kente777

good to see the Cubs back in form

Does anybody know that percentage of times you can expect at least one run? From Tangotiger 99-02 With the bases loaded and 0 outs, chances that: 0 runs score: 12.8% 1 run scores: 25.5% 2 runs score: 21.1% 3 runs score: 14.3% 4 runs score: 13.4% 5+ runs score: 13.0% So the Cubs have been more likely to score more than 5 runs than 0 runs, and have consistently "beat" the odds... Incredible! :evil:

I don't think anything in baseball angers me as much as not scoring a run with the bases loaded and no outs (and nobody hitting into a double play). I agree...heck, try a suicide squeeze if you can't hit the damn ball out of the infield.

It happened the last two out of three games and it's no coincidence that we lost both games. We don't deserve to win when we squander great opportunities like that. Ken

Bases loaded with no outs TWICE in 3 games and the Cubs fail to score a run. If that isn't lack of "clutch" hitting, I don't know what is. Oh, and just a side note...the Cubs lost both games when having this great opportunity. Playoff teams take advantage of those opportunities. Inference??? Ken

Too late...Lou signed for 3 years.

And that's fine. It's just my belief that good play leads to a happy team, not the other way around. A happy bad team is still bad. I'll take the unhappy good team. I always like to use the example of a guy at a job. If a guy likes where he works, and enjoys the work environment (likes his boss, etc.), then his production will be much better than a guy who hates coming to his job. I happen to think intrinsic motivation is very important to outward production. I believe attitude also affects those around him. Ever work with a real jerk? One bad apple can reallly affect a work environment. Definitely been there. However, in baseball, if you don't have talent, then intrinsic motivation can only get you so far. However, I refuse to negate its importance and impact, even with a team with less talent. :)

I am negative because I am a Cubs fan. Being a Cubs fan makes me negative. However, it seems that all the "experts" think that the Cubs are the most talented team in the Central. If Lou can get the bullpen straightened out, we have a good chance. I appreciate the stats on RISP and late inning runs. It makes me feel a tiny bit better.

Not too many team chemistry stats available. How do you measure chemistry? By winning record? Sorry, I'm just not a believer in team chemistry. I absolutely believe in team chemistry. Lou apparently encouraged the players to have a player's meeting so he could find out if he was "losing the team." Why is it important for Lou to know he was losing the team? Was it a pride thing for him or could it be he realizes that if the team is not happy, they will not play well? If he had lost the team, overall team morale would have negatively affected play. When a team is happy, they affect one another in a positive way. Yes, baseball relies on individuality more than any other team sport. However, you can't tell me that chemistry doesn't affect the ability of a team to put together long winning or losing streaks. When a team drags it feet to the ballpark because they are frustrated or unhappy, it can and does affect the way the whole team plays. We will have to agree to disagree on this one.

I'm not sure what you're trying to get at. I've shown you proof that the Cubs hit and score in clutch situations. But they can't pitch at all in those same situations. But because you were pessimistic after the bullpen blew the lead, you want to throw out the stats and say you have no faith in a comeback? You have every right to feel pessimistic about this team...I sure am. But I think you're focusing it on the wrong area of the team. Ok...stats don't lie. But I'm talking about perception. When I watch the Red Sox or the Angels, I see a team confident in its abilities...teams that can win when down in the 8th or 9th. Has this team gotten better at "clutch" this year as compared to the Dusty teams? Absolutely. Stats don't lie. But I still feel that when this team is behind going into the 8th and the 9th, we will not come back. Again, it's just a perception. That probably comes from sucking for so many years, but nevertheless it's still there. And the question is, does the team BELIEVE it is in every ballgame? I don't see alot of team chemistry yet, do you? BTW, did the Cubs get a runner on base in the 9th last night?

Those are certainly good stats...and definitely prove that the Cubs main problem is the bullpen. However, I will say it again, did anyone actually believe the Cubs would score in the 9th last night when behind? I turned the game off after the eighth...did they even get on base in the 9th?

Yes, I agree that the Bullpen is a major problem, and certainly one that let last nights game go. But after we went down 5-4 in the 8th, did you have any faith....any faith at all....that this club would actually score in the 9th? I'm sorry, but I do not believe batting average and RISP does not equate to being able to score late when behind. There are a lot of relievers that are good, but not many have what it takes to be a closer...shut down an opposing team when it really matters. Maybe "clutch" was the wrong word to use. Perhaps "poise" might be better. It seems like when the Cubs are behind in the late innings, we can't score. Can this team score WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS? I don't know the stat, but perhaps someone could find out how many runs this year we have scored in the last two innings. Ken

As I watched the Cubs let last nights game slip away, I thought about the difference between the Braves and the Cubs. The Braves are never out of it. Last night was their 11th win after being behind after the 7th. The Cubs are 3-13 in 1 run games. There my friends is the difference between a playoff team (or at least one that has a chance) and one who has no ability to come from behind. I think this is going to be a long season. Ken

This is exactly why you are not a playoff team. Jones and Itzuris...trade them both.

JONES SUXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I'd rather have a guy loaf to first on a sure groundout and be able to play the entire and lead the team in HRs and RBIs than have him get hurt on a play he would have been retired on anyway. Of course I want one of the best cubs to play and not be hurt, but all I'm saying is hustling generates good things IMO. In this case, he strained his knee, which I obviously didn't want to happen but I wouldn't tell him to 1/2 heart it to 1st base. Not that I disagree with everything your saying, but very few players can run full out on every single play for the entire season. I'm not sure exactly the play he injured himself, but I believe in a long season you have to pick and chose how hard you run on a given play. Obviously, if the game is on the line, then hustle is appropriate. But if the game is out of hand either way, no sense killing yourself on what could be a severe injury on a play that didn't mean that much. Stretching, obviously, is extremely important. However, as someone has already said, I'd much rather have an important stick in the lineup rather than have him run all out on a inconsequential play that will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time. Again, there are a few players who probably can run all out every single play for every ballgame. However, I don't think Ramirez is one of those kinds of players. JMO. Ken

I'd be very suprised if Giambi said anything about specific players. He's still an active player and ratting on his fellow players wouldn't be taken very kindly. I don't think going to the Mitchell inquiry is his idea, but rather, Selig's. It's more of a PR move showing people that Selig is taking the steroid thing seriously. Unfortunately, Selig's legacy will be that of a commisioner who turned his back on the obvious.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2894316

You know...I agree. Everybody talks about his fire, but I think he's selfish and arrogant. Today proves it. He can take his "sign of the cross" and stick it for he's nothin but a hypocrit

literally????????? yes, punches to the head OMG

literally?????????

Dude, Where the h*** do you get all these stats??? :lol:

I'd also settle for this. wait 'till next year!

The same reasdon I did 10 years ago (when I started understanding baseball). So uh... where's the cookie? I became a Cubs fan in the early seventies when everyone expected them to stink...and loved them for stinking. Now they just stink and I hate them for stinking. ken

No matter how young you are, you still may never witness a Cub World Series appearance, much less a victory. I wouldn't feel comfortable guaranteeing that there is a single person on the planet right now that will witness a Cubs WS. It is very sad to know how close we came in 2003. Heck, I just want to see them in the World Series to kill that damn goat curse. After we went up 3-1 in the NLCS, I had my whole week planned to watch the World Series. I had someone ready to cover my paper route so I wouldn't have to worry about staying up late at night. But, it never came to be. I just want to see the Cubs at the big dance, and I'm not sure our current Veteran mentality is going to get us there.