Q & A Article with Herald Beat Reporters

[Mark Priors Calves]

Interesting read from Mike Spellman. He interviewed Bruce Miles and Scott Gregor (the Sox beat reporter). It gives some interesting behind the scenes at spring training info and they both offer their insight into the upcoming season.

 

Here's the full article.

[Balsa]

In the spring of 1999, Sammy Sosa was fresh off his 66-homer season and a trip to Japan in the fall of ’98. He decided that after every spring home run, he’d bow to the crowd. That lasted 1 home run. After hitting one off Arizona’s Todd Stottlemyre, Sosa bowed to the HoHoKam park crowd. The next time Sosa came up, Sottlemyre nearly split him in two with a fastball aimed right at his belt buckle. The bowing stopped.

 

:lol:

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

In the spring of 1999, Sammy Sosa was fresh off his 66-homer season and a trip to Japan in the fall of ’98. He decided that after every spring home run, he’d bow to the crowd. That lasted 1 home run. After hitting one off Arizona’s Todd Stottlemyre, Sosa bowed to the HoHoKam park crowd. The next time Sosa came up, Sottlemyre nearly split him in two with a fastball aimed right at his belt buckle. The bowing stopped.

 

:lol:

 

That's pretty sweet.

[NCCubFan]

Interesting having a Daily Herald article where Bruce was the interviewee and not the reporter.

 

Q. How are they to deal with?

 

Gregor: Jim Thome might be the only pro athlete who shakes your hand after every interview. And Javier Vazquez, before leaving for the World Baseball Classic, seemed eager to prove he is a front-line starting pitcher.

 

Miles: The players have been extremely courteous and willing to be interviewed. The Cubs do a good job of providing media training to their minor-leaguers. The young players in camp are extremely polished in this regard.

That's due to the experience they gained by doing Q & A sessions for us last year. :D

[Bruce Miles]

Jake Fox is among the best young players I've ever dealt with. I did a story on the Cubs' young catchers a few days ago, and all were extremely enthusiastic and cooperative. You can't beat that.

[Radar3454]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

[snoodmonger]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

Hey, after we get Cabrera, we can even afford a slip up or two there. Right Bruce? The rumors are true, right? RIGHT?

[Bruce Miles]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

Hey, after we get Cabrera, we can even afford a slip up or two there. Right Bruce? The rumors are true, right? RIGHT?

 

Uh, no. At $472,000 or whatever it is, Cabrera is one of the few guys the Marlins can afford.

[snoodmonger]

Hard to believe that angels blog was full of it.

[Coach C]

Jake Fox is among the best young players I've ever dealt with. I did a story on the Cubs' young catchers a few days ago, and all were extremely enthusiastic and cooperative. You can't beat that.

 

Sounds good. I am impressed on his ability to knock down some tough pitches, and taking a peek at the runner while trying to get the ball at the same time.

[ManEatingTarp]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise...

 

Too bad the Cubs pitching already appears to be on the wrong side of healthy.

[Blueheart05]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise...

 

Too bad the Cubs pitching already appears to be on the wrong side of healthy.

 

Not really. If Wood and Miller are healthy in May, and the Cubs have a productive April, they could be poised to make a realistic run throughout the season. Heck, if one of Wood or Miller is healthy and Z, Prior, Maddux, and Williams pitch well (not to mention the bullpen) the Cubs might be fine.

 

As usual, this team's pitching will dictate its success or lack thereof.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise...

 

Too bad the Cubs pitching already appears to be on the wrong side of healthy.

 

Be honest... you fear a healthy Cubs pitching staff.

 

Z

Prior

Wood

Miller

Maddux

[Rooftop Bum]

I hope they are healthy this season. It just seems like such a stretch that we will see Wood, Prior, and Miller for the entire season though. I will feel better when I see them pitching on the mound instead of all the "they are making progess" reports.

[ManEatingTarp]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise...

 

Too bad the Cubs pitching already appears to be on the wrong side of healthy.

 

Be honest... you fear a healthy Cubs pitching staff.

 

Z

Prior

Wood

Miller

Maddux

 

I'll be honest.

Z - Yes

Prior - Yes (unless he's hurt. which I think he is)

Wood - I have zero fear of this overated one trick injured pony.

Miller - Yes (3 years ago... now, not so much)

Maddux- Eh- He's a really good #5!

[ltb]

Wood - I have zero fear of this overated one trick injured pony.

 

this has got to be a joke.

 

you're not afraid of a healthy kerry wood? (remember, this is assuming health).

[Tim]

Miles: The Cubs will be a lot better than they’re getting credit for. It’s conceivable they could win their division handily if their pitching stays healthy. The additions to the bullpen, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, should help tremendously.

 

I know that is a big if but I like to see Bruce believes it.

 

If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise...

 

Too bad the Cubs pitching already appears to be on the wrong side of healthy.

 

Be honest... you fear a healthy Cubs pitching staff.

 

Z

Prior

Wood

Miller

Maddux

 

I'll be honest.

Z - Yes

Prior - Yes (unless he's hurt. which I think he is)

Wood - I have zero fear of this overated one trick injured pony.

Miller - Yes (3 years ago... now, not so much)

Maddux- Eh- He's a really good #5!

So...if Wood has been healthy for the season and the Cubs and Cards are matched up for a decisive game 7 in the NLCS, you'd be more than comfortable with a Suppan/Wood matchup?

[sonofsamiam]

Wood - I have zero fear of this overated one trick injured pony.

 

Really?

 

Kerry Wood's splits vs. St. Louis, 2002-2005:

 

76 IP

50 H

22 R

19 ER

31 BB

81 SO

 

2.25 ERA

1.07 WHIP

4-4 W/L

 

Looks like something to fear to me! :wink:

[ManEatingTarp]

you're not afraid of a healthy kerry wood? (remember, this is assuming health).

 

I can't actually remember Kerry Wood being healthy ;) When he was, I always felt like you could count on that one big inning.

 

So...if Wood has been healthy for the season and the Cubs and Cards are matched up for a decisive game 7 in the NLCS, you'd be more than comfortable with a Suppan/Wood matchup?

 

With our offense vs the Cubs, and Wood and Suppan's playoff history I would. Now before you point it out, I do remember that Wood had a good 2003 playoff with the exception of game 7 of the NLCS. Suppan has gone up against some of the "aces" of other teams and faired quite well.

 

 

Really?

 

Kerry Wood's splits vs. St. Louis, 2002-2005:

 

76 IP

50 H

22 R

19 ER

31 BB

81 SO

 

2.25 ERA

1.07 WHIP

4-4 W/L

 

Looks like something to fear to me! :wink:

 

So before he had his shoulder cut on he's had a .500 record against the Cardinals the past 4 years.

 

No Fear.

 

Zambrano I fear. Healthy Prior I fear. Wood.... no

[sonofsamiam]

you're not afraid of a healthy kerry wood? (remember, this is assuming health).

 

I can't actually remember Kerry Wood being healthy ;) When he was, I always felt like you could count on that one big inning.

 

So...if Wood has been healthy for the season and the Cubs and Cards are matched up for a decisive game 7 in the NLCS, you'd be more than comfortable with a Suppan/Wood matchup?

 

With our offense vs the Cubs, and Wood and Suppan's playoff history I would. Now before you point it out, I do remember that Wood had a good 2003 playoff with the exception of game 7 of the NLCS. Suppan has gone up against some of the "aces" of other teams and faired quite well.

 

 

Really?

 

Kerry Wood's splits vs. St. Louis, 2002-2005:

 

76 IP

50 H

22 R

19 ER

31 BB

81 SO

 

2.25 ERA

1.07 WHIP

4-4 W/L

 

Looks like something to fear to me! :wink:

 

So before he had his shoulder cut on he's had a .500 record against the Cardinals the past 4 years.

 

No Fear.

 

Zambrano I fear. Healthy Prior I fear. Wood.... no

 

Resorting to the W/L I see ... and if I'd left it out?

[ManEatingTarp]

 

Resorting to the W/L I see ... and if I'd left it out?

 

When you boil it down, doesn't it really come down to wins?

 

If you left it out it wouldn't have changed the way I feel about Wood.

[goonys evil twin]

 

Resorting to the W/L I see ... and if I'd left it out?

 

When you boil it down, doesn't it really come down to wins?

 

If you left it out it wouldn't have changed the way I feel about Wood.

 

When you boil what down? The pitcher's performance? No, not at all, not even close.

[sonofsamiam]

 

Resorting to the W/L I see ... and if I'd left it out?

 

When you boil it down, doesn't it really come down to wins?

 

If you left it out it wouldn't have changed the way I feel about Wood.

 

I'm sure you know as well as I that a pitcher only has so much control over a W/L, and perhaps you're just baiting.

 

Regardless, Wood had only 1 loss (and in fact only 1 game) in that entire 4-year period where he allowed more than 3 runs.

 

In the losses, he allowed 3 in 6, 2 in 7, 7 in 3 (his one bad game), and 1 in 7.

 

No-decisions were: 1 in 7, 0 in 7, and 2 in 8.

 

Basically, aside from 2 games over a 4-year period, the Cardinals have had a heck of a time scoring any runs off Wood at all. He's held them to a .180 BAA.

 

It's fine if you don't fear, or even respect, him. But sometimes recollections and hard facts don't always match up.

[UBlink]

Maddux- Eh- He's a really good #5!

 

On what criteria is Maddux a #5? Of 49 qualifying NL pitchers he ranks:

 

ERA - 36

WHIP - 16

OBA - 19

OPSA - 29

QualityStarts - 25

IP - 7

 

Can you name 3 NL teams with 4 more productive starters?

[ManEatingTarp]

Maddux- Eh- He's a really good #5!

 

On what criteria is Maddux a #5? Of 49 qualifying NL pitchers he ranks:

 

ERA - 36

WHIP - 16

OBA - 19

OPSA - 29

QualityStarts - 25

IP - 7

 

Can you name 3 NL teams with 4 more productive starters?

 

I said he was a really good #5.

I don't fear him like I did a few years ago. He's the greatest pitcher I've ever seen in person.

He's on the decline now and no longer a front of the rotation guy.