Cubs looking to tie it up

It’s the top of the 8th right now and the Cubs have a 6-2 edge on the Sox fueled by a first inning homerun by Aramis Ramirez.  Baseball being the game that it is, I know than to call a victory for the Cubs quite yet.  Both team have gotten to the other’s bullpen so anything … Continue reading “Cubs looking to tie it up”

It’s the top of the 8th right now and the Cubs have a 6-2 edge on the Sox fueled by a first inning homerun by Aramis Ramirez.  Baseball being the game that it is, I know than to call a victory for the Cubs quite yet.  Both team have gotten to the other’s bullpen so anything could happen. 

Lee is 2-4 and therefore his BA is going to go up even if he gets another at-bat.

The Sox gotta love playing the Cubs at the Cell.  If nothing else, at least they get some fans in the stands.  I mean Cub fans, of course.

Update:  The Cubs pull it off.  Final score:  6-2

Lee/Pujols- Redux

Not to dwell on the Lee/Pujols issue but I just happened to glance at mlb.com’s website.  On their “Who’s Hot Who’s Not” column, guess which two firstbaseman are listed first in the “Who’s Hot” column? Coincidence?  Or good ol’ fashioned friendly competition?  Looks like they’re both making their case the best way they can.

Not to dwell on the Lee/Pujols issue but I just happened to glance at mlb.com’s website.  On their “Who’s Hot Who’s Not” column, guess which two firstbaseman are listed first in the “Who’s Hot” column?

Coincidence?  Or good ol’ fashioned friendly competition?  Looks like they’re both making their case the best way they can.

Memo to Dusty: Corey should not leadoff

Can we all agree on this? Apparently, Corey Patterson has asked Dusty Baker to lead off and Dusty in his infinite wisdom has put him in the number one spot. Huh? Let’s take a look at Corey’s numbers: Lifetime OBP: .300 2005 OBP:  .279   His OBP mark is not particularly impressive.  Actually, it kinda sucks.  This … Continue reading “Memo to Dusty: Corey should not leadoff”

Can we all agree on this?

Apparently, Corey Patterson has asked Dusty Baker to lead off and Dusty in his infinite wisdom has put him in the number one spot.

Huh?

Let’s take a look at Corey’s numbers:

Lifetime OBP: .300
2005 OBP:  .279

 

His OBP mark is not particularly impressive.  Actually, it kinda sucks.  This year’s mark of .279 is the worst he’s had in any full season.  in addition, Mr Contact has 71 strikeouts in 277 at-bats. 

More to the point, there are other Cubs who might be more suited for the leadoff spot.  Neifi Perez’s OBP of .312 is no great shakes but is certainly better than Patterson’s.   Todd Walker doesn’t have a whole lot of speed but the name of the game is getting on base and Walker’s .357 fits the bill.

Dusty is known as a player’s manager and that’s usually a good thing.  But don’t let that cloud your judgement, Coach.

White Sox win first of the Red Line Series

After today’s Sox’ 12-2 defeat of the Cubs, Teddy Ballgame has to be dancin’ in the streets tonight.  They got to Mitre early and never let up.  The run support came not from the usual players rather the bottom five in the Sox order went 11 for 22 and scored 8 runs.  A.J. Pierzynski went 2 … Continue reading “White Sox win first of the Red Line Series”

After today’s Sox’ 12-2 defeat of the Cubs, Teddy Ballgame has to be dancin’ in the streets tonight.  They got to Mitre early and never let up.  The run support came not from the usual players rather the bottom five in the Sox order went 11 for 22 and scored 8 runs.  A.J. Pierzynski went 2 for 3 with a double and a homer and 3 rbis.

Mitre has shown himself to be Mr Inconsistent.  At times, he can be unstoppable.  Other times, he just doesn’t have his stuff.  In seven starts, he has allowed 5 or more runs four times.  On the other hand, in his other three starts, he has allowed 2 or less runs including two shutouts. 

Mitre indeed has a case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

 

6/23 Linescore of the Day

Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins 4 for 6, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis Florida defeated Atlanta 8-0 and Cabrera was responsible for 7 of those runs.  Special mention goes to the D-train who pitched a shutout for his 12th win of the year.

Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins

4 for 6, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis

Florida defeated Atlanta 8-0 and Cabrera was responsible for 7 of those runs.  Special mention goes to the D-train who pitched a shutout for his 12th win of the year.

She’s a keeper

Today is my anniversary.  I have been married to my wonderful wife for 16 years now.  She’s quite the trooper.  For our honeymoon, we went to Cooperstown to see Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski, and Red Schoendienst inducted into the Hall.  I remember a lot of red being worn around town that weekend for some reason. Harry … Continue reading “She’s a keeper”

Today is my anniversary.  I have been married to my wonderful wife for 16 years now. 

She’s quite the trooper.  For our honeymoon, we went to Cooperstown to see Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski, and Red Schoendienst inducted into the Hall.  I remember a lot of red being worn around town that weekend for some reason.

Harry Caray was awarded the Ford Frick award that year.  For a Cub fan, that was a thrill for me.

I also remember Bart Giamatti, the “Intellectual” Commissioner who died too young, being booed by the Rose fans in the crowd.  “Free Pete Rose! Free Pete Rose!”

After the ceremony inside the museum, I was waiting in line for a movie or something and there was an elderly gentleman ahead of us.  He had a name tag like he might be someone special.  I glanced at it and it said:

(Prince Hal)

Hal Schumacher

This was Prince Hal Schumacher who pitched for the New York Giants in the 30’s and 40’s!  Career record of 158-121 with an ERA of 3.36. 

I struck a friendly conversation with him while we were waiting but didn’t pepper him with questions.  He seemed like a real nice man.  It didn’t occur to me till afterwards to get his autograph.  Oh well, opportunity lost, memory gained.  I just looked him up.  Turns out he was living in Cooperstown when he died four years after I met him.

Anyway, thanks to my wife for a great honeymoon and sixteen wonderful years.

 

 

 

6/22 Linescore of the Day

Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers 3 for 4, 2 HR, 3 runs, 4 rbis Lee’s performance was responsible for the Cubs’ demise on Wednesday.  Lee is someone to watch.  In his six years in the majors, his season homerun totals have never gone down (16, 24,24,26,31,31) and you can almost say the same about his slugging percentage … Continue reading “6/22 Linescore of the Day”

Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers

3 for 4, 2 HR, 3 runs, 4 rbis

Lee’s performance was responsible for the Cubs’ demise on Wednesday. 

Lee is someone to watch.  In his six years in the majors, his season homerun totals have never gone down (16, 24,24,26,31,31) and you can almost say the same about his slugging percentage (.463, .484, .468, .484, .499, .525).

6/21 Linescore of the Day

Gary Sheffield, New York Yankees 4 for 6, 2 HR, 3 runs, 7 rbis Bernie Williams (5 rbis) and Derek Jeter (5 for 6, 5 runs) came close but Sheff wins it today.  Give him lots of credit for the Yanks’ incredible comeback against the Rays. The top 7 hitters in the Yankees lineup had only … Continue reading “6/21 Linescore of the Day”

Gary Sheffield, New York Yankees

4 for 6, 2 HR, 3 runs, 7 rbis

Bernie Williams (5 rbis) and Derek Jeter (5 for 6, 5 runs) came close but Sheff wins it today.  Give him lots of credit for the Yanks’ incredible comeback against the Rays.

The top 7 hitters in the Yankees lineup had only 3 LOB in the game.  Sometimes a low LOB total is a reflection of not getting runners on base.  Obviously, that was not the case in this game.