The 126 Worst Cubs

[Backtobanks]

Was Damien Miller really that bad?

 

Nope.

 

Worse, actually.

 

If you say so. I will give you the fact he was bad with the bat, but his defensive abilities and the way he called a game is one of the reason the cubs made the playoffs that year. I dont consider him to be that bad of a player.

 

Rothschild calls the game.

 

If this is true, why does everyone criticize Barrett's game-calling ability?

[Backtobanks]

Was Damien Miller really that bad?

 

Nope.

 

Worse, actually.

 

He never was much of a hitter, but obviously he can't be that bad since he has had a regular job in the majors for a long time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm expecting Ced Landrum or Ozzie Timmons to make an appearance on that list somewhere.

[UK1679666180]

Depending on the age of the person writing, they might overlook Danny Jackson.

[Derwood]

Anthony Young

[Guest]

Jose Guzman will replace Maddux' production.

 

Really.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Dave Smith anyone?

[Soul]

I can't think of a more annoying trend than the "fireXXX" websites that sprout up the day after a new coach is hired.

 

Does someone still think this is funny or cute? It isn't.

 

http://www.firesoul.com

 

Is it weird that I totally got the irony of the joke, yet still clicked the link . . . just in case? ;)

 

The site is down because I was already fired. That's why I'm here :P

 

You should have seen the day after I was hired. Wow, those were the days.

[Illini Iceman]

Mick Kelleher - in '76 he was allowed to have 337 AB's and responded by putting up a BA of .228, OBP of .264 and SLG of .270. Yech.

[Tracer Bullet]

Was Damien Miller really that bad?

 

Nope.

 

Worse, actually.

 

If you say so. I will give you the fact he was bad with the bat, but his defensive abilities and the way he called a game is one of the reason the cubs made the playoffs that year. I dont consider him to be that bad of a player.

 

Rothschild calls the game.

 

If this is true, why does everyone criticize Barrett's game-calling ability?

 

Because everyone assumes that the C calls the game. I know this doesn't carry much weight, but I do remember reading at least one article in the last year or two that stated that Rothschild calls the pitches, not Barrett (or Miller, before him).

[Electron Blue]

I can't think of a more annoying trend than the "fireXXX" websites that sprout up the day after a new coach is hired.

 

Does someone still think this is funny or cute? It isn't.

 

http://www.firesoul.com

 

Is it weird that I totally got the irony of the joke, yet still clicked the link . . . just in case? ;)

 

The site is down because I was already fired. That's why I'm here :P

 

You should have seen the day after I was hired. Wow, those were the days.

 

lol, i bet you never got as much traffic as Ron Zook did.

[Magnetic Curses]

Someone saw the NSBB thread about Fassero :shock:

 

They used the pic I posted and the comment of "We knew ye to well"

 

they stole my LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bruno7481]

Was Damien Miller really that bad?

 

Nope.

 

Worse, actually.

 

If you say so. I will give you the fact he was bad with the bat, but his defensive abilities and the way he called a game is one of the reason the cubs made the playoffs that year. I dont consider him to be that bad of a player.

 

Rothschild calls the game.

 

This isn't little league or even high school. Major League catcher call 90% of the game. The pitching coach may take over in a few situations, but for the most part it is the responsibility of the Catcher.

 

Unless something has changed since 2005 that is. Because I know for a fact Rothschild was not calling games in 2005, or any season before then since he has been there.

[cubweiser03]

Jeff Blowser. First year as a Cub he posted a .299 SLG %. .299 people. When your slugging is the same as combo meal from Wendy's you freaking SUCK.

[CubColtPacer]

Was Damien Miller really that bad?

 

Nope.

 

Worse, actually.

 

If you say so. I will give you the fact he was bad with the bat, but his defensive abilities and the way he called a game is one of the reason the cubs made the playoffs that year. I dont consider him to be that bad of a player.

 

Rothschild calls the game.

 

This isn't little league or even high school. Major League catcher call 90% of the game. The pitching coach may take over in a few situations, but for the most part it is the responsibility of the Catcher.

 

Unless something has changed since 2005 that is. Because I know for a fact Rothschild was not calling games in 2005, or any season before then since he has been there.

 

From Barrett's inference, this would seem to be correct. This is a question and answer taken from a chat after the 2006 season:

 

Indiana : This time of year catchers used to get a lot of praise for their game calling and handling of pitchers that helped to get them into the playoffs, why are they more or less over looked now.

Michael Barrett: Ha, it's easy to call a good game when you are catching Chris Carpenter! No, in all honesty, during the course of the season it's very important to guide your pitching staff along, especially when you have young pitchers like we did last year. When you have a young pitching staff, you always have to maintain the perspective that sometimes you are going to lose now to win in the future.

 

If Rothschild were calling the pitches, it would be easy for Barrett to just say that is why catchers weren't getting the credit-he seems to infer even with his first joke that he calls the game.

 

http://transcripts.usatoday.com/Chats/transcript.aspx?c=878

[Mizzou]

I'm expecting Ced Landrum or Ozzie Timmons to make an appearance on that list somewhere.

Ced Landrum was the ultimate pinch runner. 27/32 in SB's in 56 games.

[CubColtPacer]

Ok, I've found better proof that Barrett calls the game-from a Chicago Sun Times article, April 2006:

 

That includes calling the game, a phase in which Barrett is all about his relationship with the pitcher.

 

"I make mistakes calling pitches out there as much as pitchers make a mistake hitting their location," Barrett said. "I feel I have the tendency and ability to help the pitchers get comfortable faster [because] I allow them to throw some pitches. And if it's the wrong pitch, we are both there learning together. That way, when a game is on the line, you can have a talk and have good communication."

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060416/ai_n16165873

[Magnetic Curses]

Ok, I've found better proof that Barrett calls the game-from a Chicago Sun Times article, April 2006:

 

That includes calling the game, a phase in which Barrett is all about his relationship with the pitcher.

 

"I make mistakes calling pitches out there as much as pitchers make a mistake hitting their location," Barrett said. "I feel I have the tendency and ability to help the pitchers get comfortable faster [because] I allow them to throw some pitches. And if it's the wrong pitch, we are both there learning together. That way, when a game is on the line, you can have a talk and have good communication."

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060416/ai_n16165873

 

for some reason, i think that rothschild calls the game for certain pitchers.

[Soul]

Maybe for the younger pitchers, or the ones where Barrett just hasn't had enough time to build up a relationship.

[Bruno7481]

Ok, I've found better proof that Barrett calls the game-from a Chicago Sun Times article, April 2006:

 

That includes calling the game, a phase in which Barrett is all about his relationship with the pitcher.

 

"I make mistakes calling pitches out there as much as pitchers make a mistake hitting their location," Barrett said. "I feel I have the tendency and ability to help the pitchers get comfortable faster [because] I allow them to throw some pitches. And if it's the wrong pitch, we are both there learning together. That way, when a game is on the line, you can have a talk and have good communication."

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060416/ai_n16165873

 

for some reason, i think that rothschild calls the game for certain pitchers.

 

No he doesn't.

 

He'd be more likely to call a game with a rookie or unexperienced catcher, not a certain pitcher.

 

Catchers call the game at the major league level. Doesn't mean the pitching coach doesn't have influence or make a call now and then, but the overwhelming majoirty of the game/pitches is the catchers responsibility.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I've seen every Cub catcher since Rothschild has been around look to the dugout with regularity. And even beyond that, Rothschild is the one who develops the plan(albeit in conjunction with the players) for how they want to pitch each hitter. The ability to "call a game" is overblown.

[Bruno7481]

I've seen every Cub catcher since Rothschild has been around look to the dugout with regularity. And even beyond that, Rothschild is the one who develops the plan(albeit in conjunction with the players) for how they want to pitch each hitter. The ability to "call a game" is overblown.

 

Why? Have you ever done it?

 

I think it is careless to dismiss it as a minor issue.

 

The role of the catcher is very important to the whole process of pitching. They serve a larger purpose than just somebody to catch the ball.

 

Rothschild does not call the pitches.

 

Pre-game meetings and gameplans are important, but the P and C are pretty much on their own once the game begins.

[BigbadB]

Todd Hundley probably tops the list, but in the top 10 should be names like Dave Rosello, Mike Tyson, Kenny Reitz and Mick Kelleher.

 

The Cubs teams of the late 70's to the early 80's were horrible. 1984 was the first reason to get excited since 1972. Not one winning season from 1973 through 1983. NONE.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I've seen every Cub catcher since Rothschild has been around look to the dugout with regularity. And even beyond that, Rothschild is the one who develops the plan(albeit in conjunction with the players) for how they want to pitch each hitter. The ability to "call a game" is overblown.

 

Why? Have you ever done it?

 

I think it is careless to dismiss it as a minor issue.

 

The role of the catcher is very important to the whole process of pitching. They serve a larger purpose than just somebody to catch the ball.

 

Rothschild does not call the pitches.

 

Pre-game meetings and gameplans are important, but the P and C are pretty much on their own once the game begins.

 

I never said to dismiss it, but it's way over emphasized. I think it's even more careless to insinuate that the P and C are on an island during the game, especially if the tandem isn't having success.

[UK1679666180]

I think the C gets too much blame for poor pitch calling and the P doesn't get enough. Also if a pitch is poorly thrown, was it the wrong call or was thrown in the wrong spot?

 

The pitcher is well aware of what type of pitcher he is, he knows what he is more comfortable throwing in what spot moreso than any catcher would know, especially one that hasn't caught him much. The pitcher should be well aware of situational pitching and not rely on the C and pitching coach to force feed him knowledge anyone with a good work ethic should know.