Hours after I wrote the last post I tuned into the Cubs game, ready to watch a battle between Dempster and Vazquez. Wait, what's that? Why is Z warming up? He's scheduled for tomorrow. Oh well, maybe Dempster has a cold or family emergency. Yeah right. Apparently, my blog post thinking the Cubs were ready to take off put a jinx on the team...as if they need any more jinxes this year, or this past century.
So Dempster has a broken big toe. Not good for a pitcher. And apparently he broke it hopping over the railing after a Brewers game to celebrate. Nice. It's frustrating that the Cubs kept this quiet until last night, but I have a hard time arguing. No matter how frustrating it was, it was kind of cool to be able to see someone or something in baseball keep it from leaking out.
Nonetheless, this is a big blow. I'll be cheering for Hart, but he is likely to be a big step down from Dempster. We took a few steps forward the last week, but this is a big step back. It makes me wonder now if this is just our fate this year. It happens every so often with injuries.
Now what do we have to do to get that railing lowered?
THE RIOT!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Here we go!!!
I realize I am a little late in posting this, but it was in my mind heading into the Milwaukee series. This team is about to go on a tear. Stars are aligning. My reasons below:
1. We have way too many guys hitting near .220. The law of averages will work that out. I believe the MLB average is around .250. For our guys to get there, they have to hit near .300 for the next couple of months.
2. Lou appears finally ready to stick with this new lineup. I don't care how many games we won last year, Soriano is not a leadoff hitter. Perhaps his slump is the best thing that ever happened to us. It gave Lou another reason to drop him in the lineup. And what has happened since then? The Cubs are scoring runs, we are winning, Fukudome is getting on base in the leadoff spot, Theriot is serving as a productive #2 hitter (advancing Fukudome), and Lee and Bradley are driving in runs. Soriano has also started to get a couple of hits lately. If we can just make him comfortable down there, it is for the best.
3. Soto is breaking out. Almost all of his HRs have been in the last 12-15 games. He's had several multi hit games in that span as well and looks much more comfortable at the plate.
4. Aramis is back! Yes, we know he alone can't solve all the world's problems, but he is bound to help. Just watching the game last night felt so much more comfortable with him in the lineup. Although, I do admit Jake Fox was playing like a stud.
5. Bench strength. As strong as it's been for a while. Fox, Johnson, Baker, Hoffpauir, Blanco. I love our versatility. I just wish we could find a way to get Fox playing everyday and not lose Aramis.
6. Gregg appears to be settled in. His last few outings have been solid. Take away the walk off Ryan Rayburn HR in Detroit about 5 outings ago, and he has really been great. We need a guy we can count on. Let's hope Marmol continues to right his ship.
Don't look now, we are 5-1 in July. Could July 2009 be like May 2008? Let's hope so. We just took care of the Brewers, we started well last night against the Braves, but a huge series is coming this weekend. 4 games, 3 days, vs the Cardinals. Let's just avoid Pujols and win 3 out of 4.
Go Cubs Go!
THE RIOT!
1. We have way too many guys hitting near .220. The law of averages will work that out. I believe the MLB average is around .250. For our guys to get there, they have to hit near .300 for the next couple of months.
2. Lou appears finally ready to stick with this new lineup. I don't care how many games we won last year, Soriano is not a leadoff hitter. Perhaps his slump is the best thing that ever happened to us. It gave Lou another reason to drop him in the lineup. And what has happened since then? The Cubs are scoring runs, we are winning, Fukudome is getting on base in the leadoff spot, Theriot is serving as a productive #2 hitter (advancing Fukudome), and Lee and Bradley are driving in runs. Soriano has also started to get a couple of hits lately. If we can just make him comfortable down there, it is for the best.
3. Soto is breaking out. Almost all of his HRs have been in the last 12-15 games. He's had several multi hit games in that span as well and looks much more comfortable at the plate.
4. Aramis is back! Yes, we know he alone can't solve all the world's problems, but he is bound to help. Just watching the game last night felt so much more comfortable with him in the lineup. Although, I do admit Jake Fox was playing like a stud.
5. Bench strength. As strong as it's been for a while. Fox, Johnson, Baker, Hoffpauir, Blanco. I love our versatility. I just wish we could find a way to get Fox playing everyday and not lose Aramis.
6. Gregg appears to be settled in. His last few outings have been solid. Take away the walk off Ryan Rayburn HR in Detroit about 5 outings ago, and he has really been great. We need a guy we can count on. Let's hope Marmol continues to right his ship.
Don't look now, we are 5-1 in July. Could July 2009 be like May 2008? Let's hope so. We just took care of the Brewers, we started well last night against the Braves, but a huge series is coming this weekend. 4 games, 3 days, vs the Cardinals. Let's just avoid Pujols and win 3 out of 4.
Go Cubs Go!
THE RIOT!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Theriot All Star Challenge
Come on Chicago, we need to get out the vote. So far the Brewers have been able to stuff the ballot box with votes for their sub par players. Let's get a real All Star in there at SS and vote in The Riot.
That's right, follow this link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/ballot.html vote early and vote often. You are allowed 10 votes per email address. Vote for The Riot and the rest of the cubs (except of course Derek Lee)
In the pitching category of most damage done to a Gatorade Machine I really think the Cubs staff if by far and away the most dominate.
Riot!
That's right, follow this link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/ballot.html vote early and vote often. You are allowed 10 votes per email address. Vote for The Riot and the rest of the cubs (except of course Derek Lee)
In the pitching category of most damage done to a Gatorade Machine I really think the Cubs staff if by far and away the most dominate.
Riot!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sliding Cubs need serious shakeup
Ok, we've got to be getting close to rock bottom. First we get swept by the Cardinals giving up hit upon hit to Poo hole and his now giant Melon size head. Seriously, how has this guy avoided the steroid talk. I mean take a look a picture his rookie year, i swear his helmet size is at least 2 sizes smaller. And look at the baggy Manny style uniform. We know Manny's motivation for that. At least I can take solice in two things: 1. Poo hole's testes have to be the size peas by now 2. I've successfully worked in the word testes into 2 straight posts...yet I digress.
Upon that sweep at the hands of the team that shall no longer be named, we get shut out and swept by one of the worst teams in the NL. And if all that wasn't bad enough, we the lose a game to the pirates...the FREAKING PIRATES...in a game where we score 8 runs (more that in the previous road trip combined)
Well these desperate times call for desperate measures. Kyle and I worked this all out over lunch at Qdoba, so relax Lou just follow this program step by step and we'll back on track before you know it.
The infield without A-Ram is overwhelmingly weak, of course Theriot is the staple (really the best hitter on the entire team right now) and the rest of the infield is pretty much some david eckstein wanna be's (Sorry Fonty, we love you but you gotta be above the mendoza line to get a free pass). In addition we have too many people that can only play outfield and we need to get Micah Hoffpauer more ABs.
Solution:
Move Soriano to the infield..BUT...not to second like you're thinking. That position requires good defense with cut off throws, double play turns / feeds, and covers on stolen bases. Soriano is more suited to play 3rd with Rammy out. Think about it, he can field grounders just well enough to make the easy playsand we know he's got to gun for it. It just makes too much sense. After all we did have Ron Cey play 3rd for years, and a propped up wooden plank would play better defense than Ron Cey.
Next, even though this move opens up a position in the outfield that seems like a logical place to put Hoffpauer we really need him to be playing firstbase everyday. This would remove the burden of Derek Lee stinking up the 3 hole and open the door for a fake injury / subsequent rehab stint in the minors to work things out. This still leaves a hole open in the outfield which makes sense for Reed Johnson.
Now the outfield has 2 centerfielders and only really loses Soriano's rocket arm. The infield gains 2 power hitters at the corners that can hit in the middle of the lineup instead of the Freel / Lee combo of light hitting softies. When Lee get's straighted out he can work into a a Platoon playing first base against lefties and give Reed the occasional day off.
Turn the lineup into something like this:
Theriot
Fukudome
Soriano
Hoffpauer
Bradley
Soto
Fontenot/Miles/Freel/Scales whoever plays 2nd base
Johnson
Pitcher
This improves the line up by putting in more power with Rammy out and aleviate the need to play a combo of 2 of our 4 non hitting middle infielders. Also, I know for some reason Soriano is married to the lead off spot. But you CANNOT survive with you best (by far) power hitter in the lead off spot.
Another somewhat appealing option would be to teach Zambrano how to play 2nd and stick him out there everyday. Although we'd also have to teach him how to run to first base without pulling a hammy.
Once Rammy comes back he assumes the cleanup spot and 3rd base, Soriano shifts to second and the rest stays the same. There you have it, a simple way to get us out of this slump. Come on Lou give er a try just once!
Go Cubs!
Upon that sweep at the hands of the team that shall no longer be named, we get shut out and swept by one of the worst teams in the NL. And if all that wasn't bad enough, we the lose a game to the pirates...the FREAKING PIRATES...in a game where we score 8 runs (more that in the previous road trip combined)
Well these desperate times call for desperate measures. Kyle and I worked this all out over lunch at Qdoba, so relax Lou just follow this program step by step and we'll back on track before you know it.
The infield without A-Ram is overwhelmingly weak, of course Theriot is the staple (really the best hitter on the entire team right now) and the rest of the infield is pretty much some david eckstein wanna be's (Sorry Fonty, we love you but you gotta be above the mendoza line to get a free pass). In addition we have too many people that can only play outfield and we need to get Micah Hoffpauer more ABs.
Solution:
Move Soriano to the infield..BUT...not to second like you're thinking. That position requires good defense with cut off throws, double play turns / feeds, and covers on stolen bases. Soriano is more suited to play 3rd with Rammy out. Think about it, he can field grounders just well enough to make the easy playsand we know he's got to gun for it. It just makes too much sense. After all we did have Ron Cey play 3rd for years, and a propped up wooden plank would play better defense than Ron Cey.
Next, even though this move opens up a position in the outfield that seems like a logical place to put Hoffpauer we really need him to be playing firstbase everyday. This would remove the burden of Derek Lee stinking up the 3 hole and open the door for a fake injury / subsequent rehab stint in the minors to work things out. This still leaves a hole open in the outfield which makes sense for Reed Johnson.
Now the outfield has 2 centerfielders and only really loses Soriano's rocket arm. The infield gains 2 power hitters at the corners that can hit in the middle of the lineup instead of the Freel / Lee combo of light hitting softies. When Lee get's straighted out he can work into a a Platoon playing first base against lefties and give Reed the occasional day off.
Turn the lineup into something like this:
Theriot
Fukudome
Soriano
Hoffpauer
Bradley
Soto
Fontenot/Miles/Freel/Scales whoever plays 2nd base
Johnson
Pitcher
This improves the line up by putting in more power with Rammy out and aleviate the need to play a combo of 2 of our 4 non hitting middle infielders. Also, I know for some reason Soriano is married to the lead off spot. But you CANNOT survive with you best (by far) power hitter in the lead off spot.
Another somewhat appealing option would be to teach Zambrano how to play 2nd and stick him out there everyday. Although we'd also have to teach him how to run to first base without pulling a hammy.
Once Rammy comes back he assumes the cleanup spot and 3rd base, Soriano shifts to second and the rest stays the same. There you have it, a simple way to get us out of this slump. Come on Lou give er a try just once!
Go Cubs!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Does Theriot deserve to be an All Star?
A couple of weeks ago while attending a Saturday afternoon game at Wrigley to watch the Cubs play the Marlins, a friend returned from the restroom with an All Star ballot. First of all, I couldn't believe how early the ballots were out. It was only April for crying out loud. By no means can we fairly evaluate performances of the first half after only a few weeks.
I got beyond that though and just this week looked at and filled out an online ballot form. I always try to be very objective and refrain from putting guys like Griffey Jr. into the game. I got to the NL SS section and I really started pondering..."Who has played better than Theriot at NL SS this year?" I know the 3 that will make it are Reyes, Rollins, and Hanley Ramirez. But the first 2 have played dreadful this year. Believe me, I know especially with Rollins who is acting like a boat anchor to my fantasy team. I think of Theriot's power surge this year and his timely hitting. I seriously started thinking about how much of an argument you could make for him making the team. Maybe not starting, but nonetheless I voted him as the NL SS, if for nothing else to take a vote away from the obvious trifecta that will make the team anyway.
So this morning, the Friday before Memorial Day, no one is in the office. I decided to spend some time building what I call the KASX (Kyle All Star Index). I took stats, piled them together, and created a simple little fantasy-like formula for determining who is most deserving of All Star spots as of May 22. Obviously this will change and I will try to post an update in mid June. The formula looks like this:
Total Bases: 1 point each
RBI: 1 pt
Runs: 1 pt
Stolen Bases: 2 pts
Caught Stealing: -1 pts
Walks: 1 pt
Grounded into Double Play: -2 pts
Strikeout: -1 pt
Error: -5 pts
Caught Stealing Catcher: 2 pts (need to help those catchers out somehow and it is an important part of their position)
Double Play Turned: 2 pts
I tried to mix Assists and Putouts into this by giving them each one point, but it just made things messy since 1B has so many POs and 2B and SS have so many Assists. I ran the numbers both ways and it didn't make any difference. So I removed those from the Index for now. Here are the results with the top 3 at each position, and 8 OFs deep. Starters in bold.
American League
1B: Morneau (206), Teixeria (192), Pena (180)
2B: Kinsler (208), A. Cabrera (180), Hill (175)
3B: Longoria (162), Young (113), Inge (103)
SS: Scutaro (195), Bartlett (155), Jeter (147)
C: V. Martinez (206), K. Suzuki (108), Mauer (103)
OF: Bay (172), Hunter (150), Crawford (145), Damon (143), Markakis (137), Granderson (132), Adam Jones (126), V. Wells (125)
It's crazy to see Mauer already in the top 3 catchers after only a few weeks of play. He might not catch Victor and Victor is worthy so far of starting, but Mauer is incredible.
National League
1B: Pujols (237), Adrian Gonzalez (195), Fielder (176)
2B: O. Hudson (179), Utley (153), Phillips (148)
3B: Zimmerman (126), Wright (122), Reynolds (101)
SS: H. Ramirez (143), Tejada (140), Theriot (130)
C: B. Molina (121), Martin (95), Y. Molina (90)
OF: Ibanez (169), Beltran (142), Braun (140), McLouth (126), C. Lee (123), Werth (119), Victorino (118), Pence (118)
Hudson over Utley is a surprise to me, but its a testament as to how well he has played. The difference between them is a slight TB edge for Hudson and 6 more DPs turned. Zimmerman and Wright are in a dead lock, and we all know Wright will get the votes. But just look at the SS voting. Notice who is a close 3rd. Theriot deserves to be a backup on this team. And if it weren't for Tejada's back to back huge games the last two nights, Theriot would have been in a solid 2nd place. As for Reyes and Rollins? They have 105 and 103 respectively. It will be a crime when both of them make it in over Tejada and Theriot. Especially with Manuel as the NL coach and taking his boy Rollins over a much more consistent Ryan Theriot.
Raul Ibanez has been absolutely amazing, and if fans don't realize it, they need to stop voting. Ibanez, Beltran, and Braun are head and shoulders above the rest right now. Eye opening to see all 3 Phillies OFs in the top 8 though, especially since they are known for their IF of Howard, Utley, and Rollins. Honestly, take those 6 Phillies with a guy like David Wright at 3B and Bengie Molina at C, and I could think of much worse all star teams. Crazy huh?
Anyway. Take this or leave it. I'm not trying to persuade anyone, however, if you see some names on here that surprised you, do some research and realize how great some of them have been. Morneau, Kinsler, Scutaro, Hudson, B. Molina, Ibanez, Zimmerman are all worthy. But they will be beat by underperforming Sox and Yanks players like Youkilis/Teix, Pedroia, Jeter, etc... And as a Cubs fan, I realize we get the same over-voting and a guy like Soriano or Fukudome will make it in over those 3 deserving OFs.
So Cubs nation, if you are going to focus your voting power, focus it on Ryan Theriot.
And if A-Rod beats out Longoria, you don't want to talk to me.
THE RIOT!
I got beyond that though and just this week looked at and filled out an online ballot form. I always try to be very objective and refrain from putting guys like Griffey Jr. into the game. I got to the NL SS section and I really started pondering..."Who has played better than Theriot at NL SS this year?" I know the 3 that will make it are Reyes, Rollins, and Hanley Ramirez. But the first 2 have played dreadful this year. Believe me, I know especially with Rollins who is acting like a boat anchor to my fantasy team. I think of Theriot's power surge this year and his timely hitting. I seriously started thinking about how much of an argument you could make for him making the team. Maybe not starting, but nonetheless I voted him as the NL SS, if for nothing else to take a vote away from the obvious trifecta that will make the team anyway.
So this morning, the Friday before Memorial Day, no one is in the office. I decided to spend some time building what I call the KASX (Kyle All Star Index). I took stats, piled them together, and created a simple little fantasy-like formula for determining who is most deserving of All Star spots as of May 22. Obviously this will change and I will try to post an update in mid June. The formula looks like this:
Total Bases: 1 point each
RBI: 1 pt
Runs: 1 pt
Stolen Bases: 2 pts
Caught Stealing: -1 pts
Walks: 1 pt
Grounded into Double Play: -2 pts
Strikeout: -1 pt
Error: -5 pts
Caught Stealing Catcher: 2 pts (need to help those catchers out somehow and it is an important part of their position)
Double Play Turned: 2 pts
I tried to mix Assists and Putouts into this by giving them each one point, but it just made things messy since 1B has so many POs and 2B and SS have so many Assists. I ran the numbers both ways and it didn't make any difference. So I removed those from the Index for now. Here are the results with the top 3 at each position, and 8 OFs deep. Starters in bold.
American League
1B: Morneau (206), Teixeria (192), Pena (180)
2B: Kinsler (208), A. Cabrera (180), Hill (175)
3B: Longoria (162), Young (113), Inge (103)
SS: Scutaro (195), Bartlett (155), Jeter (147)
C: V. Martinez (206), K. Suzuki (108), Mauer (103)
OF: Bay (172), Hunter (150), Crawford (145), Damon (143), Markakis (137), Granderson (132), Adam Jones (126), V. Wells (125)
It's crazy to see Mauer already in the top 3 catchers after only a few weeks of play. He might not catch Victor and Victor is worthy so far of starting, but Mauer is incredible.
National League
1B: Pujols (237), Adrian Gonzalez (195), Fielder (176)
2B: O. Hudson (179), Utley (153), Phillips (148)
3B: Zimmerman (126), Wright (122), Reynolds (101)
SS: H. Ramirez (143), Tejada (140), Theriot (130)
C: B. Molina (121), Martin (95), Y. Molina (90)
OF: Ibanez (169), Beltran (142), Braun (140), McLouth (126), C. Lee (123), Werth (119), Victorino (118), Pence (118)
Hudson over Utley is a surprise to me, but its a testament as to how well he has played. The difference between them is a slight TB edge for Hudson and 6 more DPs turned. Zimmerman and Wright are in a dead lock, and we all know Wright will get the votes. But just look at the SS voting. Notice who is a close 3rd. Theriot deserves to be a backup on this team. And if it weren't for Tejada's back to back huge games the last two nights, Theriot would have been in a solid 2nd place. As for Reyes and Rollins? They have 105 and 103 respectively. It will be a crime when both of them make it in over Tejada and Theriot. Especially with Manuel as the NL coach and taking his boy Rollins over a much more consistent Ryan Theriot.
Raul Ibanez has been absolutely amazing, and if fans don't realize it, they need to stop voting. Ibanez, Beltran, and Braun are head and shoulders above the rest right now. Eye opening to see all 3 Phillies OFs in the top 8 though, especially since they are known for their IF of Howard, Utley, and Rollins. Honestly, take those 6 Phillies with a guy like David Wright at 3B and Bengie Molina at C, and I could think of much worse all star teams. Crazy huh?
Anyway. Take this or leave it. I'm not trying to persuade anyone, however, if you see some names on here that surprised you, do some research and realize how great some of them have been. Morneau, Kinsler, Scutaro, Hudson, B. Molina, Ibanez, Zimmerman are all worthy. But they will be beat by underperforming Sox and Yanks players like Youkilis/Teix, Pedroia, Jeter, etc... And as a Cubs fan, I realize we get the same over-voting and a guy like Soriano or Fukudome will make it in over those 3 deserving OFs.
So Cubs nation, if you are going to focus your voting power, focus it on Ryan Theriot.
And if A-Rod beats out Longoria, you don't want to talk to me.
THE RIOT!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Bartman....Hero??
After yesterdays news about Manny Ramirez it got me thinking, is the Cubs curse and the failed 2003 season really a blessing in disguise? Is Steve Bartman really a hero, and not the scapegoat of that failed season. (For the record I never blamed Bartman for that, Alex Gonzalez's error and Prior's choking up hits are far more to blame)
Have I finally gone completely insane you ask? Hear me out. As much as 2003 hurt, there now seems to be a silver lining to NOT winning the World Series that year. You need to look no further for proof than squarely at Manny Ramirez and the 2004 season. Before that season Red Sox and Cubs fans had always been kindred spirits, sort of an understood shared suffering between the two of us made us brothers of baseball misery.
After 2004, that all changed and the Red Sox turned more into the Yankees than the loveable losers that reside in the Friendly Confines. But now doubt is cast on those teams, Manny is a steroid user. So much so that he had to take a drug to resurect his steriod abused and decimated testes. (I'm really excited to use the word testes in a post). Seriously, that's a lot of steriod use and I can barely understand it. I mean there are two things that I would not risk in order to make money or win baseball games, and they are my testes.
Manny has obviously been a long time user, and based on major dropoff in numbers it seems to cast circumstancial suspicion Big Papi David Ortiz and others...In fact just how many Players on that team were users? I think time will perhaps tell....
So my point, which I know you've been patiently waited for. The feeling for those Red Sox fans in 2004, to end their curse and finally win a World Series is now tainted. The greatest moment as fans in all Red Sox lives is a fake, an asterix, a yeah, but... And any Red Sox fan who would tell you different is deluding themselves.
Think about it, if the Cubs won the Series in 2003 you know Sammy Sosa was on that team. What if it came out that Prior was on the Juice? Moises Alou? Others? Anyone during that decade of baseball is (unfairly) looked upon with a little bit of suspicion. So I ask you this, as a long suffering Cubs fan. Would you take a tainted World Series, just to finally win the series? I say no.
Look, eventually some day the Cubs are going to win a World Series (i hope) and thanks in part to Steve Bartman that Series won't be tainted. We have testing in baseball, it's obvioulsy catching people like A-Rod and Manny, and we can at least more safely say that players are more legit.
For the first time sing 2004, I feel sorry for Red Sox fans, not because I can identity with them as cursed lovable losers anymore. But becuase they finally beat the curse, but have to live with the tainted fact that they cheated to do it. Who would have thought, the goat....a blessing...not a curse. The Cubs still have a chance to end the curse and win a LEGITIMATE World Series...and in a way, we have Steve Bartman to thank for it...
Go Cubs!
Have I finally gone completely insane you ask? Hear me out. As much as 2003 hurt, there now seems to be a silver lining to NOT winning the World Series that year. You need to look no further for proof than squarely at Manny Ramirez and the 2004 season. Before that season Red Sox and Cubs fans had always been kindred spirits, sort of an understood shared suffering between the two of us made us brothers of baseball misery.
After 2004, that all changed and the Red Sox turned more into the Yankees than the loveable losers that reside in the Friendly Confines. But now doubt is cast on those teams, Manny is a steroid user. So much so that he had to take a drug to resurect his steriod abused and decimated testes. (I'm really excited to use the word testes in a post). Seriously, that's a lot of steriod use and I can barely understand it. I mean there are two things that I would not risk in order to make money or win baseball games, and they are my testes.
Manny has obviously been a long time user, and based on major dropoff in numbers it seems to cast circumstancial suspicion Big Papi David Ortiz and others...In fact just how many Players on that team were users? I think time will perhaps tell....
So my point, which I know you've been patiently waited for. The feeling for those Red Sox fans in 2004, to end their curse and finally win a World Series is now tainted. The greatest moment as fans in all Red Sox lives is a fake, an asterix, a yeah, but... And any Red Sox fan who would tell you different is deluding themselves.
Think about it, if the Cubs won the Series in 2003 you know Sammy Sosa was on that team. What if it came out that Prior was on the Juice? Moises Alou? Others? Anyone during that decade of baseball is (unfairly) looked upon with a little bit of suspicion. So I ask you this, as a long suffering Cubs fan. Would you take a tainted World Series, just to finally win the series? I say no.
Look, eventually some day the Cubs are going to win a World Series (i hope) and thanks in part to Steve Bartman that Series won't be tainted. We have testing in baseball, it's obvioulsy catching people like A-Rod and Manny, and we can at least more safely say that players are more legit.
For the first time sing 2004, I feel sorry for Red Sox fans, not because I can identity with them as cursed lovable losers anymore. But becuase they finally beat the curse, but have to live with the tainted fact that they cheated to do it. Who would have thought, the goat....a blessing...not a curse. The Cubs still have a chance to end the curse and win a LEGITIMATE World Series...and in a way, we have Steve Bartman to thank for it...
Go Cubs!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Strasburg = bad memories
Remember the last time we were all excited about the "best college pitcher of all time?" It's still a sore memory for me and most Cubs fans I'm sure. As the June baseball draft approaches I'm hearing a lot about the Nationals and the first pick, which as a forgone conclusion will be the latest "best college pitcher of all time" Steven Strasburg. The only real question is, "Will he be any good?" and if so for how long.
Every time i hear the topic on Baseball Tonight or Mike and Mike I cringe. Invariably come the comparisons of Strasburg to guys like Mark Prior and Brian Taylor and Todd VanPoppel. A pretty exclusive list don't you think. Sort of like a Bucket List, only more like a Bust List.
I'm not sure what Strasburg is going to be, the savior of the pathetic Nationals? Will he make the Bust List? It definitely appears that he has the stuff to be dominate, I've heard tales of 102 mph fastballs and 96 mph sliders. Could you imagine a slider coming at you at 96 then breaking over the plate for a strike? Talk about a knee buckler, you'd have to invent a new name for that one. Right as you're about poo you pants with a bean ball barrelling at your mellon, you hit the deck cower and fear and regain conciousness just in time to hear the umpire call it a strike.
Then again, stuff was never the problem for Prior either. Prior threw a mid 90's fastball and had a devastating curve ball he could regularly throw for strikes. No, stuff was never a problem for Prior, injuries have been haunting him. Some question his heart or competive drive but all that's a bunch of junk. The guy couldn't stay healthy, and if you're not healthy you can't pitch effectively and putting yourself in a game in that scenerio is just going to end up with you getting rocked.
What is so killer about Prior is that he wasn't just another prospect, not to us at Wrigley. The guy was a stud, our savior, payback for our idiotic team ownership letting Maddux get away and spend his best years in Atlanta. Prior was going to be "our" guy, what Kerry Wood always had promised but never quite delivered even though we still love Woody. Prior was going to take us to the World Series, the missing piece. And then Bartman happened....Dusty Baker happened...The line drive off the elbow...The shoulder...A perfect storm of events worthy of the cubs curse itself. The only think missing was a rabid goat storming on the field and chewing Mark's right hand off.
So now Prior is a Padre (sort of), hasn't pitched in almost 3 years and his career is in effect over. Not very fulfilling for "the greatest college pitcher of all time"...So now that title falls to Steven Strasburg, and soon he will be a Washingon National, making 10 million dollars a year and will have the tag of savior to a fanchise put squarely on his shoulders. Sound Familiar....well it sounds all too familar, to me
good luck Steven...you're going to need it. And if you see any mentally unstable looking goats running on the filed...RUN!!!
Every time i hear the topic on Baseball Tonight or Mike and Mike I cringe. Invariably come the comparisons of Strasburg to guys like Mark Prior and Brian Taylor and Todd VanPoppel. A pretty exclusive list don't you think. Sort of like a Bucket List, only more like a Bust List.
I'm not sure what Strasburg is going to be, the savior of the pathetic Nationals? Will he make the Bust List? It definitely appears that he has the stuff to be dominate, I've heard tales of 102 mph fastballs and 96 mph sliders. Could you imagine a slider coming at you at 96 then breaking over the plate for a strike? Talk about a knee buckler, you'd have to invent a new name for that one. Right as you're about poo you pants with a bean ball barrelling at your mellon, you hit the deck cower and fear and regain conciousness just in time to hear the umpire call it a strike.
Then again, stuff was never the problem for Prior either. Prior threw a mid 90's fastball and had a devastating curve ball he could regularly throw for strikes. No, stuff was never a problem for Prior, injuries have been haunting him. Some question his heart or competive drive but all that's a bunch of junk. The guy couldn't stay healthy, and if you're not healthy you can't pitch effectively and putting yourself in a game in that scenerio is just going to end up with you getting rocked.
What is so killer about Prior is that he wasn't just another prospect, not to us at Wrigley. The guy was a stud, our savior, payback for our idiotic team ownership letting Maddux get away and spend his best years in Atlanta. Prior was going to be "our" guy, what Kerry Wood always had promised but never quite delivered even though we still love Woody. Prior was going to take us to the World Series, the missing piece. And then Bartman happened....Dusty Baker happened...The line drive off the elbow...The shoulder...A perfect storm of events worthy of the cubs curse itself. The only think missing was a rabid goat storming on the field and chewing Mark's right hand off.
So now Prior is a Padre (sort of), hasn't pitched in almost 3 years and his career is in effect over. Not very fulfilling for "the greatest college pitcher of all time"...So now that title falls to Steven Strasburg, and soon he will be a Washingon National, making 10 million dollars a year and will have the tag of savior to a fanchise put squarely on his shoulders. Sound Familiar....well it sounds all too familar, to me
good luck Steven...you're going to need it. And if you see any mentally unstable looking goats running on the filed...RUN!!!
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