Cubs | The Baseball Zealot

Hill picks up where he left off last year

No downslide for Rich Hill Watched the Cubs game on the TV tonight. Well, once the first inning was over, Milwaukee starter Homer Bush pitched a good game pitching five scoreless frames. However, it was the first that ultimately did him in. The Cubs managed to plate six runs. To me, the big story was … Continue reading “Hill picks up where he left off last year”

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No downslide for Rich Hill

Watched the Cubs game on the TV tonight. Well, once the first inning was over, Milwaukee starter Homer Bush pitched a good game pitching five scoreless frames. However, it was the first that ultimately did him in. The Cubs managed to plate six runs.

To me, the big story was lefty Rich Hill. He retired the first fifteen batters before Corey Hart took one deep. That would be the only run and only hit Hill would allow in his seven full innings.

Hill’s overall stats were mediocre (6-7, 4.17) but his last two months were awesome for a rookie. He was 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA from August 1 on. Add to that, he had 78 Ks in 76 plus innings. I said it on the last episode of our podcast… one key to the Cubs pitching will be Rich Hill.

That makes three very solid outings in a row by Cubs starters (unfortunately, Marquis’ was ruined by the bullpen antics). Ironically, Zambrano was the only one who has had a rough outing. He’ll come around, I’m sure.

4/4/07 Linescore of the Day: Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

Ok, so I’m showing my colors. Sue me. Lilly showed he has some stuff and maybe silenced the critics. Will he do this every time? Likely not. But this is a good way for Lilly to start 07.

I’m giving special mention to White Sox reliever David Aardsma. He pitched 2 innings allowing one hit and striking out five. What wasn’t reflected in his linescore was that he entered the game in the 8th with the bases loaded and no out. He proceeded to strike out three Indians to retire the side.

The Sox lost anyway.

Aardsma, by the way, was one of the players honored by the Coastal Plain League along with University of Illinois shortstop Shawn Roof. Specifically, he was named to their All-Decade team. You can read more about it here.

Cuttin’ it Close with Zambrano

Piniella says “five” years for Zambrano Looks like Zambrano and the Cubs might just pull off a long term deal before the opening day deadline. The deal is said to be for 5 years. Salary figures are yet unknown but rumored to be sub-Zito ($18m/year). I have a bet with BZR co-host Cluke that a … Continue reading “Cuttin’ it Close with Zambrano”

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Piniella says “five” years for Zambrano

Looks like Zambrano and the Cubs might just pull off a long term deal before the opening day deadline. The deal is said to be for 5 years. Salary figures are yet unknown but rumored to be sub-Zito ($18m/year).

I have a bet with BZR co-host Cluke that a deal would be reached before Opening Day. Looks like I’ll be getting a free diet soda next time I see him.

Update: The latest news is that Zam has extended the deadline to reach an agreement.

“Our discussions have progressed to a point where we are extending the deadline for an indefinite period of time,” Zambrano’s agent, Barry Praver, said on Sunday.

However, more details are out. It looks like 5 years and $80 million.

HALL & WOOD OUT

Toby Hall Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, … Continue reading “HALL & WOOD OUT”

Toby Hall

Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, he dove, and I saw his shoulder extend in an un-natural way. It reminded me of the injury that the Big Hurt suffered a few years back. I knew it was bad. Now it looks like Hall will miss all of 2007 with a torn labrum.

From my very same bedroom TV I was watching Kerry Wood when he allowed three runs in an inning to the LA Angels of Anaheim, including a homer by Kendry Morales on a high inside fastball that the Cuban jerked over the RF wall. After the game it was revealed that the oft injured Cub righthander would be back on the shelf again with a bum shoulder.

So today I called the White Sox and left a message for the White Sox GM Kenny Williams saying he should check out the northside of town to resolve his backup catcher dilemma. When I was in Arizona I couldn’t help but notice the Cubs depth at catcher. I suggested the Southsiders deal an arm (Gavin Floyd) for a backup catcher (Geovany Soto). I wouldn’t mind Jake Fox, but he may be a year or two away from the big leagues. IMHO, Williams has to do something, Gustavo Molina & Wiki Gonzalez are not an option, and without a quality backup catcher the Pale Hose are seven games worse than they’d have been with Toby Hall.

CACTUS LEAGUE REPORT: 3/18 & 3/19

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3/18: Saw the White Sox play the Padres in Peoria, AZ.
Peoria is alot farther than I’d remembered it being
from Phoenix, about 40 minutes. Got to the game with
tailgating time to spare before the game started. 95
degrees, very hot, but who’s complaining, with beer in
the house. John Danks is competing with Gavin Floyd
for the 5th spot in the Sox rotation, Danks threw
better, but Floyd put up the better numbers. Adrian
Gonzalez, a lefty hitter, bombed one 460 to center off
the southpaw Danks. And leftfielder(?) Russell
Branyan hit an opposite field drive to left, two
(charged) errors on him. Boomer Wells got boomered by
the Southsiders to the tune of seven runs in three
innings, they weren’t saying Boomer. Paul Konerko
nailed one to left and Ryan Sweeney rode one out to
right, late in the game. Good Guys two TD’s, SD 7.

3/19: Went to see the Cubbies do battle against the
Brewers in Maryvale (Maryvale – see generic, no
frills, new ballpark, in bad part of Phoenix). The
beers were going down easy before the game. Wanted to
see three kids and saw all three, Ryan Braun, Felix
Pie, & Jake Fox. If I were the Cubs (thank God I’m
not) I’d play Pie in CF, Alfonso Soriano in LF, &
Jones in right. Alfonso was a no show, with Felix in
RF & Jacque in center, Murton was in left. There were
some 16 year old bikini clad girls hooting it up for
Matt, his face turned as red as his hair. Braun
fouled off three 0-2 pitches before getting all of a
three run bomb to center. Jake Fox (one of at least
six Cub catchers) was called out when an 0-2 pitch
crossed the plate. Final score 11-7 Cubbies over the
Brew Crew.

The Cubs finally “get” Prior… ’bout time the media does too

I enjoy MLB Radio for what it is. They have inherent access to the game of professional baseball and their interviews are reasonably good and the content is entertaining. But sometimes I wonder if they are a little out of touch with the game being stuck up those ivory towers in New York. The day … Continue reading “The Cubs finally “get” Prior… ’bout time the media does too”

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The day the Cubs announced that Mark Prior was going to start the season in the minors, MLB Radio’s Casey Stern was aghast and just couldn’t understand why a team would do that to a pitcher like Prior. A pitcher with confidence problems, Stern thought, had no business in minors. Stern obviously has not been following the trials and tribulations of the Cubs’ pitching rotation the last few years.

Stern, I suppose, can be forgiven. It took the Cubs management a long time to come to the decision that Prior was NOT going to be a major focus in 2007 (though even last week I heard a talking point from Cubs brass mentioning him being an important part of this year’s staff). If management can’t come to any consensus, how can we expect the mainstream sports media to understand.

Let’s face reality. Prior (and for that matter Wood too though he is showing some success out of the bullpen) should not be counted on for 2007. Anything we get out them this year I will consider icing on the cake. I think the writing has been on the wall for Prior for a while now.

For now, we anchor our rotation with Carlos Zambrano, the two overpriced ones (Lilly and Marquis), and a host of young talent (Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman). Oh yeah, Wade Miller too.

Is there hope for Prior? I hope so. For his sake as well as the Cubs. But I won’t count on it.

Baseball Zealot Radio interviews Nathan Baliva, broadcaster for the Peoria Chiefs.

Nathan Baliva, broadcaster and media manager for the Peoria Chiefs is our special guest for Show #14. I tell ya, I love interviewing baseball broadcasters. 1) They’re not afraid of the mike. They’ll talk your ear off. 2) They’re close to the game. Players, management, you name it… they have connections to them all and … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio interviews Nathan Baliva, broadcaster for the Peoria Chiefs.”

Nathan Baliva, broadcaster and media manager for the Peoria Chiefs is our special guest for Show #14.

I tell ya, I love interviewing baseball broadcasters.

1) They’re not afraid of the mike. They’ll talk your ear off.

2) They’re close to the game. Players, management, you name it… they have connections to them all and have some good info.

3} A good speaking voice. That goes without saying.

Anyway, I definitely recommend this podcast for any baseball fan especially Cub fans or any baseball fans in the Illinois area.

Baliva talks about some of the cool promos that the Chiefs are planning for 2007. It sounds like a fun season is in store this year.

He gives his opinion on who from last year’s roster are destined for big things.

And yes, we do eventually get around to talking to Ryne Sandberg, the Chiefs’ new manager. The Chiefs’ staff are quite excited about Ryno’s impending reign as skipper.

Check out the podcast. I had a fun time with the interview. Hope you enjoy listening to it.

Listen to our show via iTunes!

Illini Play for first win tonight

Tonight is the first game of Al Ogletree Classic for the Illini. They face Sam Houston (8-5). Game time is 6pm, Scott Shaw is the starter. Five teams compete in the Al Ogletree Classic; Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, University of Texas San Antonio, the host team University of Texas Pan-American, and… Illinois. One … Continue reading “Illini Play for first win tonight”

Tonight is the first game of Al Ogletree Classic for the Illini. They face Sam Houston (8-5). Game time is 6pm, Scott Shaw is the starter.

Five teams compete in the Al Ogletree Classic; Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, University of Texas San Antonio, the host team University of Texas Pan-American, and… Illinois.

One of teams is not like the other…

Saturday brings Pan-American and on Sunday’s game is against Stephen Austin.

By the way, fightingillini.com is using a new version of Gametracker. There’s a link from their baseball page.

Good luck Illini!

U of I alum makes appearance in Spring Training

One more Illini-related item. U of I alum Jason Anderson made an appearance yesterday in Chicago Cubs’ first Spring Training game. Unfortunately, he was lit up for 4 hits and 4 runs though all of them were unearned.

Update: Illinois Wins!!

The Illini came out victorious against Sam Houston! The first win is always the sweetest. The score as 14-5 and the big hero was Lars Davis who went 4 for 5 with 3 runs and 2 rbis. Scott Shaw got the win with 5 solid innings.

And before I forget, I want to let you know of new thing that Illini baseball has going on. They have a weekly podcast which will include many of coaches and players. Ben Taylor is the host. The first two episodes are out and Head Coach Dan Hartleb is guest on both of them. Illini diamond fans should definitely check it out.

Here is the entry point for the 2007 U of I Baseball Podcasts

Baseball Zealot Radio #12- Interview with Chris Robinson from Spring Training

This was exciting for me. Chris Robinson is a former Illini catcher who when I saw him play, I thought had promise. Sure enough, he was drafted 90th overall in 2005 by the Detroit Tigers. Last year to my delight, he was traded to the Cubs. He finished the season at the Cubs’ single-A Daytona … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio #12- Interview with Chris Robinson from Spring Training”

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Now, he’s in Spring Training with the Cubs and he took a few minutes to talk with me. Turn up the speakers and take a listen to the interview.

Lou Piniella: It’s a Cubs thing

Sometimes I never know if Piniella is joking with the media or if it’s just old age settling in. Asked about the “controversy” last spring when Ozzie Guillen didn’t want to finish a game with the Cubs because of a lack of arms in the pen and the chance to play them this year: “I … Continue reading “Lou Piniella: It’s a Cubs thing”

Sometimes I never know if Piniella is joking with the media or if it’s just old age settling in.

Asked about the “controversy” last spring when Ozzie Guillen didn’t want to finish a game with the Cubs because of a lack of arms in the pen and the chance to play them this year:

“I better circle that game on the calendar,” he said, turning around in his office chair to look at the schedule. “I didn’t know. Oh, there they are–the White Sox. On the 4th (of March), on a Sunday. How about that one? You guys aren’t kidding me?”

Piniella was assured the exhibition-game tie caused a huge ruckus.

“Where’s Rothschild?” he shouted in reference to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. “We’d better get our rotation in order.”

Better get him a clapper, too. For the bullpen.