Ryan O'Malley feel-good thread

[TruffleShuffle]

OK, so the guy got fortunate to some extent. But look at what happened.

 

He's a guy who is 26 years old, pitching for a team he rooted for growing up. In terms of talent, he's pretty low on the professional baseball totem pole - never drafted, but he's worked his way up AAA. Still, his fastball is not fast, and there was probably a better than 50/50 chance that he'd never be called up to the big leagues.

 

Then, the Cubs play an 18 inning game, and are forced to use the scheduled starter for the next night. Therefore, they need someone new, and with all the injuries, there aren't any top prospects at AAA sitting and waiting to be called up. It just happens that it's O'Malley's turn in the rotation, so he's the one who gets the call.

 

His control isn't all that great and the Astros hit some balls hard off him, but he gets the big outs when he needs them, and gives the bullpen a much-needed rest. As usual, the Cubs' offense is incompetent, but they do get 1 run, and O'Malley gets the job done and, with the help of Howry, gets the lead to stand up. His first big-league start is an eight-inning shutout, in front of his parents, who made the long trip to see him play.

 

So yeah, he got lucky, and no, he's not going to be a great pitcher. But, the stars just aligned right for him and got him to the big leagues, and he pitched a great game for the team he's always rooted for. It's been a pretty depressing year. Let's enjoy this rare bright moment in an otherwise crappy season.

[Andy]

It really was amazing to watch this kid who I had literally never heard of before I woke up that day just come up and fire eight shutout innings in the big leagues. What a special moment.

[illiniguy]

To me this game was like the Estes shut out of the Reds in '03. Unexpected, but a great lift none the less. It was definately cool to see him with his parents after the game.

[Soul]

Kid tosses a shutout from nowhere for the team he loves. Couldn't have scripted a better story.

 

Good for him. And now, no matter what happens, he can always show his kids & grandkids the video of the time he went to the big leagues and got the Cubbies a win.

[soccer10k]

I would like to see him get a couple more starts with the Cubs if possible.

[chuckywang]

I would like to see him get a couple more starts with the Cubs if possible.

 

Yeah, when rosters expand. Leave no stone unturned.

 

Put Wood on the 60 day DL and activate Miller.

[sweetpeteman]

Of course he deserves another start, even if he does get shelled

[TXCubsFan]

Of course he deserves another start, even if he does get shelled

 

He'll always have the memory of that first start, no matter how his career goes. Sweet!

[minnesotacubsfan]

I had no idea he was cursed...aka a Cub fan

 

 

Godspeed O'malley. you just basically lived my dream.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Of course he deserves another start, even if he does get shelled

 

Disagree.

[imb]

Of course he deserves another start, even if he does get shelled

 

Disagree.

 

Yeah, there are actual pitchers who actually fit into our actual plans for the future, let's give those guys as many starts as possible.

 

But, good for him, it was a nice bright spot in a dismal year.

[CoolHandLuke]

So, how many years until we can go see his story shown on the big screen?

[bhogg]

has he played a full year at AAA? if not, he needs to earn the next start. . . . can't make a career out of pitching after 18 inning games. . . .

[Guest]

At this point I'd be more than willing to let O'Malley get another start. Historically his control is much better than what he displayed this evening, I'm sure nerves had a lot to do with that.

 

I've been a small fan of O'Malley for several years now. Circa 2003 I had an opportunity to watch him pitch in Peoria for the visiting Lugnuts. He reminded me of a Maddux style of pitcher, did not have overpowering stuff but put the ball exactly where he needed to put it for the situation. Before anyone cries foul, I am not comparing him to the hall-of-fame Maddux.... he just simply had a Madduxesque way about him in the game I saw.

 

Beyond that, I sat right behind the bullpen, front row on the third base side. He was just a really nice guy, taking time out to talk to any Cub fan who happened to stop by during the game. Do I think he's going to be a 20 game winner? No, but I do think if Glendon Rusch can find a spot on a big league team every year then O'Malley sure as hell deserves a chance.

[Sammy Sofa]

So, how many years until we can go see his story shown on the big screen?

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Regardless of how the rest of his career pans out, this first ML start is worthy of the big screen.

 

And I'd like to see him get one or two more starts...maybe he shows himself to be relatively steady, goes back to the minors and does alright and if the Cubs wise up a bit they can sell high for a guy like him, or he can be the cherry on a miracle package deal that nets the Cubs a player they desperately need.

 

Hey, if the kid gets his movie moment, let me have mine, OK?

[Sammy Sofa]

I've been a small fan of O'Malley for several years now. Circa 2003 I had an opportunity to watch him pitch in Peoria for the visiting Lugnuts. He reminded me of a Maddux style of pitcher, did not have overpowering stuff but put the ball exactly where he needed to put it for the situation. Before anyone cries foul, I am not comparing him to the hall-of-fame Maddux.... he just simply had a Madduxesque way about him in the game I saw.

 

Agreed.

 

That said, however, without any real speed, he NEEDS to be at least Maddux-esque somewhat consistently to have any hopes of a career in the bigs.

[Wheelimus]

Can't believe some don't think he deserves a second start. You just don't let a kid throw eight innings of shutout ball and then not give him another chance.

 

I mean, he wouldn't be the first pitcher in baseball history with an iffy fastball but who just could get guys out. Is that probable? Not by a long shot. But we lose nothing by finding out.

[abuck1220]

Can't believe some don't think he deserves a second start. You just don't let a kid throw eight innings of shutout ball and then not give him another chance.

 

I mean, he wouldn't be the first pitcher in baseball history with an iffy fastball but who just could get guys out. Is that probable? Not by a long shot. But we lose nothing by finding out.

 

actually, if you give him starts over hill, guzman, marmol, etc, the cubs would be losing something...a chance to see who fits in the rotation next year.

[Wheelimus]

Or maybe instead they gain the chance to see what O'Malley has, and if he can put a string of quality starts together, you just might have an overvalued trade chip in the offseason.

 

What if he has a strong run to close the season and could be moved to a team for a bat, who are fooled by his performance?

 

Most likely he gets shelled and you end the experiment, but I don't see how getting him one more start stunts anything with those other pitchers. Heck, give Z an extra day off since you know Dusty will make him throw 850 pitches...

[goonys evil twin]

Or maybe instead they gain the chance to see what O'Malley has, and if he can put a string of quality starts together, you just might have an overvalued trade chip in the offseason.

 

What if he has a strong run to close the season and could be moved to a team for a bat, who are fooled by his performance?

 

Most likely he gets shelled and you end the experiment, but I don't see how getting him one more start stunts anything with those other pitchers. Heck, give Z an extra day off since you know Dusty will make him throw 850 pitches...

 

I've got no problem with them giving him more chances, until or unless he is exposed. But your last sentence is kind of pointless since they are going to do all they can to keep Z from having any extra days off.

[cubsjunky95]

Yeah I think we should wait and see what he has...his control is what is going to make him or break him because he isn't going to blow people away with his stuff but man that pic of him hugging his mom and dad was priceless.

[soccer10k]

Can't believe some don't think he deserves a second start. You just don't let a kid throw eight innings of shutout ball and then not give him another chance.

 

I mean, he wouldn't be the first pitcher in baseball history with an iffy fastball but who just could get guys out. Is that probable? Not by a long shot. But we lose nothing by finding out.

 

actually, if you give him starts over hill, guzman, marmol, etc, the cubs would be losing something...a chance to see who fits in the rotation next year.

 

How do you know that O'Malley doesn't fit into the 2007 plans? Can you somehow see into the future? I realize that he isn't going to come out and throw 8 shutout innings every single time out, but give the guy a chance to show what he can do. If he gets shelled, then we don't have to worry about where he fits in next year. If he pitches well, then we either have a piece for 2007 or a player that could potentially be traded in the offseason.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Can't believe some don't think he deserves a second start. You just don't let a kid throw eight innings of shutout ball and then not give him another chance.

 

I mean, he wouldn't be the first pitcher in baseball history with an iffy fastball but who just could get guys out. Is that probable? Not by a long shot. But we lose nothing by finding out.

 

actually, if you give him starts over hill, guzman, marmol, etc, the cubs would be losing something...a chance to see who fits in the rotation next year.

 

How do you know that O'Malley doesn't fit into the 2007 plans? Can you somehow see into the future? I realize that he isn't going to come out and throw 8 shutout innings every single time out, but give the guy a chance to show what he can do. If he gets shelled, then we don't have to worry about where he fits in next year. If he pitches well, then we either have a piece for 2007 or a player that could potentially be traded in the offseason.

 

I agree. Hill, Gooz, Marmol, etc haven't exactly been competing for the Cy Young. I think O'Malley definitely deserves a shot after his debut.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

How do you know that O'Malley doesn't fit into the 2007 plans?

 

His entire professional career is a good start, plus reports about his stuff, which are reflected in said professional career.