jersey cubs fan

Not sure why you think people are knocking the DeVry shuttle. Most everybody is praising it. I used it once and it was fine. But I much prefer parking a few blocks south on the street for free and bar hopping my way up to the game. Plus, who wants to rush home after a Cubs game anyway?

And Urlacher is expected to participate in the upcoming mini-camp. Not sure if this is a sign that he's caving or that he feels the Bears are negotiating in good faith.

Yeah I agree. Some guys just get into a nice groove and as long as they don't change anything mechanically, they're fine. I would agree to an extent, however, in this specific instance Zambrano was hardly in a groove. He was fighting himself all night.

It's just a translation idiom. The "oh" sound in Japanese can be written in English as "oh", "ou" or "o" depending often simply on whomever's doing the writing; the Japanese catcher for the Mariners has his name on official materials and his jersey as "Johjima" despite the fact that when people were discussing him prior to his signing by Seattle, "Joujima" and "Jojima" were both used. I have enough faith in the Cubs' front office that they consulted with Kosuke upon signing him as to how he wanted his name spelled exactly in official materials. Why Kouske, why?

You realize Livan hasn't been fine in years? What are you talking about? He's pitched over 200 innings just about every year of his career. Just because he sucks now doesn't mean that his excessive innings are why. When would you consider Livan to have been "fine"? He came into the league on fire as a young pitcher, threw an absurd amount of innings and loss all effectiveness. Just because he's been healthy enough to throw 200 innings doesn't mean he's been healthy enough to pitch effectively.

So, in honor of Rusch's return to Wrigley... EDITED The Rockies don't have anymore important games this year.

This is never, ever, ever, ever happening. I wish people would stop talking about it. I wasn't aware that you had a say. I obviously won't go and bet that it will happen, but it's not the sure thing to not happen you keep making it out to be, especially if the Heat aren't interested in taking Beasley at #2. It just seems like the NBA equivalent of the "Murton, Wuertz and EPatt for Dunn? Too much?" trade offers that sometimes get thrown around. Seeing that no team has ever snagged the first two picks in a draft, and that this is regarded as a two-player draft, and that Paxson is notoriously uncreative and boring, and that NBA salary rules surrounding trades are really complex, it's not happening. Has anybody ever traded for the #2 pick in the draft without giving up a fairly high 1st round pick and/or a star player? If the Bulls also had like the 5th, or a player at all resembling a star, maybe they'd be able to work something out. But I agree it would be rather ridiculous to think they could get the 1 and 2.

You realize Livan hasn't been fine in years? He lost almost all his effectiveness, quite possibly because of the way Dusty used and abused him. It was a stupid short-sighted decision by Lou. Zambrano wasn't sharp. Thankfully it's been somewhat rare, and hopefully it neither hurts Zambrano nor happens again. But it's moronic to extend a guy in a game you are losing with the plan of making up for it by pulling him early in his next start. Who is to say what situation will come up in his next start? Wood and Marmol may be unavailable, or maybe the night before they have a long extra innings affair that burns through the pen. You essentially handicap yourself in a future game for absolutely no benefit to the current game. Plus, you risk the pitcher's health and effectiveness.

Whether or not it's deflating doesn't really matter. You can't manage a roster without sending guys back to AAA from time to time. We aren't talking about some sort of franchise player here. He's a reliever. And the Cubs felt, somewhat justifiably, that they needed a left handed arm out there. That's your roster reason.

He has, but Ascanio has looked great ever since he has been up here. If it's not broke, don't fix it. 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks 3 strikeouts. Only 1 ER, but his numbers don't scream MUST KEEP! they also scream SHOCKINGLY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE. I don't really think it has a great impact (if any) on our chances of winning, but it does seem sort of pointless. Well yeah, but I was just refuting the notion that he's been great. Bottom line is no reason to get pissed about it.

He has, but Ascanio has looked great ever since he has been up here. If it's not broke, don't fix it. 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks 3 strikeouts. Only 1 ER, but his numbers don't scream MUST KEEP!

I'm neither for nor against the move. I hate that they always worry about LH or RH starters and hitters, but a LH pitcher can be handy and Cotts has been pitching well in the minors.

And Kouske isn't there either?

Soto is more deserving.

If Theriot was still producing by the time the deadline comes around, I'd be in favor of considering such a move. But, his numbers have begun to decline of late, and this offense may not be able to withstand the same non-existent production they got from CF and SS last season, especially if Soto falls back at all. Plus, you will have traded the guy in the organization most capable of filling the SS spot for 2009, while acquiring a late 30's pitcher who will be a free agent, and who hasn't been all that special either. I'd rather see if they'd have interest in Murton or some other position player who is redundent to the Cubs, like Patterson.

The Score is saying the idea is Collins is a short term hire, and the interviewing that Pax is doing is for assistants that will eventually succeed Collins as coach in 1-2 years. Interesting strategy to say the least. I could see hiring a guy like Bill Parcells with the idea of grooming an assistant to take over. But Doug Collins?

It really did look like they were about 1/2 the players England was. England had such pretty passing and the U.S. could barely control a ball in the air. That would be because they are 1/2 the players England fielded. That was our B squad and the players missing are perhaps our two best offensive players. Donovan definitely and Altidore maybe. At our best, our A squad can hang with England's. You were looking at a motivated, on form England A squad and an awestruck, strategically poor American B squad. Do you know very much about soccer, specifically this US side? If you do, you realize that despite how you feel about Landon Donovan, he is our talisman. His pace would have stretched the English midfield loosening the stranglehold they had. His passing would have sprung Dempsey, who would have played up front in place of Wolff (who I'll get to later). His vision would have found offensive opportunities that weren't there without him. Now to our ridiculous strike partnership. I don't EVER want to see either of those guys in the American colors ever again. Ever. One is a recently converted right-winger for a MID-TABLE, BUNDESLIGA 2 side. That's right, their second tier league. Eddie Johnson is a RESERVE PLAYER for a Premiership side that should have been relegated. RESERVE PLAYER. Wolff has no pace, no ability in the air and no finishing instincts. This isn't a recent development either, which is why I find it so mind-boggling that he is on the squad let alone starting. Eddie Johnson is a [expletive]. That pretty much sums him up. If Josh Wolff had Eddie Johnson's ability, he'd probably be a world class striker. I understand that Jozy is only 18 and stretched pretty thin right now and I understand Bradley didn't want to drag a bunch of MLS players all the way to England, but give me Brian Ching and Kenny Cooper over those two guys every day of the week. Hell, give me Taylor Twellmen. Dempsey and Adu should have started up front with Eddie Lewis on the right wing. Our midfield was pretty meh. Our 4 was better than their 4 but neither did much. Beasley was very active, but we know enough about DeMarcus to know that he can't create on his own. His elite speed and shiftiness are best utilized when he doesn't have the ball at his feet. He had the ball at his feet more than any other front 2/3 player for us today. Clark did nothing. Dempsey did nothing. There was really nothing for him to do. Clint is a nice offensive player, but you can't expect him to thrive taking on Lampard, Rio, Terry, Gerrard and Cole by himself. Our central defense was good. I thought Gooch and Boca did an excellent job on Rooney (most overrated player in the world? Possibly.) and Defoe. Cherundolo and Pearce tried to get forward, but that is a tough midfield to get through with no support. Howard and Guzan were faultless. Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad. Bottom line, we really need another midfielder to step up and lock down that spot next to Bradley. I don't see any coming up the pipeline unfortunately. Feilhaber needs to step up and outside of him, I guess Kljestan is another to look at. I am a Bob Bradley fan, but until he starts using these friendlies to actually experiment with his lineup, we are not going to have an identity. As great as that Poland game was, it was from set pieces and Landon Donovan. It has been far, far too long since Clint did anything on the National level. I love Clint, but all this bouncing around is screwing him over. I will say that his time at Fulham has greatly improved his defensive work rate. I was very impressed with that aspect of his game today. I say move him inside. I think this lineup would have competed today. ----------Altidore-----Adu------------- -DMB--Bradley--Dempey---Donovan- -Pearce--Boca--Onyewu--Cherundolo- --------------Howard------------------- Bench - Guzan, Feilhaber, Edu, Cooper, Bornstein, Lewis, Kljestan, DeMerit. God that game was annoying. Not really, and definitely no. And I also didn't understand a word you wrote.

Seems like a fairly disappointing choice.

Yup..and Lowe is one of only 3 right-handers in the next 7. Edmonds will be doing a lot of sitting the bench. How about he just sit on the coach. Trammel, Rothschild or Perry?

I thought he went to the bullpen?

Your buddy must not be a very good lawyer. ;) Well, he said more important, he didn't say more likely to take up my time.

we have to stumble if you don't pimp the site here first. I'll add it to my list of daily things to do, right after checking woot.com and FJM I appreciate being third on that esteemed list. I see FJM has had some fun with the Trib lately. I check the Daily Herald sports section first, but I don't remember about the blog until after I've read the SI Extra Mustard and check my bank account. You need more pictures of women to draw traffic.

America sucks.

Do you get anything in HD? You need an HD feed and an HDTV. I have directv, so that requires an upgraded dish and receiver. Most cable outlets just require a newer receiver. The problem is your provider's HD package may not include WGN HD. Directv offers WGN America (fka Superstation WGN), which is different from plain old WGN Channel 9 in Chicago. Although I still don't know how that whole thing works.

Actually, from the looks of the quote it seems that he does realize what the future holds.