Every outfielder that comes to Wrigley hears that chant at least once a game. The only difference is that it's a majority of the crowd instead of just the bleachers.
Ah the usual optimism. The offense hasn't been great, but that's not the only reason for our record. The pitching hasn't been what was expected either.
Agreed. Obviously this is a pipedream, but Manny is one of the Holy Trinity as far as hitters go (Bonds/Pujols/Manny). He really is an amazing hitter. I definitely agree with that, he had been underrated for much of his career until the last two years or so. But doesn't it say something when any team could have had him without having to give up anything after the '03 season? When he was put on irrevocable waivers, no one wanted to touch him with that contract and some of his flaws. And the fact that Boston was willing to give him away for nothing just to get out of that contract. Certainly it's easier to absorb that contract now that two years are off of it, but the point remains.
And Barrett drove the ball in his last AB just as hard as Murton did on his double. I'm sure if Dusty could make out the lineup card knowing what each player would do in each of his AB's it might be different. You can't just disagree with every decision in hindsight because of how things turn out.
top of the order next inning, it is somewhat good to have the pitcher make the last out Exactly. Rolling over the lineup is huge. The only other spot I would move him to in this lineup is 7th.
Always going with the "veteran". Murton and Barrett should have been switched around tonight, or probly just about any night their both in the lineup. Barrett has been great when he's batted in the 5th spot and has had a great approach there. Not to mention the significant increase in power between the two. I don't understand the outrage.
7th is the only other spot I would want him in. Hairston and Walker should be fixtures at 1-2 and obviously Lee and Ramirez at 4. I like Barrett and Burnitz in the run producing spots at 5-6. He has a good enough approach to hit 8th and not chase pitches. If Neifi were 8th he would never see a pitch in the zone.
Well those quotes are exactly what I would expect Dusty to say. He's done that in basically every injury situation he's had since he's been here. Nomar will play as much as he physically can when he's healthy.
I wish he were coming too, but it doesn't look good. He seemed to be completely down to Iowa and Wisconsin, but then his family from the east coast really started messing things up. His high school coach has really been steering him towards Wisconsin from all reports, but his family wants him to go out east (Syracuse has been rumored.) Dahlman is starting to look optimistic though.
Exactly. It's standard Dusty behavior and everyone should be able to see through it. He doesn't say anything negative about his guys in the media and he wants to give Neifi some compliments. When Nomar is healthy, he will be playing nearly everyday.
He's actually 9-22 now. In his first start he went 2-2, but in the starts since then he's gone 0-2, 0-4, 1-3, 4-5, and 1-2 with 2 walks. A total of 8-18 as a starter. Pinch-hitting he's 1-4 with a walk.
Neifi played 3B to finish a game this year, but Walker can't. There isn't a major need for Macias, but what's the point of getting rid of him and keeping Neifi and Cedeno? He would be behind Nomar and Neifi at SS, behind Walker, Hairston and Neifi at 2B and at best the 3rd option at 3B. He would get no playing time.