Cubs | The Baseball Zealot

Big Z: Searching for a win

Call it the Curse of the Long Term Contract or maybe The Curse of the Rainout. Either way, since Carlos Zambrano has signed his five year contract (and pitched 3 innings of perfect ball only to have the game called because of rain), he has been less than effective. Ok, that’s putting it nicely. Quite … Continue reading “Big Z: Searching for a win”

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Call it the Curse of the Long Term Contract or maybe The Curse of the Rainout.

Either way, since Carlos Zambrano has signed his five year contract (and pitched 3 innings of perfect ball only to have the game called because of rain), he has been less than effective.

Ok, that’s putting it nicely. Quite frankly, he’s stunk. He has a 8.29 ERA and 0-5 record over that period. Not only that, he’s close to 6 walks per 9. Hopefully, Monday’s game is the bottom of the barrel for him and he can start climbing out of his funk. After his baserunning boner, he fell apart against Dem Bums and allowed 8 runs.

The media came out strong against Zambrano’s blast of the fans. Maybe it’s me but I don’t think he was THAT out of line. Derrek Lee came out against the booing and I’m glad he did. Bonus: he took Big Z for missing the stop sign.

Zambrano did apologize:

“I’m a grown man. I know when I make a mistake. I know what I’m doing. I know when I have to come to whoever I offended. I don’t think somebody has to tell me what to do,”

I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt. I’ll bet Z had a nice chat with Rothschild and Piniella. Hendry says that nobody told him what to say. For some reason, I’m dubious.

Zambrano has been inconsistent all year and this is the time of year we really need him. The timing of this downturn doesn’t help his cause.

Zambrano is a different personality. Do I expect him to come forward and be a team leader in the way that Derrek Lee is. Probably not. But I do expect him to pitch effectively and consistently. Whatever it takes to get him to that point, be it a missed start or whatever, Lou needs to do it.

And fans, get off his case. I don’t think the booing helps.

Update: Cubs are now up 4-2 and Lilly pitched well allowing 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Maybe we can salvage this last game.

Steve Trachsel comes home

I was a little surprised to hear that the Cubs acquired Steve Trachsel from the Orioles. It’s conventional wisdom that the Cubs already have a solid, deep rotation. That said, there are reasons that down the stretch and beyond, he may be useful. With proper rest, Trach can pitch effectively if not overpoweringly. His lifetime … Continue reading “Steve Trachsel comes home”

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With proper rest, Trach can pitch effectively if not overpoweringly. His lifetime ERA at Wrigley is solid (4.13). And beyond all that, Trachsel has a way to pitch above his talents.

Most of all, my bet is that the Cubs are trying to cover their bases. It’s all too easy for a pitcher to fall to injuries right now, they are in the midst of a 22-game stretch without a day off.

Call-ups

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Geovany Soto

Somebody else who will be joining the squad will be catcher Geovany Soto. What a season he’s having in AAA! With 106 rbis and 31 doubles and a .353 average, he won the PCL’s MVP award.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do.

BZR chats with Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue

I caught up with Al who gave me an interview for the Zealot. He’s quite busy this season especially this time of year.

I think this was the first time we’ve had a Cubs fan on the show. A real treat for me and a quite a switch from putting up with my Sox fans co-hosts. Just kidding, CLuke.

Thanks to Al for his time.

Thanks for listening!!

Show Notes for Episode 29:

Hosts: Tom

Summary: Al Yellon is one of the biggest names in the Cubs blogosphere. His blog, Bleed Cubbie Blue, is a great resource for Cub fans and judging by the amount of feedback, he has a large following.

For Episode 29, Tom chats with Al. We talk a few minutes about the BCB blog then spend the rest of the show on what’s happening with the Cubs.

Links:

Bleed Cubbie Blue

During the show, the topic of BCB’s Top 100 Cubs of All Time came up. You can find the full list here.

Time: 22:44

Date Recorded: 8/30/07

Link to Episode 29

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Memphis Redbirds forfeit game against the Iowa Cubs

A Cardinals farm team learned the hard way they need to pay more attention to the books. Because they used Kelly Stinnett, who was ineligible, the Memphis Redbirds had to forfeit a 7-6 win against the Iowa Cubs. Stinnett was placed on the MLB restricted list but was used anyway as a pinch hitter. Stinnett … Continue reading “Memphis Redbirds forfeit game against the Iowa Cubs”

A Cardinals farm team learned the hard way they need to pay more attention to the books.

Because they used Kelly Stinnett, who was ineligible, the Memphis Redbirds had to forfeit a 7-6 win against the Iowa Cubs.

Stinnett was placed on the MLB restricted list but was used anyway as a pinch hitter.

Stinnett singled and drove in a run.

Piniella celebrates b-day with a comeback victory

HERE WE GO CUBBIES, HERE WE GO!! HERE WE GO CUBBIES, HERE WE GO! My friend Alex said that last night’s game was key. If we could win the first one against the Brewers, a series victory is guaranteed. My pitcher Rich Hill was going. I can call him “my pitcher” because he’s on the … Continue reading “Piniella celebrates b-day with a comeback victory”

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HERE WE GO CUBBIES, HERE WE GO!! HERE WE GO CUBBIES, HERE WE GO!

My friend Alex said that last night’s game was key. If we could win the first one against the Brewers, a series victory is guaranteed.

My pitcher Rich Hill was going. I can call him “my pitcher” because he’s on the starting rotation of my Twin City Thunderchickens in the Illowa APBA League. So when he pitches, the stakes are doubled for me.

Boy, did Hill have his stuff the first two innings. Five strikeouts to start the game! Though he left with the Cubs down by two, the offense came through in the bottom of the seventh with 4 runs. Maybe they were inspired by Bob Uecker’s license with TMOTTBG. I know the fans were judging by their reaction.

Hill ended up with nine Ks and the win. Once again, the Cubs bullpen (in this case, Howry and Dempster) who was so suspect earlier this season, did their job.

Ahh, it’s so nice to be in a playoff race.

Tonight, it’s Zambrano versus Sheets who’s pitching his first start coming off the DL.

Roundtable discussion on Baseball Zealot Radio

Show Notes for Episode 28:

Hosts: Tom, Todd V, and C Luke

Summary: It’s been a while since we’ve had a roundtable discussion so we have regulars Todd and Chuck on to discuss what’s happening in baseball.

Todd came armed to the teeth with his issues with Pirates’ GM Dave Littlefield and how he’s handling the Buccos. Other topics we cover:

– Chuck does his review of ESPN’s Bronx is Burning.

– Tom Glavine’s 300th win and will there be another 300 game winner

– Chuck notes an article he read about moving the HOF to Yankee Stadium after the team moves. We discuss.

– plus the usual Sox-Cub banter and much more!

Thanks for listening!!

Time: 1:05

Date Recorded: 8/19/07

Direct Link to Episode 28

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8/16/07 Linescore of the Day: DeRosa, Jones, and Ramirez

Mark DeRosa: 5 for 5, 2B, 2 runs, 4 rbis Aramis Ramirez: 4 for 5, 2 2B, 2 runs, 2 rbis Jacque Jones: 4 for 5, 2 2B, run, 2 rbis This Cub trio went for an incredible 13 for 15 on Thursday. The Cubs as a team, managed to score their 12 runs against … Continue reading “8/16/07 Linescore of the Day: DeRosa, Jones, and Ramirez”

Mark DeRosa: 5 for 5, 2B, 2 runs, 4 rbis

Aramis Ramirez: 4 for 5, 2 2B, 2 runs, 2 rbis

Jacque Jones: 4 for 5, 2 2B, run, 2 rbis

This Cub trio went for an incredible 13 for 15 on Thursday. The Cubs as a team, managed to score their 12 runs against the Reds with 20 hits without the use of the longball.

It was DeRosa’s first 5-hit game of his career.

It pains me to say it… 300 must wait for Glavine

Tom Glavine’s 2005 APBA card At 7:05pm CT tonight, Tom Glavine will face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to make his attempt at 300 wins. It will be a difficult game for me to watch. Of course I’ll be rooting for the Cubs. That’s what makes it so difficult. Tom Glavine has been a … Continue reading “It pains me to say it… 300 must wait for Glavine”

Glavine APBA card

Tom Glavine’s 2005 APBA card

At 7:05pm CT tonight, Tom Glavine will face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to make his attempt at 300 wins. It will be a difficult game for me to watch.

Of course I’ll be rooting for the Cubs. That’s what makes it so difficult. Tom Glavine has been a favorite of mine for a long time. You see, Tom Glavine is on my team in the Illowa APBA League

I hear some of you snickering out there. Before you judge, consider this. This is no fly-by-night web-based fantasy league. I’ve had Tom Glavine on my Twin City Thunderchickens since he was a throw-in in a trade in 1990. I traded Kirk Gibson (near the end of his career) and Pete Smith (who?) for Glavine. I think Melido Perez was the other player involved on my end.

Of those players, Perez and Gibson played until 1995. Smith didn’t even last a year. And Glavine… well, it’s 16 years later and he’s still a Thunderchicken.

Since then Glavine has become a favorite of mine.

So me being a Cubs fan, you see how difficult this is for me. It would have a hard enough time any other year. But tonight with the added factors of Glavine going for 300 plus the Cubs being 1/2 games back. Yikes!

Oh, Glavine’s career IAL record? He’s 229-174.

Go Cubs!

Thousands of Cub fans audition to sing during the 7th inning stretch

(Photo:NBC News) A host of Cubs fans are auditioning for a chance to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch at the September 22 ballgame. As many as 2700 fans are auditioning and the organization will narrow it down to 50 semi-finalists which will be voted on by fans. Singing ability will not be … Continue reading “Thousands of Cub fans audition to sing during the 7th inning stretch”

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(Photo:NBC News)

A host of Cubs fans are auditioning for a chance to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch at the September 22 ballgame.

As many as 2700 fans are auditioning and the organization will narrow it down to 50 semi-finalists which will be voted on by fans.

Singing ability will not be a pre-requisite:

“Harry wasn’t Pavoratti. It’s not necessarily about singing ability. It’s about passion and enthusiasm for the Cubs and I think you’ve seen that from a lot of our contestants today,” added (Cub’s Jay) Blunk.

That last point can’t be stressed more. Anybody will be better than country singer Kellie “They call that the outfield, right?” Pickler, right?

Podcast review: Cubs Closeup

There’s a new Cubs podcast in town… Cubs Closeup. I recognized one of the hosts, Phil Zuber from the old Big League Baseball Report which used to be one of my favorites till its co-hosts Joe Aiello went on to do The Pitch and Phil got busy with his new Cubs blog, A Cub Fan’s … Continue reading “Podcast review: Cubs Closeup”

There’s a new Cubs podcast in town… Cubs Closeup.

I recognized one of the hosts, Phil Zuber from the old Big League Baseball Report which used to be one of my favorites till its co-hosts Joe Aiello went on to do The Pitch and Phil got busy with his new Cubs blog, A Cub Fan’s Obsession (Cub fans check it out!!).

Phil’s got the mike in front of him again. With co-host Ryan Mendenhall, he is bringing us Cubs Closeup, a (you guessed it) Cubs oriented podcast. And you can’t have too many of these.

I’ve listened to a couple of episodes and Cubs Closeup definitely falls in the intelligent, thinking talk show. You know, the reason I avoid the mainstream radio talk shows.

Check out their website or subscribe to the show iTunes.