Sammy is Nomar.
[ July 24, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Breesboy ]
Full Version: Cubs 2k5: Derrek's (Triple) Crowning Achievement?
The Burnitz era? Yes, that should last a loooooong time. wink
Well Burnitz is a body anyway but the Cubs need a little more offensive pop to make up for the loss of Alou and Sosa. At least he hits lefthanded.
Could be a tough year for Chicago baseball (yet again!), as the Sox got rid of offensive firepower in Carlos Lee and Maglio Ordonez, & got not much in return. Ozzie is looking to field a team that has more speed and less power...Could be a long couple of seasons upcoming for the Sox....
Mets fans certainly have many fond memories of the Era de Bernitz. 
Actually I didn't want to see Burnitz go in '03. He was performing pretty well to his standards. In 65 games he had already hit 18 homeruns, making up for his poor showing in '02.
However, because of him, The Mets have Victor Diaz. Which I am very happy about.
What I don't understand, is how The Cubs think they can replace both Alou and Sosa. Everyone they have on that staff right now, including Burnitz, hit a grand total of 72 HR. Last year they hit 118. Who is going to make up those other 46 HR? Patterson's going to have a break out year? Even more telling, out of that same group from last year, they gathered 345 RBI. This years group from last year: 233. Difference of 112. Whoever is playing left field BETTER have a good year.
All I can say, is that Wood and Prior better stay healthy this year. Otherwise, the Reds and the Cubs are going to be fighting for third.
However, because of him, The Mets have Victor Diaz. Which I am very happy about.
What I don't understand, is how The Cubs think they can replace both Alou and Sosa. Everyone they have on that staff right now, including Burnitz, hit a grand total of 72 HR. Last year they hit 118. Who is going to make up those other 46 HR? Patterson's going to have a break out year? Even more telling, out of that same group from last year, they gathered 345 RBI. This years group from last year: 233. Difference of 112. Whoever is playing left field BETTER have a good year.
All I can say, is that Wood and Prior better stay healthy this year. Otherwise, the Reds and the Cubs are going to be fighting for third.
sorry, should have made myself more clear. Was compiling stats from their outfielders.
Man... here's something you don't want to hear about your OF: "Corey Patterson will be cloaked by two Rockies castoffs..."
Joking aside, I like Burnitz and think he's a better addition than his numbers suggest. He may hit only .240 or so and hit 25 home runs (his road numbers last year were .244 and 13 HR), but he's a good clubhouse guy, will do anything to win, all of that. I'm the world's only Rockie fan and he was a great addition last year. I worry about the Hollandsworth side of the equation. Any sense Jason DuBois could be ready to step in?
Joking aside, I like Burnitz and think he's a better addition than his numbers suggest. He may hit only .240 or so and hit 25 home runs (his road numbers last year were .244 and 13 HR), but he's a good clubhouse guy, will do anything to win, all of that. I'm the world's only Rockie fan and he was a great addition last year. I worry about the Hollandsworth side of the equation. Any sense Jason DuBois could be ready to step in?
Hollingsworth will hopefully be coming off the bench where his value is high. Hendry still has more work to do. This Cub team as comprised right now will not be the Cub team that takes the field opening day.
If you've seen the video of Nomar Garciaparra going down last night, you know how agonizingly painful it looked.
After this morning's MRI, Nomar reported that "I have an avulsion of the [groin] tendon. Basically, I ruptured the tendon off the bone. There's a few tendons that go along your groin area. There's three major muscles and one of the muscles tore away from the bone."
Yow! Looks like he'll be out for at least 2-3 months, and potentially the entire season. Bad mojo for Nomie and the Cubs, for sure. Not to gloat at all, 'cause I feel awful for the guy and wish him the speediest possible recovery, but it sure looks like Theo Epstein did the right thing for the Red Sox when he traded Nomar last summer.
[ April 21, 2005, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: redsoxbreath ]
After this morning's MRI, Nomar reported that "I have an avulsion of the [groin] tendon. Basically, I ruptured the tendon off the bone. There's a few tendons that go along your groin area. There's three major muscles and one of the muscles tore away from the bone."
Yow! Looks like he'll be out for at least 2-3 months, and potentially the entire season. Bad mojo for Nomie and the Cubs, for sure. Not to gloat at all, 'cause I feel awful for the guy and wish him the speediest possible recovery, but it sure looks like Theo Epstein did the right thing for the Red Sox when he traded Nomar last summer.
[ April 21, 2005, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: redsoxbreath ]
Boy, I really had to dig to find this thread. Bad news for the Cubs: Mark Prior was hit in the right elbow by a line drive in today's game, and ESPN is reporting that although X-rays were negative, an MRI has revealed a "slight fracture."
And this item from today's Phila. Daily News is amusing yet disturbing:
Weren't the Cubs supposed to be contenders this year?
And this item from today's Phila. Daily News is amusing yet disturbing:
QUOTE
The Cubs still aren't willing to admit that there just might be a connection between manager Dusty Baker letting Carlos Zambrano throw 136 pitches against the Phillies on May 8 and the fact that he had to leave his next start with a sore elbow.
We noted last week that the first explanation was that Zambrano had been putting stress on the elbow by taking too much batting practice.
Now the team has advanced an even more interesting theory: That he spends too much time surfing the Internet, using his computer as many as 5 hours a day.
Zambrano has cut down to 2 hours a day but still believes the trouble came from spending too much time honing his offensive skills. Which led to another problem. He insists he can't cut back on BP because his switch-hitting prowess is too valuable.
\"I try to help my team when I can,\" he said modestly.
Hoo, boy.
Five hours a day on the web? Who does he think he is, me? wink We noted last week that the first explanation was that Zambrano had been putting stress on the elbow by taking too much batting practice.
Now the team has advanced an even more interesting theory: That he spends too much time surfing the Internet, using his computer as many as 5 hours a day.
Zambrano has cut down to 2 hours a day but still believes the trouble came from spending too much time honing his offensive skills. Which led to another problem. He insists he can't cut back on BP because his switch-hitting prowess is too valuable.
\"I try to help my team when I can,\" he said modestly.
Hoo, boy.
Weren't the Cubs supposed to be contenders this year?
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
Weren't the Cubs supposed to be contenders this year?
Not from anyone I read. Pretty much all the preseason predictions I saw said the Cradinals were the one lock for a division title and that the Wild card was coming from the East or West.
Weren't the Cubs supposed to be contenders this year?
Cubs have looked pretty good up in LA the last few days, but we'll see how they do against the Padres tonite here in SD. Padres lost their final game of the series to Milwaukee last night, so they'll be looking to resume their winning ways and increase their lead in the NL West. A friend and I have an extra ticket in FB 119 if anyone wants to plunk down $44 and join us tonite. GO FRIARS!
After a disappointing start - from a Padres perspective - to the current series, the teams are now even and SD still rules the NL West. Cubs just didn't do anything wrong Thursday night, and the Friars couldn't seem to do anything right. Friday night, the Cubs messed up big time on an attempted double-play and the Pads capitalized nicely on it and other miscues.
But I'm batting 1000 in scoring tix to these games and just copped two free primo seats in Petco's Toyota Terrace WITH PARKING! from a colleague who can't use them Sunday. For me, a longtime Cubs fan, this series is a win-win deal, and there are heaps of similarly displaced North Siders on hand at Petco who apparently feel the same.
But I'm batting 1000 in scoring tix to these games and just copped two free primo seats in Petco's Toyota Terrace WITH PARKING! from a colleague who can't use them Sunday. For me, a longtime Cubs fan, this series is a win-win deal, and there are heaps of similarly displaced North Siders on hand at Petco who apparently feel the same.
Well, the Cubs won the series 3-1 and they played very well. Local talk is that the Padres are down as a result of the flu and some weird intestinal virus making the rounds,* which I suspect is true, along with Mark Loretta's injury, so they'll be back. I was hoping for a split series, but the Cubs earned their wins and their MANY local fans who came out for the games got what they came for. The Cubs' pitching was consistently good.
At the risk of switching this thread's topic, the Indians are next to visit Petco, followed by the White Sox next week. It'll be interesting to see how the Padres are playing by then and the difference between Sox and Cubs fans who follow their teams to foreign venues. I'm hoping to score some tix to at least one of the Sox games.
_____
*Local TV commentary during last Firday's game, which the Padres won, was funny at times without intending to be so. One of the announcers bemoaned how "the players are all on top of each other in the clubhouse" and how it's "easy for things to get spread down there."
At the risk of switching this thread's topic, the Indians are next to visit Petco, followed by the White Sox next week. It'll be interesting to see how the Padres are playing by then and the difference between Sox and Cubs fans who follow their teams to foreign venues. I'm hoping to score some tix to at least one of the Sox games.
_____
*Local TV commentary during last Firday's game, which the Padres won, was funny at times without intending to be so. One of the announcers bemoaned how "the players are all on top of each other in the clubhouse" and how it's "easy for things to get spread down there."
gmg....how did you enjoy the game? i know you liked the results. ;-)
the cubbies are, without a doubt, HOT. who'da thunk it?! they have won 9 of 10! they are being led by National League MVP Derrek Lee, Cubs MVP Neifi Perez, great starting pitching by Rusch, Maddux and Zambrano - as well as very consistant relief pitching (now that Hawkins is gone!).
the cubbies are, without a doubt, HOT. who'da thunk it?! they have won 9 of 10! they are being led by National League MVP Derrek Lee, Cubs MVP Neifi Perez, great starting pitching by Rusch, Maddux and Zambrano - as well as very consistant relief pitching (now that Hawkins is gone!).
As one who's been a Cub fan much longer than his recent conversion to Padrephilia, I enjoyed all the games, but was hoping for at least a split series, so both teams could depart with heads held high. The one thing everyone here in SD noticed about this series was how many Cub fans came out of the woodwork to root for the Northsiders. The only game that I didn't really like was Saturday night's Cub blowout win. Once the illnesses and disabilities bugging the Padres are gone, they'll be dominating again - just in time to make their series with the White Sox a really good one.
QUOTE
gmginsfo:
As one who's been a Cub fan much longer than his recent conversion to Padrephilia, I enjoyed all the games, but was hoping for at least a split series, so both teams could depart with heads held high.
What kind of loyal fan are you? You have to choose sides! Either stick with the Cubs or dump them for the Padres! None of this wishy-washy stuff! wink As one who's been a Cub fan much longer than his recent conversion to Padrephilia, I enjoyed all the games, but was hoping for at least a split series, so both teams could depart with heads held high.
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
Joe, you fail to understand the southern Caliornia mentality/mystique. Pretty much all sports fans in this region hold two teams close to their hearts: the one in their current town and the one from their former town. This is why so many of us are in therapy! QUOTE
gmginsfo:
As one who's been a Cub fan much longer than his recent conversion to Padrephilia, I enjoyed all the games, but was hoping for at least a split series, so both teams could depart with heads held high.
What kind of loyal fan are you? You have to choose sides! Either stick with the Cubs or dump them for the Padres! None of this wishy-washy stuff! wink As one who's been a Cub fan much longer than his recent conversion to Padrephilia, I enjoyed all the games, but was hoping for at least a split series, so both teams could depart with heads held high.
~Adam
Yes. I should arrange to attend West Coast games and learn more about people out there who watch sports. Maybe in a couple of months or so... wink
Adam, right you are, but not EVERYONE down (and out?) here is in therapy, it just SEEMS that way!
Add to that the Zen concept of duality and anyone who spends more than a few months here from growing up elsewhere will readily understand how it's possible to support at least two teams in every sport! :cool:
BTW, the Padres lost last night to the Indians, of all people, in a REALLY boring game. But then I was surprised to see the Cubs lose to Tronno Monday night after ther returned to Wrigley.
Add to that the Zen concept of duality and anyone who spends more than a few months here from growing up elsewhere will readily understand how it's possible to support at least two teams in every sport! :cool:
BTW, the Padres lost last night to the Indians, of all people, in a REALLY boring game. But then I was surprised to see the Cubs lose to Tronno Monday night after ther returned to Wrigley.
Go figure, after losting the 1st two games of the series, the Cubbies managed to beat Halladay and the Jays. It was an 'all-Mitre' day!
$200 rooftop tickets to Sunday's Cubs-BoSox game to benefit Gay Games.
QUOTE
Tickets are on sale now for rooftop seats during the Sunday, June 12, night game between the Chicago Cubs and the World Champion Boston Red Sox as a special benefit for the Gay Games VII. Game time is 7:05 pm.
This beautiful venue, The Ivy League Baseball Club ...
... graciously donated (by the owner) the seats as a fundraiser for the Games, and special thanks go to Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney for helping to arrange this benefit.
This beautiful venue, The Ivy League Baseball Club ...
... graciously donated (by the owner) the seats as a fundraiser for the Games, and special thanks go to Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney for helping to arrange this benefit.
Neifi Perez's grand slam in the 10th tonight just gave the Cubs a series win in St. Louis. With the Natty Lights coming back to earth, hopefully this weekend will be the springboard to the Wild Card. They're in 6th place in the WC, just 4.5 back.
If only the Cubs were in the West, they'd have just taken a half game lead over the Padres (who would be last if they were in the East)
If only the Cubs were in the West, they'd have just taken a half game lead over the Padres (who would be last if they were in the East)
Kerry Wood is back on the DL. Big surprise. wink
And when he returns they plan to put him in the bullpen, thinking it'll save wear and tear on his arm. That's nice if they can script out his appearances. But in reality, starters have to leave early or a pitcher suddenly gets in trouble and a guy in the bullpen has to be able to warm up quickly -- and then might not even get into the game.
And when he returns they plan to put him in the bullpen, thinking it'll save wear and tear on his arm. That's nice if they can script out his appearances. But in reality, starters have to leave early or a pitcher suddenly gets in trouble and a guy in the bullpen has to be able to warm up quickly -- and then might not even get into the game.
It's all about Derrek right now. Albert Pujols, his closer competitor in the stats department, isn't going to catch him (though he is hitting his way into the Hall of Fame). I just want to see the Cubs actually get to the playoffs and screw things up again. Where there's a will (and a Goat and a Goat Boy named Bartman) there's a way.
A note on Cubs fans from today's Phila. Daily News:
QUOTE
LaTroy Hawkins didn't pitch well for the Cubs. He was booed. Fair enough. He was traded to San Francisco and returned to Wrigley Field this week as a member of the Giants.
When he came in to pitch Tuesday night, though, he was booed so viciously, it turned into an ugly scene that one observer described as having a lynch-mob mentality.
\"That sort of gave me the chills,\" Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. \"You wonder who's next on the list.\"
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee termed the display \"classless,\" and closer Ryan Dempster said it was \"disappointing\" that the customers seemed more interested in seeing Hawkins fail than the Cubs succeed.
Some people need to be reminded that baseball, in the end, is still just a game.
When he came in to pitch Tuesday night, though, he was booed so viciously, it turned into an ugly scene that one observer described as having a lynch-mob mentality.
\"That sort of gave me the chills,\" Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. \"You wonder who's next on the list.\"
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee termed the display \"classless,\" and closer Ryan Dempster said it was \"disappointing\" that the customers seemed more interested in seeing Hawkins fail than the Cubs succeed.
Some people need to be reminded that baseball, in the end, is still just a game.
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
Kerry Wood is back on the DL. Big surprise. wink
And when he returns they plan to put him in the bullpen, thinking it'll save wear and tear on his arm. That's nice if they can script out his appearances. But in reality, starters have to leave early or a pitcher suddenly gets in trouble and a guy in the bullpen has to be able to warm up quickly -- and then might not even get into the game.
Guess it didn't work. He'll have surgery on Wednesday and his season is over. Oddly enough, he pitched in relief tonight.Kerry Wood is back on the DL. Big surprise. wink
And when he returns they plan to put him in the bullpen, thinking it'll save wear and tear on his arm. That's nice if they can script out his appearances. But in reality, starters have to leave early or a pitcher suddenly gets in trouble and a guy in the bullpen has to be able to warm up quickly -- and then might not even get into the game.
About that Triple Crown deal: D. Lee is now 3 homers and 8 RBI behind behind Andruw Jones, though he still leads the batting race by .349 to .334 over Albert Pujols entering tonight's play.
[ August 29, 2005, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
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