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mlarner

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Everything posted by mlarner

  1. mlarner
    You know, I cancelled my cable about 3 weeks ago so this is the first time Ive watched this team since then. I was all excited the last few days when I realized it was the national game of the week, and then I remembered what it felt like to watch a lifeless, fundamentally weak club with mediocre talent. I really thought the only thing I'd miss about cable was watching my boys out there, but to tell you the truth I think I have been a happier person the last 3 weeks because of it. I still keep up to date with these forums and the newpaper, but thats as far as I can go right now. Even for a Cub fan, this team right now makes it very difficult to root for them.
  2. mlarner
    Maybe Nevin is impressing someone today at the plate...as long as no one saw the lines he was taking to balls in the outfield today!
  3. mlarner
    nice catch. that ball was crushed.
  4. mlarner
    wow larry, whatever you had to say really helped!! Great work once again.
  5. mlarner
    Thanks Fred :D
  6. mlarner
    That doesn't suprise me in the least, but it still doesn't make it a very good decision on the Cubs part, IMO.
  7. mlarner
    Good news... good news! Why not skip this turn of the rotation, just to give him a few extra days and make 100% there is nothing there? How many times have we heard from the Cubs training and medical staffs that player X is OK and then a week later they end up on the DL because they were not sure of the extent of the injury. What if he alters his mechanics slightly because of the pain, and ends up really hurting himself? I see no drawback whatsoever of skipping his turn, and a huge possibility for trouble.
  8. mlarner
    I was thinking that too, but then I remembered Dusty was the manager. If they even have a 1% doubt about the injury, they better fall all over themselves to put him on the DL tomorrow. I can just see Dusty pulling some "we are still in this thing" crap to justify riding Z the rest of the season. At some point, they have to begin looking at the big picture, do they not? Z is a cornerstone to anything this team will do in the near future and should not be threatened for any reason. Jim, do not your crack caoching staff screw this one up too.
  9. mlarner
    Second Yes, with this team's payroll, recent failures, and some cheap youth playing everyday next year, absolutely no question that the Cubs should get both.
  10. mlarner
    :lol: Here's to a big turnaround for both teams!!
  11. mlarner
    I was there too while he played for the Indians and he was about as popular as a minor leaguer could be, I think. Not sure about his stats, but it always seemed like he was a career AAAA player as he did well at Indy but very rarely got to get up to the majors. The city loved him back in those days.
  12. mlarner
    This article from Phil Rogers is even more definitive: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060704rogers,1,2599839.column?coll=cs-home-headlines And at least two references to OBP here as well... Could it be??????
  13. mlarner
    ...maybe this streak will convince some GM he is their missing piece and we will get something for him.
  14. mlarner
    Maybe, just maybe, it will be a focus on guys with a decent baseball IQ. To me, the Cubs have not only been sloppy with the fundamentals the past few seasons but they also show no sense of understanding what the game is all about. Forgetting their (many) physical mistakes for a second, they act like they have never learned the mental side of the game at all. Getting thrown out trying to advance to third with two outs, outfielders throwing to the wrong base in crucial situations, infielders not knowing what base to throw to before th ball is in play, hitters not even trying to go to right field to advance the runner from 2nd to 3rd, pitchers getting killed on 0-2 counts with fastballs down the middle, pitchers not covering first base, etc. just makes me think the organization focuses way too much attention on skills/tools and not at all on players who actually understand the nuances of the game. Obviously you have to have the skills to be successful in the majors, but is it too much to ask for an organization that can spot players who have both?? This is probably going on all over MLB, but the old adage that you can forgive physical mistakes but not mental ones certainly comes up again and again watching this team the last few years.
  15. mlarner
    I think most of it has to do with the fact that Hendry and Dusty still have the flicker of a belief that the Cubs might make the playoffs. Hendry because he would have to then admit how badly this team was constructed if we continue this poorly and Dusty because all he seems to care about is himself and his reputation. If they would just get things in perspective, this could be a really good opportunity to see what these young arms really have. You don't have to gut the team, but trade away the chips that make you better, retool for next year, and go into the season with a good idea of what to expect from all these kids (that includes Murton, too...the thought of him sitting with Nevin playing out there makes me sick!) Hopelessly hanging onto pipe dreams is not going to do anyone any good.
  16. mlarner
    Maybe he is tired of trying to settle Z down Yeah, Z needs to learn how to calm himself down much better. Larry shouldn't have to come out every single time Z gets into a jam. Sometimes is okay, but not all the time. Part of being an ace is learning how to control your emotions. I agree that its not ideal, but regardless if its an ace or not one of the jobs a pitching coach holds is calming the pitcher down if he gets into a jam. Maybe even just send Barrett out there for a second. Im not watching the game today (so thanks for all the updates to everyone!) but in the past one of the things Ive noticed is that Z starts working EXTREMELY quickly when he begins having problems. IMO, getting him to take a deep breath and talk a little about strategy is still important, no matter who he is or what his history might be. I think it helps all of us to get out of our heads for even just a second, and especially with someone who obviously takes it as hard as Z does.
  17. mlarner
    Just wondering, do we have a pitching coach to go settle Z down at all?
  18. mlarner
    Especially after watching Marshall tonight, its good to see some of the young arms get a chance to show what they can do. Im excited!
  19. mlarner
    Ouch...now thats just embarrasing
  20. mlarner
    Todd laying his claim on the 2b job!!
  21. mlarner
    NO way, why? I think the ticker on ESPN said something about a rib problems or pulling a muscle in his stomach. Either way, he can't catch a break.
  22. mlarner
    Nomar not in the opening day lineup for the Dodgers...surprise!
  23. mlarner
    Aramis with the turn at second!
  24. mlarner
    I really wish the Cubs could get Carlos to slow down a little bit. At least take a breath in between pitches to compose yourself a little bit. Sometimes I think his stuff is so good that he and the Cubs just trust his pitches to move all over the place and get the batters out that way rather than having a game plan for each and every batter. Its fine to work quickly, but he's taking this way too far. Quick, but not rushed.
  25. mlarner
    I thought I heard on the radio a little while ago that Prior was holding a press conference today at some point to talk about his injury situation. Has anyone else heard this?
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