elconq05

Well...you were half right.

Oops.

I saw that. At the time, I didn't know it was live though. I thought it was really funny...but it was a really stupid thing to say. The only thing that does is fire up the other team. Jim Hayes has always been a tool. $10 says he never gets to do a live broadcast on that board again.

Oh yeah, how early? And what do you mean by "behind home plate?" Are you talking lower level, or what? I stood behind home plate, lower level, for a couple innings. You are at the back of the field level, directly behind home plate. But there are lots of good places to stand on the lower level. You can stand pretty much all the way down each line. There is also a tower with two levels in right field, to the right of the scoreboard (the left field one isn't finished yet). It's up high, but it's a nice place to stand for an inning or two if you like being up higher.

I was at the game. I had a conversation with the guy next to me about how impressed we have been with him so far.

Which is why it would be in his best interest to turn things around...right now.

If Izzy doesn't right the ship soon, the entire Cardinal pen could be wrecked. While the Cards are still a good team, I'm not sure they are good enough to overcome a disasterous bullpen. Woah... Wrecked? I wouldn't go that far yet. It's way too early for that type of blanket statement. If Lee doesn't rob Juan's homer in the 10th today (wishfull thinking, I know), the Cardinals would be 6-3 and in 1st place. Not bad so far, for a team with a "wrecked bullpen". The Cardinals made a few errors today that cost us a run, Bennet was horrible behind the plate and cost us another run on a passed ball, we had a home run taken away, and it still went to the 11th inning. The bullpen hasn't been that good so far this year...no doubt. But it was much better today, except for Izzy. After Suppan came out after the 6th (3 runs, 2 unearned), the Cards bullpen only allowed one hit until the 11th inning. I'm not that worried about Izzy...yet. He's been very successfull for years now with us...I'm not going to bail on him after a few rough outings, nor should anyone else. He has earned some slack from me. He'll be given some time to it together...or else he'll be replaced. Replaced with who? Looper? I'm not denying Izzy's track record. I'm wondering if he's about to join the parade of burnt out closers. I'm just saying it's way too early to even think that. It's just a few bad outings. It happens. If this continues over the long haul, then it's a problem. That's nice and all, but I could name a bunch of good closers that pitched poorly for a few games and did fine the rest of the way. -- Trever Hoffman, who had a horrible start to 2005, but he ended up having a very good year. -- Mariano Rivera had a bad start in 2005 and had a great season. -- Billy Wagner had a stretch of 4 games in May of 2005 where he allowed 5 earned runs...and he was fine. I feel stupid discussing a player possibly being "done" after a few bad outings. If there is an injury, he probably wouldn't be pitching this early in the year. In spring training, Izzy had the best stuff he has had in years. Everyone said his pitches had outstanding movement. And in the first series in Philly, he was solid. They said on the radio this morning, that Izzy said he just hasn't been quite right over the past few games (no kidding). It's not physical, it's just one of those things. So if Derrick Lee goes hitless in 12 at bats this year, can we start to discuss the possibility of him being, "done"? Of course not. You may have guessed right. He may be done. But I doubt it. Your conclusion is based on a few innings. This is waaaaaay too small a sample size to come to any conclusion other than the fact he has struggled as of late. Worthy of being booed? You bet. Worthy of talk that his career may be over? No way. Like I said above, it's not thought to be an injury. It just seems to be a bump in the road right now. Not really. Not yet. With you being a Cub fan and all, I am sure you are giddy and hoping that he is indeed done. Sorry, but right now, that's just wishfull thinking. I am on a "wait and see" basis with Looper. He's had three appearances so far, and two were scoreless. Duncan and LaRussa insist once they correct Looper's mechanical issues (which they say won't be long at all), he'll be fine. Looper has been riddled with injuries the past few seasons, but he is at 100% right now. He said in camp that he felt so good that he was too relaxed and not concentrating enough, and his mechanics got messed up. Sounds goofy to me, but whatever. Looper had 28 saves last year when he wasn't healthy. I think if a couple things get corrected, he can be very effective. Could be replace Izzy? I don't know. We'd have to wait and see. It's possible. That's the optimist in me speaking. It's a long season, and he'll get every opportunity to be an effective setup man. And I JUST got tickets to Friday's game at Busch vs. the Cubs. WOOT!!! WOOT!!!

Wrong. The game today was a sellout. Parts of the stadium are closed due to ongoing construction, hence the empty sections. Almost all of the games are going to sell out.

They've been doing it for a few years now. That's why a lot of people were saying "it's only three games" after the sweep of the Cardinals. It's a long season. The cream will rise to the top by the end of the year. And it will be interesting to see which team is the cream. My money is on BALCO. That makes me think of Bonds...I hate Bonds...now I'm in a hatefull mood.

If Izzy doesn't right the ship soon, the entire Cardinal pen could be wrecked. While the Cards are still a good team, I'm not sure they are good enough to overcome a disasterous bullpen. Woah... Wrecked? I wouldn't go that far yet. It's way too early for that type of blanket statement. If Lee doesn't rob Juan's homer in the 10th today (wishfull thinking, I know), the Cardinals would be 6-3 and in 1st place. Not bad so far, for a team with a "wrecked bullpen". The Cardinals made a few errors today that cost us a run, Bennet was horrible behind the plate and cost us another run on a passed ball, we had a home run taken away, and it still went to the 11th inning. The bullpen hasn't been that good so far this year...no doubt. But it was much better today, except for Izzy. After Suppan came out after the 6th (3 runs, 2 unearned), the Cards bullpen only allowed one hit until the 11th inning. I'm not that worried about Izzy...yet. He's been very successfull for years now with us...I'm not going to bail on him after a few rough outings, nor should anyone else. He has earned some slack from me. He'll be given some time to it together...or else he'll be replaced.

Izzy has never been a multiple inning closer since he has been in St. Louis. And honestly...today's situation only saw Izzy throw one pitch in the 10th and then they threw out the guy stealing 2nd to end the inning. It's not like he had to pitch 10 pitches to get a couple outs in the 10th. He threw one freakin' pitch.

Juan almost hit a walk-off shot today. Carlos Lee robbed it. He should have hit it harder. Bum. Wierdly enough, Juan looked angry with himself right after contact, even though it was hit hard enough to make it well over the fence. I was at the game, down the left field line close to Lee's catch. The ball didn't look like it was going to get to the wall at all. It carried big time. I watched the replay on mlb.tv when I got home and Joe Buck thought it was going to be a flyout at first, and then his volume increased tenfold as it just kept carrying and carrying.

Standing room behind home plate rocks. Get there early and you've got a great spot.

They've been doing it for a few years now. That's why a lot of people were saying "it's only three games" after the sweep of the Cardinals. It's a long season. The cream will rise to the top by the end of the year. And it will be interesting to see which team is the cream.

I think it's a little early to start saying this kind of thing. It is early, and I'm not saying it with any conviction. On the other hand, if it is the end of the line, it wouldn't be the first time this happened to a closer who had experienced some success. Furthermore, one does have to wonder if the failures so far will impact his psyche any. I don't think his psyche would be a problem. When you hear him talk after games, he doesn't seem to let negative things get in his head. He seems to have a really good attitude. And yeah, it is waaaay to early to think about him being done. More like wishfull thinking from a Cub fan, eh? :wink: This is the majors...slumps happen to everyone. Now, if he is still blowing games left and right over his next half dozen outings...then there may be justification for concern, and managment will have to start wondering what to do to fix it.

I took off of work and went to the noon game today. My impressions... I thought the park looked outstanding. It's not gaudy and in your face with over the top bells, whistles and gimmicks...they kept it classy and simple, yet state of the art. The brick totally kicks butt. We bought standing room only tix and watched the game from all over the place. We'd watch an inning or two and walk somewhere else and watch. There is some excellent standing room behind home plate. Great view, down low at field box level. The scoreboard and video wall is awesome. The open outfield and view of the city and the arch is eyepopping....especially since old Busch was enclosed...it's a great change. Watching the game today was a true joy. I am going to three more games so far, and I can't wait. I just wish they had the whole park done. They still have a lot to do. A handfull of sections don't have seats yet and the area around those seats isn't done either. Not all of the shops are done either. Two huge thumbs up.

He seems to have a very sarcastic sense of humor. It also doesn't seem like he and Hrabosky get along very well...at least it didn't used to seem that way.

That's him...and he bugs the crap out of me too. A good friend of mine used to work at Busch, giving tours. One day she was giving a tour to a group of gradeschoolers. The tour went past a room where McLaughlin was taping a commercial, or something. Apparently the kids were too loud and McLaughlin opened the door, cussing and yelling at my friend to have the kids shut up. McLaughlin's PR lady told him he should write a letter of apology. McLaughlin responded with, "That won't be necessary." He just looks like he is a spoiled brat.

There are fans like that for every team. Cubs, Cards, Red Sox, Devil Rays... This past weekend I had 4 Cub fans tell me I was gay because I had a Cards hat on. CLASSY! I know that they were just %#$%*^s and would be that way no matter what team they root for. I know that some people will poke fun at this, but we tend to use the word "hate" too much. I don't hate the cubs. It really gets under my skin when the Cards lose to them, but I reserve my hate for other things in life. Like republicans. My ex-boss is one of the biggest Cub fans you'd ever want to meet. He's also one of the biggest jerks you'd ever want to meet...and he was a cocky SOB during baseball season. Every team has fans like that...well...maybe not like THAT...but damn close.

You are correct sir.

The Brewers did not sweep the Cards in any series last year. And why would the Cubs have to keep it up especially against St. Louis? Your theoretical Milwaukee point seems to be that you have to beat everybody, so why would we have to beat St. Louis consistently(like we did last year) You're right. It was 2004 that the Brewers took 3 of the first 4 from the Cardinals and St. Louis started 1-3. So there was no sweep...they just took 3 of 4 from St. Louis. But that doesn't really change my point too much. My point, in a nutshell, was that for this sweep to mean a lot, the Cubs need to keep winning, against everyone. (and specifically against St. Louis since they are favored to win the division) Milwaukee got off to a nice start in 2004 against St. Louis, but went on to finish dead last, 31 1/2 games behind the team they took 3 of 4 from to start the year. Their 3 of 4 from St. Louis to start the season turned out to be a non-factor. I'll say the same thing about the Cubs early season sweep if they finish 20 games out of first again this year. way to go out on a limb. Which brings us full circle...."it's only 3 games".

The Brewers did not sweep the Cards in any series last year. And why would the Cubs have to keep it up especially against St. Louis? Your theoretical Milwaukee point seems to be that you have to beat everybody, so why would we have to beat St. Louis consistently(like we did last year) You're right. It was 2004 that the Brewers took 3 of the first 4 from the Cardinals and St. Louis started 1-3. So there was no sweep...they just took 3 of 4 from St. Louis. But that doesn't really change my point too much. My point, in a nutshell, was that for this sweep to mean a lot, the Cubs need to keep winning, against everyone. (and specifically against St. Louis since they are favored to win the division) Milwaukee got off to a nice start in 2004 against St. Louis, but went on to finish dead last, 31 1/2 games behind the team they took 3 of 4 from to start the year. Their 3 of 4 from St. Louis to start the season turned out to be a non-factor. I'll say the same thing about the Cubs early season sweep if they finish 20 games out of first again this year. We'll see I guess.

Well, to be honest...didn't the Brewers sweep the Cardinals in a three or four game series to start last season? The Cardinals ended up finishing well ahead of Milwaukee last year. So..... The sweep really doesn't mean a ton right now unless the Cubs keep it up...especially against St. Louis. Congratulations on the sweep. You guys just flat out outplayed the Cardinals. And I'll throw this out there about the Bullpen.... IF Looper gets his stuff together (injury plagued last couple years and mechanics issues right now), I like the Bullpen (I know, I'm crazy). What Izzy did is nothing THAT out of the ordinary. He makes you nervous every time he goes out there, he's always done that...but he is pretty consistent over the course of a season. His WHIP sucks...but you can't complain about his save totals. We'll see how he fairs. He didn't seem too shaken up about it after the game.