The Cubs play the Sox tonight! Do you know how excited I was about that? I only knew because I saw Carlos Zambrano was available in my fantasy league and I saw his next start was against the White Sox tonight. Oh boy! Pointless manufactured drama! The battle for a made-up corporately sponsored trophy that may or may not actually contain oil!
Remind me to set my DVR to record the game on WGN! It’s not on WGN? Of course, silly me. It must be a special Monday Night national game on ESPN. No? No ESPN? How about the MLB Network? No. It’s just on regular old CSN Chicago? Oh, it’s not on CSN? Well then, what the hell channel could it possibly be… wait… it’s on WCIU? This clash of the titans is sandwiched between some Tyler Perry crap I’ve never heard of and The King of Queens, which I wish I had never heard of? The tension is palpable.
Joe Cowley seems pretty excited about it:
Of course, it has been a big week for Cubs manager Mike Quade and the boys because this is their fall, this is their playoffs.
Why put a competitive team together that can play exciting games into October when they can wheel this carcass of a club out there for some excitement in June, get it out of the way now, then get back to the business of preparing for the dark days coming to the North Side.
Really, Joe? This is our playoffs? A series against a team with almost as much dead money on it as our own is the highlight of our season? A series against a team with the fifth worst record in the American League is our playoffs?
Maybe you were distracted by a thing, Joe, so perhaps you may not have noticed that the Cubs just played the New York Yankees. They played the Red Sox back in May. This is so NOT the Cubs’ playoffs. It probably is for the White Sox, though. Or maybe you’re just-concluded series against the Diamondbacks was. I don’t know. I don’t really give a damn.
I hardly know any Cubs fans who give this series any more thought or importance than a series against the Brewers. Is there anything left for this series to offer us this year?
Is Ozzie going to say something inflammatory? Been there.
Is Zambrano going to stage a nutty that completely negates the popularity he built up from his “We stinks” comment? Done that.
I don’t even know who on the White Sox I’m supposed to hate. Konerko? Buerhle? I guess, Pierzynski, but that’s kind of a given and hardly unique to this series. I don’t even get to enjoy hating Bobby Jenks’ fat, hillbilly ass this year.
I honestly don’t see what there is to get worked up about in this series on either side of town.
I didn’t even pick up Zambrano for my fantasy team.
Comments
MB, here’s the full quote from Quade, complete with Castro bus-tossing-under action:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Hmm.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
This is also an appropriate time to mention that GBTS had one of the best Chicago baseball blog names of all time with “Two Teams, One Cup.”
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]This is also an appropriate time to mention that GBTS had one of the best Chicago baseball blog names of all time with “Two Teams, One Cup.”[/quote]-1 for not making this a Kanye meme.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]This is also an appropriate time to mention that GBTS had one of the best Chicago baseball blog names of all time with “Two Teams, One Cup.”[/quote]
He hasn’t updated it lately. It was a nice little blog too.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Looks. So. Damn. Good. http://www.amctv.com/breaking-bad/videos/breaking-bad-official-season-4-trailer
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]MB, here’s the full quote from Quade, complete with Castro bus-tossing-under action:[/quote]
Yeah, I was just really surprised that it was such a big deal. I agree it was a dumb play, but it didn’t lose the game even though it ended up costing a couple runs. The fails in the final innings were what lost the game. Maybe I’m wrong though because I didn’t really look at the WPA charts, but I felt like not using Marmol against Swisher and putting infielders in the outfield contributed more to the loss than Castro’s miscue. *shrug*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yeah, I was just really surprised that it was such a big deal. I agree it was a dumb play, but it didn’t lose the game even though it ended up costing a couple runs. The fails in the final innings were what lost the game. Maybe I’m wrong though because I didn’t really look at the WPA charts, but I felt like not using Marmol against Swisher and putting infielders in the outfield contributed more to the loss than Castro’s miscue. *shrug*[/quote]I’m probably wrong to say Quade blamed him….but he certainly set the stage for brainless mob of beat guys to do so. I don’t understand why Quade even needed to say anything. Players make msitakes, Castro is a kid who made a mistake, but bad pitching cost us the game. That’s what you say.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] I don’t understand why Quade even needed to say anything..[/quote]
Story of 2011
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Story of 2011[/quote]No shit. His comments about lineup construction lately have been downright bizarre.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish] Quoting Mercurial Outfielder:I don’t understand why Quade even needed to say anything..[/quote]Makes me miss Piniella.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Makes me miss Piniella.[/quote]
I like that he kept saying “What do ya want me to do?” all the time. He was already doing plenty and the media just kept badgering him until he told them to get off his lawn (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Makes me miss Piniella.[/quote]
I miss Piniella every damn day, but I’m glad he doesn’t have to deal with this shit. He wouldn’t have been able to win with this crap team.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Makes me miss Piniella.[/quote]I dunno. Lou could be pretty hard on certain players, too. I bet Castro would driving him batty with the throwing errors. Lou hated shit like that.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]MB, here’s the full quote from Quade, complete with Castro bus-tossing-under action:[/quote]Here’s the full interview: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16090625
I think it’s worth noting that he was not the one who brought up the Castro mistake, nor was the “fourth inning” statement a reference to that play specifically.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Here’s the full interview: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16090625
I think it’s worth noting that he was not the one who brought up the Castro mistake, nor was the “fourth inning” statement a reference to that play specifically.[/quote]Yeah, Levine certainly manipulated that quote for his own purposes. I should have known better than to assume otherwise.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Here’s the full interview: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16090625
I think it’s worth noting that he was not the one who brought up the Castro mistake, nor was the “fourth inning” statement a reference to that play specifically.[/quote]
Pretty poor editing job then to take that completely out of context. Most people don’t have the time to dissect a comment like we’re doing now so context is important.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I dunno. Lou could be pretty hard on certain players, too. I bet Castro would driving him batty with the throwing errors. Lou hated shit like that.[/quote]That’s true, MO but I loved Lou’s barely disguised disdain for the media. As Aislie said above, I wouldn’t want to see him suffering through this pile of shit season.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Pretty poor editing job then to take that completely out of context. Most people don’t have the time to dissect a comment like we’re doing now so context is important.[/quote]Or an intentionally poor editing job, done in service of Levine’s disdain for Castro.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I love Z: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-carlos-zambranos-goal-push-cubs-to-win-a-title-for-fans-20110620,0,4609077.story
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I love Z: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-carlos-zambranos-goal-push-cubs-to-win-a-title-for-fans-20110620,0,4609077.story%5B/quote%5D
+1 Rec’d LSA NAMBLA
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I dunno. Lou could be pretty hard on certain players, too[/quote]AKA Pitchers.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]AKA Pitchers.[/quote]
He did like putting them in left field.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I love Z: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-carlos-zambranos-goal-push-cubs-to-win-a-title-for-fans-20110620,0,4609077.story%5B/quote%5D
I was listening to the interview and Z made those remarks about wanting to win for the fans towards the end of the 1/2 hour. It sounded very sincere to me and not a guy that was just saying what he thinks fans want to hear. It seemed to me that he genuinely felt bad when he saw two hapless moron Cubs fans on the street looking depressed after a loss. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
I want to see this happen:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/adrian-gonzalez-willing-to-play-outfield-to-make-room-for-david-ortiz/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
boise is playing already? seems early.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I want to see this happen:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/adrian-gonzalez-willing-to-play-outfield-to-make-room-for-david-ortiz/%5B/quote%5DI'd rather see Ortiz in the OF.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]He hasn’t updated it lately. It was a nice little blog too.[/quote]Yeah, once I went back to school I just didn’t have time for it. Then I thought I could get back into it this summer but I got a demanding paid internship. Then my brother got a new job so he had to stop posting.
What did you bros think of that story?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Yeah, once I went back to school I just didn’t have time for it. Then I thought I could get back into it this summer but I got a demanding paid internship. Then my brother got a new job so he had to stop posting.
What did you bros think of that story?[/quote]
It was cool.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I’d rather see Ortiz in the OF.[/quote]
Either way I expect to be amused.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Yeah, once I went back to school I just didn’t have time for it. Then I thought I could get back into it this summer but I got a demanding paid internship. Then my brother got a new job so he had to stop posting.
What did you bros think of that story?[/quote]
I started reading it but then I thought about cats and couldn’t read the rest.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I got the Sox broadcast today. Never actually watched the Sox announcers all that much so this should be an interesting experience.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Cubs and Sox are at least evenly matched. I think the games will be competitive. Plus! Someone might get hurt and force the GMs to actually do something. So that could be interesting.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I got the Sox broadcast today. Never actually watched the Sox announcers all that much so this should be an interesting experience.[/quote]Steve Stone? I hate the Sox radio guys.
binkyQuote Reply
Yeah, Harrelson and Stone.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I started reading it but then I thought about cats and couldn’t read the rest.[/quote]I started reading, loved it, so I cut it short.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yeah, Harrelson and Stone.[/quote]
Do you not get Comcast? Bob and Len are on the flagship.
/not that they are any treat but they’re better than Hawk/FPM
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Do you not get Comcast? Bob and Len are on the flagship.[/quote]
No cable. Might mute this at some point and just fire up the radio.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
It seriously leaves me (dying laughing) that Quade thinks Dewey in left and batting 3rd is a good idea.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]It seriously leaves me (dying laughing) that Quade thinks Dewey in left and batting 3rd is a good idea.[/quote]That .662 OPS and recurring gravity problem are gamerish as hell.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I guess I should just be glad he’s letting LeMahuey play 2nd against a righty.
melissaQuote Reply
That was a weak run.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Z gave Quentin a shit-eating grin when that ball got through.
GBTSQuote Reply
Quentin got lucky there and you would think the outfield grass was a foot long the way the ball died.
melissaQuote Reply
Is there a stream somewhere on the ‘net? I didn’t know about the espn stream until halfway through the game. I don’t get CSN here either.
binkyQuote Reply
Ruh roh! Cue the Z hate.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Konerko continues to be hotter than shit.
melissaQuote Reply
I hope Z can hold it together here.
melissaQuote Reply
I wonder if he chews out Pena and then goes out to dinner with Ozzie later on.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sullivan is so happy right now, he probably just knocked over his sippy cup and soiled his new Pull-Ups.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
DUNN STRIKES OUT!!
binkyQuote Reply
After that homer to Konerko, Z’s velocity went from 90-91 to 93-94.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Sullivan is so happy right now, he probably just knocked over his sippy cup and soiled his new Pull-Ups.[/quote]
I will guarantee that if Z loses this game he will mention that Z was on the radio today and probably not focused on game. Came out unfocused, etc., bullshit, bullshit, bullshit….
melissaQuote Reply
Someone got slap that shit-eating grin off Quade’s face and point out Konerko to him, because that is what a middle of the order run producer looks like.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]After that homer to Konerko, Z’s velocity went from 90-91 to 93-94.[/quote]
One of his pitches hit 95 on the TV gun
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]One of his pitches hit 95 on the TV gun[/quote]
It’s nice to see his anger channeled in the arm, although I’d be more amused if he broke something in the dugout.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Someone got slap that shit-eating grin off Quade’s face and point out Konerko to him, because that is what a middle of the order run producer looks like.[/quote]
Are you implying that Konerko is a better 3 hitter than Dewey? Unpossible.
melissaQuote Reply
Does Konerko have a three game homerun streak?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Are you implying that Konerko is a better
3hitter than Dewey? Unpossible.[/quote]Truth.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Does Konerko have a three game homerun streak?[/quote]4
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]4[/quote]Damn
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]4[/quote]DeWitt hit 4 HR in 204 AB last year.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]DeWitt hit 2 HR in 288 AB last year.[/quote]
/meme
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]DeWitt hit 4 HR in 204 AB last year.[/quote]And your point!? It’s not like the 3rd hitter is that important. By the fifth inning he could be number 8 and then he’s your number 8 hitter.
binkyQuote Reply
In fairness to Cuey, Ozzie is trying to make it a fair fight by batting Pierre and Vizquel, 1-2.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]And your point!? It’s not like the 3rd hitter is that important. By the fifth inning he could be number 8 and then he’s your number 8 hitter.[/quote]Because Quade seems to have gotten in head that DeWitt is a run producer. Not to mention that the guy hitting three gets more AB, on average, and unless I’m wrong, giving more AB to an inferior hitter is usually not a good idea.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]In fairness to Cuey, Ozzie is trying to make it a fair fight by batting (dying laughing) and Vizquel, 1-2.[/quote]Ozzie’s lineups are often LULzy
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]And your point!? It’s not like the 3rd hitter is that important. By the fifth inning he could be number 8 and then he’s your number 8 hitter.[/quote]
The point is that your #3 hitter gets quite a number of plate appearances throughout the game, more than the guys lower in the order, on average. So why waste those outs on a guy who has no power and can’t get on base very well?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The point is that your #3 hitter gets quite a number of plate appearances throughout the game, more than the guys lower in the order, on average. So why waste those outs on a guy who has no power and can’t get on base very well?[/quote]My sarcasm has failed me.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The point is that your #3 hitter gets quite a number of plate appearances throughout the game, more than the guys lower in the order, on average. So why waste those outs on a guy who has no power and can’t get on base very well?[/quote]Booyakasha
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
It’s nothing short of asinine to give Dewey more at bats than Aramis, Soriano, Pena and Soto.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]My sarcasm has failed me.[/quote]I have a friend who is convinced that WWIII will begin because of a misunderstood text message. Someone needs to invent sarcasm tags.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]My sarcasm has failed me.[/quote]
Should have thrown in a (dying laughing), I thought you were serious too.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]It’s nothing short of asinine to give Dewey more at bats than Aramis, Soriano, Pena and Soto.[/quote]That’s why you hit two guys 4th.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]In fairness to Cuey, Ozzie is trying to make it a fair fight by batting (dying laughing) and Vizquel, 1-2.[/quote]
Was that a Freudian slip? I thought I typed “Pierre” not (dying laughing)
/OK, I never got the memo about the new (dying laughing), John Peter
melissaQuote Reply
I really thought the “!?” did the trick. Note to self: more exclamation points.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That’s why you hit two guys 4th.[/quote]
I wonder if you can use a Siamese Twin for this purpose. Then every AB is a HBP or a BB (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Juan P-ierre is now Juan Pierre
See?
Pierre, South Dakota
Lucky Pierre
Rice CubeQuote Reply
i hear (dying laughing), South Dakota is lovely this time of year.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]i hear (dying laughing), South Dakota is lovely this time of year.[/quote]
Pierre is Native American, meaning “to chortle to death”
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Why was Juan Pierre so hated with the Cubs? He actually had a pretty decent season.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]Why was Juan (dying laughing) so hated with the Cubs? He actually had a pretty empty batting average and played shit defense.[/quote].
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Gym teacher on a booze cruise stops in with Len and Bob.
melissaQuote Reply
Yeah MO, but he had 32 2Bs, 13 3Bs and stole 58 bases. He would be the Cubs best hitter this year. (dying laughing)
MuckerQuote Reply
Hendry thinks, “Mike is doing a good job mixing and matching, what he has to work with.” Is Hendry saying Cuey has a shitty roster? (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]Yeah MO, but he had 32 2Bs, 13 3Bs and stole 58 bases. He would be the Cubs best hitter this year. (dying laughing)[/quote]
(dying laughing), only .319 wOBA for Pierre that year, and he had 200 hits. You almost have to try to do that. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Hendry thinks, “Mike is doing a good job mixing and matching, what he has to work with.” Is Hendry saying Cuey has a shitty roster? (dying laughing)[/quote]Injuries. That’s all.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
BUNT
BUNT
BUNT
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder](dying laughing), only .319 wOBA for (dying laughing) that year, and he had 200 hits. You almost have to try to do that. (dying laughing)[/quote]I wasn’t trying to say he was DiMaggio just that looking at his #s, his season wasn’t as terrible as I remember him being.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Injuries. That’s all.[/quote]
Good point, right before that Jimmy said that they were getting some guys back.
melissaQuote Reply
If Campana is going to try to bunt for a base hit, which might be his best option, I hope it occurs to him that bunting it directly at the pitcher isn’t the best approach.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]I wasn’t trying to say he was DiMaggio just that looking at his #s, his season wasn’t as terrible as I remember him being.[/quote]Nah, it wasn’t a bad season. I wouldn’t say he’s hated. I just think Cub fans were rudely awakened to his ordinaryness.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Good point, right before that Jimmy said that they were getting some guys back.[/quote]Yes, Barney alone couldn’t do it, but Barney plus Byrd? World Series.
EDIT: (dying laughing)
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]BUNT
BUNT
BUNT[/quote]That might be Campana’s best shot, sadly.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
And Jimmy mentions getting back the roster that they thought they would have when they started the season. The ass-covering is in full effect.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]And Jimmy mentions getting back the roster that they thought they would have when they started the season. The ass-covering is in full effect.[/quote]Please tell me Len and Bob aren’t letting him get away with it.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Nah, it wasn’t a bad season. I wouldn’t say he’s hated. I just think Cub fans were rudely awakened to his ordinaryness.[/quote]And some fans can’t get over sending Nolasco for him.
MuckerQuote Reply
Starlin Castro —> good at sports
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Please tell me Len and Bob aren’t letting him get away with it.[/quote]
Bob isn’t really saying shit and Len is just moving on to the next question on his list. Not surprising sadly.
melissaQuote Reply
Good job by Castro. It seems like the Cubs have been getting some pitches to hit.
cwolfQuote Reply
Ah…average speed on display, but jammed a finger.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
MO would have loved the praise Hendry and Len just lavished on DeWitt.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]MO would have loved the praise Hendry and Len just lavished on DeWitt.[/quote]Of course Jim loves him, he’s a shitty 2B. If he played at ND, Jim would be telling fans to write him in for the ASG.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]MO would have loved the praise Hendry and Len just lavished on DeWitt.[/quote]He’s blooped his way into our hearts.
binkyQuote Reply
Len, “If you had a comeback player of the year on this team, it would be Blake Dewitt. I mean, He ended up essentially from being the last guy on the bench to make the opening day roster and he’s become a very vital cog on this team. “
/Head to desk
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Len, “If you had a comeback player of the year on this team, it would be Blake Dewitt. I mean, He ended up essentially from being the last guy on the bench to make the opening day roster and he’s become a very vital clog on this team. “
/Head to desk[/quote]
That’s what he meant to say.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Good job by Castro. It seems like the Cubs have been getting some pitches to hit.[/quote]
Hawk and Stone mentioned that Floyd had been missing his spots all night and getting lucky in the first two innings. They said it while he still had a perfect game going, so it wasn’t just sour grapes over the Cubs getting a couple of hits.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Who was the color commentator between Steve Stone and Harry Caray? Because technically, Steve was the former baseball player. When I was a kid I thought Harry’s job was just to call home runs.
binkyQuote Reply
Tommy Boy sitting in with Len and Bob in the 5th, Let’s See What Happens. (It’s bound to be sickening)
melissaQuote Reply
I feel like Soriano and Soto just missed those balls, popups are annoying.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Z settling down nicely here.
cwolfQuote Reply
“Vital Cog”? (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]MB, here’s the full quote from Quade, complete with Castro bus-tossing-under action:[/quote]Yeah, that’s what I read. What’s wrong with it?
Hyperbole. Even Quade would admit that, but Castro’s non-error was pretty fucking bad. It’s not that hard to stand on a baseball bag.
He’s right on this one.
What’s Quade supposed to do? Imagine how pissed off he is after Castro fucks up as many plays as Soriano as does? It has to be frustrating as a manager to even have to play the guy at SS. You know Quade is cringing every time the ball is hit in his direction. I know I am.
Quade didn’t throw Castro under the bus any more than Zambrano threw the team under the bus.
mb21Quote Reply
I didn’t know you loved Juan so much, MO.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Who was the color commentator between Steve Stone and Harry Caray? Because technically, Steve was the former baseball player. When I was a kid I thought Harry’s job was just to call home runs.[/quote]
Stone came in and worked with Harry, then Chip after Harry died. Then he got sick and Joe Carter replaced him and was disastrous, so he came back. Then Chip and Stone got fired after 2004.
Aisle424Quote Reply
MB, you’re being way overreactionary to Castro’s defense. It’s possible to objective about his shortcomings without comparing the guy to the worst regular defender on the team.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I didn’t know you loved Juan so much, MO.[/quote]I don’t hate him. He’s just a guy, but the Cubs acted like got Rickey Henderson when they brought him over. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Juan Pierre was totally worth that trade.
I just wanted to use the macro again.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Looks. So. Damn. Good. http://www.amctv.com/breaking-bad/videos/breaking-bad-official-season-4-trailer%5B/quote%5DIt looks awesome. Not really a lot there, but the show is going to be even darker than it has been. I love that.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It looks awesome. Not really a lot there, but the show is going to be even darker than it has been. I love that.[/quote]It’s crazy how they’ve turned that character from a sympathetic weenie into a complete asswipe gangster. Brave TV writing.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Cubs have a hacktastic approach.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
New Zonkisms:
Cellyur
KonARko
binkyQuote Reply
There’s a good hack!
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cubs have a hacktastic approach.[/quote]
It just might work.
melissaQuote Reply
He put that on the board, yes.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yay #3 hitter!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
CASTRO!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I like it when the Cubs can take walks.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Fuck yeah, Pena.
cwolfQuote Reply
PEEEEEEEEEN-YAAAAAAAAAAAA
melissaQuote Reply
Peenya!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs hitting homeruns!
binkyQuote Reply
This is fun, but since the Padres are losing, if this keeps up Cubs will only have the third-worst record in MLB (dying laughing)
Ah, little things.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Floyd completely losing the plot this inning.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is fun, but since the Padres are losing, if this keeps up Cubs will only have the third-worst record in MLB (dying laughing)
[/quote]Too early in the year to scoreboard-watch, RC. The Cubs have plenty of time to get back on the .441 losing train. Pierre
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Too early in the year to scoreboard-watch, RC. The Cubs have plenty of time to get back on the .441 losing train. (dying laughing)[/quote]
.444!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube].444![/quote]My mistake.
cwolfQuote Reply
Could Adam Dunn look any more like a shaved ape?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Too early in the year to scoreboard-watch, RC. The Cubs have plenty of time to get back on the .441 losing train. (dying laughing)[/quote]The Cubs are destined for middle of the pack. Mediocre draft picks and disappointing free agents for all!
binkyQuote Reply
Z pitched Dunn pretty well there. Got him looking inside and then went outside, low to get the K. Nicely done.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Ozzie kicked Geo’s mask and Geo is (dying laughing) and pointing at the mask. Too funny.
melissaQuote Reply
Ozzie gave Soto’s mask a nice boot there. And Soto was dying Pierring at it. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
Ozzie gets to hit the 17th Century showers. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I hope Ozzie doesn’t have dinner plans with Z tonight. Jerry will be super pissed if he goes out to dinner after getting tossed. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
Will Ohman! (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I love Soto’s reaction.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I love Soto’s reaction.[/quote]Priceless.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Nice pick by Konerko.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
someone send up the GBTS signal. A gif of Ozzie booting the mask would be awesome.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]someone send up the GBTS signal. A gif of Ozzie booting the mask would be awesome.[/quote]
That definitely needs to go in the gif maker. Ozzie’s kick and Soto’s laugh and point. Great combo.
melissaQuote Reply
Leave it to the Cubs to make Will Ohman look good.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Z —> clown shoes
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Z —> clown shoes[/quote]Beat me to it, RC.
cwolfQuote Reply
Gameday says Z is getting squeezed a bit.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Z’s third 8 inning outing of the year.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Gameday had that last out by Dunn about 5 rows back in the right field bleachers. Was it close to going out?
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Gameday says Z is getting squeezed a bit.[/quote]From what I’ve seen, HP ump has been consistent at least, MO. I thought Z was getting squeezed in the early innings but he called it the same for the Sox. Best we can hope for I guess.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Z’s third 8 inning outing of the year.[/quote]
You sure? I don’t remember another one.
/Hobbit’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]Gameday had that last out by Dunn about 5 rows back in the right field bleachers. Was it close to going out?[/quote]
Took Fukudome to the wall but Kosuke didn’t have to actually crash into it or climb the wall or anything.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]Gameday had that last out by Dunn about 5 rows back in the right field bleachers. Was it close to going out?[/quote]Fukudome caught in on the track. I thought it had a chance.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Took Fukudome to the wall but Kosuke didn’t have to actually crash into it or climb the wall or anything.[/quote]Thanks Cubey.
MuckerQuote Reply
I wonder if Soto just takes those third strikes because he knows he can’t foul it off and will likely just GIDP anyway.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Any word on Wood’s return?
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I wonder if Soto just takes those third strikes because he knows he can’t foul it off and will likely just GIDP anyway.[/quote]
That’s a pretty complex thought process in a reaction situation. It looked like Geo was disgusted with himself for not pulling the trigger on that last pitch. It froze him.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]That’s a pretty complex thought process in a reaction situation. It looked like Geo was disgusted with himself for not pulling the trigger on that last pitch. It froze him.[/quote]
Yeah, I was pretty disgusted too (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]Any word on Wood’s return?[/quote]Should be ready to go by ST 2004.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Should be ready to go by ST 2004.[/quote](dying laughing)
MuckerQuote Reply
Fukudome OBP < .400 now
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Fukudome OBP < .400 now[/quote]It was a long April…
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]It was a long April…[/quote]
Now it’s May 1st.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hawk and Stone are giving Castro lots of props.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
yall remember when soriano played CF in 2007?
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
That was a nice play in the hole by Castro. He needed to make a good throw and he did without rushing it.
melissaQuote Reply
Rami didn’t dive enough.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Marmol is going to get executed if he fucks this up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Rami didn’t dive enough.[/quote]He needed 10% more dive.
Looked it up, Soriano played 3B for one out in 2009.
…say hello to next year’s third baseman: Alfonso Soriano!!
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Marmol is going to get executed if he fucks this up.[/quote]As he should. Be three wins he botched for Z.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
That was a nice play in the hole by Castro. He needed to make a good throw and he did without rushing it.
impossible. Castro is the worst
dylanjQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Hawk thought that had a chance to get out.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]He needed 10% more dive.
Looked it up, Soriano played 3B for one out in 2009.
…say hello to next year’s third baseman: Alfonso Soriano!![/quote]
That was the Baker-Soriano 2B-3B-2B-3B-2B dos-a-dos game! (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
2 outs and facing Juan Pierre. If Marmol botches this, he should be kicked in the gonads.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
i mean soriano playing CF was the ultiamte:
Lets see what happens moment
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf](dying laughing) Hawk thought that had a chance to get out.[/quote]GET BACK!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
16 wins here we go. So long as they don’t lose more than 1 the rest of the month.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]
impossible. Castro is the worst[/quote]
True, with his lack of range and an arm much weaker than Superman’s he must have just gotten lucky or else I just want to over-praise mediocrity.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]GET BACK![/quote]Even better was that he said it in a pleading, begging voice. He sounded like Jack Fucking Brickhouse circa 1973. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Even better was that he said it in a pleading, begging voice. He sounded like Jack Fucking Brickhouse circa 1973. (dying laughing)[/quote]I wish I could have heard the 3 minutes of dead air after Peña’s HR. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] If Marmol botches this, he should be kicked in the gonads.[/quote]
Z asked Ozzie if he would do it before they go out to dinner.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s crazy how they’ve turned that character from a sympathetic weenie into a complete asswipe gangster. Brave TV writing.[/quote]And there has been no hesitation at all. They push the limits in every episode it seems. I can’t wait for this season. Sounds like there’s a lot more tension between Walt and Jesse this season.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That was the Baker-Soriano 2B-3B-2B-3B-2B dos-a-dos game! (dying laughing)[/quote]Is that when they had Marshall out in left field?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Is that when they had Marshall out in left field?[/quote]
I think that was a different game.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I wish I could have heard the 3 minutes of dead air after Peña’s HR. (dying laughing)[/quote]I hadn’t heard Hawk and Stone in a long time before tonight but believe it or not, they weren’t that bad. Or at least they didn’t constantly annoy the shit out of me like I expected. While FPM Stone Pony is still a smarmy fuckwad, I’m not sure that I wouldn’t rather listen to him than Brenly. It probably has a lot to do with the fact I haven’t been very exposed very much to them recently. Or I’m drunker than I thought. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]And there has been no hesitation at all. They push the limits in every episode it seems. I can’t wait for this season. Sounds like there’s a lot more tension between Walt and Jesse this season.[/quote]Yeah, it seems like they are turning Jesse into a guy that doesn’t have the stomach for the person Walt has become.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Once there’s video of Ozzie I’ll gif it if someone sends along a link.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Z’s
thirdfourth 8 inning outing of the year.[/quote]Fixed
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s crazy how they’ve turned that character from a sympathetic weenie into a complete asswipe gangster. Brave TV writing.[/quote]
It drove away my wife – she was done with Walt by the middle of season three.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]It drove away my wife – she was done with Walt by the middle of season three.[/quote]Season one is still my favorite because of Walt’s struggle between family man and drug czar.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Season one is still my favorite because of Walt’s struggle between family man and drug czar.[/quote]
Well, “czar” at that point (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
I love the show (especially the Walt-Jesse relationship) but I lost a ton of sympathy for Walt over how he’s treated his family. The worst was when he broke back into the house and tried to turn Walter Jr. against his wife.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16110487
Do it! Do it now!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]MB, you’re being way overreactionary to Castro’s defense. It’s possible to objective about his shortcomings without comparing the guy to the worst regular defender on the team.[/quote]I was comparing Castro to Soriano as a middle infielder because the reality is that Castro would be below average at 2nd or 3rd. He’s not a good fielder. He’ll get a bit better in the next couple of years before he starts getting worse.
I don’t think I’m overreacting at all. His rWAR this year is 0.3. Despite being an above average hitter, he’s been barely better than replacement level. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrst01.shtml#batting_value::none
TZ has him worse than any other metric, but it’s not like the others have him being anything less than terrible. Not to mention that the scouts and many analysts have said a move away from SS is due in the near future so it’s reasonable to think the defensive metrics are at least somewhere in the ballpark (maybe even showing him to be better than he is).
Is it a big deal this year? Of course not. It never was. You know as well as I do this team never had a chance so you obviously stick with Castro at SS. Just maybe he improves. Why not give it a chance in a season that was going to be meaningless? But at what point do you start to weigh the evidence more than hopes and dreams? I’m not saying that’s what you’re doing because I don’t think it is, but Castro is a bad defender. Lots of players have been bad defenders and been very good ballplayers. Aramis Ramirez has been pretty bad and he’s had a great career. Manny Ramirez!
Sure, Castro has some issues at the plate, but there’s still plenty of reason to think he’s going to show significant improvement in some areas. Will he ever be a superstar? No, but I do think he’ll make some all-star teams in his career. Probably more than Zambrano and you know what I think about him.
The guy has a ton of potential and recognizing his poor defense at shortstop doesn’t change that one damn bit. It might lower our expectations a little, but the potential is still incredible.
The only argument in favor of just leaving Castro there and doing nothing in the near future is that apparently lots of young shortstops have sucked defensively and turned out to be good. That may even be true to some extent, but there’s a survivor bias involved. The bad defenders are less likely to be around for a long time than the good ones so we’d expect the bad ones to improve or get the fuck out. Shortstops haven’t traditionally been good enough hitters to play anywhere else. That’s not true these days. What I do know is that for every young player who improved significantly on defense, there is another one who got significantly worse and a dozen who didn’t get much better at all.
I don’t see what the problem with acknowledging this is. I was not comparing him to Soriano right now. Sorry if that’s what it sounded like, but it wasn’t my intention.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Well, “czar” at that point (dying laughing)[/quote]Yeah, czar is where he is headed, but he was a clown in season one when it came to the drug trade. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
This is the Baker-Soriano 2B-3B cha-cha game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200908010.shtml
The play-by-play is hilarious.
I think the Marshall-in-LF game was in STL.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I get that, but the kid isn’t even old enough to buy beer. I think he’s ultimately a 2B, as he’s likely to outgrow SS, but right now, there’s no reason to move him off.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16110487
Do it! Do it now![/quote]Wow, the Sox announcers are adamant that it’s foul (replay showed it to be fair in the Cubs broadcast).
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I love the show (especially the Walt-Jesse relationship) but I lost a ton of sympathy for Walt over how he’s treated his family. The worst was when he broke back into the house and tried to turn Walter Jr. against his wife.[/quote]I don’t have much respect for Walt, but I loved that he broke back into the house. That created some interesting scenes. Also, if he hadn’t broken into the house the wife and kid would have been murdered by the cousins.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I get that, but the kid isn’t even old enough to buy beer. /quote]
He’s 21.
ACTQuote Reply
New stuff. http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/cubs-and-the-interleagues-the-gimmick-is-working.html
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is the Baker-Soriano 2B-3B cha-cha game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200908010.shtml
The play-by-play is hilarious.
I think the Marshall-in-LF game was in STL.[/quote]That’s right! They kept moving Sori to the side they thought was least likely to get a hit.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT][quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I get that, but the kid isn’t even old enough to buy beer. /quote]
He’s 21.[/quote]In Dominican Years, that makes him 19.6
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I get that, but the kid isn’t even old enough to buy beer. I think he’s ultimately a 2B, as he’s likely to outgrow SS, but right now, there’s no reason to move him off.[/quote]That’s fine, but do we have to talk about how he’s good at the position? Why is it that he has to be considered OK defensively for his age at SS right now rather than bad, which he really is?
I guess that’s what I don’t understand. He’s a bad defensive shortstop right now. Saying otherwise is the same as saying that Darwin Barney has sneaky power. Neither statement is true. Darwin Barney is highly unlikely to become an average power hitter similarly to how it’s unlikely that Castro will become an average defender.
Can we not state a fact without controversy? Yes, I recognize he’s young. I recognize there’s even a chance he could become a good fielding shortstop. It’s possible. I’d say it’s as likely as him hitting 500 home runs in his career, but it’s possible. As a result, may as well give him the chance. I agree with that, but do I have to say he’s good? Would anybody say that Castro is a power hitter right now? He obviously is not. He may grow into some more power. I expect he will, but we readily acknowledge that truth. Why can’t we do the same for his defense?
Why do I have to qualify my statement every single time? Obviously I understand it. Obviously I’m prone to mistakes. I’m a human being. I’m prone to exaggeration. Again, I’m a human being. I’m pretty sure I’ve said Castro would someday be a superstar. I’ve not only exaggerated one direction, but both of them. It happens. But tell me where I am wrong when I say that Starlin Castro is a bad fielding SS right this very minute. Where am I wrong when I say that most players do not significantly improve defensively? Where am i wrong when I say that Starlin Castro currently has bad plate discipline, and like defense, is not likely to ever become a patient hitter?
If I’m not wrong, why can’t I say so without confrontation? That’s all I’m saying. I’ve made my stance on this very clear. I’m certain that the quality commenters around here would have proven these statements wrong if they indeed were. Might they prove to be wrong? Absolutely. I hope so, but based on what we know right this moment, tell me why I should? You know me well enough to know that I’m not into hopes, dreams and unicorns. I know you aren’t either.
mb21Quote Reply