Bruiser Chong

I was wondering about him recently. Wasn't he only given a year to live quite some time ago? Sad, regardless. RIP, big guy.

Yes, the volume was really low on mine which isn't good because I'm also in noisy places specifically work where I'm constant communication with the office and my clients. (which almost forces me to yell). My gf has another motorola but not this type but one of the older ones and the volume is great. So I guess in the upgrade in technology, they abandoned one of the (seemingly) important parts and that is making it easier for the users to hear the phone. I got a 30 day return policy, so I'm seriously considering trading it back for something that works better. However, seeing as most people use cells for image purposes, txting or pictures...can't blame them. I'm past the exchange period, so I'm considering toying with this modding thing you can do with cell phones. I guess you can adjust the volume through this, although if done incorrectly, you can mess the phone up.

And after some great work by Zumaya to get out of a bases-loaded 8th inning jam against Thome and Konerko, Rodney blows it by giving up a three-run jack to ALEX CINTRON. And hey, Cubs avoid the shutout, but should still be embarrassed for getting shut down by a guy who recorded four outs on Friday.

Oh how I love grinded-out at-bats that result in walks followed by first-pitch outs. Yeesh. For those watching the White Sox game: anyone getting a kick out of the animated guy in the yellow behind homeplate?

If memory serves, the Cubs have always been lousy against Rodriguez. Perhaps the lack of that lefty BP coach has benefited Wandy!

I hate to keep harping on it, but this is why the "wait until we get Wood and Prior healthy" arguments are filled with holes. If 75 pitches in 3 2/3 innings is what this team was banking on, they're in more trouble than we thought.

Yeah, that's what I read. I believe he was ranked in the 170s. And it looks like the extra days of rest have served Wood quite well. Three unearned on his throwing error and lots of balls outside the zone. Ah well.

I noticed the Cubs used their first-round pick on their favorite type of player: multi-tool, but with questionable power. Radical.

Hawk, how's that RAZR treating you? I like mine okay, except the conspicuous lack of a flash. Also, the volume isn't too great for me in loud situations or when I'm outside. I took it to the Cingular store and they said that's about the norm for Motorola phones.

So what happened to the Cubbies once they lost Mr. Lee? I think in a lineup as stacked as the Yankees it's OK to lose one player (or even 3), but when you're almost completely depending on one guy to make the offense go, it'll have a different outcome. Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and Andy MacPhail would adore you. No doubt the loss of Lee hurt the Cubs big time, but it wasn't an excuse for the rest of the team to fall apart in virtually every aspect of the game. The offense was centered around Lee, but let's not forget there are some solid complimentary hitters in that lineup (i.e. Ramirez, Barrett, and Jones). Other guys have begun to pick up the slack and the pitching's been a bit better, so the Cubs are looking more like I imagined them at the outset of the season. Still have holes and issues, but they aren't nearly as terrible as May suggested.

I've made the mistake of writing off the Astros the last two years, so I won't until it's a near-certainty they won't rise from the dead for the third consecutive year.

Awesome. The DVD season sets have held me over nicely, but it'll be a plus to be able to catch a few of these on TV. Too many people dwell on Reuben's actions and not on how genius this show had the tendency to be.

Wait, did Barron hint he was happy a guy was DEAD because he didn't like how he affected a GAME? I didn't see any of Zambrano's no-hit effort. I was at a friend's house watching Arrested Development and he came back downstairs and turned told us about it. We tuned in just in time to see him walk a batter and give up the first hit. Oh well, props to Z for one of his bigger nights. I didn't expect him to get the no-no, but if he'd taken it into the ninth, we could've had some controversy. His pitch count after eight would've probably meant he'd have to throw in the neighborhood of 140+ pitches overall.

Off-beat news item of the day: One of the founding members of the Grady Sizemore fan club, Grady's Ladies, was killed by her boyfriend, who then took his own life. Now that's jealousy.

I should be happy with a series win (and I am), but this had all the makings of a Cubs blowout early in the going. They were putting together great at-bats, stringing together hits and avoiding stupid fundamental mistakes. This game was a good representation of why the Cubs have to make more changes to their outfield. Even if they make throws that are on line, the Cubs regulars in the outfield have some of the weakest arms in the majors, which really hurts in situations where there could be plays at the plate.

And surprise, another shitty throw for Jacque Jones leads to another Cards run and runners moving up. I thought this guy was supposed to be a GOOD defensive player?

I saw the Brewers' starter walked the pitcher (who was trying to bunt) with two on and two outs. He was lifted and the reliever gave up a slam to Soriano. Ouch.

Cards take the lead in the 5th. The game shouldn't have even been in reach at this point, but that's what happens when you let a good team stick around. As an aside, Murton's looked positively atrocious in the field and at the plate lately.

Cubs should probably be blowing the Cards out right now, but due to some key outs, they've got five runs off five walks and six hits so far. Of course, that would've been unthinkable for this team a couple weeks ago, but when you have a chance to stomp on the throat of a team like the Cards, you'd like to do it.

Sweet baserunning, Juan. Cubs have four walks in two innings, but have yet to really make Marquis pay.

Cubs worked a lot of deep counts in the first, resulting in three walks, but they only plated one run and Rolen quickly ties it up with a double.

Yeah, but don't mention mechanics to him. You wouldn't like him when he's mad.

If Pujols goes on the DL, the Cubs can't rest on the injury card. I get the feeling we're about to see how anemic the Cards' offense is without Pujols jammed in the middle. Scott Williamson's probably also going on the DL and I heard Wood's start for tomorrow has been pushed back again (I think), which would suggest he's hurting (what else is new)? But if Pujols is down for any stretch of time, this NL Central race just got a hell of a lot more interesting.

Oh, I just noticed that Perez is in there in favor of Todd Walker. I got so used to be Perez only being in there when Walker was over at first, but with Nevin in there, Walker's riding the pine in favor of Oompa Perez.

You my boy, Pronk!