polosprt009

Just noticed on ESPN that Mark DeRosa recently did a Q&A. You have to be an ESPN Insider to read past the first question. Are there any ESPN Insiders out there kind and willing enough to post the full interview? Should be a great opportunity to get to know the guy a little better. The Cubs' Mark DeRosa answers questions about the NFL draft, the nastiest pitch he's ever seen, and turning the double play. Q&A Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2853028&name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d2853028%26name%3dolney_buster

I completely agree. I saw Prior pitch last week in Peoria, and he showed signs of improvement. However it was just one game. He's got kinks to work out still. Before the game while he was throwing in the pen, he was swearing up a storm and showing signs of frustration, inconsistence, and low confidence with his mechanics. As long as he settles down and works into the grove he had going a few years ago, he'll be fine. By window of opportunity I mean their opportunity to succeed in the big leagues. If after this season they both amount to the same low amount of games as last year, why continue to waste time and money on two pitchers that have proven to be lost causes? Lou is not a fool, however he isn't stupid either. How many seasons must a team wait for two once-aces to come back around? It's frustrating as a fan to watch them go through injury after injury, but there's a time when a team just has to throw in the flag. Realistically thinking, I truly think that will happen after this season if nothing happens with them two. However I truly am still hoping for the best of them both.

Lou seems like the kind of manager that wants to win now, and not wait around for guys to come around, especially for two who have been bouncing on and off the DL list since 04. I can easily see them being shipped if not this season, during the off season. Unfortunately I think their window of opportunity is closing quickly.

Not that the use of HGH did him any good, another interesting name linked to the steroid scandal... Sources: http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=2702 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/02/steroid.raid/index.html

You can't be serious, can you? Not one for wit I take it.. Was bored earlier, felt like making a joke.

ooo, "Surprise" location. How exciting :D

How fast do hot cakes usually fly past you? On average, I would say 12-15mph, though I vaguely remember a time as a child walking to school when the wind was blowing in my direction. Those hot cakes had to of been soaring at a speed of at least 45mph. I say vaguely because I was knocked out cold by one with a severe concussion and welts the size of grapefruits :cry: It wasn't safe living near the Aunt Jemima factory when they left their windows open..

That's a little extreme. a little extreme but he speaks truth. I've sat right above the netting behind home plate before, and those balls were flying past us like hot cakes. If you weren't always on alert, there was always that chance of being hit by a ball. And after nailing his wife in the ribs, he realizes that it's not such a crazy idea to think that you can seriously injure somebody sitting up there

oops, totally overlooked the "Phillies interested in Pierre" thread that already existed! My fault :D

Should be interesting to see what happens in the next two days. I personally would hate to see us lose JP.. Link to article: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060829&content_id=1634465&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Neifi Perez, a Cub no more.... traded to the Detroit Tigers. Cubs phenom from August 19, 2004 to August 20, 2006, w/ an awe-inspiring batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage of .276, .297, and .384 respectively w/ the Cubs, and highly considered one of the 10 worst Major League players of all time... Neifi, thank you for the memories! just added that to my AIM profile. Yes, I'm quite excited by that!

I agree with everyone so far on this matter, even though there is always a part of me feeling like there is still a chance, no matter how far out of it they may be. While we sit 9.5 gb with 5 1/2 to go, part of me is thinking "well, if they crawl 1.5 or 2 games up the wildcard latter a week, there is a chance." But then the reality hits in that there are way too many teams to sneak past to defeat this feat. Looking to the past, there have been miraculous come backs before, for example the 78 Yankess. In mid July, they were 14gb, behind three teams. By mid august, they were in first place in their division and eventually went to the post season. That makes ya wonder about how a team was able to go from 14 games back to first place in one months time, though they had a great team with a winning percentage of over .500 even when they were 14 games back. It would take a team of mainly talented players to accomplish quite a surprise comeback like that (which we don't have), and also not have that many teams to crawl past (back then- 3, us-11). In all reality, unless the cubs just go on a terror spree like the Dodgers, I don't see the stars lining up for the Cubs this year, even though it is nice to dream..

We'll always have 2003

bring nomar back to chicago

I think I'll pick up Cubs Nation when I return Wrigleyworld back to the library. Sounds like that'll be a good read as well.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned or talked about here at NSBB before but I figured I would send out my recomendation for the book "Wrigleyworld: A Season in Baseball's Best Neighborhood" by Kevin Kaduk. This book is written by a Cubs fan sports writer who was originally based out of Kansas City who decided to take a year off of work to live in the greatest town on Earth and live the life as a Cubs fan during the 2005 baseball season. Coming from someone who lives in Wrigleyville, this book gives a perfect portrayal of how life is out here. For those who lived out here last year, you will be able to relive all the happenings that went on and also get joy in reading about all the familiar bars, restaraunts, and perks of living in this area all over again. It is also a good read for those who have never lived out in the Wrigley area before because you'll be able to be led through the experience of what it's like to live just a few blocks away from beautiful Wrigley Field. I was out on business last week and had plenty of time to read so I stopped by the library in Lincoln Park and picked up this book for the trip. The moment I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It clocks in at 288 pages, but I was able to finish it in two days. Go out to your nearest library, bookstore, or half.com and get this book. You will enjoy all 288 pages and will have a smirk on your face all the way through as you relive a generally uneventful season but read about the other happenings that went around Wrigleyville before, during, and after the baseball season. http://us.penguingroup.com/static/covers/all/4/2/9780451218124H.jpg http://www.wrigleyworld.com/ on a side note, has anyone met or seen Kevin around town? I wouldn't mind sitting down and having a drink with the guy. He seems like an overall man's man who would be a cool guy to have around in the group.

heck, while im at it, pierre, who went 0 for 5 today, also needs to go

I think the most action that happened today in wrigley aside from washington homeruns was our fans throwing back the balls. Ridiculous. Dusty needs to go, ohman needs to go, and neifi, with a batting average under .200 now also needs to go. Straight up ridiculous that last at bat was.

While having a conversation about Baroid Bonds and Babe Ruth, a buddy of mine pointed out to me that the ground rule double used to be considered a home run until the 1930 season. This had me thinking, how many of Babe Ruth's home runs were from a ground rule double? This might have played a small factor in how Ruth got 714 home runs, but definitely doesn't take away from his overall greatness. To read more on this, refer to question four in the latest Cubs mailbag http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060515&content_id=1454876&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I agree, this is quite interesting. Thanks for the heads up on this. Sent it to a bunch of my Cub fan friends

yes, no joke

I completely agree. You might be thinking of baseketball though. Last time I checked, no court was involved in baseball ;)

Larry Walker is one of the most genuine, enjoyable players I've ever seen as far as his interactions with the bleacher faithful. Darn Canadians! I've always enjoyed the way Walker plays the game and I've heard he is pretty good with the fans. Speaking of him being Canadian, I forgot to mention that Walker was asking us "So.. how about that Canada vs. USA game in the WBC? Not bad huh?" We joked back saying "Yea, we thought we saw you there on the bench!"

LOL I knew something seemed fishy!

Me and my buddies (including fellow NSBBer's UMFan83 and jmajew) were lucky enough to get a prime spot in the bleachers, front row in front of the Cards batting cage entrance in right field. Before the game started we of course heckled most the players, but it didn't take long before we got into some good conversations with Larry Walker, David Eckstein, Skip Schumaker, and Mr. Albert Pujols himself. Being a Cardinal hater, I have to say that I was quite surprised by how nice these guys were and how they all had smiles about the fans heckling. All of them were quite the class act. You can tell Schumaker was new to the majors cause he stuck around all smiles talkin to the fans much longer than the other players. At first we had no idea who he was so we asked "Are you new??" and he was like "Yea! My name is Skip Schumaker!" He was all proud to tell us his name, it was hilarious. Larry Walker soon came over and we were like "What are you doin here? We thought you retired!" His response was classic, "Hey, someone has to teach these f*ckers how to play!" Eckstein came over soon after and talked to the fans for a while. One fan was like "Hey Eckstein, you're 5'6'' right?" and he was like "Yea, I'm up to 170 now!" It was hilarious. Pujols didn't come over at first but after a while made he his way over to us and talked with us for about five minutes. I told him that he needs to help the National League win the All Star game this year. He laughed and then got all serious and was like "You know, honestly, I'm not a big fan of how they made the All Star game determine who gets home field advantage in the World Series. They really need to change that." Of course he'd feel that way, it didn't seem to help them too much 2 years ago being swept and all ;) I don't remember much else of what we all talked about but I figured I'd go out on a limb and ask for a baseball. He was like "You want a ball? Hold on, one second" and then threw me the ball he was playing catch with Encarnacian. I couldn't believe it. A few moments later I asked if he wouldn't mind signing it for me and he was like "Sure, I don't mind at all. Hold on though, I have to do some batting practice, but as soon as I get out, I'll sign it for you." About ten minutes pass and then he came back and sure enough signed my ball. Tony (UMFan83) threw down his flask of rum and Pujols caught it and was like "No man, I'm sorry, I can't sign this!" and threw it back up. Haha, oh well, it was worth the try! Not too many people can say that Albert Pujols held their flask! :lol: He only got to signing two balls, and apologized and had to go. I thanked him and said he was a class act, then he ran off. Not bad going to the park empty handed and leaving with a Pujols signed baseball! http://www.jpzarkamusic.com/pujols.jpg Fantastic memories for my first Opening Day and also first time in the Cubs bleachers. Even though it was freezin cold out, the Cubs couldn't have played better, we got to meet some of our rival players, and it was a fun day overall. While I usually partake in my fair share of Cardinal heckling, I couldn't help but not boo Pujols today. It just didn't feel right ;) On a complete side note, we randomly bumped into Chicago-native actress Bonnie Hunt (mother in the movie Cheaper By the Dozen) at Blue Bayou after the game. What an interestingly random day this has turned out to be.