indifferent

Who's Abe Badmus?

This was posted on Cards Talk: I work at a newspaper and this was on the Associated Press wire. It will be in some papers tomorrow. I thought it was an interesting read... TEMPE, Ariz. — Jim Hendry went the distance on Thursday at Tempe Diablo Stadium, which is more than anyone could say about the Cubs’ starting pitcher, Rich Hill. He labored to get through two innings giving up only five runs. A couple of hours after Hill was finished, as Hendry walked out an outfield gate to the parking lot, joined by his top assistant, Gary Hughes, and baseball information manager Chuck Wasserstrom, the right-field scoreboard read Visitors 7, Angels 6. You wondered what they were talking about as they started the trip back to Mesa. Maybe it was how Matt Murton crushed a double or how Scott Eyre already is pitching like he did last season in San Francisco. Maybe it was Scott Williamson’s smooth ninth inning. But even if they filled dead air with such thoughts, there is only one thing on the mind of those with the Cubs. That, of course, is the uncertain condition of Mark Prior. Prior, who was being counted on to join Carlos Zambrano at the top of a Kerry Wood-less rotation — at least for the time being — will join Wood and newcomer Wade Miller on the Opening Day disabled list. He has been diagnosed with a strain in one of the group of rotator-cuff muscles and won’t even pick up a baseball for at least a week. While Prior was running behind schedule this spring, Hendry’s slumped shoulders evidenced how much he had been counting on having him to help the Cubs get off to a good start. “Obviously I’m disappointed,“ the Cubs’ general manager said during the workmanlike victory over the Angels. “We thought all along that we were going to have him on the second day in Cincinnati. He had not said one word about discomfort (in his shoulder) up until two days ago. Hopefully it won’t be a long setback.“ Quite possibly it will be. Both before and after reading the MRI test given Wood, trainer Mark O’Neal and the Cubs’ leaders said they were relieved Dr. Lewis Yocum’s examination Wednesday had not revealed the worst-case scenario — a torn rotator cuff or frayed labrum. “Obviously we’re very pleased,“ O’Neal said. But there’s nothing good about shoulder injuries, especially when they happen to a 25-year-old with the potential to be a perennial All-Star. They are probably even worse for a guy who previously has been shelved with elbow problems. Shoulder injuries are even scarier than elbow injuries, which often can be repaired completely through surgery. The shoulder is quite a bit trickier, and even a seemingly minor strain can turn into a major nightmare. Just ask Mike Sirotka. He was diagnosed with a strained shoulder after the White Sox traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001 and wound up never throwing another pitch, not in the major leagues, anyway. Prior’s situation does not appear that dire, but the danger is that once you take this detour off the mound one bad road can lead to an even worse one. Prior, Hendry, O’Neal, manager Dusty Baker, pitching coach Larry Rothschild and Cub fans are going to be edgy about Prior until he’s back on the mound as a big-league winner, which won’t happen until May at the earliest. The Cubs are worried enough that they will have Prior huddle with three rather high-priced doctors—Yocum, team orthopedist Stephen Gryzlo and team physician Stephen Adams — on Saturday to determine the best way to treat an injury O’Neal calls a “moderate strain of the subscapularis.“ By the way, moderate is not the most comforting description. It’s hard to imagine there is a severe strain, at least not in official terms when describing the injury to reporters. The guess here is there are two levels — mild and moderate, and O’Neal did not say mild. The loss of Prior leaves the Cubs with four healthy starters. Baker says he can get by without a fifth starter until April 15, but the Cubs’ are officially in need of some unexpected help, and there hasn’t been a lot of excess pitching on display in Arizona this spring, in the Cubs’ camp and in others. Longtime scouts say this spring has been unusual because they haven’t seen any eye-popping young pitchers in Arizona. Hill, who looked great last spring, has not this spring. When the Angels’ impressive lineup knocked him around it marked his second straight bad start. This is known as not seizing the moment. Before Thursday’s game, Baker tossed out four candidates for the fifth starter’s spot, including two surprises. Hill and Angel Guzman, who was the flavor of the month in Arizona three years ago, are obvious contenders. But 6-foot-7-inch left-hander Sean Marshall and Korean right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu could move past them with strong performances at the end of spring and the start of the minor-league season. “We have to pull our belts a little tighter and do what we have to do,“ Baker said. What else was he going to say?

Where did you read/hear this? It is news to me. If the pitchers are whining about the defense at second base then maybe they should throw better pitches. IMO Walker's defense is not that bad. Certianly not bad enough to warrent a position battle with the likes of Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. Although pitchers would undoubtedly complain about lack of run support = less wins, if I'm a pitcher (especially a GB pitcher) and I'm looking out for my future, I'll take the defense all day long. There's a little self interest involved here. Poor defense equates to higher ERA which even in laymen's terms means more to those giving out contracts then wins.

If you want to stay in the city... (not much of a city if you ask me) Your choices would be: Hyatt Regency Hilton Wyndham Marriott - Courtyard All could be had for under 100.00 per night by utilizing orbitz, expedia etc... Don't get your hopes up re: Milwaukee, it is pretty pathetic to be honest with you. That being said, Cubs Baseball and hot summer nights are always a good time :) Enjoy bro! Thanks, CCF! Although I'm a Cards fan (and I'm a gal) and I'm sure many would agree Milwaukee is not too unlike STL. The lowest price our group found for a "reputable hotel" was $140 (normally $180) for Residence Inn and that was on Priceline. I would be surprised if we could do better with the places you named. Hmmm...suprising, not knowing the dates you will be in town, I ran a quick check on hotels.com and found the majority of the hotels downtown to be around 120.00+ If you don't mind being 15 minutes away from downtown, you could always stay off I94 in Brookfield. Several nice hotels for around 100 could be had. Good Luck sista! :) Thanks again, doesn't roll off the tongue like bro does though!

If you want to stay in the city... (not much of a city if you ask me) Your choices would be: Hyatt Regency Hilton Wyndham Marriott - Courtyard All could be had for under 100.00 per night by utilizing orbitz, expedia etc... Don't get your hopes up re: Milwaukee, it is pretty pathetic to be honest with you. That being said, Cubs Baseball and hot summer nights are always a good time :) Enjoy bro! Thanks, CCF! Although I'm a Cards fan (and I'm a gal) and I'm sure many would agree Milwaukee is not too unlike STL. The lowest price our group found for a "reputable hotel" was $140 (normally $180) for Residence Inn and that was on Priceline. I would be surprised if we could do better with the places you named.

I was hoping for some tips on some less expensive gems in the city. Really, we're not going to be in our rooms much.

Brewhaha, is there a good hotel in downtown MIL you'd recommend? A bunch of us are coming up for a series this summer and we're finding rates of approx. $150 per night.

Bad luck, brewhaha. I didn't mean to make it sound major as no one knows. It could very well just be initial aches and pains of ST as players get back into the grind.

Sheets left in the first inning after having given up five runs apparently irritating his injured shoulder. To be tested on Sat. http://fantasybaseball.rotoworld.com/includes/topblurbs.asp?sport=MLB

I'd say Cincy would have to be up there.

And a better cause IMO...

They'd still want these guys, they'd just want cash thrown in the deal.

Wilson, good post. I like your point about suing Anderson. What exactly has Baker's stance been on Bonds' suspected steroid use? I don't see how he can be made to look bad as things unfold. From what I've read, it was a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy from the ownership down through the management. Same with LaRussa.

So what struck you most about that game, anemic offense or the strong pitching?

Some of these guys have to be regretting their decisions not to participate. I don't think anyone anticipated this much excitement.

OOh, which of these Zambrano's is not like the other, from C to V. Quite a downgrade.

Rightfully so.

Next up, Zambrano v. Pujols?

No details to speak of, I just found it interesting that an Angels fan with no vested interest would speculate about the Cubs as the front runner.

Just an Angels blog, but interesting... If you think The Red Sox want the Moon for Manny Ramirez, you should hear the list of players the Marlins want in a trade for Miguel Cabrera - but they called twice after being told no, not to change their offer, just to underscore thir seriousness in wanting to trade MC. Word around the Cactus League is that the Cubs are going all out to land him. http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2006/3/6/33643/34016

I honestly can't complain about my team. The first couple of rounds were autodraft, but I got a few value drafts late.

Those are great seats, Vance! It must make a big difference when you're only requesting one seat.

So you basically have to be a season ticket holder to buy Cubs Cards tickets? What a bunch of crap. They'll be sold, but they're predicting tix to go faster than ever before (and they already have). 1. They have those packages they've been promoting in Dec. and almost all of them have at least one Cubs game. They also have four packs that are all Cubs games. 2. The season ticket holders did get first dibs. 3. Cubs games will be the hardest to come by. 4. Since part of the ballpark won't be done until June, they'll be less seats and there already are less seats in new Busch.

From Hardball Times: RCAA 1 Bill Mazeroski -190 2 Tommy Thevenow -126 3 Jack Wilson -109 4 Frankie Gustine -103 5 Dick Groat -99 6 George Gibson -96 7 Jose Lind -94 8 Walter Schmidt -91 9 Abraham Nunez -89 10 Frank Taveras -86 He's been a starter over the past 5 years. Over that time, Wilson ranks 4th in the majors in worst RCAA-- RCAA 1 Neifi Perez -159 2 Brad Ausmus -133 3 Royce Clayton -125 4 Jack Wilson -109 T5 Tony Womack -100 T5 Cesar Izturis -100 7 Mike Matheny -98 T8 Alex Gonzalez -89 T8 Einar Diaz -89 T10 Cristian Guzman -88 T10 Rey Sanchez -88 This article stemmed from a reaction to the J. Wilson signing, but UGHHH!

:shock: The double entendre thread!