7/27 Cards (Jeff Weaver) @ Cubs (Hill); 7:05 pm CT; WGN/ESPN

[Laura]

The Weather Channel was not only ripping on the Cubs, but also said that they probably can't use the weather as an excuse for this season.

 

Wow. :shock:

 

Has the Travel Channel weighed in yet?

[CubColtPacer]

to me, the turning point in hill's night was the rolen ab. he had just come off a great 1st inning, and was ahead of rolen 1-2 (i believe). rolen fouled off a couple pitches (including barely nicking a decent curve) before walking. if he had gotten rolen out of the way, things may have been differnt.

 

I think the Rolen at bat was huge then, and in fact during the at bat I was thinking that this is the difference between the two leagues. When Hill gets ahead of Triple A hitters, he can throw the curve, and they strike out. Rolen fouled off some nice pitches from Hill (a couple bad pitches too)-and Hill couldn't keep throwing strikes and walked him. The good thing is, something like this might get better as Hill learns what pitches can get major leaguers out without having to strike everyone out.

[RynoRules]

Look, I completely agree that we should be trotting Hill out there before Rusch. Of that I have no doubt, nor qualms.

 

What I am trying to say is that what he is doing on the ML level is throwing up some major red flags, IMO. He reminds me a lot more of Lance Dickson than Greg Maddux.

 

EDIT: And Wuertz needs to be up here all day.

Edited July 28, 2006 by RynoRules

[C.C.]

to me, the turning point in hill's night was the rolen ab. he had just come off a great 1st inning, and was ahead of rolen 1-2 (i believe). rolen fouled off a couple pitches (including barely nicking a decent curve) before walking. if he had gotten rolen out of the way, things may have been differnt.

 

I think the Rolen at bat was huge then, and in fact during the at bat I was thinking that this is the difference between the two leagues. When Hill gets ahead of Triple A hitters, he can throw the curve, and they strike out. Rolen fouled off some nice pitches from Hill (a couple bad pitches too)-and Hill couldn't keep throwing strikes and walked him. The good thing is, something like this might get better as Hill learns what pitches can get major leaguers out without having to strike everyone out.

 

Sure that's fine, but the most distrubing part of it is he just fell apart and gave up the game...

[Jon]

The Weather Channel was not only ripping on the Cubs, but also said that they probably can't use the weather as an excuse for this season.

 

Wow. :shock:

 

Has the Travel Channel weighed in yet?

Probably not, but Pierre was interviewed and did say that the wind affects his hitting...

[C.C.]

Look, I completely agree that we should be trotting Hill out there before Rusch. Of that I have no doubt, nor qualms.

 

What I am trying to say is that what he is doing on the ML level is throwing up some major red flags, IMO. He reminds me a lot more of Lance Dickson than Greg Maddux.

 

Lets not mention Hill in the same breathe of Maddux. Please?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

pitching out with a guy having trouble throwing strikes...

 

if he has trouble thowing K's he should'nt be in the bigs

 

Then every pitcher should be in the minors, they all have games where they struggle with the strike zone.

 

Yeah, but Hill has not been consistent enough in the strike zone to stay in the big leagues.

 

His minor league stats are so impressive though that you know it is mental. I'm pretty sure the guy can throw strikes, he just needs the confidence that he can go out there and get the job done.

 

Just for kicks look up Scott Ruffcorn minor league stats...

 

just for kicks look up greg maddux's 86 and 87 stats.

 

People keep saying that, but no one acknowledges that we are essentially comparing Hill to a once in a generation talent. Do you truly believe Hill will even approach Maddux? Isn't it more likely thaat he will be, at best, serviceable?

 

There are also worse pitchers than Maddux who have had rough goes in their early MLB time. I think the point is not to say Hill will eventually repeat his AAA dominance in the show, but rather that we should wait before condemning him as a one trick pony.

 

This is Hill's 9th start...You be the judge

 

Compared to 2 awful full seasons by Maddux*.

 

9 starts, split over 2 seasons is not much to judge from.

 

*I too am not comparing Hill to Maddux, I think Hill will be a 3-4 starter for about half a decade.

[cubweiser03]

OMG 2 hours and we havent finished 5 yet

[C.C.]

I too am not comparing Hill to Maddux, I think Hill will be a 3-4 starter for about half a decade.

 

Lets not forget Maddux was 20 and 21 in his first two years in the bigs. Hill is 26 years old.

Edited July 28, 2006 by C.C.

[RynoRules]

*I too am not comparing Hill to Maddux, I think Hill will be a 3-4 starter for about half a decade.

 

Lets not forget Maddux was 20 and 21 in his first two years in the bigs. Hill is 26 years old.

 

That's the other thing - he is closing in on his prime years.

[Dr. Cub]

Can someone please pop Berman in the mouth and shut him up?

[seattlecub]

is anyone else annoyed at berman (and lesser, morgan) mockingly blaming everything on dusty?

[RynoRules]

is anyone else annoyed at berman (and lesser, morgan) mockingly blaming everything on dusty?

 

I am in Chicago and the ESPN feed is blacked out - what are they saying?

[dalgreen]

I'll be glad when Hendry decided to sign guys who actually know how to play the game. That rundown was a perfect example of how NOT to execute a rundown.

[Dr. Cub]

is anyone else annoyed at berman (and lesser, morgan) mockingly blaming everything on dusty?

 

I am in Chicago and the ESPN feed is blacked out - what are they saying?

 

Every time something happens (like Ramirez bobble) he says "oh, it must be Dusty's fault".

[cheapseats]

is anyone else annoyed at berman (and lesser, morgan) mockingly blaming everything on dusty?

 

ESPN became irrelevant a long time ago. I don't care what they say.

[Chris]

He brought in Novoa for the IBB?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

*I too am not comparing Hill to Maddux, I think Hill will be a 3-4 starter for about half a decade.

 

Lets not forget Maddux was 20 and 21 in his first two years in the bigs. Hill is 26 years old.

 

That's the other thing - he is closing in on his prime years.

 

That's a valid point to be sure. On the other hand, it's worth noting that pitchers have a much less stable career track than hitters, with Hill himself being an example of that. It's been pretty much agreed that Hill made some type of adjustment(physical, mental, mechanical, philosophical, spiritual) that helped him start dominating in the minor leagues. I don't think it's a matter of simply him sticking around until he was old enough to me a man amongst boys(note: I'm not saying that anyone is saying the opposite of this).

[cubweiser03]

He brought in Novoa for the IBB?

 

Yeah i dont like it either.

[badger1679666666]

Trade the Bum. Neifi should start daily.

[dalgreen]

is anyone else annoyed at berman (and lesser, morgan) mockingly blaming everything on dusty?

 

I am in Chicago and the ESPN feed is blacked out - what are they saying?

 

Every time something happens (like Ramirez bobble) he says "oh, it must be Dusty's fault".

 

I can't stand Berman. But there are fans and posters who don't seem to hold the players responsible.

[cheapseats]

He brought in Novoa for the IBB?

 

Brenly questioned that. He wondered why Dusty didn't just let Rusch walk Pujols.

[impaler_240]

Walker saves us?

[badger1679666666]

Walker saves us?

 

Nope only Dusty's kid can save us.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He brought in Novoa for the IBB?

 

Works out, unlike Farnsworth in Game 6 of the NLCS.