08/29 CUBS (Coleman) @ Reds (Wood) 12:05 CDT, WGN TV

[Sammy Sofa]

Yes. Expecting older players with a recent leg injury histories to automatically bust ass over a pop up is dumb.

 

When there's a good chance that pop up is going to fall in for a hit? It's not like this was a pop up to the second baseman that he lost in the sun and Soriano wasn't running full speed around the bases. That was always going to be a ball that could easily cause problems. And it's also different from a guy who is protecting himself and is cautious all the way around the bases but Soriano is aggressive after he gets on base so why is it different for him coming out of the box?

 

I certainly don't want any changes to the team over it, but I don't think there's any reason to try to cover up lapses in hustle either. Even though it doesn't actually affect the season, it still affects the enjoyment level of most fans greatly.

 

He still made it to third. People were talking about this like he was walking to first or just loafing around the bases. It's ridiculous to act like there's any kind of significant problem on display over the course of that AB when he still made it all the way to third base. This is what a bad season does; it gets the fans and the announcers bored and on edge so they start looking to blame every little thing like it's THE reason this team sucks. Like I said before, you're already seeing the narrative of how it's the "little things" and the "fundamentals" that are the keys as to why the team faltered this year and, whoops, lo and behold, they have a meathead-beloved managerial candidate waiting in the wings who can't shut the [expletive] up about those things (and then a backup candidate for him sitting in the booth).

 

The script is written, the roles have been cast, and everyone is already lining up for tickets.

Edited August 30, 2010 by Sammy Sofa

[jersey cubs fan]

If the Cubs were 20 games over .500 and it was Lee who hit that pop up gift triple that could have been an inside the park homerun, people would have said, "Those are the lucky breaks teams get when they are 20 games over .500". Instead Brenly gets people in a lather over a gift triple.

[MWV]

I remember Brenly complaining about Soriano's hustle last week vs. the Nats. He was upset that Soriano didn't run hard out of the box on a pop-up with one out and men on 1st and 2nd. That pop-up fell in and Sori wound up on 3rd. Apparently, Brenly wanted to see him thrown out going for an inside-the-parker. Brenly gives a voice to the least informed, scapegoating element of the fan base.

 

I was at the game, so I have no idea what Bob said. But does the fact that the outcome was a success change the fact the the process was flawed?

What I found most ridiculous about Brenly's criticism was the context. Even if Soriano ran as hard as he could out of the box, he had no where to go with men at 1st and second and 1 out on a pop fly to short right. The other runners had to hold up.

[Old Style]

I hate all of you.

 

The Cubs have decided who the scapegoat will be, the roles have been assigned and now the rubes are lapping it up, JUST LIKE THEY WANT.

 

I'm already hearing and seeing the idiots clamoring for better fundamentals and defense; like those are the only two problems this team has.

So you admit that those are two problems, but are upset that people want them to get better in those areas?

 

:-k

 

Yes, because people over emphasize that nonsense while ignoring the bigger problems and the Cubs often end up "fixing" stuff that doesn't help the team actually win more games.

Defense is nonsense? I realize that this site is all about the numbers and that defense is harder to analyze statistically than offense, but your statement is ridiculous. You don't think playing better defense helps you win more games?

[SouthSideRyan]

I hate all of you.

 

The Cubs have decided who the scapegoat will be, the roles have been assigned and now the rubes are lapping it up, JUST LIKE THEY WANT.

 

I'm already hearing and seeing the idiots clamoring for better fundamentals and defense; like those are the only two problems this team has.

So you admit that those are two problems, but are upset that people want them to get better in those areas?

 

:-k

 

Yes, because people over emphasize that nonsense while ignoring the bigger problems and the Cubs often end up "fixing" stuff that doesn't help the team actually win more games.

Defense is nonsense? I realize that this site is all about the numbers and that defense is harder to analyze statistically than offense, but your statement is ridiculous. You don't think playing better defense helps you win more games?

 

I can't speak for jersey, but I don't see any issue with our defense. Certainly not to the point that we need to focus on improving it in the offseason

[Sammy Sofa]

Dude, it's Aramis. He's afraid to get in front of the ball.

[jersey cubs fan]

I hate all of you.

 

The Cubs have decided who the scapegoat will be, the roles have been assigned and now the rubes are lapping it up, JUST LIKE THEY WANT.

 

I'm already hearing and seeing the idiots clamoring for better fundamentals and defense; like those are the only two problems this team has.

So you admit that those are two problems, but are upset that people want them to get better in those areas?

 

:-k

 

Yes, because people over emphasize that nonsense while ignoring the bigger problems and the Cubs often end up "fixing" stuff that doesn't help the team actually win more games.

Defense is nonsense? I realize that this site is all about the numbers and that defense is harder to analyze statistically than offense, but your statement is ridiculous. You don't think playing better defense helps you win more games?

 

I'm talking about the more generic concept of fundamentals. But the last time they decided to improve the team by getting guys that could catch the ball they didn't help anything. You don't overcome the problems of poor run production and shaky pitching just by getting better at defense. This team is 12th in runs scored and 13th in ERA. It would be nice to get better at defense, but it's vital that they get better at hitting and pitching.

[Old Style]

Dude, it's Aramis. He's afraid to get in front of the ball.

It was wrong when Roger Dorn wouldn't get in front of the ball and it's wrong when Aramis won't get in front of the ball.

 

I'm talking about the more generic concept of fundamentals. But the last time they decided to improve the team by getting guys that could catch the ball they didn't help anything. You don't overcome the problems of poor run production and shaky pitching just by getting better at defense. This team is 12th in runs scored and 13th in ERA. It would be nice to get better at defense, but it's vital that they get better at hitting and pitching.

I won't disagree with that.

[Sammy Sofa]

Oh, wow, I didn't think you were serious.

[Old Style]

Oh, wow, I didn't think you were serious.

About which part? Getting better defensively?

[Sammy Sofa]

About Aramis being "afraid" to get in front of the ball.

 

There's not much that can be done about improving the defense short of letting Castro continuing to develop at the position, but as it's been pointed out out, the defense of this team isn't really a pressing issue in the face of other needs.

[Old Style]

About Aramis being "afraid" to get in front of the ball.

I wasn't. Do you not realize that Roger Dorn was the third baseman in Major League played by Corbin Bernsen?

[Old Style]

And I never said egtting better defensively was, or should be, the top priority for this offseason.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yes. This wasn't the only time recently that someone seriously brought up that movie as "proof" of Aramis dogging out, so that coupled with this tangent made it seem very possible you were for reals.

[Old Style]

Oh, God no. I was just making a joke.