2GOLD 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 He's definetely not what we paid for. He has quite a few blown saves already, and with him closing we're left short-changed for a long relief/ set-up guy. Hawkins has only blown two saves since earning the job. His season ERA is 2.81, and his K:BB ratio is 40/9. I see nothing to indicate he is not a cabable closer. He's not a sure thing like Hoffman, Smoltz or Gagne, but not every team can have an All-Star closer. Bottom line is, the Cubs have several issues they could improve before their closer. It has nothing to do with Hawkins not being capable, the thing is he is better as a set-up man than in a closer role which he does not excel. The Cubs were looking much better with Latroy as the set-up man to someone else in the closer spot. At this point I'd like to see the Cubs start to groom Wellemeyer for the spot and move Latroy back to the set-up role that he dominates in. Shortstop will improve now that Gonzo is back, the starting staff just needs to get healthy so no point make a move for that position. The bullpen will be much better now that Rem is back. I'd rather just have Latroy in the spot he is best designed for than having to try use guys out of order trying to get to the final inning. I am very high on Wellemeyer with his fastball and feel he could become sorta like a Gagne if given the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Yankees are bitching because the Red Sox changed their mind on cancelling the game today. Supposedly they were "already on the team bus" when they got called back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 It has nothing to do with Hawkins not being capable, the thing is he is better as a set-up man than in a closer role which he does not excel. The Cubs were looking much better with Latroy as the set-up man to someone else in the closer spot. At this point I'd like to see the Cubs start to groom Wellemeyer for the spot and move Latroy back to the set-up role that he dominates in. Shortstop will improve now that Gonzo is back, the starting staff just needs to get healthy so no point make a move for that position. The bullpen will be much better now that Rem is back. I'd rather just have Latroy in the spot he is best designed for than having to try use guys out of order trying to get to the final inning. I am very high on Wellemeyer with his fastball and feel he could become sorta like a Gagne if given the time. Hawkins is the best pitcher in the Cubs' bullpen this season, and that makes him the #1 option when it comes time to finish off games. Is he perfect for the role? No. But you can count the number of teams that have a grade-A dominant closer on one hand. Even Gagne isn't "perfect" this year. I'm more worried about the mental stability of Carlos Zambrano than the Cubs' closer woes, to be honest. The Cubs' vulnerability to "power outages" in the lineup has cost them more games this year than the ninth inning failings of LaTroy Hawkins. Deal with that first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 24, 2004 RED SOX YANKEES FIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT A-Rod gets plunked in the side and starts a fight by saying "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you mother fucker" then looks at Tek and goes "Come on mother fucker". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kismet 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 About time this supposed greatest rivalry in sports exploded into something...A-Rod challenging then actually backing it up? Course Veritek kept his mask on...heh..oh well. For a non Yank-Sox fan, nice to see as an event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 That was really pretty stupid. So heres a few questions: How many days suspension does A Rod get? Will they tack on any more days to Ortiz? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kismet 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Stupid, but entertainment none the less. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Man, if Sturtze throws at someone, Fenway will just blow up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 24, 2004 If Sturtze throws at somebody I'm going to his dad's house and telling on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JangoFett4Hire 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Arod musta broke a nail or something to get that fired up. And why would Sturtze pick a fight with Kapler? It's silly... Who was Nomar fighting? A Red Sock or a Yankee? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Nomar probably stayed in the dugout, put a Dodgers cap on and pretended he wasn't there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kismet 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Ortiz looked like a third man in with the fight over to the side..and throwing punches into it. So yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 I think the players who were involved in the fight should be out for at least a mininum of 4 games. Ortiz can take 2 weeks off for throwing bats and the fight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 Nomar probably stayed in the dugout, put a Dodgers cap on and pretended he wasn't there. Should have put on a Yankees cap and beat the hell out of the Red Sox GM. Then he could smack Francone and get the crowd back on his side. In other news: Gonzo hits into a 4-6-3 double play, leaving a runner stuck on third as the Cubs continue to trail in Philly 4-3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Dunlop 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 The Cubs had numerous chances to tie up that game and failed miserably. Grudz can't lay down a bunt? COME ON. And where the hell is Walker? At least I got some Bears tickets this morning, so this day isn't a complete waste. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 The Cubs had numerous chances to tie up that game and failed miserably. Grudz can't lay down a bunt? COME ON. And where the hell is Walker? At least I got some Bears tickets this morning, so this day isn't a complete waste. Dusty just seems to LOVE Gruz but that was the perfect spot for Walker to bat. I think he must be injuried or something cause there is no reason he didn't come to the plate against Worrell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2004 HardballTimes.com has updated the 2004 Win Shares through July 22nd. Leaders by team Anaheim: Vladimir Guerrero 17 Baltimore: Miguel Tejada 17 Boston: Manny Ramirez 18 Chicago: Jose Valentin 13 Cleveland: Travis Hafner 15 Detroit: Carlos Guillen 17 Kansas City: Carlos Beltran 14 (Mike Sweeney 12) Minnesota: Lew Ford 16 New York: Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez 18 Oakland: Mark Mulder 15 Seattle: Ichiro Suzuki 13 Tampa Bay: Julio Lugo, Carl Crawford 15 Texas: Michael Young 19 (league leader) Toronto: Miguel Batista 10 Arizona: Randy Johnson 14 Atlanta: J.D. Drew 18 Chicago: Derrek Lee, Moises Alou 14 Cincinnati: Sean Casey 20 Colorado: Todd Helton 17 Florida: Mike Lowell 19 Houston: Lance Berkman 17 Los Angeles: Adrian Beltre 19 Milwaukee: Lyle Overbay 16 Montreal: Livan Hernandez, Brian Schneider, Brad Wilkerson, Jose Vidro 10 New York: Tom Glavine, Kaz Matsui 13 Philadelphia: Bobby Abreu 25 Pittsburgh: Jack Wilson 15 San Diego: Mark Loretta 22 (!) San Francisco: Barry Bonds 32 (league leader) St. Louis: Scott Rolen 26 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 The Blue Jays traded Terry Adams to Boston for John Hattig. I don't know much about Hattig, but Toronto didn't need Adams so this trade's fine by me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tangerine Report post Posted July 25, 2004 The reds have offically ended their season tonight. time for the fire sale i guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 The Braves have taken over first place in the NL East. Damn you Clayton (Bravesfan). So, they're going to finish behind the Phillies, Marlins AND Mets, huh? Bobby Cox for President~! --- The Braves look to be shopping for a everyday 1B to supplant whomever is platooning at the moment (Franco and LaRoche, I guess). Early signs pointed to Olerud, but Kurkjian(sp) shot that down today on Sportscenter. Anyone else (even non-1B's) worth taking a look at? I know the Bravos have been looking at Benson (in the vein of the '97/'98 trade for Neagle), but I don't know if they can add on another liability right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 25, 2004 What in the name of all that is good and holy were the Pirates wearing for their game Saturday? It looked like the 70s-90s era unis were genetically spliced and then thrown on them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tangerine Report post Posted July 25, 2004 I'm not sure but I thought they said they were wearing the 79 unis. Here is my question Why are the throwback/turn back the clock/whatever catchy name for an excuse to wear old uniforms always BAGGY as hell? I know the uniforms weren't THAT baggy when they were first worn...I dont get it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 I'm a bit concerned that out of the last 26 runs the Cubs have scored, only THREE of them haven't been tied to the homerun ball. I guess I shouldn't complain, since a couple of weeks ago, it looked like they weren't going to score that much in a month's time, but you take out the homerun and they're right back to scoring next to nothing. I'd much rather see guys get key hits with runners one consistently, with the occassional homerun thrown in there. But whatever. The Cubs are a homerun team, so it's not a complete shock. I am too worried about Zambrano. He just seems to be losing it lately. He's always been firey, but as of late, he's just all over the place. Couldn't be easy to deal with the fact that had he not balked in the first or given up a base hit to the pitcher, they would've won fairly easily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 I would just like to be the first one to put the jinx on Eric Milton's no-hitter. He's through five and making the Cubs look like morons with some of the swings they're getting. Even though it's 1-0 so far, it's starting to look like them not being able to beat Abbott yesterday may have cost them a chance to win the series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 25, 2004 damnit Bruiser, don't you jinx it. I need a good outing from Milton for my fantasy squad *shakes fist...IN ANGER~!* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 Oh my god, the Cubs are going to be no-hit. You know it's serious when I'm just hoping they can get ONE hit in the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kismet 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 And Bonderman for the Tiger's is thrown out of the game, due to a change-up getting out of control and hitting the batter high. No warning, nothing like it...in a 1-0 game in the second inning...sigh. Tiger's are bad enough as is..they don't need help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 The eighth was probably the Cubs' last real good chance to break it up and they didn't, so it's looking almost like a sure thing that Milton's going to get the no-no. My hat's off to him, but this is a pretty embarrassing thing to happen to a team that's supposed to be so sharp offensively. But like I said before, they're really nothing without the longball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 no hitter over, Barrett doubles in the 9th for the Cubs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2004 I LOVE Doug Glanville. Poor guy. He should probably have bodyguards on his way out of the stadium today. Bowa should've pulled Milton after the no-no went by the boards, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
