I picked a good time to go on vacation and not spend much time caring about the Cubs. I got a chance to watch most of the games while I was gone because there was an inordinate number actually being carried by WGN America, and they had the national game on FOX against the Cardinals. Never before had I wished the Cubs would be more inaccessible.
The Cubs are on fire and it is hard to envision a scenario where they win a single game on this road trip. I know that on the last road trip we said that and they promptly won a couple from Florida and then managed a victory in Boston, but this is somehow worse. If there is one thing you can count on from the Cubs is that there is no rock bottom. They will beat that lesson into you until you are bloody pulp or you simply just give up and die.
You see, the Cubs fire has spread beyond just the major league team. What started when Sam Zell kicked over a lantern in the Cubs dugout as he departed has now consumed pretty much the whole major league team and is starting to damage the frail farm system.
Cubs fans are wondering why we haven’t seen Brett Jackson considering he is the next great white hope for a team that peddles hope as its main commodity. He was hurt for a couple of weeks and is just 4 for 32 in the week since he’s been back in action. Trey McNutt is having blister issues that make me think he is Ismael Valdez in disguise. Jay Jackson suddenly just sucks and Robert Whitenack came out of nowhere to get folks excited about his possibilities just in time for his season-ending Tommy John surgery.
When the prospects do manage to stay healthy enough to survive the flight to Chicago, they suck. The position players seem only dimly aware that they aren’t required to swing at every pitch they see like they will get fined for making the catcher throw a ball back to the pitcher. But as bad as the hitters are, the pitchers the Cubs call up would probably still find a way to walk them because they are seemingly allergic to throwing anything resembling strikes.
All of this is culminating in seven losses in row, being 11.5 games behind the Cardinals, a record that now stands at 7-20 in the “weak” NL Central, the second worst run differential in the majors (behind only Minnesota) and almost no reason at all to think any of it is going to get any better.
The team seems pissed off. Marlon Byrd snapped at reporters after a baserunning gaffe that seemed rooted in miscommunication from the coaches. They felt they needed to have a players only meeting awhile back. Now Zambrano comes right out and calls the team embarassing and just about everyone agrees with him.
Quade has pulled out a few expletives after losses (usually in a folksy, aw shucks kind of way, but nevertheless there they were), he has publicly scolded the team for playing sloppily and has been trying to find some sort of mix that actually works to the point of playing middle infielders in the outfield allowing Samrdzija to pitch in situations that matter. We can criticize the tactics, but the man is at least trying his best to make something of this mishmash.
The media is starting to get bitchy even by Chicago media standards. When Steve Rosenbloom is on to you as a flimflam man, you’re doing something very wrong. When the games have become so meaningless that the writers start trying to manufacture storylines out of nowhere, you know fire is quickly getting out of control.
Meanwhile, as Cubdom goes up in flames, Tom Ricketts is talking about how fun it was to be in Boston, how there isn’t anything wrong with the team other than injuries, and how he hates to hear fans complain they can’t afford Cubs tickets. The solutions his regime have come up with include free t-shirts, cheap(er) beer, and dollar hot dogs. That’ll fix everything. Thanks, Tom.
Intrepid reader and season ticket holder, WGC provided a video of Tom Ricketts addressing the season ticket holders at the appreciation day they just held and he is just glossing over everything and having to make a Sam Fuld reference in the absence of any actual good Cubs stories he could tell from this year. This is before the Zambrano incident, but let’s face it, the fire was already burning and his biggest concern was that people not ruin the ivy by jumping into it.
All I could think about as I pondered the team from afar was how Nero supposedly played a fiddle while Rome burned. Granted, the Cubs have never reached the heights in the majors that Rome reached in the ancient world, but I think the simile is pretty close.
So, thanks to Pat LaMorte (who you may know from such Photoshopping work as the OV banner), here is the current image I have in my brain of Tom Ricketts as he presides over the the 2011 Cubs:
I think that seems about right.
Comments
Is there any chance to believe that the reason the Cubs budget went down was so Hendry/Wilken could spend bigger on the draft this year? I know Ricketts has stated that Hendry gets a number and has to decide where to spend so there’s some credence to the idea other than it being really unlikely.
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Is there any chance to believe that the reason the Cubs budget went down was so Hendry/Wilken could spend bigger on the draft this year? I know Ricketts has stated that Hendry gets a number and has to decide where to spend so there’s some credence to the idea other than it being really unlikely.[/quote]
Maybe, but unless Hendry has assurances he won’t be canned based on the performance of the major league club, he is not going to give much thought to the long-term health of the team when allocating those funds.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Great shit 424. Loving Ricketts = Nero. Wish he had a fiddle in the pic.
MishQuote Reply
We replaced the fiddle with the hot dog cart.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I wish he was playing a hot dog like a fiddle, then.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I wish he was playing a hot dog like a fiddle, then.[/quote]
TWSS
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I wish he was playing a hot dog like a faget, then.[/quote]
/Ryno’d
Aisle424Quote Reply
You know, LeMahieu’s name is really not that hard to spell.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Also, good post.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]You know, LeMahieu’s name is really not that hard to spell.[/quote]
Neither is faget but you somehow spell it as “Suburban Kid” all the time.
MishQuote Reply
Is Vogelbach under 220 yet? He got smaller every 20 comments or so in the draft thread.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Is Vogelbach under 220 yet? He got smaller every 20 comments or so in the draft thread.[/quote]He’s down to 117.
mb21Quote Reply
That image had me (dying laughing) for awhile. Great job.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Neither is faget but you somehow spell it as “Suburban Kid” all the time.[/quote]
I didn’t realize Quade was able to get to the bathroom under the bleachers with Al, and, obviously, you, during the stretch.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
14/24 high schoolers so far by my count
GWQuote Reply
The problem is the Cubs were never as great as the Roman Empire in the baseball world. A good comp might be the Fascist Italian Regime under Mussolini whose main accomplishment was making the trains run on time and whose larger and well-equipped military was constantly embarrassed by crappy nations that had barely since the conclusion of the Versailled treaty, like the Rays, Marlins, and D-backs.
ABQuote Reply
Yeah, but then we don’t get to see a picture of Tom Ricketts in a toga.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Yeah, but then we don’t get to see a picture of Tom Ricketts in a toga.[/quote]
Using a different Axis power you could have depicted Ricketts in a kamikaze plane heading towards Wrigley Field.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Using a different Axis power you could have depicted Ricketts in a kamikaze plane heading towards Wrigley Field.[/quote]Would that be a dream come true? (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AB]The problem is the Cubs were never as great as the Roman Empire in the baseball world. A good comp might be the Fascist Italian Regime under Mussolini whose main accomplishment was making the trains run on time and whose larger and well-equipped military was constantly embarrassed by crappy nations that had barely existed since the conclusion of the Versailled treaty, like the Rays, Marlins, and D-backs.[/quote]
Versaille’d
fang2415Quote Reply
Anyone following the Cubs game, the Doug Davis fastball is not very fast.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Would that be a dream come true? (dying laughing)[/quote]
Yes and no, I guess…I like Wrigley but I really want a new one if that makes sense (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Shoulders, Roderick – State College of Florida Manatee
Sounds like a great future Cub
dylanjQuote Reply
Easterling, Taiwan Florida State
another football player who part times in CF. Managed to strike out 26 times in 100 AB’s.
dylanjQuote Reply
McKirahan, Andrew- Texas
a RP who struck out 13 batters in 20 innings.
dylanjQuote Reply
Klafczynski, Ben – Kent St U OF
Tore it up as a senior. 10 HR’s OBP over .440
dylanjQuote Reply
Campana is broken after a bad bunt.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Campana is broken after a bad bunt.[/quote]
He walked it off.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Elias, Ethan Grand Trunk HS RHP
Pride of Canada http://www.edsonleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2735217&auth=Tatum%20Anderson&archive=true
dylanjQuote Reply
Garrison, Christopher Western Nevada CC
Starter who struck out a batter an inning. OBP vs him is under .200
dylanjQuote Reply
No, RC, Davis does not throw a very fast fastball. It’s more like a ball.
mb21Quote Reply
Weeks, Drew Clay HS (FL)
He has revolutionized the game
“It’s hard to do, but Drew Weeks has revolutionized my thinking at third,” Thompson said. “He’s an athlete. He gets to balls that no one gets to.”
dylanjQuote Reply
Jensen, Michael Hartnell JC
Hero
http://www.hartnell.edu/athletics/mens_baseball/index.html
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]I didn’t realize Quade was able to get to the bathroom under the bleachers with Al, and, obviously, you, during the stretch.[/quote]
Nice try, slapnuts.
MishQuote Reply
This is my favorite though
Shoulders, Roderick – State College of Florida Manatee
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]This is my favorite though
Shoulders, Roderick – State College of Florida Manatee[/quote]Maybe the Cubs signed him because he had multiple shoulders?
mb21Quote Reply
i guess Roderick is also known as “Rock” (no joke) and was a red sox pick a year ago. Big time power
dylanjQuote Reply
I knew manatees were large, but big enough to build a state school one?? Your move, blue whale.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]This is my favorite though
Shoulders, Roderick – State College of Florida Manatee[/quote]
I swear I saw that as State College of Florida Man tease.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Maltos-Garcia, Arturo Lamar CC
Went 11-1 as a starter including a 7 inning 10 k gem on 2-12
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I swear I saw that as State College of Florida Man tease.[/quote]
You’re lucky Ryno ain’t around.
MishQuote Reply
That lead didn’t last long.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]You’re lucky Ryno ain’t around.[/quote]
All the college chicks I have ever met from Florida were teases.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5830
Bruce Miles has stuff on DeVoss.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
starlin castro isnt very good at sports right now
dylanjQuote Reply
but when you look at his advanced numbers its not like he is going after bad pitches, in fact he has cut down on balls out of the zone and making more contact in the zone.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Insert Cub here isnt very good at sports right now[/quote]
Dammit Soto…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]starlin castro isnt very good at sports right now[/quote]He’s been really bad for awhile now. .633 OPS since mid April: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=castrst01&t=b&year=2011&share=1.00#141-182-sum:batting_gamelogs
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]but when you look at his advanced numbers its not like he is going after bad pitches, in fact he has cut down on balls out of the zone and making more contact in the zone.[/quote]Pitchers just pound the zone because the worst he’ll do is hit a single.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Pitchers just pound the zone because the worst he’ll do is hit a single.[/quote]
That does explain why they don’t walk a lot.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Josh Vitters just walked.
*faints*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That does explain why they don’t walk a lot.[/quote]Same with Barney though pitchers pound the zone even more with him.
mb21Quote Reply
Who pitches tomorrow? Will it go to 9 losses in a row?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Who pitches tomorrow? Will it go to 9 losses in a row?[/quote]
Dempster pitches tomorrow. I hope the Cubs lose after he leaves the game.
I asked CubsStats this but he didn’t know…who do you think are the top five draft prospects next year?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Vitters steals!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
our 2nd best pitcher is going tonight in Peoria
dylanjQuote Reply
BJax HBP. Ouch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Dempster pitches tomorrow. I hope the Cubs lose after he leaves the game.
I asked CubsStats this but he didn’t know…who do you think are the top five draft prospects next year?[/quote]No idea. Way too early to know for sure.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]our 2nd best pitcher is going tonight in Peoria[/quote]He’ll be injured next year.
mb21Quote Reply
From another MLBlog…
SS Javier Baez HS
1B Daniel Vogelbach HS
CF Exekiel DeVoss COL
RHP Tony Zych COL
RHP Taylor Scott HS
C Neftali Rosario ACD/HS
1B Trevor Gretzky HS
CF Taylor Dugas COL
RF Garrett Schlecht HS
SS Daniel Lockhart COL
CF Shawon Dunston HS
LHP Jacob Lindgren HS
CF Trey Martin HS
RHP Dillon Maples HS
C Justin Marra HS
C Rafael Lopez COL
RF John Andreoli COL
RHP James Pugliese COL
1B Danny Hoilman COL
OF Ben Klafczynski COL
LHP Andrew McKirahan COL
RHP Ethan Elias HS
CF Bradley Zimmer HS
RHP George Asmus COL
1B Roderick Shoulders COL
RHP Michael Jensen COL
OF Taiwan Easterling COL
RHP Christopher Garrison COL
3B Drew Weeks HS
RHP Arturo Maltos-Garcia COL
HS = high school, COL = college but I guess you could figure that out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ this defense
mb21Quote Reply
This team is too boring to watch even when the most boring pitcher in baseball history isn’t on the mound. Out, fuckfaces!
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) @ this franchise[/quote].
MishQuote Reply
Clevenger just threw a guy out trying to steal second. I wish they broadcast this game.
BJax = 0-for-2, K, HBP
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tough error on Castro. Bad hop.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Tough error on Castro. Bad hop.[/quote]
He still won’t get dinner.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BJax homers!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Brad fucking Snyder sighting. Whee!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]BJax homers![/quote]
Who cares? Brad Fucking Snyder singled!
Aisle424Quote Reply
It would be funny if the reason the Cubs were so bad is because they actually don’t allow their players to eat after making mistakes and they just keep getting weaker with hunger.
Aisle424Quote Reply
We should start setting up a food drive for Cubs players.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
My goodness Grabow sucks. Why’d he get paid so much money again?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]My goodness Grabow sucks. Why’d he get paid so much money again?[/quote]
His dad tied his right hand behind his back.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Miguel Cairo
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Grabow
Rice CubeQuote Reply
is it too early to start thinking about next year’s draft?
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]is it too early to start thinking about next year’s draft?[/quote]
mb said he didn’t know which guys would be top draft prospects so I’ll take a wait and see approach…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
what’s sad is that we can’t really even look forward to some trades. What parts of this team are even tradeable?
JoshQuote Reply
Is it too early to say…0 for June!
UrkQuote Reply
Fuck! They have to win at least 8 or else I can’t win that T-shirt (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Vitters doubled in a run but TOOTBLANed. It’s a way of [L]ife.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Fuck! They have to win at least 8 or else I can’t win that T-shirt (dying laughing)[/quote]
I am beginning to think 6 wins was too optimistic.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Rafael Dolis is a closer now?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I am beginning to think 6 wins was too optimistic.[/quote]
Yeah, I’d like to revise downward. there’s no way this team wins 9 games this month.
UrkQuote Reply
[quote name=Urk]Yeah, I’d like to revise downward. there’s no way this team wins 9 games this month.[/quote]
As long as they win 8 I’m happy (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs scored a run! Yipee!
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Cubs scored a run! Yipee![/quote]
Hope they don’t score too much or I’ll lose one of my tiebreakers.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Darn it Soto.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Miguel Cairo
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]
That’s Miguel Fucking Cairo to you
BerseliusQuote Reply
It will be funny if nobody gets the prediction right because the team sucked even more than the pessimistic predictions that were given. If that happens, we’ll have a quick prediction to determine the winner.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It will be funny if nobody gets the prediction right because the team sucked even more than the pessimistic predictions that were given. If that happens, we’ll have a quick prediction to determine the winner.[/quote]
Oh, you’re not doing “closest to actual”?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]is it too early to start thinking about next year’s draft?[/quote]Not at all. The cubs are in a battle right now with Houston for the 2nd pick next June. They need to pass them and make it a battle between them and Minnesota for the top pick. If they’re going to suck, the least they could do is get the top pick.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Oh, you’re not doing “closest to actual”?[/quote]I suppose I could. Doesn’t matter I guess. I just assumed somebody would get it right.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Josh]what’s sad is that we can’t really even look forward to some trades. What parts of this team are even tradeable?[/quote]I need to speed up my look at what the Cubs can trade. I’ll start doing it tomorrow with soto’s trade value piece. It’s almost done.
mb21Quote Reply
Zambrano is so not a team leader. A team leader would tell the team its an embarrassment and then it would win games.
mb21Quote Reply
Does this team lose 100?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I suppose I could. Doesn’t matter I guess. I just assumed somebody would get it right.[/quote]
If it is closest to actual, my 6-23 is looking pretty good right now as it was the lowest number of wins predicted.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
It would be hilarious if they went 3-26 or something, which right now seems optimistic.
mb21Quote Reply
This is reminding me of the stretches the Cubs had in a couple years (1999, 2000, and 2002, can’t remember which 2) where they lost 40 of 50 games.
mb21Quote Reply
We have all overbid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Cubs scored a run! Yipee![/quote]6 run losses are much better than 7 run losses.
mb21Quote Reply
I think gaius marius has been optimistic with his 65 wins prediction. I’m saying 59-103.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]This is reminding me of the stretches the Cubs had in a couple years (1999, 2000, and 2002, can’t remember which 2) where they lost 40 of 50 games.[/quote]the one nice thing is that at least the Cubs have some good players ready in the minors. Those clubs in the late 90s/early 2000s didn’t have much if anything other than Kerry Wood.
JManQuote Reply
Somebody is going to get fired soon.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
So I am only assuming the agent for Ramirez is attempting to gain some leverage in any trade discussions in hopes of getting that ’12 option exercised/re-negotiated.
Either way I get why players don’t like to be traded but this is a terrible season and I have to believe some of these guys would rather get out and onto a better team.
JManQuote Reply
I agree, JMan. I think it’s about leverage.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Somebody is going to get fired soon.[/quote]I think Quade is gone within a month unless we see significant improvement and with this roster that’s not possible.
mb21Quote Reply
psychics —–> not always right
http://gawker.com/5809710/psychic-leads-police-media-on-very-confusing-quest-for-mass-grave
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I think Quade is gone within a month unless we see significant improvement and with this roster that’s not possible.[/quote]
Do you think Hendry stays to the end of the year? I’m assuming whatever GM they hire won’t be able to do much and might just look like a desperation move anyway.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I think Quade is gone within a month unless we see significant improvement and with this roster that’s not possible.[/quote]
I agree Quade doesn’t finish the season, but who would be the interim coach? Listach? He seems like too nice of a guy to have this shit ass team thrown on him.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Do you think Hendry stays to the end of the year? I’m assuming whatever GM they hire won’t be able to do much and might just look like a desperation move anyway.[/quote]I have no idea what happens with hendry, but the Cubs are going to be looking for the same lightning in a bottle they caught last year after Lou left. If the Cubs can play close to .500 the final few months (if Quade was fired) the Cubs can tell their fans they were really a .500 team and with a few improvement they can contend.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I agree Quade doesn’t finish the season, but who would be the interim coach? Listach? He seems like too nice of a guy to have this shit ass team thrown on him.[/quote]My money is on Bobby Valentine taking over.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]My money is on Bobby Valentine taking over.[/quote]
That would be hilarious.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube][quote name=mb21]My money is on Bobby Valentine taking over.[/quote]That would be hilarious.[/quote]
Yeah, I hope he still has his disguise from the Mets era as I would advise him to wear it in the dugout every freaking day.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That would be hilarious.[/quote]
Alvin’s reaction would be beyond hilarious.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Is it too late to enter my june prediction…
0-29
If it happens i should win
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Austin Kirk had another good start tonight… he ahs to be better than Davis
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
To me, Hendry should have been fired for even proposing the Matt Garza trade. Throw away some of our good young talent for a guy who isn’t going to be around long enough to help us win? By the time this team is ready to win, whatever extension Matt gets will be over, or he’ll be the old guy in the pen like Kerry Wood. I expected this season to be throw away. They could have traded for Roy Halladay and this team wouldn’t win. Yeah, it’s worse than I thought, but I guess I thought they were hiring Quade because he was a guy who could teach the young guys the skills they need to succeed. It seems like the opposite is the case. If Quade’s not that, then what is he doing here? I guess it goes back to the owners not really caring if we ever win or not.
JoshQuote Reply
If we’re racing to the bottom, then only one man can help us now: Milton Bradley.
JoshQuote Reply
al thinks aramis retiring after the year.
he is dumb
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]
he is dumb[/quote]
Correct.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ calling out every single minority batter except Byrd
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan](dying laughing) @ calling out every single minority batter except Byrd[/quote]
Byrd is hurt but he’s a “house” player.
/racist’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I have no idea what happens with hendry, but the Cubs are going to be looking for the same lightning in a bottle they caught last year after Lou left. If the Cubs can play close to .500 the final few months (if Quade was fired) the Cubs can tell their fans they were really a .500 team and with a few improvement they can contend.[/quote]
Too true. That would be an utter worst case scenario, much like it turned out to be last year.
I don’t think Quade gets the axe during the season. I don’t think anybody in the on field leadership area gets the axe. It just seems impossible for the front office to explain that kind of move without even completing one full season. They themselves would be under too much fire for having made that kind of hiring mistake.
Much more likely (to me, at least) is that Ricketts gives the fans what they want. He fires/accepts the resignation of Jim Hendry around the ASB. Then a new GM is hired to begin the steady purge of everything all the fans hate. New front office, new philosophies, etc.
Then that new GM can punt the on field leadership without looking like a boob. Shit, maybe even a mea culpa to Sandberg to make the masses happy.
Of course, the Cubs will probably just promote Randy Bush. It will be at this moment that I will just give the fuck up.
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
Who called this?
http://www.theheckler.com/2011/06/07/triple-a-teams-take-offense-to-being-compared-to-the-cubs/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]To me, Hendry should have been fired for even proposing the Matt Garza trade. Throw away some of our good young talent for a guy who isn’t going to be around long enough to help us win? By the time this team is ready to win, whatever extension Matt gets will be over, or he’ll be the old guy in the pen like Kerry Wood. I expected this season to be throw away. They could have traded for Roy Halladay and this team wouldn’t win. Yeah, it’s worse than I thought, but I guess I thought they were hiring Quade because he was a guy who could teach the young guys the skills they need to succeed. It seems like the opposite is the case. If Quade’s not that, then what is he doing here? I guess it goes back to the owners not really caring if we ever win or not.[/quote]
Quade is here because he’s expendable in a way that Sandberg wouldn’t have been. I think that they figured they likely weren’t competing, but they thought that it would at least look like they were for longer into the season. But I think they thought they needed someone who wasn’t a “cub legend” in case things did go very badly and the manager needed to be removed as a scapegoat.
I’m actually rooting for Quade to at least finish the year, mainly because of his response to Zambrano’s
tiradelevelheaded and insightful critique.And I’m beginning to think that Chris’s scenario above is most likely. the results on the field are very very bad, but people seem to feel like the fault is team construction, not what Q-Ball is doing with what he’s been handed. Since Soriano got injured, cub fans can still be mad at Hendry about his contract, but they can stop being mad at Quade for playing him.
UrkQuote Reply
http://www.theheckler.com/2011/06/07/triple-a-teams-take-offense-to-being-compared-to-the-cubs/%5B/quote%5D
“I apologized to Marmol for questioning his pitching, and I have personally called every Triple-A franchise to let them know I was just speaking out of frustration,” said Zambrano. “I did not mean to insult their hardworking, fundamentally sound teams.”
UrkQuote Reply
Hendry will not be firing Quade during the season, he’s there to help cover Hendry’s ass. They’ll both probably be gone at the end of the year but I don’t see any scenario where Jimbo fires his guy during the season.
melissaQuote Reply
I couldn’t wait for your faget contest, got 2 OV shirts on the way – quite excited.
MishQuote Reply
I don’t even see the point in firing Quade. Firing Quade solves nothing. Let him coach this season. The team was never going to be competitive. Yes, they’re worse than predictions made them out to be, but the team needs to be fundamentally rebuilt. Who cares what dufus they have managing this year? Next year, with all the dead weight going off the books could be the start of a true rebuild.
JoshQuote Reply
KG:
Austin Kirk, LHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Lefty with very good command and secondary offerings; 1.96 ERA in 12 appearances.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I couldn’t wait for your faget contest, got 2 OV shirts on the way – quite excited.[/quote]
Our best customer!
Aisle424Quote Reply
Zambrano/Halladay Friday night. That’s awesome.
mb21Quote Reply
At least the Cubs lose early today.
mb21Quote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
That’s Rocky to Cuey.
mb21Quote Reply
CHC’s 2012 target:
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
^^ can’t get audio – who?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Our best customer![/quote]
I got the facepalm and the “1908 is a championship I recently enjoyed” ones – one in “Cub” blue and the other in red.
But don’t you dare charge lower prices, or else you’ll piss me off.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]^^ can’t get audio – who?[/quote]
Lucas Giolito. Really came on this season and is looking like a top-10 pick next year.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Very nice. But the Cubs should worry about having a second half winning record on the road, so I’ll wait and see on next year’s draft.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]
But don’t you dare charge lower prices, or else you’ll piss me off.[/quote]
Don’t presume to tell us what to do.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Very nice. But the Cubs should worry about having a second half winning record on the road, so I’ll wait and see on next year’s draft.[/quote]
You’re talking about the second half while it’s still the first? I’ll wait, thanks.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]
But don’t you dare charge lower prices, or else you’ll piss me off.[/quote]
As a non-season T-shirt purchaser I would be more receptive to buying if the prices were lowered…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]You’re talking about the second half while it’s still the first? I’ll wait, thanks.[/quote]
I can’t argue with you today.
MishQuote Reply
The Cub facepalm is an absolute hit. You guys should promote it a bit more and get a few extra bucks.
Of course, folks using the pic as their avatar may not necessarily translate into great sales.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
^^ Licensing fees!
MishQuote Reply
A week from tomorrow is my department’s Cubs outing. I may wear on OV shirt to it. Spread the word!
MishQuote Reply
I know he’s been hitting of late, but Blake DeWitt as your #3 hitter? (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I know he’s been hitting of late, but Blake DeWitt as your #3 hitter? (dying laughing)[/quote]Quade penciled him in for this start last August.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I know he’s been hitting of late, but Blake DeWitt as your #3 hitter? (dying laughing)[/quote]
Let’s see what happens. It might just work.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]^^ Licensing fees![/quote]
If it does matter to you OVBlog folks you might want to check into this as about 50 of my facebook friends currently have the Cubby facepalm as their profile pic (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6638006
It will never end.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Quade penciled him in for this start last August.[/quote](dying laughing)
It’s all about the preparation.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I know he’s been hitting of late, but Blake DeWitt as your #3 hitter? (dying laughing)[/quote]At least it gets Castro out of that spot. He needs to be hitting 7th or 8th the rest of the season. Just put him there and leave it alone. Since mid-April he’s made Ryan Theriot look like an all-star.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]If it does matter to you OVBlog folks you might want to check into this as about 50 of my facebook friends currently have the Cubby facepalm as their profile pic (dying laughing)[/quote]AC created it, but if you could point some of them to the OV Shop that would be appreciated. We like money. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]AC created it, but if you could point some of them to the OV Shop that would be appreciated. We like money. (dying laughing)[/quote]
It has been done, the original photo had a link to your store. I don’t know if the link survived through the transmission throughout facebook though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]It has been done, the original photo had a link to your store. I don’t know if the link survived through the transmission throughout facebook though.[/quote]We’ll probably be really rich by the end of the day. I’m anticipating earning a million dollars today through t-shirt sales alone.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6638006
It will never end.[/quote]
Who the fuck gives a shit about what Doug Davis thinks?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6638006
It will never end.[/quote]
Who is Davis to comment about this? I hope Zambrano looks at him and sees a (water cooler, Derrek Lee, Michael Barret) and beats him down (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Who the fuck gives a shit about what Doug Davis thinks?[/quote]
Bruce Levine
Paul Sullivan
Hobbits I’m forgetting because they don’t matter
Stupid Cubs fans
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/08/the-guillen-family-is-not-pleased-with-the-draft-thus-far/
Woah.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]Who is Davis to comment about this? I hope Zambrano looks at him and sees a (water cooler, Derrek Lee, Michael Barret) and beats him down (dying laughing)[/quote]I hope if Z is asked about this he just says, “Who is Doug Davis?”
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6638006
It will never end.[/quote]Dear Doug Davis,
Eat a sack of frozen lizard dicks.
Sincerely,
MO
P.S. The only thing worse than the female pornstar pubic hair you wear on your face, are the assfuck pitches you throw to the plate.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
About to buy the facepalm shirt. I too have to attend a Cubs game in the near future.
For the first time in my life, I’m dreading going to a Cubs game. There’s nothing to watch. Absolutely nothing. Even my infatuation with Castro has worn off.
Maybe Dewitt will fall over in left field and Colvin will get a hit or something.
Serbianking33Quote Reply
.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder].[/quote]
False.
Serbianking33Quote Reply
[quote name=Serbianking33]False.[/quote]I can’t argue with you today.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Um, this is all how Levine framed it, maybe.
Gordo used some of the same Davis quotes in his recap but painted it more as Davis sympathizing with Zambrano.
I’m pretty sure the quotes were provoked by one hobbit or another asking something like:
“Doug, do you see anything or anyone in particular to blame for this loss?”
thus stirring the shit endlessly.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I hope if Z is asked about this he just says, “Who is Doug Davis?”[/quote]
I think he should just say “no comment” but if this is pressed I see very few ways Z can really win.
I also agree with SK if in fact the same quote is used, but in different contexts in different columns.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15609007
Nice form.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Giants need catching. What do you think they’d give us for Soto?
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Um, this is all how Levine framed it, maybe.
Gordo used some of the same Davis quotes in his recap but painted it more as Davis sympathizing with Zambrano.
I’m pretty sure the quotes were provoked by one hobbit or another asking something like:
“Doug, do you see anything or anyone in particular to blame for this loss?”
thus stirring the shit endlessly.[/quote]
Did he look at Z’s locker?
MishQuote Reply
I don’t know how many of you still read Desipio, but here’s his take on the Z controversy…
http://www.desipio.com/?p=3593
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]The Giants need catching. What do you think they’d give us for Soto?[/quote]
I may be way overreaching, but I’d target Brandon Belt.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think it is easy to say that you should first blame yourself when things go bad because usually when he’s involved, it is his fault.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I may be way overreaching, but I’d target Brandon Belt.[/quote]
That’s probably not going to happen. Brown or Wheeler would be the next best players on the farm, but I don’t know much beyond them about their system.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I think it is easy to say that you should first blame yourself when things go bad because usually when he’s involved, it is his fault.[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
From someone else:
Hope that works. If not I’ll repost it to your facebook wall.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]That’s probably not going to happen. Brown or Wheeler would be the next best players on the farm, but I don’t know much beyond them about their system.[/quote]
Wheeler’s name was floated around when people brought up Jose Reyes. I don’t think Wheeler would happen either.
I wonder what MB will have Soto’s value at. At the deadline last year, I thought he could bring back an A prospect. Now? Maybe a B prospect. I still think his value is high, but I don’t think other teams need to pay that much considering his inconsistency year-to-year.
Serbianking33Quote Reply
[quote name=Serbianking33]Wheeler’s name was floated around when people brought up Jose Reyes. I don’t think Wheeler would happen either.
I wonder what MB will have Soto’s value at. At the deadline last year, I thought he could bring back an A prospect. Now? Maybe a B prospect. I still think his value is high, but I don’t think other teams need to pay that much considering his inconsistency year-to-year.[/quote]
I think Sickels had both Brown and Wheeler as B prospects, but that was a while ago that I read that, so I might be wrong. I think you’d have to sell Soto’s relatively low cost and age; something similar to how I’m sure Friedman sold Garza to the Cubs as still up-and-coming.
MishQuote Reply
I would think a team would see opportunity with Soto, too. His offense has been inconsistent (he’s a Cub after all) but it seems like his defense has improved.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I would think a team would see opportunity with Soto, too. His offense has been inconsistent (he’s a Cub after all) but it seems like his defense has improved.[/quote]
He was throwing baserunners out and had a better aggregate defensive rating than Koyie before injury but it seems that threw him off a bunch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
because of this article, my video on youtube has gone viral. It’s up to 19 views already (dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Blake hitting third today. That virtually guarantees a win.
ACTQuote Reply
Oh, and Hill catching.
ACTQuote Reply
And Snyder is starting!
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]And Snyder is starting![/quote]
Why not just post the line up? (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
^^^ Don’t you dare call them a AAA team, though.
MishQuote Reply
RF Fukudome
SS Barney
2B DeWitt
1B Pena
3B Ramirez
LF Snyder
CF Campana
C Hill
P Dempster
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]^^^ Don’t you dare call them a AAA team, though.[/quote]Doug Davis thinks there’s a better way to handle it.
It involves making one’s chin resemble a vagina and then lumping 79 MPH pitches in the vicinity of home plate.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Apparently Colin Cowherd had Colt McCoy’s wife on his show to talk about boosters at Texas. So…
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]because of this article, my video on youtube has gone viral. It’s up to 19 views already (dying laughing)[/quote]
Please remember me when you are famous.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]RF Fukudome
SS Barney
2B DeWitt
1B Pena
3B Ramirez
LF Snyder
CF Campana
C Hill
P Dempster[/quote]
Sweet sassy molassey…
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]RF Fuky
SS Barns
2B Witty
1B Los
3B Rammy
LF Snydy
CF Campy
C Hilly
P Dempy[/quote]
Q’d
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Q’d[/quote]
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s another loss we know…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]RF Faget
SS Faget
2B Faget
1B Faget
3B Faget
LF Faget
CF Faget
C All-star
P Faget[/quote]
/ryno’d
WaLiQuote Reply
Who’d have thought we’d miss Jeff Baker so much?
joshQuote Reply
Pat Hughes ——> too sick to broadcast today.
Must have seen the lineups. (rimshot)
Aisle424Quote Reply
The Reds should play fair and give Votto and Bruce days off.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Reds should play fair and give Votto and Bruce days off.[/quote]
That’s no fun for the fans who actually want to see good baseball.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s no fun for the fans who actually want to see good baseball.[/quote]People like that shouldn’t be watching Cubs games.
ACTQuote Reply
I’m basically “watching” (not today, but previous days) to see the Reds position players. Really enjoy Votto/Stubbs/Bruce.
MishQuote Reply
Yeah, I kind of want to see the Cubs win, but I also like watching guys who are good at baseball. Unfortunately, the latter are usually not Cubs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
I think it’s an automatic foul to engage force fields while on the basketball court.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think it’s an automatic foul to engage force fields while on the basketball court.[/quote]
The human paraquat deserved it.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Sounds like Dempster might be hurt. I think at this point they’re just faking injuries.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Sounds like Dempster might be hurt. I think at this point they’re just faking injuries.[/quote]
Maybe he’s too depressed to start.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dempster’s on the mound and decided to hit Brandon Phillips.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
WTF? The game already started?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Pat Hughes ——> too sick to broadcast today.
Must have seen the lineups. (rimshot)[/quote]
Joining all those injured fans I see.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Cubs ——————————————————–>suck.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Um, this is all how Levine framed it, maybe.
Gordo used some of the same Davis quotes in his recap but painted it more as Davis sympathizing with Zambrano.
I’m pretty sure the quotes were provoked by one hobbit or another asking something like:
“Doug, do you see anything or anyone in particular to blame for this loss?”
thus stirring the shit endlessly.[/quote]I don’t have a problem with anything Doug Davis said. Zambrano said some shit. Do we really expect every other player on the team to keep his mouth shut? If Zambrano didn’t want to hear from other players he should have kept his mouth shut.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Josh]The Giants need catching. What do you think they’d give us for Soto?[/quote]Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey? (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Serbianking33]Wheeler’s name was floated around when people brought up Jose Reyes. I don’t think Wheeler would happen either.
I wonder what MB will have Soto’s value at. At the deadline last year, I thought he could bring back an A prospect. Now? Maybe a B prospect. I still think his value is high, but I don’t think other teams need to pay that much considering his inconsistency year-to-year.[/quote]He was worth an A prospect last season if not a blue chip, but not this year. He’s now into his arb years and being paid more and will only increase. He’s also now past his prime.
I don’t know how to factor in his inconsistency into so I’m ignoring it. Teams won’t ignore it though.
I’ll have Soto’s value up in about an hour or two.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]RF Fukudome
SS Barney
2B DeWitt
1B Pena
3B Ramirez
LF Snyder
CF Campana
C Hill
P Dempster[/quote]That’s funny.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]
I’ll have Soto’s value up in about an hour or two.[/quote]
Ohhh… I want it now.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I’m basically “watching” (not today, but previous days) to see the Reds position players. Really enjoy Votto/Stubbs/Bruce.[/quote]Those three remind me a lot of Snyder/Campana/DeWitt.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Ohhh… I want it now.[/quote]I’m not sure you do.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Those three remind me a lot of Snyder/Campana/DeWitt.[/quote]
Oh I get it. Because they’re all people.
MishQuote Reply
I was trying to send an email to AC, 424 and berselius and instead of AC, I included my Mom. At least I didn’t send them naked pictures. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Oh I get it. Because they’re all people.[/quote]They’re all superstars, Mish. Everybody knows it.
mb21Quote Reply
I like listening to Keith Moreland mumble his way through last names.
joshQuote Reply
So I was trying to think of who Barney reminds me of and I think I figured it out.
Anyone think Darwin Barney looks like Henry Rowengartner?
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I was trying to send an email to AC, 424 and berselius and instead of AC, I included my Mom. At least I didn’t send them naked pictures. (dying laughing)[/quote]Which Traveling Wilbury is your mom?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]So I was trying to think of who Barney reminds me of and I think I figured it out.
Anyone think Darwin Barney looks like Henry Rowengartner?
I actually think one of the 288 blogs on my reader posted something like this already.
MishQuote Reply
Cubs lead, Cubs lead, Cubs lead
mb21Quote Reply
Pena!
Ramirez!
ACTQuote Reply
Aramis just homered?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Pena!
Ramirez![/quote]
Shut everyone right up! (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I knew Rammy was going to heat up. My 16 win prediction is looking pretty good right now.
joshQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
Campana shows bunt every fucking at bat. (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
This ump is ridiculous.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
TOTAL SCRAPPAGE
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Peña has been .255/.398/.518 since the beginning of May.
ACTQuote Reply
Coaching visit to mound for Koyie Hill? (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
… shut me right up
WaLiQuote Reply
Koyie got a hit.
Soto —> doghouse
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Arroyo has been having HR issues according to some FanGraphs articles so I guess this was expected. Now Dempster has to keep the Reds in check. Need 8 more wins so I can get my T-shirt (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Soto’s value is a lot better than I was thinking.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Peña has been .255/.398/.518 since the beginning of May.[/quote]He didn’t do shit in April and Castro was on fire that month. Pena has hit well since while Castro hasn’t done anything. Unfortunately Pena has hit that well behind someone who hasn’t done shit for awhile.
mb21Quote Reply
Just saw the homer by Pena. That thing was just a steroid away from hitting the river.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Soto’s value sucks because he smokes pot and isn’t a gamer like Jason Varitek. We’ll be lucky to get Bobby Hill for him.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Rami’s homer wasn’t quite as majestic.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I like Pena. He mixes it up from the constant “taking a walk is for pussies, ladies like it when I hit” approach the Cubs have.
He’s basically a less glorified Adam Dunn.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
new trade value stuff: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/trade-value-geovany-soto.html
mb21Quote Reply
New thread up
Suburban kidQuote Reply