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All's Well that Ends Well, Right?
6 days ago
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Fun Fact of the Day
The Cubs rank 4th in the league in hitting and 27th in the league in hitting with runners in scoring position...and yet, they are only 3 games under .500 and 4 games behind the first place Cards. What a terrible NL Central
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Astros/Cardinals 5-11: Part Two: The Fans
By: Guido
It's was toned down crowd for Busch. I don't think they were drinking as heavily as they usually do. I saw a handful of Astros fans and one Cubs fan in a Nomar jersey. He was a pretty big fella so I'm sure they left him alone.
There were a ton of Pujols and Molina jerseys in the stands, and then maybe a handful of Wainwrights, Hollidays and Ecksteins. I saw one of each of the following: Smith, Edmonds, Duncan, Warfield, Renteria, Rolen, McGwire and Vina. I'm not too sure why you wouldn't throw some of those old wash rags away.
One of those contests they had on the big screen was a guess the phrase game. The answer was "Best Fans in Baseball". Imagine that. I didn't think you could give yourself a nickname. It doesn't work that way. You earn a nickname. Good or bad, you earn it. That's just asking for other team's fans to hate you. Why do they get to claim themselves as the best? Haven't the Cubs and their fans been through a lot? And their fan's are still there. And what about teams who have never won anything? Don't they deserve some recognition for sticking around?
Do the "Best Fans in Baseball" know that they are cheering and loving one of the laziest players in the game in Albert Pujols? That guy doesn't run out shit. More on him later.
The Cards had a 2-0 lead before Brad Penny blew it in the 7th. The Astros were up 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th and Card fans started heading for the gates. Woah! "Best Fans in Baseball" just giving up on their team? I guess it only makes sense. Their motto is "Play Like a Cardinal" and with Pujols just giving up on every hit, why can't they just give up on the game? Excellent message, Cards.
This is why every Cards win is a killer and every loss is so sweet. Watching them lose gives you the feeling you would have had if OJ was found guilty in criminal court. When the Cards lose, justice is served.
It's was toned down crowd for Busch. I don't think they were drinking as heavily as they usually do. I saw a handful of Astros fans and one Cubs fan in a Nomar jersey. He was a pretty big fella so I'm sure they left him alone.
There were a ton of Pujols and Molina jerseys in the stands, and then maybe a handful of Wainwrights, Hollidays and Ecksteins. I saw one of each of the following: Smith, Edmonds, Duncan, Warfield, Renteria, Rolen, McGwire and Vina. I'm not too sure why you wouldn't throw some of those old wash rags away.
One of those contests they had on the big screen was a guess the phrase game. The answer was "Best Fans in Baseball". Imagine that. I didn't think you could give yourself a nickname. It doesn't work that way. You earn a nickname. Good or bad, you earn it. That's just asking for other team's fans to hate you. Why do they get to claim themselves as the best? Haven't the Cubs and their fans been through a lot? And their fan's are still there. And what about teams who have never won anything? Don't they deserve some recognition for sticking around?
Do the "Best Fans in Baseball" know that they are cheering and loving one of the laziest players in the game in Albert Pujols? That guy doesn't run out shit. More on him later.
The Cards had a 2-0 lead before Brad Penny blew it in the 7th. The Astros were up 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th and Card fans started heading for the gates. Woah! "Best Fans in Baseball" just giving up on their team? I guess it only makes sense. Their motto is "Play Like a Cardinal" and with Pujols just giving up on every hit, why can't they just give up on the game? Excellent message, Cards.
This is why every Cards win is a killer and every loss is so sweet. Watching them lose gives you the feeling you would have had if OJ was found guilty in criminal court. When the Cards lose, justice is served.
Astros/Cardinals 5-11: Part One: Busch Stadium
By: Guido
While it is a very nice looking ballpark, Busch has just way too much crap going on. Whether it's because the common fan lacks the attention span to watch the entire game or too many idiots are bringing their toddlers to the game, who knows?
The merch stands and food stands are fine. The store doesn't bother me either. It's all the other crap going on. You've got a batting game and speed pitch deal that I know is common place anymore at ballparks, but is it really necessary? Shouldn't the "Best Fans in Baseball" be watching the game rather than clowning around?
Another attention grabber would be all the garbage that's showing on the jumbo screen. Games, fan contests, marriage proposals and ads flash in front of your eyes. With the guessing games, people actually take it seriously and cheer if the selected the best answer. Like it matters! No one cares if you correctly picked which hat had the ball under it or what the attendance is. You shouldn't cheer that. You should be cheering that it's over and the next inning is starting.
The worst thing about Busch is all the singing and dancing going on. Kids from the ages of 5 to high school are singing and dancing their hearts out. Why? Is this what the creeps in St. Louis like? They're goddamn pervs! I know it's to put asses in the seats, but if the only way you can do it is by offering schools a chance to do dance/choir/gymnastics before the game, you need to reevaluate your team and fanbase.
When you have to put on a show just to keep people at the game, then you've already lost those people. That's what gives Wrigley it's charm. No gimmicks. No performances. Win or lose, it's always baseball.
While it is a very nice looking ballpark, Busch has just way too much crap going on. Whether it's because the common fan lacks the attention span to watch the entire game or too many idiots are bringing their toddlers to the game, who knows?
The merch stands and food stands are fine. The store doesn't bother me either. It's all the other crap going on. You've got a batting game and speed pitch deal that I know is common place anymore at ballparks, but is it really necessary? Shouldn't the "Best Fans in Baseball" be watching the game rather than clowning around?
Another attention grabber would be all the garbage that's showing on the jumbo screen. Games, fan contests, marriage proposals and ads flash in front of your eyes. With the guessing games, people actually take it seriously and cheer if the selected the best answer. Like it matters! No one cares if you correctly picked which hat had the ball under it or what the attendance is. You shouldn't cheer that. You should be cheering that it's over and the next inning is starting.
The worst thing about Busch is all the singing and dancing going on. Kids from the ages of 5 to high school are singing and dancing their hearts out. Why? Is this what the creeps in St. Louis like? They're goddamn pervs! I know it's to put asses in the seats, but if the only way you can do it is by offering schools a chance to do dance/choir/gymnastics before the game, you need to reevaluate your team and fanbase.
When you have to put on a show just to keep people at the game, then you've already lost those people. That's what gives Wrigley it's charm. No gimmicks. No performances. Win or lose, it's always baseball.
Astros/Cardinals 5-11: Prologue
By: Guido
This wasn't my first trip to Busch stadium. Actually, I doubt I could even guess how many times I've watched a game there. Most of them have been fairly enjoyable. I've yet to witness the Cards defeat the Cubs at new or old Busch.
I've been to far more games at Busch as opposed to games at Wrigley. This is mainly due to location as it's such a bitch to navigate through Chicago and find parking and the red line. Parking around Busch is plentiful but the price is usually too high. But at least you can actually park by the stadium. That's the one advantage Busch has over Wrigley.
I do plan on attending a Cubs game this season. The way things are going, I could probably score some cheap tickets now and then watch them win the division in the fall.
This wasn't my first trip to Busch stadium. Actually, I doubt I could even guess how many times I've watched a game there. Most of them have been fairly enjoyable. I've yet to witness the Cards defeat the Cubs at new or old Busch.
I've been to far more games at Busch as opposed to games at Wrigley. This is mainly due to location as it's such a bitch to navigate through Chicago and find parking and the red line. Parking around Busch is plentiful but the price is usually too high. But at least you can actually park by the stadium. That's the one advantage Busch has over Wrigley.
I do plan on attending a Cubs game this season. The way things are going, I could probably score some cheap tickets now and then watch them win the division in the fall.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Big Z Set Up
By: Guido
I found this out last night and was gonna post about it but I wanted to wait until I got all the info. However, nothing has really been said yet.
Carlos Zambrano is now going to be working out of the bullpen. Why? Because Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry know their relievers suck dong. I told you the bullpen was going to be terrible. Zambrano said:
“I understand the situation. I understand that we need a little, little help in the bullpen. Look, we already lost three or four games in the eighth inning or in relief.”
At least Zambrano is upbeat about the situation. So with Ted Lilly set to return, the Cubs rotation will consist of Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Silva, Randy Wells and Tom Gorzelanny. Silva is doing too good for Lou to want to move him and apparently doesn't trust Gorz out of the pen.
I don't agree with this move at all. Lou says it's just temporary as the Cubs try to acquire a set-up man. So, their thinking is, "Wow! What a 1-2 punch to end a game! Zambrano and then Marmol". Dempster has pitched in relief. Have him do it.
Check this out:
Carlos Zambrano: 1570.2 innings, 106-70, 9 CGs, 3.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP.
Josh Beckett: 1426.2 innings, 107-68, 9 CGs, 3.82 ERA, 1.22 WHIP.
Johan Santana: 1727.2 innings, 123-61, 9 CGs, 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP.
Jake Peavy: 1380.2 innings, 95-68, 7 CGs, 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP.
I found this out last night and was gonna post about it but I wanted to wait until I got all the info. However, nothing has really been said yet.
Carlos Zambrano is now going to be working out of the bullpen. Why? Because Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry know their relievers suck dong. I told you the bullpen was going to be terrible. Zambrano said:
“I understand the situation. I understand that we need a little, little help in the bullpen. Look, we already lost three or four games in the eighth inning or in relief.”
At least Zambrano is upbeat about the situation. So with Ted Lilly set to return, the Cubs rotation will consist of Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Silva, Randy Wells and Tom Gorzelanny. Silva is doing too good for Lou to want to move him and apparently doesn't trust Gorz out of the pen.
I don't agree with this move at all. Lou says it's just temporary as the Cubs try to acquire a set-up man. So, their thinking is, "Wow! What a 1-2 punch to end a game! Zambrano and then Marmol". Dempster has pitched in relief. Have him do it.
Check this out:
Carlos Zambrano: 1570.2 innings, 106-70, 9 CGs, 3.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP.
Josh Beckett: 1426.2 innings, 107-68, 9 CGs, 3.82 ERA, 1.22 WHIP.
Johan Santana: 1727.2 innings, 123-61, 9 CGs, 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP.
Jake Peavy: 1380.2 innings, 95-68, 7 CGs, 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP.
Monday, April 19, 2010
2 Week Awards
by: Guido
It's not time to panic yet for Cubs fans, though Cardinals fans are already starting with the wait til next year shit. Very original. Neither team has been overly impressive yet. As expected, the Cubs bullpen is subpar and Soriano is playing like that water head that your little league coach would throw out there in right in the last couple innings. And, like I figured, the Cards offense hasn't been anything special. They really need to get a bigger bat at short or third. Maybe they could take the Cubs place in the annual Cubs/Pirates trade. So, after two weeks of play, here are the award winners.
MVP's: Vernon Wells and Matt Kemp
I don't belive in the old rule that your team has to make the playoffs in order for you to win MVP. That's a pile of horse shit. So Matt Kemp takes it in the NL. The Dodgers haven't been great but they are at .500. Without Kemp's numbers, they would be a lot worse. Vernon is the reason the Blue Jays have a winning record right now. Not only that but Vernon has found power this season and 6 dingers. In the end, probably gonna be Pujols and someone from the AL east.
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum and Matt Garza
This could just as easily be Wainwright instead of Lincecum. They are egual on everything this season, just Lincecum edged Wainright on era 0.90 to 1.50. Garza has been dominate so far notching 3 wins and a 0.75 era. AL could go to any number of guys while the NL will come down to Lincecum, Wainright, Hallady, Carpenter and the dark horse, Tommy Hanson.
Surprise teams: Pirates, Athletics, Red Sox
It's just a matter of time before this all goes back to normal. The A's and Pirates will fall back and the Red Sox will start winning. Howere, if it stays this way then fine by me.
Musings:
Prince Fielder - 0 hr, 3 rbi, .244
Grady Sizemore - 0 hr, .231
Victor Martinez - 1 hr, 4 rbi, .224
Jose Reyes - 1 sb, .154
Aramis Ramirez - 8 hits, .170
and also: Nate McClouth, Carlos Lee, Chris Coughlan
Zack Greinke - no wins, 3.57
Yovani Gallardo no wins, 5.50
Justin Verlander - no wins, 6.88
Jon Lester - no wins, 8.44 era
Not Surprising
Wandy Rodriguez - no wins, 17.1 IP, 7 k's, 4.67
Tim Lincecum - 3 wins, 20 IP, 24 k's, 0.90
Roy Halladay - 3 wins, 24 IP, 21 k's, 1.12
Carlos Silva - 1 win, 13 IP, 8 k's, 0.69
Albert Pujols - 5 hr, 15 rbi, .327
Ryan Braun - 3 hr, 12 rbi, .367
Martin Prado - 10 runs, .426
Miguel Montero - 6/12, .500 (DL, just you wait though)
It's not time to panic yet for Cubs fans, though Cardinals fans are already starting with the wait til next year shit. Very original. Neither team has been overly impressive yet. As expected, the Cubs bullpen is subpar and Soriano is playing like that water head that your little league coach would throw out there in right in the last couple innings. And, like I figured, the Cards offense hasn't been anything special. They really need to get a bigger bat at short or third. Maybe they could take the Cubs place in the annual Cubs/Pirates trade. So, after two weeks of play, here are the award winners.
MVP's: Vernon Wells and Matt Kemp
I don't belive in the old rule that your team has to make the playoffs in order for you to win MVP. That's a pile of horse shit. So Matt Kemp takes it in the NL. The Dodgers haven't been great but they are at .500. Without Kemp's numbers, they would be a lot worse. Vernon is the reason the Blue Jays have a winning record right now. Not only that but Vernon has found power this season and 6 dingers. In the end, probably gonna be Pujols and someone from the AL east.
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum and Matt Garza
This could just as easily be Wainwright instead of Lincecum. They are egual on everything this season, just Lincecum edged Wainright on era 0.90 to 1.50. Garza has been dominate so far notching 3 wins and a 0.75 era. AL could go to any number of guys while the NL will come down to Lincecum, Wainright, Hallady, Carpenter and the dark horse, Tommy Hanson.
Surprise teams: Pirates, Athletics, Red Sox
It's just a matter of time before this all goes back to normal. The A's and Pirates will fall back and the Red Sox will start winning. Howere, if it stays this way then fine by me.
Musings:
Prince Fielder - 0 hr, 3 rbi, .244
Grady Sizemore - 0 hr, .231
Victor Martinez - 1 hr, 4 rbi, .224
Jose Reyes - 1 sb, .154
Aramis Ramirez - 8 hits, .170
and also: Nate McClouth, Carlos Lee, Chris Coughlan
Zack Greinke - no wins, 3.57
Yovani Gallardo no wins, 5.50
Justin Verlander - no wins, 6.88
Jon Lester - no wins, 8.44 era
Not Surprising
Wandy Rodriguez - no wins, 17.1 IP, 7 k's, 4.67
Tim Lincecum - 3 wins, 20 IP, 24 k's, 0.90
Roy Halladay - 3 wins, 24 IP, 21 k's, 1.12
Carlos Silva - 1 win, 13 IP, 8 k's, 0.69
Albert Pujols - 5 hr, 15 rbi, .327
Ryan Braun - 3 hr, 12 rbi, .367
Martin Prado - 10 runs, .426
Miguel Montero - 6/12, .500 (DL, just you wait though)
Monday, April 12, 2010
2010 Cubs Home Opener
By: Guido
Today is the Cubs home opener for 2010. They'll be playing the Brewers and I'll be there watching on my tv. I haven't been to a Cubs game in years as they are quite expensive and usually a disappointment. And then there are the drunken buffoons running free about the friendly confines. Maybe if they are out of things by mid summer, i can get some cheap tickets.
Home openers against the Brewers are usually pretty good. Remember that one time when Fukudome hit a triple in his first at bat and then went yard in the 9th to tie it and we still lost?! That was awesome. That stands right up there with other great Chicago sports moments like Devin Hester returning the kick off for a touchdown in the super bowl and when the Bulls fired Scott Skiles (boy, that wasn't a mistake). If you plan on rooting for a Chicago based team, don't plan on having championship memories, just dreams. You won't remember the good times, only the bad ones. For every Mark Grace, Greg Maddux, Walter Payton, Michael Jordan and Frank Thomas there's a Milton Bradley, Brian Cox, Dennis Rodman, Dusty Baker, Kerry Wood, Rex Grossman, Cedric Benson, Jay Mariotti... Just a warning. At least the Blackhawks have officially waken up from years of frustration.
However, being a Chicago fan sure beats the hell out of rooting for any St. Louis based team.
Today is the Cubs home opener for 2010. They'll be playing the Brewers and I'll be there watching on my tv. I haven't been to a Cubs game in years as they are quite expensive and usually a disappointment. And then there are the drunken buffoons running free about the friendly confines. Maybe if they are out of things by mid summer, i can get some cheap tickets.
Home openers against the Brewers are usually pretty good. Remember that one time when Fukudome hit a triple in his first at bat and then went yard in the 9th to tie it and we still lost?! That was awesome. That stands right up there with other great Chicago sports moments like Devin Hester returning the kick off for a touchdown in the super bowl and when the Bulls fired Scott Skiles (boy, that wasn't a mistake). If you plan on rooting for a Chicago based team, don't plan on having championship memories, just dreams. You won't remember the good times, only the bad ones. For every Mark Grace, Greg Maddux, Walter Payton, Michael Jordan and Frank Thomas there's a Milton Bradley, Brian Cox, Dennis Rodman, Dusty Baker, Kerry Wood, Rex Grossman, Cedric Benson, Jay Mariotti... Just a warning. At least the Blackhawks have officially waken up from years of frustration.
However, being a Chicago fan sure beats the hell out of rooting for any St. Louis based team.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Soriano Situation
By: Guido
I'm hearing alot of Cubs fans bitching about Lou not playing Tyler Colvin over Alfonso Soriano. Well what the hell? They are paying Soriano too much dough to just put his ass on the bench. Soriano may indeed be on his last legs as a professional ball player but he still has five years left on his contract. Thats $18 mil per year too. You really think the Cubs are gonna sit an $18 mil a yer guy on the bench?
They have to play him. They have to get whatever is left in the tank. Hendry could try and trade him but who would want him? He has an expensive contract, he can't hit or field and he has an attitude. Who I ask you? Who?
Seattle did fall for it earlier this year when they trade Carlos Silva to the Cubs for Milton Bradley but I doubt that would work again. Unless it's Bradley for Soriano but that just seems worse to me.
And it may be to early yet in the season to jump the gun on Colvin. Every organization has their top prospects that fans salivate over. Just because Jason Heyward hit a dong on opening day doesn't guarantee he will ever be worth shit. Marty Cordova...Ben Grieve...Scott Williamson...Jason Jennings just to name a few. Hell even Kerry Wood ended up never being the type of player he was anticipated to be.
So, let's just play Soriano in left and hope to hell that he will start to hit the ball. That's all we need. Colvin isn't going anywhere soon. And we'll need him to back up center and right if Nady can't.
I'm hearing alot of Cubs fans bitching about Lou not playing Tyler Colvin over Alfonso Soriano. Well what the hell? They are paying Soriano too much dough to just put his ass on the bench. Soriano may indeed be on his last legs as a professional ball player but he still has five years left on his contract. Thats $18 mil per year too. You really think the Cubs are gonna sit an $18 mil a yer guy on the bench?
They have to play him. They have to get whatever is left in the tank. Hendry could try and trade him but who would want him? He has an expensive contract, he can't hit or field and he has an attitude. Who I ask you? Who?
Seattle did fall for it earlier this year when they trade Carlos Silva to the Cubs for Milton Bradley but I doubt that would work again. Unless it's Bradley for Soriano but that just seems worse to me.
And it may be to early yet in the season to jump the gun on Colvin. Every organization has their top prospects that fans salivate over. Just because Jason Heyward hit a dong on opening day doesn't guarantee he will ever be worth shit. Marty Cordova...Ben Grieve...Scott Williamson...Jason Jennings just to name a few. Hell even Kerry Wood ended up never being the type of player he was anticipated to be.
So, let's just play Soriano in left and hope to hell that he will start to hit the ball. That's all we need. Colvin isn't going anywhere soon. And we'll need him to back up center and right if Nady can't.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Cubs Opening Day Stinker
By: Guido
The Cubs another opening day game? Well, of course they did. But don't blame it on the umps.
Sure, it was easy to see Nate McLouth drop the ball during the replay of his diving catch, but that doesn't matter. It's not the replay that makes the ruling. it's the umpire. And if he didn't see it, then that's just the way it is. The game has always worked well without instant replay so let's keep the game the way it is. I know Aramis Ramirez says he saw McLouth drop the ball, but that means jack shit compared to what the ump called. Ramirez's responsibility as a base runner is to know what the ump has called.
In the end, blame the loss on Carlos Zambrano's good tempered pitching and the Braves' timely hitting. Hey, sometimes that's just the way it goes. you can't win them all. Cubs fans should know that by now.
The Cubs another opening day game? Well, of course they did. But don't blame it on the umps.
Sure, it was easy to see Nate McLouth drop the ball during the replay of his diving catch, but that doesn't matter. It's not the replay that makes the ruling. it's the umpire. And if he didn't see it, then that's just the way it is. The game has always worked well without instant replay so let's keep the game the way it is. I know Aramis Ramirez says he saw McLouth drop the ball, but that means jack shit compared to what the ump called. Ramirez's responsibility as a base runner is to know what the ump has called.
In the end, blame the loss on Carlos Zambrano's good tempered pitching and the Braves' timely hitting. Hey, sometimes that's just the way it goes. you can't win them all. Cubs fans should know that by now.
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