dalgreen

My how fast John Gall has fallen. I thought he was supposed to be in the majors by now?

I said this last August and I'll say it again this year -- I think the Cardinals win the World Series with Randy Johnson instead of Larry Walker. Why the improved their strength I don't know. This year I think it's the opposite. Improve the offense. Rolen may be a question mark the rest of the year, how will Molina fare the rest of the season, as well as Walker, and Grudz is finally hitting like the Grudz we Cub fans knew he'd revert to. The pitching is fine, especially the starters, although you should get one more reliever. Tavarez to Izzy is solid, but getting to Tavarez may be a problem. But maybe Suppan or Marquis can be that link. Ray King has been a little disappointing this year. Well, for me, since I'm a Cub fan, he hasn't been disappointing.

Piazza used to block pitches in the dirt? :shock:

It's been reported that he could be back in early August, I think they said he's on schedule to return in early August. I agree with you, I don't know how he can come back in August and play everyday after tearing his groin four months previous. Ramirez was having problems with his groin the last two months of the season last year after only straining it. I don't think he'll be back. If he does, I don't see how he can play every day.

I reported this in the thread titled, "We're still in it". I like the respect that LaRussa shows a third place team 12 1/2 games behind. Now maybe Houston will kick their butt this weekend.

It's an exhibition game!

I couldn't freakin' believe McCarver said Rogers' statement was contrite and sincere. It was a freakin' prepared statement! I hate when people read an apology. What the heck is that? I can't believe he actually thought Rogers was totally genuine in his remarks. Okay, I can't read Rogers' mind, but reading a prepared statement doesn't seem genuine to me.

What does the amount of money one makes have to do with it? If a sales manager sucks, does an intern(s) have a right to boo him? Is the intern under contract? Is corey boo-ing his boss? Are they doing sales in front of 20k drunk people who hope that they make the sale and have been hoping for years? I understand what you are trying to say, but this is a ridiculous example. If you understand what I'm saying, then it is not a ridiculous example. I stated an intern because it could be an intern from a whole different department. The whole point is the fans pay money to see a game. You boo if your seat comes loose, you boo if the lights don't work for a night game, you boo if some idiot runs on the field, but paying money and wanting to see a champion doesn't mean it's okay to boo a player. What sense does it make to boo your player and not boo the opposing player(s) who may be dominating your team?

Rafael Palmeiro, Ritchie Hebner, Tim Stoddard

What does the amount of money one makes have to do with it? If a sales manager sucks, does an intern(s) have a right to boo him?

Unfortunately what you witnessed at Wrigley Field is no different from what happens a lot on this board. It is a shame that some believe booing helps, as if players can't figure out they're struggling without the boos.

=D> =D> I agree completely. But the last two Olympics have been the only times when the NBA's best didn't play. Even when only amateurs played, we had the best college players playing. Back on topic, do you think it would be better from a routine standpoint to have it held in November instead of March?

But why is Dunn more feared than a Pujols, Berkman, Helton or Lee type of middle of the order hitter? Dunn is feared only because he can jack 460 ft. homers instead of 410ft homers. I'd rather face Dunn than the four names I mentioned above. I like guys who are hitters who happen to be sluggers rather than pure sluggers. I would prefer for Harvey to be more the former than the latter.

On April 27, 2005, Patterson hit a walkoff homer in the ninth to secure a 8-7 victory over the Reds. On June 26, 2005, Patterson hit a sixth inning home run to log the first run in a 2-0 victory against the White Sox. In addition, while he was having a subpar year defensively, that sub par year is relative to the defensive standards Patterson previously set. He was still a subperb defensive CF, highlighted by the diving catch and double off base he made not too long ago. While Patterson may not have provided sustained domination, he contributed directly to several wins on an underachieving Cub team. Before someone tries to rip you for only coming up with two instances, there was the game in Cincy where he robbed two different players of extra base hits or homers (they both may have been homers) earlier this year with great catches. And the lead off bunt single that helped lead the Cubs to victory in the Saturday Sox game at the Cell. But I have a life outside of the Cubs and can't recall every aspect of the first 87 games to come up with the dozens of ways Patterson has had an impact on games this seasons.

For one, basketball sucks, it doesn't matter, and the players don't try. Pitching deliveries are far different from shooting threes. Also, while a basketball player who performs in the Olympics might wear down over the course of their season, they can afford to take time off during the season since it's so easy to make their playoffs. In baseball, you don't have the luxury of resting your superstars for a month, because it is twice as difficult to make the playoffs. Baseball is all about routine. These guys have had a routine in spring training for years, and now all of a sudden they want the best to get to work earlier, go all out in made up games in the name of BS nationalistic "honor", and then get back to spring training with their pro team who pay the bills. Basketball doesn't matter? I'll take that as you stating your opinion vs. a statement of fact as the way it was written. Maybe basketball wasn't the best analogy (I do think it was a good point, though), but what about the hockey World Cup that goes on during the summer? I do think people get to worried about injuries, though. I know there are provisions in guys' contracts against riding motorcycles, playing basketball, racquetball, etc, but this event happens only every four years. I don't really care either way, but, to me, the argument should be more that it should be played in November instead of March if one's concerned with messing with offseason routine.

Most of your posts this year seem to be directed at how bad of a manager Baker is, even on subjects that don't relate to him. Let me offer this to you, if Baker had been fired after last Thursday's game and the team won three in a row what would you have said? And, no, for those that have a tendency to read too much into things, I don't think Patterson's demotion had anything to do with the winning streak. I sure would hate it if you're hoping the Cubs don't make the playoffs just to increase Baker's chances of being gone. Again, he will not be fired, which further makes thinking a great run is bad for the team.

You shouldn't compare Burnitz's numbers this year to Sosa's last year. Becasue Sosa this year does not = Sosa last year. And Sosa wasn't the player of 2004 that he was in 2003, and he wasn't the player in 2003 that he was in 2002 --- that's what the stats show. Which is why I don't know why more people aren't happy that there was a team even interested in dealing for Sosa. I can honestly say if I were a GM I don't know why I would take any guy who has a three year drop off in several offensive categories.

It's just an exhibition game. Don't buy into "This Time It Counts." Plus, given LaRussa's tendencies to overmanage, particularly in important games, he'll likely blow this one, too, regardless who starts.

Two more series' left and the Cubs are 12.5 back. That losing streak didn't help, but if they can make up a game or two, they're in good shape heading into the Cardinals difficult part of the schedule. The division may be out of reach, but the head to head games with the Cards will be critical to the Cubs WC chances. I'm expecting a .500 split. I hope the Cardinal offense can continue the lull it's been in over the last five game.

Hi Eric. Thanks for your time. We hear about the meal money and accommodations at the major league level. Can you tell us what the meal money/lodging are like at the class A level? Also, how do you feel about the city of Peoria, IL?

If you're going to say that, then you should also mention that if Dunn had say, hypothetically, Aramis Ramirez protecting him, that Dunn would see better pitches to hit...meaning his AVG and SLG would likely increase. Yes. His slugging could as well as his strikeouts. But I don't see his average rising significantly because of the strikeouts.

It is great having Hairston and Walker at 1-2, but please don't overlook how the whole lineup's OBP has improved over the last three games.

As a Cub fan, that's great news. As a baseball fan, I think Ensberg should start.

Thos fancy numbers again are a 384 OBP, a 550 SLG, and a 935 OPS. He's 25 (Think same age as Patterson) and has a career 899 OPS. I'd gladly give up the deal I proposed. None of those players are essiential to the Cubs future. Patterson is done here. Hill is the best of the lot, but we have a wealth of pitchers coming up the pipe. Now would be the time to sell on Dopirak and if we lock Lee up past his current deal, Dope has no place to play. I don't think Leicester has a future with the team either. I wouldn't trade Pie, but I'd trade a lot to get Dunn. He's a player that when surrounded by talent can definitely make a difference. I still don't think the Reds would be smart to trade Dunn. They should be building their team around him and shop Casey. Dunn is really the only reason why people would go to the GAB to see the Reds. The thing with Dunn that I don't like is his OBP is more representative of not having guys hitting behind him meaning intentional walks vs. having a good eye. But, again, if I'm the Reds you'd have to give me one of the best deals in the history of deals for me to trade Dunn.

Why do you want to trade from weakness? Even if you keep Holla on the bench, he'd be the best option off the bench. If you trade him, you've just made our already suspect bench even weaker.