gus_dog

Their starting pitchers have been much better. Anyone else notice that the number of games where the Cubs are behind 7-0 before the fifth inning has been declining?

Correct. Just illustrates how really bad the NL Central is.

The man has a point. I have always kind of liked the Tigers, but I never could stand Smudge.

No big deal, IMO. Of course the home announcer is a homer. They're hired and paid by the club. Now, that doesn't mean the club has to hire announcers as bad as Hawk & DJ, and they are awful. They let Rooney get away, and he is good. In fact, he and Farmer were an excellent team. Singleton..., not so much. BTW, I agree with whoever said that this thread reminds me of the White Sox fans that I can't stand - rooting against the Cubs at every available opportunity just because. did you listen to or see it? I have no problem with announcers being homers, but if you are going to complain about ball/strike calls from the booth, the pitches really should be close. I think Brenly and Len do a good job with this sort of thing. they're not afraid to call out the umps when they miss a call, but do it in an understated way, and will call it either way. they don't use the remaining two and half innings to complain that the ump cost them the game, when the ump had nothing to do with it. what I couldn't stand is when Stone would refuse to acknowledge bad calls against the Cubs and take the attitude of 'that's what they deserve.' No, I did not see/hear the comments you referred to, but I have seen/heard enough of Harrelson to understand what you're talking about. I agree with you also about Len and Bob. Pat Hughes also does a very good job of being a fan, but still making the call sans the blatent homerism. Really, Santo does OK at it too. Many times, Santo will start whining about a call, but then sees the replay and will admit he was wrong. Santo is not a very good announcer, but I like his chemistry with Hughes. Hughes carries him alot, IMO, and besides, he's a colour man. Stone was an excellent colour guy/analyst. I think I am in the minority here, but he was not "run out of town" like so many say, IMO. Stone had this little chip on his shoulder about the Cubs that got bigger and bigger as time went on. He was VERY vindictive, and it showed in his commentary, making sarcastic biting remarks mixed in with his call. It's not surprising that the players resented him, and by extension, Baker. Stone got more and more vindictive as his last season wore on, and IMO, had pretty much decided himself long before the season was over that he was not coming back. Those two sides (the Cubs and Stone) grew apart, and it was time to move on. IMO, there was blame on both sides of that conflict. Bottom line: most announcers are homers, because that's what they're paid to be. I don't mind it, and I think fans need to realize that these guys are not paid to be impartial. Impartiality is what umps are for (even though they are not, but that's another discussion). However, when homerism is so slanted that it obscures the truth of the play, then you have Hawk Harrelson.

The remark does come off as somewhat of a backhanded rip on the Cubs, but I doubt it was meant that way. JMO.

No big deal, IMO. Of course the home announcer is a homer. They're hired and paid by the club. Now, that doesn't mean the club has to hire announcers as bad as Hawk & DJ, and they are awful. They let Rooney get away, and he is good. In fact, he and Farmer were an excellent team. Singleton..., not so much. BTW, I agree with whoever said that this thread reminds me of the White Sox fans that I can't stand - rooting against the Cubs at every available opportunity just because.

He'll look good in blue pinstripes. :wink:

Holy crap my HS kids know to do this. Sometimes it just amazes me how little these guys know about their craft. it's easy to know what to do and another thing to do it. it's like telling hill to just throw strikes or jones not to swing at pitches out of the zone. I don't think it's the same. When you go to the mound and talk to the pitcher he KNOWS he's not throwing strikes but if you find a flaw it may change the result. Knowing to face the pitcher with both eyes is hitting 101. Looking at the pitcher with both eyes is what you're suppose to do to give yourself the best chance to be a successful hitter. Everyone wants to throw strikes or hit pitches in the zone but you have to give yourself the best chance to do that by doing it the right way. Sometimes, players can get by on natural talent, and succeed. Managers and coaches can be hesitant to tinker with a successful technique. If it ain't broke, don't fix it kind of approach. Then, when a player hits a wall, the flaw(s) are exposed and tinkering becomes necessary. You either adjust or fail. Vlad is a good example - the guy hits everything. Tremendous natural talent. Under control, he could be even better, but then again, maybe not. You don't know until you try, but the player may sacrifice overall production by trying to minimize K's or something. I think the key is know when to tinker with a player's approach, and when to leave it be. JMO

Uh huh. How many D1 teams would love Lloyds career record. He is among the winningest active football coaches in NCAA Division I-A, has won five Big Ten titles, and brought Michigan its first national championship in 49 years. He has led the Wolverines to five Top Ten finishes in the last nine seasons. The Wolverines have played in three Rose Bowl game and one Orange Bowl game under his leadership. Say what you want about last year, but over his career he is a model of consitancy and almost every AD in the nation would love to have their football program 'underachieve' so much. ND ranked #1 or #3 whats the difference. They are going to lose to Michigan in the 3rd week of the year anyway. 8) How's it going Mrs. Carr?

Doesn't the lowest team in the standings get first shot at waivers?

Looks like my prediction has been a bit off. mea culpas? :lol: Just like Uecker says, "Juuuuuusst a bit outside".

No Wolfie, when your arch rival's star is booed, that is a sign of respect. The players love it - same as cheers to them. Just like when Sosa was lustily booed at Busch (pre-corking incident).

Smart move on Ramirez's pert. He has all the leverage and can really maximize his earnings right now. As the saying goes, "strike while the iron is hot".

I hate to say this, but if Albert keeps up this pace he's gonna be the best to ever play the game. Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth's OPS+: 207 Pujols' OPS+: 169 not to mention: Babe Ruth ERA+: 122 Pujols will make a good run at Lou Gehrig for best 1B in history, if he keeps up what he's been doing - but to be better than Ruth, he's basically going to have to be Barry Bonds from 2001-2004. ...and, pick up a ball and become an excellent pitcher as well.

About 8.5-8.75 last I saw.

Never underestimate the human animal's ability to be vicious, conniving, and downright dirty. That being said, we also have the capacity for great intellect, kindness, and philanthropy. Humans are so conflicted! Your'e right, people do indeed suck.

Oh yeah...., well...., I hate Adam Dunn! :shock: :P :wink:

A fabulous curve ball. Although, beautiful that his breaking pitch is, he's still somewhat of a one-trick pony. He needs to better develop his other pitches and work on his location. His awesome curve completely befuddles AAA ballplayers, but the boys in The Show aren't so easily seduced by it. That's my take, FWIW.

OK lets talk about winning No Championships in 97 years No Championship round appearences in 61 years 4 playoff appearences in 61 years 0 90 win seasons (in 162 games) in 17 seasons 1 playoff series win in 97 years How have we had much of a chance? Recently? 1984 NL East Champions 1989 NL East Champions 1998 NL Wild Card 2003 NL Central Champions That's how much, recently anyway - about a 18% chance over the past 22 years. Still better than zero, which is what futile is: zero chance. I'm not saying that the management hasn't been bad, and by extension, the team - 1946-1984 - almost 40 years without a post-seaon appearance. All I'm saying is that futile is not the proper term to describe the franchise. JMO

Nope.., not really. The worst franchise? Uhhh, no. Hyperbole. If a World Series title is the only measure of non-futility, then all the other teams are futile every year, since there can be only one champion. IMO, it is silly to say such things. Futility is not ever having a chance, and that's just not the case with the Cubs.

What's wrong with chanting at a rival's field? I didn't see any Cubs fans pulling punches when we took over Turner Field at the 2003 NLDS. It was something I personally did not care for - especially when it really was no contest. That's just me. Could be ok with you, and that's fine. Just not my cup of tea.

I disagree. God would not have Neifi playing almost everyday and batting 2nd. But my point is that they would not be a good team if Neifi never started. They are just not very good. But they could be better. Yes indeed, fundamental baseball would help even marginal talent look OK.

That would be about 95% of the time that he makes a plate appearance.

I disagree. God would not have Neifi playing almost everyday and batting 2nd. But my point is that they would not be a good team if Neifi never started. They are just not very good.

I thought the "Go Tigers, Go" chant started at Wrigley field when they were up 10-3 in the ninth was a bit over the top. I turned and asked the Tiger fans to show a little class. Surprisingly, they stopped chanting, and a couple of them actually apologized. I was pleasantly surprised.