In the who gives phuck department, the girl horses (sorry, that's what fillies are) won the series. The phinal innings were carried on the weather channel for those of you who missed it. Major networks pulled out due to lack of interest. Somewhere, Tim McCarver is probably still talking.
Too bad, phor it would have been phun to see the Tampa phans celebrate. I can only imagine the mayhem and tipping of golph carts. Rest homes adding an hour to lights out and early bird specials extended to 7pm. It would have been insane.
Thankphully, it's over and we can get back to the real world. By the way, both Chicago and Anaheim had glorious weather all week and would have been perphect venues to play.
In case you didn't see the sportswire, Casey McGeeHeeHaw was picked up on waivers by the Brewers. Aramis can now stop worrying about his job.
Thank you phor the comments and suggestions re: the Shermies. Since this was the phirst year, I'll admit that perhaps I missed a phew. Mojo gets the Golden Shermie for keeping his sense of humor during a very tough year. Ravage gets the Rojo Shermita for not staying in Cozumel so that we could win the world series.
Now we can start building next year's team. I, phor one, have very high hopes.
best to cb
js
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Uh oh
For one thing, the world series won't end. When I suggested a million inning tie? I was kidding. Apparently it isn't always sunny in Philadelphia. Not that I care.
Read the male bag yesterday. Or is it mail bag? Should be the former because it contains a scrotum's full of info. Two things caught my interest and one made me say "uh oh"
Of interest. We can't have Manny because we have Soriano. Period. Maybe there's a law I don't know about. Of interest. Hoffpauir can't play first unless Derrek Lee agrees to share. Uh-oh. Felix Pie is out of options and WILL make the big league team next year. So, we have to carry this guy whether he can cut it or not? Instead of who? Hoffpauir? Edmonds? So what do we do with the Japanese Pie?
How come OUR prospects always turn into Felix Pie (or Corey Patterson, or whoever) and other teams end up with guys like BJ Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span, Jay Bruce, Nate McLouth and so on. Is it so hard to develop good young outfielders? Or just for the Cubs?
Yeah, yeah. Geovany Soto worked out nicely. I hear you. How many Bobby Hills and Kevin Ories do we need to live through for every good one like Soto? And why no outfielders? Who was the last good outfielder to come through our system, and stick?
Well, with Pie on the roster all year, at least we don't have to worry about who's going to bat in that pesky 8 spot.
I will be out of town, sans laptop (that means without it, Smitty) until Wednesday night -- so you are going to have to live with Shermrants for a couple of days. Here's what I suggest. Go back and read some of the older ones.
best to cb
JS
Read the male bag yesterday. Or is it mail bag? Should be the former because it contains a scrotum's full of info. Two things caught my interest and one made me say "uh oh"
Of interest. We can't have Manny because we have Soriano. Period. Maybe there's a law I don't know about. Of interest. Hoffpauir can't play first unless Derrek Lee agrees to share. Uh-oh. Felix Pie is out of options and WILL make the big league team next year. So, we have to carry this guy whether he can cut it or not? Instead of who? Hoffpauir? Edmonds? So what do we do with the Japanese Pie?
How come OUR prospects always turn into Felix Pie (or Corey Patterson, or whoever) and other teams end up with guys like BJ Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span, Jay Bruce, Nate McLouth and so on. Is it so hard to develop good young outfielders? Or just for the Cubs?
Yeah, yeah. Geovany Soto worked out nicely. I hear you. How many Bobby Hills and Kevin Ories do we need to live through for every good one like Soto? And why no outfielders? Who was the last good outfielder to come through our system, and stick?
Well, with Pie on the roster all year, at least we don't have to worry about who's going to bat in that pesky 8 spot.
I will be out of town, sans laptop (that means without it, Smitty) until Wednesday night -- so you are going to have to live with Shermrants for a couple of days. Here's what I suggest. Go back and read some of the older ones.
best to cb
JS
Monday, October 27, 2008
why don't they understand that it's over?
Yesterday after church, some knucklehead asked me if I saw the last inning of Saturday's game. Something about a five man infield or some such nonsense. I told him that baseball was officially over for the year and "what game?"
Why won't they just leave me alone?
If the Fillies and the Raes played to a one million inning 0 - 0 tie? That'd be okay with me as long as it didn't preempt my "shows." I really like "Life" about the cop who was in jail but got out because he didn't do it and now he's still a cop but wants to find out who framed him in the first place. It's pretty good. Sons of Anarchy is good, too, but I think I'm getting off track.
Question: who's ugliest? Wanda Sykes, CCH Pounder, Whoopi, or the black lady on Without a Trace? Answer: They all pretty damn ugly.
Rumor is that the Brewers have offered CC 4 years at 100 mil. And Flintstone-like food. He should take it because he's fat. And then they'd have no money to sign Hardy or Cecil. Or Laurel or Beanie, for that matter.
Aramis Ramirez won the Hank Aaron award. I think it's for being the most offensive player in the league, which just seems rude, but whatever.
best to cb
Sherm
Why won't they just leave me alone?
If the Fillies and the Raes played to a one million inning 0 - 0 tie? That'd be okay with me as long as it didn't preempt my "shows." I really like "Life" about the cop who was in jail but got out because he didn't do it and now he's still a cop but wants to find out who framed him in the first place. It's pretty good. Sons of Anarchy is good, too, but I think I'm getting off track.
Question: who's ugliest? Wanda Sykes, CCH Pounder, Whoopi, or the black lady on Without a Trace? Answer: They all pretty damn ugly.
Rumor is that the Brewers have offered CC 4 years at 100 mil. And Flintstone-like food. He should take it because he's fat. And then they'd have no money to sign Hardy or Cecil. Or Laurel or Beanie, for that matter.
Aramis Ramirez won the Hank Aaron award. I think it's for being the most offensive player in the league, which just seems rude, but whatever.
best to cb
Sherm
Saturday, October 25, 2008
THE SHERMIES!!!!!
Yes, indeed, it is time for the First Annual SHERMIE Awards!
Let's jump right in to this year's awards!
> The "Hop to it" Shermie: goes to Alfonso "Hoppity Hooper" Soriano. This award was formerly known as "The Varsho" and before that, "The Moreland."
> The "Guy who kept us from winning 100 games this year" Shermie: Goes to Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves. Honorable mention for this award goes to Jeff Bennett. Okay, I'll explain. Jurrjens was supposed to pitch against the Cubs the next day and walking out of Wrigley field after a game, twists his ankle on some steps in the clubhouse. Can't start. Bennett does, and promptly nails Soriano in the hand, costing us our 100 game season. Go with it.
> The "Bucket List" Shermie: goes to Kosuke Fukudome. Only guy I've ever seen run into the first base coach. During his swing.
> The "Johnny Cash" Shermie: goes to Ryan Dempster, the game one playoff starter. Why? He "walked the line(up)"
> The "Granny" Shermie: to Carlos Zambrano who went to see his dead grandmother and pretty much blew for the balance of the year. Throws a no hitter, visits granny, stinks. In that order.
> The "Yips" Shermie: To the entire Cub infield for their endearing postseason play
> The "Hoffy" Shermie: To the best hitter we have who didn't make the (offensively anemic) postseason roster.
> The "Unused" Shermie: It's a tie. One goes to Reed Johnson who did nothing except spark the team and help us win all year -- and who didn't see the field in the playoffs. Maybe Lou was saving him for the Phillies? And the other goes to Ted Lilly, the only pitcher with 16 wins in the playoffs who didn't even warm up.
> The "AL Manager of the Year" Shermie: to Jim Leyland, who took that Tiger team and monster payroll and parlayed it into 74 wins and a finish BEHIND Kansas City. The Royals, for those of you who didn't remember that they had a baseball team.
> The "NL Manager of the Year" Shermie: As much as I'd love to stick a Shermie to Dusty Baker for ruining the Reds...it goes to Bud Black and his 99 loss Padres. Someone please save Jake Peavy. Could it be the Prior factor?
> The "fat" Shermie: Tie between CC and Cecil.
> The "Blackwell" Shermie, in honor of the recently departed, Mr. Blackwell: goes to Greg Gagne for wearing Cecil's uniform.
> The "Separated at birth" Shermie: to Kevin Youkilis for resembling our own Doc Ravage.
> The "Bad Taste" Shermie: to ARod. Is he really seeing Madonna? Yuk. That's just nasty.
> The "Around the World" Shermie" aka the combined distance of the balls hit off of him: Bobby Howry. Gave up thirteen homers. So did Brandon Webb. In three times the innings. Cliff Lee allowed 12 in 30 starts.
> The "Hamburger Helper" Shermie: to Derrek Lee for worst use of ground round.
> The "Best Debut game that turned to Shit" to Kosuke Fukudome for having one good game and fooling us into thinking he could play big boy baseball in America. He seems very surprised by live pitching. What did he play in Japan? T-ball?
> The "Without a Trace" Shermie: goes to Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano for their disappearing act in the playoffs. Someone call Anthony LaPaglia.
Finally, we have just "The SHERMIE" --
To Andruw Jones. 36 mil, two year contract. Guy bats .158 with 3 homers and 14 rbi's. Lost his stranglehold on the fourth outfielder slot when they got Manny. Just for perspective -- Carlos DelGado pretty much had a better season on JUNE 27th -- when he hit two homers and had nine rbi's.
What's that? You want more? Oh, okay.
The "Regular Update" Shermie: goes to Phil Smith for his diligence at keeping his website up to date. I think his last post mentions the acquisition of Jim Edmonds.
The "Something to strive for" Shermie: goes to the hirejimessian.com website which keeps me trying to increase my readership to maybe, I don't know, five or six people?
The "I can only dream" Shermie: to Mark Cuban for next year's $220M payroll and a world series championship!
More later. Or not.
best to cb
Thanks for tuning in. Without your comments, it's all in my head.
Sherm
Let's jump right in to this year's awards!
> The "Hop to it" Shermie: goes to Alfonso "Hoppity Hooper" Soriano. This award was formerly known as "The Varsho" and before that, "The Moreland."
> The "Guy who kept us from winning 100 games this year" Shermie: Goes to Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves. Honorable mention for this award goes to Jeff Bennett. Okay, I'll explain. Jurrjens was supposed to pitch against the Cubs the next day and walking out of Wrigley field after a game, twists his ankle on some steps in the clubhouse. Can't start. Bennett does, and promptly nails Soriano in the hand, costing us our 100 game season. Go with it.
> The "Bucket List" Shermie: goes to Kosuke Fukudome. Only guy I've ever seen run into the first base coach. During his swing.
> The "Johnny Cash" Shermie: goes to Ryan Dempster, the game one playoff starter. Why? He "walked the line(up)"
> The "Granny" Shermie: to Carlos Zambrano who went to see his dead grandmother and pretty much blew for the balance of the year. Throws a no hitter, visits granny, stinks. In that order.
> The "Yips" Shermie: To the entire Cub infield for their endearing postseason play
> The "Hoffy" Shermie: To the best hitter we have who didn't make the (offensively anemic) postseason roster.
> The "Unused" Shermie: It's a tie. One goes to Reed Johnson who did nothing except spark the team and help us win all year -- and who didn't see the field in the playoffs. Maybe Lou was saving him for the Phillies? And the other goes to Ted Lilly, the only pitcher with 16 wins in the playoffs who didn't even warm up.
> The "AL Manager of the Year" Shermie: to Jim Leyland, who took that Tiger team and monster payroll and parlayed it into 74 wins and a finish BEHIND Kansas City. The Royals, for those of you who didn't remember that they had a baseball team.
> The "NL Manager of the Year" Shermie: As much as I'd love to stick a Shermie to Dusty Baker for ruining the Reds...it goes to Bud Black and his 99 loss Padres. Someone please save Jake Peavy. Could it be the Prior factor?
> The "fat" Shermie: Tie between CC and Cecil.
> The "Blackwell" Shermie, in honor of the recently departed, Mr. Blackwell: goes to Greg Gagne for wearing Cecil's uniform.
> The "Separated at birth" Shermie: to Kevin Youkilis for resembling our own Doc Ravage.
> The "Bad Taste" Shermie: to ARod. Is he really seeing Madonna? Yuk. That's just nasty.
> The "Around the World" Shermie" aka the combined distance of the balls hit off of him: Bobby Howry. Gave up thirteen homers. So did Brandon Webb. In three times the innings. Cliff Lee allowed 12 in 30 starts.
> The "Hamburger Helper" Shermie: to Derrek Lee for worst use of ground round.
> The "Best Debut game that turned to Shit" to Kosuke Fukudome for having one good game and fooling us into thinking he could play big boy baseball in America. He seems very surprised by live pitching. What did he play in Japan? T-ball?
> The "Without a Trace" Shermie: goes to Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano for their disappearing act in the playoffs. Someone call Anthony LaPaglia.
Finally, we have just "The SHERMIE" --
To Andruw Jones. 36 mil, two year contract. Guy bats .158 with 3 homers and 14 rbi's. Lost his stranglehold on the fourth outfielder slot when they got Manny. Just for perspective -- Carlos DelGado pretty much had a better season on JUNE 27th -- when he hit two homers and had nine rbi's.
What's that? You want more? Oh, okay.
The "Regular Update" Shermie: goes to Phil Smith for his diligence at keeping his website up to date. I think his last post mentions the acquisition of Jim Edmonds.
The "Something to strive for" Shermie: goes to the hirejimessian.com website which keeps me trying to increase my readership to maybe, I don't know, five or six people?
The "I can only dream" Shermie: to Mark Cuban for next year's $220M payroll and a world series championship!
More later. Or not.
best to cb
Thanks for tuning in. Without your comments, it's all in my head.
Sherm
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Jim Hendry
Hendry got a four year extension...which I have to believe that he deserved. All things considered, I think he's done a good job. Juggling this new owner, the pending sale, the team budget and so on? It can't be easy and I think he's done as well as he can -- plus he's pulled off a couple of very good deals.
It wouldn't have hurt us to rent Manny last year. I wonder why we didn't get into that. The Dodgers didn't give up anything in the deal. Sure, LaRoche, but we had to have something as good or better than that for Pittsburgh...
Edmonds and Johnson were a very good centerfield platoon -- I wonder what we'll do for that position in 2009? I don't think we'll see a repeat platoon. Anyone out there think that Pie is ready? Why is our "young" guy always not ready? Why are Gomez, Span, Upton and a host of other young centerfielders ready? Soto made the transition to the bigs. Why can't Pie? He's a five tool guy. He can field. He can run. He can field. And he can field. I'd say that if we can't sign a big bat for right field, resign Edmonds and Johnson...but I don't think it will happen. Both showed that they can still play and at least will sign elsewhere.
I think that if Fukuwasteofmoneydome doesn't hit over .300 in spring training? Send him for a season of AAA ball. He's got to learn to hit somewhere and the big club is not on the job training for a contender. Sorry, Kosuke, here's a camera. Go see America by bus.
I am working on a great "column." Can I call it that? Anyhoo...stay tuned. Sorry. That might have been a shameless plug. You know what that makes me. Oh, well.
Oh, to be a Luddite.
best to cb.
Sherm
It wouldn't have hurt us to rent Manny last year. I wonder why we didn't get into that. The Dodgers didn't give up anything in the deal. Sure, LaRoche, but we had to have something as good or better than that for Pittsburgh...
Edmonds and Johnson were a very good centerfield platoon -- I wonder what we'll do for that position in 2009? I don't think we'll see a repeat platoon. Anyone out there think that Pie is ready? Why is our "young" guy always not ready? Why are Gomez, Span, Upton and a host of other young centerfielders ready? Soto made the transition to the bigs. Why can't Pie? He's a five tool guy. He can field. He can run. He can field. And he can field. I'd say that if we can't sign a big bat for right field, resign Edmonds and Johnson...but I don't think it will happen. Both showed that they can still play and at least will sign elsewhere.
I think that if Fukuwasteofmoneydome doesn't hit over .300 in spring training? Send him for a season of AAA ball. He's got to learn to hit somewhere and the big club is not on the job training for a contender. Sorry, Kosuke, here's a camera. Go see America by bus.
I am working on a great "column." Can I call it that? Anyhoo...stay tuned. Sorry. That might have been a shameless plug. You know what that makes me. Oh, well.
Oh, to be a Luddite.
best to cb.
Sherm
Monday, October 20, 2008
Yawn
So, how about those Bears? Or Packers? Or whoever.
Whatever.
Right now I just don't have anything "basebally" to say. I don't care about the World Series. I don't care about the awards. I don't care about any of it.
When can we start signing and trading people?
best to cb
js
Whatever.
Right now I just don't have anything "basebally" to say. I don't care about the World Series. I don't care about the awards. I don't care about any of it.
When can we start signing and trading people?
best to cb
js
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sox - Rays
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm going to watch tonight's game. I know that baseball is officially over for me -- but I choose to watch. It's that or Missouri - Texas...and I need more baseball right now, not football. I'm rooting for the Red Sox. I'd pretend that they're the Cubs, but I don't want to jinx them.
I hate this time of year. I live for baseball box scores, and one every other day just doesn't get it done. When does spring training start again? When are the winter meetings? Who can we get for D.Lee? What the hell am I going to type about every day? Oh, I'll think of something...
I'd like to see Jake Peavy as a Cub, but don't get raped to get it done. Better to overpay a free agent than to deplete the system, I think.
I saw a movie last night about some old lady trying to set up her cable. Weird.
Well, gotta run. Or limp. Whatever.
Best to cb
JS
I hate this time of year. I live for baseball box scores, and one every other day just doesn't get it done. When does spring training start again? When are the winter meetings? Who can we get for D.Lee? What the hell am I going to type about every day? Oh, I'll think of something...
I'd like to see Jake Peavy as a Cub, but don't get raped to get it done. Better to overpay a free agent than to deplete the system, I think.
I saw a movie last night about some old lady trying to set up her cable. Weird.
Well, gotta run. Or limp. Whatever.
Best to cb
JS
Thursday, October 16, 2008
You have to enjoy watching the Red Sox
Whether they end up beating Tampa or not...they are fun to watch. They have discipline. They always seem loose, regardless of the situation -- and you just had to know when the cut that lead from 7 - 0 to 7 - 4 that they were probably going to win.
I loved the call "this would be a good time for Drew to show some of that Mickey Mantle power" and he jacks one out on that pitch to make it 7 - 6. How about that Chip Caray after all?
What was I saying about tough outs? Did you see this game? There are about 5 or 6 tough outs on EACH team.
Great comment during the broadcast that "Cliff Floyd has been a winner everywhere he's ever been." Oops. Except the Chicago national league ballclub.
Great quote in the SoCal paper yesterday. Actually two. Both Manny.
1. This is just like it was in Cleveland. The fans love me. Now we have to see if management loves me, too.
2. (and this one instantly becomes my all time favorite) -- He says "I'm a five tool player. I can hit. I play left field. I can steal a few bases. And I can hit." Classic.
The only people less happy than Tampa fans (that sounds odd. Do they actually HAVE fans?) are Yankee fans.
Best move of the night? Using Papelbon early to stem the tide. Gives up a double to Upton...two runs charged to Del Carmen...and then...NOTHING. Letting his team come back.
Cub baseball. I have been giving it a great deal of thought. We need to trade Lee and get Teixiera. Period. If we only make one major change this offseason, that's the one. Re-sign Hendry. Re-sign Dempster and Wood. The rest of the team, while not perfect...is good enough.
Unless someone thinks that Hoffpauir can play outfield everyday...trade him to an American League team or someone who needs a firstbaseman. Get something for him. His stock will never be higher than it is right now.
Separated at birth: Joe Maddon and Eric Burden.
more later. or not.
best to cb
Sherm
I loved the call "this would be a good time for Drew to show some of that Mickey Mantle power" and he jacks one out on that pitch to make it 7 - 6. How about that Chip Caray after all?
What was I saying about tough outs? Did you see this game? There are about 5 or 6 tough outs on EACH team.
Great comment during the broadcast that "Cliff Floyd has been a winner everywhere he's ever been." Oops. Except the Chicago national league ballclub.
Great quote in the SoCal paper yesterday. Actually two. Both Manny.
1. This is just like it was in Cleveland. The fans love me. Now we have to see if management loves me, too.
2. (and this one instantly becomes my all time favorite) -- He says "I'm a five tool player. I can hit. I play left field. I can steal a few bases. And I can hit." Classic.
The only people less happy than Tampa fans (that sounds odd. Do they actually HAVE fans?) are Yankee fans.
Best move of the night? Using Papelbon early to stem the tide. Gives up a double to Upton...two runs charged to Del Carmen...and then...NOTHING. Letting his team come back.
Cub baseball. I have been giving it a great deal of thought. We need to trade Lee and get Teixiera. Period. If we only make one major change this offseason, that's the one. Re-sign Hendry. Re-sign Dempster and Wood. The rest of the team, while not perfect...is good enough.
Unless someone thinks that Hoffpauir can play outfield everyday...trade him to an American League team or someone who needs a firstbaseman. Get something for him. His stock will never be higher than it is right now.
Separated at birth: Joe Maddon and Eric Burden.
more later. or not.
best to cb
Sherm
Just Manny...going home
And so the highly publicized Manny and the Dodgers can go home and shut up. Finally.
They weren't that good to begin with. Yes...we were just that bad, thank you very much.
And so the Phillies are the best team in the (gag, choke) national league. I have to say that they are because they are going to the world series. To play the Rays? Probably. While I watch what? The new adventures of old Christine? What a shitty October, baseball fans.
I figured out why it is so important for the Cub "Seniors" to win the game against the campers on that final day at fantasy camp. For former Cubs, it's the only time in their career that they get to win the last game of the season.
Where will Manny go? Some say Mets. Some say Yankees. I don't think he'll stay in LA, but maybe -- stranger things have happened, and the team responded well with him. It doesn't hurt to have Joe Torre as manager. I don't think Girardi could handle him. I say let him go back to the American League.
Oh, well...off to Atlanta in a few minutes. More later. Or not.
best to cb
js
They weren't that good to begin with. Yes...we were just that bad, thank you very much.
And so the Phillies are the best team in the (gag, choke) national league. I have to say that they are because they are going to the world series. To play the Rays? Probably. While I watch what? The new adventures of old Christine? What a shitty October, baseball fans.
I figured out why it is so important for the Cub "Seniors" to win the game against the campers on that final day at fantasy camp. For former Cubs, it's the only time in their career that they get to win the last game of the season.
Where will Manny go? Some say Mets. Some say Yankees. I don't think he'll stay in LA, but maybe -- stranger things have happened, and the team responded well with him. It doesn't hurt to have Joe Torre as manager. I don't think Girardi could handle him. I say let him go back to the American League.
Oh, well...off to Atlanta in a few minutes. More later. Or not.
best to cb
js
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pat who?
We cannot stand pat.
There are several teams in the NL that are going to be considerably better next year than this year -- namely:
1. Mets -- the young rotation is improving. All they really need is some bullpen help, and we all know that Omar Minaya will go and get it...even if he has to overpay.
2. Phillies -- can't see them being any worse, anyhow, especially if they replace "Dad" Moyer with a free agent arm. Scary lineup if they bring Burrell back.
3. Astros -- hate to say it, but they have to believe that they can win in '09 after the way they almost made it this year. Need an arm -- or to keep Wolf, but if Lee and Co. are healthy...they won't be an easy team to write off.
4. Dodgers -- will be improved through experience. Even without Manny, those young guys (and Kemp, Loney, Martin and Ethier are a talented bunch) are going to be better.
5. DBacks -- have to think they'll still be a force with that pitching staff.
Florida and Cincinnati have the personnel to be a pain in the ass all year, too.
We need to become a better team in several ways to win our division again. We need a couple of tougher outs -- including at least one big lefty bat. I don't think that will be Micah Hoffpauir. I think it SHOULD be Mark Teixiera -- we should show the baseball world we mean business and sign this guy -- early and big. Trade Lee for VALUE. And then work the other pieces in as needed. One more arm as I said yesterday. You can get value back for Marquis. I would only consider Soto and Ramirez as untouchable position players. No one is going to take Soriano off our hands...so that's moot.
I'm slightly stunned by the Rays. In the "who gives a rats ass" world series...Phils and Rays? Oh, man, will the TV people be upset. Ratings? Slightly lower than a Survivor reunion show. At least Boston - LA would have viewers. Any game after 5:00PM Eastern time won't be seen locally in Florida as all the folks will be eating early bird dinners and getting ready for bed. I won't be watching. I'll read about it in the paper.
Wow. What a disappointing year. I don't know about you guys, but for me it is just sinking in. What could have been. What should have been. What is.
best to cb
js
There are several teams in the NL that are going to be considerably better next year than this year -- namely:
1. Mets -- the young rotation is improving. All they really need is some bullpen help, and we all know that Omar Minaya will go and get it...even if he has to overpay.
2. Phillies -- can't see them being any worse, anyhow, especially if they replace "Dad" Moyer with a free agent arm. Scary lineup if they bring Burrell back.
3. Astros -- hate to say it, but they have to believe that they can win in '09 after the way they almost made it this year. Need an arm -- or to keep Wolf, but if Lee and Co. are healthy...they won't be an easy team to write off.
4. Dodgers -- will be improved through experience. Even without Manny, those young guys (and Kemp, Loney, Martin and Ethier are a talented bunch) are going to be better.
5. DBacks -- have to think they'll still be a force with that pitching staff.
Florida and Cincinnati have the personnel to be a pain in the ass all year, too.
We need to become a better team in several ways to win our division again. We need a couple of tougher outs -- including at least one big lefty bat. I don't think that will be Micah Hoffpauir. I think it SHOULD be Mark Teixiera -- we should show the baseball world we mean business and sign this guy -- early and big. Trade Lee for VALUE. And then work the other pieces in as needed. One more arm as I said yesterday. You can get value back for Marquis. I would only consider Soto and Ramirez as untouchable position players. No one is going to take Soriano off our hands...so that's moot.
I'm slightly stunned by the Rays. In the "who gives a rats ass" world series...Phils and Rays? Oh, man, will the TV people be upset. Ratings? Slightly lower than a Survivor reunion show. At least Boston - LA would have viewers. Any game after 5:00PM Eastern time won't be seen locally in Florida as all the folks will be eating early bird dinners and getting ready for bed. I won't be watching. I'll read about it in the paper.
Wow. What a disappointing year. I don't know about you guys, but for me it is just sinking in. What could have been. What should have been. What is.
best to cb
js
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
What can I say?
Not much Cub news to report. Will we re-sign Wood and Dempster? Probably. Will we be active in the free agent market? Maybe.
This year's news isn't going to be about what we do (unless it's big, and I don't think it will be. What I mean is -- don't expect Sabathia or Teixiera in Cub blue next year.) It's going to be about what others do. I expect teams to make big, bold moves to improve.
I anticipate little moves by our guys. Harden's locked up. Rotation is pretty close to set. Bullpen is pretty good. We're stuck with Neifidome. We're stuck with Strikeout-ano. There will be no change in the corner infield or behind the plate. Chances are that Theriot is locked in at short. DeRosa will play somewhere -- second and right, again, most likely platooning with Fontenot and Mendozadome. That really only leaves centerfield. Edmonds and Johnson were good enough, by far. I expect that this should be Pie's year to try to shine. Hoffy replaces Ward as PH lefty off the bench. What else can we...or will we do? Anything else is a shake up -- and I just don't see it. Not without a new owner and a new budget. I don't see a big free agent signing in our future. I don't see a CC, Burnett, Lowe, Peavy or top starter being added.
Memo to all Cub fans and song writers. Lay off the stupid songs. Every time we have a team song we lose. Well, we lose with or without the songs, but let's have a year of humility this year and let's not celebrate every home win like it's the little league World Series.
Memo to Cubs. Let's make it a more businesslike approach. Now that you've won two straight division titles -- let's not even pop champagne for that. No champagne for you until you win a playoff series. Deal?
Wasn't it Lou who left Tampa Bay a few years ago because they weren't committed enough to winning? I have pants older than that team. Do they have a fantasy camp? It would have to be all guys who are still playing.
Rumor is that the Brewers will be trading Cecil. Thoughts? I think he'll be a Yankee if that happens.
best to cb
Sherm
This year's news isn't going to be about what we do (unless it's big, and I don't think it will be. What I mean is -- don't expect Sabathia or Teixiera in Cub blue next year.) It's going to be about what others do. I expect teams to make big, bold moves to improve.
I anticipate little moves by our guys. Harden's locked up. Rotation is pretty close to set. Bullpen is pretty good. We're stuck with Neifidome. We're stuck with Strikeout-ano. There will be no change in the corner infield or behind the plate. Chances are that Theriot is locked in at short. DeRosa will play somewhere -- second and right, again, most likely platooning with Fontenot and Mendozadome. That really only leaves centerfield. Edmonds and Johnson were good enough, by far. I expect that this should be Pie's year to try to shine. Hoffy replaces Ward as PH lefty off the bench. What else can we...or will we do? Anything else is a shake up -- and I just don't see it. Not without a new owner and a new budget. I don't see a big free agent signing in our future. I don't see a CC, Burnett, Lowe, Peavy or top starter being added.
Memo to all Cub fans and song writers. Lay off the stupid songs. Every time we have a team song we lose. Well, we lose with or without the songs, but let's have a year of humility this year and let's not celebrate every home win like it's the little league World Series.
Memo to Cubs. Let's make it a more businesslike approach. Now that you've won two straight division titles -- let's not even pop champagne for that. No champagne for you until you win a playoff series. Deal?
Wasn't it Lou who left Tampa Bay a few years ago because they weren't committed enough to winning? I have pants older than that team. Do they have a fantasy camp? It would have to be all guys who are still playing.
Rumor is that the Brewers will be trading Cecil. Thoughts? I think he'll be a Yankee if that happens.
best to cb
Sherm
Friday, October 10, 2008
Big hits
Win ball games. Simple as that. See Phillies. They found a couple of DLowe mistakes and turned them into game winning runs. It can be done.
I'm not a big fan of either NL team, and I hope/think that the AL team wins it all. Not that I'm really paying any attention to it.
When are the winter meetings? Now that's what I'm waiting for!
There weren't as many homers this year as years past. I notice that no one hit seventy again. Or even sixty. Or even fifty. Anyone other than Ryan Howard get into the 40s? Why is that? What could it be? Speaking of which, do you think the "steroid era" in baseball will also be known as the "dead balls era?"
best to cb
js
I'm not a big fan of either NL team, and I hope/think that the AL team wins it all. Not that I'm really paying any attention to it.
When are the winter meetings? Now that's what I'm waiting for!
There weren't as many homers this year as years past. I notice that no one hit seventy again. Or even sixty. Or even fifty. Anyone other than Ryan Howard get into the 40s? Why is that? What could it be? Speaking of which, do you think the "steroid era" in baseball will also be known as the "dead balls era?"
best to cb
js
Thursday, October 9, 2008
What's wrong with shameless self promotion?
Not a thing, as far as I can tell. Obviously, others have a differing view.
What other kinds of self promotion are there? Besides, it's not like this blog is a big money maker or anything.
Anyhoo...
I am more and more intrigued by the Zambrano and Lee to San Fran for Lincecum deal. If we could get Teixiera...it makes perfect sense.
We still need a lead off hitter, but then we'd have (if it's okay with Alf) a three, four, five of Soriano, Teixiera, Ramirez...pretty strong, especially with the patient, switch hitting Tex in the middle of that. Think that there is any chance it happens? Or am I dreaming the Cub off season dream again?
There is talk of Bobby Abreu for right field -- he's a huge offensive upgrade over mendoza-dome, but I'm not sure he's the guy we need. Plus he's what? 34? 35? And he'll want three or four years.
Does Jim Hendry still covet Brian Roberts? I kind of hope not. He's not that big an upgrade, plus we'd lose Fontenot in the lineup altogether because that's his only position. DeRosa would lose playing time, too. Plus whatever you give up for the guy. Not sure he's worth all that. Thoughts?
Derrek Lowe is a free agent. He might fit well at Wrigley for a couple of years. That is, if we add starting pitching and don't stand pat. A lot less $$$ than CC will cost someone. Think of this rotation (if the San Fran deal actually happens): Lincecum, Lilly, Lowe, Harden, Marshall. Not shabby. And it allows Marquis to be dealt for a position player or bullpen help. Gives Samardzija another year in the pen to mature -- which allows for the immediate dismissal of Howry. Somebody will want him. Count on it.
I would like to see Nate McClouth in centerfield next year. The Pirates are always ready to trade someone pre-payday and he might be ripe for that. Plus, he'll be someone's starting CF for the next ten years. Hopefully, ours. I like Ichabod Pence, too, but the Astro's don't like to trade within the division very often.
Would you want Furcal at short? That would mean trading Theriot, or making him the 2b. Gives us the lead off guy we need, for sure. Thoughts? Orlando Cabrera? He's available, too. Or are you okay with Theriot at short for the next few years?
I think we need Mark Cuban to buy the team. Now. And do the Lincecum deal and the Teixiera deal. Then, get McClouth. And if nothing else happens...we're good to go for the next few years.
Shameless self promotion. Ha!
Look for the Shermrants ads during the world series.
best to cb
js
What other kinds of self promotion are there? Besides, it's not like this blog is a big money maker or anything.
Anyhoo...
I am more and more intrigued by the Zambrano and Lee to San Fran for Lincecum deal. If we could get Teixiera...it makes perfect sense.
We still need a lead off hitter, but then we'd have (if it's okay with Alf) a three, four, five of Soriano, Teixiera, Ramirez...pretty strong, especially with the patient, switch hitting Tex in the middle of that. Think that there is any chance it happens? Or am I dreaming the Cub off season dream again?
There is talk of Bobby Abreu for right field -- he's a huge offensive upgrade over mendoza-dome, but I'm not sure he's the guy we need. Plus he's what? 34? 35? And he'll want three or four years.
Does Jim Hendry still covet Brian Roberts? I kind of hope not. He's not that big an upgrade, plus we'd lose Fontenot in the lineup altogether because that's his only position. DeRosa would lose playing time, too. Plus whatever you give up for the guy. Not sure he's worth all that. Thoughts?
Derrek Lowe is a free agent. He might fit well at Wrigley for a couple of years. That is, if we add starting pitching and don't stand pat. A lot less $$$ than CC will cost someone. Think of this rotation (if the San Fran deal actually happens): Lincecum, Lilly, Lowe, Harden, Marshall. Not shabby. And it allows Marquis to be dealt for a position player or bullpen help. Gives Samardzija another year in the pen to mature -- which allows for the immediate dismissal of Howry. Somebody will want him. Count on it.
I would like to see Nate McClouth in centerfield next year. The Pirates are always ready to trade someone pre-payday and he might be ripe for that. Plus, he'll be someone's starting CF for the next ten years. Hopefully, ours. I like Ichabod Pence, too, but the Astro's don't like to trade within the division very often.
Would you want Furcal at short? That would mean trading Theriot, or making him the 2b. Gives us the lead off guy we need, for sure. Thoughts? Orlando Cabrera? He's available, too. Or are you okay with Theriot at short for the next few years?
I think we need Mark Cuban to buy the team. Now. And do the Lincecum deal and the Teixiera deal. Then, get McClouth. And if nothing else happens...we're good to go for the next few years.
Shameless self promotion. Ha!
Look for the Shermrants ads during the world series.
best to cb
js
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Just to see what would happen
I just picked up a baseball and threw a pitch. Right here in my office. Somewhere, wherever he is, Alfonso Soriano swung at it. And missed.
Shake it up
My first reaction to the debacle in round one -- is to shake it up. I think that this team is good enough to continue to win, or come close to winning the division. I don't think it's a championship team, as was exposed by the Dodgers. We are considerably better than we were pre-Piniella. No question. Some of that is due to Lou. Some of that (a lot of it) is due to Hendry and the players we have now. We have a pretty good team. Kansas City would be proud. We're not KC, and after the loyalty we've shown, and our forefathers have shown, to this team...we deserve a little more.
So, bring on Mark Cuban. Or whoever it is that will be the next Cub owner and let's get started building the team to the next level. The next level being championship caliber baseball. Able to win a playoff game caliber.
Soriano's comment was very odd. I'm half paraphrasing because I don't have the exact quote in front of me, "we're built for a marathon, not a sprint." I think he meant that this team isn't good enough to win a short series against another real good team. Perhaps he meant that this team can run farther than other teams, but not faster. Who knows? After all, he's an idiot. Or is he?
I have said all year that it boils down to our inability to hit good pitching. Most teams have that problem, sure. Good pitching usually beats good hitting. It beats us more than it should for our payroll. That's the imbalance. We need to beat the Billingsleys of this league. We went into that series hoping and praying that our pitching would shut out LA for three games, didn't we? And when Dempster imploded, we all went "uh-oh"...and then the infield all lost a bet to the devil and went out there with their gloves on the wrong hand for the next game and we all went "oh no...here we go again"...and then we reenacted the Night of the Living Dead Offense and it was over.
So what to do? We must add a hitter or two that will stabilize our offense. Tough outs. We need a couple of tough outs. Name a tough out on the Cubs. Can't, can you? There isn't one. There is not one single person on this team that makes an opposing pitcher (I mean the good ones) really worry. You can pitch around every guy on our team if you have a plan, and yes, it seems that OTHER teams have plans. (Quick, somebody get us a plan.) Number one, we need a table setter tough out. That's a huge advantage for an offense. Soriano? No. Theriot? Not tough enough. Look at Furcal, working walks, bunting for hits, has some pop...tough out. Look at guys like Jimmy Rollins, Brian Roberts, Ichiro, Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Damon, Jose Reyes, and several others I'm forgetting at the moment. Then you need a middle of the order tough out -- a Manny, an Ortiz, a Berkman or Carlos Lee...even a Cecil. Guys you don't want to face late in the game. Guys that make you pitch different three of four batters earlier...we don't have that guy. We need that guy. Go get that guy.
Pitching is our strength, but with Sabathia, AJ Burnett and a few others on the market...I'd play in that pool, too. Add to the starting rotation. Big Z, Lilly, Harden, Dempster and one other front line starter isn't too shabby.
I heard this rumor -- DLee and Big Z to San Francisco for Lincecum. Then we go sign Teixeira. Thoughts? Who'd you rather have? Lee and Zee? Lincecum and Tex?
Well...I'm sure that I can find other things to think about.
best to cb
Sherm
So, bring on Mark Cuban. Or whoever it is that will be the next Cub owner and let's get started building the team to the next level. The next level being championship caliber baseball. Able to win a playoff game caliber.
Soriano's comment was very odd. I'm half paraphrasing because I don't have the exact quote in front of me, "we're built for a marathon, not a sprint." I think he meant that this team isn't good enough to win a short series against another real good team. Perhaps he meant that this team can run farther than other teams, but not faster. Who knows? After all, he's an idiot. Or is he?
I have said all year that it boils down to our inability to hit good pitching. Most teams have that problem, sure. Good pitching usually beats good hitting. It beats us more than it should for our payroll. That's the imbalance. We need to beat the Billingsleys of this league. We went into that series hoping and praying that our pitching would shut out LA for three games, didn't we? And when Dempster imploded, we all went "uh-oh"...and then the infield all lost a bet to the devil and went out there with their gloves on the wrong hand for the next game and we all went "oh no...here we go again"...and then we reenacted the Night of the Living Dead Offense and it was over.
So what to do? We must add a hitter or two that will stabilize our offense. Tough outs. We need a couple of tough outs. Name a tough out on the Cubs. Can't, can you? There isn't one. There is not one single person on this team that makes an opposing pitcher (I mean the good ones) really worry. You can pitch around every guy on our team if you have a plan, and yes, it seems that OTHER teams have plans. (Quick, somebody get us a plan.) Number one, we need a table setter tough out. That's a huge advantage for an offense. Soriano? No. Theriot? Not tough enough. Look at Furcal, working walks, bunting for hits, has some pop...tough out. Look at guys like Jimmy Rollins, Brian Roberts, Ichiro, Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Damon, Jose Reyes, and several others I'm forgetting at the moment. Then you need a middle of the order tough out -- a Manny, an Ortiz, a Berkman or Carlos Lee...even a Cecil. Guys you don't want to face late in the game. Guys that make you pitch different three of four batters earlier...we don't have that guy. We need that guy. Go get that guy.
Pitching is our strength, but with Sabathia, AJ Burnett and a few others on the market...I'd play in that pool, too. Add to the starting rotation. Big Z, Lilly, Harden, Dempster and one other front line starter isn't too shabby.
I heard this rumor -- DLee and Big Z to San Francisco for Lincecum. Then we go sign Teixeira. Thoughts? Who'd you rather have? Lee and Zee? Lincecum and Tex?
Well...I'm sure that I can find other things to think about.
best to cb
Sherm
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I feel bad
I feel bad for Reed Johnson and Ted Lilly. Johnson was a spark plug all year long...and didn't get a single post season at bat (Fukudome got ten!) and Lilly was unquestionably our best pitcher down the stretch, and he didn't get to throw a pitch.
Great email from Doc Raker yesterday about sharing baseball with the family. Except my kids are grown. My wife doesn't like baseball. And the dogs, no matter how much I tried to solicit their attention...didn't care. So I suffered through this beat down alone -- except, of course, for all of you loyal readers.
Questions to ponder:
1. Will we re-sign Ryan Dempster? I think we should but don't know if we will.
2. Will we re-sign Kerry Wood? I think we will but don't know if we should.
3. Will we be active in the free agent market? I think we should be.
4. Will we re-sign Edmonds? Johnson? Or will this be the year of the Pie?
5. What impact player(s) would you like to the Cubs add? And how do you suggest it happen? Trade? Who for who? Free agency?
How would you change this team so that we can actually win a post series (or game)? Send me your suggestions. I think Jim Hendry reads this blog, so he'll see your ideas.
more later. Or not.
Thank goodness the White Sox are done. Angels, too...now my cow-orkers will shut off. I purposed misplace the hyphen in that word because it's funnier. Deal with it.
Red Sox lose Manny completely, Lowell to injury, Ortiz and Drew are half speed at best. Beckett is pitching hurt. Oh, yeah, and they still beat the team with 100 wins. News flash> there is a strategy to baseball.
best to cb
Sherm
Great email from Doc Raker yesterday about sharing baseball with the family. Except my kids are grown. My wife doesn't like baseball. And the dogs, no matter how much I tried to solicit their attention...didn't care. So I suffered through this beat down alone -- except, of course, for all of you loyal readers.
Questions to ponder:
1. Will we re-sign Ryan Dempster? I think we should but don't know if we will.
2. Will we re-sign Kerry Wood? I think we will but don't know if we should.
3. Will we be active in the free agent market? I think we should be.
4. Will we re-sign Edmonds? Johnson? Or will this be the year of the Pie?
5. What impact player(s) would you like to the Cubs add? And how do you suggest it happen? Trade? Who for who? Free agency?
How would you change this team so that we can actually win a post series (or game)? Send me your suggestions. I think Jim Hendry reads this blog, so he'll see your ideas.
more later. Or not.
Thank goodness the White Sox are done. Angels, too...now my cow-orkers will shut off. I purposed misplace the hyphen in that word because it's funnier. Deal with it.
Red Sox lose Manny completely, Lowell to injury, Ortiz and Drew are half speed at best. Beckett is pitching hurt. Oh, yeah, and they still beat the team with 100 wins. News flash> there is a strategy to baseball.
best to cb
Sherm
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
On the bright side
Oh, wait, there isn't a fucking bright side.
I'd keep the pitching staff and wholesale the rest of the team. Is it too late to become a lifelong Red Sox fan? What's the number for Doctor Tattoff?
Seriously, though -- my name is Sherm and I am a Cub fan.
{Hello, Sherm} responds the rest of the audience in this make believe Cubaholics Anonymous support group.
I've been a member of C.A. my whole life. Apparently it is an addiction I cannot break. Let me say this, though, to those of you who share this addiction: I PREFERRED it when we sucked. It was easier to be a lovable loser than just a loser. It's less heart wrenching to be a doormat than an upset. It's simpler to have no expectations than feel this pain.
I could write more, but I just don't want to. I have no real want to be funny or clever. I have no need to be poignant. I'm numb. And I just realized that this team...will NEVER make it any farther than this. Period. I mean THIS team -- these players and coaches -- not the Cubs in general. The Cubs will eventually win it all. And I hope that my great grandkids enjoy it.
So when does the Mark Cuban era begin? I mean era, not error, like that jackass Dick Stockton..
And that wasn't Tony Gwynn. It was Bill Cosby on helium. I was waiting for him to bust out a pudding pop reference any moment.
More next spring.
best to cb
Sherm
I'd keep the pitching staff and wholesale the rest of the team. Is it too late to become a lifelong Red Sox fan? What's the number for Doctor Tattoff?
Seriously, though -- my name is Sherm and I am a Cub fan.
{Hello, Sherm} responds the rest of the audience in this make believe Cubaholics Anonymous support group.
I've been a member of C.A. my whole life. Apparently it is an addiction I cannot break. Let me say this, though, to those of you who share this addiction: I PREFERRED it when we sucked. It was easier to be a lovable loser than just a loser. It's less heart wrenching to be a doormat than an upset. It's simpler to have no expectations than feel this pain.
I could write more, but I just don't want to. I have no real want to be funny or clever. I have no need to be poignant. I'm numb. And I just realized that this team...will NEVER make it any farther than this. Period. I mean THIS team -- these players and coaches -- not the Cubs in general. The Cubs will eventually win it all. And I hope that my great grandkids enjoy it.
So when does the Mark Cuban era begin? I mean era, not error, like that jackass Dick Stockton..
And that wasn't Tony Gwynn. It was Bill Cosby on helium. I was waiting for him to bust out a pudding pop reference any moment.
More next spring.
best to cb
Sherm
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Pathetic
Anemic, pathetic and embarrassing. Rescind the offer to Piniella. Terminate him. Fire Gerald Perry. Get someone in here who can coach hitting in this century.
I wrote it here months ago. Against good pitching we look stupid. Well, we just did it again three games in a row. And that wasn't great pitching -- merely good. Unbelievable. Pathetic.
Fitting that Soriano whiffs to end it on a bad pitch after taking a perfect strike one fastball down the middle.
More tomorrow maybe. Tonight, I'm just fed up with the whole thing.
Like Doc said...there are more important things in our lives than baseball. Still, this hurts. Plus, I called every hotel in Cozumel and he wasn't it any of them. Fucker.
best to cb. She matters. The Cubs don't.
js
I wrote it here months ago. Against good pitching we look stupid. Well, we just did it again three games in a row. And that wasn't great pitching -- merely good. Unbelievable. Pathetic.
Fitting that Soriano whiffs to end it on a bad pitch after taking a perfect strike one fastball down the middle.
More tomorrow maybe. Tonight, I'm just fed up with the whole thing.
Like Doc said...there are more important things in our lives than baseball. Still, this hurts. Plus, I called every hotel in Cozumel and he wasn't it any of them. Fucker.
best to cb. She matters. The Cubs don't.
js
Friday, October 3, 2008
Not so deep thoughts
I have been sitting here considering what words to put into this space this morning, and having a difficult time making that determination.
First -- let's take the "glass half full" position:
1. Theoretically, we have the far stronger number three and four pitchers in this series, and therefore could, and perhaps should, win the next two games regardless of where they are played. That forces a game five, back at home -- and anything can happen. Odds are that Dempster will never be as bad as he was in game one again.
2. Sabathia lost.
Well, that's it for the "half full" position. Wish there was more. But there is not.
Now, let's look at the "glass half empty" or "glass leaking from crack in bottom."
1. Piniella is being outmanaged by Torre. Period. That's not the reason for everything that is happening, but if you are looking at the little things...it's very true.
2. What's the Japanese word for "stinks?" Whatever it is, Fukudome is that. Nice call playing him. Nicer call leaving him in with two on in the ninth. Anyone else see that whiff coming? How do you say "pathetic" in Japanese? How about his Mark DeCarlo-ian throw home in the eighth? Off the mark on eleven hops. How do you say "fuck me" in Japanese?
3. This belongs in the half full side, but whatever. Zambrano actually pitched a good game, all things considered -- and kept it together when it was falling apart.
4. Why play Fukudome? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?????????????
5. If DeRosa isn't healthy enough to play right then he isn't healthy enough to play second. Even Ron Darling knows that, and he's the biggest idiot ever. Of course he could have played right. He's got four of our 5 rbi's. He's running the bases, for Christ sake. Fontenot would have a.) been a better offensive option vs both Dodger pitchers we've seen, and b.) caught the fucking ball and turned the fucking double play and maybe we have a chance to win the fucking game.
6. Errors are as bad as walks. Worse, even. Look it up.
7. Yes, Lee has a couple of hits, but the important at bats? Terrible. For the most part, this team either has no, or a terrible, offensive plan -- and that continues to kill us. I said this a month ago and will repeat it here because it matters -- we are only a good hitting team versus average or below average pitching and we are a poor offensive team versus good pitching. I said then that we'd be in trouble in the playoffs because everyone in the playoffs has good pitching. Quote from Mike Scioscia today when asked about the Angels lack of offense lately -- "to win in the playoffs you must be able to beat good pitching." Damn. Wish we'd have known that. But the bottom line is that we really don't have a single hitter who is really a great hitter. We have a lot of guys who get their hits vs the dregs of the league and are exposed, year after year, when the playoffs roll around. When will we address that? You think Soriano's average is going to go UP in the playoffs? Come on.
7b. More on that. This is the same team, with the same problems and deficiencies that we saw get swept by the Diamondbacks and we were foolish to think otherwise. Same poor offensive plan. Same impatience and sloppy at bats. Same lack of execution. Why did we think we'd be better this year? Harden? He can't hit. Fukudome? He can't hit, either. How do you say "utter and complete failure" in Japanese? Those are really the only two differences between this year and last year. Yes, Dempster is a starter now. Yes, there are a few minor differences...but really? That's it. Why did we think we'd be better this postseason? Because we are stupid. Thank you very much.
8. Party? I'm not having a party until or unless we get into the next round. No fucking way we have an elimination party at my house. Well...maybe a game five party. We'll see.
9. Is Doc in Cozumel yet? No. Seriously. Is he? Not that I'm superstitious or anything, but GET THE FUCK TO COZUMEL ALREADY.
10. Oh, trust me, there's more...but how do you say "fed up" in Japanese?
best to cb
Sherm
First -- let's take the "glass half full" position:
1. Theoretically, we have the far stronger number three and four pitchers in this series, and therefore could, and perhaps should, win the next two games regardless of where they are played. That forces a game five, back at home -- and anything can happen. Odds are that Dempster will never be as bad as he was in game one again.
2. Sabathia lost.
Well, that's it for the "half full" position. Wish there was more. But there is not.
Now, let's look at the "glass half empty" or "glass leaking from crack in bottom."
1. Piniella is being outmanaged by Torre. Period. That's not the reason for everything that is happening, but if you are looking at the little things...it's very true.
2. What's the Japanese word for "stinks?" Whatever it is, Fukudome is that. Nice call playing him. Nicer call leaving him in with two on in the ninth. Anyone else see that whiff coming? How do you say "pathetic" in Japanese? How about his Mark DeCarlo-ian throw home in the eighth? Off the mark on eleven hops. How do you say "fuck me" in Japanese?
3. This belongs in the half full side, but whatever. Zambrano actually pitched a good game, all things considered -- and kept it together when it was falling apart.
4. Why play Fukudome? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?????????????
5. If DeRosa isn't healthy enough to play right then he isn't healthy enough to play second. Even Ron Darling knows that, and he's the biggest idiot ever. Of course he could have played right. He's got four of our 5 rbi's. He's running the bases, for Christ sake. Fontenot would have a.) been a better offensive option vs both Dodger pitchers we've seen, and b.) caught the fucking ball and turned the fucking double play and maybe we have a chance to win the fucking game.
6. Errors are as bad as walks. Worse, even. Look it up.
7. Yes, Lee has a couple of hits, but the important at bats? Terrible. For the most part, this team either has no, or a terrible, offensive plan -- and that continues to kill us. I said this a month ago and will repeat it here because it matters -- we are only a good hitting team versus average or below average pitching and we are a poor offensive team versus good pitching. I said then that we'd be in trouble in the playoffs because everyone in the playoffs has good pitching. Quote from Mike Scioscia today when asked about the Angels lack of offense lately -- "to win in the playoffs you must be able to beat good pitching." Damn. Wish we'd have known that. But the bottom line is that we really don't have a single hitter who is really a great hitter. We have a lot of guys who get their hits vs the dregs of the league and are exposed, year after year, when the playoffs roll around. When will we address that? You think Soriano's average is going to go UP in the playoffs? Come on.
7b. More on that. This is the same team, with the same problems and deficiencies that we saw get swept by the Diamondbacks and we were foolish to think otherwise. Same poor offensive plan. Same impatience and sloppy at bats. Same lack of execution. Why did we think we'd be better this year? Harden? He can't hit. Fukudome? He can't hit, either. How do you say "utter and complete failure" in Japanese? Those are really the only two differences between this year and last year. Yes, Dempster is a starter now. Yes, there are a few minor differences...but really? That's it. Why did we think we'd be better this postseason? Because we are stupid. Thank you very much.
8. Party? I'm not having a party until or unless we get into the next round. No fucking way we have an elimination party at my house. Well...maybe a game five party. We'll see.
9. Is Doc in Cozumel yet? No. Seriously. Is he? Not that I'm superstitious or anything, but GET THE FUCK TO COZUMEL ALREADY.
10. Oh, trust me, there's more...but how do you say "fed up" in Japanese?
best to cb
Sherm
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The One Hundred Year Weight
The One Hundred Year Weight
How much does one hundred years weigh? You probably think that it can’t weigh any more or any less than one year, or five years or even fifty years. You would be very wrong to think that. One hundred years weighs a lot. Just ask the city of Chicago – at least the North Side. Ask Boston how heavy eighty-six years is. Ask the South Side of Chicago how heavy eighty-eight years can be.
Surely, I spelled it wrong; I mixed up my homophones, right? I mean one hundred year wait, right? Wrong on both counts. Definition of wait? To look forward to. Simple enough. Look forward long enough and what happens? You get what you want. Or you die. Weight, on the other hand? Heaviness. A mental burden. Importance. That’s what weight is. That’s what we have here. And we have one hundred years of it.
Could you feel it last night? Even the three stooges from TBS (somebody explain to me why TBS is carrying these games?) could feel it. They mentioned the unmentionable – it wasn’t noisy at Wrigley. It was kind of subdued. Why? How can that be? The Weight, I tell you, it’s The Weight.
We have one hundred years resting on more than just our shoulders – it’s planted firmly on our souls. It’s on the essence of Cubnation: the management, the players, the fans. They can say it doesn’t matter. They can say that they can’t feel yesteryear sitting beside them on the bench…but they don’t mean it. It just isn’t true. Yesterday is there. Yesteryear is there. Right next to every one of us, whispering in our ears every moment of the season and the off season. It’s there, bemoaning every bad call and unlucky break. Oh, that weight. It’s especially heavy now, during the postseason.
This is a team that loves its losers. Why? Because they’re all we’ve got. So we hang onto them for dear life. “If only, if only, if only,” we say, because we need to. Because of the weight.
Let me confess something. Confession is supposed to be good for the soul. I feel the weight. It’s on me like, well, you know what it’s like or you wouldn’t have read this far. I wear the weight. I am the weight. I am guilty of it as I can be. I throw up my arms in disgust and say things like “That’s it! I’m done. I’ll never care about them again. In fact, I’m not even WATCHING tomorrow’s game.”
Of course I do. Watch the game, that is. I’ll die again tomorrow if I have to. Today I will rant, as is my God given right. Tomorrow, I will be resurrected as Cub fans are – year after year after year…as the song goes – and I will root with all my heart and all my soul and all my being.
Enough. I am going to tell you how to beat the weight. Syndicate. That’s right. Here’s the secret. Don’t bear it alone. Go to a support group for Cub fans (there are also called “bars.”) Never give up. Think good thoughts. Do you have lucky underwear? Put them on! If you are picking your nose and Soriano gets a hit – Cubnation expects you to pick your nose every time he comes up. Do not hold back. If we all do the right things at the right time, then maybe, just maybe, we can get out from under the weight that is one hundred years. Dear God, I hope so. But if not, I’ll be there next year with a new pair of lucky underwear.
Sherm
How much does one hundred years weigh? You probably think that it can’t weigh any more or any less than one year, or five years or even fifty years. You would be very wrong to think that. One hundred years weighs a lot. Just ask the city of Chicago – at least the North Side. Ask Boston how heavy eighty-six years is. Ask the South Side of Chicago how heavy eighty-eight years can be.
Surely, I spelled it wrong; I mixed up my homophones, right? I mean one hundred year wait, right? Wrong on both counts. Definition of wait? To look forward to. Simple enough. Look forward long enough and what happens? You get what you want. Or you die. Weight, on the other hand? Heaviness. A mental burden. Importance. That’s what weight is. That’s what we have here. And we have one hundred years of it.
Could you feel it last night? Even the three stooges from TBS (somebody explain to me why TBS is carrying these games?) could feel it. They mentioned the unmentionable – it wasn’t noisy at Wrigley. It was kind of subdued. Why? How can that be? The Weight, I tell you, it’s The Weight.
We have one hundred years resting on more than just our shoulders – it’s planted firmly on our souls. It’s on the essence of Cubnation: the management, the players, the fans. They can say it doesn’t matter. They can say that they can’t feel yesteryear sitting beside them on the bench…but they don’t mean it. It just isn’t true. Yesterday is there. Yesteryear is there. Right next to every one of us, whispering in our ears every moment of the season and the off season. It’s there, bemoaning every bad call and unlucky break. Oh, that weight. It’s especially heavy now, during the postseason.
This is a team that loves its losers. Why? Because they’re all we’ve got. So we hang onto them for dear life. “If only, if only, if only,” we say, because we need to. Because of the weight.
Let me confess something. Confession is supposed to be good for the soul. I feel the weight. It’s on me like, well, you know what it’s like or you wouldn’t have read this far. I wear the weight. I am the weight. I am guilty of it as I can be. I throw up my arms in disgust and say things like “That’s it! I’m done. I’ll never care about them again. In fact, I’m not even WATCHING tomorrow’s game.”
Of course I do. Watch the game, that is. I’ll die again tomorrow if I have to. Today I will rant, as is my God given right. Tomorrow, I will be resurrected as Cub fans are – year after year after year…as the song goes – and I will root with all my heart and all my soul and all my being.
Enough. I am going to tell you how to beat the weight. Syndicate. That’s right. Here’s the secret. Don’t bear it alone. Go to a support group for Cub fans (there are also called “bars.”) Never give up. Think good thoughts. Do you have lucky underwear? Put them on! If you are picking your nose and Soriano gets a hit – Cubnation expects you to pick your nose every time he comes up. Do not hold back. If we all do the right things at the right time, then maybe, just maybe, we can get out from under the weight that is one hundred years. Dear God, I hope so. But if not, I’ll be there next year with a new pair of lucky underwear.
Sherm
The Oracle
I have consulted the oracle, seen into the future and now know the events of the game tonight before they even happen. I will share them with you, even though the oracle has recommended against it. The oracle can be pissy.
The oracle (which is really my ouija board, my lucky New Orleans dice, and my astrological mood ring) has spoken:
Zambrano's line: 8ip. 5 hits. 1 run. 1 walk. 9 k's. 116 pitches.
Howry pitches the ninth because it doesn't matter.
Cubs hit four home runs: Ramirez, Cedeno, Soto and DeRosa.
Final score: 7 to 1.
Long live the oracle.
The oracle (which is really my ouija board, my lucky New Orleans dice, and my astrological mood ring) has spoken:
Zambrano's line: 8ip. 5 hits. 1 run. 1 walk. 9 k's. 116 pitches.
Howry pitches the ninth because it doesn't matter.
Cubs hit four home runs: Ramirez, Cedeno, Soto and DeRosa.
Final score: 7 to 1.
Long live the oracle.
You gotta be kidding me
Stupid. That's the only word I can think of that covers it all. Stupid.
1. Stupid to walk that many hitters in a fairly weak lineup.
2. Stupid to bat Fukudome second.
3. Stupid to bat Soto in the five spot.
4. Stupid to even have Pie on the roster.
Whole lotta stupid going on. Hey, I checked the Japanese translation for Fukudome and found something interesting. "Fuku" means Felix. "Dome" means Pie.
Soriano picks up right where he left off last year in the playoffs -- with a huge 0'fer. Ron Darling (and don't get me started on the announcing team of Moron, Asswipe and Fatz) even said that it's pretty easy to pitch Soriano -- get him to strike one and then don't throw anything in the zone again. He'll chase. Great. Now the secret is out.
Soto shouldn't bat 5 because he is not a mature hitter. His at bat with Ramirez on second and none out proves my point. It's two and o -- and then he takes two fastballs right down the middle. And then swings at a pitch a foot off of the plate. All he needed to do was move the runner over. It was 4 - 2 at the time.
Dempster's refusal to quit overthrowing fastballs hurt -- walking Lowe twice? Furcal, in his first game in months, twice? Come on. He was absolutely pathetic.
I thought we played like a team that didn't have to fight to get into the playoffs.
I think we can and will win tonight, but now it's a tougher road. We have to win 3 of 4 against a Dodger team that is really starting to build confidence. Loney was in the dumps until the slam. He had an awful September and looked bad on the first two pitches of the at bat until Dempster hit his bat right on the sweet spot. Now he'll be sky high.
We need Big Z to make the difference tonight.
Also -- Fontenot should have started v Lowe last night. If DeRosa was okay to play at all, he should have been in right field. Fukudome is a late inning replacement only. Two spot! Ha. Nice 0 for 9 from the top 167 million dollars.
Go Cubs. Win tonight. Ravage -- back to Cozumel, quick!
best to cb
Sherm
1. Stupid to walk that many hitters in a fairly weak lineup.
2. Stupid to bat Fukudome second.
3. Stupid to bat Soto in the five spot.
4. Stupid to even have Pie on the roster.
Whole lotta stupid going on. Hey, I checked the Japanese translation for Fukudome and found something interesting. "Fuku" means Felix. "Dome" means Pie.
Soriano picks up right where he left off last year in the playoffs -- with a huge 0'fer. Ron Darling (and don't get me started on the announcing team of Moron, Asswipe and Fatz) even said that it's pretty easy to pitch Soriano -- get him to strike one and then don't throw anything in the zone again. He'll chase. Great. Now the secret is out.
Soto shouldn't bat 5 because he is not a mature hitter. His at bat with Ramirez on second and none out proves my point. It's two and o -- and then he takes two fastballs right down the middle. And then swings at a pitch a foot off of the plate. All he needed to do was move the runner over. It was 4 - 2 at the time.
Dempster's refusal to quit overthrowing fastballs hurt -- walking Lowe twice? Furcal, in his first game in months, twice? Come on. He was absolutely pathetic.
I thought we played like a team that didn't have to fight to get into the playoffs.
I think we can and will win tonight, but now it's a tougher road. We have to win 3 of 4 against a Dodger team that is really starting to build confidence. Loney was in the dumps until the slam. He had an awful September and looked bad on the first two pitches of the at bat until Dempster hit his bat right on the sweet spot. Now he'll be sky high.
We need Big Z to make the difference tonight.
Also -- Fontenot should have started v Lowe last night. If DeRosa was okay to play at all, he should have been in right field. Fukudome is a late inning replacement only. Two spot! Ha. Nice 0 for 9 from the top 167 million dollars.
Go Cubs. Win tonight. Ravage -- back to Cozumel, quick!
best to cb
Sherm
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