General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Interesting article on Lester's second half:

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-weirdest-thing-about-jon-lesters-season/

 

If Fangraphs knows, the Cubs know. Have to wonder what they plan to do about it.

 

For an update on this... It's possibly article worthy, but lol at me doing that right before the playoffs.

 

http://media.tumblr.com/22123b212b1596437e00f81fdc6c1e46/tumblr_inline_mlaugebUGV1qz4rgp.gif

 

So I made a twitter thread instead:

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Basically, Jon was at his worst since coming off the DL at the start of September -- which was pretty obvious. His spin rates were lower than they have been all season and he wasn't throwing his four-seam fastball inside to righties at all. When he was throwing his four-seam fastball, he was missing way off the plate, arm-side. So all of the things in that article had been even more problematic in September.

 

In his two starts since that article, he's throwing his fastball inside to righties more often. And he isn't missing way off the plate as much. And his fastball spin rates have been much better.

 

Let me just say, though: It's only two starts. So Jon is definitely still broken and won't ever be fixed. And he is a sure bet to be terrible in the playoffs. Abandon all hope.

[ConstableRabbit]

And call me a big ol' baby, but I largely want another WS ASAP solely because of how Election Night came right after last year's. That legit kinda ruins any time I look back on it: to swing that far from complete joy to complete awfulness that quickly.

You're a big ol' baby. Nothing could ruin that.

[Sammy Sofa]

And call me a big ol' baby, but I largely want another WS ASAP solely because of how Election Night came right after last year's. That legit kinda ruins any time I look back on it: to swing that far from complete joy to complete awfulness that quickly.

You're a big ol' baby. Nothing could ruin that.

 

You're right; I completely made it up.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Thank Tom we'll never have to experience this

 

[champaignchris]

Thank Tom we'll never have to experience this

 

Hosmer and Moustakas are only 27 and 28 years old. That sucks for Royals fans.

[BCVM22]

A season's worth of radio highlights, including three new ones.

 

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm curious to check out the new Cubs book by Rich Cohen:

 

https://deadspin.com/the-cubs-were-never-more-themselves-than-in-1979-1819113571

 

Kingman was with the Cubs just three seasons but it felt like forever. Speak his name to any fan between the ages of 42 and 95 and watch the physical reaction—grimace, groan. Ding Dong. Like Nixon and Trump, he warred with the press. It began when the Sun-Times put him on its list of worst-dressed Chicagoans. He told his teammates to never again speak his name to the media. He once sent a rat to a reporter, and dumped a bucket of ice water over the head of another—Don Friske of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Kingman called it “a prank.” In an attempt to monetize all that bad energy, the Chicago Tribune gave Kingman a column. He said he was not entirely comfortable with the gig, as “it’s an insult to be called a writer.” Asked if he used a tape recorder for interviews, he said, “Nah, I make it up like everyone else.” Some of his columns ran. Some were killed, including one in which he suggested trading newspapermen like baseball players. He wanted to swap Mike Royko for Red Smith. In a newspaper profile, Kingman named his hobbies, a 1970s bachelor potpourri: hunting, fishing, woodwork, photography, “my dog.” “After every game, Kingman takes to his boat to collect his thoughts and a few fish for dinner,” according to the story. “During the season, he likes to be alone. ‘When you’re around a lot of people,’ he complained, ‘they always get around to talking about baseball.’” Asked to characterize Kingman, Bill Buckner said, “He’s a teammate.”

 

From the comments section:

 

Here’s my Dave Kingman story: Dave had been traded to the Mets but wasn’t playing that day or much that season and were playing the Cubs. As the Mets warmed up in the outfield, I yelled to Dave from my bleacher seat, “Hey Dave, would you rather sit on the bench in New York or on your boat in Lake Michigan?” Dave signed a baseball “To the ugliest girl in Chicago” and tossed it to me. I still have that baseball.

[Brian707]

I'm curious to check out the new Cubs book by Rich Cohen:

 

 

 

I just read the sample on Amazon which is just over 1 chapter. I decided to order it. Very good so far.

[Old Style]

I'm curious to check out the new Cubs book by Rich Cohen:

 

https://deadspin.com/the-cubs-were-never-more-themselves-than-in-1979-1819113571

Definitely have to get that. That's right about the time I became a huge Cubs fan. I turned 6 early that year and Buckner & Kingman were two of my favorite players at the time along with Manny Trillo.

[biittner77]

According to George Will, in A Nice Little Place on the North Side, Mike Vail made a throw from Wrigley’s deep right field one afternoon that season. He hoped to nail the runner at home, but the throw sailed and hit the batboy instead. There he lay, stretched out like a corpse. I’ve not been able to verify this story, but repeat it anyway because, even if it did not happen, it might as well have, as it captures exactly what it felt like to be a Cubs fan in 1979. We were all that batboy, wrongly believing we were watching from a safe distance.

 

I have to get this book too.

[David]

Addison Russell's 2 year old rivals BHogg Jr.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZxPtfggjeS/?taken-by=m3liiiiiisaaa

[SouthSideRyan]

Now imagine if he was swinging lefty like his hands are aligned

[Geech]

Addison Russell's 2 year old rivals BHogg Jr.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZxPtfggjeS/?taken-by=m3liiiiiisaaa

 

In a few years Russell will probably have a full lineup worth of kids. The Cubs should have a nice advantage when it comes to scouting them.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

get a paternity test. the bat stayed in the kid’s hands

[Brian]

Not sure if anybody posted this great video yet, but either way here it is.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[mul21]

The Brewer and Cardinal trolling in that is excellent.

[Sammy Sofa]

I can't tell if it's that Addison's kid looks SO much like him, or if it's that Addison just looks like a freakin' baby.

[David]

I can't tell if it's that Addison's kid looks SO much like him, or if it's that Addison just looks like a freakin' baby.

Same. It's crazy.

[biittner77]

The mother looks like she's 15

[jersey cubs fan]

The mother looks like she's 15

is that even the mother?

[David]

The mother looks like she's 15

is that even the mother?

 

If you mean the one you can see in the video, no.

 

His (ex?) wife Melisa is the mother.

[NonProfitCow]

The mother looks like she's 15

is that even the mother?

his oldest daughter

[We Got The Whole 9]

Sullivan was just asked if there are any other 25 and under trios he would take over Bryant, Willy, and Russell, and he said he would take Judge, Sanchez, Severino... and possibly Seager, Bellinger, and... Field

 

Who the horsefeathers was he trying to talk about?

[jersey cubs fan]

Sullivan was just asked if there are any other 25 and under trios he would take over Bryant, Willy, and Russell, and he said he would take Judge, Sanchez, Severino... and possibly Seager, Bellinger, and... Field

 

Who the horsefeathers was he trying to talk about?

 

Taking a stab in the dark here, was the reference "the field" as in any 3rd player on the roster, since the first 2 are so good.

[David]

Sullivan was just asked if there are any other 25 and under trios he would take over Bryant, Willy, and Russell, and he said he would take Judge, Sanchez, Severino... and possibly Seager, Bellinger, and... Field

 

Who the horsefeathers was he trying to talk about?

 

Taking a stab in the dark here, was the reference "the field" as in any 3rd player on the roster, since the first 2 are so good.

 

That was my guess.