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Cubfanintheknow

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  1. Cubfanintheknow
    You because you're "in the know." I should change my screen name. I was "in the know" a few years back with a good friend who worked behind the scenes with the Cubs. Then he took another job. He's not as good a friend as he used to be.
  2. Cubfanintheknow
    What are you monitoring to keep tabs on deadline deals (aside from refreshing the NSBB Transaction page every minute, or course)? I have an AP sports wire that updates ever time a new bulletin is sent.
  3. Cubfanintheknow
    Manny Ramirez cited "privacy issues" when he asked to be traded. So life would be better playing in New York?
  4. Cubfanintheknow
    The team really is beginning to come together. Len Kasper and Bob Brenly were pointing out during the ninth inning how many guys were grabbing bats and putting their batting gloves on in hopes of contributing to the comeback effort. "All hands on deck," to quote Brenly. But chemistry is one thing, performance is another. You'd think Wednesday's come from behind victory against the Giants would be that watershed game marking the start of a prolonged winning streak. Yet they go out and stink up Wrigley the next day against the D-backs. I've said it before and other posters have been saying it for months, too. This team is consistently inconsistent. Edited to add: I will say that this team and the guys on it are a lot easier to root for than last year's squad. It was hard rooting for Sosa, Alou, Mercker and Farnsworth for a variety of reasons.
  5. Cubfanintheknow
    He got Burnitz pretty good during a post-game interview with CSC. Problem is, he's going to be looking over his shoulder every time he's up for an interview. He dishes it out pretty good. I have a feeling pretty soon we're going to see how well he can take it.
  6. Cubfanintheknow
    This upcoming offseason will be the biggest test of all for Jim Hendry. The only contract he acquired when he took the job (Sammy Sosa's) will be completely off the books. All the players in 2006 will be guys Hendry traded for or re-signed.
  7. Cubfanintheknow
    When he traded for Aramis Ramirez two years ago, Hendry traded for a guy he felt could stay in the organization beyond 2003. When he traded for Nomar Garciaparra last year, Hendry traded for a guy he felt he could re-sign and keep for longer than just 2004. If Hendry makes a trade, it'll be for a guy who can help out not only this year but next year, too. I think Adam Dunn is not a guy whom the Cubs can easily keep beyond this year, so I think the odds are against the Cubs getting him.
  8. Cubfanintheknow
    This thread defines the phrase "guarded optimism." I was at today's game. Everyone was excited about today's win. Yet everyone also wondered which team is going to show up tomorrow. I'd love to think we have a great shot at keeping this winning streak alive. But this is the 2005 Cubs we're talking about. They're still very capable of losing four in a row. They're too consistently inconsistent.
  9. Cubfanintheknow
    I recall a few years ago the same wild speculation when Donald Trump sang the seventh inning stretch. And I think the Sun-Times started it all then, too. I don't necessarily think it's going to happen. But more stories like this... http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0507150088jul15,1,1897948.story?coll=chi-business-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true ...might change my opinion.
  10. Cubfanintheknow
    I'd bat Nomar in the seven hole. You know he's only going to get four starts per week as he's eased into an everyday role. This way he and Perez (and you just know it's going to be Neifi and not Cedeno) can be interchangeable in the lineup without having to juggle everyone else.
  11. Cubfanintheknow
    I think it's more a matter of getting regular work for Rusch. I didn't mind so much early in the season when the Cubs had a seven man bullpen. Guys were learning roles and generally getting consistent work (mainly when Bartosh was around and pitching about once a week). But there's one too many down there right now and guys aren't getting regular work. Before Rusch's inning today, he pitched to just two batters Thursday night--both of whom got hits--and a third of an inning a week ago, when he faced three batters, two of whom reached base. If he gets regular work, he's much more effective. I think if a releiver is traded away in the next couple of weeks, the roster spot will likely be taken by a batter.
  12. Cubfanintheknow
    I'm typically not one to comment on the comments of Dusty Baker (there are plenty of others on this board who handle that chore for me), but I, too, think it's crazy to not play Murton. He's played well in his first two games and showed--at least early on-- that he's not a liability in the lineup. And if there's anyone who's showed he can be shelved for a couple days and come back string, it's Hollandsworth. By the way, Todd Hollandsworth is 0-4 with four strikeouts in his career versus Al Leiter.
  13. Cubfanintheknow
    In what alternative universe would Dusty Baker play Pie every day? Or, just what do you think would have to happen to this team to see Dusty leave the team by August? Funny, in a sad way.
  14. Cubfanintheknow
    Injury aside, I also don't buy into the whole "rushing him like they rushed Patterson" argument. It's not necessarily a question of when players are called up. It's how they're used when they're called up. Patterson was used sparingly by Don Baylor and it seemed most of the time it was in bad situations from a developmental standpoint. I think Pie would benefit greatly from playing every day at the major league level. If the Cubs can't turn it around soon, we just may get a chance to see come August 1.
  15. Cubfanintheknow
    Boy, reading some of these posts makes me feel old! The Atlanta Braves were pretty much the doormats of the National League West in the 80's. But they had some good, young pitching they stuck with (notably Tom Glavine and Steve Avery) and went from worst to first in 1991--the same year the Twins pulled off their dramatic turnaround in the AL. As far as "hoping vs. expecting," maybe there is a little different mindset. But it doesn't matter whether you hope or expect to win before the game starts. You still have to get the job done on the field. And I don't think that mindset comes into play when the game is on.
  16. Cubfanintheknow
    Estes in 2003 was horrible. He had a -16.6 VORP. Clement in 2004 was very, very good. He had a 36.9 VORP, putting him in the top 40 in MLB. He contributed more to the Cubs than any other pitcher besides Zambrano in 2004. Yes, he had a bad September, but he was consistently good up until then. Maybe I should have used the phrase consistenly unlucky to describe Clement instead. He did have a bad September. But I seem to recall he also fell victim to lousy run support a lot more often than the rest of the staff.
  17. Cubfanintheknow
    Sidd Finch.
  18. Cubfanintheknow
    When Jim Hendry traded for Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton, Bobby Hill was on a list of players the Cubs submitted to the Pirates. Dave Littlefield had a choice of 3-5 players to select from and he chose Hill. The names of the others were not disclosed. This is a typical process in most trades. SO it's up to the other team to do their homework. Some do (the Marlins and Dontrelle Willis), other don't (also backing away from the whole Choi/Cruz/Hill debate).
  19. Cubfanintheknow
    I doubt it will happen. While Maddux has been inconsistent, Estes in '03 and Clement last year were consistently bad. I think Maddux would have to tank at least five straight starts for Baker to even consider it.
  20. Cubfanintheknow
    I've only voted 50 times for those three guys. I feel like I'm not pulling my weight around here.
  21. Cubfanintheknow
    I think it might be a little sooner than that. I'd like to see Dubois get more playing time. But you have to admit, Hollandsworth is pretty hot right now (7h/15ab's, 8 rbi last four games). And if the Cubs want to get back into the race, Baker has not choice but to go with the hot hand.
  22. Cubfanintheknow
    Only two games into the season and Dusty's Bad Managerial Moves thread now has 166 posts. Pace yourselves, boys.
  23. Cubfanintheknow
    What percentage of the three million people who walked through the turnstiles at Wrigley Field this year went to see Sammy Sosa? My guess is less that 10%. And I think I'm being pretty generous. I went to eight games this year (two more at Miller Park and a couple during spring training, too!). I went to see the team, not him. Five years ago I would have answered differently. But not now. Edited for spelling. I was at Shea when the Cubs played, and I would guess anywhere from 3-5% of the people there showed up at least partially because Sammy was in town. From Rick Morrissey's column on 10/6/04: When the Cubs played at Shea Stadium toward the end of this season (and folded like origami), fans greeted Sosa warmly, not zealously. Affirmation, baby! (I miss Tony Kornheiser's show on ESPN radio).
  24. Cubfanintheknow
    What percentage of the three million people who walked through the turnstiles at Wrigley Field this year went to see Sammy Sosa? My guess is less that 10%. And I think I'm being pretty generous. I went to eight games this year (two more at Miller Park and a couple during spring training, too!). I went to see the team, not him. Five years ago I would have answered differently. But not now. Edited for spelling.
  25. Cubfanintheknow
    To those of you doubting Jim Hendry's ability to pull of a major trade (and you know who you are!!!): On the menu---a fresh serving of crow. Don't push, don't shove, there's plenty for all who didn't believe in Hendry. He's a very quiet, patient, hard worker and he got the job done. WOW!!!
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