PackLandVA

That right there is reason to never count either team out, and never walk away from the game.

While the HR was wind-aided, he still hit it to straight away CF....and it got out by plenty. The single and double were both solidly hit balls. Let's not be so cynical about everything. He had a good day at the plate and was instrumental in the win.

At this point in the season, I'd rather have Edmonds' defense over Lofton's offense, especially since KL wouldn't bat leadoff. Although I do think Lofton could be valuable in the 8 spot. The Cubs have faced a lot of lefties lately, so JE hasn't had a stretch of games to find his swing. As long as the Cubs keep winning and the offense is scoring runs, I'll stick with JE. Near the All-Star break, if JE is still sucking, or if him in the lineup is costing the Cubs games, then I'd make a move. Lofton is available now, I see no reason why he won't be available in a few weeks to month or so.

more steroids --> "undersized batting average" more steroids --> "undersized batting average NUTS"

I have no doubt ARam will be added to the list of Cub leaders by the end of June, if not sooner.

I don't even know you and the mental images are still pretty awful!!!

Cubs are up 1-0 in the top of the 8th. The Cards are batting, and the Cubs bullpen loads the bases with nobody out. Woody comes in and Ks the side. In the bottom of the 8th, the Cubs load the bases with 2 outs, still leading 1-0. Woody is due up, but Lou pinch hits. Ward hits a HR, and the Cubs score a couple more times after the GS. The now lead 7-1 in the top of the 9th. Wuertz pitches the 9th, setting the Cards down in order, and the Cubs win. I think I know the answer, but is there a "save" statistically in this game? Can a save only occur for the pitcher who pitches in the final inning?

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:zgTtJLVb589wpM:http://www.nancarrow- = http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:7j6b5cmUemrHJM:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/the_maryhunter/Horses_ass_1.jpg

That's an example of why baseball has it all wrong when it comes to guaranteed contracts.

Marshall needs to go down and continue being a starter. No need to have him sit in the bullpen facing a couple of batters each week.

Uribe's fat, lazy and kills people.

I used to like Stone. But then he got fired (right or wrong), and something happened. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/255102094_c4ea4f14e8.jpg?v=0

He's obviously fallen out of favor with the Sox. Would he be worth trying to get as a backup/insurance in CF? He's really good in the field, could probably play all three spots and had/has potential. Maybe a change of scenery would do him good. What about sending someone like Fontenot (they need a 2B) and/or a low prospect?

Can someone recap this thread? Thanks!

I don't doubt Dusty had some input in both signings, but isn't signing players, especially to minor league contracts up tp the GM? Playing the players (or not) is one thing, but signing them isn't his responsibility.

We've got Wood for Kerry! Closer by committee! Ride the hot hand! Wood, Marmol, Howry, Eyre! OK, not Eyre. But ride the hot hand!

I do this regularly!!! The thing I find amazing about Sox fans is this: Yes, they won the WS in '05 (just as the Cubs did in '08). But they somehow think that they suddenly have this rich tradition of winning. What the hell has that organization done before or after '05???? They caught lightning in a bottle that season, much like the Cubs did in '03, only with better results. They were abysmal a few years earlier and two years later. With the exception of '05, that franchise has nothing to hang its hat on!!

That makes sense, I suppose. But then why not round the pinky side of all the infield gloves? It's not like you actually use the squared off tip to catch the ball.

I played baseball and watched and listened to baseball for 35+ years. But here's something I've never really heard explained. Why is the first baseman's glove rounded on the pinky side? Now I can sort of see the reasoning for a left handed first baseman. The pinky side is closest to the ground when trying to make a swipe tag on a pick off. But does a rounded edge really create that less of drag to make a difference? And if it does, what the explanation for a right handed first baseman having the same curve on the pinky side? Shouldn't it be on the thumb side since? And if it has nothing to do with drag, then why at all is it curved? I really have no idea! :?:

From Wikipedia: Louisiana Lightning was pretty good.

From the Sun-Times articel: That right there says it all.

Bobby Cox put a less superior team into the playoffs as much as Joe Torre has. Switch teams and I'd bet Cox does no worse than Torre. Bobby Cox would've won multiple WS but for the 5 year period where the Yankees were far and away the best team in baseball. Would Torre have done as well with those Atlanta Brave teams??

While Im not arguing Torre is a great manager, its not his fault that the pitchers he has been given have been over the hill. They have put together a great offensive team, but Cashman has consisitently went out and got over the hill starting pitchers, or overrated injury risk starting pitchers(Pavano, Wright). That team the way it is comprised, the manager doesnt have to do much at all, except manage the bullpen. So while I dont think Torre is a great manager, I dont think the failures of the Yankees in the playoffs can be placed solely on him. When you talk bout being overrated, you need to look at brian Cashman before looking anywhere else. I agree with you to a certain extent. Torre is not the only one to blame for not winning a Championship the past 7 years. But many look at Torre's early years as a Yankee manager and give him much of the credit for 4 WS titles in 5 years. If he gets the credit for the championships, he's got to take his share of the blame for the lack of championships. I think LOTS of managers could have accomplished what Torre did in his 12 years if they were given his roster. I'll bet a guy like Bobby Cox would've even faired better than Torre. IMO, Cox made more with less talent. He unfortunately had his best teams when the Yankees were loaded like no one else. I don't think Torre is a bad manager. I just don't think he's one of the best ever. His record in St. Louis and Atlanta (though he was much younger/inexperienced as a manager) lend to that thought. IMO, he's the "Phil Jackson" of baseball. I'd be interested to see what he's able to do with a much less talented roster and a franchise willing to spend much less to replace a team's unproductive/aging/hurt peices. The thing is, when the Yankees won the 4 titles it was mainly all homegrown talent, and before the Yankees started spending like idiots. What could Cox have done differently in the playoffs then Torre? Its not Torres fault his pitching has sucked, and Arod has struggled in the playoffs. Not really sure how Cox would have changed that. What would Cox have done differently? With the same roster? Nothing, probably. And he would've probably won 4 WS in 5 years, too. Again, I'm not saying he was a bad manager. I think he was a good manager. I just think a lot of people could've done what he did with the make up of his rosters each year. And by the way, the Yankees still had the highest payroll in baseball each year. Their roster was not "homegrown the first year he won a WS. He took over a team that was just entering its prime with a mixture of star veterans for core players (Boggs, O'Neill, Bernie Williams[farm product], Wetteland, Tino Martinez, etc) and rising superstars (Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettitte, etc). Their minor league system was loaded entering the mid 90's which allowed them to not only develop talent but also trade really good prospects for already established stars/experienced subs/3-5 starters/set-up men/super utility guys, etc. In 1996 the Yankee's team payroll was only $58 million, but still 10% higher than the next closest team in the AL. And ever since, the payroll and gap got bigger and bigger and bigger. And when their vets got old, unproductive or both, they opened up the pocket books and brought in the best players that money could buy. They haven't had the most success recently with that style of management, but it worked wonders in keeping Torre's first World Series team competitive and dominant in the years that followed, thus allowing them to win the WS 4 out of 5 years. I really believe a lot of managers in baseball could've accomplished as much as Torre has given the same rosters and abilities to replace broken parts.

While Im not arguing Torre is a great manager, its not his fault that the pitchers he has been given have been over the hill. They have put together a great offensive team, but Cashman has consisitently went out and got over the hill starting pitchers, or overrated injury risk starting pitchers(Pavano, Wright). That team the way it is comprised, the manager doesnt have to do much at all, except manage the bullpen. So while I dont think Torre is a great manager, I dont think the failures of the Yankees in the playoffs can be placed solely on him. When you talk bout being overrated, you need to look at brian Cashman before looking anywhere else. I agree with you to a certain extent. Torre is not the only one to blame for not winning a Championship the past 7 years. But many look at Torre's early years as a Yankee manager and give him much of the credit for 4 WS titles in 5 years. If he gets the credit for the championships, he's got to take his share of the blame for the lack of championships. I think LOTS of managers could have accomplished what Torre did in his 12 years if they were given his roster. I'll bet a guy like Bobby Cox would've even faired better than Torre. IMO, Cox made more with less talent. He unfortunately had his best teams when the Yankees were loaded like no one else. I don't think Torre is a bad manager. I just don't think he's one of the best ever. His record in St. Louis and Atlanta (though he was much younger/inexperienced as a manager) lend to that thought. IMO, he's the "Phil Jackson" of baseball. I'd be interested to see what he's able to do with a much less talented roster and a franchise willing to spend much less to replace a team's unproductive/aging/hurt peices.

While Torre is certainly a classy individual and the Yankee ownership are a bunch of pompous asses, I still believe as a manager, Torre is vastly over-rated. The organization put together one of the best rosters in baseball yearly and spent like no one else. Making the playoffs twelve years in a row is great for most organizations. But winning the WS is the only thing that matters in the Yankee's organization. And Torre was 0-7 in his past 7 tries with some pretty good talent. Just my opinion.