FergieJ31

Can't wait to see the standing o from the Wrigley faithful when Kerry takes the mound... 8)

I'd actually argue that Hendry gives no thought to OBP in determining which FAs to target.[/quote] Bingo. It just seems like OBP is simply not a significant part of the evaluation process. I love some of Jim's trades but the player eval methodology sucks. That's why even if Dusty were fired tomorrow the Cubs will still have the same spotty offense the rest of this year, and next year ... as long as Hendry is GM.

Bingo. Half of the problems on this team can be attributed to how the team is constructed; the other half to how it's coached and managed. Booting Dusty doesn't mean our problems go away. Even though Hendry has made some good trades in his tenure, *his* extension was the big mistake. The horse is already out of the barn; Dusty's extension almost doesn't matter at this point.

6 IP, 55 PIT :shock: wtg maddog

Dang base-cloggers :lol:

The Pads were only up by three in the 5th. That's not padding stats, that's playing hard and taking what we're giving to win a game. If the Pads were slaughtering the Cubs I could understand Michael taking issue, but the game wasn't out of hand at that point.

I think the SD broadcasters were right. Roberts has run at will on the Cubs, 6 SB in the past week. I tend to agree with the thought that emotion without execution is pretty hollow. I don't think Roberts stealing 3rd with a 3-run lead yesterday was out of line at all. I've got a lotta man-love for Michael, don't get me wrong, but he simply looked like a sore loser by jawing at Roberts. like I said, the steal made no sense other than to pad your stats. there were two outs IIRC, so on any basehit he scores from either second or third. why risk getting thrown out unless you are trying to make the other team look bad. Its not even a smart baseball play in my opinion. I didn't see the play so I am not sure if Roberts was close to being thrown out, but I definitely think that stealing 3rd makes sense in that situation if you get a great jump and have good speed. You can score on a passed ball or an infield single, and you might score on the play if the catcher makes a bad throw to third. A lot of good basestealers say that stealing third is easier than stealing second, especially if the defense is sloppy. Vince Coleman used to say that all the time. There were 2 outs, true, but if that was the basis of Barrett's beef -- that Roberts is a bonehead for risking a 3rd out at 3rd after Roberts stole 6 bases in 4 games vs the Cubs -- then that's pretty sad. I don't think that was it; I think the SD broadcasters were right. You almost would rather see Barrett get pissed at Neifi for letting Roberts reach 2nd base.

I think the SD broadcasters were right. Roberts has run at will on the Cubs, 6 SB in the past week. I tend to agree with the thought that emotion without execution is pretty hollow. I don't think Roberts stealing 3rd with a 3-run lead yesterday was out of line at all. I've got a lotta man-love for Michael, don't get me wrong, but he simply looked like a sore loser by jawing at Roberts.

Well, if JDE were trolling, we've made it a resounding success. For that I am eternally sorry. I should know better. It's real hard to have self-control when the Cubs are playing this bad. :-# :-# I really wasn't trying to troll. But, I do apologize for the post. Now that I look back, it could have been taken as a knock on the Cubbies. However, it was not. Pujols is a great player, not just for the Cards, but for the game. I want to add too, how much of a fan I am of Santo. I bought "This Old Cub" last year and can say that all Cub fans are blessed to have this guy represent your team. There isn't a better human being out there and there isn't a more deserving HOF either. I listen to him and Hughes every game and the intensity they bring is as good as it gets. You know, win or lose, Wrigley Field and the Cubs personifies baseball, along with the Cardinals, Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox. So, go STL, CHC, NY and BOS. You're ok in my book JDE. Feelings on this board are pretty raw right now, and even under the best of conditions it's about the most sensitive group of males I've ever seen. For the record I didn't watch the video .. all I have to do to see Albert hit some bombs is recall any number of Cubs Cards games I've watched :(

:D I think Julio Franco was one of the Egyptians he struck out.

I'll also remember him for grooving one to Sammy in that huge 5-game series against the Cards in Sept '03, a walkoff HR in extra innings. When he came in the game the crowd immediately sensed something good was about to happen, and they were right. For a few months that Cubs pen in '01 looked like it might carry them to a WC berth. I remember Van Poppel & Worrell being nice surprises too, and Farnsy was on an odd-numbered year.

And the guy we got boasts a gaudy .200 OBP in 19 games so far this year :cry:

If Gooz had doubled this whole board would have been asking you for lottery #'s :wink:

Seconded

Gooz settling down, Ronny showin some range ... I love these kids!

Yeah I see he hasn't gone yard ... he's praying for another Rusch matchup this year to pad his SLG.

Suh-weet!! 3rd & 4th will be a big test for Gooz, 2nd time thru the order.

A single, triple, HBP, WP ... if he gets out of this w/no runs it'll be a miracle & huge mental boost.

Sweet! Bobby gets the job done again.

Wise words my man. My 0.002 cents: Alright, I used to be a baseball purist and hated to see ANY sort of celebration in baseball, regardless of what uniform the guy wore. Even HR curtain calls ... when did THAT start and become acceptable? Talk about showing up the opposing team. The game has changed a bit and some showmanship is now generally considered ok, as long as it's not too obnoxious. I guarantee if Pujols were a Cub, only a few purists here would be slamming him for what he did. But that's different from Z though ... AP's flip was a premeditated slam on the opponent, while Z vents / celebrates spontaneously. No comparison. I do think Pujols was wise to say what he did in the press, to explain himself, because it was out of bounds even by today's standards. Anyone remember a game a year or two ago at Wrigley (I think it was 2004) when Pujols sort of gestured at the crowd after knocking a HR? He commented later that he needed to "shut up some fans" or something like that. Similarly classless, ego-driven, obnoxious and unnecessary (I'm not saying Pujols is classless - only that particular act plus the Perez one). But Cub fans should realize Pujols usually plays the game right, and respectfully, so he should be cut some slack. He's a class act off the field too. But he (and a lot of other baseball players) ought to emulate his 3B ... when Rolen goes yard there's no hop, no bat flip, no gestures and no curtain calls. He puts his head down and circles the bases, as if he's done it a time or before.

Go COBS!

This debate reminds me a little of the debate on "importance" of team speed. Speed can help turn a good team into a great team, but it can't turn a bad team into a good team. Same for a solid, dependable bullpen. The quality of the Astros pen in 2001 was the difference between 1st place and 2nd place. Houston allowed 4.75 runs per game in 2001, while Dotel and Wagner collectively allowed under 2.9 runs per game.

I tend to agree ... I have a very vivid, painful memory of that game. It epitomized the 2002 season for me. I've forgotten any number of Cubs / Cards games where the Cards blew them out early, but I can't forget that game.

I had the same thought last night ... both rallies started with a Pierre double too

Indeed, but plz don't tempt the baseball gods ... anyone know a virgin we can sacrifice? :wink: