NCCubFan

I listened to the Ball State-Nebraska game on Sirius radio (unfortunately they only had the Nebraska broadcast). BSU had the game won and let it slip away. They led 37-28 in the 4th and had the ball, but threw an interception which Nebraska ran back for a touchdown. BSU still led 37-35. Next drive they kick a FG to extend the lead to 40-35. Nebraska then drives for a TD and misses a 2-point conversion that would have given them a 3-point lead, making it 41-40. BSU has a final chance to drive for a game-winning FG. They drive into Nebraska territory, but on 4th-and-5 they attempt a 55-yard FG which is wide left, making 41-40 the final score. I think two plays made the difference. First, I don't think BSU should have passed on the play that resulted in the interception. In that situation (4th quarter, 9-point lead) they didn't need another score; instead they needed to run time off the clock and avoid a turnover. Even if they eventually punted Nebraska would have had to drive down the field rather than getting a quick score on the interception. Second, asking a redshirt freshman kicker to kick a 55-yard field goal on the road in a pressure situation was asking too much. They should have tried to get the 1st down and get closer for the FG (they still had one timeout remaining). There's no guarantee they would have made the first down, of course, but I think the odds were much better than making the field goal. So BSU is now 2-2 when they could easily be 3-1 or even 4-0.

No to Bradley, unless they also get Junior so that one of them is playing while the other is on the DL.

Ram and Lee trades weren't bad either. Agreed, which is why I said the Hart trade might go down as ONE of his best rather than THE best.

It's looking like we committed highway robbery against the Orioles. I don't think anybody made a big deal of the Bynum for Hart trade at the time, but it's looking like a steal now. That may wind up being one of Hendry's best trades.

The Trib bought the Cubs long before $elig became commissioner.

The Cubs actually had two complete games last year, and both were by Hill. The second one was rain-shortened.

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There's a former pitcher named Tommy Lasorda who I don't think did too bad as a manager. Bob Lemon had some success as manager of both the Royals and Yankees. Currently Bud Black is doing well in his first season as Padres' manager. I can't think or any former pitchers who were successful GMs off the top of my head. There certainly are a lot of pitchers to pick from and that isn't too deep of a list. Roger Craig is another one I didn't think of before. Still not a very big list, especially considering that close to half of most major leaguers are pitchers.

Who's this "Navin" guy who keeps asking questions? :wink:

Normally the #1 seed plays the wild card and the #2 seed plays the #3 seed. If the wild card is in the same division as the #1 seed then it's the wild card vs. the #2 seed and the #1 seed vs. #3 seed. That's exactly what happened in 2003, when the wild card (Marlins) were in the same division as the #1 seed (Braves). That's why the Cubs played the Braves in the first round rather than the Giants, who they otherwise would have based on seeding. And, of course, that worked out well for the lower seeded teams that year (the lowest seeded team won every series in the NL postseason).

There's a former pitcher named Tommy Lasorda who I don't think did too bad as a manager. Bob Lemon had some success as manager of both the Royals and Yankees. Currently Bud Black is doing well in his first season as Padres' manager. I can't think or any former pitchers who were successful GMs off the top of my head.

Unless you're Cesar Izturis. :lol:

shouldn't be a problem freeing a spot by 10/15 if they make the playoffs - Cotts - Novoa - Mateo - Ohman add Floyd, Trachsel, and Monroe if they don't Novoa's on the 60-day DL, so he's not currently on the 40-man. The others you mentioned are potentials for freeing up spots.

Yost should be the Cubs' MVP this year if they make the playoffs. :D

Good call. :D

viewtopic.php?t=44032 You can like a manager and still trash his dumb decisions. Like bringing out Z for the 6th yesterday. More like starting Z yesterday in the first place.

The Cubs lead by a game again, and the Brewers play real teams from here on out. It's definitely appropriate to talk about playoff rosters.

I remember once upon a time the Cubs had a team in Quincy. I believe it was class A (maybe the Midwest League; I'm not sure because I wasn't following the minor leagues closely back then).

I mostly agree with this. The only thing that makes me wonder is that it seems pretty obvious to me that Blanco is going to retire after the year. If Blanco retires, Kendall will likely be signed back, and then it will probably be an open competition in ST next year. Do you think so? Clearly he should, and there does seem to be some signs that he will. I'm just not sure I see any reason for him to throwaway that money though. Guys usually wait until they no longer have any guaranteed money coming to them before they retire. And while I could see the Cubs and Henry agreeing to some sort of buyout, I could just as easily see Blanco stick around to keep drawing the check. He'd likely stick around on the 60 day DL, though. That's what I was thinking, much like the Orioles did with Albert Belle when he couldn't play anymore.

Yep, Kendall definitely has more experience allowing base runners to steal, throwing the ball into the outfield, allowing batters to reach on dropped third strikes, etc. That experience is invaluable; Kendall has to play regularly. Sincerely, Ned Yost

Hopefully the Sox can use up KC's bullpen earlier in the week so they're burnt out when the Cubs play them. :D

But if he's traded in the middle of his contract doesn't he have the right to declare for free agency? I'm not sure about the new CBA, but it used to be that if a player was traded in the middle of multi-year contract he could demand another trade at the end of the year (not file for free agency). If the team wasn't able to trade the player then I believe he could become a free agent. And if a player demanded a trade under those terms I don't think he had any say about who he's traded to (unless his contract specifically contains such a provision).

The more I've seen this year the more convinced I am that the reports that Dusty wouldn't listen to Larry are true. It doesn't matter how good a pitching coach is, if his manager ignores his advice he isn't going ro have an impact. I think Dusty is much more to blame than Larry for the pitching problems last year.

You mean more than YOU presume Pie will, not what most people presume.

No he doesn't. He's just better as a utility infielder than a starter.