3/8ST-Cubs (Miller) v Pads (Maddux) 2:05CT, XM177

[Jerry Mumphrey]

Ward's recent production shows he was one of the best pinch hitters in the Major Leagues.

 

Sounds like he could be the next Lenny Harris.

Edited March 8, 2007 by Jerry Mumphrey

[cheapseats]

Jerry Mumphrey wrote:

Quote:

Ward really has sucked so far this spring.

 

 

I was really hoping either he or Cliff Floyd would do for us what Grissom did last year.

 

 

Why?

 

Unlike Grissom, both could be very useful players this year (Floyd moreso than Ward, of course).

 

Except they offer no speed or defense and combine to block two of our best prospects.

How exactly is Ward blocking anyone?

 

Care to respond to my statements about what they actually CAN do? You know, something that has been definitively proven rather than merely hoped for?

 

Well, Ward is blocking Cliff Floyd's spot on the bench for one...and looking at these guys' recent history I don't see them as any more proven than top AAA talent. They wouldn't be hanging on if it weren't for experience.

 

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

Floyd was Soriano's equal as a hitter in 2005. He was injured last year. I think he's well worth the roster spot.

[YearofDaCubs]

Poor Maddux, all these ground balls and no outs.

I'm surprised he's not blaming the Cubs defense for that. :roll:

 

Nice one! I've been sour on him since he took that shot at the Cubs.

Yeah, me too.

[sweetpeteman]

Bottom 3rd:

 

Carlin, PH for Maddux AB:

 

Pitch 1: Ball

Pitch 2: Ball

Pitch 3: Foul

Pitch 4: Strike

Pitch 5: Single

[YearofDaCubs]

Jerry Mumphrey wrote:

Quote:

Ward really has sucked so far this spring.

 

 

I was really hoping either he or Cliff Floyd would do for us what Grissom did last year.

 

 

Why?

 

Unlike Grissom, both could be very useful players this year (Floyd moreso than Ward, of course).

 

Except they offer no speed or defense and combine to block two of our best prospects.

How exactly is Ward blocking anyone?

 

Care to respond to my statements about what they actually CAN do? You know, something that has been definitively proven rather than merely hoped for?

 

Well, Ward is blocking Cliff Floyd's spot on the bench for one...and looking at these guys' recent history I don't see them as any more proven than top AAA talent. They wouldn't be hanging on if it weren't for experience.

 

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

Floyd was Soriano's equal as a hitter in 2005. He was injured last year. I think he's well worth the roster spot.

Agreed. There's a lot to like in Ward as a pinch hitter.

[sweetpeteman]

Sledge AB, Carlin on 1st:

 

Pitch 1: Ball

Pitch 2: Strike

Pitch 3: Ball

Pitch 4: 1 - 6 - 3 DP!

[98navigator]

Pie with a gun!

 

It's nice to see Pie play well, but Lou's comments sure make it sound like the decision is already made that he's not going to be up right away.

 

It's a crowded outfield right now. Lou's justt hoping that he can go with 11 pitchers so he can sneak in another utility infielder. I think Pie can only make the team if Jacque is traded.

 

Unless, they decide it's Ok to have him on the bench instead of Pagan (long shot).

[sweetpeteman]

Walker AB, 2 outs, bases empty:

 

Pitch 1: Ball

Pitch 2: Strike (Maybe the other way, Andy doesn't like telling us)

Pitch 3: Strike

Pitch 4: Single

[Jerry Mumphrey]

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

 

Yeah, and Neifi hit .371/.400/.548 in 62 ABs for us in 2004. Isn't he considered the worst hitter in the majors now?

[sweetpeteman]

2 and 2 on Cameron

[sweetpeteman]

full count

[Fred Hornkohl]

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

 

Yeah, and Neifi hit .371/.400/.548 in 62 ABs for us in 2004. Isn't he considered the worst hitter in the majors now?

 

...... and speaking of non sequetors.........

[sweetpeteman]

Cameron AB, 2 outs, Walker on 1st:

 

Pitch 1: Ball

Pitch 2: Ball

Pitch 3: Strike

Pitch 4: foul

Pitch 5: Ball

Pitch 6: Ball

 

Cameron Walks, Walker to 2nd

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

Pie one-hopper to home for the out! ... now what did we learn, Mr. Jones?

 

From what I've heard, Jacque's throws have apparently gotten much better.

 

I've heard that a bit, as well. Hopefully the shoulder issues he was referencing in regard to last year's ground-hugging lobs from RF have been addressed and his throwing is improved.

[Lefty]

Is Miller still in? That must be some ugly line given the DP and CSs.

[sweetpeteman]

Bard up:

foul

[MustangMike]

Pie with a gun!

 

It's nice to see Pie play well, but Lou's comments sure make it sound like the decision is already made that he's not going to be up right away.

 

I think that's been the plan all along. Spring Training is never a very good time to make evaluations about whether or not a guy is ready for the big leagues. A guy might look really strong throughout Spring Training, but you can never be sure if he's just hit a hot streak or if it really is sustainable.

 

Pie's looked really good so far, no doubt about it. However, considering the rules of service time and the fact that Pie still has some kinks to work out of his game, it would be a good idea to at least let him start the season in AAA and let him pound the door down.

 

Besides, it'd be a huge headache having Soriano, Jones, Murton, Pie, Floyd, and Ward all competing for potential OF spots at once.

 

I do see your point. If someone is not going to make it, it should be Pie going down. I'm just nervous about them moving guys around if Soriano doesn't work out in CF. If he has to move, i'd think moving now would be better than later. Its a tough call, and I won't be mad at all if Pie gets sent down, even though I'm a big anti-fan of Jones.

[sweetpeteman]

0 and 2 on bard

[98navigator]

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

 

Yeah, and Neifi hit .371/.400/.548 in 62 ABs for us in 2004. Isn't he considered the worst hitter in the majors now?

 

...... and speaking of non sequetors.........

 

:D :lol:

[sweetpeteman]

Bard AB, runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs:

 

Pitch 1: Foul

Pitch 2: Strike

Pitch 3: foul

Pitch 4: Strike

[sweetpeteman]

Bottom 3:

 

Carlin: Single

Sledge: 1 - 6 - 3 DP

Walker: Single

Cameron: Walk, Walker to 2nd

Bard: K

 

2 - 1 Cubs, end 3

[cl smooth]

Ward hit .350/.438/.633/1.072 as a pinch hitter last year. That made him arguably the best pinch hitter in MLB. Cubs pinch hitters hit .216 last year.

 

 

Yeah, and Neifi hit .371/.400/.548 in 62 ABs for us in 2004. Isn't he considered the worst hitter in the majors now?

 

i'll take a .633 SLG% off the bench over the .548 SLG% as a semi-regular any day of the week.

[CubColtPacer]

Well, not a great or even good outing by Miller, but he got out of a couple jams and his defense really picked him up today, so no real harm done.

[sweetpeteman]

Top 3:

 

New Pitcher, Burke.

 

Coats AB:

 

Pitch 1: Strike

Pitch 2: DOUBLE!

[98navigator]

Coats is playing well