It would not be any stretch of the imagination to say that 2015 has been the worst year of my relatively young life. I hope you'll indulge me as I walk through what has really been a pretty shitty year. Feel free now to skip this article entirely if you don't care, because it will be pretty much be devoid of actual baseball content. I hope that's okay.
My Purdue friends and I (class of 2009) have an interesting yearly ritual where we take a 3-day weekend on Martin Luther King Day and catch up. We rotate from city to city; we have friends in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Louisville; it's something I look forward to as much as anything in the year. This year was especially cool, because my wife was pregnant and I hadn't told them yet! It was a pretty great time, and it was nice to share such great news with very close friends.
It wasn't meant to be. My wife miscarried more-or-less the week after that happened. I'm not sure I've ever felt worse. I stopped writing. I tried to put up a happy front and pretend that it was ok; often times, I convinced myself that it was true. My wife and I are pretty young. We can try again. We still have Leah. Most of the time, I was fine. Other times, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The kid I'd never meet haunted my dreams.
The next month, I took my wife and daughter to meet "Bushia." Bushia is polish for grandma, and my grandma was 89. It was not a good 89. She had been having strokes – multiple times a day, some times. She could barely walk, even with help. I'm extremely thankful that she was able to see her granddaughter, and that she was pretty much all there mentally, but we all knew this would be the last time that we'd ever meet. As we hugged to say our goodbyes, I couldn't stop crying. I had basically attended a living funeral.
Shortly afterwards, I took my daughter to the playground after work one day. I was carrying her up the stairs to a slide, when I tripped and fell with her. I was able to set her down relatively safely; I wasn't nearly as lucky. I dislocated my left shoulder, scraped by knees, elbow, and face pretty well. My wife was on a phone interview; being the idiot I am, I didn't want to disturb her, so I waited downstairs after getting Leah and taking her home (and I'll be eternally grateful to Leah for understanding that I was hurt and immediately getting in the wagon so we could go home). After 90 minutes, I finally got my shoulder put back in. I was off for a week; the week I got back, I got fired (from a job I hated and wanted to quit anyways, but still).
While I was looking for a job, I went to visit some of my Purdue friends again. The night I got in, we all sat down to play some cards. My phone was ringing; my mom telling me that Bushia died. She broke her hip a few weeks prior. She had surgery, started to recover, and then just died. I still don't know the cause; there were a half-dozen things that finally could have done it.
While all of this is going on, my wife and I were trying to conceive again. We weren't having any luck, and my wife just got a new job back where our parents lived, so we were moving in with her parents. We essentially were moving to a place where we had no privacy, so if we didn't luck out, it was going to start to get very difficult.
Success! My wife and I were expecting again! It took a month of grieving and a half a year of trying, but we were finally there. I texted all my friends the good news; we definitely need the moral support considering the circumstances.
Of course, it wasn't meant to be. The second miscarriage was crueler than the first. My wife stopped having symptoms right away, so we were obviously worried. Nothing happened for a couple of weeks, so we thought maybe we were being sensitive. Then, my wife spotted some bright red blood. We knew then that it was over; we told everyone that it had happened again. However, another few weeks happened and nothing happened! We knew that 10% of healthy pregnancies had some spotting, so it wasn't a death sentence. We finally had health insurance again, so we scheduled an OB appointment for a couple weeks.
The day of the OB visit, I realized that if we never lost the first baby, this would pretty much be the due date. I allowed myself to hope that this baby was alright; I guess I'm an optimist. Unfortunately, they couldn't find a heartbeat. They told us that the baby likely died 2-4 days before the ultrasound, which means that the baby was technically alive during every time we thought we had miscarried and then died anyway. The final grain of salt in the wound? Having 2 miscarriages means that the probability of having another is quite high.
I can't imagine the horror of burying your own children. I know that what my wife and I have experienced simply doesn't compare to it. I used to tell myself when bad things were happening to me that things can always be worse, and to be thankful for what you have. This year has made me realize that the possibility of things being worse doesn't help the fact that things really suck now.
The Cubs are down 3 games to 0 right now, and their chances of winning this series are technically one in thirty-two and practically zero. Funnily enough, it isn't even the worst news I received yesterday: my grandpa on the other side of my family was in the hospital last week to get some cancer removed. He's taking a turn for the worse. I might have to attend another funeral this year.
I don't want to come off as the protagonist of a Greek tragedy here. I've had a bad year in what I'd have to say is a pretty great life. I have a great family that; a daughter and a wife I wouldn't trade for anything. I eventually found a job; it's still early, but it seems like a lot better fit for me than what I left (or what left me). At least I KNEW all of my grandparents. I'm a middle-class suburban white male. Honestly, I've won the lottery.
Why do we watch baseball? It gives us something to be invested in. It gives us a sense of community and a sense of family. We get together and exult in our successes and commiserate in our failures. It gives us a way to be friends with strangers. It helps us forget that sometimes life is difficult.
During Game 2, I stopped watching the game. I did the same last night. The Cubs weren't providing me with any joy. Baseball is a voluntary experience; it will happen if you watch it and it will happen if you don't. I understand that sowing the seeds of sadness help you reap the harvest of happiness, but sometimes you just don't have any sadness to spare. That's okay.
The Cubs play a game of baseball tonight. It's likely the last game of the season; if it's not, it's very close to it. If you don't want to watch it, don't. You aren't any less of a fan if you decide to do something else, or turn it off at the first sign of trouble. If someone says you are, that says more about them then it does about you.
It's just baseball.
Cubs have had 9 winning streaks of 4 or more games.
Steven Matz has appeared in 6 games in his major league career. Tonight will be his 7th.
In his SSS of MLB work, Matz has a K%, BB%, and FIP very similar to 2015 Kyle Hendricks.
Matz had 90 innings in AAA this year. He had a 27% K%, but also a 8.6% BB%.
Between AAA and MLB, his 2015 FIP puts him somewhere between Lance Lynn and Jason Hammel.
His 45% groundball rate in the MLB puts him close to Michael Wacha.
Matz hasn’t pitched into the 7th inning since July.
In short, I like our chances on offense tonight.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
I don’t have the stats in front of me, but I’d bet the winning percentage for teams down 3-0 is better than 60%.
mylesQuote Reply
My ex and I miscarried the first time and had to go through a D&E. I wouldn’t totally trust the 2nd time increases the odds stat and here’s why – most miscarriages go either unreported or unnoticed. So by the time you get to 2, you’ve weeded out the people who are oblivious, so the reporting rate goes up. From what I can tell, we really don’t have enough good data on miscarriage to know a lot, but anecdotally, my ex and I ran into tons of people who had experienced the same thing. I think it has to be pretty common, probably just a part of the process. It is tough. My advice – and this is hard, is to not assume its real until you see that 8 week heartbeat. Too much can go wrong. The body doesn’t accept it. The fetus develops problems. Too much can go wrong, but it doesn’t mean the next one will.
Good luck, man.
JoshQuote Reply
Thanks for sharing Myles. I hope you’re able to find peace and happiness. A lot of bad shit happens in this world. I know from experience if you dwell on it, you can dig yourself a deeper hole. There’s nothing wrong with grieving, especially when things pile on. Just know there’s a lot of people around you that care about you. If I find some time to detail it all out, I’ll share in your misery with a post of my own.
The goal of life is fulfillment and happiness. Be grateful and happy with what you have and the rest will follow. Take on the day one at a time and make each day count. After enough days, you can feel like you again.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Thanks for sharing Myles. Stories like this definitely put things into perspective.
For me, I haven’t watched since game 1. I was on my way home and saw they were already down 3-0 in the first in game 2 and I knew the series was over. Just like you, the Cubs haven’t made me happy watching them this series so I just won’t watch. I hope they win but I’m not going to watch. I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud but so disappointed in a team before. I’m not disappointed that they are losing, just the way they are losing. I didn’t expect this type of success from them this year so I’ve been proud of their accomplishments but it sucks to see them go out like this. They are probably a year or two ahead of schedule so it’s been a hell of a ride but man it sure did come to a stop.
MuckerQuote Reply
College Gameday at James Madison U this week has essentially turned my facebook feed into Safety School Pride Week (dying laughing). They might as well pitch themselves to VA high schools with “If you really want to go to high school for another four years, come to JMU!”
berseliusQuote Reply
Damn. Thanks for sharing, Myles. Things like you’ve gone through really put a lot of other things in perspective.
dmick89Quote Reply
Thanks for sharing Myles. Sorry things have been so tough.
MillertimeQuote Reply
I agree with this. My only complaint about the “house money” remarks is that by this point, every team is playing with house money. Even the Cardinals and Pirates were playing with house money. i think the Cubs will be good for a long time and that should definitely help them finally get past some of things they haven’t gotten past in a long time.
dmick89Quote Reply
myles,
Sorry to hear about your rough year. I had to bury a child a few years ago and there’s nothing worse. It still haunts me and it always will.
I wish you and your wife luck going forward.
RynoQuote Reply
Sorry that your year has been so tough, Myles. Here’s hoping it’s only better things going forward.
PerkinsQuote Reply
That’s terrible. I’m very sorry to hear that.
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
mylesQuote Reply
myles,
It still hurts sometimes and I’ll always miss him and wish he were here, but I enjoy life in general much more now that I have that perspective.
I hope you’re able to find peace soon and gain from your experience what I did from mine.
RynoQuote Reply
Man, Myles, so sorry. That’s such a hard place to be. Watching the game last night with a friend, I found out that his wife had miscarried 3 times before they had the first of their two daughters. I don’t know how anyone does this this. Best to you and your family.
UrkQuote Reply
My wife and I went through four miscarriages. They are so depressing it’s amazing how someone you’ve never met can have such a huge impact on your life. Eventually we had ivf twins who are wonderful. And then an oops baby came around so now we have 3 kids under 3, so life is fun.
WaLiQuote Reply
I’m not sure we’ll try 4 times. I’m pretty close to throwing in the towel as it is.
mylesQuote Reply
myles,
4 isn’t even the low end for some people I’ve known. It gets difficult though. It’s a lot of grief and disappointment to deal with. My feeling is at the end of the day, once we had our son, it wasn’t as bad. At least for me it wasn’t like losing a child, I don’t mourn. I know everyone is different in that respect. I saw it as part of the process. A painful part to be sure.
JoshQuote Reply
WaLi,
yikes. My ex’s dad was a fraternal twin, so it was lurking in her genes somewhere, potentially. I don’t know if I’d have the fortitude.
JoshQuote Reply
Welp. So much for battling through my own depression today. See you all on the flip side.
JoshQuote Reply
Thanks for sharing, myles. Very nice piece.
mstangerQuote Reply
Hey Myles, just thought I’d share with you my recent misery. I actually haven’t talked about it with many people outside my family. Kind of feels easier with a bunch of Cubs internet-geeks like myself. This might get a little deep…
Brief background – I grew up a pretty comfy lifestyle. Mom & Dad were upper middle class. Divorced when I was 16, but both stayed in my life. Parents paid my way through Purdue. Got a job in Indy out of college. Got married in 2012. I never took this for granted because I knew I was luckier than most people’s upbringing.
Then August of 2014 came. My stepfather of 10 years had a stroke. Lost his speech and most normal functions. The cause of his stroke was Stage 3 lung cancer that spread to his lymph nodes. 5 year survival rate of that is like 5%.
He and my mom lived in Northwest Indiana. My mom somehow pulled some strings and got him into Northwestern Memorial for oncology & rehabilitation. She continued working a 40 hour work week 6 am to 2 pm and drove an hour into and from the city every day to be with him.
November 2014, my stepfather is told that the cancer is in remission, beating the odds. He’s able to attend his daughter’s wedding. My mom is given a promotion at her bank to be a Vice President.
December 2014, my mom starts acting really weird. Cussing, not sleeping, not eating, spending money like crazy, calling/texting me all hours of the night. All abnormal behavior. Stepfather leaves her. She hallucinates and is hospitalized, then released 3 days later.
January & February 2015, she is given leave from work. Employee files a restraining order. Bank files an order of protection until she receives treatment for this unknown condition. Stepfather files for divorce instead of trying to get her help. She continues spending lavishly including racking up $40,000 at a jewelry store. She finally sees a psychiatrist and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I, extremely rare to be undiagnosed this late in life (she was 55). Diagnosed, but not medicated, she flies to Vegas on a whim, meets some random guy on the plane, and they start dating. Find out guy is getting a divorce and just filed for bankruptcy for his business.
Back in January 2014, my grandmother (my mom’s mom) is deteriorating and is entered in a nursing home. She’s been there ever since.
Also February 2015, my grandmother (my dad’s mom) passes away at age 93.
July 2015, mom moves to Rochester, NY to be with the guy she met on the plane to Vegas despite me trying to get her to move in with me until she’s better. To this day, no job and no clarity on what the fuck has happened to her life the past 10 months.
I’ve lost a stepfather, grandmother, close to losing another grandmother, and the mom I’ve known for 27 years might not ever come back. My mom’s not manic anymore, but she’s still not close to same person she was just 12 short months ago.
I’ve very lucky to have my wife, family, and a great group of friends to support me. I couldn’t imagine going through this alone. I know religion was brought up recently, but for me, I find my spirituality helps me plow forward when nothing seems to make sense. I’m getting close to a sense of peace. Find whatever makes you truly happy. In tragedy, you really find out what things in life make you happy and what else is just bullshit. It’ll get better. If you ever need a random person, I’m here in Indy if you want to grab coffee, lunch, drinks, whatever.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Now let’s win this fucking game tonight.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
That’s awful, JKV. Sorry to hear about all of that. Had to be difficult for both you and Myles to share what you did. Thanks.
dmick89Quote Reply
David Ross starting in place of Montero. I know Montero is struggling and they’re facing a lefty, but that’s a surprising move.
dmick89Quote Reply
I miss Castillo.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
That’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear that too. In a sick, twisted way, it’s nice to know that other people have similar struggles. I don’t know what that says about me.
And I don’t mean to say that I’m dealing with it alone. I have a family, and my parents and my wife’s parents are all still together and relatively happy. I don’t know what normal is; I have nothing to compare it to. This all just came to me last night after I got the call that my grandpa is getting worse. I’m ready to never think about 2015, ever again, even though that’s impossible. It really put a baseball game into perspective.
mylesQuote Reply
Has anyone checked Chicago tee times for tomorrow under J. Maddon?
mylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
To be fair, Montero has been BRUTAL. Striking out a 40% clip through 7 playoff games. He’s only caught 1 runner stealing. Poor throws to 2nd.
Also, a lefty is on the mound for the Mets.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Well said, Myles. I’m sorry your year has sucked, but I’m glad you were willing to talk about it. It really does bring to light a lot of similar experiences other people have gone through, are going through, will go through that otherwise would be kept completely private. It always helps, even if it only helps a little, to know you aren’t alone in the shit.
And I definitely know from experience, when baseball isn’t helping, shit, walk away from it. If your sport choices are making your life worse, there’s no glory in prolonging the suffering.
andcountingQuote Reply
Yeah, I almost said last night that they may as well start Ross, but then I realized that instead of the small samples, the large samples ought to be used. Always. It’s easy to go with the small samples and hot players, bench the cold ones. It’s really something I was looking forward to not seeing in Chicago and while I like Maddon a lot, I’d be lying if I set I wasn’t let down by his tendency to do the same silly shit other managers do.
dmick89Quote Reply
I was going through a pretty severe depression (my last one, fortunately) during the 2003 LCS. The Cubs didn’t help, of course (or, they did and then they didn’t).
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The only reason I like Ross is that I feel like he’s the best chance at getting a good game out of Hammel.
MillertimeQuote Reply
In the case of Montero, hasn’t he been battling a hand/thumb thing for awhile? I remember he came back from the DL not 100%. Maybe it’s finally caught up with him.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Why not have Schwarber catch?
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
It would be sacrificing catcher d for an improvement in batting and outfield d. I don’t remember him doing awful catching earlier this year.
WaLiQuote Reply
TOR just took a 5-0 lead and has David Price warming up in the bullpen. Really would love to be a fly on the wall in that clubhouse.
PerkinsQuote Reply
WaLi,
I’d be worry about how Hammel reacts.
I think Hammel is a pro, so I’m sure he’d suck it up, but he’s obviously frustrated as it is, both with his performance and with his perceived role. Giving him a rookie catcher can’t do much for his confidence.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
At the same time, giving him a no-offense catcher leaves him with little room for error. I think the injury thing might be more of an issue as brought up a few comments earlier.
dmick89Quote Reply
Millertime,
Yeah I know it wouldn’t happen and maybe I don’t value catcher D as much as I should, but it seems like (without looking at the numbers) it would be more beneficial.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
I might be guilty of some type of fallacy thinking or something. Normally I don’t buy into Catcher’s making that big of a difference. But for some reason, I feel like in this one playoff game, it does matter.
I should mention how I’m frequently wrong about all things baseball decsion related.
MillertimeQuote Reply
This.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
OR BEER EITHER WAY!
JoshQuote Reply
Good sign for tonight you guys. For the first time since the playoffs started, I was able to find Old Style at a grocery or liquor store in the Indianapolis area. Bottles, not cans, but Old Style none the less.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
I’m sorry. Just one horrible thing after another.
JoshQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Congrats..?
WaLiQuote Reply
One thing I’m going to do tonight: no matter what, I’m not going to get down. This has been a great season. It might be the end. If it is, it was still a great season. Hat tip to the Mets on a dominant performance thus far. But I’m more confident in this game than I was in any other game.
Joe had this team in a loose mood all year. They felt the pressure in the one game playoff against the Pirates. I think they finally feel the pressure here and respond in a dominating way.
I’m going to have fun tonight.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Josh,
WaLi,
Oh, it’s a terrible thing for my taste buds. But there’s some weird part of my brain that enjoys the Old Style-Cubs nostalgic bullshit.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Agreed. Fantastic season. Tons of fun. I wasn’t always around, but thanks to all of you here who make it so entertaining.
dmick89Quote Reply
First off, that sucks. As someone who has for the past 7 years thought that this year couldn’t be worst than the last—and been proven wrong—I know what it’s like. There’s no sugar-coating it. There’s no euphemizing it.
It. Just. Sucks.
And while my sorry isn’t really worth much, my heart wells with sorrow.
You did win the lottery of life, but that’s not saying much because life is brutal and awful no matter how you slice it. Even the most well-to-do struggle if they are sufficiently intelligent and mature. So don’t hold back from shaking your fist at the sky when the vagaries of being among the living dash your hopes.
—————
Something that might actually be helpful but might also be a dead end—my wife’s mother has Celiac disease, so my wife decided that the chances her developing it were quite high, so she and her sister cut out the gluten back before it was cool—probably 2007ish. Her sister is a devout Catholic and a believer in large families, but after their fourth child, they had some trouble conceiving and then had a miscarriage. Her issue, as it turned out after doing many tests and dumping a previous OB/GYN was that her thyroid was not working—Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—which meant that certain critical functions were not, well, functioning, which can lead to, among other things, miscarriage.
(Here is a link that might be helpful. DISCLAIMER: I have simply skimmed it, but it should be accurate because her reason for starting the blog was pure rage—the most perfect reason for doing anything on teh internets.)
From my research on autoimmune disease, it tends to be triggered by a stressful event or series of events, and pregnancy is just such an event. My wife also has hypothyroidism despite cutting out glutens so long ago, so she probably also has Hashimoto’s, but it fortunately did not affect our pregnancies which went off without a hitch, but a fourth probably would not have because her thyroid was not doing a damn thing three years later.
Some things to consider—autoimmunity can express itself in hundreds of ways, so if your wife has family that suffers from MS to depression to rheumatoid arthiritis to diabetes to lupus to any-illness-that-may-prompt-a-doctor-to-imply-that-the-patient-is-faking-it-because-typical-screenings-come-back-with-absolutely-nothing-wrong, autoimmunity should be looked at as a culprit.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Lots and lots of runs, please.
dmick89Quote Reply
On a mix of Stone Sublimely Self–Righteous Ale and Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin. Something about drinking San Diego beer is reminding me that things could be worse than being down 3-0 in the NLCS. (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
Fixed.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Along with throwing to first next spring, how about teaching the pitchers how to hold a runner at 1st? Ross had no chance.
dmick89Quote Reply
A bit cheer to put everything in perspective:
I call it The Universal Spoiler.
But it’s a damn good late October night for a baseball game. Let’s play two.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Hammel looks not terrible tonight, though obviously you never want two baserunners.
PerkinsQuote Reply
You meant lots of walks right?
JoshQuote Reply
Seconded.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Sigh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Shut me right up.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Aaaand Cubs lose.
JoshQuote Reply
Just keep throwing fastballs down the middle. I’m sure that will work out.
JoshQuote Reply
Sigh again.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Well, it was a fun season, guys.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Down 3–0 down 3–0. That’s recursively awful.
EDIT: Down 4–0 isn’t any less awful. (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Wow
dmick89Quote Reply
Just take him out. You made a mistake, don’t compound it.
JoshQuote Reply
Mets ———> WS (unless they fuck it up)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
So we’re a lock to exercise Hammel’s 2017 option, right?
uncle daveQuote Reply
Good thing Schwarber can hit.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Man. I’m not even mad. I’m just dumbfounded.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Glad we started Ross in this one.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I’m in class, did Kyle boot it back to the infield?
JoshQuote Reply
So the Dodgers can extend Greinke a QO, right? Not 100% sure how that works when a player declines his option. Wondering whether he or Zimmerman would be a better free agent target.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I mean, how is it that the first 4 batters in the Mets line up seem invincible? Like, these guys aren’t even that good, yet they can’t make mistakes or hit it at people. It’s just crazy. Baseball is crazy.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Kyle Schwarber might be a 1st baseman.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
He’d be a great DH
JoshQuote Reply
dmick89,
Bring the DH to the NL!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Josh,
He dove and it hit his wrist. Then he threw it back to the infield.
dmick89Quote Reply
Perkins,
It’s a tough road ahead, but there’s 9 innings where the Cubs will bat. Plus, I don’t think Hammel is going to pitch the 2nd.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Yes. Definitely yes.
dmick89Quote Reply
Josh,
He misjudged a ball and made a late dive for it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The Cubs are trying to outdo the 2004 Red Sox by being down in a series 4–0.
ceruleanQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Yes. Let the hope in.
JoshQuote Reply
I’m still watching because it’s the last time for months I’ll get to see these guys play.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Going to my woodshop motherfuckers.
JoshQuote Reply
They’re going to be quick innings if the hitters keep pressing.
PerkinsQuote Reply
This entire Mets team is on adderall or something.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Welp.
berseliusQuote Reply
Hammel in for the second. I guess even Maddon has decided “fuck it.”
PerkinsQuote Reply
Same here. I’ll probably watch until the final out and then I’ll change the channel quickly.
dmick89Quote Reply
Josh,
Pretty sure the Cubs are already there.
uncle daveQuote Reply
uncle dave,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Bring back good Hammel.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Good luck with your game 5 tickets, myles.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Jason Hammel is just Matt Clement incarnate.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Looking forward to hearing Hammel talk about how he only made one bad pitch.
PerkinsQuote Reply
So…Maeda? Maybe he’ll be posted?
AkabariQuote Reply
Oy vey.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The Mets aren’t this good at baseball. This is weird. Plus the Cubs look like shit.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
If we’re a feast or famine team, this must be like the Irish potato death or some shit.
AkabariQuote Reply
So… it would have been nice to have had the option to start Arrieta tonight.
GWQuote Reply
Castro pulled a Rizzo.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I will say, if this is it, I can’t wait for Jason Hammel not to be on this roster.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
WTF. I have seen it all. (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Nope. Can’t mess with our pitchers preparation. It’s clearly very important.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Fwiw Maddon said that pitchers on 3 days rest tend to be awful, so why bother when you need to win like 4 games.
In hindsight today its easy to say, but its not like Jake wasn’t clearly gassed the last game
AkabariQuote Reply
It would have, but down 3-0, I’m not sure that it matters. They’d either have had to count on Hammel later on in the series or Arrieta for game 7.
I do agree that Arrieta should definitely have started game 1. I still don’t understand that one.
Oh well.
dmick89Quote Reply
He just wasn’t the same after his injury. I do think he’s gone and the Cubs are going to need some pitching for sure.
dmick89Quote Reply
What the shit is going on? I turn on the game and we’re already down 6-0? Did Hammel make one bad pitch again?
MillertimeQuote Reply
Six two-out runs. A shitload of long ABs. This was the shit that the Cubs were doing to everyone else for the past three months.
uncle daveQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
I can’t believe Flores ran on that.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
Who’s gonna take him? He’s got about $11MM left on his contract, including the $2MM buyout. The question I have is whether they can afford one of the top tier pitchers and someone to replace Fowler.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I am happy David Ross is in this game. That was hilarious.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I worry about his strikeout rate at the MLB level.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Too much of a soft tosser, or just gives up hard contact?
I mainly ask because he could be a theoretical “bargain” with a market desperate for the top tier pitching.
AkabariQuote Reply
Damn Myles, thank you for taking up the courage to write this. Appreciate it very much, hope the rest of 2015 and beyond brings you the best.
fueledbyvinylQuote Reply
uncle dave,
I’m not sure, but the A’s gave up a shitload to get him in 2014 and he had a great 1st half. His strikeouts and walks have been excellent this year. That’s not all that much money for a decent starter. I think the Cubs will find some team to take him and may even get something decent in return.
I’d be OK with Austin Jackson in CF. I know berselius has mentioned that in the podcast and I think he’d be OK next year.
dmick89Quote Reply
uncle dave,
Lets flip Hammel for Nolasco
AkabariQuote Reply
Arrieta wasn’t gassed. Of course he’s tired, but he got BABIPed to death the last two games. That said, he seemed to intimate that he must be fatiguing, so the narrative might be self-fulfilling.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Travis Wood hitting because why not?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m not sure how hard he throws. His strikeout rate is well below that of the top tier pitchers to come from Japan. I know he won’t be marketed like that, but I’d be hesitant to offer much of a posting fee for him, but why not get involved up to a certain point? Sure. I’d probably expect somewhere around 7 K/9 or a bit under as a starter.
dmick89Quote Reply
Ross is the first baserunner because of course he is.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=9,d
dmick89Quote Reply
It would be nice to know if his performance has been because of the injury. His numbers are awfully good (Hammel’s). He’s definitely sucked in the second half though.
dmick89Quote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/nlcs-cubs-and-mets-series-preview-part-1/
GWQuote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah, it really would depend on the deal, I suppose.
It just seems like putting another 20-30 MM into another pitcher seems like a recipe for disaster, but I’m not sure how else you add depth to the SP reasonably.
AkabariQuote Reply
GW,
Here’s where you asked the question in the comments: http://obstructedview.net/nlcs-cubs-and-mets-series-preview-part-1/#comment-146647
dmick89Quote Reply
Akabari,
If it’s David Price or Jake Arrieta, I’m going with David Price. As good as Arrieta has been, Price has been doing it a lot longer. It would be nice to get Arrieta at a discount, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen. I’d like to have both, but if for some reason it’s one or the other being signed long-term, I’m going with Price.
dmick89Quote Reply
Damn it, Murphy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Daniel Murphy is Barry Bonds.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
This is what it looks like when the varsity teams practices against the JV team.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah, its tough to argue that. With Jake for 2 years before being a FA, I guess you can kick that can down the road, so I get it. No question Price is someone you want, but you need a leadoff hitter, too. I can’t imagine Castos trade value has climbed that much after a solid few months, either.
And I thought being an armchair GM was easy (dying laughing)
AkabariQuote Reply
NLCS IP: Arrieta = 5; Wood = 4
GWQuote Reply
Hey, a hit!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Soler!
ceruleanQuote Reply
It’s really frustrating that Bryant has gotten a ton of pitches over the heart of the plate and he can’t even put the ball in play.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
So…I hear Fargo is a good show.
MillertimeQuote Reply
God damn Hope Monster
AkabariQuote Reply
Before the Mets didn’t need any help hitting, I had thought it might be fun to do a blockbuster deal in prospects—trading strengths. Somehow, I don’t think there is any chance in hell something like that happens now.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Hey, a rally.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
You have got to be freaking kidding me. Castro scalded that one.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I hate the BABIP gods so much right now.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing), FFS
berseliusQuote Reply
Starlin can’t catch a break this series. He’s the one player who has crushed the ball besides Schwarber.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
cerulean,
Yeah, I can’t imagine it will anymore, either.
Maybe Jen Ho-Tseng will just become some kind of beast?
Are any Cubs prospect pitchers even near the bigs?
AkabariQuote Reply
Are you fucking shitting me right now?
uncle daveQuote Reply
Every hard hit
balkyball by the Cubs in this series has been right at a Mets player. Crazy.dmick89Quote Reply
Who knew Addison Russel was so important to the team, amirite?
JoshQuote Reply
dmick89,
Insert perfect strangers joke
JoshQuote Reply
Unbelievable.ceruleanQuote Reply
It’s hard even to get pissed off. Everything that could have gone the Mets’ way has. Just what the fuck.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Six more innings exactly like that one, I’d be okay with just getting one run.
ceruleanQuote Reply
{waits for the Mets to make a mistake}
.
.
.
{dies of natural causes}
JonKneeVQuote Reply
I haven’t thought about that show in ages. In my memory, it was great. I think I’ll keep it there.
ceruleanQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Then of course they let a pop up fall.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Whaddya know? Luck.
ceruleanQuote Reply
o5r
uncle daveQuote Reply
#Respect90
JonKneeVQuote Reply
So a Bryant HR here would be swell.
PerkinsQuote Reply
What do you think Dan Haren is doing right now?
AkabariQuote Reply
Ball 5 there that Bryant swung at.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant swung at ball four.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh. Ball 4.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Giving up home runs somewhere?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
uncle daveQuote Reply
This is where I get furious about the wide strike zone—it forces the batters to expand it.
ceruleanQuote Reply
/facepalm
berseliusQuote Reply
I was on the fence about DH in the NL. Schwarber makes a convincing argument.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Offseason plan for Schwarber: work on playing catcher or left field?
JonKneeVQuote Reply
So guys, black cats or Murphy’s law—which meme will win in the surely incessant analysis of the Cubs getting swept?
ceruleanQuote Reply
That and Lester hitting.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Him and Jon Lester.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Also yes.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I was too slow again. I need to improve my phone typing skills.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Suddenly Vogelbach becomes a trade chip
AkabariQuote Reply
Castro is having a rough day.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
uncle dave,
That makes me laugh, cringe and then feel bad I’ve laughed every time you post it. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
JonKneeV,
probably catcher or 1st base for him long-term.
dmick89Quote Reply
Seconded. There is so much in that little GIF, I can’t not watch it a few times and think, “I’ve done that.”
ceruleanQuote Reply
Schwarber’s judgment might improve, but his speed won’t.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
If he could be marginally good at catcher—that would be awesome.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Castro can’t catch a break man, This sucks.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
What kind of sucks – after Hammel, Bryant has been the worst player on the Cubs this postseason.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
cerulean,
Oh yeah. More recently than I’d like to admit.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Montero has arguably been worse.
ceruleanQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Agreed. As bad as Hammel has been, what does it matter if you can’t even capitalize on bases loaded 0 outs?
AkabariQuote Reply
Murphy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Fuck it, why not? RALLY HAGAR.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Sorry for the obscenity there. I got a little over-emotional.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Looks like we get bad Strop today
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
No mas. I’m outta here.
uncle daveQuote Reply
uncle dave,
The Cubs have scored 6 runs in the 33 innings of this series. They only need 6 more in the next 3 to force a game 5.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bases loaded, one out, and the Mets don’t score!? Rally Haggar takes a bit to get going, but his introduction has been a success.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Two catchers, one foul ball. Crazy.
ceruleanQuote Reply
That should be worth some points, no?
ceruleanQuote Reply
You guys won’t believe me, but Miguel Montero struck out.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
No fucking way!
dmick89Quote Reply
Die in a fire, Daniel Murphy. Die in a fucking fire.
PerkinsQuote Reply
That did not just happen.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
NLCS MVP.
Baseball is weird.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Looks like Pink Hat Guy bailed, but Marlins Guy is still there.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Soler has been great. So there’s that.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Bryant!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Probably too little too late, but nice to see Bryant hit one out.
PerkinsQuote Reply
That’s why I’m still watching this game.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I am glad I had to take my dog for a short walk and missed Murphy’s HR.
dmick89Quote Reply
Welcome back, Kris.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Next man up. Clog those bases.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Just as inwalk away, deciding to check out. Ugh.
Cmon Kyle.
AkabariQuote Reply
The only reason I will watch the WS will be to see him turn in a shit performance. This has to end. And I want to be there to see it happen. To see the light go out of his eyes once he realizes it’s over and will never come back.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Daniel Murphy looks like the kind of guy that snorts adderall.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
He’s just powered by Kim Davis or something.
AkabariQuote Reply
I’m done with watching games after tonight. I just could not give less of a shit who wins the WS.
What I am looking forward to is the buyer’s remorse from whatever team signs Murphy to a multi-year contract.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Great season. Nice start to the postseason. Shitty NLCS.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Good to see you already finished your season wrap up post.
AkabariQuote Reply
Interesting offseason in front of us as well. A chance to really step on the gas. And house money or no, the difficulty of the NL Central notwithstanding, the maddening irregularity of baseball, I like the Cubs chances going forward about as much as any other team in baseball. That may be the best we can say, but it’s not nothing.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
I have to listen to Pat give the eulogy. It’s a tradition going back to 2003
JoshQuote Reply
Heh. Watch Theo give it to him.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Great season. Sad to see it end like this. But, above all, great season.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That would be uncharacteristically dumb of him to do.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
PHRASING
JoshQuote Reply
It seems somehow fitting for the season to end with a looking strikeout on a borderline pitch.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Only fitting that the series ends on a called strike.
berseliusQuote Reply
Could that season have ended any more disappointingly?
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Kris Bryant impaled by a broken bat?
JoshQuote Reply
It’s one of the rare moments where I’m glad Santo isn’t around anymore.
berseliusQuote Reply
Anyway, that last AB by Fowler was a good one. Even the last strike was a good take under the circumstances, I think.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
My jinxing abilities aren’t as good as dmick89’s.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
False.
Just kidding. I had fun tonight and I had fun all season. 2016!
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
If he were around, this would have killed him.
ceruleanQuote Reply
berselius,
Agreed
JoshQuote Reply
My dad sold 1 ticket for game 3 of the WS for $3000. C’est la vie.
ceruleanQuote Reply
beer time
JoshQuote Reply
How about OV gets an early start on the off-season. I hear there are still some teams playing baseball, but whatever.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Can we hurry up and sign David Price before game 6? Would rather he save those bullets for next year.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Normally I shy away from such claims, but the Mets are objectively hot this post season.
JoshQuote Reply
I just wanted to tell you that I had a great season with the Cubs. And I love you guys, even if Daniel Murphy doesn’t.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wait is that guaranteed money even though they didn’t make it??? I declare this season a success! (for cerulean’s dad. Not for anyone else.)
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I also just read about your year and hope you’re doing better now, Myles.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Great season. Tough ending, but now that its out of the way we can start wondering and theorizing about offseason moves and next season with greater clarity and immediacy.
UrkQuote Reply
I’ve been waiting since 1969 for the Cubs. No matter how this year ended, who thought they would win 97 games. I lost my parents, two brothers and numerous friends waiting for a world series. This is life Myles and you will have better years. I sure wish you the best.
The Cubs need a high quality starter next year along with a line drive type third place batter. Move Bryant down to sixth in the order . I hope that I’ll still be around because I simply love the Cubs.
Kevin ClairQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/WhitePpIStuff/status/648676236340891648
RynoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I have no idea how I messed up quoting myself. Oh well.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Been reading your blog, and other Cubs Blogs, throughout the series. You guys are all right. Every Met Fan I know said “If we are going to lose, it won’t hurt as much if it’s to the Cubs, I’m going to root for them if they win”. It didn’t work out that way. Hopefully, this won’t be the first time over the next few years we meet up in the post-season. Just remember, we aren’t Yankee Fans. They are tools to the nth degree. Someday I’ll get to your awesome stadium with my boys and watch you beat the Cardinals. See you next year.
TMcVQuote Reply
I ‘m fine with Cubs baseball being done for awhile. It was a thoroughly enjoyable season that has left me more than satisfied. I know it’s because it’s so rare, but just winning the WC game and division series were fucking huge. Is it true that was only the second post season series win since 1908? Jeezum Crow.
Way to go (spit) Mets, I’ll vaguely approve if you beat the AL champ. Tough shit Cards and Pirates.
Now, if I can only erase that image of Starlin limping weakly back to the dugout after a combo HBP/strikeout, everything will be just fine.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
It is, but that factoid is misleading as the Cubs were very good in the first half of the century (i.e., before divisional play). So they won several pennants, but the World Series was the only postseason series prior to 1969.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
True enough. “Winning the pennant” meant a fuck of a lot back then.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kid,
It’s amazing that they won the NL 10 times between 1906 and 1945 and only managed two World Series wins.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Also the 1909 Cubs won 104 games and still didn’t win the NL because the Pirates won 110. That shit is bananas.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Between 1984 and 2015 they were in 8 post season series and won 2 (not counting WC game). So for similar time span, at least the winning percentage is a little higher (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Don Mattingly——->unemployment line
PerkinsQuote Reply
Cubs are 2-3 in the LDS in my lifetime. They’re 0-3 in the LCS in my lifetime. So obviously the key to this team winning the World Series is a rule that allows the Cubs to skip the LCS if they have won the LDS.
dmick89Quote Reply
The last time the Cubs won the LDS, they lost two of their best players the next year.
dmick89Quote Reply
The last time they got swept in the playoffs, they performed under expectations the following year and then spent the next 5 years rebuilding the team.
dmick89Quote Reply
The first line from Alvin’s latest article:
“The chill rains, as the late Commissioner Bart Giamatti once lyrically called them, have not yet come, but Wednesday evening the 2015 baseball season, for the Cubs at least, ended.”
Comma count: 5
Potential comma count: 6 (there “should” be a comma between “evening” and “the” in Alvinese)
mylesQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
or…
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
(dying laughing) that does not sound too satisfying when you put it that way.
dmick89Quote Reply
Damian Miller and Eric Karros?
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I meant Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, though both only lost a decent amount of time the following year. It was really 2005 when things went to shit there.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Not my words.
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/TomWilsonUSA/status/657061845610594304
RynoQuote Reply
Guaranteed iff the Cubs made it. So no, not success.
ceruleanQuote Reply
And improved their W-L record!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And missed the playoffs!
ceruleanQuote Reply
And finished third in the division!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
augie ojeda and shawn estes, duh
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Hey that Ryno guy is back! Yay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I miss this team already.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
https://twitter.com/ARizzo44/status/657231502057541633
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I always figured the Cubs would have trouble making a season more fun than 2008. The combination of veterans on that team from the 2003 team, PlayStation Marmol, Jimmy Fucking Ballgame, the 10 game winning streak in May/June, Z’s no-hitter, and the feeling like they were in nearly every game for 6 months…that was amazing. All of that combined with personal events (graduating from college, getting married, commissioning into the Army) made it a really special season.
It took awhile for this season to feel that special, but since Schwarber got called up for good, it’s like the switch flipped from fun to insane. I don’t think it fully sunk in for me until Arrieta’s no-hitter how much fun this team was. I expect the next few years will be fun, but I don’t think they’ll feel quite the same. Hell of a ride. If it had to end, I’m really glad they took care of the Pirates and the Cardinals before it did.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Has anyone made a sideburns joke yet?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The first half of the season was fun, but nerve-wracking. They were in the Wild Card mix, but not running away with it, and they were just barely winning the games they did win. After they got swept by the Phillies (ugh), they really started to click, though. The last couple months were absolutely exhilarating.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Haven’t seen one as yet, though since the report was that the decision was mutual, I can only assume it was because when Andrew Friedman told him to shave his sideburns, he understood it to mean “lose multiple playoff series and manage the clubhouse poorly.”
PerkinsQuote Reply
I remember thinking at the time that it would be the nadir of the season. The Cubs did not prove me wrong.
That said, I’d have preferred to see the no-hit streak keep going. They almost made it to 50 years.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I resolved early on that I would be happy if they made the post-season, no matter how the playoffs turned out. I would not have been happy with “progress” or a winning record, however (in fact, I more or less took for granted that they’d finish above .500). 97 wins seemed too much to hope for, even toward the end of the year (even against bad teams, sweeping 2 series in a row is a tall order).
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Also, for the first time since 1998, I’m excited to hear the award announcements.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/10/22/are-the-mets-truly-a-tortured-team/
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I’m surprised they didn’t mention the “Generation K” catastrophe. The relative disappointment of Wood and Prior is minor in comparison, although Isringhausen did turn himself into a good relief pitcher–for other teams.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Not that it’s a meaningful or predictive award, but do the votes for Manager of the Year have to be in before the postseason? I have to think it’s between Maddon and Collins.
I also found it amusing hearing the TBS announcers say “likely rookie of the year” or “might be rookie of the year” with respect to Bryant. The only people delusional enough to think he’s not a lock are Cardinals fans.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I think all of them are pre-post-season. Too lazy to find out if this is officially official.
berseliusQuote Reply
Yup. http://bbwaa.com/voting-faq/
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Sweet. Have to think Maddon has the edge on that one.
Cy Young is the one I’m most interested in seeing, as there are three correct answers. I wonder if actually winning the award makes it any tougher for the Cubs to extend Arrieta. I have to assume it’ll already be pretty difficult anyway.
PerkinsQuote Reply
They may have thrown the 1918 World Series. The evidence is inconclusive, but it’s Chicago and just one year before the Black Sox scandal, so I’m sure the prior probability of at least some players having taken bribes is pretty high in any case.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Yeah- this was a really fun team to watch this season. Frustrating at times, but fun and especially in the second half. In some ways–although this makes no sense at all–I’m a little more disappointed at not having any more games to tune into than I am at not making a World Series that I had no expectation of them reaching in the first place.
UrkQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Huh, I’d never heard of that before.
PerkinsQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/should-the-cubs-re-sign-dexter-fowler/
dmick89Quote Reply