Mateo Bandwagon, plus Baker says something good for once...

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Call me crazy, but I think Dusty actually pulled Mateo to help inflate his ego. 5 innings gets that magical 'W', and he was matched up with Clemens. Mateo had the cajones to plunk the guy, and Dusty took him out on a high note.

 

Take it and run, Dusty -- you're not getting props from me very often.

[soccer10k]

I give Baker credit for taking the kid out. You know Clemens was going to hit him while not getting kicked out for some reason. I knew Baker was going to put Theriot up to hit for Mateo though and I was hoping Roit would be able to dodge the fastballs which he did pretty well!

 

I don't, should have kept him in for another inning or two, let's see what the kid can do. Baker wasn't worried about a proven star why should he have worried about a kid whose biggest highlight will be beating Rocket Roger? It's a plunk in the back he could have taken it. Besides it would have looked too obvious and Roger would have been tossed.

 

HCCF, I have to disagree. If we're going to rip Baker for his irresponsible usage of Prior and Wood in 2003, and Z this year, then I'm going to give him credit for pulling a young, developing pitcher after 78 last night. He threw well, why extend him another 15-20 pitches if you don't have to? Why risk uneccesary wear and tear?

 

Baker did the right thing. Now, if he pulled him not to protect his arm but because he thought Clemens would hit him, he still did the right thing, albiet for the wrong reason.

 

Agreed. I like that Dusty actually pulled Mateo (whatever his reasoning may be) before he could rack up a huge pitch count.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think we all agree, that watching Mateo, a rookie who appear to be fearless, and not intimadated by Clemens, go after Clemens a "legendary HOF pitcher, known for his intimadation" and simply bean him, to protect his teammates. I love it, and just when Karros became a "Cubs" officially when he hit the 3 run homerun off Acevedo to prevent Clemens 300th, I believe Mateo hitting Clemens, Juan officially became a "Cub."

 

And, I am willing to bet that after he did hit Clemens, he earn the clubhouse respect.

 

A rookie hitting Clemens......Gosh darn, that was a heck of a sight.

[SoonerCubFan]

Call me crazy, but I think Dusty actually pulled Mateo to help inflate his ego. 5 innings gets that magical 'W', and he was matched up with Clemens. Mateo had the cajones to plunk the guy, and Dusty took him out on a high note.

 

Several posts in, but this is exactly what I see the case being. Extremely well done all the way around. AND ... wasn't it sweet to see the Cubs get under the Astros' skin for a change?? After the 2004 non-beaning flop by Berkman and the subsequent turnaround to that season, it was nice seeing Clemens lose his cool.

[Pickle]

I'm not complaining about pulling Mateo.

 

Dusty's main gaff was leaving Weurtz in too long.

 

It was obvious that he simply didn't have it last night.

 

The Cubs probably should have lost last night thanks to Dusty..yet he gets bailed out by the guy he hates..Murton.

 

The irony.

 

Why does Dusty hate Murton again? Because he gave Murton some rest when Murton started slumping in June? Because he cut back on Murton's playing time? Maybe the fact that Murton isn't playing everyday is what's helping him. He's certainly been hitting a lot better since he's gotten more rest. Maybe with this being Murton's first full year in the majors, some time off helps him. Nah. Dusty hates the kid.

 

I'm not sayin that I love everything Dusty does, but some of the bashing is just silly.

[SoonerCubFan]

I think we all agree, that watching Mateo, a rookie who appear to be fearless, and not intimadated by Clemens, go after Clemens a "legendary HOF pitcher, known for his intimadation" and simply bean him, to protect his teammates. I love it, and just when Karros became a "Cubs" officially when he hit the 3 run homerun off Acevedo to prevent Clemens 300th, I believe Mateo hitting Clemens, Juan officially became a "Cub."

 

And, I am willing to bet that after he did hit Clemens, he earn the clubhouse respect.

 

A rookie hitting Clemens......Gosh darn, that was a heck of a sight.

 

Agree 100% all the way around. Actually, I liked what I saw from Juan his first time out, and this (along with his solid MiLB stats) only solidifies my opinion of him as a potential keeper.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm not complaining about pulling Mateo.

 

Dusty's main gaff was leaving Weurtz in too long.

 

It was obvious that he simply didn't have it last night.

 

The Cubs probably should have lost last night thanks to Dusty..yet he gets bailed out by the guy he hates..Murton.

 

The irony.

 

Why does Dusty hate Murton again? Because he gave Murton some rest when Murton started slumping in June? Because he cut back on Murton's playing time? Maybe the fact that Murton isn't playing everyday is what's helping him. He's certainly been hitting a lot better since he's gotten more rest. Maybe with this being Murton's first full year in the majors, some time off helps him. Nah. Dusty hates the kid.

 

I'm not sayin that I love everything Dusty does, but some of the bashing is just silly.

 

Murton played from April through November last season (playing in the AFL). It'd be very disconcerting (and probably not true) to see Matt tired in June after such a long 2005 season.