So it’s come to this. Just over a month remains and the Cubs are locked in a three way tie for the NL Wild Card lead and they’ve left the door open enough for both Houston and Florida to think they have a real shot at ramming their way into the picture, too.
The worst part, is that the only reason they’re in this situation is because the pitching fouled itself on the Wrigley mound the last three days.
You could shrug off Friday’s loss because it was the first in five games and that Roy Oswalt feller is pretty good. Saturday’s hurt because it basically slipped away on one freakish play that should have ended the second inning without a single run coming home. Yesterday was just plain horrendous.
Now the Cubs are off to Montreal for three games where Nomar Garciaparra and E-ramis Ramirez will see little, if any action and the Cubs have never quite figured out the exchange rate in Canada, winning less than a third of the games they’ve ever played there. Never mind the Expos are so banged up that Nick Johnson, Jose Vidro, Alex Gonzalez and Frank Beltran will not play, and that Hubie Brooks and Tim Wallach will.
Then they’re off to Florida where the 2001 season went down the toilet, against a team they haven’t seen since they were gagging away the playoffs last October.
Ooh, this ought to be a fun road trip, huh?
On Saturday night I was driving home late at night listening to some dumbass on Sporting News Radio talk about how Barry Bonds shouldn’t be the MVP because his supporting cast is really good. Among those he singled out in particular are Michael Tucker, JT Snow and Edgardo Alfonso. As soon as I stopped vomiting on myself, I tried to steer into oncoming traffic to just end it all.
Of all people, Matt Clement put things into perspective yesterday, just a couple hours after he added “sore neck” to his list of “please take me out of the game” ailments (most of these ailments are imaginary). Clement said he’d rather be tied for the wild card than three games, or one game behind.
It’s amazing how quickly Cubs fans will go into full, panic mode. Even with three straight losses the Cubs are 8-4 in their last twelve games. That’s not exactly the kind of “slump” that ought to have you crawling out on the ledge. How do you people function in the real world?
“Oh, my god! The toilet’s still running almost a full minute after I flushed! The house is going to blow! Get out! Shriek! Wail! Shriek! Wail!”
“Oh, no, this toast is burned! It’s charred to a crisp! I’ll get cancer from just breathing the air around it! That’s why they call them carcinogens!”
“No! Oh, my god! My car is almost out of gas! I’m going to run out and have to walk home and I’ll likely get gang raped by that group of Jehovah’s Witnesses that are known to frequent this area of town, handing out Watchtowers and boring us to tears with stories of their doorbell worshipping faith!”
Does that seem absurd? Well, so does this.
“The Cubs have lost three in a row! The Farns is out for the regular season! The mighty Giants and Padres have caught up to us! Oh, god, here come the Astros! Nomar’s leg is falling off and now Mia’s back on the continent and they’ll be having leg wearying sex and he’ll get hurt even worse! Dusty’s so dumb he’ll probably use Darren to pinch hit! Mark Prior used to be good, but that was a fluke and now he stinks, he’s basically the white Mike Harkey! It’s over! Oh, god, what did we do to deserve this! Just take me now! Aieeeeeeeeeee!”
I could go on, but we’ve got plenty of time to discuss this between now and October 3. So it’s time for Karry to wrap up his Olympic coverage. He filed this yesterday morning before the closing ceremonies and I can’t say I’m surprised, but I just went down to the employee’s lounge and there’s a drunk guy passed out on a couch down there wearing a diaper, suspenders, black loafers and brown socks…and, there’s a 800 pound yak eating the shrubs in front of the Desipio Tower. God, I hate the Olympics.
—
Hello again, everybody, it’s your old friend Karry Ling here with my final Olympic report of 2004. In just a few minutes I’m going to get on a plane that makes a handy nine-stop flight back to Chicago. I’m not saying that Desipio is cheap, but the only way I could fly back was to get a part-time job on the crew. And I’m not so sure about how reputable this airline is, it’s called Air Eola. Anybody ever heard of it? You should see the logo on the side of the plane, though. Very Maplethorp.
I’m having a hard time getting ready to say goodbye to Pepe. As most of you remember, it was cheaper to rent a yak in Greece than a car, and so Pepe’s been with me for two full weeks. We’ve shared a lot of memories together. It was with Pepe that I first gazed up on the famous Parthenon, and Pepe and I interviewed a number of famous athletes, most of whom, I actually recognized. Pepe licked Bill Clement, proved to be prettier than Abby Wambauch and scored the only run against the women’s softball team. I’ll miss the little guy.
I wanted to end my Olympics coverage with a bang and I got a chance to interview one of the most decorated women’s soccer players in all the world. And no, I’m not talking about Jonathan Brandis, the kid who played “Martha” in Ladybugs. I actually got an interview with Mia Hamm!
Here’s the transcript.
Karry: I’m excited to have Mia Hamm here with me just hours before the closing ceremonies of the 28th Olympiad here in Athens. That’s quite an honor you got, Mia, you’re going to carry the US flag. That’s got to be pretty exciting.
Mia: Yup.
Karry: You won your third gold medal here this past week, and that has to be pretty exciting.
Mia: Yes, it is. Pretty exciting.
Karry: Uh…so…are you retiring now?
Mia: Well, yes, from international competition.
Karry: I’m sorry, I don’t pay much attention to soccer and the reason for that is that I’m not a 14 year old girl and I don’t like to bore myself to tears. So, I don’t really know what to say except that Nomar’s really good. I mean he’s hitting everything in sight. You’d better not try and get him to leave Chicago after the season. We need him. We haven’t had a good shortstop since like 1965. That’s absurd.
Mia: I think he likes it there. I like Chicago. It’s a fun town.
Karry: I can tell you are all about the fun. Whew! Just electric.
Pepe: Bray!
Mia: Is that a yak?
Karry: Yeah, that’s Pepe.
Mia: Oh, he’s so cute! Can I ride him?
Karry: Sure. Wait, you don’t mean “ride” him, do you?
Mia: I mean sit on his back and have him walk around.
Karry: Whatever works for you.
Anyway, you’ll never guess who got to ride to the airport with Mia and flown back to Chicago?
I had a great time at the Olympics and can’t wait to hit Beijing in 2008! Until next time, America. I’m Karry Ling!
—
I find that whole thing disturbing.
Isn’t it a good sign that the Cubs are hitting? I mean I know the pitching was crap from Friday on, but if there’s one thing you can count on over the long haul, it’s the pitchers. Stop the panic.
Matt Clement…not exactly “warrior” material.
I didn’t see Lance get hurt, I heard it on the radio and once Ron Santo saw that it hit his hand and not his head, Ron went off on him for laying on the ground. Pretty funny.
Boo hoo, widdle Carlos hurped his knee. Honestly, we should have done that on Thursday.
Rick Morrissey proves he’ll never get it.
The question is whether or not this new bald guy is as good as Hunter Hillenmeyer. And, will anybody ever buy his jersey.
RW might not be ready to get torched by opposing quarterbacks on opening day. Ooh, that’s unfortunate…for Joey Harrington.
I’m just dumb enough to have thought this while watching the Olympics. NBA players have a tough time playing against the “European” style of basketball. They don’t do well against zone defenses, late traps, teams who pass the ball and bring their big guys out on the wings, or teams who can shoot. IF you’re the Bulls (and aren’t you glad you’re not?) why wouldn’t you build your “new” team around those concepts. Some of the pieces are in place. Your guards can both shoot (Hinrich and Gordon), you’ve got athletic wing men with freakish wing spans (Deng and Chandler) and centers who ought to be able to do the Laimbeer “pick and pop” up to about 16 feet (Curry and Davis). You even brought in the chippiest player in the Olympics, Andres Nocioni to help it all work. You trade Dikembe Mutombo for Eric Piatkowski, or somebody else who come off the bench and make some shots and you’ll have a team that can steal enough games to challenge for that perennial sub-.500 eighth spot in the playoffs…right? OK, I guess I am just crazy.
Nomar might miss all three in Montreal. I hear Pepe and Mia are on their way up to see him.
The Bears’ punt returner job is open again. Anybody got the number for Keith Ortego?
Deion Sanders says his comeback is going to be “unbelievable.” What’ll be unbelieveable is if he has more tackles than muscle strains.
Wait, Allen Iverson is the one Olympic men’s basketball player who actually “got it?” What were the odds?
P. King’s Monday Morning Quarterback.
Look out! The Giants might trade for Shawn Estes! Oh, boy, there goes the pennant.
Phil Mushnick is not a big fan of the Olympic hoopsters.
I don’t care what anybody says, I’m a big fan of both Bush twins.
The Kerry girls? Only if you’re into huge schnozzes.
Oops! You don’t have AIDS.
America’s finest news source with the gripping tale of a Houston man who’s going to give T.G.I. Friday’s one last shot.
No Chip jokes?
I called Andy and asked him not to mention Chip in today’s Dose.
Andy probably got hit in the head like me. He would be the first to tell it causes memory loss. I bet he just forgot. Sometimes I forget stuff too. Like how I am a pussy fag.
Berkman, YOU CHICKENSH1T!
Have you all noticed that I’m always one of the ones most ready to fight? Like the benches will clear, and I’ll get this weird look on my face.
I know my place.
I’m scrappy.
Ok, I’ve already told Bernstein how to do his job today. Now, I’m telling Dolan how to run a website.
Don’t superimpose pictures of Mia Hamm and a yak onto the heads of people on a bus. You might give people the idea that Nomar’s wife is cheating on him with a yak.
Radio and the internet are taken care of, somebody get ESPN on the phone!
I concur, there has to be something about the fact Chip was absolutely convinced the ball hit the bat and then hit the helmet. The closest thing that got to Lance’s head during that at-bat was his International Brotherhood of Wimps membership card.
You get a photo of me and Mia Hamm on an airport bus and you complain there are no Chip jokes?
Tough crowd.
Andy, I normally agree with you on most media matters, but I disagree with your assessment of Morrissey’s article.
I thought it was a strong commentary about how many people simply don’t like watching this team play. There is definitely a perception, rightly or wrongly, that this team is whining too much. Also, there seems to be a perception that this team only wants to settle scores and retaliate, instead of just going out and win ballgames.
Now, I don’t necessarily agree with all those points, and I don’t agree with all of what Morrissey said. I believe the players have the right to be upset at the press if they choose to be. However, as is often the case in sports, perception is more important than the reality, and the perception of the Cubs and their on-field behavior isn’t that good right now.
Don’t let your olympic buzz die:
http://www.wannahaves.nl/special/olympic_babes.asp
No pics of Pepe, unfortunately
Oh, whining about Chip is completely justifiable. If Morrisey had picked a better example than that (like bitching about umps) to ram down his reader’s collective throats then fine. But as it stands, that article is crap.
"leg wearying sex."
Awesome.
I have heard enough about the allegedly ugly women in the Olympics. The cow in the red skirt who ran out onto the Marathon course and tackled the leader was clearly the ugliest woman in Athens.
I am empty. Again.
Wow. Me and BC on the same page. I guess we’ll get whipped together.
Of course this Cubs’ team is loathsome. This team is the 1985 New York Mets in terms of its egos and loathsomeness. This team will show up for the playoffs whether they qualify or not because they think they deserve it. Hell, Alou will slam his bat down in the batters box at Turner Field on October 5th when he realizes that it’s Bonds batting fourth and not him.
I can’t believe that a Dose goes by and no Kent Merker phone call mention. And no Remlinger-Thornton mention.
Perhaps Andy doesn’t mention them because those are signs of this team unwinding.
And nothing but unbridled optimism here on Desipio! It’s amazing how quickly Cubs fans will go into full, panic mode? It’s amazing how long some Cubs fans refused to look at the sandwich in front of them and realize that it’s a shitsandwich and not roast beef.
Oh, we’re definitely the whiniest team in the league. However, the question is, are we whiny because we’re exposed to our fans, or are our fans whiny because they’re exposed to us?
It’s true, I left yesterday’s game with "tightness in my throat".
Gary Carter = Michael Barrett
Keith Hernandez = Moises Alou
Wally Backman = Todd Walker
Howard Johnson = Nomar Garciapara
Rafael Santana = Jose Macias
George Foster = Aramis Ramirez
Darryl Strawberry = Sammy Sosa
Mookie Wilson = Corey Patterson
Dwight Gooden = Kerry Wood
Ron Darling = Greg Maddux
Sid Fernandez = Carlos Zambrano
Ed Lynch = Matt Clement
But in terms of total pricks from team to team, the Mets win with Strawberry, Gooden, Hernandez and Carter. The Cubs have Alou, Sosa, and Farnsworth. When reserves are added, it gets much closer with Billy Bob and Kent.
Forget the team, Cub FANS are the whiniest bunch in the world. Go read cubstalk.com for proof, it’ll make you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork.
Now honestly, was the Remlinger meltdown so awful? He was obviously concerned when he thought he hit Berkman. Getting hit in the head can be dangerous, I imagine if you hit a guy in the head and hurt him, you’d feel pretty guilty. So when he went back to the dugout and saw on the replay that Berkman was full of crap, why wouldn’t he be pissed? Pulling some ridiculous theatrics like Berkman did is a sh1tty thing to do.
Chuck, I don’t really think this team is intentionally trying to be loathsome. I don’t even necessarily know for myself if they are. Putting this team as equal to the 1985 Mets seems a little out of whack. What I do know is what the perception of this team should be to outside observers, and that’s where I think Morrissey’s article is strong.
Look, we can complain all we want, but there are only going to be four people/groups that can change how the Cubs are acting:
1. The players. Obviously. They can stop acting so wound up about silly stuff and just play ball.
2. Dusty/The coaching staff. Dusty could finally say enough, get tough, and demand more on-field accountability.
3. Ownership/Hendry. Hendry can get to Dusty or the players and tell them to move on.
4. The media. Reporters can harp and harp and get bad attention on the Cubs so that they have to change their ways.
Listen, I don’t care if I like all the players, I want to see them win games. Alou’s temper tantrums and Hawkins blaming everything on the media and Clement acting like, well, Clementine get on my nerves. But I can stand that if there are players I like/love watching play (Sammy, Patterson, Lee, Aramis, Barrett, Wood, Prior, Carlos) and the team can play winning baseball.
Uh, all I did was say that I’m not gonna talk to the media.
And I haven’t talked to them since. So how, pray tell, am I "blaming everything on the media"? I’m just ignoring it.
I want to clear up something real quick…
I never said explicitly that I thought the Cubs were loathsome or whining or any other bad adjectives. Here is what I said in Post #9, with a couple words capitalized for effect:
"I thought it was a strong commentary about how many people simply don’t like watching this team play. There is definitely a PERCEPTION, rightly or wrongly, that this team is whining too much. Also, there seems to be a PERCEPTION that this team only wants to settle scores and retaliate, instead of just going out and win ballgames.
Now, I don’t necessarily AGREE with all those points, and I don’t agree with ALL of what Morrissey said."
Now, as I just told Chuck in post #20, I don’t really know what to think about how this team acts. What I do know is they act badly enough that the outside perception of this team should be like the view Morrissey has. Now, watching and listening to the Cubs like I do, I don’t agree completely with that outsider perception.
When I feel it’s time to come out strongly against the Cubs for their play, decisions, or their acts on or off the field, then I will certainly say so. But, I don’t feel confident in my own opinion about this team right now, so I will leave this discussion at that for now.
Talk to the hand, B.C.
You created your own problem LaTroy, when you called a press conference to announce that you wouldn’t talk to the press when you screwed up, despite the fact that you hadn’t yet been given the chance to screw up. You also uttered the famous line "I can do your job, but you can’t do mine" which while technically true, opened a can of worms when you went about blowing games left and right, and leaving you open to the "I could blow a game just as well as you" joke. And then you did end up talking to the press, after your little explosion against an umpire, where you showed what a thin-skinned p@ssy you are when you accussed the guy of holding a grudge against you for 2 years (August 16th, 2002) and then used that as the defense in your appeal.
B.C.
This team could win the World Series, but I would have fonder memories of the 1989 team. The look on Rick Wrona’s face after squeeze bunting in a run from third with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth is priceless.
And it’s a look you never see on this team — a look of enjoyment. This team has a look of entitlement. And they get pissed off whenever they think someone else is taking that right away from them.
P.S. I appreciate your thoughts about my "fake" dose from last week, but it wasn’t me. That crappy effort was too good for my writing talents.
Chuck, I am not necessarily disagreeing with you, if you think I am. Pretend I’m a golf ball for a moment. I am on the edge of the hole. Part of me wants to stay up. It’s scary down there, it’s dark in the hole. That’s the optimistic side of the Cub fan in me.
But then there’s the other part of me, wanting to go in. That’s the pessimistic side of me, wanting to bury these guys. I just don’t know if I want to go in the golf hole or not. That’s my problem…
I don’t care about no hole. I have always thought, Nomar aside, that our greatest need was a closer, and the gamble Hendry took that JoeBlow was going to come back healthy and effective by this time looks pretty foolish right now.
Remember how happy everyone was on Friday morning? 5 Game winning streak, 8 out of 9, etc. What happened next had nothing to do with the Cubs being jerks or a lack of a closer. The Cubs played terrible ball for three games. Wood sucked on Friday and Farnsworth finally completely self-immolated. Zambran dropped a ball on Saturday costing three runs (as did Ramirez, though costing only one) and couldn’t get the ball over (um Z work on your change in spring, not in a stretch run). Corey also swung at three pitches in the dirt to thwart the comeback. Sunday, Clement pitched poorly and then pussed out. The bullpen imploded in the 8th (with help from Berkman’s bullsh1t). But it’s three games. They can still win if they stop acting like babies and get it done. Still, with A-Ram and Nomar out, it’s a much, much worse lineup in Montreal (I’m predicting Macias, Ramon, and Bako tonight, though there are reports that Grundz will play short).
And here’s the really bad part about the Cubs’ 3-game losing streak. After today’s game at Atlanta (Which they are winning at the moment), the Giants play 14 straight against the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Brewers.
They do have a difficult end of schedule home-and-homes with LA and SD and a three-game series at home against HOU, but the Giants may get a big enough lead over the Cubs and Padres in the next 14 that it would be too much for either to overcome.
I think we agree. I don’t think the Cubs are trying to be loathsome. They do that very well without trying.
It’s not a matter of going-in-or-not. It’s a matter of not enjoying the ride, regardless if they drop you off in Shangri-La or in US Cellular.
On the team’s complaints regarding the announcers:
"There could be some merit to some of it, we don’t have any crybabies here, and I don’t think we have a team here that is going to complain unjustifiably, either."
Am I an enabler?
Thanks for the post, Bernsie. Have you ever thought that by making asinine comments such as this Baker changes the discussion from his dickassed players to an enabler manager?
Until we know what Dusty says and does in the locker room, all that statement is is political clap-trap.
Welcome to the brotherhood, B.C.!
Can my Powderpuff Posse seek affiliation with the Int’l Brotherhood of Wimps (IBW/TJBPPP)?
Huge comeback win by the Braves over the Giants in the bottom of the 9th this afternoon.
Go to the light, BC. Go to the light.
I wonder whose had that is reaching for Gabor’s little bakos in the photo at the top of the page?
"Had" is like, German, for "hand", I think.
Chuck, nice call on ’89. That remains my favorite Cub team, for the simple fact that they were such ridiculous overachievers–the polar opposite of this team in ’04. The 89 Cubs didn’t have much talent, but they did all the little things, they sacked up when they needed to sack up, all the breaks went their way instead of this year when none of the breaks go our way.
And besides, who couldn’t love a team that depended on discards like Curtis Wilkerson, Jeff Pico, Rick Wrona, Gary Varsho, Doug Dascenzo, and the great Les Lancaster to get the job done? Career years from Dwight Smith and Jerome Walton. And Marvell Wynne getting his ass kicked!
In 04 though, name me more than 3 Cubs that you actually like, that you give a rats ass about. I can’t. Barrett I like. Rusch I really like. Hollandsworth is the bomb, if he wasn’t so ignorant as to hit without a shin guard. Moran.
OTOH, I loathe and despise so many Cubs on this team there’s no point in enumerating them. Others are good ballplayers with crummy attitudes that I’d likely jeer if on other teams (eg, Patterson, Ramirez, Prior and Wood).
Bring back Calvin Schiraldi for gawd’s sake, at least he cried real crocodile tears when he sucked!
People hate me? Why?
Judging by the height of the hand in the Gabor nut vacinity, I’m thinking it was Waivin’ Wendell.
As for the Mercker phone call I’d have made it myself if I had the number to the pressbox.
The reason Morrissey doesn’t get "it" is because the fans don’t like the gratuitous fellating of so many opponents that Chip and Steve subject us to. They seem to have an comfortable love for the Cardinals and the whole Biggio thing didn’t create itself out of thin air.
What Morrissey gets is that the fans are MORE concerned that the players even CARE what Chip/Steve are saying than what they say about opponents.
And that the Cubs care DURING the games?
Don’t get mad at Chip. Get mad at the Astros, Giants, Dodgers, Padres, or Cardinals. And show your anger with a 3 run dinger and s 97 mph inside strike three.
This has nothing to do with the fans feelings about the announcers.
I belong to Nomar. With Mia overseas, a crotchety location is what I am used to.
Stech, let’s see, a really short guy, walking into the frame from the 3rd base side while we’re batting? Who could that be?
Don’t know what game you were watching, Chuck, but we all looked pretty pissed. Just maybe we ARE getting mad at our opponents, but that doesn’t automatically transfer to us beating them.
I do not remember when I have heard so much displeasure raised by the players against the announcers.
I think Jimmy Piersall called one of the Sox’ players wife a whore once, and I remember the player being mad.
Since then, I’m wondering why they’re even paying attention to what is being said on the TV. It’s OUR job to rip Chippy, not yours.
Anyone have a copy of that great 1989 shot of Dunston leaping on Dawson after Salazar drove Dawson in from first against the Cards on a rainy September afternoon?
Well, it IS my contract year so maybe they realize that if there’s a chance to get rid of me, it’s right now.
Looks to me, Cubs, that you are mad at everything and taking it out on Chip, Steve, a fan, a foot locker, the umpires, and Roy Oswalt.
How about getting mad and taking it out on a pitched baseball? And taking the baseball out of the yard?
Repeatedly?
How about throwing pitches at which the other batters will swing and miss?
Nah! That would be smart!
Actually, the weird part is, I like most of the guys on this team: E-Ramis, DLee, Nomar, Walker/Grud, Hollandsworth, Barrett, Corey, Z, Woody, Prior. I like all those guys. I can’t complain about Sosa in that respect right now, as much of a cancer as he’s purported to be, he’s not bitching about every little thing. No, the guy on these team that drives me nuts is Moises Alou. I think it’s because it’s being stressed that he’s the real leader of this team, and he’s shown me nothing to indicate that he should be. He’s been in and around the majors forever, but he continues to make idiotic baserunning plays, loaf in the outfield, bitch about check swing calls, throw his bat when he pops out and get into needless conflicts with the announcers. I’ve tried to like the guy, since he carried us during May and is having a career year as far as power numbers, but I can’t.
Oh, and the bullpen. I hate almost the entire bullpen.
By all accounts Chip is an annoying assbag and Stone is smug and largely unlikeable. Santo hates him and does nothing to hide that fact.
It’s silly that the Cubs get as out of sorts as they do about the announcers, but I think the reality is that they just don’t like Chip or Steve and that has more to do with them trying to ban them from the charter than their "criticism." I personally don’t like Chip and I’m more likely to get pissed at something he says than I would be if another announcer said it. I think that the players feel that way and they have much more immediate access than we do.
And let’s not be too quick to annoint the 1989 Cubs for sainthood, just yet. They had plenty of red ass in them, too. Remember when Grace missed time for getting in a fight with Frank DiPino? When Shawon beat up Marvelle Wynne in front of the dugout in the Big Urinal Cake? Yeah, they were choirboys. Yay, team!
Hey Chuck, I think I have the pic you are talking in my scrap book. I’ll look.
Like-able
Derrek Lee
Gruddy
Todd Walker
Nomar
E-ramis
Corey
Mike Barrett
Ramon
Jose Macias
Kerry Wood
The Franchise
The Lawnmower
Greggie
Regular Joe
Wellemeyer
Ice Man
Remlinger
Dusty
Larry Rothchild
Unlike-able?
LaTroy
The Farns
Mercker
Wendell
On the fence
Sammy
Moises
Gabor (it’s not his fault he has a job)
Goody
Macias (nice, but dumb)
Dempster (can’t get anybody out)
Sarge
Hollandsworth (wear a friggin’ shin guard)
I’m sure I’m forgetting people. But it’s no more an unlike-able team than anybody else has.
Forgot him, and have no idea where to put him. Hopefully on the Royals next year.
Guess what dudes, Grud is gonna play SS tonight!
You know, I bet Derrek Lee could use a day off so maybe Walk should play 1b? I already got Jose at 3b and Ramon at 2b. So who do I bat 2nd? New lineups are so exciting!
Is this it, Chuck:
I’m batting .400 against Rocky Biddle so you know that I will be in the lineup tonight.
It’s Macias time!!!
Something to cheer Cub fans up before we go out and destroy Rocky Biddle. Turns out, the Mets suck, and their front office is stupid.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=klapisch_bob&id=1871002
So if Art Howe is fired after this year for his "lack of fire", does that mean we might get to see Larry Bowa back in the dugout sooner than we thought?
That’s the pic. You’d never see that on this team. ‘Specially if it was Sammy or Alou coming in and Macias or Grudz waiting to greet him.
As to my list:
Like-able
Derrek Lee
Gruddy
Todd Walker
Nomar
E-ramis
Greggie
Regular Joe
The Lawnmower (close to on the fence – too much anger in him. Much like his father….)
Unlike-able
LaTroy
The Farns
Mercker
Sammy
Moises
Kerry Wood (I still say the April Reds game was the start of the umps not giving the Cubs calls)
Remlinger
On the fence
Gabor
The Franchise (was likeable until he started ump whining)
Corey (are you shocked? I may hate the player, but I don’t loathe the man)
Mike Barrett
Dunno
Hollandsworth
Ramon
Jose Macias
Wellemeyer
Ice Man
Goody
Macias
Dempster
Chuck, I can’t imagine anybody on this team greeting Sosa or Alou like that, not just me or Grud. But if you’ll remember back to that Oakland game with the 9th inning comeback by the Todds and Barrett, there were helluv man hugs all around.
Since I want to show I am not just a media-loving journalist-wannabe hack like some of you seem to think I am, here is a link to an article which goes too far, in my opinion, dissecting the Cubs:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/opinions/columnists/nadel/
Mike Nadel seems to think Wrigley has turned into a vineyard with what he sees as excessive whining going on from the Cubs. However, about halfway through, it turns from an averagely-written criticism du jour into a rambling mess of word play and soapbox-riding obfuscation. (Notice how I specifically criticized him for something, not the general criticisms of a piece I have seen about, um, another writer on, um, this website.
Then, there is this piece of work from Bobby La Gesse in today’s Daily Illini.
http://dailyillini.collegepublisher.com/news/2004/08/30/Sports/Wright.Idea.Gone.Crazy-706937.shtml
First, I want to say I think La Gesse is one of the better writers the DI has, and I believe I actually have him as a classmate in one of my journalism classes here at the U of I right now.
But today’s article was off base. Julian Wright, a highly sought-after basketball recruit from the Chicago area, visited the U of I over the weekend. At the Ubben Basketball Facility, where most practices are held, a group of fans welcomed Wright and watched him work out with some Illinois players.
However, La Gesse seems to say giving all this attention to a high schooler seems out of place.
"Doing everything to sell Illinois to a recruit on a visit is something the coaching staff and players are expected to do. I’m still not sure if fans doing the same thing means they are dedicated or they need help for an unhealthy obsession," La Gesse said.
There is so much wrong with this I don’t even really want to start. I think La Gesse is a good writer, but I think he missed the boat by a couple days on this one. This is supposed to show passion for the school, a feeling Wright is probably not going from fans to get at DePaul or Arizona (The other two supposed finalists for Wright’s recruitment).
So, there.
Argh. I really ought to proofread before I post. I’m terrible at this.
Anyway, there was supposed to be a quote from Nadel’s column I am criticizing. Here it is:
"Of his team’s increased surliness lately, Baker said: "In our society, there’s probably more crimes in hot-weather months."
Absolutely. When in doubt, blame the weatherman," Nadel said.
That was supposed to be in my last post talking about Nadel’s soapbox-riding.
—–
By the way, I was thinking about starting a Cubs Live! for tomorrow night’s game. If Andy will let me, I’ll put it up probably an hour before game time tomorrow. It’s Prior vs. Livan Hernandez, and it should be interesting.
Tonight’s lineup is in, I’ll post it in a moment.
Tonight’s lineup:
Corey Patterson CF
Jose Macias 3B
Nomar Garciaparra SS
Moises Alou LF
Sammy Sosa RF
Derrek Lee 1B
Mark Grudzielanek 2B
Home Run Bako C
Greg Maddux P
Montreal’s lineup:
E. Chavez
J. Carroll*
T. Batista*
J. Rivera*
T. Sledge*
R. Church
B. Schneider*
M. Izturis
R. Biddle*
* = Guys I’ve actually seen play a game before tonight’s game.
I’d first like to say suck it to T.J. Brown and his Powderpuff Posse for his comments earlier. Ramirez and Nomar need to toughen up and it all starts with their manager encouraging that.
Your thoughts on the bullpen are definitely Dusty like. How would I know how to throw a strike? I pitched back in high school and actually played with Scott Rolen. I had the second lowest ERA behind Scott his senior year.
I just can’t believe how bad these assclowns are in the bullpen. I would think you would agree, but it sounds like you are a content assclown as well.
Secondly I’d like to state my unlike-ables vs. like-ables vs.fence
Unlike-ables
Baker
Gabor Bako
Farnsworthless
Goodwin
Hawkins
Sarge
Wavin Wendell
Clement
Patterson
Like-ables
Barrett
Walker
Lee
Zambrano
Joe Bo
Grud
Ramirez
Alou
Hollandsworth
Maddux
Wood
Prior
Ice Man
Dick Pole
Larry Rothchild
Nomar
Fence
Sosa
Remlinger
Macias
Martinez
Gene Clines
Wellemeyer
Mercker
Dempster
So as you can see, I actually like the majority of this team. Some of these guys deserve yearly bashing. The other’s have to get their head out of their asses. Some will just get the job done.
We hope for the latter if we’re going to win this wild card race.
Typical inning for the Cubs to start off with.
Oh, yeah, my old buddy Basher!
Ah, Basher, I’m playing your song
I had a friend was a big baseball player
Back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about was
Glory days well they’ll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl’s eye
Glory days, glory days
Won’t it be funny when we beat the Cubs?
Do we really have to claim Basher now?
I never liked Basher much anyway.
Matt Mauck was a much better player anyway.
Total gift for Greggie there.
Hey, we aren’t supposed to get any calls!
Hey, I had to drive through Jasper probably four or five years ago. Let’s just say I agree with the sentiment of, um, the "e-mail address" for Jasper.
Obviously the Cubs need to beat this poor little beat up Expos team, but that ridiculous call makes me feel a bad for them. This ump seems to be another one from the blind as a bat variety.
Chip Caray just made one of the worst baseball jokes you might ever hear.
I am simply tearing it up.
Hey, it’s hit time, buddy. That’s one more than Sammy this game, buddy.
Maybe I should just quit imitating Sosa now. Let’s hope Greggers can get me in.
Duh…who do I think I am, Moises?
Hey, I thought I was one of Dusty’s guys. I’m not supposed to make those sort of mistakes… Of course with Maddux’s hit and then the overthrow of third it would be 2-0.
I scored, whippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be 3-0, ya moran.
Um, basher, can you move Grudz to your unlikeable list.
And can you start throwing in the bullpen?
Chip just added a Sting reference.
Oh. My. God.
I think he wants to be let go at this point.
Baker Basher, I wish you could have sat through one of my college practices. We would have seen what kind of balls you have.
If Grud doesn’t get picked off then Maddux bunts. So you don’t know what happens…
Thanks, No. 85. I did that on purpose.
Yep.
Assclown.
Moises was actually fast once?
I have no balls. I am a pussy. Because I can’t get anyone out, I’m a disgrace to society.
According to CBS Sportsline I’m hitting:
.281 vs. lefties
.281 vs. righties
.280 overall
I don’t think Grudz got picked off in an evil, predetermined plan to get the Cubs two runs.
I AM a gladiator, buddy.
Sammy with a double to the wall…
4-0 Cubs.
No, BC, we run these drills in spring training.
Grudz works on being picked off with Greggie up. He’s supposed to do that in situations where Bako gets a hit.
That’s actually why we signed two 2bs. So one can practice the pickoff, and the other practice getting picked off all at the same time.
Thanks for the clarification Dusty.
Okay, so in that case I was supposed to get a flyout because…I can’t tell you why. It’s part of our super secret strategy. But it will lead to a big inning!
Watch out Zambrano, I just might pass your BA.
Screw Barrett…
THIS JOB’S MINE!!!
Hey, if Bako gets over .200, it has to be our year, right?
Right?
How many more consecutive hits do I need to win the batting title?
Sammy’s up. You can’t let Bako out-hit you in a game here Samuel.
I’m amazed by all the hate against the ballclub in the wake of a 3 game losing streak. No wonder the players are so anti-media this year, and angry this year. Look at the fans and the media they’ve got the deal with. The only ones with a sense of entitlement about this ballclub are the fans and the media. The Cubs are just playing baseball.
And, after this game, will be leading in the wild card race. Whether or not you like them is irrelevant, since they sure as hell don’t like you, and with good reason. This is a good fanbase gone mostly rotten with the team’s success.
Looks like I got some more fans out there. Yes, Jasper is a fine place that has produced some mighty fine atheletes and some mighty smart minds.
I am one of those smart minds and Dusty needs to develop some of those smarts.
Anyway, I was wondering who the impostor is wearing Bako’s jersey tonight? Did Gabor get captured by the Beege? Does Beege have Paul in some caged pit wearing a gimp outfit ready to be stuck?
Please, whoever has Bako, keep him. We like this impostor who’s playing baseball like a major league player tonight.
I took some batting practice with Bako tonight before the game. He gave me some great tips.
That guy will be a manager some day. A manager of a gay bar that is.
http://image.weather.com/images/maps/tropical/strm6_strike_720x486.jpg
Not good. The Cubs will be in Miami on Saturday.
What is my current status? Did I get over my snatch cramps from yesterday?
So what did you think of Jasper B.C.? There’s about 10 Cub fans here. The rest root on the Red Satanic Fowl. The Reds actually have a percentage also.
I shall NOT let the Expos score!
Basher, what’s up man?!
Where do they get these guys from?
I guess they just drag them out of those French-Candian strip joints.
They might as well move to Puerto Rico too. Is there any Americans on this team?
"Is there any Americans"?
Well, you tard, it’s possible to be an American and Hispanic. It’s also possible for one to be Hispanic and not Puerto Rican. And further, what baseball team is made up of players from their particular region, anyway? The Chicago Cubs are not all from Chicago, shockingly enough.
Basher, as I noted it was a couple years ago, so I don’t know if things have changed since. I came in from the north, and it seemed like forever to get through the town that way. I don’t know what was up with that. Are Jasper and Huntington combined or something? It was just house after house after house.
It looked okay, but us Central Illinoisans aren’t supposed to take kindly to Southern Indiana re: my comments earlier. Really, the only towns I liked in Southern Indiana are Vincennes (It has some great views along the river) and Bedford. But places like Loogootee, Shoals, and Washington are just dumps, in my opinion.
Don’t give us the win yet. We haven’t made an appearance yet.
Over/under on runs I will give up:
3
We’re sliding by tonight. Just doing enough to get by. Without, Maddux, this would be a different game. What great pitching! He should be the only one to take himself out. It would be nice to finally see a complete game shutout. Even though it’s against the Expos.
B.C. Glad to hear you liked your drive. You need to get a little further south to see the nice parts of Southern Indiana. You say some dumpy parts coming from the north on your way to Jasper.
Basher,
My guess is that if Baker played Nomar and E-ramis all three games on the notoriously hard and shitty Olympic Stadium turf and they aggravated their injuries and couldn’t play against the Marlins or missed even more games, you’d be all over his ass for that.
He’s proven that he’s not a strategic wizard, but if resting the left side of the infield for at least part of the Montreal series means they are able to play nearly all of the rest of the season, it’s a good move.
All those douche bags shouldn’t even get up off the bullpen bench after these last couple of days. Hell, with this Montreal trip, they should have just met the team down in Miami. Wood and Prior need to take notes on Maddux performance tonight. You throw stikes and not walk anybody you will beat the Expos.
Making the long-awaited return…
Mets 4
Marlins 3
Bot 6th
Astros 6
Reds 3
Bot 6th
Pirates 2
Brewers 0
Bot 4th
Somebody call the booth and tell Chip to shut the &*$# up, he’s ruining my concentration!
Hey, a 1-2-3 inning out of the bullpen?
Who was that guy, and what did he do with the real Kent Mercker?!?!?!?
The tension is palpable in Canada!
I’ve now hit everyone in the bullpen, as Leicester just gave up a two run jack in the 9th in Montreal.
Hawkins being brought in. Not really what I wanted to see…
CUBS WIN!
5-2 the final tally.
Great link. Beautiful women. No silicone. Alas, no Pepe.
I’m a day late on this, but Mike Remlinger is quite a cool guy. He’s my favorite among the Cubs (I have a picture of him as background on both my desktop and cellphone).
My reason for liking him so much is that when I wrote him a thank you letter for striking out Jason Giambi with the bases loaded last year, he wrote back. He was genuinely appreciative of my comments, so I think he’s the dude. — besides that, doesn’t he have a groovy, leg-kicking delivery?
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