RegulusBlue

This game is worthless because we're not playing Murton. I would play him everyday. I wish this wasn't true, but I severely dislike Pagan. You take the Murt's PT, you lose. This is especially true when you consider that the other options in LF for the Cubs are getting schooled by Matt.

I'm behind this as well, and I have mentioned it once before. Not much to argue here. History is history.

Hell yes I am biased, but so should you be. You have just claimed that Murton isn't a power bat after 1.5 seasons. The man is 25 years old! Murton is not a problem on this team. Conventional baseball wisdom IS (i.e. the Left Fielder has to hit 35+ HRs), with you as its conduit. Here is a list of ACTUAL problems to keep you happy: We have two or three starters for next year. Our 'closer' is a turd sandwich. We have absolutely no offense wherever Cedeno and Izturis roam. Glendon Rusch. We're gonna resign 43, and Jones won't play this well ever again. Prior has a Wood-esque injury. Wood does, too. Aramis may be gone because we didn't redo his contract to keep him happy. Hendry has two more years, barring a miracle. There are more. Meanwhile, please don't be our manager.

Had me until this. What filth. How can he clamor about OBP, but suggest sitting our third best OBP guy? .296/.360/.429/.789 This is a good line for a young player who is just now discovering his power (the slg is trending up). I can't believe that we absolutely HAVE to have Carlos Lee or his clone in LF. Murton is an [expletive] bargain for his production. Why don't we just platoon Jones with Moore/Mabry/RH Power Guy? I think we have a .825 OPS guy right here. If the power continues to develop, you found a 5-6 hitter. If not, put that .360 OBP in the 2-slot. I wonder how many runs that would have added, especially with Aramis destroying the world right now? Bruce loses credibility in my book for this one. Lamenting OBP and then ignoring it are standards of Dusty and Company, not our very own voice in the media. /disappointment

I do. I really care that this guy loses his focus on occasion. It makes him a much less likeable player in my book. I'm not alone on this one, I don't think. Its my conviction that if Aramis would give 100% in all facets of his game, a player capable of historic feats would emerge. There is potential exploding out of him, and yet his lack of hustle every tenth time prevents the full utilization of his talent. That said, please give me your lists. This post is not about Aramis.

I'm going to rub this in a little just to tell everyone that they should really try and meet Matt. He's a great guy and gave everyone the time of day. He was out there signing stuff forever. Watch out for this young guy, he's got alot more to show us, and he's extremely likeable. Oh yeah, I hope Dempster blows this, but I doubt he needs any cajoling.

I was sitting with a friend the other day and I began to wonder aloud why I am even a fan of this team anymore. I'm not really that mad that we're horrible, nor is that the subject of this post. My question is, who do you root for on this team? There are so many players on this team that I dislike and so few that I like, its a wonder I still watch/listen every day. Here's what I want: A list of things/players/management you love about the Cubs, and a list of the things you dislike/hate. Here we go. Love: Matt Murton. Absolute player with OBP, awesome hair, and high potential. Theriot. One of few bright flashes in the grayscape of our season. Zambrano. One of the most entertaining players in the MLB. Great ace. Barrett. Punched AJ Pierzykddaskfieski and is holding down SS honors right now. Wuertz. Solid reliever FINALLY getting his chance again and doing well. Kasper. Love the stat guy in the booth. Hate: Aramis. Laziness and loafing are ruining what could be a great player. Jones. I still dislike this signing and always will. Having good year, but I hate his splits and he never got benched. Pierre. Terrible start killed the season and never sat. Not a great baserunner at all. No power, and no arm to speak of. Cedeno. Neifi 2.0. Enough said. Mabry/Nevin/Bynum. All bad players who robbed Murton/Pagan of valuable playing time in a lost season. Baker. Worst manager in baseball history. One of few men capable of overseeing a WS caliber team missing the playoffs altogether. Hendry. Great moves cancelled by terrible ones. Sum zero as GM. Worthless overall. Dempster. Its funny watching him kill us, but I hate that he may be a starter next year. Glendon. The worst pitcher I have ever seen in a Cub uniform. Period. Walrond. The man looks like someone who asked me for a dollar before I walked into Wrigley on friday, and then he played that way. The ghost of Neifi. As you can see, I don't like much anymore about this team. Really, I only listen/watch because of Murton, and the others are just icing on the dog crap cake. EDIT: Forgot to add Wrigley to the love list. My bad.

As long as Murton plays and does well, I hope the Cubs lose every game. I met Murton last Friday and he is nothing but class. He signed my shirt and I have a picture with him AN HOUR AND A HALF after the game!

This is the only important part of this thread, and its great news. I'll take Pierre for the next few years, given that he is Juan Pierre at the beginning of next year and not Glendon the CF.

I think Dusty has had a very hard time sitting african american players this season. I do not think he is a racist, but I do have the comment that he made about black players being better in heat supporting my statement. That, and the fact that Jones, Pierre, and Bynum have been allowed to ruin the season with early struggles or win a starting job out-of-position over an 8-game slump by a young player. Its nice to see that he has finally put the team's interests ahead of his favorites a few times. Thanks, Dusty. I felt in my gut that you would eventually do what any manager worth a second glance can do: Play the best players and bench those who are struggling. I don't like Dusty.

I some of that. This is because that is the philosophy of a team that could win a bunch of games, despite minor flaws. The Chicago Cubs' philosophy is not a good one. 1) OBP now has... barely an influence over decisions. 2) Strikeouts are fine, as long as he is being aggressive. 3) Young kids are showing up on the roster, but bench them. 4) Defense is critical, because that scores us runs somehow... 5) Toolsy middle infielder/utility guys are the best players ever. 6) All pitchers should strike everyone out, be a headcase, and throw 234mph. 7) Spend life savings on bullpen, then abuse them in the first year. That is closer to our philosophy.

Its an interesting juxtaposition that we seem to be afraid to move anyone this year while we are the worst team in baseball, when we made the biggest splash in years in 2004 with the Nomar/Murton deal, and some big moves in 2003 when we got Ramirez, Lofton, and Simon. I wouldn't really expect many moves at all, because once Hendry ships something off, the bullseye finds his back, and Hendry has proven that he will lay low if the heat is on. I would expect to trade Walker and maybe Nevin, because then you can't say he didn't do anything either. Cubs Baseball: Helping ledge jumpers man up for almost 100 years.

I just want to hire a no name in the interim and see if a young, unproven manager can be a flash in the pan. I'm so tired of the baseball establishment at this point. Let's just go out and get the manager equivalent of Theo Epstein. A young, smart guy who can put the best guys on the field and develop some talent when necessary. That, or Von Joshua.

I will root against the Cubs until Dusty is gone and/or Murton is back on the field. Other than that, the Cubs can do a whole lot of unmentionable things.

We totally suck a whole lot.

Around 84 of them, why do you ask? Pagan wasn't a factor in those days. Now, with Bynum gone, Nevin and Pagan will take all of the time. I point to the fact that Jones was brought in and Pagan took Murton's spot at left today, after a 2 for 4 day with 3 runs and an RBI. Murton's fate is very tied to Pagan because you can't sit Jacque, dude.

I would be on the BandWGN, but this is yet another speed bump that Murton must overcome in order to become the player that he will be. I'm tired of career bench guys getting in Matt's way.

Thank god Pagan is back, dude. He's a horse, dude.

I was numb a month ago, when I realized that this team wasn't going to be able to win on heart for long. Now I'm angry, and so are others. Its taken awhile, but that anger is boiling over these days.

OMG, does Murton get to play?!?! /tears of joy This is cause for celebration. GO WHITE SOX! BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUT OF THIS TEAM AND DESTROY DUSTY!!! I think he may be gone regardless of today's result, but an embarrassment is always more fun to watch, plus Hawk on national TV slamming the Cubs is gonna be really sweet. I happen to dislike the direction of the Cubs recently, so I'll listen for the barbs and enjoy the NASCAR plus moonshine flavor that is a Sox broadcast.

I just hope we cut the fat from this team at the deadline. This would include a few players: Jones (actually somehow a good trading piece) Pierre (who the hell cares anymore, read: cheese sandwich) Nevin (STOP TAKING TIME FROM MURTON) Aramis? (questionable) Dusty (like he's worth anything) Glendon (it doesn't matter how bad he is, HE THROWS LEFTY! OMG!) Maddux (worst SP we have, hands down) Send these guys out and we'll get some prospects and start over next year. Please do this, because I'm a better GM than Hendry and I know what's best.

I don't think Hendry feels that way. Jim strikes me as a very proud man who is being destroyed by this turn of events. I think his mind is screaming that something needs to be done, but that same pride keeps him from admitting that Dusty isn't the man for this team. I am sure that he is supremely embarrassed by today's events and the presence of tons of opposing fans each of the last few series at home, which used to be invulnerable to such catastrophe. The proof is in the pudding, but Jim doesn't eat pudding, unfortunately.

Much, much earlier in this crap season, when the ship was first sinking, Stone said that Baker had already been extended, and the Cubs were just looking for the right time to announce. This would make sense if Hendry just rewarded Dusty in the fashion that he was by MacPhail. It also makes sense that Hendry would continue to talk up Dusty in the media at every turn, as if he's waiting for the avalanche to turn around and head right back up the mountainside. I wonder about this more and more these days. Not many managers have ever been hung on to through a stretch like this, and I fear that Steve may know something. Alternatively, its possible that Hendry just can't admit he'd made a mistake and he'll keep Dusty forever. I'm still scared stupid by this possibility, and it gains momentum every day.

I'll second the motion. After (If...) the thread is ever done, we should print it out and email it to Dusty's house. Hopefully he'll get a papercut reading it.

A sweep this weekend after the crowd very loudly and publicly embarrasses the club at their own park will probably spell the end of Dusty. The problem is that Sweet Lou will probably get to ruin the team next. :(