2009 Repeating NL Central Division Champs Chicago Cubs Thread of Destiny

[Knowledged_one]

He looked pretty safe to me.

Hometown Johnny

[epo]

Alfonso Soriano is 0-4 in his first game back.

So the fans at Wrigley Field booed him. You people are animals.

[IMSlacker]

Alfonso Soriano is 0-4 in his first game back.

So the fans at Wrigley Field booed him. You people are animals.

Did they really? That sucks.

[IMSlacker]

I was really hoping they'd bring out Turnbow for the 8th.

[epo]

I was really hoping they'd bring out Turnbow for the 8th.

That's crazy talk.

I'm just thankful the Cubs took Marmol out of the game.

[IMSlacker]

Kerry Wood is slowly killing me.

[epo]

Kerry Wood is slowly killing me.

4-3 lead for Milwaukee!

[IMSlacker]

4-3 lead for Milwaukee!

Who saw that coming?

Is Gagne still closing for the Brewers? If so, there's still hope.

[Knowledged_one]

Ryan Braun with a huge day today

[epo]

Who saw that coming?

Is Gagne still closing for the Brewers? If so, there's still hope.

Here he is! And he walked Cedeno to start the inning.

[epo]

4-3 Final!

That's two saves in the series for Eric Gagne.

[jauble]

I really wish we could have transfered some of those runs from last night into todays game. Damnit that hurt watching the end.

[Jughead]

Sitting next to a cardinal fan here..Really made it hurt....:furious:

[epo]

I loved this series for not only taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs in Wrigley for the second time this season. But this series was great for shutting up Cubs fans and their ripping on Eric Gagne bullshit.

Not, I'm not saying that Gagne is great, because he's not. But he does have 9 saves and seems to have found his stuff. Meanwhile Wood is now 4 for 7 in save attempts.

[IMSlacker]

I loved this series for not only taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs in Wrigley for the second time this season. But this series was great for shutting up Cubs fans and their ripping on Eric Gagne bullshit.

Not, I'm not saying that Gagne is great, because he's not. But he does have 9 saves and seems to have found his stuff. Meanwhile Wood is now 4 for 7 in save attempts.

Eric Gagne still sucks. Ha Ha! Didn't work!

[cougarjake13]

Eric Gagne still sucks. Ha Ha! Didn't work!

maybe he's roiding again

[TheMojoPin]

Wow, I haven't gotten drunk at a ballgame in a long time. The game was going so fast, the weather was so nice and I was in such a good mood that I just keep speeding through the shitty beer before last call. Good thing I did, otherwise I'd still be raging about the loss. Wood shit the bed, no way around it. This was like a carbon copy of when he blew opening day against the Brewers, complete with hitting the first batter and ultimately giving up 3 runs. That said, I still see no need to pull him out as closer yet. Yeah, this appearance and his first one were awful, but here's his numbers for April:

1.50 ERA
11K/BB
.122 BAA
.163 OBPA
.244 SLGA
.407 OPSA
.138 BABIP Against
54 OPS+ Against
0.50 WHIP
8.25 K/9

So, yeah, pulling him out of the closer's role now would be flat out dumb.

And man, Soriano seems to make Cubs fans retarded. They think his playing injured this year and this being his first day back from the DL means he'll suck all year. They also seem to think he's on the verge of being a cripple, and can't possibly play the outfield. I think he should have definitely had a couple rehab starts, but talking like he needs to be benched or traded (as if anyone would swallow that retarded deal) is just ludicrous.

[TheMojoPin]

So with Aramis sitting today after hurting his wrist last night, here's the fantastic lineup Lou shat out:

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Fukudome
DeRosa
Fontenot
Soto
Johnson
Lilly

I'm sorry, did I say "fantastic?" I meant "Lou is a fucking moron." Hey, let me take 5 seconds to think up as better one:

1. Kosuke Fukudome (RF)
2. Mark DeRosa (3B)
3. Derrek Lee (1B)
4. Alfonso Soriano (LF)
5. Geovany Soto (C)
6. Ronny Cedeno (SS)
7. Felix Pie (CF)
8. Ryan Theriot (2B)

OH MY GOD HOW DID I DO THAT I MUST BE A WIZARD.

[Kevin]

So with Aramis sitting today after hurting his wrist last night, here's the fantastic lineup Lou shat out:

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Fukudome
DeRosa
Fontenot
Soto
Johnson
Lilly

I'm sorry, did I say "fantastic?" I meant "Lou is a fucking moron." Hey, let me take 5 seconds to think up as better one:

1. Kosuke Fukudome (RF)
2. Mark DeRosa (3B)
3. Derrek Lee (1B)
4. Alfonso Soriano (LF)
5. Geovany Soto (C)
6. Ronny Cedeno (SS)
7. Felix Pie (CF)
8. Ryan Theriot (2B)

OH MY GOD HOW DID I DO THAT I MUST BE A WIZARD.

The problem is that Sori constintly bitches that he does not want bat anywhere but lead off.

But Sori never caused problems before, its not like the cubs knew that he did before giving him 147mil or whatever

[TheMojoPin]

The problem is that Sori constintly bitches that he does not want bat anywhere but lead off.

Actually, he's done nothing of the sort when the Cubs have moved him around. He's gone out of his way to say the exact opposite, that if the team wants to shift him defensively or offensively, it's their call.

[Kevin]

Actually, he's done nothing of the sort when the Cubs have moved him around. He's gone out of his way to say the exact opposite, that if the team wants to shift him defensively or offensively, it's their call.

I am only going what dumb announcers say everytime the Cubs are on here. They always say Sori keeps telling Lou he wants to bat leadoff.

[TheMojoPin]

I am only going what dumb announcers say everytime the Cubs are on here. They always say Sori keeps telling Lou he wants to bat leadoff.

Again, it's the opposite. Yes, Sori wants to hit leadoff, but he's said he's always willing to do what's best for the team. We all keep hearing from Lou, not Soriano, that Lou wants him to bat leadoff because that's where his best numbers are. To a degree, he's right, but he needs to be able to switch it aorund on days like this, or admit that Soriano needed a few rehad starts coming back. He's looking totally lost on defense.

[Cleophus James]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20080503/i/r2163595960.jpg?x=268&y=345&sig=_MoIqQ.FBWjOpQV93AKOxQ--
????

[Kevin]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20080503/i/r2163595960.jpg?x=268&y=345&sig=_MoIqQ.FBWjOpQV93AKOxQ--
????

That's just Mojo at the game the other day.

[TheMojoPin]

Hey, I don't feel like getting burned. So what if I look like Rose Kennedy?

Alright, so the Cubs won in spite of the retarded lineup...but wait! Lou wasn't done! With the Cubs up by 6 runs after 7 innings, who does he go to in the tired bullpen to finish the game? Sean Marshall, a proven starter who has inexplicably been converted into a LOOGY? Kevin Hart, another promising starter who has had some shaky bullpen outings and could use some confidence boosting work in a game that's all but a sure thing? OF COURSE NOT. He's going to use the best reliever, Carlos Marmol, for the 2nd day in a row, for 2 entire innings. In a blowout game. When Gascan Marquis is on the mound tomorrow. And the Cubs really should win the series. Yeah. Thanks, Lou.

[Jughead]

Sitting next to a cardinal fan here..Really made it hurt....:furious:

I rubbed his beak in it today....:clap::clap::clap:

[TheMojoPin]

Oh, ad for all of Lou's talk for "starting the hot hand," why does he insist on giving Johnson all the CF starts instead of only starting him against lefties and Pie against righties? Johnson's careers numbers against righties are ass, and he's come back down to earth in a hurry. Check it (last starts for each since April 21st):

Felix Pie: 5 starts, 25 PA, 7 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, .333/.400/.523/.923
Reed Johnson: 10 starts, 50 PA, 8 H, .190/.280/.190/.470

START PIE.

[IMSlacker]

It may have been mentioned before, but it's worth repeating. Jason Marquis is a horribly shitty pitcher.

[TheMojoPin]

Remember...they skipped one of Hill's start for Marquis, and Hill is the one sent down...yet Marquis continues to start.

Insanity.

[IMSlacker]

Who's taking Hill's spot in the rotation? Lieber?

[TheMojoPin]

Who's taking Hill's spot in the rotation? Lieber?

Probably, though it should be Gallagher or Marshall. I'd rather not tempt fate by trying to stretch Lieber out as a starter.

[midwestjeff]

It may have been mentioned before, but it's worth repeating. Jason Marquis is a horribly shitty pitcher.

Remember...they skipped one of Hill's start for Marquis, and Hill is the one sent down...yet Marquis continues to start.

Insanity.

Yeah, thanks for offering him an insane contract to get him out of STL.

[TheMojoPin]

Hated, hated, HATED the Marquis signing from day one. One of those stupid signings based on a guy being an innings eater and having a bit of that flukey Cardinals scrapheap success for a little while.

[cougarjake13]

since when did espn start doing player stats based on what the count is ???

its a cool but meaningless stat graphic

[midwestjeff]

Hated, hated, HATED the Marquis signing from day one. One of those stupid signings based on a guy being an innings eater and having a bit of that flukey Cardinals scrapheap success for a little while.

Scrappy. The correct term is scrappy.

4-2, top of 5.

[TheMojoPin]

This reeks of Cubs failure.

I'm gonna go do something else.

[midwestjeff]

Like the great artist Meatloaf once said, "two out of three ain't bad." Unless you're a Cubs fan, in which case the "two" would be losses, and that is sort of bad. Hey, at least you didn't get swept. See ya in July, losers. :bye:

[TheMojoPin]

See? I'm a prophet. This team is going to keep circling the drain until Lou pulls his head out of his ass and puts together a decent lineup.

BAT FUKUDOME 2ND.

BAT SOTO 5TH.

START CEDENO.

START PIE AGAINST RHP.

Is that clear, you useless fat fuck?

[TheMojoPin]

10 years ago today:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/geOt19WQ55Y&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/geOt19WQ55Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

*Siiiiiiiigh*

What could have been...

[Knowledged_one]

Yeah i heard the same and to think that 10 years later he would be blowing saves for the Cubs

[midwestjeff]

The movement on his pitches looks like he is throwing a wiffle ball. Unbelievable. Too bad he didn't have Dave Duncan as his pitching coach, he could have been a superstar.

[jauble]

It was nice seeing wood throwing 95 consistently, I think he was aware of the anniversary.

[TheMojoPin]

It was nice seeing wood throwing 95 consistently, I think he was aware of the anniversary.

Wood's been throwing great all season. Outside of those two bad apperances where he hit the first batter, his numbers have been incredible. I posted them earlier in the thread...anyone thinking he's a bust as a closer isn't paying attention.

And man, Zambrano has REALLY impressed this year. He's finally stepping up and being the true ace this team needs him to be.

[jauble]

I never really bought much into the distraction that signing a contract extension has on a player but Z has been such a different pitcher at the begining of this year as compared to last season. I also like the bald Zambrano look he has going now.

[TheMojoPin]

I never really bought much into the distraction that signing a contract extension has on a player but Z has been such a different pitcher at the begining of this year as compared to last season. I also like the bald Zambrano look he has going now.

I was at his last start before today when he revealed it. I think the glare blinded me for a entire inning.

[TheMojoPin]

Haw-haw!

Hopefully this shuts up all the morons on the sports shows here who have been whining for Lieber to the rotation. LIEBER IS OLD AND UNHEALTHY AND BAD. Yeah, send down guys like Hill and leave Gallagher on the bench and use Marshall as a LOOGY, but be sure to get Marquis and Lieber their starts.

In a weird way, I get satisfaction out of seeing Lou's continual moronic managing blowing up in his face. Of course you're going to lose when you run your team like you're Joe Morgan.

[Knowledged_one]

Jesus 4 HR's for 5 runs guess hes tossing up gopher balls

Only good thing is i have Volquez on my fantasy team and hopefully he can get the win

[TheMojoPin]

In general this team just stinks right now. Lee is cold, Soriano is still coming back from his slow start and his injury, Aramis hurt his wrist taking a pitch off of it and Fukudome is slumping (largely due to Lou inexplicably insisting he's a #5 hitter). Not much is gonna get done if your bigger bats (besides Soto) aren't producing. The only upside is they keep getting on base at a great clip as a team...there's just nobody to hit anyone home.

[Knowledged_one]

So is Joey Votto just hitting off of a tee today?

3 HR in one game

[TheMojoPin]

Sometimes off days seem like the best thing that could possibly happen.

[Knowledged_one]

3-1 Bottom of the 8th for the Cubs

Lee just solo homered

[IMSlacker]

It was good to see Soriano have a good day at the plate today. Hopefully, he's turning it around.

Lou's head scratcher of the day: Pitching Marmol in the ninth with a five-run lead.

[TheMojoPin]

Lou's head scratcher of the day: Pitching Marmol in the ninth with a five-run lead.

He did that last week, too. Pitched Marmol for 2 innings with the Cubs up 6.

Lou is dumb. If Dusty was an F, Lou is like a D+.

[cougarjake13]

He did that last week, too. Pitched Marmol for 2 innings with the Cubs up 6.

Lou is dumb. If Dusty was an F, Lou is like a D+.

at least its an improvement

[jauble]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

[TheMojoPin]

Tied for foist again!

Awesome to see Gallagher get a start. Considering he got the call at the last minute and had been sitting in the bullpen for almost two weeks with next to no work, this was a pretty impressive MLB debut. 6 k's in 4 innings, great movement and touched some real power with his pitches...he got obviously tired out in the 5th, but Lou said he'll go again in 5 days, so I'm real curious to see what we get with him on a starting routine. I always wanted him over Marquis and Leiber...now, if Hill can turn it around, things are looking up.

[Knowledged_one]

So here's a headscratcher for me

With the game tied 2-2 after Daryle Ward tied the game up with a pinch hit single, the Cubs pinch ran for Ward with Jason Marquis? What is the reason behind it is Ward so slow that a pitcher is faster

[IMSlacker]

So here's a headscratcher for me

With the game tied 2-2 after Daryle Ward tied the game up with a pinch hit single, the Cubs pinch ran for Ward with Jason Marquis? What is the reason behind it is Ward so slow that a pitcher is faster

Apparenly so, I think they've pinch run for Daryl Ward everytime I've seen him get on base. Maybe he has some sort of leg injury.

[TheMojoPin]

Ward has had nagging leg issues this year, so it's slowed him down...even with his legs healthy, he's probably the slowest guy on the team.

Using Marquis is win-win because he's very fast, and not just for a pitcher, plus it ups his chances of getting hurt and not starting.

[Knowledged_one]

Gotcha it was just so bizzare to see, because you could tell that they werent going to put Marquis in to pitch, guess it makes sense to donk off a pitcher as pinch runner just in case so you dont lose another position player as pinch runner

At the time though i couldnt figure it out

[jauble]

Big 5 inning for the cubs. Soriano looks like he is starting to come around at the plate. Damn I wish I could watch/listen to the game.

[TheMojoPin]

Fukudome has apparently deemed running to 1st base as beneath him, and he shall only walk to it.

[TheMojoPin]

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAH!!!

Holy shit, that was hysterical. Bases loaded for the Cubs, 2 outs, DeRosa grounds out to the Padres' 3rd baseman and he tries to beat out Aramis to 3rd but Aramis beats him with the slide by about 2 feet and the 3rd bagger chucks the ball against the wall on the 1B side, so the Cubs score 3 more. 11-2.

Johnson singles home DeRosa (who was on 3rd after a wild pitch) to make it 12-2.

The Padres are bad at baseball.

Then Zambrano singles to put Johnson on 3rd. Cubs have 10 guys come to the plate for 2 straight innings.

[IMSlacker]

The Cubs' hitters couldn't figure out fucking Shawn Estes tonight. Disgusting!

[TheMojoPin]

That, plus Jason Marquis being his usual dogshit self didn't help. DFA his fuckin' ass already.

[TheMojoPin]

So it looks like the Cubs will likely sign Jim Edmonds once he clears waivers.

What. The. FUCK.

Look, I don't give a shit who he is. Hitler himself could play for the Cubs so long as he was decent and helped them win. Jim Edmonds is old and horrible now. He's been steadily declining for 4 seasons now, he was horrile all of last year and he's been even worse this year. Oh, and the guy that's being sent down to AAA to make room for him? Yeah, Felix Pie's numbers are better tha his this year, especially against righties.

Lou is a fucking moron. Start Johnson against lefities in CF, start Pie against righties.

Idiots.

[Knowledged_one]

That, plus Jason Marquis being his usual dogshit self didn't help. DFA his fuckin' ass already.

He was tired from his pinch running duties

[Knowledged_one]

So it looks like the Cubs will likely sign Jim Edmonds once he clears waivers.

What. The. FUCK.

Look, I don't give a shit who he is. Hitler himself could play for the Cubs so long as he was decent and helped them win. Jim Edmonds is old and horrible now. He's been steadily declining for 4 seasons now, he was horrile all of last year and he's been even worse this year. Oh, and the guy that's being sent down to AAA to make room for him? Yeah, Felix Pie's numbers are better tha his this year, especially against righties.

Lou is a fucking moron. Start Johnson against lefities in CF, start Pie against righties.

Idiots.

ahh gotta love those Cubbies

[IMSlacker]

So it looks like the Cubs will likely sign Jim Edmonds once he clears waivers.

What. The. FUCK.

Look, I don't give a shit who he is. Hitler himself could play for the Cubs so long as he was decent and helped them win. Jim Edmonds is old and horrible now. He's been steadily declining for 4 seasons now, he was horrile all of last year and he's been even worse this year. Oh, and the guy that's being sent down to AAA to make room for him? Yeah, Felix Pie's numbers are better tha his this year, especially against righties.

Lou is a fucking moron. Start Johnson against lefities in CF, start Pie against righties.

Idiots.

Crap. Hopefully, someone more stupid than Hendry will put in a waiver claim.

[TheMojoPin]

Soraino just hit a leadoff homer for the 2nd game in a row, tonight's off of Peavy.

His numbers are beast over the last 2 weeks or so...he's baaaaaaaaaaaack.

On the downside, the Cubs will likely announce signing Edmonds by the time the game is over pending a physical. I don't expect much, but hopefully he won't suck.

[midwestjeff]

On the downside, the Cubs will likely announce signing Edmonds by the time the game is over pending a physical. I don't expect much, but hopefully he won't suck.

Signing with the Cubs is a fucking horrible way for him to finish his career, which, by my estimation, ended some time in 2006. It really is just a business, isn't it? :down:

[jauble]

Signing with the Cubs is a fucking horrible way for him to finish his career, which, by my estimation, ended some time in 2006. It really is just a business, isn't it? :down:

Go ahead and take him back before he signs please.

[TheMojoPin]

Too late. The Jim Edmonds era begins.

The guy was/is an ass, but like I said, I don't care who plays for the Cubs so long as they produce. If he can even sniff his career norms he'll be a huge help...though I doubt that he will. Here's hoping.

What sucks most is that this was the perfect season so far to let Pie work and adjust to MLB play. The Cubs lineup has been producing amazing offense when he was struggling and with Johnon's abyssmal numbers aganst righties...so why not let the highly touted prospect stretch his legs? Anything he would produce would be cake...worse comes to worse, he still stinks after a couple months, you go back to Johnson's crappy numbers against non-southpaws and there's no difference.

Silly, silly Cubs.

[IMSlacker]

Another nice outing from "Cy" Dempster today. 8 1/3 innings 0 runs 6 hits 1 walk 12 k's. Also, nice to see Kerry Wood come in and get a save with a couple of runners already on base. That said, the Padres line-up is horrible.

[TheMojoPin]

That said, the Padres line-up is horrible.

True...but good teams don't just beat bad teams...they should destroy them. On top of beating up mercilessly (most of the time) on bad teams, the Cubs are dominating at home. Those are the things contending teams need to do on a regular basis to stay in it, and those are two things the Cubs hae often struggled to do consistently over the years.

I will fully admit that I thought Dempster starting would be even worse than Marquis, so I am happily eating crow. He really looks confident out there and has a sick array of pitches. Given his health history, however, I'll be curious to see if he can hold up in the second half. I'd really like to see the Cubs go after another solid #2 or #3 starter to shore things up. If they do that and Hill can come back solid, this rotation is looking to be a real threat, especilly since Lilly has looked fantastic for 5 straight starts now. Of course, this hinges on the Cubs wising up and getting rid of Maruis' useless ass.

And man, this is weird to see...too bad it's not 8-10 years ago:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.221bd9c11a4c43b7858b2977da4890e9.padres_cubs_ baseball_cxc102.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.a676a7e264664797977486be652cb309.padres_cubs_ edmonds_baseball_cxc101.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.bc29e5f6284148b8a5c2521b26fb3152.padres_cubs_ baseball_cxc104.jpg

[jauble]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.221bd9c11a4c43b7858b2977da4890e9.padres_cubs_ baseball_cxc102.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.a676a7e264664797977486be652cb309.padres_cubs_ edmonds_baseball_cxc101.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.bc29e5f6284148b8a5c2521b26fb3152.padres_cubs_ baseball_cxc104.jpg

Creepy...just creepy Im sure cards fans would feel the same about it.

Oh also mojo I am happy for you as well.

http://i28.tinypic.com/64kubo.png

[IMSlacker]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080515/capt.a676a7e264664797977486be652cb309.padres_cubs_ edmonds_baseball_cxc101.jpg

This picture makes me physically ill. These kids should be ashamed to call themselves Cubs fans.

[jauble]

Sean Gallagher round two lets see how this goes.

[TheMojoPin]

SorianOWNED.

[TheMojoPin]

8th HR for the best offensive catcher in baseball...

GEOVANY SOTO!!!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/1463544227_32c4f3e59b.jpg?v=0

Maybe now he can afford a haircut not from 1995.

[TheMojoPin]

Gorzelany is like a microcosm of the Pirates...awful against the Cubs, decent against everyone else:

Fist two times he faced the Cubs this year:

2.1 IP 6 H 7 ER 4 BB
2.2 IP 6 H 7 ER 4 BB

Other than that, he's been pretty damn good

08 vs. Cubs: 0-1 25.20
08 vs. Everyone Else: 3-2 2.73 ERA

vs. non-Cubs: 29 2/3 IP, 20 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 21 BB. ERA of 2.73, WHIP of 1.38

vs. Cubs: 5 IP, 12 H, 14 ER, 8 BB. ERA of 25.20, WHIP of 4.00

Today he's already given up 3 runs after 1.

[jauble]

Great start my friend who is a steelers fan (and watches the pirates for the first 2 months) texted me today saying that the cubs would get beat today.

[jauble]

Soriano yard.....again

[TheMojoPin]

Sweet Christmas, Fonzie is blazing hot right now. That 2nd one was a 3-run shot, too.

.362, 6 homers and an 1.146 OPS in May so far.

[jauble]

Sweet Christmas, Fonzie is blazing hot right now. That 2nd one was a 3-run shot, too.

.362, 6 homers and an 1.146 OPS in May so far.

Im pretty sure in the DR they fixed juke boxes by hitting them around 390 feet or so.

[jauble]

Gold glove work by D Lee

[TheMojoPin]

Derrek Lee is good at baseball.

[jauble]

A nice 7-4 start to the series.

[TheMojoPin]

Damn. Damndamndamndamn. DAMN.

My dad is in town, so we get tickets and unfortunately witness today's loss. Definitely the first appearance of the old Zambrano that meltdowns. Hopefully he goes away. What a waste of Soriano...5-5 with 2 HR's and 2 doubles. His hitting .500 over this homestand...unreal.

[spoon]

Can we have Reed Johnson back now?! You don't need him any more, and the Jays have a triage setup at the Rogers Center just for injured outfielders.

[TheMojoPin]

I'll trade you Johnson for Burnett.

[spoon]

I'll trade you Johnson for Burnett.

In about 2 months and a little more incentive, I foresee him on the market at this pace.

[Ritalin]

Alright, I know I'm not supposed to, but I read Mariotti again this morning, and he turns out this little gem about Soriano:

Even when Soriano is riding one of his blurry speed trains, you say to yourself, "Hey, he makes $136 million. He's supposed to be hitting .520 during a homestand."

What a stupid piece of shit. Ozzie was right. He's a fag.

[TheMojoPin]

Mariotti is one of the main reasons a site like FireJoeMorgan.com exists.

[IMSlacker]

Soto!

[jauble]

inside the park 4 bagger



seeing edmonds in a cubs jersey kind of makes me sick...although I do appreciate the single

[Knowledged_one]

I picked up Ted Lilly in fantasy

Go Cubs

C-U-B-S Cubs Cubs Cubs

[IMSlacker]

Boy, Edmunds is slow now. Reminds me of Ron Cey.

[jauble]

I'll shut up about edmonds for awhile.

[TheMojoPin]

Huh.

Was not expecting that.

[IMSlacker]

I missed Edmunds' catch. Was so sure it was going out, I didn't bother standing up.

[jauble]

I missed Edmunds' catch. Was so sure it was going out, I didn't bother standing up.

At the game?

[walking joint]

is one of Lillys pitches a 'slow ball'. he throws so good at times, but the pitch to Wiggy was such a bad pitch. with Lillys pitching motion he may as well set those up on a tee.

[IMSlacker]

At the game?

Yes.

[jauble]

Yes.

How is minutemaid?...never been down there.

[RhinoinMN]

I miss Kevin Tapani.

[IMSlacker]

How is minutemaid?...never been down there.

It's ok. Better than the astrodome.

I'm at the minute maid squeeze play ground with my daughter now. Watching the rest of the game on the TV.

[IMSlacker]

I hate Michael Weurtz!

[jauble]

samsonite...matsui was way out.

[TheMojoPin]

Wow, I usually don't care about bad calls, but that was just terrible. Matsui was out by almost 2 feet.

[TheMojoPin]

Jesus, Marmol likes to live dangerously with Berkman.

Lance and Soriano doing squat tonight. I think 5 k's between 'em.

[jauble]

Lee was eating the dirt on that pitch from Marmol.

[TheMojoPin]

Jesus Christ. Marmol is amazing. Guys on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and Tejada, Berkman and Lee up and he GETS OUT OF IT?!? Fuck ME.

[jauble]

That soriano sig pic is awesome btw mojo.

[jauble]

theee ya

That was a lot of muscle there.

[TheMojoPin]

BRUTALIZED.

Lee definitely needs a day off, but it's nice to see him with a single and a double his last 2 AB's, and then a no doubter ARAMABOMB.

[jauble]

BRUTALIZED.

Lee definitely needs a day off, but it's nice to see him with a single and a double his last 2 AB's, and then a no doubter ARAMABOMB.

I didn't realized you posted here Mr. Sterling.

[TheMojoPin]

Heh...I prefer FUKUDOMED, CEDENOWNED/SOTOWNED/SORIANOWNED or YOU KNOW MY LEEZ.

[jauble]

and put it in the books...Im glad tomorrow will be on WGN. Decent outing by Lilly again. Soto is still impressive. That is all.

[TheMojoPin]

CUBS WIN!

http://www.cubbiesbaseball.com/images/wpic4.jpg

11 games over .500 and it feels so good.

[Ritalin]

what a catch!

[TheMojoPin]

what a catch!

It's weird to see him do it as a Cub:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GUGrXq9dedQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GUGrXq9dedQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Kevin]

That is still not better than the Beltran catch there.

[TheMojoPin]

Nothing is better this season than the Reed Johnson catch this year.

[IMSlacker]

Nothing is better this season than the Reed Johnson catch this year.

Yeah.

<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://feat.putfile.com/flow/putfile.swf?videoFile=Unbelievable-catch-by-Reed-Johnson" width="425" height="345"><param name="movie" value="http://feat.putfile.com/flow/putfile.swf?videoFile=Unbelievable-catch-by-Reed-Johnson" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://feat.putfile.com/flow/putfile.swf?videoFile=Unbelievable-catch-by-Reed-Johnson" bgcolor="#000000" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width=425 height=345></embed></object>

[Kevin]

Nothing is better this season than the Reed Johnson catch this year.

I don't know, i cant good video of the Beltran catch, but it was the Edmonds font diving he had in ananahiem or St Louis, but climbing the hill.


Btw, that hill is the dumbest thing ever

[Knowledged_one]

Thank you Chicago, by taking Trachsel last year from the Orioles here are what two of the players are now doing

Jake Renshaw, acquired from the Cubs in the Steve Trachsel trade, picked up his sixth victory last night at Single-A Frederick, the most in the Carolina League. He allowed three runs in six innings, with no walks and five strikeouts.

Rocky Cherry threw a scoreless inning at Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one hit.

[TheMojoPin]

Thank you Chicago, by taking Trachsel last year from the Orioles here are what two of the players are now doing

Jake Renshaw, acquired from the Cubs in the Steve Trachsel trade, picked up his sixth victory last night at Single-A Frederick, the most in the Carolina League. He allowed three runs in six innings, with no walks and five strikeouts.

Rocky Cherry threw a scoreless inning at Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one hit.

Both of those guys are worthless and will amount to absolutely nothing.

The O's made out like bandits, however, getting Scott Moore out of the deal. That's highway robbery.

[Knowledged_one]

Rocky Cherry is probably going to be in the bullpen pitching in relief at some point this year

and yes Renshaw most likely wont ever make it i mean hes only in Single A

and yes Moore was the key to the deal and if he can start hitting better he may be the starting 3B for the orioles if they trade Mora

[jauble]

Zambrano wins another and gets 4 hits...

http://www.lydieparties.com/assets/images/suprised.jpg

[jauble]

Whats up with the extra inning games against the pirate's this season?

[TheMojoPin]

Holy bajoleys...that was a comedy of errors, but man, Lou is as dumb as a bag of wet hammers.

Wood's blown, what, 4 saves? And in 3 of them, he's hit the first batter. Pretty blatant tracking/warning sign.

[midwestjeff]

Thanks for holding down first place for a while, but the Cardinals would like to have it back now. :bye:

[TheMojoPin]

I've come to accept that this race is between the Cardinals and the Cubs this year. The Cards have too may things going their way...now that their pitching has levelled off from the ridiculous April levels, you see multiple guys headed towards career offensive years.

[midwestjeff]

I've come to accept that this race is between the Cardinals and the Cubs this year. The Cards have too may things going their way...now that their pitching has levelled off from the ridiculous April levels, you see multiple guys headed towards career offensive years.

I haven't paid much attention, how is Edmonds working out? Is he as awful as expected or has he gotten back on track?

[TheMojoPin]

I haven't paid much attention, how is Edmonds working out? Is he as awful as expected or has he gotten back on track?

Oh, he of course fucking sucks, just like every person on the planet not named Jim Hendry and Lou Piniellia knew. His bat speed is obviously reduced, and his power is all but gone thanks to it. You can't bring that back.

What a horrid road trip. Close losses are one thing, but they could have easily won all 4 of their losses ad just pissed them away instead. Awful.

[Ritalin]

See, the problem with this is the reason why the Mets are interested in Marquis (although the Mets will be interested in every player available at some time and get none of them): there's no pitching to be had out there.

The Prior thing makes me nervous. I get why they had to let him go - they couldn't use the season to make him attractive for the free agent market - but I have this fear that he's going to come out this year DEALING, you know what I mean?

FAIL

[Ritalin]

I got one word stuck in my head: Fukudome!

PASS

[spoon]

Anyone catch this one!?

Geremi Gonzalez
News: Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.
Impact: Gonzalez pitched for five major league teams from 1997-06. The right-hander appeared in 131 games with 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record. Gonzalez also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He made a combined 24 appearances for the Mets and Brewers in his final major league season in 2006. (STATS - Mon. May 26, 2008)

Wow, that pretty much sucks. Figured it was appropriate to post it here since he had his best year with the Cubbies. What a fucking way to go.

[spoon]

FAIL

PASS

Schizophrenic Ritalin talking to himself! :huh:

[Ritalin]

Schizophrenic Ritalin talking to himself! :huh:

don't listen Precious...they don't understand us.

[K.C.]

I don't know who the bigger homers are, looking at the all-star voting. Cubs fans, or Astros fans.

Soriano 1st among outfielders? Ryan Theriot 4th among SSs?

[Epschtein]

on WEEI today they were saying that the cubs issued a press release or something at the game maybe, saying that you can be ejected for booing? specifically soriano? thats whack! if true...

although i have never booed anyone and dont like it i still think for the price people are paying they should be able to boo if they feel like it. taunting or obscenities should get you the boot, but just booing? wild stuff...

[Knowledged_one]

I dont think it was booing him it was racial slurs that they were worried about at least i thougth i read that

Man the Cubs sure do like to play extra inning games dont they

[TheMojoPin]

on WEEI today they were saying that the cubs issued a press release or something at the game maybe, saying that you can be ejected for booing? specifically soriano? thats whack! if true...

although i have never booed anyone and dont like it i still think for the price people are paying they should be able to boo if they feel like it. taunting or obscenities should get you the boot, but just booing? wild stuff...

This was totally blown out of proportion. What they were expecting, after the dropped catch in that Pittsburgh game, were some drunken assholes going overboard. It was the first game afterwards, and the drunk schmucks congregate in the bleachers, so the staff was told to be on the lookout in LF for anyone really out of line because there was a better than usual chance of someone making a real ass of themselves ad possibly disturbing the game. Nobody was kicked out for booing, and no order was given. If someone was hanging over the basket screaming "FUCK YOU, YOU CHOKING MOTHERFUCKER," he'd be tossed. That's what they were worried about.

[Knowledged_one]

This was totally blown out of proportion. What they were expecting, after the dropped catch in that Pittsburgh game, were some drunken assholes going overboard. It was the first game afterwards, and the drunk schmucks congregate in the bleachers, so the staff was told to be on the lookout in LF for anyone really out of line because there was a better than usual chance of someone making a real ass of themselves ad possibly disturbing the game. Nobody was kicked out for booing, and no order was given. If someone was hanging over the basket screaming "FUCK YOU, YOU CHOKING MOTHERFUCKER," he'd be tossed. That's what they were worried about.

and what blog are you getting your info from hmmmmmmmmm

[TheMojoPin]

and what blog are you getting your info from hmmmmmmmmm

Hah-hah! A friend of mine works crowd control at Wrigley, the lucky prick.

Hmmmm, what's that I hear? Oh yeah, it's a...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/TheMojoPin/SWEEP.jpg

....SWEEEEEEEEEP!!!!

[Epschtein]

ahh, looks like WEEI completely misreported it then.

[TheMojoPin]

ahh, looks like WEEI completely misreported it then.

It all stemmed from the shitty sports radio station here, the Score (home to horrible monster Mike North), taking calls from idiots in the stands at the gam who were saying they were told not to boo. The environment in the stands is usualy pretty fun, and the staff and fans interact all the time, so the ushers in that section were talking to some of the bleacher bums before the game and told them they were looking out for anyone trying to make a scene due to Sori blowing the game the day before. That of course mutates as it's told amongst the crowd until it becomes "THEY TOLD US NOT TO BOO OR ELSE WE GET THE BOOT!!!"

[Knowledged_one]

didnt either the TV or radio team basically said you could go in the cubs lockerroom and throw a dart and hit any player taht could play LF better then Soriano

[midwestjeff]

didnt either the TV or radio team basically said you could go in the cubs lockerroom and throw a dart and hit any player taht could play LF better then Soriano

That's a gross understatement.

Sorry, I'll leave now.

[TheMojoPin]

didnt either the TV or radio team basically said you could go in the cubs lockerroom and throw a dart and hit any player taht could play LF better then Soriano

Bob Brenly said it on the TV broadcast. Pretty classless. I'm not saying he can't be frustrated in his commentary, but calling out a player like that is just dumb. I'm getting pretty sick of people here (in Chicago) flipping out like Soriano is some hideous fielder. He's looked ugly at times out there this season, but to here people talked, he's just as likely, if not more, to screw up out there than complete the play. Please. He's been a very good OFer the last couple season, and he's been thrown off this year due to his injury. Nevermind that the breaking point was him losing a ball in the sun, which had zero to do with his legs or his route or anything like that. I loathe the man's contract, but I loathe irrational sports analysis even more.

[IMSlacker]

Someone might want to mention to Brenly that you could use the same process to find a better color commentator.

[TheMojoPin]

4th win in a row tonight. BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL.

Yowza.

[Jughead]

4th win in a row tonight. BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL.

Yowza.

Thank you..Im such a pant leg grabber..But My pop is hard core and he is 71 and i love him and i know he is happy tonight...:wub:

[TheMojoPin]

Wood pitched pure filth tonight. It was unfair. Not a save, but it inspired me to dig up his numbers as a closer so far this year:

28.2 IP
19 H
1 HR
32/5 K's/BB's = 6.4 K/BB
3.17 ERA
138 ERA+
.831 WHIP
Late and Close .626 OPS against
2 outs, RISP .414 OPS against
High Leverage .707 OPS against
Medium Leverage .477 against
Low Leverage .325 OPS against

Absolutely dominating. So long as Kerry doesn't hit the first batter, he's sick.

[TheMojoPin]

Ewwwwwwwwwww...STANK.

Glad I need to leave for work.

[IMSlacker]

Mojo, you left too soon. They're stormin' back!

[Jughead]

Home Run!!!!

[IMSlacker]

Nice! 10-9 Cubs! My God, the Rockies are awful.

[spoon]

Rockies blow! Come on I need some help with this fucking bet dammit!

[IMSlacker]

And Marmol strikes out the side.

[TheMojoPin]

Guh.

Buh.

Fuh.

GAH.

...

Incredible.

When I left for work it was 9-4, and on the train I was following Gameday on my phone and the Cubs' score just kept going up and up and up. And it was almost all done without Lee, Aramis and Soto.

Can't ignore the bullpen in this...the bullpen has been flat out stellar for weeks now, and today is no exception. Only 2 runs given up in 6 innings when the ball was clearly flying out of the park left and right. And man, Marmol capped it in the 8th with one of the filthiest innings I've ever seen.

Wow. Just...wow.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080530/capt.3006cb048eff4b5e95d77108313aa403.rockies_cubs _baseball_cxc111.jpg

:D
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080530/capt.7e1ce50f14a349dcbd419fa9b6ea2af4.rockies_cubs _baseball_cxc112.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080530/capt.79db676bbe7e4dfbadab6e56cc450d53.rockies_cubs _baseball_cxc113.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080530/capt.1f37ed155311498e8347d437d2fb8a30.rockies_cubs _baseball_cxc117.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080530/capt.e63f5a9c56ab450cac65184abfed0e42.rockies_cubs _baseball_cxc118.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/f3/fullj.133a777deb755c9ae9ba0718ddd24898/133a777deb755c9ae9ba0718ddd24898-getty-80312822jd001_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/fb/fullj.3c35c9d2a136418522b07703b6db5db6/3c35c9d2a136418522b07703b6db5db6-getty-80312822jd003_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/f1/fullj.70471c6ee7a4af78f6eb201ffa1fc3b9/70471c6ee7a4af78f6eb201ffa1fc3b9-getty-80312822jd004_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/4a/fullj.d2712e8c83d2ad6de83eeb9df84f7d4f/d2712e8c83d2ad6de83eeb9df84f7d4f-getty-80312822jd002_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/7a/fullj.bb4e5357985b10b723ef9e589d49c28e/bb4e5357985b10b723ef9e589d49c28e-getty-80312822jd010_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/92/fullj.ec427e29c11b39d3369ee39a72f23290/ec427e29c11b39d3369ee39a72f23290-getty-80312822jd008_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/a3/fullj.983eea1d9e2175f30496f553a5bda5ec/983eea1d9e2175f30496f553a5bda5ec-getty-80312822jd012_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/02/fullj.2b8436f705493a638608a1d0641bbbc8/2b8436f705493a638608a1d0641bbbc8-getty-80312822jd013_colorado_rock.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/df/fullj.6c02a4251a2a72f6376ba47402dd598f/6c02a4251a2a72f6376ba47402dd598f-getty-80312822jd017_colorado_rock.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

Here's a collection of the WGN radio broadcast highlights during the game. (http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/5302008.mp3)

Pat Hughes being the pro he is and Santo being his usual mess, but goddamn, the crowd is going bonkers.

Here's DeRosa hitting the game winner with Bobby Hull rambling in the booth:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1BVpO9_lWcg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1BVpO9_lWcg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

The redemption of Jim Edmonds?

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9LBO15_AD0&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9LBO15_AD0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[jauble]

Once again I am glad the Cubs didnt pull the Roberts trade and it was good to see some action/emotion out of Edmonds. You can tell he wants to do well I just hope his numbers will pick up and we will see more games out him like this. Also Marmol is filthy...that is all.

[TheMojoPin]

So, of course, with ESPN tripping over itself to blow Joba, they've completely ignored how amazing Carlos Marmol has been in the bullpen last year and this season. His numbers this season are astounding enough, but for fun, I subtracted what basically amounts to his one bad batter faced this year (Nate McClouth, and he gave up a 2-run shot) to see what his line is...behold:

0.26 ERA
0.61 WHIP

Opponents .082/.172/.091

[IMSlacker]

So, of course, with ESPN tripping over itself to blow Joba, they've completely ignored how amazing Carlos Marmol has been in the bullpen last year and this season. His numbers this season are astounding enough, but for fun, I subtracted what basically amounts to his one bad batter faced this year (Nate McClouth, and he gave up a 2-run shot) to see what his line is...behold:

0.26 ERA
0.61 WHIP

Opponents .082/.172/.091

Way to go. You jinxed him and he gave up a home run.

But still, Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

35-21!!!

[TheMojoPin]

That homer unleashed the fury. Those next 3 pitches to Taveras were perhaps the most unhittable sliders known to man. NO MERCY.

[TheMojoPin]

Well, it's now June and the Cubs have the best record in baseball. Allow me to tempt fate...

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Cubs had the best record in baseball entering June was 1908, the year they last won the World Series.

[Ritalin]

Well, it's now June and the Cubs have the best record in baseball. Allow me to tempt fate...

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Cubs had the best record in baseball entering June was 1908, the year they last won the World Series.

Mojo, what the hell are you doing?

[TheMojoPin]

Hey, I'm not making any conclusions...just pointing out a possible coincidence.

[Ritalin]

Hey, I'm not making any conclusions...just pointing out a possible coincidence.

I'm with you, but I know you winced a little when you typed it.

[TheMojoPin]

Come on, let's live on the edge a little:

In the Monte Carlo simulation, the Cubs are 69.5% to win the division, 10.7% to win the wild card, for an 80.2% chance of making the playoffs. The Cubs have an average record of 94.2-67.8, which is 1.3 wins better than the Red Sox for the best record in baseball.

The Elo odds: 64% to win the division, 12.5% to win the wild card, for 76.5% to make the playoffs. Again, 1.3 wins better than the Red Sox, with an average record of 93.5-68.5.

PECOTA-simulated odds: 73.9% to win the division, 10.6% to win the wild card, 84.4% to make the playoffs. 95.6-66.4, or nearly 3 wins better than PECOTA's next-favorite team, the Yankees.

It's funny...since living back here, it's really affirmed my idea that there's no such thing as a confident Cubs fan. We're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Listenig to the sports stations here, most of the calls are tempered with "for now" or "so far," even when everyone is happy over how well they're doing. We're a supremely fatalistic bunch.

[TheMojoPin]

I hear something coming....is it? IT IS!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/bnance82/cubssweepsx1.jpg

Nice 7-0 homestand. June is gonna be rough with most of the games on the road, but it starts of right out west with the Padres and the Dodgers. Please beat them up again, Cubs. Please lose, Cardinals.

Decent outing for the rookie Gallgher...he's now 3-1 this year. Went just shy of 6 full innings...3 runs, no walks, 8 K's and 6 hits. Soriano hit another homer. Aramis keeps chugging along with a 3-3 day. Edmonds follows up his impressive start acouple days ago with a 2-3 day (double and a triple) and a walk.

[TheMojoPin]

Prior isn't a Cub anymore, but the news today that his season is already over due to him getting elbow surgery is still just depressing as hell.

SAN FRANCISCO -- When orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews told Mark Prior that he had a tear in his right shoulder earlier this month, the right-handed pitcher was offered two paths of treatment -- rest or surgery.

Thirteen months removed from arthroscopic surgery on the same right shoulder, Prior opted to have the problem taken care of this week, even if it meant having season-ending surgery to repair the tear in the anterior part of the shoulder capsule. (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080601&content_id=2813827&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)

That's so shitty. It was such a joy to watch this guy pitch the relatively few times he was healthy and was "on." His 2003 season will always be one of my favorite baseball performances, and I'll wear his jersey with pride. Even his 2004 and 2005 seasons were good when he wasn't sidelined by DL time due to freakish on-field accidents.

Everyone always lumps him and Wood together, but Prior was going to be such a different pitcher. Wood was a guy that people were wary about/expecting DL time from from when he was drafted due to his style of pitching and his workload in high school. Prior had those "perfect" mechanics and the stuff to arguably put up there with the elites. I will never forgive Dusty Baker for working him as hard as he did his rookie season. Almost 10 games where he pitched over 120 pitches? That's just stupid to do to a young pitcher adjusting to an MLB workload.

*Sigh*

Good luck, Mark.

[A.J.]

I will never forgive Dusty Baker for working him as hard as he did his rookie season. Almost 10 games where he pitched over 120 pitches? That's just stupid to do to a young pitcher adjusting to an MLB workload.

That's almost Torre-like.

[joeyballsack]

Come on, let's live on the edge a little:



It's funny...since living back here, it's really affirmed my idea that there's no such thing as a confident Cubs fan. We're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Listenig to the sports stations here, most of the calls are tempered with "for now" or "so far," even when everyone is happy over how well they're doing. We're a supremely fatalistic bunch.

As a lifelong Red Sox fan I am still having trouble, despite recent history, getting rid of the same attitude Mojo. I am constantly waiting for the big injury or 10 game losing streak to devastate the team.

I fear its something I will never get over. Too much emotional scarring there to heal this quickly.

[TheMojoPin]

OK, so it's just 3 games, but Jim Edmonds is going out of his way to prove me wrong about thinking he was washed up. His last 3 starts he has been absolutely brutalizing the ball. He's 2-3 tonight with 2 RBI doubles and a walk. Even his flyout would have been a HR or off the wall at Wrigley, but it ended up being a flyout just before the warning track in cavernous Petco.

Zambrano struggled and only went 5, giving up 3 runs in the 1st, but he went 3-3 at the plate, including a standing RBI triple. Cubs up 7-3 right now in the bottom of the 7th. This is now 24 straight games where they've had the lead at some point.

[TheMojoPin]

Holy shit, I'd hate to be a Padres fan. Petco fucking SUCKS. It's robbed the Cubs of 3 (maybe 4) homers tonight.

[jauble]

Does Carlos Marmol remind you of this guy at all?

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/tarantino/701/pulp34.jpg

You have two on with one out...ok I'll take care of it.

[TheMojoPin]

Lou is doing all he can to pull a Dusty Baker on Marmol's arm. I understand bringing him in in the 8th to put out the fires, but there's no excuse to put him back out there in the 9th with the 4-run lead intact. Big lead, a couple lefties to start it off...hey, why not pitch Eyre, who hasn't given up a run yet this year and has looked excellent?

Unecessarily close at the end thanks to a overworked Marmol, but Wood shut the door and the Cubs win their 8th straight. They face the Padres' 4th starter tomorrow, so the bats will need to be in full effect with Marquis on the mound. Marquis' has to step for once...crappy team in an extreme pitcher's park...he's gotta at least stretch into the 7th to make sure Marmol and Wood can sit.

[Kevin]

That's almost Torre-like.

Joba is still getting eaten alive by bugs.. And there is Torre, sleeping in the dugout.

[Kevin]

Holy shit, I'd hate to be a Padres fan. Petco fucking SUCKS. It's robbed the Cubs of 3 (maybe 4) homers tonight.

Why do you think Chris Young sucked balls all his life, then pitched to a 2 something ERA out of nowhere.

edit. 3.46 and 3.12. But i remember him pitching in the 2's most of last year.

[ChrisTheCop]

Why do you think Chris Young sucked balls all his life, then pitched to a 2 something ERA out of nowhere.

edit. 3.46 and 3.12. But i remember him pitching in the 2's most of last year.

Kevin, of course, is right.

yay Kevin!!!!

[Kevin]

Kevin, of course, is right.

yay Kevin!!!!

sigh....

[ChrisTheCop]

sigh....

absolutely the appropriate response!!
amazing!!!

[Friday]

why does this thread even exist?

[jauble]

why does this thread even exist?

watch it sweetheart

[IMSlacker]

why does this thread even exist?

Because the Cubs fans are taking over this board.

[Snoogans]

Because the Cubs fans are taking over this board.

Yea thats what happens when you win a few games. With the Cubs it just happens in June and July instead of October cause they dont win games then

[Ritalin]

OK, so it's just 3 games, but Jim Edmonds is going out of his way to prove me wrong about thinking he was washed up. His last 3 starts he has been absolutely brutalizing the ball. He's 2-3 tonight with 2 RBI doubles and a walk. Even his flyout would have been a HR or off the wall at Wrigley, but it ended up being a flyout just before the warning track in cavernous Petco.

Zambrano struggled and only went 5, giving up 3 runs in the 1st, but he went 3-3 at the plate, including a standing RBI triple. Cubs up 7-3 right now in the bottom of the 7th. This is now 24 straight games where they've had the lead at some point.

Zambrano's quote in the paper today about his triple: "I'm fast, huh?"

[TheMojoPin]

Yea thats what happens when you win a few games. With the Cubs it just happens in June and July instead of October cause they dont win games then

Shhhhhh. We've always been there...we just haven't had anything to celebrate for a few years.

[TheMojoPin]

9 in a row.

Couple areas of concern...the starters are having trouble going beyond 6 innings, if that. The bullpen has been stellar for over a month now, but everyone is getting taxed way too early in the season, especially Marmol. The Cubs desperately need to trade for a proven starter to add to the rotation if they want to assure themselves some playoff success.

Secondly, Lee's bat has been ass for almost a month now. Please get better, Derrek.

[Kevin]

9 in a row.

Couple areas of concern...the starters are having trouble going beyond 6 innings, if that. The bullpen has been stellar for over a month now, but everyone is getting taxed way too early in the season, especially Marmol. The Cubs desperately need to trade for a proven starter to add to the rotation if they want to assure themselves some playoff success.

Secondly, Lee's bat has been ass for almost a month now. Please get better, Derrek.

Great response, awesome and with literary genius.
Yay Mojo.


GO CUBS!

[TheMojoPin]

Holy God...Soriano brutalized this poor ball. (http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806042835967)

That's to the deepest part of Petco.

Into the upper deck.

Yow.

(Watch to the end of the clip...very cool camera angle at the end)

[Kevin]

Holy God...Soriano brutalized this poor ball. (http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806042835967)

That's to the deepest part of Petco.

Into the upper deck.

Yow.

(Watch to the end of the clip...very cool camera angle at the end)

OF's actually hit HRs? GET THE F OUT OF HERE!

sigh...
Wish the Yankees had one of those.

[TheMojoPin]

OF's actually hit HRs? GET THE F OUT OF HERE!

sigh...
Wish the Yankees had one of those.

Hey, we only have one of them. Well, maybe two, against lefties, if Edmonds' last 3 starts haven't been flukes.

[Kevin]

Hey, we only have one of them. Well, maybe two, against lefties, if Edmonds' last 3 starts haven't been flukes.

That's one or two more than we do.

[TheMojoPin]

Hey, we both have almost powerless Japanese OFers! That's something!

[Kevin]

Hey, we both have almost powerless Japanese OFers! That's something!

Well your's at least plays defense better than a little leaguer. To make up for it.

To be fair though, Matsui has played great this year. The only guy that hits any with RISP.

[TheMojoPin]

Well your's at least plays defense better than a little leaguer. To make up for it.

Both, however, have horrible acne scars riddling their faces.

[Kevin]

Both, however, have horrible acne scars riddling their faces.

But they do both have fabulous Hair.

[TheMojoPin]

But they do both have fabulous Hair.

But neither can outdo Ichiro for sheer fabulousness.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0glF9OUdD00Vm/340x.jpg

MEEEE-YOW.

[Kevin]

But neither can outdo Ichiro for sheer fabulousness.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0glF9OUdD00Vm/340x.jpg

MEEEE-YOW.

He is in Seattle, he can be fabulous there. to play in Chicago or NY, You have to be fabulous, but a REAL MAN at the same time.

[TheMojoPin]

He is in Seattle, he can be fabulous there. to play in Chicago or NY, You have to be fabulous, but a REAL MAN at the same time.

I admire Kosuke's solid play and manliness, but he's being a sneaky prick on the side with his official site! (http://www.fukudome1.com/diary/sub/080426/02.html)

[Kevin]

I admire Kosuke's solid play and manliness, but he's being a sneaky prick on the side with his official site! (http://www.fukudome1.com/diary/sub/080426/02.html)

Jesus, a Whitsox cap and a NY shirt. Could he have done worse in Cubs fans minds?

[TheMojoPin]

Jesus, a Whitsox cap and a NY shirt. Could he have done worse in Cubs fans minds?

Apparently that was his 31st birthday, but the translation of the diary doesn't explain the goddamn Sox cap...hell, the translation doesn't explain anything! (http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fukudome1.com%2Fdiary%2F200 80426.html&lp=ja_en&btnTrUrl=Translate)

Translating Japanese to English = instant insanity.

[Kevin]

Gradually in Japan in the limits of the veteran…Because at the time of the [tsu] [te] you became the new member, something the feeling which becomes younger does, (laughing)


Ha.... Ha.... Ha....

That Crazy Fukudome is hoot!

[TheMojoPin]

There's lots of mention of "the shank" in the diary...sounds suspect...

[Kevin]

There's lots of mention of "the shank" in the diary...sounds suspect...

I think He shanked Igawa's ability just as he was getting on the plane to come here.

[jauble]

Ok Lilly calmed down in the third hopefully he stays that way. Defense and luck got him out of the first two innings with only one run scored. Also Maddux looked filthy in the first three innings.

[Snoogans]

I know you linked it Mojo, but this really should be shown in all its glory:

http://www.fukudome1.com/diary/sub/images/080426/02.jpg

[Kevin]

I know you linked it Mojo, but this really should be shown in all its glory:

http://www.fukudome1.com/diary/sub/images/080426/02.jpg

Come on Snoogs, don't be a tool.

[jauble]

Taking the out at home...ok terrific.

[Fallon]

I know you linked it Mojo, but this really should be shown in all its glory:

http://www.fukudome1.com/diary/sub/images/080426/02.jpg

So did he work at the nail salon before or after giving happy endings at massage parlors?

[TheMojoPin]

Damn, Lou is Hottub-levels of creepy:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/TheMojoPin/GRAB.jpg

[Kevin]

Damn, Lou is Hottub-levels of creepy:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/TheMojoPin/GRAB.jpg

Holy shit is that funny.

[jauble]

Damnit Kerry Wood made me nervous thank goodness they pulled that off.

[TheMojoPin]

Lee continues to look horrid.

Soto is WAY too much of asucker for low and away. If a pitcher can locate those pitches, Soto has zero chance. It's too obvious a flaw that he needs to correct ASAP.

Those guys having a monster April (and Soto the first couple of weeks into May) helped huge...if they don't pick things up, this will be a serious problem down the stretch. They aren't just...they're been horrendous together for almost a good month now.

And another Cubs starter can't stretch his start. The bullpen is gonna be toast by the fall, especially Marmol. It's especially concering with Dempster...given his health history and spending the last few seasons in the bullpen, it was highly unlikely he wan't going to feel the effects of a long season in the 2nd half...maybe he's hitting the wall? He spent the first month and a half with a lot of 100+ pitch starts, and now he's out of gas or running low by the 5th inning. Dempster is looking more like a good long man than astarter right now. This team NEEDS to trade for another sure thing stater by the deadline. If the Indians fall out, they could have a good shot at Sabathia. Like Santana, CC's contract timing is going to get him dealt for less than a pitcher of his worth usually gets. If I'm the Cubs, I offer something like Pie + Hill for CC with the idea of signing him to an extension. Zambrano and CC as the 1-2, then Dempster, Lilly and Gallagher/Marshall. Hopefully Marquis is left in a basket on the doorstep of a church and forgotten.

[TheMojoPin]

Brutal:

Derrek Lee: .220/.255/.376/.631 over his past 33 games
Geovany Soto: .204/.290/.398/.688 over his past 27 games

Stunning (even though he's still a shitty SS):

Ryan Theriot: .444/.535/.472/1.007 over his last 10 games

Majestic:

Aramis Ramirez: .338/.445/.559/1.004 over his last 40 games

[jauble]

Seemed like the JV squad was out their tonight on offense. DLee is not happy with himself so I can only hope something changes in him soon.

[TheMojoPin]

Well, there might be a reason for some of Soto's slump:

LOS ANGELES -- Catcher Geovany Soto was not in Friday night's Cubs lineup because of a swollen ring finger on his left hand.

Both Soto and manager Lou Piniella say Soto will play today. Soto is a right-handed batter, meaning his left hand is the bottom hand on the bat. Apparently he hurt it awhile back when his left hand came off the bat on his follow-through of a swing. He aggravated it Thursday.

"It's nothing. I just jammed it a little bit," he said. "I'm fine."

Soto had the finger bandaged but was able to hit before Friday's game.

"I really can't remember when it happened," he said. "But I've been having it for about a month."

Piniella seemed perplexed as to how the hitter's bottom hand could come off the bat.

"The one that should leave is the top hand," Piniella said. "He swings, the bottom hand comes off and somehow the top hand rubs over the finger, and he's got a little swelling in there.

Now that doesn't explain away his inability to lay off pitches low and outside, but it would definitely contribute to his overall slump. If it's been lingering this long, I'd just sit him the rest of this series since they have the off day on Monday and hopefully he can take care of his finger. Until Lee can even just get back to his career numbers, they need Soto healthy.

[joeyballsack]

Carlos Zambrano apparently really hates Gatorade.

[Kevin]

Carlos Zambrano apparently really hates Gatorade.

VITAMIN WATER, BITCH!

[TheMojoPin]

Did he smash up a cooler? I missed everything thanks to work.

[jauble]

D Lee's bat may not be working right now but the glove is good still.

[TheMojoPin]

Wood owns.

Cubs have yet to lose 3 games in a row this season.

[jauble]

Soto with a curtain call! Then right back to his catchers gear like a pro.

[TheMojoPin]

Soto with a curtain call! Then right back to his catchers gear like a pro.

Nice AB, and that HR was off of a low and outside pitch, the pitch that has been crippling him for almost a month now. Hopefully that's a sign of him turning it back around.

NICE, DP!

Cubs win!

And Lee only had the one HR, but the rest of his outs were all power shots or very deep. He's been hitting way too many grounders over his slump, so just getting good pop on those outs is a good sign. You keep hitting them, they're going punch through or punch out. Nice job by Lilly into the 7th after a crappy 1st, too.

[jauble]

Good win after another questionable first by Lilly (but a good recovery).

[jauble]

Does anyone know why the fuck I have espnnews instead of baseball?

[Kevin]

Does anyone know why the fuck I have espnnews instead of baseball?

Its probably blocked out in Chicago area's or area's that get Cub games.

[jauble]

Well its not on WGN and I live in indy....needless to say not fucking happy.

[Kevin]

Well its not on WGN and I live in indy....needless to say not fucking happy.

Yea, makes no sense then.

[TheMojoPin]

Fuck me, Soriano probably out at least 6 weeks after taking a pitch off of his hand.

Sign Bonds.

I'm dead serious.

[jauble]

Soriano out = fuck. At least Dempster went the distance and gave the bullpen a night off.

[TheMojoPin]

Soriano out = fuck. At least Dempster went the distance and gave the bullpen a night off.

True, but I think it's pretty stupid to stretch a guy like Dempster in a blowout when he's still adjusting to being a starter again, and there's plenty of guys in the bullpen who haven't pitched for a few games. I really hope Dempster isn't used beyond 85-90 pitches next start.

Hopefully the Cubs platoon Micah Hoffpauir (righties) and Matt Murton (lefties) in LF.

[Ritalin]

Fuck me, Soriano probably out at least 6 weeks after taking a pitch off of his hand.

Sign Bonds.

I'm dead serious.

If they sign Bonds - which they never would in eleventy billion years - I'm out. We've only just got that Sosa smell out of the drapes

[TheMojoPin]

If they sign Bonds - which they never would in eleventy billion years - I'm out. We've only just got that Sosa smell out of the drapes

Fuck that.

I want to win.

If the clone of Hitler had an awesome OPS, I'd want him signed yesterday.

[TheMojoPin]

For anyone looking for some afternoon baseball to watch, the Cubs are on WGN at 2:20 EST playing the Braves. Good matchup with Zambrano vs. Hudson as the Cubs go for the sweep and 11 straight won at home. Throwback uniforms, too!

Annnnnnd the broadcast is in black and white with only "classic" camera angles from 1948 and old timey ad spots...eh, this is already old.

[TheMojoPin]

Heh, everyone wearing high socks and stirrups is awesome and should be the law.

[jauble]

Annnnnnd the boadcast is in black and white with only "classic" camera angles from 1948 and old timey ad spots...eh, this is already old.

Only for a few innings.

Heh, everyone wearing high socks and stirrups is awesome and should be the law.

Yeah I love the high sock look too.

[A.J.]

Heh, everyone wearing high socks and stirrups is awesome and should be the law.

I wish the Red Sox would make that mandatory. Love that look.

http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=314&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=2636392

[TheMojoPin]

Actualy, this is pretty damn fun! They're going all out with the graphics and camera angles...even a typewriter clicking away in the booth.

[A.J.]

Actualy, this is pretty damn fun! They're going all out with the graphics and camera angles...even a typewriter clicking away in the booth.

What next -- Ronald Reagan calling the game on the radio?

[ozzie]

Argh! This sucks! Stuck at work and forgot to set Tivo!

I'm on DirecTV, and last night's game was blacked out on ESPN, but luckily it let me know the stupid ass sport-south / Brave's homer channel it was on, or I never would have known. The program guide showed "To Be Announced" on 630.

[joeyballsack]

Didnt Fox pull that gimmick last year ?

Hoo Hoo !

[jauble]

Didnt Fox pull that gimmick last year ?

Hoo Hoo !

Its the 60th anniversary of cubs on wgn TV.

[TheMojoPin]

I was annoyed by the gimmick at first, but it ended up being a ton of fun. They really went all-out with it.

And man, tha's one way to get the sweep...Cubs tie it up 2-2 in the 9th off of an Edmonds' HR (he hit a sac fly earlier for the 1st run), it goes into extras, then they have the bases loaded in the 11th with no outs and Reed Johnson gets HBP from the first one thrown by the new reliever.

Good ol' pitching duel today, but the Cubs' bullpen ended up being too amazing.

[jauble]

I was annoyed by the gimmick at first, but it ended up being a ton of fun. They really went all-out with it.

And man, tha's one way to get the sweep...Cubs tie it up 2-2 in the 9th off of an Edmonds' HR (he hit a sac fly earlier for the 1st run), it goes into extras, then they have the bases loaded in the 11th with no outs and Reed Johnson gets HBP from the first one thrown by the new reliever.

Good ol' pitching duel today, but the Cubs' bullpen ended up being too amazing.

Yeah I enjoyed it as well fun game to watch...I always love the comebacks.