matt-o-meter19

It's nice seeing him use the entire field. He must have been close to the ML record for doubles in one game. I can't imagine it is more than 5.

I really like Murton and I want to see him succeed, but I would take issue with the assertion that Murton has demonstrated an ability to get hits under pressure. He's driven in 17.4% of the runners on base when he bats compared to the team average of 19.4%. Some of his splits..... 04/03 - 06/11 AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS Murton 194 29 54 7 1 4 75 20 19 30 0.278 0.347 0.387 0.734 Nobody on base 122 3 41 5 0 3 54 3 11 18 0.336 0.391 0.451 0.842 Runners on 72 26 13 2 1 1 20 17 8 12 0.181 0.277 0.278 0.555 Scoring position 47 19 10 2 1 1 17 17 7 7 0.213 0.321 0.362 0.683 Scor pos / 2 outs 23 6 5 0 0 1 8 8 4 3 0.217 0.333 0.348 0.681 Do you remember Eric Karros in 2003 before his 3-run homer off of Juan Acevedo in 2nd game against the Yanks? He was HORRIBLE - the only time he could get a hit was against a lefty with no one on base. I remember vividly when he came up in the 7th, I was convinced he was going to K and went to the bathroom..........then I heard a VERY loud roar. I am NOT comparing Murton to Karros - I just have crazy thoughts jump into my sick head.

I like him! :wink: I am waiting to bring back the Matt-O-Meter sign to the bleachers (had it the last Saturday game last year) - he needs to be over .300

Interesting analysis............About 3 weeks ago I looked at the top ten teams (per year) in OBP in the last 5 years. Between 40-50% of the top ten teams in OBP make the playoffs (since 2001). If you look at the bottom ten teams, it's between 10-20% (with the 2003 Cubs as one of those teams.) In addition, the 2005 White Sox were in the bottom 10% (and led AL in swinging at the first pitch in 2005). I know you need to take into account pitching and defense, just thought I would throw these stats out there.

He'd still play pepper with the pitcher, 2nd baseman and 1st baseman. Don't forget the lazy fly ball to left field. He loves those too.

Why do we always have to face the tough pitchers? I guess the Cubs should go look for former retired SS, out of the game for several years to bolster up their pitching staff. I could hear Dusty now, "Well, you know, it's tough man. This guy Sampson was on. His first major league start, it's tough to get a good scouting report on this guy. We haven't seen him before. Sometimes you have to tip your cap." At least these games don't mean anything anymore. The more we lose, the more the organization SHOULD realize we will be sellers, not buyers. I just hope Wood comes around and Prior performs so we have more to trade.

This team isn't going anywhere? We just won 4 out of 6 games! Haven't you heard about the 2005 Astros? Come on, dude! :wink: Actually - if the Cubs win 2 of each 3 game series the rest of the year and split every 4 games series they will win 88 games, which IMHO will NOT be enough to do anything!

Sorry, but I can't get past your first four words.........."Suppose the Trib sold" - it's not going to happen.

On WGN radio about 3 minutes ago.......... Pat Hughes after Cabrera's 3 run homer, "The Cubs have absolutely hit rock bottom"......................

Just more pain, if you want to look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6mYdK9GYM&search=sox%20cubs This is killing me....................how can we stop the baseball season?

I..I..I..I want the knive. 8)

That would be a better protest. "Stay at home" day. You'd have to get a lot of publicity about it, and obviously not everyone would do it, but the visual of near empty, or even half empty stands would be pretty impressive. I won't take credit for this suggestion, but someone had mentioned a walk out in the 6th or 7th inning, that way all the "fans" from out of state, Rockford, etc. could still attend part of the game. This is probably a more realistic scenario then expecting no one to show up. It would be great to see everyone walk out at the same time.

Has anyone heard about this? Does anyone have any information? This could be a great time to pass out hundreds of paper bags.................. :(

2/38? Is that better or worse than his average w/ the bases empty? Can't you guys just give him time? You know he's trying very hard. :wink: On a side note - I was sitting outside Wrigley with a paper bag on my head on Friday and saw Juan pull out of the players parking lot.........I was very impressed. He was driving a Kia. I laughed for the first time in a while.

I don't see the word "SUCKS" in any of the posts above. I do see a concern with a below average defensive catcher (I do agree with you that we have MANY other serious problems). It probably doesn't matter though. We have shown historically that our pitching staff can handle themselves, healthy or not.