A League of Her Own A League of Her Own A League of Her Own is a nationwide community of Chicago Cubs fans. What makes this site unique is that it is run by a female fan who realizes that there is more to baseball than just statistics -- baseball is supposed to be fun. Articles
Sunday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-24 12:37:00 Atta boy Dempster, Ramirez shine What's new? From the Daily Herald: Thanks to a pair of 3-run homers from red-hot Aramis Ramirez, Dempster's job was made quite a bit easier Saturday. "What a game Rammy had, man," Dempster said. And what a solid season season Dempster has had, already picking up win No. 15 with over a month to go. "It's great; it's a nice feeling to have, but at the same time there's a long way to go and I've got a lot of starts left," he said. Thinking about reaching 20 down the road? "No. We'll worry about winning tomorrow's game," Dempster said. "I think that's been a good approach for us so far." Z's day at the dentist delayed For some reason I just thought of "Me and my llama, goin' to the dentist today" From the Trib: But Zambrano was the first to admit Saturday that the story of his cracked molar during Thursday's game may have been embellished. "It was nothing, just a little piece," Zambrano said. "I think it was about time to go to the dentist a... More About: Open , Sunday , Morning , Sunday morning , Headlines
Saturday Game Thread: Nats @ Cubs 12:05 CT/1:05 ET
2008-08-23 18:00:00 Hey, 2008 Cubs . Wow, what a season, right? I mean, you guys are like a billion games over .500, leading the league in just about every offensive category, and doing a bang-up job of holding off the Brewers and the Cards. Good on ya, team. Couldn't be prouder! Except for one thing. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I can't help but notice that you guys lost to the Nats yesterday. I don't know if you've heard, what with your busy schedule of dominating the NL Central and all, but they're pretty bad this year. I mean like really bad. And, um, not to pile on, but this is AFTER you lost to the Reds, in game when you let Korey Patterson WALK, no less. So, while we're all so proud of you for what you done this season, if you could, you know, try to NOT lose to the Nats, that'd be great. Because while we should be secure in our awesomeness this year, frankly, we're not. I'm sure you understand. Thanks in advance for your cooperation and go Cubs! Love, The Gang At LOHO P.S... More About: Saturday , Game , Thread
Saturday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-23 12:08:00 That's right, Chad. Hide your face in shame. Cubs ruin Maim's day From the Daily Herald: The Nats scored in every inning from the sixth through the ninth, taking the first of this three-game series. "Yeah, from my perspective, it was a pretty good ballgame for five innings," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose team is 2-2 on this homestand against losing teams Cincinnati and Washington. Instead of making hay, the Cubs had a haymaker thrown at them, and Piniella knew why. "You can't walk three people there in the (sixth) inning with leads," he said. "They're going to score, and that's exactly what happened." So much, also, for Piniella's plan to give Marquis extra rest - Marquis' last start was Aug. 13 - to keep his arm "fresh." Marquis didn't give up a hit until the fourth, but he allowed 2 hits and 2 walks in the sixth. "I don't have an explanation," Piniella said, not wanting to go any further. Lee not worried about lack of numbers He's turning into a #2 hitter, or a... More About: Open , Saturday , Morning , Headlines , Thread
Game Thread: Nationals @ Cubs: 1:20 P.M. CT/ 2:20 P.M. ET: Electric Boogal
2008-08-22 18:45:00 The Chicago Cubs welcome the Washington Nationals to Chicago this afternoon, in what can only be described as the biggest mismatch since Grand Fenwick fought the United States. What happened in that one, anyway? I turned it off because it wasn't the Pink Panther. I HATE playing the Nationals In somewhat relevant news, it is my birthday today. This means it's also my brother millertime's birthday. It's our sister's birthday, too. We're going to be enjoying nature and each others' company in the backwoods of Minnesota, but we'll check in on the score, too. So imagine our consternation when it turns out that the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs on our birthday will be the one Cub actually capable of losing to the Washington Nationals: Jason Marquis has spoiled plenty of birthdays in his time You know what having Jason Marquis pitching on your birthday is like? It's like when you go to reach for a chocolate chip cookie, and take a bite, only to find out i... More About: Game , Electric , Thread
Hey Lurker: What's Your Deal?
2008-08-22 16:32:00 We hope you don't really look like this Psst. Hey, lurker. Yes, I'm talking to you. You know who you are. You hop on this site, day after day. Sometimes you log on by screen name, which you for some reason took the trouble to create, even though you've never commmented. Sometimes you simply exist as a pulsing location on a map. Sometimes as a random number in a chat room. Do you think we don't see you? Oh, but we see you. We pretend you're invisible, as your ways are strange and foreign to us, and we don't want to frighten you off. Or give you reason to attack in a whirlwind of fear and confusion. We hope, in vain, that if we leave you alone, one day you will tentatively step out of the shadows, into the light, and join the rest of the herd. Until today. Today, we demand answers. We come in peace. We're friends, we promise. Who are you? Why do you hide in the shadows? Are you able to type? If not, how did you manage to get a screenname? Wait a minute. . . are you from the Whi... More About: Deal
Friday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-22 08:55:00 Tooth decay be damned If you were too lazy to read my game recap diary, here's some more on yesterday's game. The main drama involved a cracked tooth. From the Trib: Even baseball skeptics-and those who doubt the tooth fairy exists-would have a hard time denying this seems to be a special season for the Cubs. Or, as manager Lou Piniella labeled the latest lunacy: "That's just a little Cubbie Occurrence." There have been several "occurrences" this season, but what happened to starter Carlos Zambrano during Thursday's 3-2 victory over Cincinnati leaves those skeptics with something to chew on. As Zambrano warmed up for the fifth inning, trainer Mark O'Neal noted that he "made a grimace." O'Neal rushed out and fans were left holding their breath, but before Piniella made it to the mound, the situation had been corrected. And it was nothing to spit at. Zambrano had cracked an upper right molar but quickly spit it out and proceeded to complete seven innings of one-run ball as th... More About: Open , Morning , Friday , Headlines , Thread
Thursday 8/21 Game Recap; Cubs 3, Reds 2
2008-08-22 02:46:00 Sorry for you, Korey Today, your Chicago Cubs avoided looking like complete arses, defeating the Reds 3-2 and coming away with the 2-1 series win. I can only imagine the collective shudder after the first batter of the game, Chris Dickerson walked on 4 pitches. Chris Dickerson = Eric's son? You decide Apparently Big Z had a Big Z moment and got it together (from the AP, via Yahoo): Carlos Zambrano delivered a heated first-inning lecture to someone he knew would listen-himself. Upset after giving up a four-pitch walk to leadoff batter Chris Dickerson, Zambrano calmed down, regrouped and got out of the inning. The Cubs' ace also overcame a sore tooth, and homered on Thursday to finally get his 13th victory as Chicago beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2. "I was talking to myself. I told myself, 'Is it that hard to throw strikes? Come on, let's go,"' Zambrano said. "I would rather have people go out there and hit home runs than walk somebody. I hate walks." So do we, Carlos, so do we. A... More About: Game , Recap
Game Thread; Reds at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. EDT/1:20 CT: Fat Man and Little Boy
2008-08-21 18:00:00 The above is happening today. Pound, pound, pound. Raise up. Turn around and jump on my back as I carry you around. One of the best pregame things ever. Now go out there and get a win. You guys are facing Josh Fogg, for crying out loud. 7.71 ERA? I've been watching Little Leaguers this week that could do better than that in the majors. Game is on Comcast, and for us down-low folks, SportSouth (not to be confused with Fox Sports South). Winning series is important! More About: Reds , Cubs , Thread
Thursday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-21 11:49:00 Bleurgh Cubs ruin cubbiejulie's night From the Daily Herald: On the second straight night with the wind blowing in, the Cubs needed to do a lot of little things right, much as they did in Tuesday's 5-0 victory over the Reds. It didn't happen Wednesday, and you didn't have to read too much between the lines to see where Piniella was directing his tight-lipped anger. The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on singles by Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa, with those hits composing two-thirds of the team's hit total for the game. But what happened in the fourth galled Piniella. Jim Edmonds led off with a walk, and DeRosa singled. But Kosuke Fukudome lifted a weak flyball to shallow center, and Edmonds had to hold. Geovany Soto then grounded into a double play, and that was that. "First and third with no outs, put the ball in play on the ground somewhere, and you get a run," Piniella said, referring to the at-bat by Fukudome, who batted seventh in the order and who may be heade... More About: Open , Morning , Thursday , Headlines , Thread
Game Thread; Reds at Cubs, 8:05 p.m. EDT/7:05 CT: Are the Reds Having A Lau
2008-08-21 00:40:00 One of the good things about having a 6 5.5 (thanks a lot, Cecil and your sorry-ass guarantee)-game lead is you don't have to stress about every game. Especially when the Reds come in town. Did you see that lineup last night? Wow. So, speaking of the Reds, they just sent out a letter to their season-ticket holders (no word on if there is such a thing) explaining their "plan." And by plan, I mean, sucking. Here are a few highlights, along with the true meaning: What they said: "While the run production generated by these two veterans (Griffey and Dunn) will not be quickly replaced, we chose to endure the short-term ramifications for the sake of building a strong, competitive team for 2009 and many seasons to come." What they meant: "Those were our two best players, and the guys who actually got what few fans we have left to come to the ballpark. So, yeah, we're in trouble. But we have hope for next year. I am a broken record." What they said: "Since taking ownership of this franch... More About: Game , Cubs , Thread
Wednesday Off-Base Diary: Olympic Edition
2008-08-20 19:12:00 We've got a long way to go until the game tonight. This is my attempt to hold your attention until 7:05. As it turns out, there is at least one woman in American who is non-plussed by Michael Phelp's abs: USA Swimming teammate Amanda Beard: When asked if she ever kissed Michael, Amanda answered, "Ew, no!" Held hands? "Ew, no! Not even that." Even the mere suggestion that Michael might be attracted to her inspired an "ew-that's-so-nasty" response. "C'mon, I have really good taste," she told the radio hosts. "He's not really my type, personally." Laughing, she added, "I go for a little bit different-looking guys." Ouch. To be honest, Amanda, you aren't looking so hot lately, either: No offense. In case you missed this today, Usain Bolt is freakin' fast: Once again, the Jamaican blew away the field, but this time he ran through the finish and with a 19.30 broke Michael Johnson's world record. Asked if he is the greatest sprinter in history, Bolt replied, "I don't need to an... More About: Diary , Olympic , Wednesday , Edition , Base
Wednesday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-20 12:53:00 Geo leads Cubs to win From the Daily Herald: His batterymate Soto not only called a good game behind the plate, but he flashed both power and spark in the fifth inning as he led off with a triple and then scored the game's first run with a veteran-like play off third base on Harden's bunt. With the victory, the Cubs improved to 77-48 and increased their lead in the National League Central to 6 games over second-place Milwaukee. "Just good baseball, good heads-up baserunning," said manager Lou Piniella, sounding impressed with a rookie catcher who plays wise beyond his years. "Got us a lead." How'd you feel about the play, Geovany? "It's a pretty tough play," Soto said. "I've thought about it before because I've seen it. I've seen it against us in the minor leagues. "I just followed him down the line. All of a sudden, 'I can score; I can score right here.' I just took a chance headfirst into home plate. He got a bad throw." Soto admitted it wasn't easy to score. "I thought... More About: Open , Morning , Headlines , Thread , Wednesday
Tuesday Night Game Thread: Reds @ Cubs 7:05 CT/8:05 ET
2008-08-19 22:04:00 Dusty in happier days It's actually kind of cute the lengths that Reds .com has gone to to try to keep their fans engaged; like suggesting that the Reds, now 21.5 games back of the Cubs , are still "a factor" in the division race. CINCINNATI -- The Reds are 21 1/2 games out of first place. But that does not mean they're not participants in the pennant race. Actually, it does. But never fear. Dusty has big plans for next season. And with an abundance of youth on the roster, Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker feels the experience will be good for his club. "It'll be beneficial because we're planning on being in that race next year," Baker said. "Guys that have never been there don't know what it's like. We need to get a taste of it." So Dusty's plan is to start playing the young guys. You know, Corey Patterson, Jerry Hairston Jr., Neifi. The young guys. Meanwhile, the (marginally) more intelligent fans over at Red Reporter have begun pondering what they did to deserve a season tha... More About: Night , Game , Tuesday
Tuesday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-19 15:30:00 Marmol back in serious groove From the Trib: Going into Monday's games, Marmol led all NL relievers in opponents' batting average (.132), strikeouts per nine innings (12.03) and hits per nine innings (4.01), while ranking second in holds (22), first-batter efficiency (.107) and inherited runners stranded (84.8 percent). These numbers are more impressive when considering he was in such a slump in June and July that Cubs fans booed him off the mound during the Giants' five-run ninth inning on July 12. "You know, when he was getting three up and three down and striking out three, everybody wanted him to be the closer," manager Lou Piniella said. "Now they want him in long relief, for God's sake. We've got to find a happy balance with this." Marmol hasn't given up a run since that day, with a perfect 0.00 earned-run average since the All-Star break. What has been the difference? "I don't know," Marmol said. "I'm getting more rest this month, and I feel good." Toni Ginetti hails... More About: Open , Morning , Tuesday , Headlines , Thread
Monday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-18 14:49:00 Nice to have you back, big guy Cubs' big inning puts away Fish From the Daily Herald: The Cubs began their seventh-inning assault against Florida starter Chris Volstad and continued it against Renyel Pinto, a former Cubs farmhand. Mike Fontenot led off with a double and scored on Alfonso Soriano's 2-run, bases-loaded double. After the Cubs reloaded the bases, Aramis Ramirez doubled home 2 more ahead of Kosuke Fukudome's sacrifice fly. Reed Johnson later cleaned up the bases with a 3-run double. "It was the same situation last night," Johnson said of the Cubs' 2-1 loss. "We had some guys on, and we just weren't able to cash in. "That was the difference today. We were able to get those guys in. Sori gets a big hit. Ramy gets a big hit. When we get those guys rolling, we're pretty tough to beat." Dempster looks good, again From the Trib: Dempster improved to 14-5, one win shy of his career high, striking out 10 and allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He has allowe... More About: Open , Morning , Monday , Headlines , Thread
Rubber Match: Cubs @ Marlins 12:10 CT/1:10 ET WGN
2008-08-17 18:05:00 I sooo could have gone in a different direction with this The streak is over, but the dream lives on. The Marlins ended the Cubs ' 9-game road win streak last night with a 2-1 victory at Dan Marino Schula Manatee Stadium, or whatever that place is called. But no matter, today we have a chance to take 2 of 3 from the fish; no small feat, considering that we had been 0-for-Florida the last two years before this trip. Ryan Dempster will take the mound, looking for his 14 win of the season. Did you honestly think, before the season started, that Ryan Dempster would win 14 games all season? If you say yes, you are a filthy rotten liar. The correct answer is "no, i would have been surprised if Dempster was still in the starting rotation come May." Honest is always the best policy. I'm reminded of this IM exchange between myself and cubsfan2883 the first week of the season: cubsfan2883: well, i guess dempster in the rotation didn't work. me: why? cubsfan2883: 2-0 me: it's 1:22! Sigh. ... More About: Match , Rubber
Sunday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-17 14:50:00 Cubs lose, now officially worst team in MLB From the Daily Herald: Leaving eight runners stranded over the final four innings, the Cubs fell 2-1 and saw their road winning streak end at nine. "Too many chances - early and late," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose team fell to 75-48. "Never got a hit when we needed." Piniella looked to have the best intentions in mind when he stacked his lineup with four left-handed hitters in the middle against Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who had yielded a .473 batting average against lefties. Turns out that Mike Fontenot was the only left-handed batter to get 1 of the 3 hits against Sanchez in the 5 innings he worked. Piniella rested first baseman Derrek Lee and had Jim Edmonds batting third. "We rested some people," Piniella said. "And I've got some people hurt. We can't play everybody here in this hot weather in August, especially in places like Atlanta, where you play a doubleheader and then here. "You better rotate your team. We don'... More About: Open , Sunday , Morning , Sunday morning , Headlines
Cubs at F#$&ing Fish -- 7:10pm EDT / 6:10pm CDT
2008-08-17 01:21:00 Stuff about this game: Cubs lead the NL Central (look at the sidebar, Einstein) Cubs have won 10 straight road games -- the longest streak since 1945 (a streak of 12) It's on WGN Fill the rest in yourself. Go tune in. A little more: Marshall, who made 19 starts last season, is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in three this season. In his last start on July 6, the left-hander allowed one run and six hits in six innings of a 7-1 win over St. Louis. The aforementioned Sean Marshall has thrown six scoreless innings over his last four relief outings since giving up one run and one hit with five strikeouts in three innings against the Marlins on July 26 Mr. Marshall is 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three career starts versus Florida (you feel fulfilled now, don't you?) The Marlins have lost three straight and six of eight More About: Fish
Saturday Morning Headlines - 16 Aug 08
2008-08-16 17:38:00 (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter) One Hit -- Three Runs -- One Comeback Win Ward is the Hero, Ending the Florida Drought Diesel Daryle Ward Fillets the Marlins (cheesy, but appropos) From the Trib: Daryle Ward smelled like a brewery after his teammates gave him the best beer shower of his career Friday night at Dolphin Stadium. Ward's pinch-hit three-run homer off Kevin Gregg in the top of the ninth inning gave the Cubs a 6-5 comeback victory over Florida, extending their road winning streak to nine games in stunning fashion. For Ward, who'd struggled all season coming off the bench, success was something to savor. "There's been some battles," he said. "It's not going to be easy every year. Guys make adjustments on you. They've got scouting reports and videos. "It takes me time to adjust sometimes when you pinch-hit and get one at-bat. I was just so excited." So were his teammates after winning for the first time in Miami since July 10, 2005. The Cubs halted a six-game losing stre... More About: Saturday , Morning , Headlines
Game Thread: Cubs @ Marlins: 6:10 P.M. CT/ 7:10 P.M. ET: Friday Night Fish
2008-08-15 22:00:00 I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank you, members of this site, for your typically well-thought-out ruminations on sports and culture. After the following exchange at work, I swear I will never take your collective wisdom for granted ever again. Co-Worker 1: The Boston Red Sox are in first place. Co-Worker 2: No, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are in first. Me: That's right. But they're just the Tampa Bay Rays now. It will be a close race because Carl Crawford is hurt, and Evan Longoria, too. Co-Worker 2: Crawford steals a lot of bases! That's a big loss. Me: ...I guess... Co-Worker 2: Who could they get to replace him, though? Me: Barry Bonds. (stunned silence) Co-Worker 2: The Bears could go to the playoffs this year. Co-Worker 1: Why? Co-Worker 2: The Packers don't have Favre. Me: Losing a 38-year-old QB isn't that big a deal when you're a young, good team that was a field goal a... More About: Fish , Night , Game , Friday , Cubs
Friday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-15 15:07:00 Cubs win From the Daily Herald: "We swung the bats really well the entire series," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "We put up almost 10 runs a game. It was a good series. Now we go on to Florida." The Cubs roughed up Braves starter Tom Glavine in the early going. They scored twice in the first inning. In the third, Kosuke Fukudome and Derrek Lee singled. Aramis Ramirez followed with his 20th homer of the year, a booming drive to right-center. Soriano hit a 2-run shot in the fourth, and the Cubs added 2 in the fifth to take a 9-4 lead. In the process, they took a hit of their own when Ramirez dived awkwardly into home plate trying to avoid the tag while scoring on Geovany Soto's double. Ramirez left the game with a bruised left hip, and he's day to day. "I'm doing all right," he said. "We'll know more tomorrow, but it's not that serious. I should be OK." Ted Lilly's got your back From the Sun-Times: Leave it to Ted Lilly to take the final, parting shot. The Cubs starter who g... More About: Open , Morning , Friday , Headlines , Thread
Game Thread; Cubs at Braves, 7 p.m. EDT/6 CT: Them's Fightin' Words!
2008-08-14 23:32:00 Memo to Braves : Keep throwing at this guy, and there's going to be a problem. A big one. If you read the comments on Carl's headlines today, King Sori is almost telling the pitchers what's going to happen. I don't care if he posed yesterday. Know what you should have done? Thrown a better f***ing pitch and not suck so bad. This team is itching for a fight. Hadn't had one all year, where last season they were coming in bunches, whether it was between each other or against another team. So, keep throwing inside. Who's over there? Yunel Escobar? Couldn't hurt a fly. Just wait until Crazy Eyez Killa Zambrano comes after you with his belt off. Onto the game. Ted Lilly, even though he lika-to-give-up-the-home-run-ball, has pitched well of late. In seven of his last eight starts, Lilly has allowed three runs or less. For the Braves, it's the ancient Tom Glavine. This is Glavine's first start since June. He's had a bum elbow and was on the DL, then in the minors. Interestingly ... More About: Words , Game , Cubs , Thread
Thursday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-14 15:20:00 Note to Marshall and DeRosa: Please wear tighter pants Cubs sudden road warriors From the Trib: By sweeping Atlanta 10-2 and 8-0 Wednesday in a day-night doubleheader at Turner Field, the Cubs moved 26 games above .500 (73-47) for the first time since finishing 96-65 in '84. They have won seven straight road games for the first time since June 2004, and are on pace to win 99 games, something they haven't done since winning 100 games in 1935. "This has been as exciting as it gets, but it's not over," center fielder Jim Edmonds said. "If we go [to the postseason] and don't advance through the first round, than it doesn't mean anything. This is just the first step in the season, when you're expected to play well and win." Edmonds and Geovany Soto both homered and drove in four runs on the day, while Aramis Ramirez added three RBIs. Jason Marquis improved to 8-7 with a 51/3-inning stint in the opener and, after two hours of down time, the Cubs scored four first-inning runs off ... More About: Open , Morning , Thursday , Headlines , Thread
Doubleheader! Game Thread; Cubs at Braves, 7 p.m. EDT/6 CT: Take Two
2008-08-13 23:37:00 It was a snoozefest in the first game, but the best kind with a solid Cubs victory. If you didn't get to watch it, here's what you missed in 10 parts: 1. The Braves are terrible 2. Edmonds was the man yet again 3. Bobby Cox got thrown out for arguing about lights 4. Soto hit a bomb 5. My man Soriano almost got nailed by something named Francisley Bueno 6. Francisley Bueno almost had to die 7. Crappo Marquis smoked and mirrored his way to above .500, luckily again he was going against a terrible pitcher and team that has flat-out given up 8. Dome needs some time off...and soon 9. Howry pitched an inning and didn't give up any runs. There were then rumors about a trumpet sounding and a bearded man riding a horse down from the clouds 10. Did I mention the Braves are terrible? Onto the nightcap... Ultimo Rich Harden, who was supposed to start last night's game, will go up against Jorge Campillo, who hasn't been half bad for the Braves this season. He's currently on a four-game wi... More About: Game , Thread
Doubleheader! Game Thread; Cubs at Braves, 1:10 EDT/12:10 CT: Let's Play Tw
2008-08-13 17:37:00 Yeah, yeah, I know. Unoriginal. But how many times do I get to use Mr. Cub in a game thread? If you don't like it, go to China and take the underage gymnasts with you. So, after last night's deluge (which made me very happy I didn't make the four-hour trek down I-85), the Cubs and Braves are scheduled for a day-night doubleheader. There is a small switch however. Contrary to the sidebar, it's going to be Crappo Marquis against Charlie Morton in the day game, and then Rich Harden and Jorge Campillo tonight. Not sure when this was all changed, but I just found out. Marquis improved to 7-7, merely because the Cubs threw up a milli runs last time out. Once again, he's facing a pitcher worse than he in Morton, but the Cubs have had trouble in the past with first-time young pitchers. Game today is on WGN, and then tonight's is on Comcast (or Fox Sports South for us in the Bible Belt-yay!). I'll have another thread up for the nightcap as sort of a recap/new thread. Here's to anoth... More About: Play , Thread
Wednesday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-13 15:39:00 Stupid rain, you made me catch Olympic fever. Lou feels bad about Fukudome comments From the Trib: "We want this young man to hit," Piniella said. "We're pulling for him. ... I never said I was disappointed. All I said, basically, was we'd like to see him start hitting-and it created a stir. I mean, I've said that about other players." Whenever Piniella has said that about one of his stars, it usually has created a stir. "Sometimes stirs are good," he said. There's little doubt Piniella was sending a message to Fukudome, who is hitting .227 since the All-Star break and .107 in August. But he seemed to think the Chicago reporters overplayed the message. "He's a good player, a real good player," Piniella said. "And to his credit, he has continued to hustle and he has played really well in right field. He's just in a little bit of a slump. He's probably trying to do too much. He just needs to do the things he's capable of, like he was earlier in the year. He's taking [fewer]... More About: Open , Morning , Headlines , Thread , Wednesday
Tuesday Game Thread: Cubs @ Braves 6:00 PM CT/7:00 PM ET
2008-08-12 23:20:00 Rich Harden goes for the Cubs tonight We came through two weeks of division play with a little wiggle room at the top of the division. The Cubs got more good news this week, as everyone's favorite member of the Northern Beer Team, Ryan Braun, has had to sit out a couple of games with back issues. Keep up the good work with the voodoo dolls, kids, it seems to be working. We last faced, and swept, the Braves at Wrigley in mid-June. Clearly, these are not your big broher's braves, as, for once, they aren't really in playoff contention at 55-63, though they have some momentum coming off their first winning road trip of the season. Rich Harden (and his 2.10 ERA) makes his 6th start for the Cubs tonight, which, to be honest, is WAY more starts than I thought he'd have at this point, given his injury history. Facing Harden will be some kid named Charlie Morton, who sounds like a used car salesman and has never faced the Cubs. Tonight also marks the beginning of the LOHO Fukudome drink... More About: Game , Tuesday , Thread
Tuesday Morning Headlines/Open Thread
2008-08-12 15:29:00 What'll Lou do? Sully poses three questions. From the Trib: First up, Fukudome, Fontenot or Johnson? "He does such a good job in right field that we hate to take him out of the lineup," Piniella said. "But at the same time, we've got other people here who are looking for some playing time and are swinging the bat. I'm going to give him every opportunity, but we'd like to see him hit." Look for Piniella to give Fontenot and Johnson more playing time in Atlanta and Florida in hopes that Fukudome can figure things out after a little rest. Fukudome was 3-for-28 on the homestand and is hitting .229 on the road. Johnson is hitting .474 since the All-Star break with a .512 on-base percentage, and Fontenot is hitting .406 since the break. Next, Wood, Marmol or Spellcheck? Wood was throwing 96-m.p.h. fastballs in his return from a back problem on Sunday night and figures to move back into the closer's role eventually. But the question is whether Piniella can handle having a closer whose... More About: Open , Morning , Tuesday , Headlines , Thread
Monday OBD: Ruminations on "It's Gonna Happen": An Essay In One Part
2008-08-11 19:38:00 Let's Assume This Is You Dear It's Gonna Happen Guy: I think we've all been patient with your little attempt to make a quick buck off our team long enough. In that regard, please allow me to explain the problems with your 15 minutes of fame and the reasons 90% of Cubs fans would like to throw you down a well so our country can be free. There are really several problems with your . . . what are we calling it? Slogan? Sign? Corporate Branding? Whatever it is, it's stupid. First off, the biggest issue I have with "It's Gonna Happen" is that you don't define what "It" is. Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I'll assume that you meant "It" to mean "Win the World Series." Longstanding arguments about jinxing the team by declaring that we're going to win the World Series aside, it seems to me that "It" could just as easily mean "collapse down the stretch," "Zambrano blowing out his arm," or "Cubs fans having their hearts broken again." "It" could even mean we could MAKE the playo... More About: Part , Essay , Monday
Monday Brunchtime Headlines
More articles from this author:2008-08-11 16:43:00 No offensive, but this isn't working for me Abe and I are still not on board with this. In fact, I got into a fight with my dad about this very issue last night. Everyone who said it would be a cold day in August before Cubs fans cheered former Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds for a warning-track fly ball were apparently right on the money. With unseasonably cool temperatures dipping into the mid-60s Sunday night at Wrigley Field, Edmonds received three standing ovations in a 6-2 victory over St. Louis, including one in the second inning for flying out and advancing a runner. The man Cubs fans once loved to hate has morphed into a player they've learned to love in pinstripes, and Edmonds mania was front and center again before a raucous crowd of 41,268 and a national TV audience. "That's what it's all about," Edmonds said. "Playoff atmosphere. It's the ultimate home-field advantage. There's just so much energy. It's awesome." Don't get cocky, Dempster. Kerry Wood threw ... More About: Monday , Headlines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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