Archive for June, 2008
June 23rd, 2008
People keep talking about the Cubs adding another starting pitcher, figuring they will need another one for the playoffs. That’s the only reason to talk about adding anything, because the regular season doesn’t figure to pose any problems for the best Cubs team of our lifetime (assuming you are under 90 years old). The rest of the National League is pathetic. The NL has hit far better than the AL this year, leading many to speculate that the Senior Circuit had finally caught up. Not so. Eleven of the 14 AL teams have winning records in interleague play. Even the Royals are 9-3. Overall, the AL is 25 games above .500 and the NL, obviously, 25 games below.
June 22nd, 2008
 
Remember to keep it clean, Bridgeport faithful.
June 22nd, 2008
With Carlos Zambrano’s subleasing a spot on the 15-day disabled list, the Cubs are testing my newfound attitude.
For the next two weeks, the Cubs are going to have to outslug the opposition rather than rely on the starting staff.
Oh, BTW, Jim Edmonds is proving me wrong. Hope he keeps it up.
June 20th, 2008
Aramis Ramirez has been quietly productive this season, but he seems to come through huge at all the right times. Today’s walk-off was reminiscent off the game-winner he hit just under a year ago against Milwaukee.
Electrifying is the only way to describe it.
Not just because it’ll make every Cub fan forget (at least for now) about being swept by Tampa Bay and the recent injury report, but it’ll make the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers think twice before dubbing Joe Crede the better Chicago third baseman. And just for the sake of spite, it outclassed the smug A.J. Pierzynski and his third inning homer. Then again, it doesn’t take much to outclass Pierzynski (even if it’s a fake story that’s still believable).
June 20th, 2008
Six of the seven runs in Friday’s 4-3 Cubs victory over the White Sox came via the round-tripper.
Just a touch of rain on the victory parade.
June 19th, 2008
ESPN Page 2 fashion guru Paul Lukas has some interesting thoughts about the Cubs’ uniforms throughout the ages, and, of course, making the obligatory case for curses.
But after seeing some of the 1970s flashbacks, I might have to admit Lukas makes more sense than blaming the goat.
June 19th, 2008
White Sox general manager Kenny Williams has the ring, but no class to go with it.
And so he decided to fire the first shot across the bow of the upcoming Cubs-Sox series.
But why should I be surprised. It’s just another typical Sox reaction. It’s not that they won a Series; it’s more important to them to point out the Cubs haven’t won a Series in a 100 years.
Go on hating, Bridgeport faithful.
June 19th, 2008
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With the firing of John McLaren today, former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman (1995-99) moves from bench coach to manager of the MLB-worst (25-47) Seattle Mariners. Interestingly enough, notorious Cubs manager Lee Elia (1982-83) was hired as the Mariners hitting coach earlier this month.
Now that the Seattle bench coach position is open, why not throw a bone to another ex-Cubs manager? Jim Essian is available. So is Jim Lefebvre, but only if he’s done helping the Riddler fight Batman. By the way, whatever happened to Bruce Kimm?
June 18th, 2008
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The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan is reporting that the Cubs are preparing a multi-player package, including Matt Murton and Rich Hill, to trade for Red Sox free-swinging center fielder Coco Crisp.
I don’t mind dealing out either player (Murton: I really like the guy, but the Cubs clearly see no future in him and his Triple-A numbers make him great trade bait. Hill: Many will say it’s too soon to give up on him. But his horrid start to the season and his shoddy Iowa appearances make it seem that he peaked last season), but do the Cubs really need another center fielder, let alone an outfielder? Â
Jim Edmonds has grown on Cubbie Nation and shown he’s more than worth the $250,000. Reed Johnson is the perfect player to rotate between left and center. And when all else fails, the ultimate jack of all trades Mark DeRosa can easily hold down left and give Fukudome a day off in right.
First and foremost, what needs to be addressed is the Cubs pitching staff. God knows they have done wonders so far this season and there is little to complain about. But, how much longer will a first place rotation/bullpen be able to maintain the wear-and-tear into the playoffs without making any upgrades?
One concern is the endurance of Ryan Dempster. Can the one-time closer continue to pitch like a No. 2 into September? After all, before this season, he’s only had six starts since 2004. Also, there will come a point where the void in the bullpen will need to be filled by someone other than Chad Fox, Kevin Hart, Sean Marshall, Jose Ascanio, Carmen Pignatiello or Neal Cotts.
As far as rotation pitchers go, the options are out there in C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Erik Bedard, Randy Wolf and even Greg Maddux.
June 18th, 2008
I know this is a Cubs blog, but I had to say something about the Bulls and Michael Beasley.
Beasley was listed as being 6-10 at Kansas State and I’ve seen him listed as 6-9 and 6-8.25 (with shoes, Wikipedia). Now he’s measured at 6-7.
Reminds me of a former University of Illinois player who was listed as 6-10 while he was in high school, 6-9 when he was a freshman, 6-8 as a sophomore and 6-6 as a senior. I think he was really 6-4.
Any way, even before Beasley’s shrinking act, I wanted the Bulls to take Derrick Rose with the top pick. Rose visits the Bulls today and tomorrow.
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