General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Cubswin11]

Sounds like Kimbrel has left Iowa. Given the timing, probably makes it more likely it's for Alzolay right?

Brach threw 40 pitches yesterday, could phantom IL him, could just send Barnette down or could phantom IL Chatwood after tomorrow. But yeah it’s probably Adbert.

[Rynomites23]

How did the Cubs ever let Derek Johnson get away? Look what he’s done with Cincinnati’s pitching this year

Losing him was a massive blow. I hope he’s the #1 choice to become the next manager when Joe is gone.

 

I read his book on pitching philosophy and I really like Derek Johnson, but I'm not all-in on hiring him to be a manager. Great guy to be your pitching coach, but I'm just not sure about being a modern manager.

 

He did say he grew up a Cubs fan so that's something.

 

EDIT: I wanted Rocco Baldelli to be the next manager of the Cubs. There's no way that happens now, but I'm happy the Twins are doing well. I thought for sure an extension for Maddon was fait accompli.

Hiring a mgr based on childhood allegiance should be the absolute lowest of low of any of the priorities

[Regular Show]

Losing him was a massive blow. I hope he’s the #1 choice to become the next manager when Joe is gone.

 

I read his book on pitching philosophy and I really like Derek Johnson, but I'm not all-in on hiring him to be a manager. Great guy to be your pitching coach, but I'm just not sure about being a modern manager.

 

He did say he grew up a Cubs fan so that's something.

 

EDIT: I wanted Rocco Baldelli to be the next manager of the Cubs. There's no way that happens now, but I'm happy the Twins are doing well. I thought for sure an extension for Maddon was fait accompli.

Hiring a mgr based on childhood allegiance should be the absolute lowest of low of any of the priorities

 

Wat?

 

When did I say that was something important or valuable? I take it you're not familiar with expressions in English? When someone says "... so that's something" that means it's usually not that important or worthy of much consideration. I was going to say "...so that's something (I guess)". It's a cool factoid, but nothing more and everyone knows that. Did you not read the rest of my post?

 

Man, what a dumb statement (by you).

[17 Seconds]

it would be worse if you hired managers based on their thighs

[Rynomites23]

 

I read his book on pitching philosophy and I really like Derek Johnson, but I'm not all-in on hiring him to be a manager. Great guy to be your pitching coach, but I'm just not sure about being a modern manager.

 

He did say he grew up a Cubs fan so that's something.

 

EDIT: I wanted Rocco Baldelli to be the next manager of the Cubs. There's no way that happens now, but I'm happy the Twins are doing well. I thought for sure an extension for Maddon was fait accompli.

Hiring a mgr based on childhood allegiance should be the absolute lowest of low of any of the priorities

 

Wat?

 

When did I say that was something important or valuable? I take it you're not familiar with expressions in English? When someone says "... so that's something" that means it's usually not that important or worthy of much consideration. I was going to say "...so that's something (I guess)". It's a cool factoid, but nothing more and everyone knows that. Did you not read the rest of my post?

 

Man, what a dumb statement (by you).

I did read it. And not really a dumb statement by me because it’s a true statement. If you are defensive about your original statement then that’s on you. I could care less who the mgr grew up a fan of other than possibly pulling a philosophical bias or culture or something along those lines. Ironically, maddon grew up admiring the cards primarily. I wish the cub played as an organization more like the cards did through much of their history because not only were they a winning organization but one that consistently plugged and played their players and won with them. And they played “team baseball” instead of this hr or bust [expletive] that theo seems to love

[Regular Show]

Hiring a mgr based on childhood allegiance should be the absolute lowest of low of any of the priorities

 

Wat?

 

When did I say that was something important or valuable? I take it you're not familiar with expressions in English? When someone says "... so that's something" that means it's usually not that important or worthy of much consideration. I was going to say "...so that's something (I guess)". It's a cool factoid, but nothing more and everyone knows that. Did you not read the rest of my post?

 

Man, what a dumb statement (by you).

I did read it. And not really a dumb statement by me because it’s a true statement. If you are defensive about your original statement then that’s on you. I could care less who the mgr grew up a fan of other than possibly pulling a philosophical bias or culture or something along those lines. Ironically, maddon grew up admiring the cards primarily. I wish the cub played as an organization more like the cards did through much of their history because not only were they a winning organization but one that consistently plugged and played their players and won with them. And they played “team baseball” instead of this hr or bust [expletive] that theo seems to love

 

Wow. That's like a Backtobanks bad take...

 

It's a dumb statement because everyone already knows that. No one hires a manager based on childhood allegiance/fanhood. No one cares about that for very obvious reasons. I'm going to stop now because this is a large waste of time lol.

[d_money]

Other than Baez and Willson, it seems the other home grown players have either stalled or regressed since 2016.

 

With the young guys, shouldn’t they be getting better with more reps/experience?

 

Schwarber, Russell, CJ Edwards, Almora, Happ (2017)

 

Maybe I was too optimistic looking forward going into 2017 and beyond.

[Sammy Sofa]

Other than Baez and Willson, it seems the other home grown players have either stalled or regressed since 2016.

 

With the young guys, shouldn’t they be getting better with more reps/experience?

 

Schwarber, Russell, CJ Edwards, Almora, Happ (2017)

 

Maybe I was too optimistic looking forward going into 2017 and beyond.

 

I know I'm pretty damn bleak on this team, but Baez and Contreras are two pretty gigantic "other than's." Out of the rest of them named, it seems like a lot of that is just baseball being baseball; most prospects are simply not going to amount to much than being Just Guys. It's frustrating for sure that either Russell or Schwarber, as highly touted as they were, haven't amounted to more, but 2 all stars out of 7 guys is pretty damn good.

[squally1313]

Other than Baez and Willson, it seems the other home grown players have either stalled or regressed since 2016.

 

With the young guys, shouldn’t they be getting better with more reps/experience?

 

Schwarber, Russell, CJ Edwards, Almora, Happ (2017)

 

Maybe I was too optimistic looking forward going into 2017 and beyond.

 

I'd throw Bote onto the first mix too. From what I remember reading a couple years ago, aging curves have kinda shifted to the left in the last 5-10 years...more and more, players are coming up as pretty fully formed, and are peaking really early into their MLB career as opposed to their late 20s, as had typically been the belief.

[ConstableRabbit]

Other than Baez and Willson, it seems the other home grown players have either stalled or regressed since 2016.

 

With the young guys, shouldn’t they be getting better with more reps/experience?

 

Schwarber, Russell, CJ Edwards, Almora, Happ (2017)

 

Maybe I was too optimistic looking forward going into 2017 and beyond.

 

I know I'm pretty damn bleak on this team, but Baez and Contreras are two pretty gigantic "other than's." Out of the rest of them named, it seems like a lot of that is just baseball being baseball; most prospects are simply not going to amount to much than being Just Guys. It's frustrating for sure that either Russell or Schwarber, as highly touted as they were, haven't amounted to more, but 2 all stars out of 7 guys is pretty damn good.

Giving credit where credit is due: this.

 

"lol man it sucks all we did we develop two guys who compete to be the best C and SS/2B in the game"

[squally1313]

Other than Baez and Willson, it seems the other home grown players have either stalled or regressed since 2016.

 

With the young guys, shouldn’t they be getting better with more reps/experience?

 

Schwarber, Russell, CJ Edwards, Almora, Happ (2017)

 

Maybe I was too optimistic looking forward going into 2017 and beyond.

 

I know I'm pretty damn bleak on this team, but Baez and Contreras are two pretty gigantic "other than's." Out of the rest of them named, it seems like a lot of that is just baseball being baseball; most prospects are simply not going to amount to much than being Just Guys. It's frustrating for sure that either Russell or Schwarber, as highly touted as they were, haven't amounted to more, but 2 all stars out of 7 guys is pretty damn good.

Giving credit where credit is due: this.

 

"lol man it sucks all we did we develop two guys who compete to be the best C and SS/2B in the game"

 

Also, "since 2016" conveniently leaves out trading for Rizzo after he had a .523 OPS in 150 MLB PAs, and then a .742 OPS in his first full season for the Cubs, and then Hendricks too.

 

It's disappointing that we haven't too much come out of the system since 2016, but that's a product of having late draft picks, trading away talent for immediate help, etc.

[Backtobanks]

 

Wat?

 

When did I say that was something important or valuable? I take it you're not familiar with expressions in English? When someone says "... so that's something" that means it's usually not that important or worthy of much consideration. I was going to say "...so that's something (I guess)". It's a cool factoid, but nothing more and everyone knows that. Did you not read the rest of my post?

 

Man, what a dumb statement (by you).

I did read it. And not really a dumb statement by me because it’s a true statement. If you are defensive about your original statement then that’s on you. I could care less who the mgr grew up a fan of other than possibly pulling a philosophical bias or culture or something along those lines. Ironically, maddon grew up admiring the cards primarily. I wish the cub played as an organization more like the cards did through much of their history because not only were they a winning organization but one that consistently plugged and played their players and won with them. And they played “team baseball” instead of this hr or bust [expletive] that theo seems to love

 

Wow. That's like a Backtobanks bad take...

 

It's a dumb statement because everyone already knows that. No one hires a manager based on childhood allegiance/fanhood. No one cares about that for very obvious reasons. I'm going to stop now because this is a large waste of time lol.

 

 

Since you brought my name into this, I will point out that it was really fun watching the Cubs the other day playing "team baseball" by hitting to the opposite field, stringing together singles, doubles, and walks, moving runners from first to third, etc. rather than watching for the one HR among 10 strikeouts. It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out. Anybody who has ever talked to a hitting coach knows that making contact is preferable to striking out.

[Sammy Sofa]

It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out.

 

No, it doesn't.

[Cubswin11]

I did read it. And not really a dumb statement by me because it’s a true statement. If you are defensive about your original statement then that’s on you. I could care less who the mgr grew up a fan of other than possibly pulling a philosophical bias or culture or something along those lines. Ironically, maddon grew up admiring the cards primarily. I wish the cub played as an organization more like the cards did through much of their history because not only were they a winning organization but one that consistently plugged and played their players and won with them. And they played “team baseball” instead of this hr or bust [expletive] that theo seems to love

 

Wow. That's like a Backtobanks bad take...

 

It's a dumb statement because everyone already knows that. No one hires a manager based on childhood allegiance/fanhood. No one cares about that for very obvious reasons. I'm going to stop now because this is a large waste of time lol.

 

 

Since you brought my name into this, I will point out that it was really fun watching the Cubs the other day playing "team baseball" by hitting to the opposite field, stringing together singles, doubles, and walks, moving runners from first to third, etc. rather than watching for the one HR among 10 strikeouts. It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out. Anybody who has ever talked to a hitting coach knows that making contact is preferable to striking out.

Yeah I really enjoyed all that contact last night that led to 3-5 double plays. Much preferable to the batter striking out.

[squally1313]

I like how he has to anecdotally point to one game he watched 'the other day', as if other than that one inning, the Cubs purposely try to not get hits. As opposed to, you know, the sheer statistical improbability of stringing five or six hits in a row.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Seriously, the only thing I'm bugged about is the system's inability to provide guys so signings like Chatwood and Descalso happen (yeah I know those aren't equivalent moves, no need to "ackchyually" me about it)

[Backtobanks]

 

Wow. That's like a Backtobanks bad take...

 

It's a dumb statement because everyone already knows that. No one hires a manager based on childhood allegiance/fanhood. No one cares about that for very obvious reasons. I'm going to stop now because this is a large waste of time lol.

 

 

Since you brought my name into this, I will point out that it was really fun watching the Cubs the other day playing "team baseball" by hitting to the opposite field, stringing together singles, doubles, and walks, moving runners from first to third, etc. rather than watching for the one HR among 10 strikeouts. It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out. Anybody who has ever talked to a hitting coach knows that making contact is preferable to striking out.

Yeah I really enjoyed all that contact last night that led to 3-5 double plays. Much preferable to the batter striking out.

 

 

If only all of those batters would have struck out instead the Cubs probably would have won the game.

[Cubswin11]

 

 

Since you brought my name into this, I will point out that it was really fun watching the Cubs the other day playing "team baseball" by hitting to the opposite field, stringing together singles, doubles, and walks, moving runners from first to third, etc. rather than watching for the one HR among 10 strikeouts. It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out. Anybody who has ever talked to a hitting coach knows that making contact is preferable to striking out.

Yeah I really enjoyed all that contact last night that led to 3-5 double plays. Much preferable to the batter striking out.

 

 

If only all of those batters would have struck out instead the Cubs probably would have won the game.

I mean the odds go up if they do because you know, it’s 1 out vs 2 and guys stay on base and keep an inning going

[Backtobanks]

Yeah I really enjoyed all that contact last night that led to 3-5 double plays. Much preferable to the batter striking out.

 

 

If only all of those batters would have struck out instead the Cubs probably would have won the game.

I mean the odds go up if they do because you know, it’s 1 out vs 2 and guys stay on base and keep an inning going

 

In this particular situation you are right, but in all of the other possibilities (hit, sacrifice, error, etc.) it would increase the odds by putting the ball in play.

[Sammy Sofa]

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Have we talked about Mark Grace Dot Com?

 

I think we should talk about Mark Grace Dot Com.

 

http://www.markgrace.com/

 

MarkGrace.com is a website devoted to honoring Mark's many accomplishments and love for the game. This site is maintained by longtime fan Brad Wackerlin, known to many as "The Ultimate Mark Grace Collector" (see his collection here).

 

And the highlight is the Off-Field Activities section, specifically the Battles with Alcohol tab

 

http://www.markgrace.com/otfalcohol.html

Mark Grace’s relationship with alcohol is well documented. From his earliest days with the Cubs, Grace was known to frequent the bars of Wrigleyville after the many Cubs’ day games. Sightings of him at such local establishments as High Tops, Murphy’s Bleachers and Yak-Zies were a regular occurrence, where fans were quick to buy him a beer. The free spirited Grace enjoyed the nightlife and the ladies in his early career, and established a pattern of playing hard on the field and partying hard off it. Â During his career, some sportswriters would lament that how he treated his body surely had a negative impact on his performance. Each Marlboro he smoked and Coors Light that he drank couldn’t be contributing to his well-being, they argued. Yet Grace’s natural ability allowed him to play with remarkable consistency and performance, masking his consumption.

 

Grace’s first DUI arrest earned him a suspended license and a court-mandated Interlock device placed on his vehicle.

 

Never a good sign when you have to point out it was the first.

His first DUI should have been a wake-up call, but sadly that wasn’t the case. On August 23, 2012, Grace was arrested in Scottsdale when he was found driving with a blood alcohol content of .095 percent, above the legal limit of .080 under Arizona law. Compounding his problems, he was also charged with driving with a suspended license and tampering with an Interlock device. These felonies earned Grace four months jail time in Phoenix’s infamous “Tent City Jail,” where inmates are forced to live outdoors in canvas tents in Arizona’s brutal heat. He served his time from March to June 2013.

 

A fall from grace. That’s the story of Mark Grace and his trials and tribulations with alcohol. It looks like the final chapters of it will be a rise to redemption. For the sake of his children, family and fans, let’s hope he continues with the determination he always brought to the field.

http://www.markgrace.com/gracephotos/markgrace_michellegrace.jpg

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It gets back to the discussion about making contact (even if it is an out) over striking out.

 

No, it doesn't.

 

Everything that ever needed to be said on that subject was said by roughly 2007. If anyone missed out, too bad.

[Cubswin11]

Look forward to them saying it’s not overly serious and all he needs is rest then he doesn’t come back when they thought and has a set back/never feels better. Then in September they finally do the right test to diagnose and treat him but it’s too late for him to come back but he could’ve been back had they done the proper testing and rehab now.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[David]

 

Have we talked about Mark Grace Dot Com?

 

I think we should talk about Mark Grace Dot Com.

 

http://www.markgrace.com/

 

MarkGrace.com is a website devoted to honoring Mark's many accomplishments and love for the game. This site is maintained by longtime fan Brad Wackerlin, known to many as "The Ultimate Mark Grace Collector" (see his collection here).

 

And the highlight is the Off-Field Activities section, specifically the Battles with Alcohol tab

 

http://www.markgrace.com/otfalcohol.html

Mark Grace’s relationship with alcohol is well documented. From his earliest days with the Cubs, Grace was known to frequent the bars of Wrigleyville after the many Cubs’ day games. Sightings of him at such local establishments as High Tops, Murphy’s Bleachers and Yak-Zies were a regular occurrence, where fans were quick to buy him a beer. The free spirited Grace enjoyed the nightlife and the ladies in his early career, and established a pattern of playing hard on the field and partying hard off it. Â During his career, some sportswriters would lament that how he treated his body surely had a negative impact on his performance. Each Marlboro he smoked and Coors Light that he drank couldn’t be contributing to his well-being, they argued. Yet Grace’s natural ability allowed him to play with remarkable consistency and performance, masking his consumption.

 

Grace’s first DUI arrest earned him a suspended license and a court-mandated Interlock device placed on his vehicle.

 

Never a good sign when you have to point out it was the first.

His first DUI should have been a wake-up call, but sadly that wasn’t the case. On August 23, 2012, Grace was arrested in Scottsdale when he was found driving with a blood alcohol content of .095 percent, above the legal limit of .080 under Arizona law. Compounding his problems, he was also charged with driving with a suspended license and tampering with an Interlock device. These felonies earned Grace four months jail time in Phoenix’s infamous “Tent City Jail,” where inmates are forced to live outdoors in canvas tents in Arizona’s brutal heat. He served his time from March to June 2013.

 

A fall from grace. That’s the story of Mark Grace and his trials and tribulations with alcohol. It looks like the final chapters of it will be a rise to redemption. For the sake of his children, family and fans, let’s hope he continues with the determination he always brought to the field.

http://www.markgrace.com/gracephotos/markgrace_michellegrace.jpg

 

so it's pretty funny that apparently the first job grace got back in baseball after his jail time was with a team called the hillsboro hops

[UMFan83]

Will Mark Grace make the Baseball Hall of Fame or will he fall short? It’s a question many have pondered since his retirement in 2003.

 

Uhhh who exactly is pondering this?