Archive for May 29th, 2008
May 29th, 2008
For the past two nights, instead of dreading a perilous situation (trailing late in games), I have had the belief that the Cubs would somehow, some way, find a way to win.
To quote “Penny Lane”:Â Very strange.
Expecting success is a tremendous feeling, and very foreign to this Cubs fan.
We are conditioned to prepare for failure, the brightest example being Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlins. When Moises Alou failed to catch Luis Castillo’s foul ball, many Cubs fans, myself included, just KNEW it was going to end bad … even with the Cubs STILL holding a 3-0 lead and the ace, Mark Prior, on the mound.
But now, nearly five years later, the dread is gone. Sure, there’s going to be losses, at least four or five more before the season is over.
I like this ride.
May 29th, 2008
On May 20, I wondered why the Cubs brought up a right-handed pitcher from AAA Iowa when they were already loaded with righties and desperately needed another lefty on the team. I specifically mentioned Neal Cotts, a guy with major league experience who had been pitching well for Iowa.
Well, today the Cubs called up Cotts.
Good move, especially since it looks like Lou Piniella has no confidence in Scott Eyre.
Now if I see Jim Edmonds go on the DL, I might have to ask the Cubs for a consulting fee.
May 29th, 2008
All the Fukudome to center talk revolves around the premise that he can’t hit for power because he only has two homers so far. Well, maybe more will come later. Stumbled upon this comparison to Kaz Matsui and Hedeki Matsui at Hardballtimes.com:
|
PA |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
| Fukudome |
214 |
.294 |
.399 |
.411 |
| Hideki |
219 |
.262 |
.311 |
.371 |
| Kazuo |
224 |
.262 |
.347 |
.431 |
So, the Cubs supposedly slap-hitting Japanese import has shown more power in his first one-third of a season in America than the Yankees’ Japanese right fielder who went on to average 24 homers and 108 RBIs in his first four full seasons in New York. … There is absolutely no reason to worry about any part of Fukodome’s game to this point. Especially not a day after he made three wonderful plays in right field to help the Cubs win 3-1.
May 29th, 2008
Jim Edmonds continues to struggle with the bat and sat out last night’s game against the Dodgers even though there was a right-hander pitching.
If I were Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella, here’s what I’d do.
Give Edmonds a couple more starts and if he continues to struggle, put him on the DL with one of those mysterious back injuries. Then, have him go to the minors on a “rehab” assignment so he can work on his stroke. Then, activate him and if he still doesn’t hit, release him.
That way you’ve given him every possible chance.
