know where Castro was at the time he slowed down, but it seems to me the idea that he just goes back to 3rd is absurd.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]Pat and Keith were arguing that Castro was running on the play and would have easily scored if it had not been ruled a homer, and therefore should have been awarded home. Pat said it was umpire discretion if the runner would have made it.[/quote]Thanks. Then obviously Castro should have been given home. If he’s running on the pitch he scores easily on that even if it’s just a double.
mb21Quote Reply
I think the better question is why the fuck was there anyone at Wrigley Field today?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Thanks. Then obviously Castro should have been given home. If he’s running on the pitch he scores easily on that even if it’s just a double.[/quote]I guess what happened was that Castro slowed before he got to third, when he saw the ump signal homerun. It was a bad call by the ump, I think. The ball was uncatchable, and the fielder ran to the wall. He’d have had to run after it. There’s simply no way he’d have gotten Castro. Castro basically got bilked by the umpire. Anyway, that’s how Pat described it.
binkyQuote Reply
I just watched it and I’m 100% sure Castro would not have scored.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I think the better question is why the fuck was there anyone at Wrigley Field today?[/quote]To see Castro get 200?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I just watched it and I’m 100% sure Castro would not have scored.[/quote]Ok. I’m just going off what Pat said. I didn’t get to watch it.
binkyQuote Reply
I’m pretty sure Castro didn’t even see the umpire signaling home run. He gets to third and stops and looks at the cutoff man holding the ball. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 3rd base coach was giving him a “hold up” sign to let him know he didn’t have to fly towards home.
GBTSQuote Reply
But either way, the Astros’ LF got the ball in ridiculously fast.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I’m pretty sure Castro didn’t even see the umpire signaling home run. He gets to third and stops and looks at the cutoff man holding the ball. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 3rd base coach was giving him a “hold up” sign to let him know he didn’t have to fly towards home.[/quote]Yeah, I just watched it. Pat and Zonk were being optimistic.
binkyQuote Reply
The LF did hit the wall, but he recovered very fast and made a good throw to the cutoff man. No chance Castro scores.
binkyQuote Reply
GBTS, did you find a video that showed Castro’s location? Supposedly he was running on the pitch so he’s close to two-thirds the way to 2nd when Pena hits the ball and running top speed.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]To see Castro get 200?[/quote](dying laughing) Isn’t he still like seven hits shy?
It was miserable in the city, they were playing the Astros, and the Bears were on. Granted, they sucked ass, but you would have had to pay me at least $500 to attend today’s game. I’m not even kidding.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]GBTS, did you find a video that showed Castro’s location? Supposedly he was running on the pitch so he’s close to two-thirds the way to 2nd when Pena hits the ball and running top speed.[/quote]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_18_houmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=video
I think the definitive angle starts at 1:57.
GBTSQuote Reply
Also, there’s no mention by Len or Bob that Castro was running.
GBTSQuote Reply
He’s 5 hits shy. I’d rather watch a Cubs marathon including losses from 1999 and 2000 rather than watch a Bears game. I’d rather watch a marathon Brittney Spears videos than watch the Bears or any other NFL team for that matter.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d rather watch a Cubs marathon including losses from 1999 and 2000 rather than watch a Bears game. I’d rather watch a marathon Brittney Spears videos than watch the Bears or any other NFL team for that matter.[/quote]I’m going to go out on a limb and say you are in the minority for white males in America. (dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Also, there’s no mention by Len or Bob that Castro was running.[/quote]He wasn’t. He was off with the crack of the bat in that replay. I’m sorry, Pat and Zonk led me astray.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_18_houmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=video
I think the definitive angle starts at 1:57.[/quote]But that only shows him getting to 3rd. If when he got near 2nd when stealing the base, did he slow up? That’s what I’m wondering. You may be right, but that video is far from definitive.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]But that only shows him getting to 3rd. If when he got near 2nd when stealing the base, did he slow up? That’s what I’m wondering. You may be right, but that video is far from definitive.[/quote]I agree you can’t tell at what point he reached second, but if Castro was running on that pitch (two outs mind you) and only got that far before the umpire started signaling home run, that’s the worst base running of all time. And again, I don’t think he ever even saw the umpire.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]He wasn’t. I’m sorry, Pat and Zonk led me astray.[/quote]This is where we could have used the restrained, objective analysis of Ron Santo. (dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I’m going to go out on a limb and say you are in the minority for white males in America. (dying laughing)[/quote]I like college football. I just can’t stand the NFL.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]But that only shows him getting to 3rd. If when he got near 2nd when stealing the base, did he slow up? That’s what I’m wondering. You may be right, but that video is far from definitive.[/quote]2:02 and 2:50 show an angle where he slows up. But what you can’t see is whether or not the ump is signalling homer at that point and whether Castro sees that. It would have been a close play though, unless he slowed up. Bob thought Castro slowed up when he saw the ump too.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I like college football. I just can’t stand the NFL.[/quote]I feel like I’m in the minority b/c I don’t much like college football. I don’t hate it, but I’ve never gotten into it. And all the conferences etc. make it sound too complicated to bother with, frankly. All I ever hear are people complaining that this team should have been ranked higher and this and that. I like my sports to be relatively definitive. That said, I only really watch the Bears. I’m not really what you’d call a “football” fan in general.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I agree you can’t tell at what point he reached second, but if Castro was running on that pitch (two outs mind you) and only got that far before the umpire started signaling home run, that’s the worst base running of all time. And again, I don’t think he ever even saw the umpire.[/quote]You had one umpire signaling home run and one umpire signaling that the ball was in play. No idea what the 3rd base coach was doing. It’s distinctly possible Castro saw the ball and umpire signal home run right as he reached 2nd and began coasting until he saw the 3rd base umpire signaling the ball was in play. I don’t know. I’m just saying that we don’t have a video of when he slowed down. I assume the umpires had a better view of it than I did so they’re probably right.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]I feel like I’m in the minority b/c I don’t much like college football. I don’t hate it, but I’ve never gotten into it. And all the conferences etc. make it sound too complicated to bother with, frankly. All I ever hear are people complaining that this team should have been ranked higher and this and that. I like my sports to be relatively definitive. [/quote]Yeah, I agree with just about all of this. I’ve never been a college fan. I’ll watch the games if they’re on TV, but I honestly can’t name 5 college football players in the country right now. The combination of growing up in Chicago without a real NCAA presence and going to a D-1AA football school did me in.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]You had one umpire signaling home run and one umpire signaling that the ball was in play. No idea what the 3rd base coach was doing. It’s distinctly possible Castro saw the ball and umpire signal home run right as he reached 2nd and began coasting until he saw the 3rd base umpire signaling the ball was in play. I don’t know. I’m just saying that we don’t have a video of when he slowed down. I assume the umpires had a better view of it than I did so they’re probably right.[/quote]Yeah, that’s probably true. They could see all the elements as they played out. I don’t think DeJesus was signalling stop, but he wasn’t waving him in either. They got the ball in quickly. I think it was an okay call. Still a bad shake, though, in terms of luck.
binkyQuote Reply
I have friends who can flip to any college football game and talk about 5-8 players on each side and the standings of the conference. I have no idea how they do it. There’s like 80 teams you have to follow to know everything. I’d have to quit school.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I have friends who can flip to any college football game and talk about 5-8 players on each side and the standings of the conference. I have no idea how they do it. There’s like 80 teams you have to follow to know everything. I’d have to quit school.[/quote]I was vaguely aware of the Hawkeyes when I was a kid, mostly because the Hawkeye symbol was on the buckets of popcorn we sold for Boyscouts. And I went to high school in Nebraska in the mid-90s when they were doing well, but I just never got into it. It probably just boils down to the fact that my dad watched the Bears and didn’t watch college football, honestly. My friends were more into computers, too, so that probably contributed to my overall indifference.
binkyQuote Reply
I guess it’s about time for the Marlins to win another random World Series anyway:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/marlins-have-high-profile-wish-list.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
In Iowa the Hawkeyes are the professional team. Other than the 6 or 8 Iowa State fans, you grow up a Hawkeyes fan. Ever since I became a fan of baseball when I was 5 or 6, I liked baseball more than any other sport. I can’t imagine I’ll ever give up baseball or college football, but I have not once missed watching the NFL since I gave it up about a decade ago. I’d genuinely miss watching the Cubs and even the Yankees. I can’t imagine not watching Iowa.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I guess it’s about time for the Marlins to win another random World Series anyway:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/marlins-have-high-profile-wish-list.html%5B/quote%5DThey should go for Derrek Lee, Craig Counsell, and Ivan Rodriguez. Have a Greatest Hits team.
binkyQuote Reply
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/6539/quade-ejected-for-seventh-time-this-year
From the horse’s mouth.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]In Iowa the Hawkeyes are the professional team. Other than the 6 or 8 Iowa State fans, you grow up a Hawkeyes fan. Ever since I became a fan of baseball when I was 5 or 6, I liked baseball more than any other sport. I can’t imagine I’ll ever give up baseball or college football, but I have not once missed watching the NFL since I gave it up about a decade ago. I’d genuinely miss watching the Cubs and even the Yankees. I can’t imagine not watching Iowa.[/quote]I lived in Iowa from age 3 until age 15, and then again off and on since. I don’t know. I guess I just never got into it. Then four years of the Big Red with Tom Osborne in 93-97, and still never got interested in college football. My brother loved watching the Hawkeyes for a short time. I can’t explain it. I was aware of them, but I just never really got interested.
Every Cyclone fan I know went to school in Ames, FWIW.
binkyQuote Reply
Really, it’s only been in the last couple of years, after moving to Chicago for a little while, that I got interested in football again at all.
binkyQuote Reply
About the only place in Iowa you’ll find a Cyclones fan is in Ames. It’s funny.
mb21Quote Reply
I thought it was the Cyclone State, mb.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I thought it was the Cyclone State, mb.[/quote]*chortle*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]About the only place in Iowa you’ll find a Cyclones fan is in Ames. It’s funny.[/quote]There are a few diaspora. I actually work with a ‘Clones fan here in Illinois. I know of one other in Denver, Colorado. I guess that’s pretty much it, though. The real question I always had is why the hell is the Cyclones mascot a bird?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I’m going to go out on a limb and say you are in the minority for white males in America. (dying laughing)[/quote]
whoa, hold up… mb is a white male?
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]whoa, hold up… mb is a white male?[/quote]Did you think I was female?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Did you think I was female?[/quote]
just a little light-hearted stereotyping sarcasm (dying laughing)
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Thanks. Then obviously Castro should have been given home. If he’s running on the pitch he scores easily on that even if it’s just a double.[/quote]
The umpires must have taken Castro’s average speed into account
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]The umpires must have taken Castro’s average speed into account[/quote]No one’s allowed to go home until they figure out how much Carlos Silva is owed and what the terms are of Ramirez’s contract.
binkyQuote Reply
So I guess it’s Texas, Tech, OU and OkSU to the Pac 16 in a pod system. Every year you play your pod and two teams from each other pod.
1. Texas, Tech, OU, OkSU
2. USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford
3. Washington, Wash. St., Oregon, OrSU
4. AZ, ASU, Colo., Utah
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
dj: SF deserved to lose to DAL the second they didn’t accept the first down on that roughing the kicker penalty.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/19/carl-crawford-im-sorry-for-the-year-i-had
I can hear berselius chuckling from here.
GBTSQuote Reply
Rays are now 2 GB…I still don’t expect them to win the WC, but at least I have some entertainment in the final month of the season.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]So I guess it’s Texas, Tech, OU and OkSU to the Pac 16 in a pod system. Every year you play your pod and two teams from each other pod.
1. Texas, Tech, OU, OkSU
2. USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford
3. Washington, Wash. St., Oregon, OrSU
4. AZ, ASU, Colo., Utah[/quote]Depending on the year, those actually seem to be pretty balanced “pods” except maybe for #4…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Per Hardball Talk, apparently Aramis is on the Marlins’ radar.
MishQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/19/who-cares-who-catches-mariano-riveras-602nd-save/
Yes please.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This runback registered a 9.5 on the (dying laughing) scale:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Video-Vince-Wilfork-all-325-pounds-of-him-rum?urn=nfl-wp7353
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/19/ryan-theriots-ego-is-quite-healthy/
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/19/ryan-theriots-ego-is-quite-healthy/
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]I liked this only because I was unaware that Ryan Theriot was also a comedian.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/19/ryan-theriots-ego-is-quite-healthy/
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]What a fucking assbag that guy is.
Wonder why he never was labeled a clubhouse problem….
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]What a fucking assbag that guy is.
Wonder why he never was labeled a clubhouse problem….[/quote]*Raises hand*
Is it because he’s white?
binkyQuote Reply
Ok, let’s be fair, everybody is making and posting gifs of Mayweather whacking Ortiz with his hands down (rule #1 when in the ring: Always Keep Your Hands Up) and yet they seem to be unable to make and post gifs of the reason Ortiz was trying to hug Mayweather and why Floyd may have been just a bit miffed: Mayweather had been thumping Ortiz like a bag in the gym for 4 rounds, so Ortiz, ever the sportsman, responded by pushing Mayweather into the corner and launching a flying headbutt at him. Ortiz lost a point, the ref told them too touch gloves and Ortiz tries this hugging shit. I’d have blasted his ass, too. Floyd Mayweather is an asswipe and generally an unlikeable dickhead, but to pretend like he was the dirty guy taking a cheapie and Ortiz is some kind of doe-eyed innocent beggars belief.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]*Raises hand*
Is it because he’s white?[/quote]No, because he’s a media darling. Like CubbieJulie says, the most dangerous place to be is between Ryan Theriot and a microphone. (dying laughing)
At ACB we caught Paul Sullivan admitting on live TV theat be gives better coverage to players who treat him nice and always talk to him, and worse coverage to players who don’t. Theriot ingratiated himself to the Chicago media and they were never able to be the least bit objective in their coverage of him.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]*Raises hand*
Is it because he’s white?[/quote]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cir05JyEsV0#t=18s
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Ok, let’s be fair, everybody is making and posting gifs of Mayweather whacking Cortez with his hands down (rule #1 when in the ring: Always Keep Your Hands Up) seem to be unable to make a post gifs of the reason Cortez was trying to hug Mayweather and why Floyd may have been just a bit miffed: Mayweather had been thumping Cortez like a bag in the gym for 4 rounds, so Cortez, ever the sportsman, responded by pushing Mayweather into the corner and launching a flying headbutt at him. Cortez lost a point, the ref told them too touch gloves and Cortez tries this hugging shit. I’d have blasted his ass, too. Floyd Mayweather is an asswipe and generally an unlikeable dickhead, but to pretend like he was the dirty guy taking a cheapie and Cortez is some kind of doe-eyed innocent beggars belief.[/quote]I have to admit 0 knowledge of boxing or boxing-related activities. I saw Rocky.
binkyQuote Reply
Yeah when I first heard about the Mayweather punch, it was made out to sound like he did it clearly after the bell. The clock was still ticking. I don’t know what the fuck Ortiz was doing.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Yeah when I first heard about the Mayweather punch, it was made out to sound like he did it clearly after the bell. The clock was still ticking. I don’t know what the fuck Ortiz was doing.[/quote]I dunno, either. A cynic might say the fix was in. But you never, ever, ever drop your hands, especially not right after you’ve tried to cheap shot a guy. (dying laughing) He’s lucky Floyd decided just to 1-2 his ass and didn’t uppercut him into the first row.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]No, because he’s a media darling. Like CubbieJulie says, the most dangerous place to be is between Ryan Theriot and a microphone. (dying laughing)
At ACB we caught Paul Sullivan admitting on live TV theat be gives better coverage to players who treat him nice and always talk to him, and worse coverage to players who don’t. Theriot ingratiated himself to the Chicago media and they were never able to be the least bit objective in their coverage of him.[/quote]That all seems true. It helps all those things if your native language isn’t Spanish.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I dunno, either. A cynic might say the fix was in. But you never, ever, ever drop your hands, especially not right after you’ve tried to cheap shot a guy. (dying laughing) He’s lucky Floyd decided just to 1-2 his ass and didn’t uppercut him into the first row.[/quote]According to what I read, Floyd said the guy was about done anyway. So he might have been dazed and Floyd did him a favor.
binkyQuote Reply
I never really got boxing. I liked playing football and baseball, which increases my love of those sports. I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to participate in a sport where the goal is to get punched a lot. There’s just zero appeal for me.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]According to what I read, Floyd said the guy was about done anyway. So he might have been dazed and Floyd did him a favor.[/quote]He had delivered a beating. Ortiz had no answer for Mayweather’s right and he was never winning that fight.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/09/illusion-of-pain.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]That all seems true. It helps all those things if your native language isn’t Spanish.[/quote]I just think Sullivan likes it when he’s treated by a player like he’s Somebody, instead of an ignorant little troll who likes to hang around the clubhouse instigating minor bullshit to pad out his already quote-laden and aimless columns.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
new thread: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/why-the-hell-do-people-care-if-so-and-so-plays-in-september.html
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I just think Sullivan likes it when he’s treated by a player like he’s Somebody, instead of an ignorant little troll who likes to hang around the clubhouse instigating minor bullshit to pad out his already quote-laden and aimless columns.[/quote]Troll feeds the troll.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/09/illusion-of-pain.html[/quote]That’s so well done by Pos. Perfectly exposes the ludicrous base of the indignation directed at Mayweather.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply