"We got'um right where we want them!"

[Scott G. F.]

So Priors back, Wood too and the Cubs go on a tear, right to the basement. He He. I thought the band wagon was a little less crowded lately.

 

The Cubs will be wild card winners, their just going through an adjustment period since gaining back players from the DL. Their offense has gone silent at the wrong time, but looking at the players we have it goes to show you and should be expected. We have bench players playing everyday. Bench players are "bench players" because their inconsistant.

 

Our pitching will come around when we get quality starts which we haven't had. With quality starts it rests the bullpen and allows the offense to not press at the plate.

 

Houston has been doing it with pitching. The Cubs have that. They just need to start getting 'um done.

 

One game at a time. Stick to the basics and get in to the all star break with some type of momentum.

 

After all, they have nothing to lose now.

 

Hang in there Diehards this is just a test. Good time are coming.

[TB_11]

Thanks for providing some much needed optimism, Scott. We still have the talent to make a run. We just need to be patient and hope this team puts together a 2nd half like they did in 2003.

 

Also thanks for having pics of Danica in your signature as well. :D

[ManEatingTarp]

I saw Danica on TV a couple nights ago during the Cards/Diamondbacks game. In the interview she talked about how much of a Card fan she was. Good stuff...

 

:D

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

While I am in no way giving up on this team, I cannot call them a wild card team until they start playing like it. They can't be a wild card team if they consistently get their :!: handed to them by other wild card contenders. This team is playing with no heart right now. Someone mentioned 2003, well in 2003 that's all the team had was heart. They were not the most talented team, and they knew that. They stuck with it, and fought as long as they could. It wasn't enough, but they put themselves in position to be great. This team has no emotion anymore.

 

A lot of people are starting to mention that we need to add a big bat. I don't buy that at all. What good is one more solo home run going to do? It was proven last year that solos don't win ballgames. We have no scrappers at all this year. No one on this team fights to get on base. No one fights to get themselves into scoring position. We rag on guys like Biggio for leaning into pitches, but at least he's doing what he can to try and help his team win. We have no one like that. The Sox have Podsednik, the ultimate table setter this year, and look at what they are accomplishing. That's the type of player we need. And that is what Jim Hendry should be looking for. A guy that is going to be a fighter. The closest thing we have in my eyes is Holly. He's the only one I see flying out of the box every time, and he's the only one who appears to be fighting and hustling no matter what. He may not have the talent, but at least he's giving his all.

 

We have a group of starting pitchers who are incredibly talented, but also incredibly inconsistent. Not one of them has been able to put together back to back strong games in quite some time. And we have a bullpen that rivals most local high schools right now.

 

I am actually kind of hoping Derrek Lee is out for a couple of games. This team has used him as a crutch all year. They need to learn how to all play together. You can't rely on one guy to carry you the whole way. Aramis has picked up the slack, but other than that, no one else has moved. Maybe a few games without MVLee will show these guys that he can't do it all, and they need to get in gear.

 

But there are some positives. There are no dominating teams in the wild card race this year. And the Cardinals, while being a damn good team, have shown this year that they are in fact, human. When healthy, our arms can go up against anyone in the league. A healthy Prior showed everyone in 2003 that he could put up a better second half than almost anyone. A healthy Wood can strike out anyone... period. Greg Maddux is still Greg Maddux. He historically has a WAY better second half than first. Carlos Zambrano has shown that by simply throwing one pitch at Jim Edmonds, he can start a fire under this team. While I don't agree with it, if that's what it takes to get this team going and show some emotion, then so be it. We could be getting Nomar, a former batting champion, back soon. If he starts hitting the way he can, that'll take some stress off two big bats, and it'll put Neifi back where he belongs. So yes, there are reasons to be optimistic. One major reason there is still hope is that it's not even the all star break yet. We have half a season to go. It's not over, that's why they play the games.

 

When backed into a corner or against a wall, most animals will fight for their survival. The Cubs backs are against the wall. Will they fight or lay down?

[TB_11]

While I am in no way giving up on this team, I cannot call them a wild card team until they start playing like it. They can't be a wild card team if they consistently get their :!: handed to them by other wild card contenders. This team is playing with no heart right now. Someone mentioned 2003, well in 2003 that's all the team had was heart. They were not the most talented team, and they knew that. They stuck with it, and fought as long as they could. It wasn't enough, but they put themselves in position to be great. This team has no emotion anymore.

 

I seriously doubt anyone thought that team had heart when they were slogging their way before turning it around in August.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

While I am in no way giving up on this team, I cannot call them a wild card team until they start playing like it. They can't be a wild card team if they consistently get their :!: handed to them by other wild card contenders. This team is playing with no heart right now. Someone mentioned 2003, well in 2003 that's all the team had was heart. They were not the most talented team, and they knew that. They stuck with it, and fought as long as they could. It wasn't enough, but they put themselves in position to be great. This team has no emotion anymore.

 

I seriously doubt anyone thought that team had heart when they were slogging their way before turning it around in August.

 

Well I sure hope they can pull off another second half like they did then.

[Scott G. F.]

While I am in no way giving up on this team, I cannot call them a wild card team until they start playing like it. They can't be a wild card team if they consistently get their :!: handed to them by other wild card contenders. This team is playing with no heart right now. Someone mentioned 2003, well in 2003 that's all the team had was heart. They were not the most talented team, and they knew that. They stuck with it, and fought as long as they could. It wasn't enough, but they put themselves in position to be great. This team has no emotion anymore.

 

I seriously doubt anyone thought that team had heart when they were slogging their way before turning it around in August.

 

Well I sure hope they can pull off another second half like they did then.

 

It seems to me that they have the pieces in place to just do exactly that! It's truely a wonder that this team is playing crappy vs. the other wildcard teams right now. That's why I titled the post as I have done. The league is giving up on this team. I say we're even more dangerous now.

 

The Cubs could be on the verge of one of the greater comeback in baseball lore. Made sweater that its the Cards. I mean the '69 Mets came from now where and won it all! We have the players to get us their with a couple of minor moves. Why not the Cubs!!

 

Hang on guys and gals. This Cubs team is ready for one heck of a run.

[frostwyrm]

The Braves need to cool down if the Cubs are to have any chance. They have won 14 of their last 19 and have a 6 game lead in the WC race. The Nats have been really hot for a few weeks too. If nothing changes I think the Cubs season could effectively end within about 10 days.

[cubweiser03]

Right now im optimistic because the wild card will come from the Cubs/Stros or the NL east. The NL east will beat each other up an the Cubs will get in because they are playing cincy/mil/pit/stros not atl/fl/phi/nym/nats. Thats a pretty sad way to look at things but thats all i got right now.

[frostwyrm]

The Cubs are a lot closer to disaster than some people think. The Braves have been playing great and could very quickly open up a 10 game lead over us in the WC race. At that point Hendy would have to decide what to do at the deadline, and I'm guessing he wouldn't want to sacrifice a lot of young talent for an unlikely run this year.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

The Cubs are below 500, trail the division leader by nearly two touchdowns, and five (5!) teams are ahead of them for the wild card. Our manager is mentally challenged, the team has the worst OBP in the league, there is no bench, and the team's best player is now injured.

 

Put down the kool-aid, it's lethal.

[Fred Hornkohl]

The Cubs are below 500, trail the division leader by nearly two touchdowns, and five (5!) teams are ahead of them for the wild card. Our manager is mentally challenged, the team has the worst OBP in the league, there is no bench, and the team's best player is now injured.

 

Put down the kool-aid, it's lethal.

 

Point of information.......

 

team    OBP
CUBS   .324
Mets   .322
Astros .316

 

The hell of it is..... we've dropped from .333 (approx league average) to .324 in the last 3 weeks.

 

Thank you. Carry on.

[halplm]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

The Cubs are a lot closer to disaster than some people think. The Braves have been playing great and could very quickly open up a 10 game lead over us in the WC race. At that point Hendy would have to decide what to do at the deadline, and I'm guessing he wouldn't want to sacrifice a lot of young talent for an unlikely run this year.

 

This is basically do or die time. Either start winning series', or start playing the rookies. It would be very tough going into the all star break down 8-10 games. We'd need one hell of a second half just to keep pace. Need to start winning now.

[Scott G. F.]

The Cubs are below 500, trail the division leader by nearly two touchdowns, and five (5!) teams are ahead of them for the wild card. Our manager is mentally challenged, the team has the worst OBP in the league, there is no bench, and the team's best player is now injured.

 

Put down the kool-aid, it's lethal.

 

I don't swill the blue kool-aid.

 

I can see the Cubs have problems but what team doesn't? Some teams sit back and blame loses on those problems other teams win inspit of them. The list of things you mentioned is what the 2005 Cubs have to overcome to be champions. If they don't then maybe 2006 Cubs will overcome there shortcomings. It's rarely the other team beating the Cubs, its the Cubs beating themselves.

 

I believe they will make a great run. Looking at the players in place and the schedule. I like our chances.

 

Let this Cubs team be the story of the year. Why not!

[J.R.]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

[dalgreen]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

 

I still don't see why Baker is the only problem on this team. Barrett sucks (4-46), so a new manager is going to get him to be better? Patterson sucks right now, so a new manager is going to get him to play better? Hairston misses signs and runs the bases poorly. A new manager is going to change that? Maddux has a 5+ERA. A new manager is going to change that? Burnitz turns into Moises Alou on the bases. A new manager is going to change that? Baker is part of the problem, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the players have nothing to do with the record and poor play.

[frostwyrm]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

 

I still don't see why Baker is the only problem on this team. Barrett sucks (4-46), so a new manager is going to get him to be better? Patterson sucks right now, so a new manager is going to get him to play better? Hairston misses signs and runs the bases poorly. A new manager is going to change that? Maddux has a 5+ERA. A new manager is going to change that? Burnitz turns into Moises Alou on the bases. A new manager is going to change that? Baker is part of the problem, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the players have nothing to do with the record and poor play.

 

I'm a pretty harsh Baker basher at times but I agree there is plenty of blame to go around.

[XZero771679666304]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

 

I still don't see why Baker is the only problem on this team. Barrett sucks (4-46), so a new manager is going to get him to be better? Patterson sucks right now, so a new manager is going to get him to play better? Hairston misses signs and runs the bases poorly. A new manager is going to change that? Maddux has a 5+ERA. A new manager is going to change that? Burnitz turns into Moises Alou on the bases. A new manager is going to change that? Baker is part of the problem, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the players have nothing to do with the record and poor play.

 

The players have a lot to do with it. However that problem is exacerbated when you have those who are performing the worst in the spots where they can do the most damage. Patterson and Perez 1-2 with their atrocious OBPs while Lee scalds the ball with no one on base, Hairston on the bench after he demonstrated exactly why he should play on the field, Hawkins used to close when everyone knew he couldn't and after Dempster had been suggested, Cedeno called up because he's white-hot only to ride the bench behind ice cold Neifi, Holla being allowed to play every day early in the season when he couldn't hit a beach ball with a tennis racket, while red hot Dubois was relagated to PH duty, behind Jose Macias. Batting Macias first off the bench while a group of better hitters watch.....etc. And you can't forget what happened to Chad Fox, who everyone and their cousin knew shouldn't pitch back to back games, at least early, who hurt his elbow pitching in a blowout game.

 

It is a litany of the absurdly stupid. Have the players underperformed? Sure. Should Hendry have addressed LF and the pen more in the offseason? Absolutely. But neither of these things has had anywhere near the effect that Dusty's catastrophic managing has. Now he has players (Walker and Hairston) openly baffled and irritated by his total lack of logical thought process in his managerial decision making, and with just cause.

 

Then Dusty says stupis things, like after last night's game when he said that "We're getting hits, but we're getting them with no one on base." Huh? He says this after benching Hairston, who had reached base in nearly every at bat the previous two games in favor of the second most automatic out on the roster.

 

Dusty's actions have transcended being indefensible into a stratum of absurdity that I can't find the words for.[/i]

[frostwyrm]

The Cubs are a lot closer to disaster than some people think. The Braves have been playing great and could very quickly open up a 10 game lead over us in the WC race. At that point Hendy would have to decide what to do at the deadline, and I'm guessing he wouldn't want to sacrifice a lot of young talent for an unlikely run this year.

 

This is basically do or die time. Either start winning series', or start playing the rookies. It would be very tough going into the all star break down 8-10 games. We'd need one hell of a second half just to keep pace. Need to start winning now.

 

These next 2 games in Atlanta are the most important of the season so far. If we win both we are only 4 games back in the WC race, if we lose both we are 8 back. That wouldn't be fatal but it would be very very bad. We really need a split at the least.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

The Cubs are a lot closer to disaster than some people think. The Braves have been playing great and could very quickly open up a 10 game lead over us in the WC race. At that point Hendy would have to decide what to do at the deadline, and I'm guessing he wouldn't want to sacrifice a lot of young talent for an unlikely run this year.

 

This is basically do or die time. Either start winning series', or start playing the rookies. It would be very tough going into the all star break down 8-10 games. We'd need one hell of a second half just to keep pace. Need to start winning now.

 

These next 2 games in Atlanta are the most important of the season so far. If we win both we are only 4 games back in the WC race, if we lose both we are 8 back. That wouldn't be fatal but it would be very very bad. We really need a split at the least.

 

Very true. These are almost "must wins". While being 8 back wouldn't be the deathblow, going into Florida four games under .500 to face a very strong Marlins team might do it. We cannot head into Florida down on ourselves. They will destroy whatever shred of hope we had left. We need to gain some momentum before going there, even if it's just a little bit.

 

We've got Prior going tonight against the all star, Smoltz. This was already a tough match up before the thought of possibly not having Derrek Lee for the game. This game will test this team's toughness. And these next two games might ultimately decide if Jim Hendry sees this team as a threat this year or not. We're going to need the Mark Prior of old...

[halplm]

this team, cannot win, with Baker as the manager. Until he is removed, my Kool-aid is safely locked away in the basement fridge...

 

I still don't see why Baker is the only problem on this team. Barrett sucks (4-46), so a new manager is going to get him to be better? Patterson sucks right now, so a new manager is going to get him to play better? Hairston misses signs and runs the bases poorly. A new manager is going to change that? Maddux has a 5+ERA. A new manager is going to change that? Burnitz turns into Moises Alou on the bases. A new manager is going to change that? Baker is part of the problem, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the players have nothing to do with the record and poor play.

 

Dusty's strength is supposed to be his relationships with players, but he's shown this is not at all the case with ALL players, just "his boys." Personally, I blame Dusty almost entirely for Patterson's drop in production. They've never gotten along, and Dusty treats him like a 10 year old. Maddux is performing just as I would have expected him to... good but not great. Barrett would be better served with better lineup management, and missing signs and bad base running can be blamed ENTIRELY on the coaching staff.

 

Baker is the root of it all. Any winning they've done since he got here is in spite of him, not because of him. It's all spiraling downhill, though, and he's dragging the whole team down at the same time.

 

Maybe this is the perfect opportunity for a manager firing followed by a big winning streak... As long as someone is put in there that knows how to fill out a lineup card that makes any type of sense.

 

The players are not without blame, but the manager is responsable for getting the players to play to their potential, and I think we all agree the potential of these players is much higher than their performance... Well, aside from Dusty's boys...

[Scott G. F.]

The best part about starting a possitive thread at such a time on the Cubs season is that everyone wants the Cubs to win. Not one person want the Cubs to lose, but listing the reasons why the Cubs lose does that help? We all can see it (unfortunately). I get heartburn watching the bottom ticker saying the Cubs lost again!!

 

But that's was yesterday. Today is another day. This team has the ability to put together one heck of a hot streak inspit of Dusty Baker. The Onus is on the players. They need to step up, period!

 

The current Cubs team can play winning baseball and beat anyone. They just have to go out there and do it. Putting all aspects of the game together like they did before.

[Scott G. F.]

Oh yeah and another reason I started this post.

 

Playing softball on a competative team we would be losing by over ten points with 2 innings left and I'll tell the team "Okay we got'um right where we want'um" and over 50% of the time we'd come back and win the game. Guys on my team told me after the season that when I said that it gave them hope that we could win, sometimes not really focusing in until I said it.

 

Don't give up hope! A lot of season left, for me its the best part! I hate the first 81 games anyway!

[JC]

You score points in softball? :wink: