vance_the_cubs_fan

Tell them that they'll never get to see Ryan Church start again.

I think they had planned on him sitting today and starting tommorow. They don't want to push him too much too soon. So, what's the excuse for not starting Murton all week?

And Dusty doesn't have a clue. Murton should be starting, plain and simple. I've grown weary of his ridiculous philosophy, is half-cocked ideas, and his horrible managing skills. It's time for a change. Dusty must go.

I hope that after the season Hendry and Baker sit down and decide it is best for all parties if Dusty goes his separate way.

Sadly the louder they get, I'm afraid the ears (in Cubs management) still don't care. That may be true, but sometimes a disgruntled fan base can make some noise. Hopefully, Dusty will be booed at this year's Cubs Convention.

I still can't understand why we just don't shift Burnitz to CF, Lawton to RF, and Murton to LF. Murton is hitting over 400 and he gets one start per week. That is inexcusable. We faced a lefty in Glavine and Murton gets one measly pinch hit appearance. The longer this goes on, the louder my cries for a Dusty removeable will get.

Once again, no Murton. He's only hitting .417, but he hasn't started all week. That's freaking ridiculous. Dusty is a clown. I think I could handle the losing if we didn't have such an incompentent baffoon running the team. I'm going to make this statement, but I don't think the Cubs will ever make it to the World Series as long as Dusty is at the helm.

Excellent analysis. Also, don't forget that both will be penalized somewhat because of the offensive explosion during this time period. I agree that Edmonds will face a tougher task because he was never viewed as the most dominant player on his team. While he's very good, I don't know that he's ever been thought of as a guy heading to Hall. Because of that, he'll need, in my opinion, one of those gateway numbers...either a career 300+ BA, 3000 hits, or 500 HRS. He may get the average, but the other numbers are out of reach.

I don't think the gold gloves really make up for the MVP in the eyes of the voters, no. An MVP to the voters signifies that the player was the best player in his league for at least one season. While that may not always be true, it gives the voters a reason to say if he were the best for a time and then has good overall numbers that is why he's a HOF. Certainly not all MVP's will be HOF, but it greatly increases the chance.

Whether these things matter or not, Chipper has some things in his favor that Edmonds does not. Jones has an MVP award, while Edmonds does not. Jones also at this point has a WS championship. Both have numbers very similar to each other. Most similar hitters to Jones: Jim Edmonds (903) Moises Alou (887) Tim Salmon (883) David Justice (872) Dick Allen (871) Vinny Castilla (866) Shawn Green (857) Mo Vaughn (848) Albert Belle (847) Ralph Kiner (843) * Only one of those are in the HOF, but considering Chipper is a thirdbaseman that could help him. Notice Edmonds at the top of the list. Most similar hitters to Edmonds: Shawn Green (908) Chipper Jones (903) Tim Salmon (899) Jason Giambi (894) Wally Berger (885) David Justice (885) Hack Wilson (884) * Larry Doby (882) * Ralph Kiner (880) * Carlos Delgado (878) There are a couple more HOFers on that list and Jones is at number two. The next few years likely determine the fate of both players. Neither are locks and both are on the bubble. I think much of Jones's fate will hinge on whether he can finish his career with a BA over .300. While that doesn't mean all that much, it would stand out to the voters. Jones's MVP puts him slightly ahead of Edmonds here. But when at the top of your similar batters is Shawn Green for Edmonds and Moises Alou for Jones, I have to wonder if defensive positions of third and CF are enough to separate them from the very good player class and elevate into the HOF class. Right now, I couldn't honestly cast a vote for either, though I'd be closer to casting a vote for Jones than I would for Edmonds.

Adam, Can you talk a little a bit about your approach at the plate or your philosophy of hitting?

Brandon, Thanks for taking the time with us. What player or players were your favorite as a child? Do you try to emulate any of these with your play?

I don't see this team as consistent enough to make the run needed to win the wild card.

I'm going to say no on Edmonds as well. While he'll have some good numbers, considering the offensive explosion that occurred in the nineties, I think it's going to take more numbers than that to get in.

I'm not opposed to going after Furcal, but I'd rather not pay him what he'll be asking. I believe that Cedeno would be a decent option. The Cubs will have money to spend, but I hope that they can use the wealth of prospects to take a contract off of another team's hands rather than spend the money on the lack luster crop of FA this offseason.

Well, the Cubs are now below .500 and have once again put together a 3 game or longer losing streak. We get to have our butts kicked on national TV tomorrow as FOX will televise Maddux giving up 6 runs in three innings or something like that. Go Cobs!

Looking at how things are going early on against the Mets, I'm not sure we have much of a chance.

Macias in CF...man I just can't stand Dusty. Wouldn't it be better to move Burnitz to center and put Murton in at left? I don't think the Dusty era can end soon enough for me.

I hope we slide Burnitz to CF, Lawton to RF, and Murton to LF.

It definitely does. His numbers look much better if he is viewed as a thirdsacker instead of a left fielder.

If that was the World Series, I probably choose to watch episodes of the Surreal Life instead.

Roosevelt Brown is playing with the Charlotte Knights, the AAA affiliate of the White Sox.

Mench isn't going anywhere.

He's a bubble candidate in my mind. I'd lean toward saying yes, but I still think it's a little close to tell.

Why am I starting to lose interest in this team?