CuseCubFan69

Wood was in shape this year and years past. He hired a personal trainer in the offseason following the 1998 season. His hero is Roger Clemens who works out like he's crazy. Being in shape goes a long why to stop injuries but it doesn't totaly pervent them. Wood was just injured, not because he was not in shape. BTW same for Big Z. He slimed down too. Hiring a tainer is nice but following his advice is another.

Billboard ads and money from the influx of Japanese tourists to the ballpark. 1908, do you think Hendry even knows who this guy is?

Uhh, Rothschild is probably coming back since Sweet Lou looks like he'll be managing the Cubs. I'd almost guarentee that Larry was coming back to Chicago even if Joe was hired. I think that Hendry would want an "experienced" pitching coach around the newbe Girardi.

I don't think Murton has pitched since Little league. :D Does Dunn hustle? OK....seriously, Dunn would be a huge impact player for the Cubs but I'm just not sure in what way, good or bad. He could save Hendry's job or get him fired depending on how he does and what the Cubs give up for him.

Well....Ramirez came into the season in shape and what do you know, he was healthy all year. I think this has finally dawned on Wood. I'm not saying that being out of shape is the only reason for the injuries but it certainly doesn't help.

Now Hendry can go on vacation because he's hired the kick butt guy to manage the team that will win the WS. It's just that simple, thanks Tigers.

I was basically phrasing my response to two general things which have been coming up recently: 1) The complete outpouring of people claiming that the Yankees had no fire, hustle, or desire to go out there and win. These people claim that this is the primary reason why the Yankees lost to the Tigers, rather than because the Tigers' rotation and bullpen was worlds better than the Yankees' or something equally reasonable. 2) The number of people who have been saying that Jim Hendry shouldn't bother re-signing Aramis Ramirez if he opts out due to Ramirez's character (inability to step up while Lee was down, his nagging injuries, his lack of hustle, etc). Somehow, these people have blinded themselves to the fact that Ramirez has been one of the most productive guys on this team during his time here. Heck, I'm sure plenty of people on this board would take Ramirez over Derrek Lee. In my years of watching baseball, I've seen guys who seem to have tremendous heart, character, and emotion go out there and stink up the joint. I've also seen seemingly lazy, disinterested, despicable, and unemotional players have Hall of Fame careers. Maybe those guys were not getting the most out of their talent; I can't say for sure. The fact of the matter is, those guys are among the all-time greats. Even if they only put 75% of their effort into everything, they still managed to outproduce the scrappy hustlers by incredible amounts. While there are certain situations in which hustle can be the deal-breaker, I think those situations are, on the whole, limited. From what I have seen in MLB, it's rare that you will have two players with comparable tools and production, but differing levels of effort. Most of the time, there's enough of a disparity in talent/production to merit playing one over the other. I don't think hustle is something that should be the primary thing a GM or a manager should look for in a baseball player. I don't think hustle is something that trumps production. This doesn't just apply to All Star and HOF-caliber players; it applies to every level of a team. I just don't think a number of people get that. I'm not big into emotion during a baseball game. It's fine as long as you can still maintain focus but if you can't, it hurts your game. I also think it's funny that you continue to make scappy hustlers a 240 hitting type guy that puts up terrible numbers. Rose is a good example of a guy that made the most of his talent and put up good numbers so not all scappy players are below average talent wise. I think GM's look for hustle or players that either know the game or put work into their craft because they don't want a guy that can just hit a little better than average and once that hitting ability goes he has nothing else to offer to the team. When your in a slump what do you offer the team while your in that 3-30? You see, not that's it's entierly right but when Ramirez didn't hit that well when Lee was first out that's what people notice, his hitting. He doesn't bring a lot to the table other than that even though he seemed to still be able to continue fielding well which is a good thing. He's paid to hit and he usually does it quite well but that little slump is what was noticed by many. Is it right? Well, I'd like my 2nd best hitter in the lineup to step up when I lose my best hitter along with the other 7 guys until Lee comes back. Some players like Perez are not capable because of talent unless they go into a freakish hitting streak and if he did, wrong or right most fans would remember that, just like guys that hit or slump in the playoffs. UK gave his definition of what he looks for and I'm sure GM's are on or a little left or right of that spectrum. My point is when you have a guy that knows the game and hustles, as a coach I love it. If he sucks he doesn't play or very little but I love what he brings to the game and you have to understand what some of these guys bring to the table when it comes to the mental stability of the team. Again don't get me wrong, I want talent but some kids/players add something to every team they are on. This is such a mental game and IMO some of these type players break can break a negative train of thought or the routine of a slump and help those superstars we all love to help on the team. These hustlers or what I prefer to call them, baseball players, are not a gamble to have on the team. You know what you have and what results you're going to get. If the criteria is a 240 hitter than he doesn't play that much and is called on in certain situations, but that's how I'd play him unless he is the most talented player for that position. Talented headcases are draining on a coach/manager. You want them to reach their full potential but they don't in most cases because of their work habits. You get a guy, let's say Manny Ramirez, and he's an incredible hitter but very high maintenance at least that we've heard as I don't like to assume since I've never worked with the man. Let's just go with what we've heard just for an example. He hits the heck out of the ball and goes 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBI's but misses a cutoff and lets a flyball drop in front of him and both lead to runs to lose the game 4-3. He's at zero in a plus/minus hockey kind of way. Now, add a little attitude and complaining about his contract. He's productive at the plate no doubt but if these type of things continue has he really helped? You look in the paper and say wow...he went 2-4, that loss wasn't his fault.

That begs the question then, why does this keep coming up when (and only when) we're talking about Aramis? Because Ramirez hits too many lazy fly balls. He's a Cubs and what we always see.

I agree with your general point. However, this is something that concerns me and I know this doesn't apply to you in particular. It is relevant to the discussion. I think a number of people place too much emphasis on hustle. I believe it's important to any sport and that all guys need to be motivated and give their all, don't get me wrong. Yet, there are a number of people who gush over the scrappy hustling types despite the fact that these guys are simply not productive, not even if they spent hours studying tapes, spent extra time in the cages, and so on. Guys like Neifi Perez and David Eckstein come to mind. Yes, both probably try their hardest out there, but that doesn't make them good. That does not justify starting them over guys who perhaps do not hustle quite as much, but are much more productive. The same can be said when you go in the other direction, namely with guys like Aramis Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, and so on. From what a number of us see, these guys do not put their all into the game. They don't run out every ground ball. They look disinterested, like their hearts might not be totally into it. People will accuse them of just being there to pick up a paycheck rather than take a leadership role, hit in the clutch, show emotion, or whatever. The fact remains that people will focus so much on hustle that they overlook the fact that these guys are really, really good players. Anybody who would rather have a team full of David Ecksteins rather than a team full of Alex Rodriguezes is simply delusional and kidding themselves. That extra bit of spark would not have helped Alex Rodriguez make contact with a wicked Jeremy Bonderman slider. That extra bit of hustle wouldn't get Aramis Ramirez an extra base on nearly every routine groundout he's ever hit into. I'd hope these guys are putting their all into their jobs, don't get me wrong. But I'd rather not have that desire cloud my judgment regarding reality. I think it depends on what your reality is. If you are a manager/GM that wants your 2 guy to be able to bunt and take pitches than that may what you are looking for. Maybe a guy that puts the bat on the ball is what they want. I'm not saying it's right but some Mangers have distinct styles and look for things in players that they lack in the ones they already have starting. You have trade offs in talent and intangables and some managers put a lot of stock into intangables and some don't. No doubt I want ARod at SS and Ramirez at 3rd over Bell and Eckstein, that is a no brainer and if anyone wants different they should be a manager or GM. But, a lot of times it's Bell vs a Batista and that to me is the point I make. Too many in this thread are going to extremes but IMO you have to look at players with closer stats and make the decision from there. I'm all for getting the best players and going from there unlike Hendry who has to find the prototype leadoff guy. If I have this Cubs team and I have a Murton and Pierre, I bat Murton leadoff and Pierre at the 8 spot. Let's look at Pierre. No one can deny his work habit or hustle and I admire those traits. But, I don't like his talent as much as I would like other CF's or lead off hitters. If you give me a guy that has the same ability as Pierre but is a loafer, not a loafer in the fans eyes but a guy that just doesn't put any work into his craft, I'll take Pierre in a second. You can't have 8 all stars on a team with a limited budget.

I think they are each others biggest fans right now. I still think Louisville is one of the 3 top teams in the country. WV, top 7 at worst. Well we didn't hold them as they had over 400 yards rushing. Crud.

It seems to me the Score is too much like the Daily News in NY, they jump to conclusions to make money and get us talking about them and often are not accurate.

And I'd rather have a scrappy hustler who gives 100% that hits 290/392/523 instead of a guy who gives 75% and hits 290/392/523 or 243/260/316. so you agree that hustling is a peripheral that simply enhances, but isn't necessary? again, hustling no help hit curveball. I want all players to give maximum effort at all times, is that really too much to ask? Let me add this too. I think a lot of players study their swings and opposing pitchers and we do not know how much time they do this along with extra cage work and ground balls. Ramirez may be doing this to make himself better and the hustler may be playing cards in the clubhouse but what we see is a guy (hustler) that runs everything out. We may not know all of their work habits but I have to assume the Cubs do. Ramirez is a productive hitters and an adequate fielder and I like him being a Cub and just because I said I'd like him to hustle more doesn't mean I don't appreciate the things he does, it just isn't that black and white to me.

Are you kidding? With that stash he has to be the sexy choice! If this team is going to base it's decisions on what the "fans" want, it'll be worse than the college of coaches.....it'll be "The Fans Folly". They might as well lower beer prices to a buck and let the fans have some fun while the Cubs continue onto their 2nd century of not winning.

She should know -- she's a doctor. I'm a guy, and I am a doctor, and I even stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. Yeah but your only a foot doctor and really....how much do you have to know? :D

That article was cold as ice... Too willing to sacrifice? Our Lou.

And I'd rather have a scrappy hustler who gives 100% that hits 290/392/523 instead of a guy who gives 75% and hits 290/392/523 or 243/260/316.

I think they are each others biggest fans right now. I still think Louisville is one of the 3 top teams in the country. WV, top 7 at worst.

The Cuse vs West Virginia, if we can stop the run we'll have a good chance. WV has a terrible pass rush.

It means something to me because maybe, just maybe, Hendry may hear this and think it may be possible. For some reason I think Hendry has no interest in talking to the Yanks about ARod. I wonder if the Cubs could deal Hill and others to the Yanks for ARod and overbid for Matsuaka? I'd look for a Kenny Lofton type to play CF or a Wilson type guy to play right and move Jones to CF and sign/trade for the best bargin 3 or 4 starter I could find.

So if SD Boches this up and the Cubs might take advantage? Interesting.

Has Hendry learned anything about his past mistakes and can succeed in building a winner in Chicago or is he going to continue along the same path he has? I'm just worried that bad luck, injuries and clutch hitting are his reasons why the Cubs lost and not the fact that he hasn't built a very good team or picked a decent manager.

That's what's going to happen IMO. Who was Lou's hitting coach in Seattle? Lee Elia has been his hitting coach for most of his stops. I think who would be his hitting coach is up in the air. Elia is likely going to stay in Baltimore with Polozzo. I think it's a given that McLaren would be the bench coach. Whoops, just asked this in another thread. Is that the Cubs ex Lee Elia or have I made a mistake in how it's spelled?

I know I asked on one of the other of 234 Sweet Lou threads, but does anyone know who his hitting coach was in Seattle?

It's official. 1:00, no TV It seems to be the year of the Tiger.....Woods, Detroit and maybe Missouri?

Maybe it's Piniella envy?