Derwood

Eh. I give the Cubs their due. The Cards have been pretty successful against every other team with the AAAA lineup. The Cubs simply have the Cards' number this year, regardless of who they send out there, it seems like. Don't get me wrong, I love to see Matt Morris get monkey-spanked every time he faces the Cubs. I'm just questioning whether the Cubs would have such a good record if they weren't pitching to Nunez, Luna and Molina.

First one in my head was Mike Alstott. IMO, Michael Vick is a talented halfback with an arm, and nothing more. Dontrelle got a TON of exposure when he first hit it big. I remember the whole world was talking about that leg kick and side-cocked hat. But it didn't take. After a while the hype kind of faded away. All the focus was on just what you listed, not that he was black. In fact, I bet many "casual-to-non-baseball" fans don't even realize that guys like Ortiz, Sosa, Pedro and Tejada aren't black. Yes, the names SHOULD give it away, but many people see TV commercials for games or half pay attention to Sportscenter and don't realize how few actual African American players are in the league (as opposed to dark skinned Latino players) I'm not convinced the Selig really cares much. The Latin market is where the money is, and with the huge number of All Stars from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, etc., that's where the focus is (at both the scouting and marketing levels). The World Cup will only push this further.

He's also running away with the team lead in losses. (he's only tied for the team lead in wins, not the leader) As for Maddux's losses on the year. 5/20 vs. CHW - 7.0 IP, 3 ER (Cubs scored 1) 7/16 vs. PIT - 8.0 IP, 2 ER (Cubs scored 0) 8/06 vs. NYM - 7.0 IP, 2 ER (Cubs scored 0) 8/27 vs. FLA - 9.0 IP, CG, 2 ER (Cubs scored 1) The other ones he probably deserved, but you can't fault the guy for no run support. He also should/could have many more wins if the Cubs would hit. 4/10 vs. MIL - 3 ER, ND 4/17 vs. PIT - 2 ER, ND 4/23 vs. PIT - 2 ER, ND 7/21 vs. CIN - 3 ER, ND 7/26 vs. SF - 2 ER, ND Should he have won all those games? Probably not, but he kept the Cubs in it, they just couldn't score for him. Yes, sure, but the same argument can be made for Prior and Zambrano: PRIOR 5/6 vs. PHI - 8 IP, 1 ER (ND) 5/11 vs. NYM - 7 IP, 2 ER (ND) 5/17 vs. PIT - 7 IP, 3 ER (ND) 7/29 vs. ARZ - 7.1 IP, 3 ER (ND) 8/9 vs. CIN - 7 IP, 3 ER (ND) 8/24 vs. ATL - 7.2 IP, 3 ER (Cubs scored 1) ZAMBRANO 5/3 vs. MIL - 7 IP, 3 ER (Cubs scored 1) 5/21 vs. CHW - 7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER (ND) 5/26 vs. COL - 7 IP, 3 ER (Cubs scored 1) 7/3 vs. WSH - 7 IP, 2 ER (ND) 7/22 vs. STL - 9 IP, 1 ER (ND) 7/27 vs. SF - 7.1 IP, 3 ER (ND) 8/22 vs. ATL - 8 IP, 2 ER (ND) So, you could argue that both these guys should have more wins, thus further adding to the fact that both are better than Maddux.

I think Lee's agent should be fired if he doesn't push hard for a multi-year extension before spring training

Interesting, The team was supposed to unveil all their team info (colors, nickname, logo, affiliation, etc.) at "the end of the summer", but no news yet.

Yep, the Cubs figured out how to beat the Cards. It was simple, really. Just play them when Rolen, Walker and Sanders are out and Renteria and Matheny are no longer on the team.

No option for the Harlem Globetrotters?

We are getting a team here in State College, PA next year that will join the NY-Penn League. The Cubs currently have no affiliate in this league. They have yet to announce which franchise our team will be affiliated with, so I was curious what the odds were that I would get lucky with a Cubs "home team"?

Sadly, i will probably miss this entire series. Games don't start till near 10:30 here, and that's when i'm sleeping prior to my overnight delivery job :cry:

When I make a poll that says "Who is the best Photoshopper: Derwood or I don't know who?" you can give me crap.

Many of us were upset by the perceived inactivity this past off season, and still blame Hendry for not picking up better players. But in retrospect, were guys like Drew and Benitez worth the money? This year's FA class has even fewer options, and it may be prudent to not over reach for mid level talent.

So wins and IP are the two most important stats for a pitcher? It doesn't matter that his WHIP and ERA are up this year, as are his walks? Or that he leads the team in wild pitches? Has a .310 OBA, .440 OpSLG? Leads the team in earned runs, TBA and losses? I'm not saying he isn't a durable pitcher, but just because he eats innings doesn't make him a $9 million pitcher (considering that Prior is 3x the pitcher at 1/3 the salary).He leads the team in IP (until Z pitches tonight) but is just 3rd in QS and 2nd in IP/GS. He's clearly the third best pitcher on the team behind Zambrano and Prior.

Agreed. Vick's emergence is keeping a lot of kids from being college WRs, but I give Cunningham the credit for giving guys like Vick (and the current crop) a chance to stay at QB. was warren moon before cunningham? warren moon was my favorite nfl player growing up! Yes, yes he was. It's strange that in our "modern times" how segregated the position players in the NFL are: Primarily white: QB FB OL TE K P Primarily black: TB WR DB DL Even mix: LB

I think baseball programs in primarily black neighborhoods have all but dried up. It's a more expensive game to play than basketball (one ball and one hoop vs. a bat, ball, bases, gloves, etc.) Plus basketball is a "sexier" sport, meaning the individual is given much more attention and can make a greater impact on their team (see how much the Cavs improved with LeBron, for example). Overall, if black kids aren't being steered towards baseball at an early age, they will never get into it. Plain and simple.

EDIT: Whatever

I don't mean to denigrate your sentimentality or nostalgia, but if the city is rebuilt I really think a lot of people like you will be disappointed with the finished product. It will have just as much of a phoney Disneyworld flavor as it will have of the old New Orleans. Why are you so sure of this? What other major city has rebuilt itself in such a "phony" and "Disneyworld" way? Hiroshima? Dresden? Rotterdam? I'm not sure why you think that city planners would want to put up a gigantic tourist trap full of gift shops. Don't you think they would want to create a new city that reflects the dignity and history of that which has been destroyed? I know commercialism is rampant in this country, but I would be shocked and dismayed if the city ends up even remotely like you are picturing it.

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3" Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats. So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects?

Um, sure, if you're simply looking at Wins: Zambrano - 28-13 Maddux - 27-22 Prior - 16-9 Wood - 11-13 But he has the worst two-year ERA of the four, the lowest K/9IP, and this year, the worst WHIP. He also leads the 2005 Cubs in losses, HR allowed, Hits allowed, lowest Pitches/Start, and earned runs.

He and President Bush should form their own PR company called "Not-My-Fault Productions, Inc."

NO

Baker would have to gamble on baseball I think. And then it would be Selig booting him, not the Cubs organization

Constructing a roster that is "Dusty Proof" is entirely backwards logic, and flies in the face of keeping Dusty in the first place. Why would Hendry give Dusty an extension, but then have to create a team that his newly rewarded skipper can't screw up? Seems that if he feels Dusty should get more time, then he feels Dusty is doing a good job. Secondly, if he were to fill the roster with rookie backups, I don't think Dusty would do any better a job. In fact, I think it builds in all sorts of excuses for failure (in Dusty's eyes). Dusty would be really unhappy having to manage this team, and would likely peform even worse than he already does. The sad truth is that if Hendry thinks enough of Baker to offer him an extension, he will also consult with Baker to find out who he would like on the team. Perez is guaranteed a spot on this team next year.

I'm not sure why "we'll deal with contracts this spring" automatically means "extension". I see it as meaning one of several things: 1. Extensions 2. "No Comment", meaning something may be done but not right now. 3. After off season analysis, they decide not to extend one or either.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Burnett (2005) = Pavano (2004) that is all

Getting back to .500 would be nice, though it's cold comfort to know what might have been....