The Children Are The Future-Cubs Minor League Update Sponsored by Extenze

Iowa

Nobody really did much. Adrian Cardenas was 2-5 and I still think will be a good utility guy for us next year. Jackson was 1-4 with the required strikeout. His quest for 200 continues. 

Smokies

Junior Lake is on a hot streak hitting 2 HR's last night to go with the one he hit yesterday. He also managed to walk and promptly threw up with self loathing upon making it to 1st base. Trey McNutt pitched 2 innings and struck out 3 and allowing zero base runners. 

Daytona Game 1

PJ Francescon has run out of hate powered magic and got shelled last night. He gave up 6 ER in 3.2 IP while walking 4 and failing to strike out a single batter. Matt Szczur stole 3 bases.

Game 2

Matt Szczur was 2-3 and stole base # 38. His wRC+ is now 137.

Peoria

Knuckleballer Jospeh Zeller had a strong outing lasting 6 innings while allowing 2 runs ( 0 earned ) and striking out 2. His ERA on the season is in Peoria 1.32. He was working out of the pen in Daytona but since moving to a starting role (and moving down a level) he has been much better. Javier Baez was 2-5 and really needs to work on take a few more walks every now and then. He also committed error # 14. 

Boise

Dan Vogelbach has wasted no time getting comfortable down in Boise. Last night he went 3-5 wtih a 2B  and look as agile as a cat on the base paths. Granted, his cat comp was Garfield but that's ok. Jeimer Candelario was 1-4 with a BB and Rock Shoulders was 2-4. Gioskar Amaya continues to be a hitting machine and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Last night was 2-4 and is now hitting .328.

 

348 thoughts on “The Children Are The Future-Cubs Minor League Update Sponsored by Extenze”

  1. @ josh:
    As bubs approvingly noted last night, Demp does follow Fox News. Perhaps the hour of doom is at hand.

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  2. Then there’s that other chicken place, you know where dude murdered all those people in cold blood. Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten fast food chicken in a long time.

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  3. That Boise lineup could look absolutely ridiculous in a week or two with Soler and Almora, it could be something like:

    Amaya
    Almora
    Candelario
    Vogelbach
    Soler
    Shoulders

    That is an awesome 1-6. Sexy stuff.

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  4. @ Doogolas:
    I’d be surprised if Almora gets called up to Boise this year. He just got into playing shape again and there’s no rush with him at all. I expect he’ll begin the season next year in Boise. Maybe he gets called up there for a 2 or 3 game stint this year. They might be more aggressive with Soler considering the money they spent.

    I’m surprised they didn’t move Shoulders up to Peoria when Vogelbach was called up. That team has 2 1st basemen and Shoulders is now the DH. I’d have done whatever I possibly could have to avoid using either of them as a DH.

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  5. @ mb21:
    I believe I read they were planning on using Almora and Soler in the AZL only for a couple weeks before calling them up. I could be wrong and I don’t have the source with me, but I recall reading that from somewhere.

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  6. @ Mercurial Outfielder:
    Is that a reflection of what a bastard Dempster is, how frustrating the lack of trade news is, or both?

    Also, it seems the Dodgers are in on Shields and Greinke. Dempster trade probability decreasing, and Aisley counts down to shutting us right up.

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  7. @ Doogolas:
    That could be, but like I said, Almora just back into baseball shape. He’s only played 2 games in the AZL. Vogelbach played in 30 AZL games. Baez only played in 2 or 3 games for Boise last year. I just don’t see it. High school kids often play their first season in the AZL. if Almora starts crushing the ball who knows, but right now I’d say he gets nothing more than a 2 or 3 game taste of Boise.

    Keep in mind there are other prospects there. If they can’t send those guys to Peoria it’s unlikely they’ll send them back to AZL at this point. There’s only 2 months left in the minor league season.

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  8. @ josh:

    Not to my knowledge. I seem to recall one in the mall in Cedar Rapids, IA last time I was there.

    Hey, stay out of my town! And they are building a standalone Chik over next to the other mall now..

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  9. It would be great to see Vogelbach continue to mash and maybe the Cubs have themselves a nice trade piece when they are ready to contend in 3-5 years.

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  10. @ mb21:
    Maybe. You could be right, but Baez also didn’t sign until, what, 3 weeks from now? Have to remember things are going to be different with the the pushed up signing date.

    And again, I’m only going off of what I read somewhere, which I recall being from a pretty close to things source. But again, can’t guarantee it because I really don’t remember anything for sure.

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  11. @ dylanj:
    I’d say that happens within 5 years. I think Selig’s current proposal is all kinds of nuts, but it allows NL fans to warm to the DH, which is good.

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  12. @ josh:
    I had to Google that–I was overseas in 1993 and hadn’t heard about it. Killers finally convicted in 2007 and 2009. I imagine that most Palatinites weren’t disappointed to see the building razed.

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  13. Has KG said anything about Javier Baez’s average speed yet? Dude has 19 stolen bases and 5 triples in less than 200 plate appearances at Peoria.

    I don’t know much about his speed, but that’s pretty damn good. It gives me hope he can stick at SS, which from what I’ve read seems a lot more plausible now that it did when he was drafted. Holy shit, if that guy can stick at SS, look the fuck out.

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  14. I love that the Cubs are frustrated with their lack of leverage in the Dempster trade talks if the report is true. They’ve only had 9 months to familiarize themselves with Dempster’s contract and they’ve only had over a decade to realize they don’t have leverage when it comes to full no-trade rights. It’s like someone where I live being frustrated with the heat. They’ve only had 3 fucking months to get used to this 100 degree shit.

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  15. mb21 wrote:

    I’d say that happens within 5 years. I think Selig’s current proposal is all kinds of nuts, but it allows NL fans to warm to the DH, which is good.

    NL fans who still need some kind of transition to the DH are the same kind of fans Aisley mentioned. The mainstream fans at the park who think Kerry Wood is still on the team and Ron Santo is in the radio booth.

    This handling of NL fans with kid gloves is an unnecessary shamockery.

    I still hate the DH because who would want to be a DH, but I am sick of pitchers hitting and continue advocate an 8-man lineup as the best solution.

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  16. Dempster must have gotten traded, or mentioned Chik Fil A somewhere…Twitter has officially blown up.

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  17. @ Suburban kid:
    The non-divisibility by 3 bugs me but I would enjoy the faster lineup turnover, I think that’d be good for offense unless the #8 guy is still an auto-out, which would probably remain the case for the most part.

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  18. mb21 wrote:

    They’ve only had 9 months to familiarize themselves with Dempster’s contract

    Maybe they just realized we were out of contention for this year.

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  19. Suburban kid wrote:

    I still hate the DH because who would want to be a DH, but I am sick of pitchers hitting and continue advocate an 8-man lineup as the best solution.

    I’d be fine with an 8-man lineup. I actually think it makes the most sense, but I think you’re going to have a much harder time convincing others of this. Baseball has used the 9-man lineup forever. Baseball fans love their records (season, all-time) so most single season stats will be topped if you go to an 8-man lineup. I don’t think you could get too many people on board with having so many of their old favorites being topped because of this type of change.

    I don’t care about records. Nobody cares that pitchers way back when started every other game and today’s pitchers start every 6th day. Nobody thinks any less of those counting stat records from the guys who made many more starts than the pitchers of today. There are so many better ways to evaluate a player than who has the most this or that, but for most people they like to know that stuff and they think it’s important. They probably think it’s more important than whether or not the pitcher bats. I could be wrong.

    I’m fine with either solution (DH or 8-man lineup). By the way, if we’re going to an 8-man lineup, why not consider a 6 or 7-man lineup? This way you could have two awesome defenders out there who never bat because they suck at the plate. I’m guessing most teams would use the catcher’s spot and SS as their defense only guys.

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  20. @ Rice Cube:
    What kid ever grew up wanting to be a DH?

    I guarantee none of the actual DH’s ever chose DH as their preferred position.

    I’m sick of pitchers hitting, but I still hate the DH.

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  21. @ Rice Cube:
    I know you meant in the batting order, but for kicks, here are the guys who’ve worn #8 since Dawson. It’s an amazing array of ability.

    Mark Parent (1994-95), Todd Pratt (1995), Doug Glanville (1997), Gary Gaetti (1998-99), Sandy Martinez(1998), Joe Girardi (2000), Oscar Acosta (c)(2001), Alex Gonzalez (2002-2004), Nomar Garciaparra (2004), Michael Barrett (2004-2007), Mike Quade (c)(m) (2007-11), Jamie Quirk (c) (2012)

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  22. @ mb21:
    Isn’t it possible they’re frustrated because Dempster lead them to believe something that wasn’t true? I feel like they’d have every right to be frustrated if that’s the case. I don’t know that it is, but if he lead them to believe he was willing to accept a trade to Atlanta and then he’s sitting on his hands why wouldn’t they be frustrated?

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  23. @ mb21:
    If I hate the DH I’m not going to love the DF. The DP is as far as I’m willing to go. (dying laughing)

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  24. SVB, here are my thoughts on Mountain Lion after using it for about 24 hours.

    It’s perfect for me. It really does the stuff it said it does and it does it well. I have multiple devices so I’m thrilled with it.

    If I didn’t have multiple devices I wouldn’t really see the point in upgrading. It’s only $19.99 so it’s no big deal, but there aren’t enough changes from Lion to really enjoy it. There’s better social network integration, but if you’re like me that’s not a big deal. I haven’t even bothered to set up the improved FB access because I just don’t care. I like the Power Nap feature, but unless you’re a really busy person there’s not much use for it. Gatekeeper is useful, especially if you have children, but it’s not something I’d want to enable on my own Mac. I haven’t used the dictation feature yet, which is weird because it was probably the feature I was most looking forward to. I haven’t had the problems with dictation on the iPhone and iPad that others have had so I’m sure I’ll like it when I give it a try.

    If you’re happy with Lion and don’t want to spend $20, I wouldn’t bother. Especially since you don’t have multiple devices. It’s really not going to be different enough that it will probably matter to you.

    Someone else may have an entirely different opinion than I do though. It’s just my first impression after using it for a day. It’s more than worth it for me, but may not be to anyone else. From what I’ve seen of the early reviews, they’re mostly positive.

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  25. @ Doogolas:
    They’ve been in this business for more than a decade. There’s no way on Earth that what Dempster did could possibly be any more misleading than any number of other players. There’s always the possibility that someone with no-trade rights will decline the trade. They surely knew that.

    I have no idea what Dempster told them and nobody else does either. If I had to guess what Dempster told them it meant something else to them than it did to Dempster. In other words, Dempster didn’t mislead them; he just didn’t articulate himself clearly or the Cubs misunderstood. He has no reason to mislead them or lie to them. It’s quite foolish in my opinion to believe he did. He’s a grown man with no-trade rights. He has nothing to gain by lying to them and he probably stands to lose something if he did (they’d tell other GMs about it). I’m only speculating, but it does seem like that’s the most likely explanation.

    But maybe he outright lied. I don’t know and I don’t really care either. Maybe the Cubs heard him and did something he didn’t want? I don’t care about that either. The Cubs are under no obligation to trade Dempster to the one team he wants to be traded to and Dempster is under no obligation to accept a trade to the one team the Cubs want to trade him to.

    It just seems to me it’s obvious that there was a miscommunication here. Neither side benefits from intentionally misleading the other. I do think it’s funny that people immediately think the player lied and everybody gives the team a pass. It happens all the time. Players are pieces of shit who steal money from their employers because fans would do it for free. Teams never do anything wrong. Never. It’s nonsense. It’s just as likely that Dempster told them he wanted the Cubs to do everything they can to work out a deal with the Dodgers and only at the last minute would he accept a deal elsewhere. And then the Cubs said fuck that and did something else. That’s as likely as Dempster lying.

    Neither is very likely because both stand to lose something in the future. Dempster could lose a little money in free agency and people fucking love money. The Cubs could stand to lose a free agent or two because of how they treated Dempster. You’re left with what’s most likely, but we don’t know. I just think it’s weird people immediately jump to one conclusion while ignoring all the possibilities.

    Fans, even fans here, want desperately to hate the players because otherwise they’d have to accept their favorite team is a piece of shit.

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  26. mb21 wrote:

    Fans, even fans here, want desperately to hate the players because otherwise they’d have to accept their favorite team is a piece of shit.

    To be clear, I include myself when I say this.

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  27. @ mikeakaleroy:
    I spent a good 5 years in Springville, which is one of the many tiny little towns outside of CR. And several years in Dubuque. To me, CR feels like a second home, though now it’s been several years since I was there.

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  28. @ GW:
    Like I said, it’s similar to someone here in Topeka being frustrated with the heat. I’m sure several are frustrated. Even I was frustrated it was too hot to take the family to the Royals day game a few weeks ago. Pretty sure nobody sympathized with me considering it had been hot forever. I have no sympathy for the Cubs frustration either (that’s if it’s true).

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  29. @ mb21:
    It goes back to the fact that most fans think they could play if they’d only had a good coach, or think they could GM if someone would give them a shot. They can’t imagine there is more going on then exactly what we see on the surface.

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  30. @ mb21:

    If you negotiated a deal with a company selling name brand air conditioners for half off and it fell through because your previous air conditioning company had the contractual right to your next deal (and you thought they wouldn’t exercise it), would you be frustrated then?

    Sorry, sometimes I really have to torture your analogies to improve them (dying laughing)

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  31. @ josh:

    Interesting…I grew up in Central City, who shared a football team with Springville for years. Had a lot of friends there

    /smallworld’d

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  32. @ josh:

    I just think fans don’t really understand a baseball player’s life beyond the 3 1/2 hours they spend watching a game.

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  33. Edwin wrote:

    I just think fans don’t really understand a baseball player’s life beyond the 3 1/2 hours they spend watching a game.

    Hookers and mountains of cocaine, right?

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  34. GW wrote:

    Sorry, sometimes I really have to torture your analogies to improve them (dying laughing)

    We don’t need an analogy here. Imagine the Cubs trying to trade a player with no-trade rights. You have no leverage. He gets to decide if he goes and if he stays. What point is there of being frustrated by this? They’ve known this for months. No, they’ve known this for years. Are we going to treat Theo and Hoyer like they’re newbies to the business or something?

    You and I both knew when the Cubs signed Dempster with his full no-trade rights that he had all the leverage when it came to accepting a trade. Fine, be disappointed or whatever, but don’t expect anyone to cry for you.

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  35. @ mb21:
    Thanks MB.

    So I didn’t know Mountain Lion was going to include dictation. That would be worth $20 in itself. If I can dictate emails and stuff in Word, and comments to OV, my life will be much easier. And if it’ll allow me to dictate data entry in spreadsheets that would really rock.

    I’m sold just on that. Dragonsoft Naturally Speaking is more than $20. Maybe someday I’ll get an Ipad and replace my Blackberry.

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  36. @ mb21:

    I think this topic has been beaten to death, but I wanna join in the beating…That didn’t sound right..

    But using the THoyer aren’t newbies argument, don’t you think they would have asked Dempster about his destinations? Taking all of the “reports” out of it and assuming Dempster didn’t have a public list of destinations, why would THoyer do leg work for a trade that wouldn’t go down? One would really think that they would have sat down and talked with Demp to find out who they could talk to, right?

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  37. My only memory of Cedar Rapids is when I was living in Iowa City and I had an important job interview in Cedar Rapids. I wasn’t familiar with the city and ended up being late for my appointment, but I was also extremely desperate to take a shit. So I got to the appointment, had to apologize for being late, and then had to ask if I could use the bathroom first. This was a massive horrible nasty shit and I was in the bathroom a really long time. Although it was down the hall from the lady’s office, I was sure it contaminated the entire building.

    Needless to say, I didn’t get that job and I’ve never been back to Cedar Rapids. (dying laughing)

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  38. @ SVB:
    You may want to read some reviews about the dictation first. I don’t want you to think it’s all fantastic for everyone. Some people have a lot of complaints. I don’t have any. It’s far from perfect, but for the most part it gets everything I say. One drawback is that you can only currently speak for about 30 seconds at a time and then it has to convert it to text. On the iPhone and Ipad that’s perfect because you usually don’t need to dictate longer than that. On the Mac it might be a little more frustrating.

    I know I dictated a post on the iPad recently and I loved it. I had to correct a few errors, but I have to either correct them when I’m writing it or ignore it so no big deal. I just think you should read some reviews so you have more than one opinion on it. Works great for me, but others have had issues.

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  39. mikeakaleroy wrote:

    But using the THoyer aren’t newbies argument, don’t you think they would have asked Dempster about his destinations? Taking all of the “reports” out of it and assuming Dempster didn’t have a public list of destinations, why would THoyer do leg work for a trade that wouldn’t go down? One would really think that they would have sat down and talked with Demp to find out who they could talk to, right?

    Players veto trades all the time. We know it happens. It happened at least once this year with Carlos Lee. The Astros did all the legwork on a deal and then had it vetoed. I think we’re expecting too much if we think these teams get approval first. They have discussions with the player and talk about possible destinations. The team then tries to work out the best deal. In this case the Cubs believed it to be the Braves, but Dempster wasn’t pleased with the situation and said no. This stuff happens.

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  40. @ mb21:
    MB, you are right about the Cubs having no leverage regarding his no-trade rights. But I think what most people are saying is bullshit is that obviously Atlanta had to be in play for Dempster at some point or I seriously doubt Thoyer would have struck a deal with the Braves. I can’t imagine the Cubs getting that deep in a trade with a team and having no idea if Dempster would approve the trade. They obviously felt that Atlanta was a contender that Dempster would approve to go to. If anything, I bet Thoyer is the one feeling a little blindsided right now.

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  41. @ mb21:

    I understand that, but I also get why some folk are upset with Dempster. *THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS CONTAIN WILD ASSUMPTIONS* Assuming THoyer did sit down with him and say “Give us your list”, and Atlanta was there, I could understand how they would feel snakebit when the deal was (at least temporarily) vetoed. Thus making the non-“normal” fans upset. (Sidebar, I really liked the discussion the other day about how the actual “Normal” fans would be pissed to find out that Dempster was almost traded. I know my wife was pissed).

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  42. @ mb21:
    Yeah, I read up on dictation between your review and my response. I’ll take not perfect. I have to edit anyway.

    @ Suburban kid:
    I can’t believe everyone is letting this comment pass. Forget Dempster, there is serious low-brow humor to be mined here.

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  43. hey, you’re the one who started with the analogies. you just ignored the primary source of frustration in yours.

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  44. mb21 wrote:

    The team then tries to work out the best deal. In this case the Cubs believed it to be the Braves, but Dempster wasn’t pleased with the situation and said no. This stuff happens.

    If we hold this against players we’re going to dislike a lot of players. Seems kind of pointless to me.

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  45. mb21, I know you will go to great lengths to defend dempster’s decision, and I can respect that. But to be flummoxed by basic emotions like anger from the fans and frustation in the front office just strikes me as silly.

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  46. @ mb21:
    Agreed, and I don’t dislike the guy for it, and think it’s within his rights to veto the trade, but also within my rights to grumble about that decision (dying laughing)

    /dead horse beaten

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  47. @ GW:
    To answer your question, I’d be frustrated at myself for the miscalculation. I wouldn’t cry to the media about it either. If this report is true, the Cubs are just trying to get people pissed off at Dempster. What is there to respect about that? I thought this was the shit that people despised about Hendry?

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  48. @ mb21:

    i don’t respect it, although i haven’t seen the report you are referencing. and i think it contradicts their self-proclaimed public silence on the dempster issue. having said that, I would be more concerned if they weren’t frustrated by the situation.

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  49. @ josh:

    I watched a lot of Catbird games, while playing in the marching band…

    /this one time at band camp’d

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  50. @ GW:
    That’s the thing, GW. It seems as silly to me as being upset at Dempster over this. It seems remarkably naive for everybody to immediately side with a shithole organization that hasn’t told the truth since Christ was a child. I suppose I understand the basic human emotion, but it doesn’t excuse it anymore than it excused Zambrano’s behavior. If you want to be disappointed the Cubs didn’t get a quality prospect, go for it. I am too, but I don’t accept it’s OK to be disappointed or angry at Dempster. there’s no acceptable reason to be upset at Ryan Dempster here.

    Dempster can defend himself. He’s a grown man and probably doesn’t give two shits what the fans think anyway. Considering the fact he saw what happened with Lee I think we can safely assume that 1) Dempster doesn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone thinks about his decision and 2) he’s more than confident he made the right decision for himself.

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  51. @ GW:
    You know this, how? Don’t you think if he cared what you thought he’d have done what you think he should have done?

    Dempster is doing what Dempster wants regardless of what anyone else thinks about him. That couldn’t be more clear by his decision, the reaction and then him continuing to make the same decision. The Cubs are doing what the Cubs want regardless of what anyone thinks about them. They know it’s a hell of a lot easier to be pissed off and hate a player than it will be for a Cubs fan to be pissed off at the Cubs and hate them.

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  52. @ mb21:

    It’s nice to see he’s somewhat close to reaching the majors. That, and his velocity has come back fairly nicely.

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  53. @ mb21:

    because i’ve followed the cubs since his arrival, and i’m not willing to ignore everything prior to his rejection of the trade on monday.

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  54. Look, I more than respect the opinion that Dempster cared a lot about what the fans thought if someone said so a week ago, but it’s preposterous to suggest he cares at this point. Not only did he see his friend Derrek Lee get trashed by the media and fans last year, he saw the same happen to Carlos Lee weeks earlier. He made a decision without regard for what the fans would think of him. He knew what would happen, made the decision, blah blah blah. A week ago I’d have agreed with everyone. I even thought he was one of the few who cared, but that’s just not so at this point. If he ever cared, there’s no way one can say he now does.

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  55. @ GW:
    I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to explain how he could possibly care what you think today. He alienated himself from fans similar to you. He does not care. Maybe he cares about the Harry Caray fans, but you can’t possibly believe he cares about you.

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  56. @ mb21:
    As was pointed out the other day, the average Cubs fan still adores Dempster. Maybe he cares about them though I’m less certain about it than I was this time last week since he had no problem at all alienating a portion of the fan base.

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  57. The Cubs are running out of desirable choices as they consider their next move, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The Cubs could keep Dempster and make him a qualifying offer after the season, but one executive says there’s “no way” the Cubs would make such an offer because the risk isn’t worth the reward.

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  58. @ mb21:

    please, i’m not making this personal. if you think he changed his stripes at the drop of a hat, fine, go ahead. i’ve said it before, i think he cared a lot about being beloved, and his statement about doing what was best for the team is one of a multitude of examples. obviously he got pissed when the realities of such a stance became clear to him.

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  59. Two part question for anyone that wants to answer:

    1. Who, if anyone gets traded from the Cubs before Tuesday
    2. If we don’t trade anyone by the deadline, did THoyer fail? It was them that said they would build via trades and the draft. I understand that they can only control half of the trade, and won’t trade if it doesn’t make sense, but still…

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  60. mb21 wrote:

    but one executive says there’s “no way” the Cubs would make such an offer because the risk isn’t worth the reward.

    i agree with this

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  61. @ mb21:
    What risk? To have him pitch for the Cubs for another $12.5 million and potentially be traded next year instead? Or the risk of the comp pick not making the majors? Heck, even Delgado might not pan out that well in the Majors if he doesn’t get his walks down. Or an injury to Dempster? That’s always a risk.

    I can think of a lot worse things for the Cubs to face than having Dempster accept arbitration. Like having to replace him with Aaron Cook. Or Willie Banks.

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  62. @ GW:

    actually, i don’t agree with that. i think they will happily make if him the offer, but won’t ever let it get to that stage.

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  63. @ mikeakaleroy:
    I think we’ll see a couple minor trades. I don’t think Garza goes anywhere, but I do think Dempster is traded. No way we can the FO failed. They’re just dealing with what they have and what teams are willing to give up. Not much they can do about that.

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  64. GW wrote:

    2. yes

    (dying laughing) you and I don’t agree about anything other Dempster getting traded (and the Cubs offering arbitration I guess)

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  65. @ SVB:
    Yeah, there’s no risk for the Cubs. Offering arbitration is a no-brainer. If it was like the past where you the player would get at least what he was paid the previous season I’d be less certain, but for 12 million they’re going to offer arbitration.

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  66. @ SVB:
    I guess it’s a risk if they wanted to spend that money on something else, and also if they won’t get as much trade value for Dempster next year as this year, for practical reasons.

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  67. GW wrote:

    and his statement about doing what was best for the team is one of a multitude of examples

    Can you name a player with no-trade rights who hasn’t said the exact same thing? That comment is meaningless. They all say it. None of them mean it. Not one player has ever cared about making their team better after they leave and not one ever will.

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  68. @ mb21:
    Is there still some risk like in the past where the player’s camp makes a counter offer and they have to actually let an arbiter decide? I don’t know the new rules.

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  69. @ josh:
    It sounds like they just offer the $12.5MM and the player either accepts or declines. They call it a qualifying offer and not arbitration in most of the stuff I’ve read so I always assumed it was different.

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  70. I saw a quote somewhere that said 10 or 15 Cubs were available to be traded and Randy Bush implied they’d get several deals done.

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  71. I’m glad the Olympics have started so I don’t have to think so much about Dempster and Garza. (Remember him? He should be cooking Dempster steaks every night for taking the heat off of him.)

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  72. mikeakaleroy wrote:

    Two part question for anyone that wants to answer:

    1. Who, if anyone gets traded from the Cubs before Tuesday
    2. If we don’t trade anyone by the deadline, did THoyer fail? It was them that said they would build via trades and the draft. I understand that they can only control half of the trade, and won’t trade if it doesn’t make sense, but still…

    I figure it’s win-win. If they trade some players they’ll get better. If they don’t the world will have ended and I get to see the fans react.

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  73. @ mb21:
    That’s true. Most of the shit players say sounds like it is out of a script. Listen to any postgame interview and look for any hint of genuineness. It’s like they take a class on how to speak to the press, or they’ve been told those kinds of platitudes for so long they almost believe them (until push comes to shove that is).

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  74. @ josh:
    I don’t believe so. I think it’s just a one year guaranteed contract offer for the average salary of the top 125 paid players the year before. The player can of course negotiate a better deal, but as far I as I know, he ultimately has to take the deal or decline it.

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  75. @ mb21:

    Fair enough, and then lively conversations will erupt between you and GW or Bubbs about how they’re wrong and you’re right (dying laughing)

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  76. Here’s an interesting thought…if Zack Greinke is going to be traded although he could easily decline that qualifying offer and the Brewers would almost certainly be guaranteed a draft pick, can you use the trade return to gauge how much that comp pick would’ve been worth?

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  77. @ josh:
    It is out of a script. They all say the same thing. Even if a player is traded to Kansas City they talk about how they’ve always wanted to play for the Royals and how Royals fans are awesome. They’re sure to mention how awesome the team they came from was and fantastic their fans were. Then we get to hear about how good they’re going to be in the future and he’ll be just a part of it. Same shit all the time. Someone wrote that line years ago and the players memorized it.

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  78. I’m actually a little surprised that DeJesus’s name hasn’t come up in any trade rumors. Heard one about Reed this morning, and Sori’s name is always brought up and then immediately laughed at, but nothing for DeJesus.

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  79. @ mikeakaleroy:
    I’ll be too busy laughing at most of the non-OV people. I strongly disagree with a few around here about Dempster, but I have a ton of respect for GW, dave, you and others. I think they’re just plain wrong and have said so, but I respect them and I also trust they’re not going to be the ones who think Dempster should be lit on fire or beaten to death. While I may not agree it’s rational, I at least know they’re not going to go nuts and spread hatred like some will.

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  80. @ Suburban kid:
    Pretty sure I saw an article in SI about this a number of years ago. There is a “class” at most major univ programs, and part of the life skills (or whatever) training for minor leaguers. Then reinforced by agents…

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  81. @ Suburban kid:
    They do, which is why they all say the same thing. (dying laughing) It’s also why players like Carlos Zambrano are so awesome. They failed the class so they just say whatever.

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  82. @ mb21:
    Yeah, and not just that stuff, stuff like after the game when they ask about a play. “Well, I was just trying 110% etc etc” it always sounds the same. It’s always platitudes from high school era sports talk (or sports movies). The sole exception being when Lincecum dropped the F bomb like four times in an interview.

    Okay, it’s all starting to make sense now.

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  83. @ mb21:

    Agreed. I make (mostly unfunny) jokes about the Dempster deal, but some of the folk I follow on Twitter are downright insane about the whole deal…I admit, I was a little upset to hear that we potentially missed out on a decent looking prospect, but who the fuck am I, but some of these dudes sounded like they were gonna hop out of the bushes in front of Dempster and beat him with bats…

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  84. @ mb21:
    See, that’s not even true. I don’t even hate Dempster. Here’s what I don’t like:

    If that situation arises then I think I’m going to do whatever is best for the Chicago Cubs. If that means going somewhere else to get prospects, I hope that’s never the case and hope I’m here for the rest of my career but, I’ve been given so much by the city and by the team that at the end of the day I’m going to really and truly do what is best for the team.

    There is no way to misinterpret that. None. This is what he told ME a fan of the team, through the media.

    Then the other day he said, “The Cubs are gonna do what’s best from them and I’m gonna do what’s best for me.”

    He lied. He wanted to be the fan favorite and look like the nicest guy in the world and when it came down to it that’s all it was. He was dishonest to the fans. He is the one that found a microphone to talk into and say something to make himself look good. I don’t care what he did to Thoyer to be completely honest. It really doesn’t matter to me, I was just laying out a situation where they could have a reason to be frustrated and you turned it into something about the fans hating players.

    I don’t hate Dempster. I’ll never hate Dempster. But I’m frustrated and annoyed at him, I was as much as “pissed” at him yesterday, but I’m not now. I’m just frustrated and annoyed because I feel he lied/deceived me. Not personally, no, but as fans are the only people who get any real “new” information out of that kind of public statement, it’s the fanbase that he was talking to when he said it. Anyone who wants to be annoyed at him has absolutely every right to be because of that and it has nothing to do with his reason for denying the trade to Atlanta, it has nothing to do with it being his right to do it and it has absolutely nothing to do with anything he did to Thoyer.

    If someone wants to hate him, I find that odd. I don’t want to hate him, but I do feel that I have every right to be mad. If someone I know tells a lie, like my boss, even if not directly to me but it in some way affects me, I’m going to be pissed off/annoyed and frustrated.

    Also, I absolutely can name one who didn’t do that. Aramis Ramirez last year, who just outright said he didn’t want to be traded and wouldn’t accept a trade.

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  85. GW wrote:

    @ mb21:

    i agree. (dying laughing)

    flanders: well, i guess this is a case where we’ll have to agree to disagree.
    skinner: i don’t agree to that.
    krabappel: neither do i.

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  86. Doogolas wrote:

    He lied.

    Did Carlos Lee lie? Did Derrek Lee lie? Did Fred mcGriff lie? Did all the others who have vetoed a trade lie? Or did they just tell you wanted to hear?

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  87. @ mb21:

    The evidence suggests he lied. Whether true or not I’m not sure, but everyone as a juror has their own opinion.

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  88. @ Doogolas:
    Since that Bull Durham clip was posted, it’s worth pointing out that anyone my age who saw that as a child knows that these guys say whatever they say to make their life easier. Obviously when it comes time to make a decision that affects the player, the player will think about himself in ways he hasn’t done publicly before. There’s nothing surprising about this. It’s not lying. They teach them to do this shit, TV. The Cubs Way talks specifically about teaching kids to do this.

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  89. @ Doogolas:
    I liked this because after all the crap I’ve seen over the past few days, this was the most lucid post by someone who is upset or frustrated by Dempster that I’ve seen. I’m annoyed that the trade didn’t go through/wasn’t accepted/whatever but I don’t see any reason to hate on the guy. I can definitely see where he backtracked on his comments though, but there’s really nothing I can do about it so I’m keeping my blood pressure low (dying laughing)

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  90. mb21 wrote:

    @ Doogolas:
    Since that Bull Durham clip was posted, it’s worth pointing out that anyone my age who saw that as a child knows that these guys say whatever they say to make their life easier. Obviously when it comes time to make a decision that affects the player, the player will think about himself in ways he hasn’t done publicly before. There’s nothing surprising about this. It’s not lying. They teach them to do this shit, TV. The Cubs Way talks specifically about teaching kids to do this.

    Which is fine. Find me where Lee said that, McGriff said that, etc, etc, etc. If you do, then YES, they lied. And then ANY fan has the right to be annoyed about it.

    Should people not get mad at politicians when they turn out to have lied their asses off about things they want to do? Just because someone says something to make their lives easier doesn’t mean that when it turns out to be a lie people shouldn’t be upset. Which is my whole point. Yeah, maybe we should have seen it coming, but even if we didn’t and it upsets us it isn’t some unreasonable thing. He is the one who lied, independent of what ANYONE else in history has done. He lied. And yes, if other players did it they lied as well and deserved any frustrations the fans felt. If Soriano is traded and blocks a deal, given what he’s said all year, yes, I’ll be frustrated as hell at him. Will I hate him? Absolutely not, because I really like him as a player, just like Dempster.

    Guys can say whatever they want, but it doesn’t make it unreasonable for someone to be frustrated when that thing that was said turns out to be a lie.

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  91. @ Rice Cube:
    @ josh:
    Thanks

    And Josh, OK. I’ll shut up. I’ve said everything I have to say anyways. But, just so you know, if it makes you keep posting a billion different comics, you’re really giving the wrong incentive. Cause those are funny.

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  92. Doogolas wrote:

    Guys can say whatever they want, but it doesn’t make it unreasonable for someone to be frustrated when that thing that was said turns out to be a lie.

    I think the frustration is warranted and I’ve said as much. When it turns to hate and pitchforks is when it goes way too far.

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  93. @ mb21:
    I think that’s a good point. The public persona is completely different than the private for virtually everyone who any cares about (in terms of their public persona). It’s like when a politician says something. You know its bullshit, so just wait until they commit to an action.

    Sarte’d

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  94. Per Stark-

    Execs from clubs that have spoken with L.A. say #Dodgers projecting air of optimism they can find a way to make Ryan Dempster trade w/ #Cubs

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  95. @ GW:
    You’re right…Fixed

    Per Stark-

    Execs from clubs that have spoken with L.A. say #Dodgers projecting air of optimism they can find a way to make a certain redheaded starter whose name rhymes with Bryan Crempster trade w/ #Cubs

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  96. Victim #2 (the one McQueary witnessed being raped by Sandusky) has come forward and plans to sue PSU.

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  97. @ mikeakaleroy:

    Because the Dodgers FO would have no reason at all to snow exec from other teams…really, Stark can do better than some milquetoast bullshit like that.

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  98. @ josh:
    I’m going to make up a few more identities here on OV so I can like this more than once.

    (dying laughing)

    Meanwhile, I’ll point out the difference between Josh and I today.
    Me: Subtle Approach
    SVB wrote:

    MB–did you have any other thoughts about how the Wandy trade may influence Garza’s value?

    Josh: Peter Gabriel approach: STFU

    EDIT: I suspect Josh and I are playing Role Reversal Thursday today.

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  99. Dolan pretty much nails what happened with Dempster in one paragraph:

    Dempster’s entire act is that he’s the funny, everyman who every fan should love. For two months he’s been trying to act like a saint about a potential trade saying he wants to play for a contender, but that he wants to make sure any trade for him really helps the Cubs. What he never expected was that he’d get called on his bullshit. But he did.

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  100. @ mikeakaleroy:

    I’m thinking I’ll just cave in and sleep with her.

    (dying laughing) (dying laughing) big sacrifice.

    You think this is Kevin Costner’s best role? Hard to argue too hard otherwise, though I did enjoy The Postman.

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  101. I just posted maybe the best thing written about the weakness of the PSU “punishment” in the forum thread.

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  102. @ SVB:
    It’s the only role where he isn’t overwrought and unwatchable, that’s for sure. (dying laughing) But seriously, he was pretty good in Field of Dreams and Dances With Wolves, I thought. But Crash Davis defined his career, I think.

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  103. I think Dempster will be dealt, but not until Monday or Tuesday. Since all the Dempster bullshit, the Dodgers are trying to gauge the Cubs leverage and probably not giving their best offer. Deadlines make things happen. At the deadline, the bullshit will end and either the Dodgers or Cubs will cave at that point, and hopefully it’s the Dodgers.

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  104. @ Doogolas:
    @ dylanj:
    Doogolas had a quote in his post that I’ve actually seen before but I don’t know when he said it or whether there was some context attached to it. He’s always qualified everything with “I will see what’s best for me and my family” or something similar to that.

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  105. Not Tom Ricketts ‏@NotTomRicketts
    Agree to disagree on that one. RT @jay_jaffe: most farm clubs have pitching

    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

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  106. @ bubblesdachimp:
    False analogy. Those would require separate legal arrangements not currently on the books, as far distribution of estate, custody of offpsring, etc. That’s also why polygamy is a poor analogy.

    But homosexual marriage requires no such re-working of extant marriage statutes. The only objections to it are subjective feelings of disapprobation. There are no viable legal or procedural objections.

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  107. @ Mercurial Outfielder:

    That is just patently false. Once you redefine it from traditional marriage there is no stopping the bigotry.

    Personally i dont care if gays get married and bubbs would vote for it. BUT you are not a bigot if you dont believe that AND honestly Rahm Emmanuel should care more about Kabul being safer then CHICAGO AND her invited Farrakahn in to the city for help when he is the biggest racist of all time.. Fucking new trier pussy

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  108. also let me just say this- we all get along here for the most part but as somebody with a gay sibling that i love very much it really really pisses me off to see people equate gay marriage to a person marrying an animal or a rock. It's a stupid, small thing to say and I hope people can keep that shit to themselves if they are fucked up enough to believe it.

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  109. @ SVB:
    But in thinking about it more, I think it makes Bubbs even more appropriate to set up with my Mom.
    Both unrealistically optimistic about Cubs
    Both say things that I cannot follow

    But Mom probably won’t eat at ChikFilA, wonder if that disqualifies her.

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  110. @ josh:
    If marriage is truly sacred, should we argue to criminalize divorce?

    I don’t really know all the legal stuff dealing with marriage. I just always figured you find someone, spend the rest of your life with them, and enjoy a mediocre tax benefit.

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  111. @ mb21:
    He’s also explained that “average” simply means a 50 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Most Major-Leaguers are actually “below average”. The speed ratings are also based on conversations with scouts with actual stopwatches.

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  112. this isn’t my blog and I wouldn’t want anyone banned anyways- im simply asking bubbles or anyone else not to make that kind of analogy because its very rude. That’s all.

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  113. @ Rice Cube:
    I think MB and I banned a total of 3 people at ACB, and I think he banned two others at 1060W-ACB. We didn’t like to do it, and tried to avoid whenever possible. I would imagine the position of the principals here is not much different. At ACB, we felt like people could say whatever they wanted when they came there, but they needed to understand that they were not going to thereby freed from being called a fucking dumbass for what they were saying, and MB, JG, DJ, B, or myself were not going to jump in and call off the dogs when the thread went south on them.

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  114. @ bubblesdachimp:
    Then you should read the Federal AAEEO laws that are posted publicly in your workplace, which point out that employees may not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religious preference, or sexual preference.

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  115. @ Mercurial Outfielder:

    Yea but thats not a constituitional mandate. That is something that congress has decided to pass.

    Anyways i dont want dylan to be uncomfortable. so i will be done 🙂

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  116. I’m Catholic and conservative. I say that too show that we’re not all to be painted with the same brush.

    Within my own family, the best marriage is the one between my Aunts H and H. They have been in a commited relationship for 40 years and have shown what it’s really all about. Most of my friends who fall in the same political and religious categories as I, feel the same about this. It’s awesome, beautiful and no ones business.

    Having said that, I can’t hate on Chick whatsitcalled for the owners opinion. He has the right to it and the right to open his business in Chicago without fear of reprisal from the local government, What Rahm and the alderman are doing is wrong. Just as wrong as the owners opinion, imho. Let’s face it, if Chick whatever isn’t “Chicago’s values”, then neither are the Cubs under current ownership. Is Rahm going to ask them to leave?

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  117. bubblesdachimp wrote:

    Rahm Emmanuel should care more about Kabul being safer then CHICAGO

    I keep telling people here that the mayor should care more about Istanbul than he does Topeka. They don’t understand. Some people just don’t understand that the job of the mayor is to care more about what happens in a foreign country than what happens in their own city.

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  118. @ mb21:

    Have you looked at the chicago murder rate. US troops are safer in Afghanistan then citizens in chicago. Scary shit

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  119. @ bubblesdachimp:

    You do understand that AAEEO laws have long been vetted as wholly constitutional by SCOTUS, don’t you? They would not have stood for as long as they have if they could not withstand constitutional challenges.

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  120. Well, look guys, if I got this off on the wrong track by snarking Bubbs then I apologize.

    I really want to comment about how hot Kate Upton is, but I’m afraid Josh will ban for not being objective.
    (dying laughing)

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  121. @ bubblesdachimp:
    If you want to marry a chicken, I’m perfectly OK with that. I’m not too worried about chicken marrying destroying this country because the reality is that there aren’t going to be that many people lining up to marry a chicken. So go for it. Knock yourself out. How your’e going to show the chicken actually loves you and can consent to the marriage is beyond me, but maybe chickens are brighter than I’m giving them credit for. Then again, if there’s a bright chicken around it probably ain’t marrying you.

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  122. once again bubbs is all for gay marriage and would vote for it… He just doesnt think that you are a bigot if you oppose it..

    Also Spicy chicken from CFA is awesome MO. if you are knocking it you have neevr had it

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  123. Bears fans, Emery has just traded for a DT…whose hamstrings have been surgically re-attached. /facepalm //Angelo Redux

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  124. John Mullin ‏@CSNMoonMullin
    WR alshon Jeffery catching everything near him. Strong hands

    Gonna be awesome!!!

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  125. bubblesdachimp wrote:

    He just doesnt think that you are a bigot if you oppose it..

    False?

    big·ot·ry
       [big-uh-tree]
    noun, plural big·ot·ries.
    1.
    stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
    2.
    the actions, beliefs, prejudices, etc., of a bigot.

    In fact, I think it’s the exact definition of bigotry…

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  126. frysredjacket wrote:

    Having said that, I can’t hate on Chick whatsitcalled for the owners opinion. He has the right to it and the right to open his business in Chicago without fear of reprisal from the local government, What Rahm and the alderman are doing is wrong. Just as wrong as the owners opinion, imho. Let’s face it, if Chick whatever isn’t “Chicago’s values”, then neither are the Cubs under current ownership. Is Rahm going to ask them to leave?

    I agree 100%. I couldn’t care less about Chick-fil-A’s opinion on this issue, but the behavior of the mayors of Chicago and Boston disgusts me. /annual political post

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  127. @ bubblesdachimp:

    Cutler was talking him up, too. I think they are going to try and use him like MIN uses Harvin. Aslong as he stays away from the pogeybait, he could be something.

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  128. It would be nice if they did something special in Wrigley Field for Ron Santo Day, like putting a big “10” in the outfield.

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  129. I’ll change the subject, at least for one comment.

    Most of the principals here have noted the best Cubs performance they ever saw in person. Has anyone ever been to a Cubs game that was remarkable for the other team’s (or opposing player’s) performance? Sadly, I have. Here’s one:

    Colorado 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 – 13 18 1
    Chicago 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 6 10 3

    One of only seven games (as of 2009) where the opposing team scored in all 9 innings.
    Cold, bleary day at Wrigley Field. May 5, 1999. In the late 90s I’d make one trek a year to Chicago for a game. Ugh. Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, and Neifi Perez killed us. And Chris Sexton got about 18% of his career RBI’s in that game.

    http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199905050CHN

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  130. bubblesdachimp wrote:

    @ TheVan:
    SO then you are a bigot if you think gay marriage is the only acceptable option by that definition.

    No. Thinking there is only one acceptable option makes you a bigot.

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  131. Rizzo the Rat wrote:

    I couldn’t care less about Chick-fil-A’s opinion on this issue, but the behavior of the mayors of Chicago and Boston disgust me.

    Meh. I’d say they’re about the same. The CEO of a company can espouse his personal beliefs, and the consumer public can vote with their feet/wallets. The mayors can say what their personal beliefs and public policies are, and the citizen public can vote with their literal votes.

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  132. Marshall was asked if the Bears offense is the most explosive he has been a part of. “No, not even close,” he said. “1994, my little league team, the Kingsley Knights — no, I’m being honest — I mean we were scoring at will. It was amazing, so hopefully if we match some of that production from back in 1994, then I’ll be able to say that. But I have to see it first.”

    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

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  133. Rice Cube wrote:

    I was hoping they’d do a circle but that might have been more difficult.

    The Cubs have a hard enough time trying to circle the bases.

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  134. @ Rice Cube:
    I think it has to be something that would be reported as “this doesn’t happen every day.” A one-hitter might count. I don’t know. Watching Opposing Pitcher K 15 Cubs would count, I’d think. The criteria are pretty loose, if you can remember what was remarkable about the Cubs getting only 3 hits (or whatever), then its notable. (Maybe it was the only CG in opposing pitcher X’s career?)

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  135. SVB wrote:

    Has anyone ever been to a Cubs game that was remarkable for the other team’s (or opposing player’s) performance?

    Yeah, the 2003 NLCS

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  136. @ WenningtonsGorillaCock:
    The mayors aren’t just voicing their opinions; they’re trying to block the company from expanding into their city. It’s a thuggish abuse of power, as far as I’m concerned, and it’s not what licensure is supposed to be used for.

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  137. @ Mercurial Outfielder:

    I thnik he would be much better on the outside to be honest. He has the huge body to go out and get it. I really think the Bairz offense is going to be fun to watch UNLESS the line is a disaster. I do not think it will be

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  138. @ WenningtonsGorillaCock:

    What you say is true. I’d add though, that the pols cannot keep a business from opening strictly because of a difference in purported values. It’s wrong in so many ways.

    Of course, as is the Chicago way, they are now claiming that it was a parking issue all along. Right.

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  139. Here’s another for me: May 28, 2004 in Pittsburgh. Double header.

    Game 1. Cubs down 4-1 in 5th, score 4 in 7th on a Michael Barrett Grand Slam. In the 9th, thePirates tie it up and then Rob Machowiak finishes the game with a Grand Slam off of Borowski.
    Game 2. Cubs up 4-2 in the 9th and Machowiak ties it with a 2-run HR off of LaTroy Hawkins. Machowiak’s son was born 6 hr before Game 1 started.

    Not history books material like the Colorado game I mentioned earlier. But remarkable.

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  140. @ Aisle424:
    Usually upper deck boxes were about the best I could afford in those days, and I don’t like the Bleachers. So you might have heard me groaning. I have this recollection that my mood and the weather got worse as the day went on.

    Would have been cool to see Glavine’s 300th.

    I saw Schilling vs Millwood in Ariz. ND for both. Millwood was really good that year. Grace got a hit in extra innings. By the 13th inning, we were sitting being the dugout, but started in the very last row. Arizona has a horrible ball park.

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  141. @ SVB:
    Dude, like 2 years ago in St. Louis, the Cubs were up late or tied it late and it ended with Marmol (I believe) giving up a walk-off homer to Matt Holiday. I believe I’ve discussed this one before and Aisely or Mucker were at the same game. Anyway, it sucked. Also, afterward, Cards fans were drunk and screaming at us, and my family was kind of afraid for our lives.

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  142. I was at the Mother’s Day game where Brett Myers took a liner off the dome and pitched 3-4 more innings.

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  143. Rizzo the Rat wrote:

    The mayors aren’t just voicing their opinions; they’re trying to block the company from expanding into their city. It’s a thuggish abuse of power, as far as I’m concerned, and it’s not what licensure is supposed to be used for.

    Yup this. It’s as wrong as a McDonald’s being prevented from opening in South Carolina because the CEO supports gay marriage.

    I probably shouldn’t use a foreign country when discussing US Law, tho.

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  144. @ Perkins:
    I was at the last game of that series. The Padres pounded the Cubs, my daughter bought a Michael Barrett jersey shirt (instead of other choice D-Lee) and it turned out to be his last game as a Cub at Wrigley. Was also probably sitting an aisle or so away from Aisley.

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  145. Bitches like dancing to Call me maybe… it has not worn its welcome out with bubbs yet

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  146. @ Suburban kid:
    Yeah that was a really bad series for the Cubs. The only real silver lining was getting to see Z running out of the dugout with his jersey open and a belt in his hand so he could go out and back up Lee. Larry Rothschild managed to hold him back, though. (dying laughing)

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  147. Here we go…..

    ChicagoCubsOnline ‏@TheCCO
    RT @thekapman Cubs moving closer to sending Dempster to LAD. Sources tell me various trades being discussed including a multi team deal.

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  148. Sounds to me like the Cubs are doing everything they can to send Dempster to his preferred destination.

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  149. Rizzo the Rat wrote:

    The mayors aren’t just voicing their opinions; they’re trying to block the company from expanding into their city. It’s a thuggish abuse of power, as far as I’m concerned, and it’s not what licensure is supposed to be used for.

    Eh, it’s like when the City of New York decided that it didn’t want strip clubs and XXX theaters in Times Square any longer. Make it about zoning, make it about whatever, but city governors have the authority (actual or perceived) to ban businesses that it feels are unwarranted. And if they don’t have the actual authority, they’ll get the city counsel to grant them the authority. The City of Chicago bans discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. If a company has such discrimination as part of its policy, an argument can be made that the city has the authority, if not the obligation, to prevent such business from operating within its borders.

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  150. Mish wrote:

    It’s as wrong as a McDonald’s being prevented from opening in South Carolina because the CEO supports gay marriage.

    This would be the same argument only if South Carolina prohibited the support of gay marriage. The City of Chicago (and, presumably, Boston) prohibits discrimination based on sexual preference. The mayors’ arguments appear to be that because the municipality bans such discrimination, it has the authority and/or obligation not to permit (via actual, physical permits) operations that have policies to so-discriminate. South Carolina couldn’t similarly ban a company for doing something that isn’t prohibited.

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  151. @ bubblesdachimp:
    False. The only Constitutional amendment that explicity cites race is the right to vote under the 15th. The 14th Amendment prohibits unequal protection of the law for all persons.

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  152. GBTS wrote:

    False. The only Constitutional protection that explicity cites race is the right to vote.

    I’m not defending Bubs in the least here (as I couldn’t disagree more), but the SCOTUS has interpreted the 14th Amendment to apply the equal-protection provisions of the Constitution to areas other than the right to vote. Nevertheless, sexual preference (not to mention marriage) isn’t part of that anyway.

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  153. @ Mercurial Outfielder:
    Yeah, but a lot of that is people always looking for a fastball against him. When you’ve got a guy who throws a heater the vast majority of the time and can top 100, you pretty much have to.

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  154. I’m pretty sure that Chick-fil-A does not discriminate based on sexual preference in their stores. If they did that, then Chicago or Boston would have a much more clear reason for preventing them from locating in their cities. Based on the facts we know now, I don’t think they have much of a case unless they use a pre-textual reason such as “traffic.”

    Also, the Supreme Court has a strange way of analyzing discrimination under the Constitution. A law that discriminates on race is subject to “strict scrutiny.” Basically it means you can’t have a law that discriminates on race. Gender = “intermediate scrutiny.” Most of the time a law will fail intermediate scrutiny (the VMI case is an example). It’s an open question where sexual preference falls, although it is presumed by most scholars that it will also be “intermediate scrutiny” when that question comes up before the Court. But right now, it is definitely an open question as to whether sexual preference is a protected class under the Constitution.

    Also, what Congress is permitted to regulate (i.e. pass AAEO laws) has almost nothing to do with what they (or any other state govt.) cannot do (e.g. pass discriminatory laws).

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  155. @ WenningtonsGorillaCock:
    Chik-Fil-A does not, so far as I know, have a discriminatory policy. All that happened is the president of the company voiced a political policy preference. I’m against government at all levels using its regulatory powers to punish political speech they disagree with, whether they can get away with it “legally” or not. End of story.

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  156. Last time i checked gays can still serve me chicken and by delicious chicken at CFA. The CEO just supports marriage between a man and woman. That is not a shocking opinion

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  157. @ Rizzo the Rat:

    Yep. This is the real issue. Becayse so many people find his viewpoint to be distasteful, they are missing the fact that the government is attempting to chill speech. We aren’t in a good spot when owners of businesses are afraid to speak out because of retribution from the government. That’s kind of the whole point of the First Amendment.

    As an aside, I have absolutely no problem with people who boycott Chick-fil-A because they don’t agree with the owner’s viewpoint.

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  158. @ JB:
    (1) I agree that the Chick-fil-A situation has nothing to do with the 14th Amendment. They are a private actor. (If anything, these politicians opening their dumb ass mouths have almost certainly opened the door for 1st Amendment lawsuits against them if Chick fil-a doesn’t get their permit.) I was solely refuting Bubs’ comment that the race comparison was a poor analogy because denying marriage based on race is explicitly banned by the federal Constitution. It’s not.

    (2) I agree, not all “unequal” laws are unconstitutional. If they were, blind people could obtain drivers licenses. It depends on the class that is being targeted. Homosexuals are definitely a protected class under the Constitution in that you can’t arbitrarily target them for discrimination (see Romer v. Evans), the open question is what level of protection they’ll receive. FWIW, I think its only a matter of time before sexual orientation is given the same heightened scrutiny that race and national origin get. What’s really interesting is the recent 9th Circuit Prop 8 decision that rendered that initiative unconstitutional but skirted this question – really curious to see that one come before SCOTUS.

    (3) Congress passes many (but certainly not all) civil rights laws under its14th Amendment powers. Portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act are a perfect example of federal 14th Amendment protection that is not based on race.

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  159. I am in on Matt Sczuzur. Kid seems to be a prototypical leadoff hitter. Gets on base steals..

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  160. Rizzo the Rat wrote:

    @ WenningtonsGorillaCock:
    Chik-Fil-A does not, so far as I know, have a discriminatory policy. All that happened is the president of the company voiced a political policy preference. I’m against government at all levels using its regulatory powers to punish political speech they disagree with, whether they can get away with it “legally” or not. End of story.

    This and:

    JB wrote:

    @ Rizzo the Rat:

    Yep. This is the real issue. Becayse so many people find his viewpoint to be distasteful, they are missing the fact that the government is attempting to chill speech. We aren’t in a good spot when owners of businesses are afraid to speak out because of retribution from the government. That’s kind of the whole point of the First Amendment.

    As an aside, I have absolutely no problem with people who boycott Chick-fil-A because they don’t agree with the owner’s viewpoint.

    This.

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  161. In the absence of an actual judgment of guilt, I’ll only say from the links below that ChickFilA walks a fine line on discrimination against women and gay people.

    http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2007/0723/080.html
    http://www.glaad.org/blog/chick-fil-sued-gender-discrimination (GLAAD is obviously not objective, but you can click through to the pdf link if you wish.)

    I don’t patronize Chick Fil A, but I think they do have a right to do business. I’m not sure how EEO laws apply to privately held companies though.

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