Bruiser Chong

Greg Maddux just saw as many pitches as the first five hitters in that inning. I can't complain too much since there were three doubles in the inning, but Neifi Perez and Henry Blanco each popped out on the first pitch, while Maddux worked seven pitches out of his at-bat. The point is: Maddux hits better than Neifi and Blanco!

The way it was initially described, I pictured him going into a full swing and just letting the bat fly at the ump.

Who?

Speaking of serious damage, Josh Beckett! As an Indians fan and a long-time Beckett hater, this has been a great game.

I heart watching the Indians' approach at the plate. That first inning may have been getting tedious because of Beckett's slow pace, but the Tribe showed why it pays to have a good eye at the dish. Props to Sizemore for actually running out a pop-up and thus, landing on second.

In his defense, the video doesn't prove he was aiming at the ump.

Francisco Cordero blows another save. He's got a chance for win number four if the Rangers can win it in the ninth.

Good thing he's inked through 2008! He's coming off as the kind of guy who can't handle the pressures of performing in the big city. Bad news on Burnett. I don't care for the guy (seems like an ass), but I wouldn't wish this on him. Still a stupid signing on Toronto's part.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new worst guest singer for "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Those guys weren't even close.

The first part of this statement inadvertantly endorses the other two films mentioned. Wedding Crashers suffers from poor pacing, but 4YOV gets better with each viewing. After seeing it in theaters, I thought it was humorous, but also suffering from the pacing issues that plagued Crashers. Subsequent viewings prove this to be incorrect. The main ensemble may be one of the most well-developed, interesting set of characters portrayed in a comedy we've seen in years. Van Wilder just has Ryan Reynolds doing the same schtick he's always done with lots of toilet "humor" thrown in there. Sorry, poop and dog semen seem like pretty weak stabs at humor. Scarface is the biggest offender here, though. Ridiculously dated, bloated and unfairly praised. The biggest tragedy is most of its loyal followers probably wouldn't even watch the (superior) original because it's in OMG BLACK AND WHITE!

Wow, Cordero just blew another save by giving up a double to Dan Johnson. Something's definitely wrong. Speaking of blown saves, Lidge is flirting with another one, as he's got the bases loaded and one out up one with Kent coming up.

1) Probably not. He's got the numbers to be, except he's not likely to get the wins that seem to be so necessary for Cy Young winners. 2) Arizona's got a knack for bad trades and contracts. They are the team that inked RUSS ORTIZ to a multi-year deal for a total of $33 million, after all.

Does Michael Barrett ever throw runners out? I seem to recall him being okay defensively in 2004, but since, runners seem to get a free pass. And Max, are you referring to that ridiculous double Hafner smashed? That shit was up near his shoulders and he still crushed it.

Eddie Guardado sucks. He's one strike away from saving the game against the White Sox and gives up the tying homer. He's so Cubs.

NOMAR!

See Mik, you're the kind of fan I admire, but could never be. I'm too fickle to sit by and accept the team losing. I understand that with this particular club, you can't really have it any other way. I guess I've just never been good at finding that silver lining.

Dear Jacque, Thank you. Bruiser

Dear Matt, Thank you. Bruiser

Of course, the refusal on the Cubs' part to make a guy who walks a lot of batters and has an ERA over 7.00 is equally, if not more maddening.

Zambrano's out of his damn mind. He tries to drop down a bunt with no one on and then snaps his bat over his knee when he strikes out later. His lack of command is maddening, though. Absolutely maddening. Walks clog up the bases, but two of those walks account for the three runs the Fish have.

Williams' was better than Rusch in the Pittsburgh series, but came out on the short end of the stick since the Cubs only scored one run, unlike the seven they scored the next day for Glendon. Tony Womack's been designated for assignment, which makes you wonder why the Reds even bothered.

I do want to add that if given the choice, I'd probably keep Jerome Williams over Glendon Rusch. Williams is unpredictable, but there's still more upside. It's incredible the way the team's crapped on him all while treating Glendon so well, presumably for his 2004 season.

Hey, if he goes down, I bet Neifi can pitch a couple innings. He's a hand. Any word from Cubbie land when the Glass Armed Duo should be back? I'm hoping it's in time for the 'Stros series. I really wanna see that epic Wandy Rodriguez-Mark Prior pitching duel. They were talking about May, with Wood being a couple of weeks ahead of Prior. Of course, this was before it was reported Wood felt a tweak in the shoulder the other day to the surprise of probably no one.

This Carnival/Frigid thing confuses me. I obviously missed shenanigans. I don't have any TSM folks on my list, although I am "friends" with CJ and Flyboy. I tried to add Ravenbomb once upon a moon, but he doesn't like me.

When are you gonna call up Pie? I hear he's good. He needs to be playing every day. This isn't going to happen, unless someone in the outfield goes down. No sense in bringing him up, only to have him see less at-bats than Freddie Bynum. Might as well let him develop in the minors. Remember, being brought up before you're ready can have lasting effects. See Patterson, Corey. I'm curious to see Guzman. I've been hearing about him for three years, figuring he'd be part of the rotation by now. He's hurt a lot, so he fits the bill of a Cubs starter.