jersey cubs fan

Managers never let a guy run from the 8 hole, cause they'd rather waste an out with a bunt from the pitcher. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/aggregate?sort=stolenBases&split=116&group=8&season=2008&seasonType=2&statType=batting&type=exp1 They rarely run, but it's as frequently as they do from the 6 and 7 spots.

My priority is not wasting my time clicking that stupid All Star Ballot. I hope he makes it, but I've got much better things to do than vote for him hundreds of times. I did three then got bored. ok, then you're clearly not making it your top priority. That's because I realize how important it is that Kosuke gets his rest.

Bears sign second-round pick Forte ChicagoSports.com 4:15 PM CDT, July 2, 2008 The Bears today agreed to terms on a four-year contract with second-round draft pick Matt Forte. The running back from Tulane becomes the 11th of the Bears' 12 2008 draft draft picks to either sign or agree to contract terms. The only remaining unsigned draft pick is first-round selection Chris Williams, an offensive tackle from Vanderbilt. Forte, who became just the 11th player in Division I history last season to rush for 2,000 yards with 2,127, could enter training camp as the Bears' No. 1 running back if the team doesn't sign a veteran free agent.

My priority is not wasting my time clicking that stupid All Star Ballot. I hope he makes it, but I've got much better things to do than vote for him hundreds of times. I did three then got bored.

Maybe it's just me, but "testicular fracture" sounds more painful than the "intrascrotal hematoma" that Barrett had. Neither sounds pleasant, but the thought of fracturing a testicle makes me want to wear a protective cup 24/7. I thought he had "testicular torsion"...none of these sound fun. I believe Pie had the "testicular torsion." I'm pretty sure Barrett had the "instrascrotal hematoma." You're right though...none of these sound fun. Gotcha...I think you're right. You having a tough time juggling all those busted nuts?

Very true. QB is the most important single position. But O Line is the most important position group. And there are 5 of them at all times, with frequent substitutions for health reasons. I'm all for drafting a QB every other year, even if you have a star. They definitely should have put more focus on drafting early lineman. At the very least that saves you from overpaying for guys like Miller.

It was to the point though that you almost can't rebuild the O-line in one offseason without spending overly heavy in that one area. You're right, it should have started 2 years ago, and now they're just starting it, so they're about 2 years behind. I realize this is nitpicky, but the rebuilding of the O-line never should have "started", rather, it should have always been an ongoing thing. Kreutz has been the only constant, but he's been slipping from elite to second tier status. Brown and Tait came over in 2004, Brown supposedly as a short-term help, Tait as the longterm RT. Tait moved to LT in 2005, another short-term fix, and Fred Miller, another short-term help (cut by Tennessee and contemplating retirement), was brought in for RT. The problem was they kept bringing in short-term help without any thoughts of a longterm solution. It's as if the initial backlash to the Colombo pick, and his subsequent failure to provide stability, spooked Angelo from drafting lineman.

He was pretty brutal everywhere, especially 2nd, where he batted most of the season. Also, I love the lineup. I'd switch Edmonds and Soto but otherwise it's finally perfect. Careful.

I cannot see Les Walrond's name without thinking: I'd say that Les Whinen ought to do more thinking and less whining!

http://eecue.com/img/images_pic-medium-27891-guy_in_wife_beater.jpg Why'd you have to go there?

It has been said that Marshall will at least stay up and go to the bullpen. I would assume Ascanio and Patterson/Murton go down.

It's tough to put this on the rookie, but Matt Forte is really going to decide a lot as far as what this offense can do. If the run game is a threat, the rest of it could all fall into place...somewhat. Right concept, wrong rookie. The season is going to depend most heavily on what improvements to the line come from Williams starting on the left and moving Tait to the right. Lets agree that both Williams and Forte need to step up. :) Agreed. Obviously Forte is going to need to put up solid numbers. But his ability to do so will depend most heavily on the line, at least that's my opinion.

It's tough to put this on the rookie, but Matt Forte is really going to decide a lot as far as what this offense can do. If the run game is a threat, the rest of it could all fall into place...somewhat. Right concept, wrong rookie. The season is going to depend most heavily on what improvements to the line come from Williams starting on the left and moving Tait to the right.

Yeah, I couldnt believe he decided to injure mike brown, dusty divorcek, nate vasher, charles tillman, kevin payne, ruben brown, lance briggs, darwin walker, rex grossman, cedric benson..... Maybe you can believe then that he had a very poor draft, traded Thomas Jones giving the job to a RB who had been injured in each of his 1st 2 years the starting job w/ no competition, didn't upgrade on an aging offensive line, didn't upgrade at a weak WR position, signed Adam Archuleta and traded Chris Harris to downgrade the S position, refused to address the weak QB position.... I know injuries played a big part, but don't act like Angelo was powerless. The Bears clearly had some minor patchwork to be done in last year's offseason in order to stay on top of the NFC and Angelo didn't do it. I don't blame him for the Jones trade and not even the QB position, though he did replace Jones by overdrafting Wolfe. But getting Archuleta, letting Moose age in front of his eyes and not doing anything about it, and staying pat with an old, mediocre line are inexcusable moves. Simply put, if Angelo held onto Harris (who became a pretty good S in Carolina), drafted an OT in the 2nd round instead of a DE who didn't see the field (and never projected to see it much in the first place), and brought in another legit WR threat...the Bears would be in a lot better position to compete this year. The big problem I have is the lack of improvement on the line, when I was begging for it for over 2 years. I hated the Benson pick, because they had Jones, but I did not have a problem with the Jones trade, nor do I have a problem with it now. TJ simply isn't that good. Of course QB remains an issue, and the easiest thing to pick on Angelo for. However, he did build a team that was able to be among the elite with Grossman at the helm. I think it all boils down to the offensive line. Had he done something about it earlier, the 2007 team probably contends for the division and still makes the playoffs. And they would probably be poised to contend for the NFC crown again this year if that vital part of the team was more settled. An offensive line makes every skill position player look a heck of a lot better.

The shame is, he makes those statements all the time and never gets called on it.

I think it would be great to have Marshall and Gallagher piggybacking as the 5th starter, assuming they acquire a top half of the rotation guy to bump Marquis.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2008/06/bears-close-to.html

Not really an analysis of the Bears per se, however, yahoo explains just how worthless Bears offensive players are for fantasy purposes. This just reinforces what we already know, the Bears are only going to go as far as the defense takes them, they will need outstanding contributions from the young guys to have any semblence of an offense, and any success this year will be viewed as a major surprise. The over/under for wins is actually 8. I could see them falling apart into a 4 win team, with the possibility they have an historically bad offense. On the upside maybe they score at league average and pull off a miraculous 9-10 win season.

It's nearly impossible to have any hope in the kid anymore.

Certainly a refreshing change from years past. But it's "par for the season" in 2008. Cubs lead the NL with 340 BB, STL is in 2nd with 337, but they also lead the Cubs by 7 in IBB. This version of the Cubs has been incredibly patient, and it's the single most satisfying "little thing" about the way they've gone about playing this year. Dusty got correctly assailed for his views on hitting philosophy, I wish Lou would get some credit for the philosophy that he's helped change. I believe he has.

After what appeared to be a little bit of an awakening by Colvin, he ends June with a line of .236/.307/.373 for the season, his OPS was actually lower in June than April and May. The BBs are up a bit, the power is sort of kind of showing up, a little. But he's still not coming close to producing at an acceptable rate. This kid really needs to stick in CF, and really needs to think about turning it on a bit sometime this year. He is still only 22, and won't turn 23 until after this season ends, I believe. So he's not on the verge of disappearing. But aside from where he was drafted, there's little to suggest he's got a bright future.

My favorite storyline out of all this is all the media types saying they had no idea what steroids were back in the 90's, when their use in sports was very well known when I was a kid in the 80's.

I don't think it's realistic to think of a 3-man scenario. I don't like putting guys on short rest in the playoffs. Any potential WS run should include a 4-man rotation.

He did it better (for one night) then A-Ram. Not since Santo has there been a 2 HR 6 RBI night by a Cubs 3rd basemen. Correct me if I am wrong. :grin: Aramis had a 2 HR 6 RBI game last year, a 2 HR 7 RBI game in 2006.

Did any of us really ever root for Manny Alexander?