vance_the_cubs_fan

Typically, though, it corresponds with a lucrative contract signed with the Cubs. By the way, Vance, I met a woman from Monroe, LA today. This is how our conversation went. HER: I'm in town from Monroe, LA. ME: Really? I know someone from Monroe. HER: Oh? Who? ME: (crap. What am i talking about? I don't "know" him. I mean, I kinda do, I guess. But not really.) His name is Vance. HER: Vance? Vance what? ME: (meekly) Vance Thecubsfan. :lmao: That's great. I doubt there's many Vances from Monroe, LA though . I have heard there's another around here somewhere, but I've never met him. What was her name?

You post makes some sense. If Izzy was always narrowly getting by, a slip in abiltiy or even having the luck turn the other way would turn those narrow misses into blown opportunities. Time will tell what is happening, but there is a long line of closers who suddenly lost their effectiveness after years of success.

If Izzy doesn't right the ship soon, the entire Cardinal pen could be wrecked. While the Cards are still a good team, I'm not sure they are good enough to overcome a disasterous bullpen. Woah... Wrecked? I wouldn't go that far yet. It's way too early for that type of blanket statement. If Lee doesn't rob Juan's homer in the 10th today (wishfull thinking, I know), the Cardinals would be 6-3 and in 1st place. Not bad so far, for a team with a "wrecked bullpen". The Cardinals made a few errors today that cost us a run, Bennet was horrible behind the plate and cost us another run on a passed ball, we had a home run taken away, and it still went to the 11th inning. The bullpen hasn't been that good so far this year...no doubt. But it was much better today, except for Izzy. After Suppan came out after the 6th (3 runs, 2 unearned), the Cards bullpen only allowed one hit until the 11th inning. I'm not that worried about Izzy...yet. He's been very successfull for years now with us...I'm not going to bail on him after a few rough outings, nor should anyone else. He has earned some slack from me. He'll be given some time to it together...or else he'll be replaced. Replaced with who? Looper? I'm not denying Izzy's track record. I'm wondering if he's about to join the parade of burnt out closers. Izzy has been a successful closer for six seasons. Over those seasons, he's been quite successful. Izzy is now 33 years old. Randy Myers had a similar run of success before flaming out at age 36. For six years, John Wetteland was a great closer who flamed out at age 34. Rob Dibble put up four outstanding years as a closer before burning out at age 31. Dave Smith had six decent years of ninth inning work before forgetting how to do it at age 35. Rob Nen was possibly the best in the game for seven years, but injuries ended his run at age 33. Greg Olsen had five decent years as a closer and blew himself out before ever reaching 30. The list could go on. Izzy may have hit a bump. He may rebound and post a phenomenal season. On the other hand, there could be an injury or a physical condition that is foretelling his demise. What all of the above have in common is when they lost it, they never got it back. Some of the above, (ala Nen and Dibble) it was an obvious injury that contributed to their demise. For others, it just seemed age or something else happened. Izzy has demonstrated both a lack of velocity and lack of control. Why? Is there a hidden injury there? Has age and innings caught up with him? I don't know. While it may be nothing, it is definitely cause for concern. And yes, if he's done...there is problems in that pen. Looper isn't an effective closer and there's not a lot of arms there (exception Wainwright) that can really be counted on to shut down a team in the late innings.

This doesn't sound promising. Link

They could remain Southern League in Baton Rouge. While it would be the Western-most team in the SL; Jackson isn't too far away (roughly 3.5 hour drive) and neither is Birmingham. I-10 would pretty much link Baton Rouge to the teams along the Southern coridor like Jacksonville and Mobile.

Link It appears that TLR is going to try to reduce the pressure on Izzy and bring him in only for standard saves at the start of an inning. If Izzy doesn't right the ship soon, the entire Cardinal pen could be wrecked. While the Cards are still a good team, I'm not sure they are good enough to overcome a disasterous bullpen.

I'm 5'8'', 155lbs. I'll be a 1960's era middle infielder.

I think it's a little early to start saying this kind of thing. It is early, and I'm not saying it with any conviction. On the other hand, if it is the end of the line, it wouldn't be the first time this happened to a closer who had experienced some success. Furthermore, one does have to wonder if the failures so far will impact his psyche any.

Considering the lifespan of your average closer, one has to wonder if Izzy's time is done and he's following the path of Randy Myers, Jose Mesa, Ricky Bottalico, Mike Jackson, Dave Smith, Bobby Thigpen, Mark Wholers, and others who posted some good seasons as closers before losing the touch completely.

I'd prefer Shreveport, but I could make a road trip or two to Baton Rouge a couple of times a year.

Losing sucks. Let's not do it again.

This could really be a blow to an already thin Astros rotation. Link.

Gamecenter on Sportsline says 26. But, what's one pitch difference? :shrug:

That may make a trade more likely. The Cubs love to get players who've killed them. (see Blauser, Jeff; Gonzalez, Luis.)

Have a great time! Take pictures if you can. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of the park. I'll try to remember to take the camera, but in all liklihood with me being an autograph hound, I'll forget it as I try to remember to take other things.

With the line-up Dusty made out today, it might.

While I love me some Adam Dunn, I really wish he'd hit those homers against another team.

Keep the updates coming for those of us stuck at work.

A few updated scores, Mets 6, Nats 2 End 4. Marlins 5, Fathers 2 Top 4 Brewers 1, Cardinals 1 End 4 Dodgers 6, Pirates 2 Mid 5 White Sox 9, Tigers 1 Mid 4

after the Bagwell affair, does the bolded part assure that Clemens will not be an Astro? McLane likes Clemens better Now that one could be one of the best ones ever.

I'm going alone on Friday and Sunday, so I picked up a good seat in Section 249 for Friday and 250 for Sunday. My ticket says Redbird club, but I have no clue what that means. On Saturday, I'll go with my father-in-law (well, not really go with...he has a meeting that morning so we're meeting at the game) and we have seats in the Ozzie Smith Party Room. I'm sure others in the room will love me sporting one of my many Cubs jerseys at that game! I'm really looking forward to it...but the flight with Addison there and back could get a bit hairy.

And in other games around the majors today, Yankees 4, Royals 0 Bot 3 Dodgers 2, Pirates 2 Bot 5 White Sox 7, Tigers 1 Top 4 Mets 6, Nationals 0 Bot 4 Twins 3, A's 2 Bot 4 Marlins 4, Padres 2 Bot 3 Brewers 1, Cardinals 1 Top 4

That means Marshall, Williams and Rusch are our starters this weekend. Umm...let's get some runs! Well, at least we'll be facing the Pirates. :D And while that article implies Rusch will make his start in Pittsburgh, it also seems to imply that he's on a rather short leash.

I agree. And the biggest problem he'll face is that since defense is tougher to measure, defensive reputations are the toughest to change. A player who is labeled early on as a good or bad defender often keeps that reputation long after it is no longer true.

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