Archive for April 2nd, 2008
April 2nd, 2008
Alfonso Soriano is headed back to the top of the Cubs’ lineup.
Manager Lou Piniella made the announcement after the Cubs’ 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Thank God the White Sox are playing an afternoon game Thursday; otherwise, The Score’s Mike Murphy will have a meltdown on Fons’s return to the top of the order.
By the way, Soriano has started 0-for-9. His at-bat in the sixth inning Wednesday brought back such wonderful memories of his performance against the Diamondbacks in the NL Divisional Series.
And, yes, the sarcasm light is fully illuminated.
April 2nd, 2008
I thought Jason Kendall was the catcher to run wild on and Geovany Soto the guy to keep baserunners honest. The Brewers had other plans in the top of the sixth Wednesday. Corey Hart stole two bases off Soto and reliever Kevin Hart, then scored when the aforementioned Soto tried to cut down Kendall attempting to steal second.
And, after 19 innings, the Cubs have yet to manufacture a run. Depending on the long ball in April is going to make for a long month.
April 2nd, 2008
It’s never good to lose two games in a row at home. I don’t care if it’s April or September, you need to defend the home turf.
I didn’t see much of today’s game because I was doing my real job. A few glances at the TV (between meetings and other stuff) was enough to be discouraging.
Ted Lilly couldn’t even go 5, Fukudome showed he’s human and the bullpen let the game get out of control in the late innings.
Nice to see Derek Lee and Geovany Soto hit homers, but solo shots will not get the job done. Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano are 0 for 2008. They need to hit tomorrow or the Brewers will sweep.
April 2nd, 2008
So, Sam Zell, who bought-out the Tribune Co. in December, wants to sell Wrigley Field’s naming rights. I say let him (not that my mocking permission will influence him). In all honesty, it’s not as if the masses of dedicated Cubs fans will ever refer to Chicago’s north side landmark as anything but Wrigley Field; its name is too deeply rooted in to the Cub Nation institution. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not advocating his quest…er, “business decision”…to rename Wrigley. In fact, my lack of respect for Zell matches his lack of respect for Cubs—check that—all of baseball.
White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf was quoted by the New York Times: “He actually dislikes baseball. He never would have bought the Cubs if they didn’t come with The Tribune. It’s just another asset to him.”
OK, so Zell (who was actually born in Chicago) isn’t a fan of America’s pastime. No problem, go right ahead and sell it to someone(s) who, at the very least, has a desire to see the on-field product succeed (cough-Mark Cuban-cough). But why muddle with a product like Wrigley Field, which is already a booming cash cow and becoming more lucrative every year virtually on its own? It’ll be a selfish decision that could backfire with the boycott of disgruntled fans. The sad thing is that it won’t matter to Zell, who is only concerned with the depth of his pockets.
Let’s not forget that in 1927, Wrigley Field (formerly Cubs Park, but originally Weeghman Park when built in 1914) was actually one of the first ballparks to be named after a corporation, it just so happened that the name stuck. Well, now might be a good time for the Wrigley Company to dust off its checkbook.
April 2nd, 2008
A wire story I saw today quotes former Cub Moises Alou as saying he wouldn’t have caught the infamous Bartman foul ball anyway.
I don’t know why it’s taken him so long to say that. When I watched the game, and as you’ve seen on the endless highlights of the play, Alou looked pretty upset when he didn’t get to that ball. Seemed at the time that he thought he had a chance at it. Maybe he’s seen the replays often enough that he realized he wouldn’t have caught it.
I never put as much emphasis on that play as what happened afterward. Alex Gonzalez booting a potential double-play grounder irked me a lot more.
