BigbadB

The good news is the Cubs are currently on pace to walk 1134 times this season. Even if that number cuts in half over the course of the season, I'd still be pleased with the improvement in patience and OBP. Hey, and they have speed!!!!

Regardless of whether it was a double play or not, that was a routine play that totally deserved an error. It would be ridiculous to not give him one.

Maybe their expecting Rusch to get knocked out early on Wednesday, therefore the need to save Williams for that game. :wink:

Agreed. I really like his approach at the plate. He drew a 6 pitch walk yesterday without ever taking his bat off his shoulder. If that last pitch was a hittable pitch, he probably would have driven it to the opposite field, but, first and forermost making sure he made contact. I'm really going to like this kid!

Klesko is a hot head, but Phil Nevin is the biggest hot head I've ever seen.

It's only scrolled across once or twice for me that I've noticed. I was speaking primarily from experiences from previous seasons. I only watched ESPN and WGN yesterday.

Many Giants fans show up to games with rubber chickens, so they can show how classless they are whenever the opposing pitcher chooses to pitch around Barry. And my reference to beer being spilled on players is what I have witnessed from Wrigley Field.

The Padres and Giants have a heck of a rivalry, so I'm not shocked that a Padres fan did something like this. It wouldn't be much different than a Cub fan tossing out some eyeliner for one Jimmy Edmonds. Nothing should be thrown on the field and the person who does should be tossed (which includes dumping your beer or soda on a player), but since I didn't do it, I can't feel too broken up about it.

It was opening day. The team scored 16 runs. I found nothing to be overly critical about, except the pitching staff giving up a ridiculous amount of walks and lead off base runners. They were REAL lucky the Reds didn't score a lot more runs yesterday. But, I was also pleased that the Cubs drew a lot of walks, also.

If Juan Pierre hits for a .326 OBP again this year, he's Alex Sanchez. Alex Sanchez can't land a starting job in the major leagues. If 2005 was just an off year for Pierre, and he'll get his OBP back over .360, I'll be just fine with him at the top of the order. It's not really his speed at the top of the line up that concerns me. It's his ability to get on base. Oh, and to stay on base (as in not getting picked off or caught stealing). If he puts up a .360+ OBP, yes, his speed is an added bonus. If he's at .326 again in 2006, then he's just another speedy guy who can't get on base, and we could have saved prospects and nearly 6m by bringing back Tom Goodwin. Speed did look good in this game. But, there will be games where you wish you had some respectable power coming off the bench rather than speed. And there are going to be games when Pierre gets thrown out attempting to steal 2nd right before Derrek Lee hits a solo home run that "could" have been a 2 run shot. I like speed. In the big picture, it's good the Cubs have all this speed. But, I think they are lacking in OBP and I think they are lacking in power, and that might end up hurting them.

Yeah, I don't appreciate that I pay for this week while people get free access. It wouldn't bother me if I didn't have to see the "order MLB EI" flashing across the screen the entire game for every game I watch during the free week.

I'm not against having good speed throughout the line up, but it wasn't speed that won today's game. It helped create more runs, but the ridiculous OBP in today's game mixed with 7 XBH's is what won this game. What was the team OBP today? .600?

Thanks to everyone who reposted line ups. While I'm not pleased with the Cubs offseason, I do think that's the best line up Dusty could put together.

How far back to I have to dig to find the line up cards for today's game? (Premium)

I thought that was what I was doing. My issue was seeing Perez and Macias 1/2 in the order. And the only reason I listed all those particular games was because the pro-Dusty argument was that he only did a Neifi/Macias line up card once, when that is clearly not accurate.

All of your teams are going down. From this point forward, it's just going through the motion and delaying the inevitable. 'Cuz my time is purdy durn good! :newkiss:

Your definition of once and my definition of once are clearly different. Guess what these box scores have in common? Sept. 17th Sept. 23rd Sept. 24th Sept. 25th Sept. 28th Sept. 29th Oct. 1st Yep, Neifi and Macias batting 1/2 in the order in every one of these games. BBB, In all fairness, the starting lineup on 23 Sept was Neifi followed by Todd Walker. This is the game in which Todd sustained his season ending injury, and he was then replaced by Macias. May be stretching a point.... maybe not. I would say that totally depends on who else was available to play 2nd base.

Actually, I would WELCOME this being a viable concern seeing as that would mean that Niefi got 550+ AB's in 2006. Unfortunately, I think he's right on schedule to land that many at bats.

I have MLB EI in my office and I'm the boss. I'll have baseball on all day. Luckily the ladies all like baseball or they'd have to find new employment. :hsughwiggle:

You are comparing apples to oranges, IMO. Yes, we crucified the Cubs, but because Hollandsworth was the STARTER, not the bench help. Hollandsworth has basically spent his whole career as bench help. I will agree that you fill bench positions based on need. Which is why I believe Restovich should be on the Cubs bench.

Boy, did that ever add a lot to the discussion. But, I'm sure everyone appreciates your input.

Hernandez will do better than Willingham, IMO.

Holly was very solid off the bench for the Cubs in 2004. I'd much rather have a veteran bat as a part time, rare start, PH off the bench than a kid who has seen 1/3 of a season worth of major league at bats. If a corner OF in the Cleveland outfield gets hurt, promote Dubois to start in the injured guys place and Hollandsworth continues his role as the guy coming off the bench. I'd rather have Hollandsworth as the 4th outfielder over Mabry.

Hendry is to blame for a lot of Baker's shortcomings. Unfortunately, you have to Dusty proof the roster to keep Dusty from making boneheaded decisions. How for example? #1. All lefty bullpen guys must be proficient at getting left handed hitters out. #2. Add only players who provide respectable OBP. So, I don't lay all of my issues with Dusty on just Dusty. Hendry gave him Rey Ordonez. Hendry gave him Neifi Perez. Hendry gave him Enrique Wilson. Hendry gave him Jose Hernandez. Hendry gave him Lenny Harris. Hendry gave him Damian Jackson. Hendry gave him an unproven rookie (Dubois) and a mediocre veteran (Hollandsworth) to compete for an outfield job.

Your definition of once and my definition of once are clearly different. Guess what these box scores have in common? Sept. 17th Sept. 23rd Sept. 24th Sept. 25th Sept. 28th Sept. 29th Oct. 1st Yep, Neifi and Macias batting 1/2 in the order in every one of these games. I could probably find more if I really wanted to dedicate more time in making my point. But, we all know these things happened. We also know that Enrique Wilson has seen top of the order at bats. We also know that the previous year Rey Ordonez has seen top of the order at bats. No other team in baseball is willing to give employment opportunities to Rey Ordonez or Enrique Wilson, Not even a bottom of the barrel budget team like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Not only do the Cubs employ guys like this, but Dusty sticks them right there at the top of the order. The funny thing about September and October is that rosters are expanded. Note all the dates of the box scores above. There should never be any reason to start your 25th man during this time frame. When your 25th man has an OBP well under .300, it's even more stupid to bat him at the top of the order. I can respect your faith in Dusty Baker, Jake. But, please respect mine. I once had faith in him too. But, too many just plain ignorant decisions has me wishing he'd be fired like he deserves to be. Hendry needs to go also.