TWiB 6/26 - 7/2

[naiwf 0]

The Juice-ambino with another 2 HR game. Can we get a blood test on him ASAP?

[bob_barron 0]

I recall the days when Tim Hudson didn't suck.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Good thing "Magic" Wandy Rodriguez is mowing 'em down.

Jinx.

[vivalaultra 0]

In retrospect, we should've tried harder to capitalize in the first inning.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Although he's been part of a subtle platoon for a week, it looks like Matt Murton's playing time is going to be cut even more in favor of Phil Nevin. With Nevin out of position in left, the chance for more comical defensive blunders just increased.

[Mik 0]

I had forgotten after his blown knee and then his Tommy John surgery, but Rocco Baldelli is a GOOD player.

[vivalaultra 0]

I think the Cubs realizing that they're probability of winning this season is very low so they've decided to do some weird type of avant-garde theatre deal where they test the limits of the fan's patience and see how terribly they can do and still maintain a fanbase, either that or they're trying to give Bob Brenly a heart attack.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I think the Cubs realizing that they're probability of winning this season is very low so they've decided to do some weird type of avant-garde theatre deal where they test the limits of the fan's patience and see how terribly they can do and still maintain a fanbase, either that or they're trying to give Bob Brenly a heart attack.

I would suggest they just bring up the kids and let them play, but there's this mindset you can't rebuild in Chicago and thus, there's this vicious cycle of filling in holes with aged vets and journeymen who may have had something to offer in the 1990s.

 

A total rebuild isn't really necessary to achieve success. Both the Red Sox and White Sox retooled their teams a bit to fit a certain approach to the game and it worked. I'd like to see the Cubs doing something along those lines, but I guess they're sorta committed to their blueprint of useless utility players, veteran presence and aggressive hitting and baserunning.

[the pinjockey 0]

I know it's pick your poison there, but they look stupid for pitching to Ortiz now.

 

They look stupid for walking Mark god damn Loretta to even raise the issue. I don't care if you have to put it on a tee for him. If Loretta beats you so be it, but to give him a free pass is inexcusable in that situation.

 

And the Phils are now closer to the Pirates than the Mets, yippee.

[vivalaultra 0]

I think the Cubs realizing that they're probability of winning this season is very low so they've decided to do some weird type of avant-garde theatre deal where they test the limits of the fan's patience and see how terribly they can do and still maintain a fanbase, either that or they're trying to give Bob Brenly a heart attack.

I would suggest they just bring up the kids and let them play, but there's this mindset you can't rebuild in Chicago and thus, there's this vicious cycle of filling in holes with aged vets and journeymen who may have had something to offer in the 1990s.

 

A total rebuild isn't really necessary to achieve success. Both the Red Sox and White Sox retooled their teams a bit to fit a certain approach to the game and it worked. I'd like to see the Cubs doing something along those lines, but I guess they're sorta committed to their blueprint of useless utility players, veteran presence and aggressive hitting and baserunning.

 

The organization's problems start with their ownership. They're just not committed to fielding a winning team. They're making money now without spending a bunch of money to be competitive. They're like the LA Clippers of baseball.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I think the Cubs realizing that they're probability of winning this season is very low so they've decided to do some weird type of avant-garde theatre deal where they test the limits of the fan's patience and see how terribly they can do and still maintain a fanbase, either that or they're trying to give Bob Brenly a heart attack.

I would suggest they just bring up the kids and let them play, but there's this mindset you can't rebuild in Chicago and thus, there's this vicious cycle of filling in holes with aged vets and journeymen who may have had something to offer in the 1990s.

 

A total rebuild isn't really necessary to achieve success. Both the Red Sox and White Sox retooled their teams a bit to fit a certain approach to the game and it worked. I'd like to see the Cubs doing something along those lines, but I guess they're sorta committed to their blueprint of useless utility players, veteran presence and aggressive hitting and baserunning.

 

The organization's problems start with their ownership. They're just not committed to fielding a winning team. They're making money now without spending a bunch of money to be competitive. They're like the LA Clippers of baseball.

Sad, but true. I think part of the problem is Wrigley Field being more of a tourist attraction than a place that showcases baseball. People who don't live in Chicago want to visit the park because it's such a landmark. That's why with a team that's now 18 games under, they're still selling games out.

 

The fact that a corporation owns the team and not an individual hurts, because they're concerned with the bottom dollar. The Cubs are making the Trib a fortune, so in their eyes, there's no real need to invest more money or fret over building a good team. It's why I can't completely hate The Big Boss in NY, because at least he's most concerned with winning.

[the max 0]

I know it's pick your poison there, but they look stupid for pitching to Ortiz now.

 

They look stupid for walking Mark god damn Loretta to even raise the issue. I don't care if you have to put it on a tee for him. If Loretta beats you so be it, but to give him a free pass is inexcusable in that situation.

 

And the Phils are now closer to the Pirates than the Mets, yippee.

 

Of course this questions why Cholly decided to walk the somewhat streaking Loretta to get to Ortiz. Why teams continue to pitch to him with the game on the line is beyond me. Maybe Cholly had to get to the 99 and get the early-bird special.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

But it's not like he TRIED to walk Loretta. I understand in that case, you don't want to nibble, but it wasn't like the catcher put up four fingers when he came to the plate.

[the max 0]

IMO, it doesn't matter if you groove one to Loretta. You have to get him out because if he gets on (which he did), you're now dealing with the two big boys who will likely end the game.

[vivalaultra 0]

Phil Garner must've watched that minor league ump blow up on Sportscenter. After C.B. Bucknor, the worst ump in baseball, quick trigged and threw Berkman outta the game for spiking his helmet, he got all up in Phil's face and after Phil tossed his cap, Bucknor threw Phil out to which Phil responded by going apeshit and throwing a chair onto the field. I wish he would've dumped some water on homeplate and kicked some dirt before leaving, but Munson responded by hitting a homer to make it a 2 run game.

[Hawk 34 0]

I have a bad/good feeling we are in for a summer of managers trying to one-up each other in angry manager blowups.

[vivalaultra 0]

I'm waiting for Frank Robinson's blow up. I know it's gonna be a good one.

[Guest Felonies!]

I'm waiting for Frank Robinson's blow up. I know it's gonna be a good one.

More like Frank Robinson's heart blows up. Guy's starting to look like Fred Sanford.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

As far as Red Sox/Phillies go, also remember we were down to our mop-up reliever at that point. Clay Condrey is not really good enough to retire the AL's top slugger.

[vivalaultra 0]

I'm waiting for Frank Robinson's blow up. I know it's gonna be a good one.

More like Frank Robinson's heart blows up. Guy's starting to look like Fred Sanford.

 

 

"Ya big dummy!"

[Bruiser Chong 0]

As far as Red Sox/Phillies go, also remember we were down to our mop-up reliever at that point. Clay Condrey is not really good enough to retire the AL's top slugger.

That'll teach them not to use their closer in a non-save situation!

[Vampiro69 0]

Wow Frank Robinson does look like Redd Fox.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I wrote up my All-Star piece on my blog. I hope you can see what I'm getting at.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Tomorrow's game in Detroit with Clemens going should be rocking. On a whim, my friends and I decided to look for tickets and there's standing room only available.

[Vampiro69 0]

I wrote up my All-Star piece on my blog. I hope you can see what I'm getting at.

 

In your blog you mentioned that Shannon Stewart MVP vote in 2003. That year Stewart came over to the Twins and helped to revitalized a sluggish Twins team and pushed them into the playoffs. I actually thought that he deserved consideration for MVP, but did not deserve to win.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I wrote up my All-Star piece on my blog. I hope you can see what I'm getting at.

 

In your blog you mentioned that Shannon Stewart MVP vote in 2003. That year Stewart came over to the Twins and helped to revitalized a sluggish Twins team and pushed them into the playoffs. I actually thought that he deserved consideration for MVP, but did not deserve to win.

The problem was that they got better because their team pitching improved in August/September, while their hitting remained the same. I just always viewed Shannon Stewart as a coincidence.

[Vampiro69 0]

I wrote up my All-Star piece on my blog. I hope you can see what I'm getting at.

 

In your blog you mentioned that Shannon Stewart MVP vote in 2003. That year Stewart came over to the Twins and helped to revitalized a sluggish Twins team and pushed them into the playoffs. I actually thought that he deserved consideration for MVP, but did not deserve to win.

The problem was that they got better because their team pitching improved in August/September, while their hitting remained the same. I just always viewed Shannon Stewart as a coincidence.

 

I can see where you are coming from then.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Cubs lose 6-0, meaning they've scored once in the last three games and have now been shut out nine times on the season. They also go to 19 under .500 and have to be setting some sort of record for getting two on to start an inning and not scoring.

 

Cards are also quietly en route to dropping their seventh straight.

[bob_barron 0]

Well the Braves sucked tonight, but I'm hoping tomorrow they show up. The Braves are 1-3 with me in attendance.

[Mik 0]

All the talk in Florida and the Florida papers, etc. is gravitating toward adding some veteran pieces for the "playoff run".

 

I don't like talk like that one bit. I don't care if they are 1 game out of 2nd place in the East. That would be stupid.

 

It's actually really bothering me.