2009 Repeating NL Central Division Champs Chicago Cubs Thread of Destiny

[IMSlacker]

So, Mojo, are you a Theriot fan yet?

[jauble]

I wish I could have seen what happened....FUCK YOU COMCAST, FUCK YOU IN THE MOUTH.

[IMSlacker]

Theriot hit a triple with Demptser and Soriano on base. Theriot just scored on a single by Johnson. You may want to sign up for MLBTV.com. Do they block out games too?

[TheMojoPin]

So, Mojo, are you a Theriot fan yet?

I conceded a while back that I've been eating some delicious crow over him. He's still a terrible baserunner and a below average SS defensively, but he's done his role and really helped the team.

[cougarjake13]

its not on espn for you guys ???

[TheMojoPin]

its not on espn for you guys ???

Not in most of the Midwest. I've got it on Comcast, but because it's on there it's technically blacked out for the region, like the stupid Fox blackouts.

[cougarjake13]

Not in most of the Midwest. I've got it on Comcast, but because it's on there it's technically blacked out for the region, like the stupid Fox blackouts.

i never understood the need for these blackouts

they may have made sense back in the day when they wanted you to come to the park and there wasnt espn or the internet

[IMSlacker]

I conceded a while back that I've been eating some delicious crow over him. He's still a terrible baserunner and a below average SS defensively, but he's done his role and really helped the team.

Well, some more terrible base running there.

[IMSlacker]

OK, now even I'm annoyed by the "Wrigley North" stuff. Sorry, epo.

[TheMojoPin]

Hopefully Harden can be the nail in the coffin for this series tomorrow.

Can't underestimate how important it is to have Sori back and hitting. Cubs are 6-2 since he returned, and he just completely chages the dynamic of the lineup.

Dempster continues to amaze. He and Z both have serious shots to win the Cy Young so far.

[epo]

OK, now even I'm annoyed by the "Wrigley North" stuff. Sorry, epo.

Wait until we attack at "Miller Park South"!

[IMSlacker]

Not in most of the Midwest. I've got it on Comcast, but because it's on there it's technically blacked out for the region, like the stupid Fox blackouts.

The Saturday Fox blackouts are the worst. I pay $150 for the Extra Innings package, but I can't see anything but the Fox game of the week on Saturday afternoon? Fuck you, MLB!

[Ritalin]

The Saturday Fox blackouts are the worst. I pay $150 for the Extra Innings package, but I can't see anything but the Fox game of the week on Saturday afternoon? Fuck you, MLB!

That just doesn't make any sense to me at all. It's 2008. Show the game.

[TheMojoPin]

Final game of the series is on in half an hour with Harden pitching on WGN.

[IMSlacker]

Final game of the series is on in half an hour with Harden pitching on WGN.

Stupid work!

[TheMojoPin]

Jim Edmonds doing everything humanly possible to make Cubs fans forget his days as a Cardinal.

Just hit his 2nd HR of the day, this one an oppo field grand slam. He's scored all the runs as the Cubs lead 5-0 in the 4th.

[midwestjeff]

Just hit his 2nd HR of the day, this one an oppo field grand slam. He's scored all the runs as the Cubs lead 5-0 in the 4th.

You know he is on when he drives the ball to left center.
I'm glad he's doing well.
I'm sure he would have stayed
in STL if they would have let him so it's
hard to blame him for being Benedict Edmonds.

Looking forward to having second place (and the wild card lead?) after the sweep of the Braves tonight.

[Knowledged_one]

Jim Edmonds doing everything humanly possible to make Cubs fans forget his days as a Cardinal.

Just hit his 2nd HR of the day, this one an oppo field grand slam. He's scored all the runs as the Cubs lead 5-0 in the 4th.

Dont you mean hes driven in all the runs, i mean i know you have your pants around the ankles with the way the Cubs are just mercing the Brewers but i expect better out of you my friend

[TheMojoPin]

Dont you mean hes driven in all the runs, i mean i know you have your pants around the ankles with the way the Cubs are just mercing the Brewers but i expect better out of you my friend

No, he shoved everyone out of the way and circled the bases 4 times on the GS. This is Jim Edmonds we're talking about.

[Knowledged_one]

:lol:

[TheMojoPin]

Gagne tries to plunk Edmonds in the 9th with the Cubs up 9-1 and misses on 4 straight pitches to walk him before getting tossed.

[IMSlacker]

Gagne tries to plunk Edmonds in the 9th with the Cubs up 9-1 and misses on 4 straight pitches to walk him before getting tossed.

That's hilarious. I can't wait to watch the highlights. The Cubs have outscored the Brewers 31-8 so far in this series. Of course that could change with Howry on the mound.

edit: Never mind, ESPN Gamecast is telling me that Eyre is pitching now. Stupid work!

[TheMojoPin]

Prince pops out and pounds his bat against home plate, shattering it. He's yelling at the home ump the whole way back, clearly screaming "HORSESHIT" before getting tossed. As he's still yelling in the dugout, Len says "maybe Doug Eddings has a sore throat and Prince is just saying he sounds a little hoarse."

Awesome.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/cubssweepsx1.jpg

If someone could make a sig out of the next photo, I'd love you:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/Kahntun/bernie-brewer-cubs-win.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

And a sig pic out of this classy number, please:

http://media1.suntimes.com/multimedia/img_0567.jpg_20080703_16_28_23_85-300-400.imageContent

[IMSlacker]

38-9 now. Harumph!

edit: Two more runs! sheesh!

[TheMojoPin]

38-9 now. Harumph!

Shocker when you pitch guys who you've sat for way too long they're rusty. Will Lou ever learn?

At least they got some work, Eyre especially.

[IMSlacker]

At least they got some work, Eyre especially.

Was that the first time Eyre has pitched since he came off the DL?

[TheMojoPin]

Was that the first time Eyre has pitched since he came off the DL?

Stupidly, yes.

Despite the runs, he actually looked pretty good for as long he's not pitched. His fastball was sharp and he had some good movement, especially against Fielder. He got pressed by the ump on the outside corners, so he moved in a bit too much to compensate and give up some bloops. Hopefully Lou starts using him again as the LOOGY with Cotts.

[TheMojoPin]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.ea9ebd057e99451ab104287d5e4a320e.cubs_brewers _baseball_widh104.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.92a6cb5d4b2e46dcab49ab55f1f43b78.cubs_brewers _baseball_widh105.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/1d/fullj.982e5ad85b58ad192574713ac3aaa1bc/982e5ad85b58ad192574713ac3aaa1bc-getty-80320167jd001_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/11/fullj.636650d3f5f1e98d504d4b7d503920c0/636650d3f5f1e98d504d4b7d503920c0-getty-80320167jd003_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/a5/fullj.68e3a31bc16eb504d929839a8ac2ea2f/68e3a31bc16eb504d929839a8ac2ea2f-getty-80320167jd004_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/36/fullj.eaeca5b8e307ab62cca8748c9ffe42b0/eaeca5b8e307ab62cca8748c9ffe42b0-getty-80320167jd005_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.29406d97d0564011864a794e8c1aea96.cubs_brewers _baseball_wimg101.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.7d186a9d4beb4454ad56514f1aebfe9d.cubs_brewers _baseball_wimg104.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.5d87d33c071c4d69818dfe2bf70a9d3d.cubs_brewers _baseball_wimg105.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.353b819068354c8ba6d3dbfcd91027a0.cubs_brewers _baseball_wimg103.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/02/fullj.5ef70fae0bc24d025f84582f0507f4a4/5ef70fae0bc24d025f84582f0507f4a4-getty-80320167jd009_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/83/fullj.90862927598aa59b866f381f9f1eecac/90862927598aa59b866f381f9f1eecac-getty-80320167jd013_chicago_cubs_.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

Look at Harden's fucking arms. No wonder he can throw as hard he does.

And I love this shot of Braun as Edmond's GS sailed over him:

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/17/fullj.629907aceb3f8c3d45ecf15d2f4427a5/629907aceb3f8c3d45ecf15d2f4427a5-getty-80320167jd014_chicago_cubs_.jpg

Edmonds has hit 12 HR'S since he joined the club, more than any one Cub in that time. HUGE pickup.

[TheMojoPin]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080731/capt.6c272611cbf2422c93bb656bef72a83e.cubs_brewers _baseball_wimg108.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/4a/fullj.d3084fb274ab7258d2d0ec4d5eabfb29/d3084fb274ab7258d2d0ec4d5eabfb29-getty-80320167jd015_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/36/fullj.148d2f0228ae914a7209c76837ad2b98/148d2f0228ae914a7209c76837ad2b98-getty-80320167jd016_chicago_cubs_.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/22/fullj.953fc1095078f39179d5b7894e8472b6/953fc1095078f39179d5b7894e8472b6-getty-80320167jd024_chicago_cubs_.jpg

[Jughead]

Great pics ..Thank you...

[TheMojoPin]

You can see highlights here. (http://www.youtube.com/user/BlackJesusFTL) Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Hey Epo I hope your ass doesnt hurt from the four day rape. Im sure Mojo was gentle with his bitch

[epo]

Hey Epo I hope your ass doesnt hurt from the four day rape. Im sure Mojo was gentle with his bitch

It ain't pretty.

But I can't decide whether I'm more pissed at the Brewers for playing like children or the local fans for selling their tickets to Cubs fans. The stadium has been 50/50 the whole series and these are seats that you essentially have to have a package to buy. These fuckers sold their seats to Cubs fans!

[jauble]

This week has been really nice for me (although I couldnt catch a fucking game on tv), but the fact that we will be seeing the brewers for two more series has me a little weary. That said suck on this series epo :bye:

[TheMojoPin]

August sees the Cubs in Wrigley for 19 of 28 games (then 3 more to start September). Of these 31 games the Cubs play, 21 are against losing teams, and 18 of those against the bottom teams 5 in the NL. The Cubs have 3 starters in the top 10 in all of baseball in ERA. And at least one of Zambrano, Dempster, and Harden will go in every series if healthy. All 3 are scheduled in what is likely to be their toughest series, on paper, in Florida. And as of right now, the Cubs are scheduled to miss Oswalt vs. Houston, Lohse vs. St Louis, Volquez vs. Cincy, Lannan vs. Washington, and Jurrjens in Atlanta, the best pitcher currently for each team. The toughest matchup, if all stays the same, looks to be vs. Cole Hamels to start the Philly series. However, no rotation changes for either team means a Hamels/Harden matchup.

This stretch of games is MUCH more important than the final 2 weeks of the season. If the Cubs play like they should through the next 31 games, the last 2 weeks of the season shouldn't matter nearly as much as it does on paper right now.

[IMSlacker]

This stretch of games is MUCH more important than the final 2 weeks of the season. If the Cubs play like they should through the next 31 games, the last 2 weeks of the season shouldn't matter nearly as much as it does on paper right now.

Yeah. The Cubs need to build a big lead the next six weeks. If they go into the last two weeks of the season with a 3 or 4 game lead. I'm not going to be able to watch.

[Knowledged_one]

well now they are playing the pirates so i am sure we will see some extra inning games that go to the 13th inning

[TheMojoPin]

Latest on Cuban buying the Cub in the Chicago Tribune:

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has gone from being a long shot to one of the favorites in the bidding to buy the Cubs, picking up support from NBA Commissioner David Stern and others as the field of prospective owners narrows.

Crain's Chicago Business recently quoted one of the bidders as saying Cuban is now "the lead guy" in the battle to buy the Cubs, while Boston Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to the New York Times that he could think of "no one better suited to reverse the fortunes of the Cubs for the long term" than Cuban. (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080802-mark-cuban-chicago-cubs,1,6430716.story)

[Kevin]

Latest on Cuban buying the Cub in the Chicago Tribune:

I find it utterly ridiculous that

A: he was a long shot to begin with
B: He is one of the favorites instead the next owner.

Yea the man has been out spoken and criticized refs and others, but he never committed any crimes, never got accused of any shady activity.

The man took an awful perennial awful loser Dallas franchise, and made them into a contender, in a short time.

He is by far the highest bidder.

These are the same owners (mostly) that looked the other way while their players were ruining the sports long history, and shattering their hollowed records, by cheating, and Cuban is a bad influence? Really? Are they afraid that if he catches wind of more bullshit that he will speak out?

Give the man the team you bunch of corrupt pansies.

[TheMojoPin]

I find it utterly ridiculous that

A: he was a long shot to begin with
B: He is one of the favorites instead the next owner.

Yea the man has been out spoken and criticized refs and others, but he never committed any crimes, never got accused of any shady activity.

The man took an awful perennial awful loser Dallas franchise, and made them into a contender, in a short time.

He is by far the highest bidder.

These are the same owners (mostly) that looked the other way while their players were ruining the sports long history, and shattering their hollowed records, by cheating, and Cuban is a bad influence? Really? Are they afraid that if he catches wind of more bullshit that he will speak out?

Give the man the team you bunch of corrupt pansies.

Exactly.

It all comes down to money, and Cuban owning the Cubs makes baseball, and all the other owners, a lot more money.

[IMSlacker]

Have I mentioned that I have a man-crush on Reed Johnson?

[jauble]

Have I mentioned that I have a man-crush on Reed Johnson?

As soon as that ball left his bat his fist was in the air.

[TheMojoPin]

The Cubs board I go to, NSBB, just started a thread laying out the arguments for Santo getting into the HOF. This is gonna long, but bear with me...it's a crime there's agood chance he may pass away without being inducted:

Joe Sheehan (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/bp/1409616.html):

So Santo was one of the top few players in his league for about six years, the second-best third baseman in the game's history upon his retirement, and put up numbers at a defensive position that would have made him a borderline Hall of Fame candidate at an offensive one. That is a Hall of Famer.

The omission of Ron Santo is the most egregious mistake ever made by the Baseball Writers Association of America. They should have inducted Santo 20 years ago, and that they overlooked him throughout his 15 years on the ballot is a shame.

Rob Neyer (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1514118.html):

1. He was a better hitter than a number of Hall of Fame third basemen, including Pie Traynor, Jimmy Collins and Brooks Robinson.

2. He was a fine defensive player who won five Gold Gloves.

I'll admit, I used to think that Santo's career length worked against him, but it turns out that he's No. 8 on the all-time list for games played at third base. So you've got a good defensive player who ranks among the best at his position in terms of hitting and career length. Doesn't that sound like a Hall of Famer to you? I honestly don't have any idea why he didn't draw more support from the BBWAA's Hall of Fame voters -- come to think of it, that would be an interesting research project -- but Santo's absence from the Hall certainly doesn't make any sense, and it's time for that state of affairs to end.

Bill James:

...Ron Santo was a better player than most of the third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and this is true despite the fact that fewer third basemen have been elected to the Hall of Fame than players at any other position.

It's not Ron Santo against Willie Mays. It is Ron Santo against Pete Browning, or Babe Herman, or Bob Meusel, or Jake Daubert, or somebody else whose only real advantage over Ron Santo is that he played so long ago that his flaws have been forgotten.

The reality is, Willie Mays never was and never can be the standard for the Hall of Fame. In the 1940s, many players were elected to the Hall of Fame who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo, let alone nowhere near as good as Willie Mays. Players who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo were elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1950s, players who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo were elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1960s, players who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo were elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1970s (lots of them), players who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo were elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1980s, and players who were nowhere near as good as Ron Santo were elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1990s. It is preposterous to argue that the Hall of Fame standard is Ted Williams, after six decades of honoring players like Tommy McCarthy, Rabbit Maranville, Elmer Flick, Dave Bancroft, George Kell and Tony Lazzeri. The Ted Williams/Bob Gibson/Honus Wagner standard for Hall of Fame slection has never existed anywhere except in the imaginations of people who don't know anything about the subject.

Look, certain things just do not happen. Rivers do not run uphill, iron does not become gold, time does not go backward, whores do not become virgins, pigs do not give birth to lions, supermodels do not marry auto mechanics, and politicians do not forget about the next election. There is no alchemy by which the Hall of Fame may become what it has never been. Ron Santo towers far above the real standard of the Hall of Fame.

During his career Ron Santo was a nine-time All-Star. He finished in the top ten in MVP voting four times. He had the fifth highest RBI total of all major league players during the 1960s (topped only by Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew and Frank Robinson). During that period no player in the National League drew more walks. 3 He won five consecutive Gold Gloves at third base, and led NL third basemen in putouts, assists, chances and double plays in many seasons. He was among the league leaders in on base percentage and slugging percentage throughout the 1960s; he finished in the top 10 in both categories in his league in every season from 1964 through 1967. He hit more home runs in his career than any third baseman currently in the Hall of Fame other than Mike Schmidt and Eddie Mathews.

To me it is clear and unequivocal that Santo is a Hall of Famer. ... Putting guys like George Kell, Freddy Lindstrom, and Tony Lazzeri in the Hall of Fame while you leave out Ron Santo is like putting Dalmatians, Palominos, and Siamese in the zoo while you let the lions roam the streets.

Statistical comparisons and analysis of Santo vs. other HOFers. (http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/01/16/why-ron-santo-belongs-in-the-hall-of-fame-part-1/)

From National Sports Review:

Using TPR, Santo was the best player in baseball from 1964-1968, with a TPR of about 32.5. That is an average of about 6.5 a season and there were only three other seasons in this span that reached 6.5 or more. Santo went a little above 7 a couple of times, which no one else did. Aaron is probably second in this time period with about 22. Santo was in the top 5 in the NL each of these years and first three times. In WS, Santo had 164. Only Allen (170), Mays (169) and Aaron (167) had more in MLB over the years 1964-68. Santo was 6th in WS (with 249) for the whole decade despite not playing in 1960 and getting off to a somewhat slow start in 1961-3. The top six in the decade were

Aaron 340
Mays 337
Robinson 307
Clemente 262
Killebrew 257
Santo 249

James says that 15 WS is an average season, 20 is an all-star season and 30 is an MVP type season. Santo averaged 32.8 over this period.

bPete Palmer has Santo as the 4th best player in TPR in all of MLB from 1961-72:

1- Mays (84.6)
2 - Aaron (81.3)
3 - Robinson (64.3)
4 - Santo (45.3)

For anyone who doesn't know what TPR is:

Total player rating (TPR), also known as Batter-Fielder/Pitcher Wins (BFW/PW) is a metric for measuring the value of baseball players, and to enable players to be compared against each other even when they played for different teams, at different positions, and in different eras. It was developed by sabermetrician Pete Palmer and was popularized in the Total Baseball series of encyclopedias during the 1980s. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_player_rating)

Why is this man not in the HOF? Is it because 3 other players from his era of Cubs playing are already in, and that's considered enough for a team that never won it all in that time? How does a guy wih a playing history and numbers like his only get FIFTEEN votes when he was on the ballot for the first time? I've long heard people say it was due to his habit of jumping and clicking his heels when the Cubs won and some old skoolers thought it was showboating...but come on.

[jauble]

Fucking weather...this will be the end of me.

[scottinnj]

Please keep this up.

I'd much rather have the Phillies play the Cubbies in the Pennant race then the stupid Dbacks. Do they even have fans?

[epo]

The Cubs board I go to, NSBB, just started a thread laying out the arguments for Santo getting into the HOF. This is gonna long, but bear with me...it's a crime there's agood chance he may pass away without being inducted:

Joe Sheehan (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/bp/1409616.html):



Rob Neyer (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1514118.html):



Bill James:



Statistical comparisons and analysis of Santo vs. other HOFers. (http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/01/16/why-ron-santo-belongs-in-the-hall-of-fame-part-1/)

From National Sports Review:



For anyone who doesn't know what TPR is:

Total player rating (TPR), also known as Batter-Fielder/Pitcher Wins (BFW/PW) is a metric for measuring the value of baseball players, and to enable players to be compared against each other even when they played for different teams, at different positions, and in different eras. It was developed by sabermetrician Pete Palmer and was popularized in the Total Baseball series of encyclopedias during the 1980s. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_player_rating)

Why is this man not in the HOF? Is it because 3 other players from his era of Cubs playing are already in, and that's considered enough for a team that never won it all in that time? How does a guy wih a playing history and numbers like his only get FIFTEEN votes when he was on the ballot for the first time? I've long heard people say it was due to his habit of jumping and clicking his heels when the Cubs won and some old skoolers thought it was showboating...but come on.

I'm going to be a dick here and quote Jim Rome. It's the Hall of FAME, not the hall of very good.

ha!

[TheMojoPin]

I'm going to be a dick here and quote Jim Rome. It's the Hall of FAME, not the hall of very good.

ha!

Using TPR, Santo was the best player in baseball from 1964-1968, with a TPR of about 32.5.

TPR has Santo as the 4th best player in TPR in all of MLB from 1961-72.

Santo is one of the greatest 3rd basemen to ever play the game. In no way can his career be looked at as only "very good," especially in his prime given the era he played in. I'm assuming you're just busting my balls here and not being serious.

[IMSlacker]

Since he quoted Jim Rome, I think it's safe to assume he's not serious.

[Knowledged_one]

Since he quoted Jim Rome, I think it's safe to assume he's not serious.

Rome.......................quoted................. .............epic

[epo]

Santo is one of the greatest 3rd basemen to ever play the game. In no way can his career be looked at as only "very good," especially in his prime given the era he played in. I'm assuming you're just busting my balls here and not being serious.

I am busting your balls, but I'm also trying to make a point.

Baseball fans are funny in that the game is more than just numbers. It's a quantitative & qualitative game. So when their favorite son is the question they'll use whichever model of measurement works for that particular case. There is no consistent basis for a players "greatness".

Mind you, I've never seen Santo play and have absolutely zero dog in this fight. But honestly you can run any numbers you want and I'll ask why the Sportswriters of America or the Veterans Committee never put him in the HOF if he's so great?

[TheMojoPin]

I am busting your balls, but I'm also trying to make a point.

Baseball fans are funny in that the game is more than just numbers. It's a quantitative & qualitative game. So when their favorite son is the question they'll use whichever model of measurement works for that particular case. There is no consistent basis for a players "greatness".

Mind you, I've never seen Santo play and have absolutely zero dog in this fight. But honestly you can run any numbers you want and I'll ask why the Sportswriters of America or the Veterans Committee never put him in the HOF if he's so great?

Sports blog! (http://bruce.mlblogs.com/archives/2007/02/the_curious_cas.html) But it does a good job of laying out the reasons why guys likely don't vote for him:

Based on research and interviews, several factors may be at work here. Let’s consider some of the theories as to why Santo has been turned down so many times, first by the Baseball Writers and then by the Hall of Famers themselves:

*Santo never played in the postseason, either the Championship Series or the World Series. The lack of postseason exposure can certainly hurt a player’s chances at Cooperstown, but it should not be an overriding factor in keeping someone out of the Hall of Fame. It’s certainly a weak argument, given others who have taken up membership at the Hall. Let’s consider the cases of three of Santo’s longtime teammates in Chicago: Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ferguson Jenkins. None of those Cub legends ever made a postseason appearance for Chicago, yet all made their ways into Cooperstown with relative ease. Of the three, only Williams appeared in postseason play for other teams, and that amounted to three losses with the A’s in 1975. If Banks, Williams, and Jenkins are in despite a lack of World Series experience, why not Santo?

*Santo lacked a "signature" to his career. Now we’re getting warm. For Robinson, it was his highlight reel performance in the 1970 World Series. For Schmidt, it was his home runs. For Wade Boggs, it was both batting championships and 3,000 hits. Santo, for all of his excellence across the board, did not stand out in any one area. His career batting average of .277 has been held against him by some writers who don’t seem to grasp Sabermetric statistics and principles. Santo’s ability to coax 90 to 95 walks a year, coupled with nearly 1-to-1 ratio of walks to strikeouts, haven’t struck a chord with old-fashioned voters. Bottom line—Santo’s career has lacked the sexiness that the baseball writers seem to favor in their elections.

*Santo was a showboat. This might be the biggest factor working against Santo. During the 1969 season, Santo clicked his heels after a number of Cubs victories, annoying many of his opponents, in particular the rival Mets. In an era where players were expected to conduct themselves in businesslike fashion, that was simply not accepted. In some ways, Santo has never really lived down those infamous "heel clicks"—especially after a tired Cubs team collapsed during the stretch run.

*Santo’s strong personality rubbed even his teammates the wrong way. Like the showboating, Santo’s personality conflicts may be hurting his cause. After inexperienced center fielder Don Young committed two costly errors in a July 1969 loss to the Mets, Santo criticized his teammate through the media. According to some Cubs observers, Santo’s outburst hurt Young’s development. Santo also had two severe personality clashes with teammates, one famous, the other obscure. He sparred with Rico Carty during his brief Cubs tenure in 1973, and then clashed with **** Allen after being traded to the cross-town White Sox. Santo criticized Allen for being lazy; Allen felt that Santo was egotistical and presumptuous, leading to a stormy season on the south side in 1974.

Unfortunately, none of these listed factors strike me as truly legitimate reasons to keep Santo out of Cooperstown. They are relatively small in context, and, in some cases, downright petty and irrelevant. The arguments in Santo’s favor—power, walks, defense, consistency—are much more powerful. Hopefully, the Veterans Committee will see it the same way and do what should have been done nearly 30 years ago.

The showboat thing is what I've always heard the most. That said, there's really no legit argument to keep him out given how great a 3rd baseman he rates through all of baseball and how amazing he was offensively in a pitchers' era. It's either pettiness or ignorance that's kept him out.

[Knowledged_one]

What was Santos ERA and W-L record the true indicator of HOF worthiness

Just kidding, i dont know enough about him or the era to form any judgement but the HOF writers are a joke, i mean how were Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn not 100% vote getters is beyond me, i mean writers just think some players arent worthy of getting in the first year makes it a joke

The Baseball HOF is the worst run in terms of getting players into the hall

[IMSlacker]

Kerry Wood is back. Yay!

They DFA'd Scott Eyre instead of Bob Howry to make room on the roster. Boo!

[TheMojoPin]

Kerry Wood is back. Yay!

They DFA'd Scott Eyre instead of Bob Howry to make room on the roster. Boo!

The Eyre move is interesting. He missed time due to injuries, but when he was pitching he was actually pretty on and really only had 3 bad outings, all right before or after his last DL stint. Either the Cubs figure he's got nothing left or they think they can snag something die to his success when healthy and that he's a lefty. Howry is just done. It's too bad, too, because for the 4 seasons prior he had been one of the most solid relievers out there. I think the combo of pitching a ton of innings in '07 and '06 plus him being 35 and relying mostly on a fastball and his time simply has come.

Here's a clip from Monday night's rain out when the crazy lightning started:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fdpe3u70RA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fdpe3u70RA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

I got caught in the 2nd wave of storms on my way home from that night with about a mile to walk home and it's probably the most scared I've ever been due to weather. With it being almost midnight on a weekday, everything around me was closed, so there was nowhere to duck for cover and man, it went nuts. The whole way felt like someone blasting me with ahose, plus the insane winds knocking down branches around me, the lightning striking all over the place and the thunder clapping so hard each time I could feel it in my chest and sometimes rattling my teeth. Insanity.

[TheMojoPin]

Kickass win by the Cubs today. Cubs-killer Carlos Lee quickly takes advantage of Jason Marquis and puts the Cubs in a 4-1 hole, so the Cubs answer back with this in the bottom of the inning (all with 2 outs):

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDkYT-gmt-0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDkYT-gmt-0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MCVRsbUrTRM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MCVRsbUrTRM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Cubs end up winning 11-4.

Cuban was at the game today, rocking out in the bleachers. He also showed up at Kerry Wood's annual charity bowling tournament. It really sounds like he's becoming the favorite to end up buying the Cubs when all is said and done with that $1.3 billion bid blowing everyone else away and him getting all kinds of endorsements from other sports franchise owners and guys like Stern.

Off day tomorrow and then the Trashbids com to town for a 3 game series that'll hopefully kick them down the stairs. Looking at the pitching matchups (Cubs hae Lilly, Zambrano and Dempster going) and given that this series is at Wrigley, there's no excuse to not take at least 2 of 3.

[midwestjeff]

They're coming.

It's time.

[TheMojoPin]

They're coming.

It's time.

It's not even really the Cubs vs. the Cardinals. It's the Cubs vs. Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick.

The Cardinals are never going to be in first for the rest of the season.

[midwestjeff]

Don't forget Felipe Lopez.

They're coming.

It's time.

[Kevin]

It's not even really the Cubs vs. the Cardinals. It's the Cubs vs. Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick.

The Cardinals are never going to be in first for the rest of the season.

You forgot the feel good story of the Year. Mr. Rick 'I did it the clean way' Ankiel.

[midwestjeff]

You forgot the feel good story of the Year. Mr. Rick 'I did it the clean way' Ankiel.

He admitted to legally using a long time ago. Let it go.

Jealousy is a bitch.

They're coming.

[TheMojoPin]

Best part? They get to face Carpenter. Even if he pitches well, he's gone after 5. Hell, none of the Cards' current starters are likely to go past 6 innings. As shitty as their bullpen is and as much as the the Cubs dominate at Wrigley, especially when they need to come back, this has the makings of a bloodbath.

And scratch what I said before. It's the Cubs vs. Ludwick. Pujols' numbers vs. the Cubs are shittaaaaay.

[jauble]

You forgot the feel good story of the Year. Mr. Rick 'I did it the clean way' Ankiel.

He admitted to legally using a long time ago. Let it go.

Jealousy is a bitch.

They're coming.

I've got no problem with Ankiel and applaud his openess about the situation. He violated no rules and proved himself. That said, this is my team's thread so I hope Mr. Ankiel's head starts swelling like he is DHing for the giants and he and his manager dui into albert pujols kneecaps.

[TheMojoPin]

Ankiel is gonna have a bright future as a DH. He is absolutely brutal in CF.

[midwestjeff]

Best part? They get to face Carpenter. Even if he pitches well, he's gone after 5. Hell, none of the Cards' current starters are likely to go past 6 innings. As shitty as their bullpen is and as much as the the Cubs dominate at Wrigley, especially when they need to come back, this has the makings of a bloodbath.

And scratch what I said before. It's the Cubs vs. Ludwick. Pujols' numbers vs. the Cubs are shittaaaaay.

Um. Carp is back. You better hope he is matched up against Z or you are fucked.
Hell, Piniero tossed 7 tonight in his swan song. The winds of change are blowing.

Ankiel is gonna have a bright future as a DH. He is absolutely brutal in CF.

Wrong. You're better than that.
*Edit-Ok, so his fielding pct. is a little weak. He's a playmaker. Oof.

They're coming.

[Kevin]

Ankiel is gonna have a bright future as a DH. He is absolutely brutal in CF.

Terrible fielder, prior history with performance enhancing drugs?

Now batting for the Yankees, CF #24, Rick Ankiel, #24

[TheMojoPin]

Um. Carp is back. You better hope he is matched up against Z or you are fucked.

Um, like I said, he's lucky to go 5. Coming back from the surgery he had, he's obviously on a strict pitch count around 80-85 pitches. Pushing him for more than that is just dumb, and Larussa won't do that. He's a drunk, but he's no idiot.

Hell, Piniero tossed 7 tonight in his swan song. The winds of change are blowing.

No they're not. The average of innings per game by Cardinals starters over the season have gotten lower with each month. The Cardinals have also only played just over .500 ball for almost 2 months now.

Wrong. You're better than that.

Oh, that's right, I completely made it up that he takes arguably the worst routes and has some of the worst range for a fulltime CFer in all of baseball. If he didn't have his arm (a bunch of his assists have come from how shittily he got to the ball or screwed up a catch) he'd be a complete wreck out there. The sooner they can get him in LF instead of Schumaker the better off they'll be.

[TheMojoPin]

I'm a little baffled as to why pitchers keep challenging Ankiel. He can't hit anything besides a fastball to save his life His k to walk ratio is almost 3-1.

[Kevin]

I'm a little baffled as to why pitchers keep challenging Ankiel. He can't hit anything besides a fastball to save his life His k to walk ratio is almost 3-1.

Again. Now batting, CF, #24, Rick Ankiel,#24.

[midwestjeff]

1. Carpenter is back. 85 pitches will be enough.

2. Yes. .500 without Lopez, Wainwright, and Carpenter.

3. Well, he's no Edmonds, I'll give you that.

They're coming.

[IMSlacker]

They're coming.

Are they bringing Jason Isringhausen?

[TheMojoPin]

1. Carpenter is back. 85 pitches will be enough.

Your bullpen is shit. The Cubs feast on bad bullpens, especially at home.

2. Yes. .500 without Lopez, Wainwright, and Carpenter.

Wainwright's not doing shit this season. Felipe Lopez? Please. Carpenter is one man who pitches every 5 days who can go 5 innings.

3. Well, he's no Edmonds, I'll give you that.

Another overrated fielder. His flaws ae similar to Ankiel's in that he takes some of the worst routes I've ever seen on balls ad can't track for shit...he just has more speed to make up for it. Most of his "amazing" diving catches are ones that a good CF makes without leaving their feet or being able to turn around and not have to pull a basket heart attack.

They're coming.

Into a massacre.

It really is amusing how much I dreaded the Brewers series but welcome this one. The Cubs always play their guts out against the Cardinals as the season goes on and in recent years have tended to win the big games or take the series even when the Cubs stink. Now they actually have a good team. BRUTAL.

[TheMojoPin]

Actually, thinking about it, I'm torn...I'd rather the Cards win the WC because they're much worse and far more beatable than the Brewers, Mets, Diamondbacks, Marlins or Phillies.

[Knowledged_one]

I agree with Mojo the Brewers in a short series (well not including the recent 4 game sweepy sweep by the Cubs) would be a tough team to beat

The good thing for the Cubs is that they wouldnt have to play the Brewers in the first round or the Cards for that matter

[TheMojoPin]

Something to keep in mind, however: Ludwick’s gaudy performance has come off some pretty lousy pitchers. According to Baseball Prospectus, Ludwick has faced the second-easiest pitching of any player in baseball. With 19 of the Cards’ 48 remaining games coming against NL pitching leaders Los Angeles, Chicago and Arizona, Ludwick is due for a few rough patches.

Sounds like his overall team...decent, but inflated by an easy schedule.

Still, the Dodgers didn't do much to slow him down.

[midwestjeff]

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/sections/6496/6496.jpg

[midwestjeff]

Two Cardinals' homers so far.

Yes, I'm counting Edmonds' HR as a Cardinals' HR.

Based on Mojo's shitty critique of his perfect fielding, Cubs fans don't deserve him.

[TheMojoPin]

Two Cardinals' homers so far.

Yes, I'm counting Edmonds' HR as a Cardinals' HR.

Based on Mojo's shitty critique of his perfect fielding, Cubs fans don't deserve him.

Madman. He's a nightmare CFer, especially at his age.

I'm about to fly to NC for a week at the beach, so we'll pick this up again down the line.

[midwestjeff]

Madman. He's a nightmare CFer, especially at his age.

I'm about to fly to NC for a week at the beach, so we'll pick this up again down the line.

Run, rabbit, run.

Getting out of town before the massacre, smart man.
If I were a Cubs' fan I would want to be very far away from Wrigley this weekend too.

Have fun at the beach. :drunk:

[TheMojoPin]

Run, rabbit, run.

Getting out of town before the massacre, smart man.

Yes, I don't want Cardinal blood and shmegma on my nice clothes.

[midwestjeff]

Yes, I don't want Cardinal blood and shmegma on my nice clothes.

Oh.
Edmonds just laid out for one.
Guess he should have taken a better route.

Wait, why am I defending a traitor?
Nevermind. Ankiel would have caught that without leaving his feet.

[midwestjeff]

Dead to me. Edmonds is dead to me.

[TheMojoPin]

Oh.
Edmonds just laid out for one.
Guess he should have taken a better route.

Why is it so difficult to understand that he takes shitty routes and positions himself poorly?

Look, when he makes the grabs, fine, but when he fucks up it usually costs badly.

But I'll take it with these multi-HR games.

[IMSlacker]

w00t!

[TheMojoPin]

Goddamn Looper.

Last 5 starts against the Cubs, no more than 2 runs given up in each.

I'd like to see them finally buck that trend.

[midwestjeff]

Why is it so difficult to understand that he takes shitty routes and positions himself poorly?

Look, when he makes the grabs, fine, but when he fucks up it usually costs badly.

But I'll take it with these multi-HR games.

I officially hate the guy now, but he catches the ball.
He positions himself according to the hitter.
He knows the game and it's players very well.
Maybe by normal standards he appears unorthodox, hence your accusing him of bad routes.
Actually, I am glad he is a Cub now where the fans won't give him the love he deserves.

You broke my heart Jim, twice.

[midwestjeff]

Goddamn Looper.

Last 5 starts against the Cubs, no more than 2 runs given up in each.

I'd like to see them finally buck that trend.

"This is a good bullpen, if they only have to get six outs." -Tony said that.

[IMSlacker]

We want Isringhausen!
We want Isringhausen!
We want Isringhausen!

[midwestjeff]

We want Isringhausen!
We want Isringhausen!
We want Isringhausen!

Hahaha.

You'll take Perez and like it!

[IMSlacker]

Hahaha.

You'll take Perez and like it!

I don't like that guy.

[IMSlacker]

Ugh. Howry? Game Over.

[IMSlacker]

Thank you for not sucking, Howry.

[midwestjeff]

Even a Cards' loss now is a win.

The fact that the dumb Cubs couldn't beat them in nine says a lot.


Stay close Lee, Yadi is head hunting.

[IMSlacker]

Even a Cards' loss now is a win.

The fact that the dumb Cubs couldn't beat them in nine says a lot.

I'll take it.

[IMSlacker]

Walking Fukudome to get to Hammerin' Hank White. Big mistake.

[midwestjeff]

Walking Fukudome to get to Hammerin' Hank White. Big mistake.

I agree. But he was 0-4 so maybe Tony thought he was due.

Great game. Loss or not, great game.

[ozzie]

Even a Cards' loss now is a win.

The fact that the dumb Cubs couldn't beat them in nine says a lot.


How low has the Cardinal Organization sunk when their fans make comments like this?

So this was a "moral victory"?

Ok... Congrats, then... I guess.

[midwestjeff]

How low has the Cardinal Organization sunk when their fans make comments like this?

So this was a "moral victory"?

Ok... Congrats, then... I guess.


It was a tongue-in-cheek statement.

The Cardinals aren't necessarily setting the world on fire this year with their rebuilding strategy and the fact that they are still challenging the money spending Cubs and Brewers speaks a lot to the character of the franchise. But, assuming you are a Cubs' fan, I don't expect you to understand having a long-term vision and perspective on your team. Tomorrow is another day.

[ozzie]

It was a tongue-in-cheek statement.

The Cardinals aren't necessarily setting the world on fire this year with their rebuilding strategy and the fact that they are still challenging the money spending Cubs and Brewers speaks a lot to the character of the franchise. But, assuming you are a Cubs' fan, I don't expect you to understand having a long-term vision and perspective on your team. Tomorrow is another day.

I grew up in central Illinois surrounded by Cardinal fans, and was one of the few Cubs fans in the area during the 70's, so please don't try to lecture me about "long-term vision and perspective on your team".

And don't try to make out like St. Louis is the poor "small market team" in this division.

1 Yankees $233,712,621
2 Dodgers $136,775,959
3 White Sox $135,523,527
4 Mets $135,391,376
5 Angels $130,266,333
6 Cubs $129,070,833
7 Tigers $124,073,646
8 Red Sox $116,205,112
9 Cardinals $104,131,949
10 Phillies $103,379,880
11 Mariners $101,898,982
12 Brewers $99,413,499
13 Astros $97,400,414
14 Braves $95,775,683
15 Blue Jays $88,233,900
16 Rockies $75,025,500
17 Giants $68,702,000
18 Diamondbacks $68,302,712
19 Reds $67,148,500
20 Orioles $64,504,580
21 Rangers $63,722,326
22 Padres $62,982,564
23 Indians $62,895,566
24 Royals $55,635,500
25 Twins $50,239,766
26 Athletics $48,499,626
27 Devil Rays $48,311,263
28 Nationals $46,511,000
29 Pirates $41,352,008
30 Marlins $30,544,833

[midwestjeff]

I grew up in central Illinois surrounded by Cardinal fans, and was one of the few Cubs fans in the area during the 70's, so please don't try to lecture me about "long-term vision and perspective on your team".

And don't try to make out like St. Louis is the poor "small market team" in this division.


Ever been to Lincoln? Just curious.
Central IL is very evenly split between the two teams so I can't imagine you were surrounded by Cards' fans. But I doubt you would lie about that, so maybe you grew up around smart central Illinoisians that knew what team to root for.

I wasn't implying that the Cardinals were the "poor" team. They just aren't spending money this year on adding players for the race. Well, unless you count the great Filipe Lopez.

[TheMojoPin]

I grew up in central Illinois surrounded by Cardinal fans, and was one of the few Cubs fans in the area during the 70's, so please don't try to lecture me about "long-term vision and perspective on your team".

And don't try to make out like St. Louis is the poor "small market team" in this division.

1 Yankees $233,712,621
2 Dodgers $136,775,959
3 White Sox $135,523,527
4 Mets $135,391,376
5 Angels $130,266,333
6 Cubs $129,070,833
7 Tigers $124,073,646
8 Red Sox $116,205,112
9 Cardinals $104,131,949
10 Phillies $103,379,880
11 Mariners $101,898,982
12 Brewers $99,413,499
13 Astros $97,400,414
14 Braves $95,775,683
15 Blue Jays $88,233,900
16 Rockies $75,025,500
17 Giants $68,702,000
18 Diamondbacks $68,302,712
19 Reds $67,148,500
20 Orioles $64,504,580
21 Rangers $63,722,326
22 Padres $62,982,564
23 Indians $62,895,566
24 Royals $55,635,500
25 Twins $50,239,766
26 Athletics $48,499,626
27 Devil Rays $48,311,263
28 Nationals $46,511,000
29 Pirates $41,352,008
30 Marlins $30,544,833

Nice. Besides, the Cards just won a WS 2 years ago and the Cubs were one of the worst teams in baseball 2 years ago. Now, here we are. And you're right about there being a ton of Cards fans in western and southern Illinois. Probably more than Cubs fans since they're closer to the Cards and most Illinois' population is up north. Lots of Colts fans there, too.

And the last dozen or so games between these clubs have been decided by 2 or 1 runs.

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/cubs-slug-cards.jpg

(Stealing this from the Bears, though the tag will be more than apropriate for them this coming season for all the wrong reasons)

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8766/wk06bearscardsid7.jpg

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fO4CsdLOYBM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fO4CsdLOYBM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/baf9q7b5sMc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/baf9q7b5sMc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6bDgapNwoQQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6bDgapNwoQQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[midwestjeff]

I hope you miss your flight.

[TheMojoPin]

Mean.

[TheMojoPin]

If the Cubs go just .500 the rest of the way, the Cardinals would have to play .681 ball to finish ahead of the Cubs.

And here's Edmonds' line since the ASB, paid for almost entirely by the Cardinals:

.323 .432 .742 1.174 OPS

[midwestjeff]

Mean.

[IMSlacker]

Since Mojo's gone...

A Jim Edmunds curtain call at Wrigley. Who'd a thunk it?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41516266.jpg

Joe Mather . . . out!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41516271.jpg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41516268.jpg

Poo Holes . . . out!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41516265.jpg

Clutch Hittin' Hank White!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41517366.jpg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-08/41517364.jpg

[midwestjeff]

Zambrano looked good today.

:drunk:

[IMSlacker]

I'm sure there's a moral victory in today's game somewhere.

[midwestjeff]

I'm sure there's a moral victory in today's game somewhere.

Nope.

See ya tomorrow, losers. :tongue:

[ozzie]

If the Cubs go just .500 the rest of the way, the Cardinals would have to play .681 ball to finish ahead of the Cubs.

Fourth Quarter begins this week. 44 to go (19 Home, 25 Road)

27 games vs. NL Central (12 Home, 15 Road)

17 games vs. NL East (7 Home, 10 Road)

[jauble]

Nope.

See ya tomorrow, losers. :tongue:

Hey Jeff, I found this on your face.

http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/36_2007/egg.jpg

Do you still want it or should I just throw it away?

[Ritalin]

Hey Jeff, I found this on your face.

http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/36_2007/egg.jpg

Do you still want it or should I just throw it away?

AWWWWW. A little cardinal won't be born now.

[cougarjake13]

AWWWWW. A little cardinal won't be born now.

or an oriole or blue jay

[midwestjeff]

Hey Jeff, I found this on your face.

Do you still want it or should I just throw it away?

Take it in the kitchen and make me something nice, Mary.

[IMSlacker]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Broom_icon.svg/400px-Broom_icon.svg.png

That's 8 in a row on the road. They outscored the Braves 29-9 in the series. That said, I'll be happy if the Cubs win 1 out of 3 in Florida, considering they're 0 for their last 50 games there, or something like that.

[ozzie]

I didn't get a chance to chime in last night... but is it time to start calling Turner Field, "Wrigley South"?

It made me so happy to see the fucking-band-wagon-jumping Atlanta fans outnumbered (or at least our cheered) by Cubs fans. Their piped-in stupid fucking drum and "war chant" still couldn't drown out the "Lets Go Cubbies" in the ninth last night. I was so fucking sick of these idiots down here proclaiming their love of "their Braves" for the last decade+. Pretty easy to be a fan when they were winning their division every year. Where were they this week?

You don't hear shit about them anymore, and thank God all those fucking tomahawks are back on the sale tables at the local Flea Markets.

Unfortunately, it won't last. One of the piss poor Atlanta teams will win again eventually, and we'll get to hear how "I been me a Braves (Falcons/Hawks,etc) fan muh 'hole life... even durin' them losin' yeers!"

Nice win tonight. 9 in a row on the road now. Brewers are trailing the Dodgers. Bonus!

I'm hoping they keep an eye on the tropics and get Sunday's game in before Hurricane/Tropical Storm Fay starts dumping on the South Florida area. Once it starts, it won't stop for a while, and they may not be able to get it in Monday either.

I'd hate for them to have to travel back to that hell hole on one of their off days in September.

40 to go (19 Home, 21 Road)

27 games vs. NL Central (12 Home, 15 Road)
13 games vs. NL East (7 Home, 6 Road)

[IMSlacker]

From today's Chicago Tribune (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080816-carlos-zambrano-batting-cubs,1,1931758.story):

Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol and Jeff Samardzija did a pregame photo shoot Saturday for an upcoming Sports Illustrated feature on the Cubs' bullpen...

Aw crap!

[cougarjake13]

From today's Chicago Tribune (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080816-carlos-zambrano-batting-cubs,1,1931758.story):



Aw crap!

no worries i heard there was a goat in the background of the photo

[IMSlacker]

Crap! How do you lose to the fucking Reds?

[jauble]

I always enjoy when the 7th inning celeb is actually a cubs fan and not just promoting. You can tell that Cusak enjoys being there watching the game.

[TheMojoPin]

I always enjoy when the 7th inning celeb is actually a cubs fan and not just promoting. You can tell that Cusak enjoys being there watching the game.

Cusack's among a handful of celebs that you can tell are Cubs diehards and really love being there as fans...though he lost some cred going to the White Sox home WS games. Him, Bill Murray, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Garlin ad even Billy Corgan...those guys go to games all the time and have for years and some of the few people that don't drive me nuts singing that stupid song and hanging in the booth.

Pending the win today, this will be the 8th series in a row the Cubs have won or swept.

And how about that DeRosa? 4th straight game with a HR.

Harden got 11 k's, mking his 5th start of 8 with the Cubs where he's had 10 or more k's. No walks today, too, and another outing where he went 7 full.

[jauble]

Great win...it was nice to see fukudome crush that ball on the pinch as well.

[TheMojoPin]

Harden's last two starts: 14 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 21 K, 0 BB, 4 Hits .

At least for today, the Cubs have the best record in baseball, ad the first to get to 80 wins with a lovely 80-50 record. 30 games over .500 is a nice place to be.

[jauble]

I know its against the pirates, but Soto has been amazing from the 8 hole.

[IMSlacker]

Giovanni Soto with 7 rbi's so far tonight. I'm officially on the Soto for MVP bandwagon.

[Jughead]

I did not give up..They are the real deal....Hi I'm mr obvious...No B&T ref...J..lol

[scottinnj]

This week is just brutal for my Phillies. Even if the Phils beat the Mets again Wednesday, the team is going to be totally beat up by the time they get on the plane to face your Cubs.

Have fun with the slugfest starting Thursday.

[TheMojoPin]

3rd straight start for Zambrano where he's looked like ass. Should I be worried?

On the upside, 9th straight series win and now 2 games over .500 on the road.

[Ritalin]

Don't worry about Zambrano. The one thing he's proved is that he can bounce back from meltdowns. I'd rather he went through this now, and had his shit together in September.

He'll get it right. In the meantime, I like his fire. If anything I'm worried about the team going on autopilot. The last few years it's been the scrappy teams that went furthest in the playoffs.

[IMSlacker]

Not Cubs news exactly, but Jay Mariotti has left the Sun-Times (http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003843112). Can't say I'm sorry to see him go.

[TheMojoPin]

Not Cubs news exactly, but Jay Mariotti has left the Sun-Times (http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003843112). Can't say I'm sorry to see him go.

Hopefully the FireJayMariotti site keeps going.

Good Lord, a 12:30 game after a 4 hour game that ended after 11 the night before is borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.

[IMSlacker]

Good Lord, a 12:30 game after a 4 hour game that ended after 11 the night before is borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.

The Pirates are making Marquis look like a Cy Young contender today.

[TheMojoPin]

I gotta give Marquis credit. Tired team behind him, he goes out and pitches 7 full shutout innings and only 5 hits with no walks. Lots of groundballs, no drama...well done, sir.

[Jughead]

I sent this thread to the biggest Cub Fan here at work..He really enjoyed it.....I'm trying to get him to sign up..He is a baseball GURU....Not as good as you all... just a nice guy...:smile:

[TheMojoPin]

Nice, Jug!

Awesome series coming up against the Phillies. Dempster, Harden, Zambrano and Lilly going and the team is scoring a ton, today's game aside. LET'S GO, CUBS!!!

[Ritalin]

Not Cubs news exactly, but Jay Mariotti has left the Sun-Times (http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003843112). Can't say I'm sorry to see him go.

Neither is the Sun Times. Check out Chris De Luca's column today.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/1131768,CST-SPT-deluca28.article

[KingGeno]

Looking forward to your boys coming to town for the next 4 games. Outsied of being pumped that our 4 best staters are going and our team is scoring a ton of runs, I just enjoy when another good team comes to town. I'll always get a kid-like thrill of seeing that...like a comic book crossover in my own backyard.

I'm pretty excited about this series also. Cubs/Phils games are always the best, because we have the best fans in the country.

[scottinnj]

Nice catch by fukudome. Reminds me of Victorino's hustle.

[TheMojoPin]

There's very few pitchers out there right now that I get a thrill out of watching. Hamels is one of them, even against my team. He is fucking NASTY.

[scottinnj]

There's very few pitchers out there right now that I get a thrill out of watching. Hamels is one of them, even against my team. He is fucking NASTY.

Yeah, when he's on he's on. I just wish our offense would back him up more often. He'd have 3 more wins this season they'd get some consistancy with scoring.

[TheMojoPin]

Man, this game was a snoozer until the 8th. Hope this isn't a fake rally.

[TheMojoPin]

HOLY GOD!

I'M STROKING OOOOOOooooooooouuutututTT2Y9821PGEYOWBGOLAD qh ddgp1291uherp-127heujm upb lohjkn ,mz,/,,,,,,.///////////////?>/we,.......

...











































AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[TheMojoPin]

OK, this isn't over. Top of the Phillies' lineup up in the 9th with the Cub leading by 2 and Lou inexplicably sending Wood out for his 4th day in a row. Why isn't he using Marmol?!? Oh, the aaaaah-go-knnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[TheMojoPin]

Holy shit, I am still smiling...well, actually, smiling again, since I was having mini-heart attacks with every pitch in the 9th.

Awesome game. Totally seemed like a playoff atmosphere. I have a feeling we'll be seeing this again in October.

[TheMojoPin]

Wow, 24-6 for their last 30.

[TheMojoPin]

- The Cubs are now on pace for 102 wins, which would be their most since 1910. This would require a 18-10 finish.

- A .500 finish of 14-14 would put the Cubs at 98-64 on the year. The only way they'd miss the playoffs at that pace would be if the Brewers finished at least 22-7, and either the Cardinals finished 25-3 or both the Phillies and Mets finished at least 26-2 and 25-3, respectively.

- The Cubs have scored the most runs in the NL (8 behind the Rangers for most in MLB), and given up the fewest runs in the NL (21 behind the Rays for fewest in MLB). They currently sport a 193 run differential, which is 105 runs better than the next closest NL team (the Phillies).

- The Cubs are still somehow 3 games under their Pythagorean (according to ESPN). If all teams played to their Pythagorean records, the Cubs would lead the entire NL by 10 games, and their division by 12.5.

[scottinnj]

Man, this game was a snoozer until the 8th. Hope this isn't a fake rally.

It wasn't. I'm never comfy with a 3 run lead with you guys. Maybe with Colorado, definetly with Washington and Atlanta and sometimes with the Mets. Cubbies, Dodgers, Marlins and the AL during interleague play, I'm sweating it out with a 3 run lead.

Just like tonight. And congrats to your team for taking advantage of our shitty bullpen that once again, fucked up a great night for Cole.

[TheMojoPin]

It wasn't. I'm never comfy with a 3 run lead with you guys. Maybe with Colorado, definetly with Washington and Atlanta and sometimes with the Mets. Cubbies, Dodgers, Marlins and the AL during interleague play, I'm sweating it out with a 3 run lead.

Just like tonight. And congrats to your team for taking advantage of our shitty bullpen that once again, fucked up a great night for Cole.

Hamels is beast. He completely shut the Cubs down. Thank God they stretched him out a bit and got his pitch count up, otherwise they were done.

[ozzie]

HOLY GOD!

I'M STROKING OOOOOOooooooooouuutututTT2Y9821PGEYOWBGOLAD qh ddgp1291uherp-127heujm upb lohjkn ,mz,/,,,,,,.///////////////?>/we,.......

...


AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Exactly.

[TheMojoPin]

Even though their latest bad call was a HUGE break for the Cubs (Howard was definitely safe), the umps today have been terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible, especially at the plate. Dude has called at least a dozen strikes below the knees and refuses to call anything on the inside corner. He's consistent, but consistently shitty.

[IMSlacker]

Carlos Marmol rules! Come on, insurance runs!

[TheMojoPin]

AWFUL fucking managing by Lou in the bottom of the 8th. I can see the argument for having DeRosa sac bunt, but not when Cedeno is up next...and then not PHing Soto for Blanco? Hope this doesn't come back to bite.

[IMSlacker]

AWFUL fucking managing by Lou in the bottom of the 8th. I can see the argument for having DeRosa sac bunt, but not when Cedeno is up next...and then not PHing Soto for Blanco? Hope this doesn't come back to bite.

Luckily, it didn't, thanks to Marmol

[TheMojoPin]

SICK.

Marmol is beast!

[Jughead]

http://www.greatchicagogifts.com/filebin/images/products/full/1315_cubs.jpg

[IMSlacker]

http://www.greatchicagogifts.com/filebin/images/products/full/1315_cubs.jpg

I have that mouse pad!

[scottinnj]

Congrats again today fellas. Your Cubs played good ball.

See you in the Series. I'll be rootin for you.

[Jughead]

I have that mouse pad!

I Know.....Stalker:bye:

[TheMojoPin]

Congrats again today fellas. Your Cubs played good ball.

See you in the Series. I'll be rootin for you.

Entertaining series so far. This definitely feels like playoff games. That said, Howard got robbed when he was called out on that close play at 1st. The Cubs got a big break there.

[TheMojoPin]

Phillies almost certainly win today with the wind blowing out and Lilly giving up tons of homers this year.

No Zambrano tomorrow, thankfully. Marshall will start to give Z the rest.

[K.C.]

Let's do this thing!

I demand vengeance today! VENGEANCE!!!

[IMSlacker]

Ken Rosenthall mentioned that the Phillies might try to add Kyle Farnsworth before tomorrow's deadline. . .

DON'T DO IT PHILLIES!!!

Lilly looked great in the second after looking pretty shaky in the first. Of course it was against the bottom of the line-up.

[IMSlacker]

Another bad call goes the Cubs' way at first base.

[TheMojoPin]

Wow, I saw the score when I got home and smiled that it was the result I expected, but did NOT expect to see that Lilly went almost 7 and only gave up a single solo HR. Too bad to see the Cubs strand all those baserunners...ah well, let's go for the 11th straight series win, especially since Sabathia is going for the Brewers.

[IMSlacker]

Oh yeah, I meant to post this earlier.:


FUCK YOU, NEAL COTTS!!!

Never trust an ex-White Sock.

[epo]

Wow, I saw the score when I got home and smiled that it was the result I expected, but did NOT expect to see that Lilly went almost 7 and only gave up a single solo HR. Too bad to see the Cubs strand all those baserunners...ah well, let's go for the 11th straight series win, especially since Sabathia is going for the Brewers.

The Brewers are 5.5 out. As a fan, I'm worried about locking up the wildcard first and foremost. After that....if they can catch the Cubs, great. If not, oh well.

[TheMojoPin]

The Brewers are 5.5 out. As a fan, I'm worried about locking up the wildcard first and foremost. After that....if they can catch the Cubs, great. If not, oh well.

For once I'm not flipping out. Even if the Brewers played about .750 and the Cubs played .500 or worse for the Brewers to catch up, the Cards, Mets and Phillies combined would have to go the rest of the way only losing like 3-4 games each for the Cubs to not make the playoffs.

[K.C.]

Well, hopefully Big Z keeps up some of his inconsistencies of late for one more start tomorrow.

If Hamels was pitching, the Phils might be able to steal a 2-1 or 3-2 game tomorrow, but Moyer's a lock for at least three at Wrigley, so they're going to have to put some runs on the board tomorrow.

[TheMojoPin]

No Z...there seemed to be some flipflopping going on...it was Z originally, then Marshall, then Z on a strict pitch count likely for 4-5 innings, now it's officially Marshall getting the start. Marshall can be very effective if his curve is working, so I hope he had some time to get ready for this start.

[K.C.]

No Z...there seemed to be some flipflopping going on...it was Z originally, then Marshall, then Z on a strict pitch count likely for 4-5 innings, now it's officially Marshall getting the start. Marshall can be very effective if his curve is working, so I hope he had some time to get ready for this start.

I don't remember if the Phillies saw Marshall earlier this season or not, but there's a chance he actually presents a bit more difficulty for them than Z.

They're dreadful against pitchers they've never seen before.

[K.C.]

I don't remember if the Phillies saw Marshall earlier this season or not, but there's a chance he actually presents a bit more difficulty for them than Z.

They're dreadful against pitchers they've never seen before.

Saw him once in '06 and one in '07 as a starter and crushed him both times.

Saw him in relief earlier this year, where he did ok.


Alright, I feel a bit better.

[cougarjake13]

I don't remember if the Phillies saw Marshall earlier this season or not, but there's a chance he actually presents a bit more difficulty for them than Z.

They're dreadful against pitchers they've never seen before.

2 relief appearances in early april

[IMSlacker]

Well, that sucked. I'm starting a I Hate Jason Werth club. Who's with me?

[scottinnj]

Well, that sucked. I'm starting a I Hate Jason Werth club. Who's with me?

Not me.

Great series guys, it's always fun watching the Phils play your Cubs. I can't believe we split the series with you. Even though the Mets won today, we kept within 1 game of 'em.

[cougarjake13]

looks like the fighting phils won the ryne sandberg cup



thanks alot cubbies

[K.C.]

Well, that sucked. I'm starting a I Hate Jason Werth club. Who's with me?

I'm sure Mets fans are game.

They know the sting of J-Dubs.

[IMSlacker]

Not me.

Wait until you see the t-shirts before you make up your mind.

[Knowledged_one]

any worry on teh Zambrano injury?

What about getting Bernie Mack's corpse to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame for the first playoff game?

[TheMojoPin]

No, everyone is thrilled with the idea that Zambrano might be injured in the last month of the season.

What an incredibly stupid question.

[Jughead]

Where in the hell are you .....?????

[IMSlacker]

Where in the hell are you .....?????

I've instituted a self imposed ban on watching Cubs games for the rest of the regular season. The daily melt-downs were starting to take a toll on my health.

[Ritalin]

No, everyone is thrilled with the idea that Zambrano might be injured in the last month of the season.

What an incredibly stupid question.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Let's not lose our minds and turn on each other, people.

[Jughead]

I've instituted a self imposed ban on watching Cubs games for the rest of the regular season. The daily melt-downs were starting to take a toll on my health.

Boy I better get back to Dr Steve( He will Get it)....I thought it was just a skin condition Hi Slaker:smile:....GO CUBS!!!! Fucking Balk???

[TheMojoPin]

I have a feeling I'm about to be banning Hippo.

[Jughead]

I have a feeling I'm about to be banning Hippo.

Almost..

[Jughead]

squeeze????Damn

[TheMojoPin]

squeeze????Damn

Please. There was no squeeze...these guys just lost on a checked swing grounder.

[Snoogans]

Please. There was no squeeze...these guys just lost on a checked swing grounder.

you lost on a post by a fat man

[Jughead]

[QUOTE=TheMojoPin;1857734]Please. There was no squeeze...these guys just lost on a checked swing grounder.[/QUOT I caught that...

[Jughead]

I caught that...

[TheMojoPin]

I am so infuriated with Lou having Soto bunt tonight after Edmonds walked on base in, I think, the 8th, with no outs. Pie was brought in to pinch run ad he's got tremendous speed, so a well hit sinle is very likely putting him on 3rd. Soto is getting good wood on the ball tonight and has been hitting well for a while now and is a serious power threat...so Lou has him bunt?!?

And using Fukudome as a defensive replacement only is getting retarded. Yes, his hitting is patchy, but it's throwing everything off. DeRosa is a serviceabe OFer, but not practically everyday. Since he's been out there reguarly, the team's defense has been thrown off. Get Fukudome back out there and bat him 8th.

[Ritalin]

I still have faith. This is where Lou earns his money. He's starting to erupt, and it's all a matter of timing. I think they're going to pull out of it.

There's nothing wrong with Zambrano getting a little rest, same with Harden. I don't want them - and Lou - to put the pedal down too early. Screw the papers with their talk of 1969. That team was panicked. This team is plenty deep and well managed.

I'm not concerned. Stupid? Maybe. But not concerned.

[TheMojoPin]

Zambrano and Harden should be rested, especially since they only pitch once every 5 days. People here talk like they would be out there back to back for a week.

I'm really not worried about them maing the playoffs...as bad as the Brewers are doing, the Cubs still have about a 99% chance of making the playoffs, either with the division or with the WC. What I am worried about is this funk lasting and them getting quickly knocked out of the playoffs again. I don't think they're going to be this bad by the end of the month, but with every aspect of the team stinking right now, they could still be somewhat bad.

[Kevin]

Zambrano and Harden should be rested, especially since they only pitch once every 5 days. People here talk like they would be out there back to back for a week.

I'm really not worried about them maing the playoffs...as bad as the Brewers are doing, the Cubs still have about a 99% chance of making the playoffs, either with the division or with the WC. What I am worried about is this funk lasting and them getting quickly knocked out of the playoffs again. I don't think they're going to be this bad by the end of the month, but with every aspect of the team stinking right now, they could still be somewhat bad.

And make sure you ban Hippos for the entire month of OCT..

You know a Hippo's the Cubs are due proclamation is coming.

[IMSlacker]

And make sure you ban Hippos for the entire month of OCT..

You know a Hippo's the Cubs are due proclamation is coming.

Excellent idea. Also, make sure it's an IP ban. We don't need Jinxy logging in under other accounts and throw his "locks" out there.

[spadanko]

Good stuff.. hell it even got me a lil choked up

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cubs100

[TheMojoPin]

Ted Lilly is insane and badass. (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809103452953&c_id=chc)

[King Hippos Crown]

And make sure you ban Hippos for the entire month of OCT..

You know a Hippo's the Cubs are due proclamation is coming.


wrong.............

The Angels are your champs......

[A.J.]

Good stuff.. hell it even got me a lil choked up

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cubs100

Hoo hoo...

http://www.impawards.com/2004/posters/still_we_believe_the_boston_red_sox_movie.jpg

(It was still cool though.)

[TheMojoPin]

Ridiculous...with Hurricaine Ike barreling in on Houston this weekend, there's been serious question for a while now as to whether or not the Cubs would be able to play their series against the Astros Friday-Sunday. The logical suggestions have been for both teams to go to St. Louis or Kansas City and play at those team's stadiums since the Cards and Royals are both out of town. What MLB opts to do instead is suspend the 1st 2 games indefinitely now and claim that they'll play the 3rd in Houston on Sunday as scheduled, despite the fact the storm could easily shut down power, phones, water and airports for the forseeable future.

This could REALLY fuck up how the season plays out. Un-fucking-believable.

[cougarjake13]

Ridiculous...with Hurricaine Ike barreling in on Houston this weekend, there's been serious question for a while now as to whether or not the Cubs would be able to play their series against the Astros Friday-Sunday. The logical suggestions have been for both teams to go to St. Louis or Kansas City and play at those team's stadiums since the Cards and Royals are both out of town. What MLB opts to do instead is suspend the 1st 2 games indefinitely now and claim that they'll play the 3rd in Houston on Sunday as scheduled, despite the fact the storm could easily shut down power, phones, water and airports for the forseeale future.

This could REALLY fuck up how the season plays out. Un-fucking-believable.


thats selig for you

[IMSlacker]

According to this article (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-080911-chicago-cubs-hurricane-ike,0,6228574.story), they are going to play a doubleheader on Sunday and the third game on Monday in Houston if possible, or in Atlanta, Tampa or Washington if not. Doesn't seem like a horrible plan.

[IMSlacker]

I lifted the ban and allowed myself to watch the game tonight. Thankfully they won, but I think Marmol and Wood managed to take another year off of my life. This next two-and-a-half weeks is going to be the end of me.

When are they going to start hitting again? This is excruciating.

[TheMojoPin]

According to this article (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-080911-chicago-cubs-hurricane-ike,0,6228574.story), they are going to play a doubleheader on Sunday and the third game on Monday in Houston if possible, or in Atlanta, Tampa or Washington if not. Doesn't seem like a horrible plan.

It is horrible. Ike is shaping up to be a category 3 storm, which makes it very likely the Cubs can't get into Houston and that the Astros won't be able to get out.

[IMSlacker]

It is horrible. Ike is shaping up to be a category 3 storm, which makes it very likely the Cubs can't get into Houston and that the Astros won't be able to get out.

Get a hold of yourself.

[TheMojoPin]

NO, THIS IS THE STUPID JINX CURSE CRAP COMING BACK AROUND AGAIN!!! MAKE IT STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!

*Cries*

[cougarjake13]

NO, THIS IS THE STUPID JINX CURSE CRAP COMING BACK AROUND AGAIN!!! MAKE IT STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!

*Cries*


wheres the goat ??

[Ritalin]

I still have faith. This is where Lou earns his money. He's starting to erupt, and it's all a matter of timing. I think they're going to pull out of it.

There's nothing wrong with Zambrano getting a little rest, same with Harden. I don't want them - and Lou - to put the pedal down too early. Screw the papers with their talk of 1969. That team was panicked. This team is plenty deep and well managed.

I'm not concerned. Stupid? Maybe. But not concerned.

AHEM.

[TheMojoPin]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

HOLY GOLDEN GREAT CAESAR'S SHIT!

Of course, I miss this game working a 10-hour shift, and I threw on the radio at work right after the game to get a score and only heard the Cubs won and that Zambrano was the player of the game before I had to go. I felt good with that news, especially with Z coming off the shoulder and all the rest, and then come home to see THIS:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.8abd8e98fe404905807b733259fa6e38.cubs_astros_ weathering_ike_baseball_wimg105.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.1ab7189c53fb4d56b1e771f8de9ba882.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg109.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.0f52cde339f9431bae6beba30954d8e2.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg110.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.116a9d4fbc68461b811e54a2abb8fa1c.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg114.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.dd42ffc44c6240f0a197e5bccfca66d8.aptopix_cubs _astros_baseball_wimg115.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.3337431affba48a6b559c0ed52f2dc4b.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg116.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.08fdb92951414db7a18a73784143857c.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg118.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080915/capt.cdd0ac47b4e243c78f0cab10039b5733.cubs_astros_ baseball_wimg119.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-09/42356648.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

http://www.mlbmagicnumbers.com/magicimage/Cubs.png

[Towelie]

15 innings and counting without letting up a hit.

Not bad from your staff.

[cougarjake13]

holy fuck

almost back to back no hitters


im just waiting for the houston peoples to start crying about how its b/c of the venue change

[TheMojoPin]

holy fuck

almost back to back no hitters


im just waiting for the houston peoples to start crying about how its b/c of the venue change

They already have. Fuck them...if their owner hadn't held out until the weekend, this could have been played in Atlanta or Tampa. It's his fault.

Going to the game tomorrow, and I'm pumped I get to see CC vs. Dempster, though I'm worried since teams that fire shitty managers during the season have a knack of then annoying surging for at least a few games.

And while there have been back to back no-hitters, this is the first time a 1-hitter followed a no-hitter in MLB history.

[scottinnj]

How many more wins you need to lock the NL Central? It's gotta be close now right?

[TheMojoPin]

If they sweep the Brewers, they clinch on Thursday with the third game in this series. If they lose one game this series, they can clinch with a win at home on Friday against the Cardinals.

Tonight I used my last regular season tickets for the year. Hopefully I'll be back next month.

[TheMojoPin]

http://www.mlbmagicnumbers.com/magicimage/Cubs.png

BUMP IT.

'09 schedule is out:

April 6: @ HOU
April 7: @ HOU
April 8: @ HOU
April 9: OFF
April 10: @ MIL
April 11: @ MIL
April 12: @ MIL
April 13: vs. COL
April 14: OFF
April 15: vs. COL
April 16: vs. STL
April 17: vs. STL
April 18: vs. STL
April 19: vs. STL
April 20: OFF
April 21: vs. CIN
April 22: vs. CIN
April 23: vs. CIN
April 24: @ STL
April 25: @ STL
April 26: @ STL
April 27: @ ARI
April 28: @ ARI
April 29: @ ARI
April 30: vs. FLA
May 1: vs. FLA
May 2: vs. FLA
May 3: vs. FLA
May 4: vs. SF
May 5: vs. SF
May 6: @ HOU
May 7: @ HOU
May 8: @ MIL
May 9: @ MIL
May 10: @ MIL
May 11: OFF
May 12: vs. SD
May 13: vs. SD
May 14: vs. SD
May 15: vs. HOU
May 16: vs. HOU
May 17: vs. HOU
May 18: OFF
May 19: @ STL
May 20: @ STL
May 21: @ STL
May 22: @ SD
May 23: @ SD
May 24: @ SD
May 25: vs. PIT
May 26: vs. PIT
May 27: vs. PIT
May 28: vs. LAD
May 29: vs. LAD
May 30: vs. LAD
May 31: vs. LAD
June 1: OFF
June 2: @ ATL
June 3: @ ATL
June 4: @ ATL
June 5: @ CIN
June 6: @ CIN
June 7: @ CIN
June 8: OFF
June 9: @ HOU
June 10: @ HOU
June 11: @ HOU
June 12: vs. MIN
June 13: vs. MIN
June 14: vs. MIN
June 15: OFF
June 16: vs. CWS
June 17: vs. CWS
June 18: vs. CWS
June 19: vs. CLE
June 20: vs. CLE
June 21: vs. CLE
June 22: OFF
June 23: @ DET
June 24: @ DET
June 25: @ DET
June 26: @ CWS
June 27: @ CWS
June 28: @ CWS
June 29: @ PIT
June 30: @ PIT
July 1: @ PIT
July 2: vs. MIL
July 3: vs. MIL
July 4: vs. MIL
July 5: vs. MIL
July 6: vs. ATL
July 7: vs. ATL
July 8: vs. ATL
July 9: OFF
July 10: vs. STL
July 11: vs. STL
July 12: vs. STL
July 13: AS Break
July 14: AS Break
July 15: AS Break
July 16: @ WAS
July 17: @ WAS
July 18: @ WAS
July 19: @ WAS
July 20: @ PHI
July 21: @ PHI
July 22: @ PHI
July 23: OFF
July 24: vs. CIN
July 25: vs. CIN
July 26: vs. CIN
July 27: vs. HOU
July 28: vs. HOU
July 29: vs. HOU
July 30: OFF
July 31: @ FLA
August 1: @ FLA
August 2: @ FLA
August 3: @ CIN
August 4: @ CIN
August 5: @ CIN
August 6: OFF
August 7: @ COL
August 8: @ COL
August 9: @ COL
August 10: @ COL
August 11: vs. PHI
August 12: vs. PHI
August 13: vs. PHI
August 14: vs. PIT
August 15: vs. PIT
August 16: vs. PIT
August 17: @ SD
August 18: @ SD
August 19: @ SD
August 20: @ LAD
August 21: @ LAD
August 22: @ LAD
August 23: @ LAD
August 24: OFF
August 25: vs. WAS
August 26: vs. WAS
August 27: vs. WAS
August 28: vs. NYM
August 29: vs. NYM
August 30: vs. NYM
August 31: vs. HOU
September 1: vs. HOU
September 2: vs. HOU
September 3: OFF
September 4: @ NYM
September 5: @ NYM
September 6: @ NYM
September 7: @ PIT
September 8: @ PIT
September 9: @ PIT
September 10: OFF
September 11: vs. CIN
September 12: vs. CIN
September 13: vs. CIN
September 14: vs. MIL
September 15: vs. MIL
September 16: vs. MIL
September 17: vs. MIL
September 18: @ STL
September 19: @ STL
September 20: @ STL
September 21: @ MIL
September 22: @ MIL
September 23: @ MIL
September 24: @ SF
September 25: @ SF
September 26: @ SF
September 27: @ SF
September 28: OFF
September 29: vs. PIT
September 30: vs. PIT
September 31: vs. PIT
October 1: vs. PIT
October 2: vs. ARI
October 3: vs. ARI
October 4: vs. ARI

[Knowledged_one]

They are so lucky to be able to avoid the Orioles next year after this years whoopings

[ozzie]

BUMP IT.

'09 schedule is out:

June 12: vs. MIN
June 13: vs. MIN
June 14: vs. MIN
June 15: OFF
June 16: vs. CWS
June 17: vs. CWS
June 18: vs. CWS
June 19: vs. CLE
June 20: vs. CLE
June 21: vs. CLE
June 22: OFF
June 23: @ DET
June 24: @ DET
June 25: @ DET
June 26: @ CWS
June 27: @ CWS
June 28: @ CWS


I thought during interleague play, that they played every team in that division. Just wondering how they avoided the mighty Royals.

I might have to schedule a vacation back to Illinois around the week of the Cleveland series.

[TheMojoPin]

I thought during interleague play, that they played every team in that division. Just wondering how they avoided the mighty Royals.

I might have to schedule a vacation back to Illinois around the week of the Cleveland series.

'Cuz the Royals always play the Cardinals in their mighty "rivalry."

[Knowledged_one]

I thought during interleague play, that they played every team in that division. Just wondering how they avoided the mighty Royals.

I might have to schedule a vacation back to Illinois around the week of the Cleveland series.

Its because the NL Central has 6 teams

[King Hippos Bandaid]

nice last week in Aug for the Mets Cubs series

I have no vacation that week, I'm off to Chi Town

[scottinnj]

So how's my favorite NL Central team doing? Everyone healthy? Bullpen up to speed?

I'm concerned because you have to sweep the Mets-I know you can, and I'll be cheering you on!

Go CUBBIES!

[TheMojoPin]

Sorry, man. Ideally, the Cubs send out the scrubs for that series.

[Knowledged_one]

Not trying to be a smartass here or anything like that.

But what the hell happened to Fukudome? He's down to hitting .259 and batting 8th? Is it just a matter that he may have hit the wall? Has the league figured him out?

Just curious to hear what you Cubs fans have heard about his performance

[TheMojoPin]

Not trying to be a smartass here or anything like that.

But what the hell happened to Fukudome? He's down to hitting .259 and batting 8th? Is it just a matter that he may have hit the wall? Has the league figured him out?

Just curious to hear what you Cubs fans have heard about his performance

He's been crappy since June. Once he went around the league once, the book was out on him. He's actually too patient at the plate and needs to adjust to the more "liberal" American strike zone as opposed to the strict Japanese one.

[Knowledged_one]

He's been crappy since June. Once he went around the league once, the book was out on him. He's actually too patient at the plate and needs to adjust to the more "liberal" American strike zone as opposed to the strict Japanese one.

Just curious then. If he ends up hitting lets say .260 this season with 12 HR and 65 RBI's and 110 Strikeouts

What do you think he will do next year worse? Better? About the same?

thanks for the insgiht though mojo

[TheMojoPin]

Ideally he'll be better with the offseason and spring training to get a fresh start with this new style of play for him after his first season. Personally, I'd move him to center and find a big #3 bat to play RF and hit Lee #2 or #5. I think he'll be pretty solid next year, but his offensive numbers would look much better coming from a CFer as opposed to a corner OFer.

[PD]

Thank you cubs.

[cougarjake13]

Thank you cubs.


x2

[TheMojoPin]

Wow.

I had to leave for classes after Kerry struck out in the side in the 11th, so I'm glad it was a happy ending.

Geovany Soto = ROY?

Here's Ron Santo combusting with joy today. (http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/9182008.mp3)

Now I want the Cubs and the Brewers to both win tomorrow so the magic number goes down to 1 and they can clinch with a win on Saturday. If the Cubs win tomorrow ad the Brewers lose, they wouldn't actually clinch until the end of the Brewers' game hours later after the Cubs....borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. Do it live on Fox on Saturday, especialy since I think I can snag a ticket for free!

[TheMojoPin]

Eddie Vedder apparently has released a tribute song to the Cubs: (http://nearlynextyear.windycitizen.com/2008/09/17/eddie-vedder-releases-cubs-tribute-song)

Someday We'll Go All the Way
by Eddie Vedder

Yeah, don't let them say that it's just a game.
Well, I've seen other teams and it is never the same.
When you go to Chicago, you're blessed and you're healed, The first time you walk into Wrigley Field.
Heroes with pinstripes and heroes in blue, Give us the chance to feel like heroes do.
Whether we'll win and if we should lose, we know Someday we'll go all the way.
Yeah, someday we'll go all the way.

We are one with the Cubs, with the Cubs we're in love.
Hold our heads tall as the underdogs.
We are not fair-weather, but foul-weather fans.
Like brothers in arms, in the suites and the stands.
There's magic in the Ivy and the old scoreboard.
The same one I stared at as a kid keeping score.
In a world full of greed, we could never want more.
Someday we'll go all the way.
Yeah, someday we'll go all the way.

Here's to the men and the legends we've known.
Giving us faith and giving us hope.
United we stand and united we'll fall
Down to our knees the day we win it all.
Yeah Ernie Banks said, "oh, let's play two".
I think he meant two hundred years.
Playing at Wrigley, our diamond, our jewel.
The home of our joy and our fears.
Keeping traditions, and wishes anew,
The place where our grandfathers' fathers they grew.
The spitual feeling if I ever knew.
And when the day comes for that last winning run, and I'm crying and covered with beer.
I look to the sky and know I was right today.
Someday we'll go all the way.
Yeah, someday we'll go all the way.

Huh. Not sure what to think of that.

Dude is a pretty huge Cubs fan. I've seen him at Wrigley quite a few times over the last 10+ years, and he's sung the stretch several times.

[TheMojoPin]

Well, definitely sounds better than it reads...pretty cool:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CqHTScDBsDU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CqHTScDBsDU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[K.C.]

Eddie Vedder apparently has released a tribute song to the Cubs: (http://nearlynextyear.windycitizen.com/2008/09/17/eddie-vedder-releases-cubs-tribute-song)



Huh. Not sure what to think of that.

Dude is a pretty huge Cubs fan. I've seen him at Wrigley quite a few times over the last 10+ years, and he's sung the stretch several times.


So Eddie Vedder becomes the new Steve Bartmann after this season?

[TheMojoPin]

So Eddie Vedder becomes the new Steve Bartmann after this season?

No way, the song is vague.

[Bossanova]

Love the Cubbies

[ozzie]

Here's Ron Santo combusting with joy today. (http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/9182008.mp3)

Was there an "OH Yeah.... OH SHIT..." bomb in there at around the 00:44 mark?


Now I want the Cubs and the Brewers to both win tomorrow so the magic number goes down to 1 and they can clinch with a win on Saturday. If the Cubs win tomorrow ad the Brewers lose, they wouldn't actually clinch until the end of the Brewers' game hours later after the Cubs....borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. Do it live on Fox on Saturday, especialy since I think I can snag a ticket for free!

Dammit Mojo, don't start that shit. I blame myself for what happened in '03. After game 4 I made the comment... "I wouldn't mind if they lost tomorrow so they can wrap it up back home at Wrigley".

[Ritalin]

Now I want the Cubs and the Brewers to both win tomorrow so the magic number goes down to 1 and they can clinch with a win on Saturday. If the Cubs win tomorrow ad the Brewers lose, they wouldn't actually clinch until the end of the Brewers' game hours later after the Cubs....borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. Do it live on Fox on Saturday, especialy since I think I can snag a ticket for free!

Dammit Mojo, don't start that shit. I blame myself for what happened in '03. After game 4 I made the comment... "I wouldn't mind if they lost tomorrow so they can wrap it up back home at Wrigley".[/QUOTE]

I know. And about 2 weeks ago Mojo was about to jump off the roof.

Fortunately, Lou has the boys focused. All I read this morning is "We've got games to win, nothing is clinched yet."

Lou's my hero.

[TheMojoPin]

I don't want them to lose...or if they do, I hope both they and the Brewers lose or they win and the Brewers win. Either way, the magic number goes down to 1 and they can clinch on Saturday.

[A.J.]

Dammit Mojo, don't start that shit. I blame myself for what happened in '03. After game 4 I made the comment... "I wouldn't mind if they lost tomorrow so they can wrap it up back home at Wrigley".

That looks like something that I would say.

[TheMojoPin]

http://www.mlbmagicnumbers.com/magicimage/Cubs.png

Bumpin' it.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

should I sit Soriano if the Cubs hit their Magic Number

do you think he will play

[TheMojoPin]

I'll be very surprised if the regulars get more than just stretch starts in the last week after they clinch.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Zambrano doesn't have it today, but thats ok

the Brewers and the Astros keep going loss for loss


You think this is it for Zambrano, he did so good with all those days rest

[midwestjeff]

This is bullshit. The Cardinals can't play baseball for the whole month of September and now they want to rough Zambrano up for 8 runs in less than two innings? Stupid. Sweet, but stupid.


P.S. Even an 8 run lead is not safe with the Cardinals 'pen, this is far from over. And I know it is meaningless, but this my last chance to feel some excitement this year so I am acting like it matters.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

This is bullshit. The Cardinals can't play baseball for the whole month of September and now they want to rough Zambrano up for 8 runs in less than two innings? Stupid. Sweet, but stupid.


P.S. Even an 8 run lead is not safe with the Cardinals 'pen, this is far from over. And I know it is meaningless, but this my last chance to feel some excitement this year so I am acting like it matters.

sorry about that Cardinal pick pal

I hope you have your Rams Jersey, because its time for win # 1 over the Seahawks

[midwestjeff]

sorry about that Cardinal pick pal

I hope you have your Rams Jersey, because its time for win # 1 over the Seahawks

Football is for queers, but nice try at the double jinx.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Football is for queers, but nice try at the double jinx.


making fun of football

I know NO midwestjeff



Well the Blues are due, its their year

the Saints will be marching themselves in to the NHL playoffs

[midwestjeff]

making fun of football

I know NO midwestjeff



Well the Blues are due, its their year

the Saints will be marching themselves in to the NHL playoffs

Hockey? Seriously?
Also for queers. I mean, if Boss can play it...nuff said.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Hockey? Seriously?
Also for queers. I mean, if Boss can play it...nuff said.



http://www.crosstudy.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/checkmate.104185919_std.jpg


you win this battle midwestjeff