Random Baseball Musings

[Cubswin11]

MLB is investigating Toronto's new field, apparently the ball is bouncing weird and it's slowing down balls more than usual turf/grass. Looks like they may have put down too many of those ground up black rubber (or whatever) pieces.

[OleMissCub]

Joe Morgan had four seasons in which he had 50+ XBH, 50+ SB, and 100+ walks. No other player in history ever did it even once.

 

I can't believe Rickey never did that.

 

ETA: 1 BB shy in '85.

 

My thoughts immediately went to Rickey with those stat categories. Rickey's BR page is amazing. Guy was such a weapon. Then I thought about Tim Raines. He was 3 BB shy in 1983. Similarly, Cobb was 3 XBH shy in 1915.

[Guest]

I have never gotten the impression that it goes both ways to even remotely similar degrees.

 

Most Cubs fans I personally know are indifferent to the White Sox. I grew up in the near north burbs. Some even passively cheered for the Sox in 05 so that a Chicago team would finally win something.

Don't you think limiting it to Cubs fan you personally know limits the sample size unfairly? I assume you would choose not to closely associate with idiots who are obsessed with the White Sox, but this site right here, and this very thread actually, prove they absolutely exist.

 

I mean, sure it does. But I've also lived in the Chicago area for 30+ years now - maybe 20 of those as a somewhat aware human being - (and always more in what would be considered Cubs territory) and the vitriol just seems way more intense in one direction. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

Get a load of this guy

 

https://twitter.com/SamSciascia/with_replies

[hawkeyecub]

This might belong in the video game thread, but a great Grantland article today about obsessive types who are constantly working to keep the PC version of MVP Baseball 2005 up to date.

 

Played this game in college on XBox for hours against guys on my floor.

 

Yep that game was so [expletive] great. Countless hours on that on the PS2.

Holy [expletive] does this soundtrack bring back memories: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MVP_Baseball_2005

 

Had to YouTube most of them.

[Clem Fandango]

So Ian Desmond might have the yips. 6 errors in 8 games.

[Sammys Boombox]

It seems like the Diamondbacks are doing everything exactly wrong with Tomas.

[Guest]

It seems like the Diamondbacks are doing everything exactly wrong with Tomas.

 

They're doing everything exactly wrong with everything.

[Sammys Boombox]

It seems like the Diamondbacks are doing everything exactly wrong with Tomas.

 

They're doing everything exactly wrong with everything.

 

Good point.

[NonProfitCow]

It seems like the Diamondbacks are doing everything exactly wrong with Tomas.

 

They're doing everything exactly wrong with everything.

It's wonderful.

[KaiserCesar]

During the end of the 2012 season, I was in Phoenix while the Cubs were in town and the Diamondbacks had just been eliminated. I went to the game with some friends and was wearing some neutral shirt color (green?). We get there a little late and when we arrive at the seats, an old very tan woman is sitting at the end of the row. She looks at us and says 'ARE YOU A CUBS FAN?' I say, 'Yes'. At this point she got upset and I ended up having to go around the other end of the row to avoid incident.

 

After the game on the Phoenix Disneyworld style train, the fans were having some good laughs about the Cubs' futility, only a few days after being eliminated themselves.

 

I very much enjoy the Diamondbacks mismanagement.

[Sammys Boombox]

We went to Cubs/DBacks series in 1999 (it was so glorious - only game the Cubs lost featured a 7-run 8th inning Cubs comeback down 8 against Randy Johnson started by a 486-ft HR by Sammy).

 

My mom still refers to Diamondbacks games as a "Three-ring circus with a bad attitude."

[ConstableRabbit]

We went to Cubs/DBacks series in 1999 (it was so glorious - only game the Cubs lost featured a 7-run 8th inning Cubs comeback down 8 against Randy Johnson started by a 486-ft HR by Sammy).

 

My mom still refers to Diamondbacks games as a "Three-ring circus with a bad attitude."

I was there, too.

[OleMissCub]

Taft is now one of the Nationals mascots?? When did this happen? Those are easily the best mascots in MLB fwiw.

 

 

http://pelotapimienta.mx/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/taft.jpg

[seanimal]

needs more fupa

 

http://nutritionhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NH-Taft-President.jpg

[Sammys Boombox]

I'm currently reading Up, Up and Away! By Jonah Keri. I now know why he seems to really like Theo and the Cubs. The parallels to the way the Expos front office ran the team due to financial limitations are apparent. Only, the Cubs should be able to keep whichever talent they development and decide is worth keeping.

[mul21]

I'm sure this has been posted before, but it's hilarious and awesome.

 

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Anyone know an estimated time the Cubs will take BP on the 11:35am Thursday game in Pittsburgh? I see PNC opens at 10am... Will Cubs or Bucs hit first?

[OleMissCub]

Anyone know an estimated time the Cubs will take BP on the 11:35am Thursday game in Pittsburgh? I see PNC opens at 10am... Will Cubs or Bucs hit first?

 

Home team always takes BP first.

[CubsInNC]

Rule 5 selection (and former Cub minor leaguer) Andrew McKirahan Jr tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended for 80 games.

[Guest]

Rule 5 selection (and former Cub minor leaguer) Andrew McKirahan Jr tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended for 80 games.

fascinating...I wonder what impact that has on Rule 5 status?

[UMFan83]

Anyone know an estimated time the Cubs will take BP on the 11:35am Thursday game in Pittsburgh? I see PNC opens at 10am... Will Cubs or Bucs hit first?

 

Sometimes teams don't even take BP for a day game after a night game, especially one that starts at 11:35 am.

[CubsInNC]

Rule 5 selection (and former Cub minor leaguer) Andrew McKirahan Jr tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended for 80 games.

fascinating...I wonder what impact that has on Rule 5 status?

 

To be honest, I'm more interested that it's the second ex Cub, both of whom are in the Braves org. That's some next level tin foil hattery.

[Guest]

Yeah, I too am curious as to how that impacts his Rule 5 status because, with all the bullpen injuries, I was hoping he'd come back to the Cubs.

[Guest]

Rule 5 selection (and former Cub minor leaguer) Andrew McKirahan Jr tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended for 80 games.

fascinating...I wonder what impact that has on Rule 5 status?

 

To be honest, I'm more interested that it's the second ex Cub, both of whom are in the Braves org. That's some next level tin foil hattery.

 

Not in the org by then:

 

@mlbbowman: A source said McKirahan apologized to his teammates yesterday and informed them he had used a cream during Spring Training. #Braves

 

(Obviously a bunch of Cubs and non-Cubs roid.)

[Sammys Boombox]

I know a lot of us got real excited when McLeod decided not to pursue the GM position with San Diego because we took it to mean (and I think he even said) that he wanted to see the Cubs success to completion. Now I'm wondering if he knew the Padres wanted to go this route of trading the farm for immediate hopes of overtaking the Dodgers and Giants, and he did not want to be a part of that type of plan.