Illini Iceman

Not to be cliche, but Z needs to play for the name on the front of the jersey and the guys behind him. So what if he doesn't like Dusty. This is just another in the long line of immature moves by Carlos. another in the long line? what has he done this year since opening day that was "immature?" nothing. this is just showing your hate for zambrano because you're a card fan. at least it seems that way to me. I don't think the poster said anything about "this year" as you suggested - this is indeed a long line of immature moves by Carlos and I can't believe the number of you who are apologizing for this only because you hate Baker and want him gone so badly. Heck some of you are even happy he did it and encouraged by it - no baseball fan would ever think that way about one of the members of his team - NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON! Frustration is one thing - "taking your ball and going home because things don't go your way" is something I did last when I was about 6 years old - and I think I got in trouble for that at the time too! It is unthinkable to me that some so called Cub fans would be happy if Zambrano did indeed quit on the team. In the short term it would possibly speed the departure of a manager you don't like, but do you really think anything changes for Zambrano with a new manager? If anything it would embolden him to do it again when things weren't going his way. Bad defense or no, most of those runs scored as a result of Zambrano giving up hits and/or walks. You don't like the defense, Z? Strike out a few more guys in key situations. Stop your whining and do your job. Seems to me your pitching effort was worse than anyone elses defensive effort.

To clarify, I'm not saying that we shouldn't hire someone without any managerial experience, I'm just saying as fans we can't pass judgment on a hiring until we know how they manage. If the person has no experience, we have to wait until they do so before evaluating. That's what the minor leagues are for. If he wants to be a big league manager he should pay his dues.

Good thing football season is right around the corner. Which will happen first? Cedric Benson signing a deal or Cpatt recalled from Iowa?

despite the strong outing today, if somebody claimed maddux, i'd definitely be inclined to let him go. the safety of 200 innings a year is nice, but if it's two hundred innings of 4.80 era, i think we can do better. There has been a lot of discussion about how the Maddux contract is a big problem and how he isn't earning his money. Also, people early in the year mentioned how having Maddux under contract kept the Cubs from being able to re-sign Clement. As bad as everyone insists Maddux has been, it is interesting to me that all-star Clement now has a higher era. Just for discussion sake, would you rather have Maddux and the one year left or Clement and whatever the Red Sox have left in years and dollars to pay? I have a feeling Maddux will outperform Clement through the end of the 2006 season. 9 million is a lot for next year, but the Cubs should have no money troubles (actually probably more money to spend than there is worthwhile FA talent to spend it on) and Maddux sitting in the 4 or 5 hole of the rotation seems a lot better to me than Sergio Mitre.

What, you didn't like the idea of batting Sammy #2 in the lineup?

It's not really the same thing. You can have poise but the team can still not have heart. Poise is being able to stick together and accept responsability. Heart is being able to play through tough times and still desire to win. You can have poise without heart, and you can have heart without poise... but this team has neither. im pretty sure the cubs lose because of poor hitting and pitching, not poor heart and poise I think it starts with confidence. If you really believe each any every game you go out on the field, you have a chance to win, then you will perform up to the level of that confidence. True, execution is very important, but confidence (poise, heart) is just as important....probably more important. If you feel like a winner, you play like a winner. Why do you think the Braves win year after year? Sure, they have talent. But more than that, they believe they can win because they have a manager who believes they can win. It doesn't matter who they play, veteran or rookie, they have the confidence that they can win every ball game, and because of that confidence, they play to a high level. The Cubs are absolutely pathetic in this department. Baker has got to go because a manager sets the tone for the team, and he has set a tone of complaining and not taking responsibility!! This type of BS reminds me of the locker room scene in "The Natural" when they bring in that psychiatrist and he drones on about "Losing is a disease....". I bet Mark Prior has as much or more confidence, poise and heart than any other player in the MLB but it doesn't matter if you give up grannies in the first inning. Bottom line is that the 2005 Chicago Cubs, for whatever reason, do not have the talent to outscore and outpitch the opposing teams on a consistent basis. Hendry will need to reshuffle the deck in 2006 and try to get a better team on the field but the needs are in the talent department not in worrying about this other junk. I believe in it no more than I believe in freaking Billy Goat curses.

College teams everywhere are very hurt and offended by your comments. I had to post something here because I have never seen a thread before where it is just one poster that keeps replying to himself. I thought you might be getting lonely.

If Murton had been catching he would have caught strike three cleanly then made a snap throw to third to double off Rollins. Dusty is just too stupid to use his players correctly.

Isn't there some way we can blame this on Neifi or Macias instead? If Neifi had gone 4 for 4 instead of 2 for 4 the Cubs would have won! If loser Macias had hit a grand slam the Cubs would have won! It never should have come down to Barrett's play if those two weren't dragging down this team!!!

It would be nice to be able to bring in Wood here instead.

Because Remlinger is awful. Dusty couldn't have picked a worse guy to put into a tie game, 9th inning, on the road. Remmy needs to be DFA'd. Actually, Wuertz and Mitre also suck so it is pretty much throw someone out there and pray.

Because Remlinger is awful.

I'm not too worried about them. I think they will be lucky to finish .500.

Late inning relief pitching is like the NCAA tournament. Just survive and advance. Doesn't matter how pretty it is, just get three outs before they score a run.

I remember when ESPN was drooling all over Welly...sad, it hasnt, to this point, turned out so well. Yes, Welly is better than Novoa. Just because he haven't seen him in a while.

It will be nice when Novoa is behind Wood and Williamson.

After being down 3-0 early I would be more than happy if the Cubs get through tonight with a win and just avoid losing ground to anyone.

Burnitz is killing us lately.

Urbina must have believed you.

Why? Holly is one of the better pinch hitters around. The fact that he is not probably qualified to be an every day player does not mean he is not a good guy to come off the bench in a tough situation. That's true, but Todd has been ice cold lately, including PH chances. IMO in that situation you have to go with your #1 PH'er which Holly is for the Cubs when he is not starting. Plus, if you use Murton you have just burned another hitter off a bench that is already one man short due to the 12 man bullpen.

Why? Holly is one of the better pinch hitters around. The fact that he is not probably qualified to be an every day player does not mean he is not a good guy to come off the bench in a tough situation.

I know Millwood isn't exactly a stud, but I'd like what he brings to the Cubs. Maybe somebody else, like a Wakefield, or something if Boston could part with him. I don't think Boston is giving up any pitching. Who knows how Clement will come back from the head shot and even without that his era was up to 4.43 as he seemed to be starting his second half swoon.

Unless the veteran pitcher is going to be able to hold the opposing team to 2 runs or less every game I don't think it would matter much the way this offense is going right now.

Neifi should have a big night. meaning?... He is constantly peeking back at every catcher.

Their SP has looked pretty good to me so far this series.