Filed:August 31st, 2009
Chicago Cubs starter Rich Harden (Cubbie Nation/file)
Evidently, Rich Harden. The waiver deadline has come and gone, and Rich Harden is still a Cub. He'll make his next scheduled start tonight against the Astros.
Odd, odd move. My biggest complaint with this Cubs team has been that they they've been happy to maintain the status quo. They won't go into sell mode, and start some early planning for next season. And worse, they won't upgrade a terribly flawed team, even as they hang on to some hope of a wild card berth. So what do they do? True to form, spend a week in serious talks to move Harden, only to walk away, evidently happy to play on.
A couple of needed wins against the Mets have put them within five games or so now of the front-running Giants, and probably didn't help things in deciding whether to shut it down for the year. The Cubs will continue to fight on, and hope that there's a hot streak in them leading into the end of the season, when they'll face the Giants and Cardinals in the final weeks.
That said, I'm happy to hear Rich is staying. The Cubs should be able to pick up two high draft picks in the off-season should Harden sign elsewhere, making the pair of prospects that the Twins reportedly offered a bit less interesting. And yes, I hope do hope the Cubs avoid the temptation to give him a long-term deal, regardless of his strong finish.
But more importantly, this team of all teams has something of an obligation to fight to the end. Chicago has consistently had some of the most loyal fans in sport, continuing to put millions in the seats regardless of the team on the field. Some will say that's due to the Wrigley Field charm, and they're part right. I think it's mostly that Chicago fans have a deep, genuine love for the team. And if there is any chance, in any season, for the Cubs to get a postseason ticket, they owe it to those fans to try.
I know it's probably not going to happen, but it's September, and there's a chance. Selling on Rich Harden would have meant the end of the 2009 season, and we the fans just aren't ready to let it go yet.
Stay the course; we'll stay with this sinking ship till the end. And here's hoping to another good outing from Rich tonight.
Filed:August 25th, 2009
Carlos Zambrano makes an early exit Tuesday in the fifth inning (Cubbie Nation)
Click here for the photo gallery of last night's game.
Quit looking to the stars Carlos; even divine intervention won't help the Cubs now.
Let's just say it. As much as I hate to see any team swept, this series against the Nationals was one that almost required a sweep. Worst team in baseball comes to your home park, with you reeling, and your team's playoff hopes fading. You just got to have it. No excuses.
Well, instead of showing a touch of mettle, the Cubs went off weakly into the night, as the Nationals used the long ball to romp the Cubs 15-6.
No heart. No guts. No life.
Last time I rolled through Wrigley Field to catch a Nationals game, it was about this time last year, and the National used a Willie Harris grand slam to get a 13-5 win. This time, it was another unlikely hero, Elijah Dukes, who deposited a Aaron Heilman pitch into the bleacher in the fifth to put the Nats up 9-1 at the time, and from there they cruised.
Pity actually. Carlos Zambrano, making his first start fresh of the D.L. was just plain rusty. Not terrible, but rusty. On a different night, or with a bit better luck, he might have survived this, and given his team a chance to win. Tonight though? Not happening. He was able to get through the first trip through the Nationals lineup intact, but by the fourth, Zambrano was just running out of gas. The Nationals picked up a pair in the inning on a Josh Willingham homer -- his first of two -- and a Eijah Dukes double.
But it all came undone in the fifth, when he just got lit up. He'd load the bases after back-to-back walks, then exit in favor of Aaron Heilman, and well, you can guess the results.
How bad were things at Wrigley. By the sixth inning, the place looked like a minor league park; dark, half-empty, and everyone kind of depressed, with the place so quiet that you could hear Woo-Woo in the bleachers..from behind home plate.
With both the Cardinals and Rockies winning last night, there's just nothing good to be said. I'll leave it at this, and wait to see if the Cubs want to actually come out and play baseball Wednesday. I'd love to know though what the Cubs are going to do in a week or two when the park looks that empty to start a game, as opposed to when it ends.
Filed:August 23rd, 2009
Cubs infielder Jake Fox (Cubbie Nation/file)
Well, in the end the Cubs were able to salvage some semblance of dignity on this latest road trip, using seven innings of one run ball, and a 4-4 day from Jake Fox to beat the Dodgers 3-1.
Sigh. A 2-5 road trip. This is probably going to be the week that the Cubs playoff hopes for 2009 died. With the Cardinals winning 5-2 today, the Cubs are sitting eight games out with 40 to play, and there's not much to do but let the season play out. Wild card? Yeah, I don't think so. I see easily three really good-looking teams in front of the Cubs right now, and they don't look to fade.
It's good to see the team show a bit of heart though. You got a real nice outing from Ryan Dempster today, holding the Dodgers to three hits over seven innings. What can you say? Dempster loves L.A., putting together almost a repeat performance of his May 30th outing against the Dodgers. Actually, given his now 6-3 career record against the Dodgers, it makes you wonder what the hell happened in the NLDS last year.
But for as much as he was good, the Cubs were equally so lucky. After the Cubs gave John Grabow the ball in the eighth, the Dodgers had every opportunity to come back and win this game, putting two on, with no outs. But first the Cubs would get a generous call on a Ryan Theriot throw to Mike Fontenot to force out Tony Abreu. He was very safe, but fortune shined on the Cubs, with Abreu being ruled out.
Then pinch-hitter Orlando Hudson would pop up to Theriot, but Ryan would drop the ball, allowing Russell Martin to score. Or not actually, when third base umpire Wally Bell was discovered to have had called timeout before the pitch, sending the runner back to third. Hudson would later ground into a double play to end the inning, with a suddenly effective Carlos Marmol coming on to close the game out in the ninth.
I appreciate a little grit, and some toughness as this team plays out the stretch. I'll take a little luck too though.
But yeah, if you want some good news, here you go. The Cubs are now heading home for a 10-game homestand, with nine of those games against sub .500 teams. 17 of the next 23 are at home, and -- wait for it -- 22 of those 23 games are against teams currently under .500. All this leading up to one final series against the Cardinals.
So, this team, healthy as they've been all season, at least once Carlos Zambrano returns Tuesday, will have one last stab at a post-season spot. I don't think that they have it in them, but I get proven wrong on something at least daily. I've no complaints about being proved wrong on this.
Filed:August 22nd, 2009
I'll keep an open mind about whether they're better than the old boss. But it's official; after weeks months years of negotiations, the Tribune company has reached a definitive agreement to sell the Chicago Cubs for $845 billion to the Ricketts family, led by broker/financier Tom Ricketts.
Here's a quick snippet from the announcement:
Tom and Joe Ricketts will have management control of the joint venture as its 95 percent owner. Tribune Co. -- which owns the club, Wrigley Field and approximately a 25 percent interest in Comcast SportsNet -- will retain a five percent ownership interest.
I'm happy to see the deal done, especially after watching Sam Zell as recently as last week tell interviewers that multiple offers were still being considered, and that the deal was still up in the air. And while I've concerns about the short-term competitiveness of the team, given the rather expensive financing -- $450 million total at last check -- I'm confident for now that the Ricketts will make solid major league owners long-term.
But the short-term competitiveness of the team is a big concern. Interest payments on half a billion is a lot of coin; frankly, you wonder how deep pocketed they actually are after the attempt earlier this year to sell deep-pocketed Chicago fans non-voting stakes in the club. Sorry I didn't have 25 million handy at the time. And given the escalating 2010 payroll, still weak consumer spending, and a 2009 team that doesn't look to have people running for the advance ticket window, I'm curious to see how the 2010 expenses will be handled.
That's besides the fact that the agreement is still subject to numerous approvals, including the bankruptcy court. I wouldn't be worried if this were a straight up sale, but the joint venture looks like another Zell tax-advantaged entity, deferring compensation, and shielding earnings from both creditors and the tax-man. Will creditors howl? Maybe, but I don't see this just getting rubber stamped.
The Tribune envisions this wrapping up quickly, and transition occurring by year end. While I tend to agree, I'm inclined to think late December. Awfully late in an off-season to start making decisions about the on-field personnel. Do you keep a Rich Harden? Do you offer arbitration to players like Reed Johnson and Aaron Heilman? Do you start targeting free agents to help the club?
All tough decisions normally, but even more problematic without ownership and your front office personnel firmly in place.
It's all interesting backdrop coming off what's looking to be a tragically disappointing 2009 season. This year has been bad, but 2010 could quickly shape up to be the lost season for the club.
Filed:August 19th, 2009
Cubs starter Ryan Dempster (Cubbie Nation/file)
And by that I mean the 2009 season. Six week left. Six games out. Four teams above them in the Wild Card race. Adding to that was their latest loss, a 6-3 debacle against the Padres, that I think just about put the final nails in the season's coffin.
Nasty game, where a Kyle Blanks inside-the-park home run off Angel Guzman offset a very good seven inning performance by Ryan Dempster. Personally, I think scoring three runs off Cesar Carillo, a guy making his second major league start, was the real killer. But once again, I suspect that lack of review on the advance scouting was the cause here.
So, with the offense again cold, the bullpen in tatters, and players in a season-long slump, I think it's time to start acknowledging that this team just don't have it, and won't be getting it.
I mean, where's the catalyst? Normally, I shy away for the hyperbole, especially early in the season. I figure the season is long, and when you deal with veterans -- yes, I still hate rookies -- you'll get the expected production eventually, at least usually. So no need to get too much into what's working or not until you can get a nice, long look at your team.
At some point though, usually after 100 games or so, I think you have to settle into the notion that things are what they are. You're either heading toward something, and fine tune at the deadline, or you're not, and you start planning for next season. Or, you find a catalyst.
I thought the Cubs had done that, finally giving up the ghost, acknowledging that Milton Bradley just wasn't going to slug from the left side, and sliding him into the two-hole. A move long overdue, in my opinion. If a pair of hitters at the top of the lineup getting on at a .375 or better clip won't kick-start a offense, nothing will. Then Lou Piniella decides to shake things up, and hit Kosuke Fukudome fifth. Remind me of the Latroy Hawkins drama all over again. Bad, bad idea that everyone, including Lou, should understand by now.
Deadline moves? Nope. A top-flight reliever would have been just what the doctor ordered, yet the Cubs settle in on John Grabow, and hope for the best.
Post-deadline? Aubrey Huff found his was to the Tigers, giving their offense a boost. Could the Cubs have used him, spelling all four corner men through the rest of the season, and providing some lefty pop? You tell me. Now I here John Smoltz is considering signing with the Cardinals. One of the decades best relief men is available, the back end of your bullpen is a mess, you've just demoted your closer, and your interest isn't even strong enough to merit having your name pop up in the rumor mill.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Listen, I've no problem with this not being the year. That's baseball. You make a plan, and sometime it works great, sometimes not, and you move accordingly. But what angers you about this team is that they thread water, hoping to see a change with the current roster that's just not forthcoming. They don't get better, and they won't use this situation to better position themselves for next season. Maybe they want to convince the masses to keep coming to Wrigley Field as long as possible this season. Who knows, maybe it does all comes down to the beer sales.
A colleague of mine recently described this 2009 team as unlikeable. I didn't quite understand what he meant at the time, but I do now.
Filed:August 15th, 2009
Tom Gorzelanny works in the first inning of Saturday's 3-1 Cubs win (Cubbie Nation)
Lastings Milledge? Brian Bixler? Steve Pearce?
Seriously, I had to rub my eyes and think about it a second to confirm that the Cubs weren't playing the Indy Indians, the Pirates AAA affliate. Quite a few of these guys I saw on my last stop at Victory Field, and they weren't any good there.
So call me unimpressed at the Cubs 3-1 win over the Pirates Saturday, given the level of talent on the field. It's expected that you take two of three at home from teams like this; honestly, at this point, you're almost obligated to sweep, given the circumstances. So perhaps if I see something closer to another 17-2 victory, I'll have kinder words tomorrow for the team in general.
But I do have a couple of kind words for some recent acquisitions; Jeff Baker and Tom Gorzelanny.
I would have preferred trade deadline acquisitions with a bit better track record, but Jim Hendry is proving yet again that his evaluation of major-league talent is very good. Excluding the Aaron Miles debacle, of course.
Gorzelanny was sharp, certainly more so than I expected him to be this season. Ball stayed down, breaking ball worked, and he didn't try to do too much. I'm troubled by the three walks in five innings of work, but he struck out eight, and from a lineup of guys who know his stuff pretty well. And it's still a much better walk rate than we've seen from him over the last season and a half, which is encouraging.
Derrek Lee is thrown out attempting to score on a Jeff Baker single in the first inning Saturday (Cubbie Nation)
And Jeff Baker? Well, it's amazing how quickly a player can be relegated to "Who?" status, as is the case with Mike Fontenot. After yesterday's 2-4 day, inlcuding a solo homer, I'd look for Baker to keep that second base job full-time for about as long as he wants. How much confidence does Lou Piniella have in him right now? Baker batted fifth, and still produced.
Good stuff, especially against a good pitcher in Pirates starter Zach Duke. Now, hopefully they'll finish the job Sunday and sweep this team out of town.
Filed:August 12th, 2009
Pedro Martinez (right) readies in the bullpen Wednesday at Wrigley Field (Cubbie Nation)
I really wanted to see this game. Two irresistible forces colliding to make this a grit my teeth, hit the ATM, and not take my accountant's calls for a few days, kind of event.
You have Pedro Martinez, one of the finest pitchers of this generation, making likely his last tour around the league. I've never seen him in person, and it seems like there's something wrong about not having witnessed the great ones in person.
And Jeff Samardzija, making his first career start for the Cubs. This is what they paid for. This is where the hopes and dreams for Jeff lie. Would he shine? Would he find a way to get his team a win? Could he take the heat against the World Series champs, and cement his stature as something more significant than a nice reliever, in need of work?
Couple that with a Cubs team very much in need of a win, having lost four of the last five, and this may have been the defining game of the season. And the Cubs response to all this excitement and pressure? Implosion. Jeff Samardzija would get knocked around like a stumblebum, and the Phillies would go on to wear the Cubs out 12-5 Wednesday.
And don't think that this is all on Jeff, but he was terrible. The Phillies were standing him up, and wearing him out from jump, scoring a pair in the first on some of the hardest hit balls that I've seen. I'm spare you the hyperbole, but let me say it like this; when you're giving up two easy triples, one of which is by Ryan Howard, you are getting racked.
It only got worse though. Shane Victorino would serve him with a two-run homer in the third, a blast into the cheap seats in right field. Then, the Phillies would erupt on the Cubs in the fourth, chasing Samardzija, batting around in the inning, and scoring eight runs in all to make this whole affair sad.
The Cubs just couldn't stop the bleeding; hit, after hit, after hit, first off Samardzjja, then his relief, Sean Marshall. It went this way all inning, until finally Raul Ibanez put the exclamation point on with a three-run rocket off Marshall.
Fortunately, Marshall settled down enough to hang around for a few innings, to keep from adding insult to injury by having to burn through the bullpen to boot in this shoddy affair. But that's about the only good thing that I can say about this game.
Jeff Samardzija, your bus to Iowa is calling. I saw better work out of any number of Cubs AAA relievers Sunday, and you need the work. This is probably a good time to talk about swapping him out for Justin Berg.
And Pedro? Well, this wasn't the Pedro "I've got more pitches than a used car salesman" Martinez, but he was still a pleasure to watch. He'd hang around for five, before getting the early hook. There's really nothing that I can say right now past that he looked very, very hittable, and I suspect a more competent offensive team would have sent him to the showers even earlier. It will be very interesting to see if he can give the Phillies something down the stretch, especially in their homer dome of a park.
Two quick side notes. Check back later in the media gallery for photos of last night's game. I think you'll really enjoy them. And thanks to smash! for providing the winning caption for out little Baseball Reference contest. And Cubbie-Tim, well, that White Sox Beer Guy bobblehead is waiting for you.
Filed:August 10th, 2009
(Cubbie Nation/file)
Well, with the Cubs out of town, summer finally arriving in Chicago, and a chance to see something a little different, I decided to veer off a bit last weekend, and catch the non-MLB games at Wrigley Field. Besides, I figured if that second career as a sport photographer is to bloom, you have to shoot whenever and wherever you can.
First up was the Under Armour All-America game on Saturday. It's a great game actually, featuring a few dozen high school All-Americans broken into teams; the Baseball Factory squad and Team One. Both companies are co-sponsors of the event.
Never let it be said that there isn't something to professionalism. Bloggers have chided me for years about having things like a domain name and business cards. They came in handy Saturday, as a quick conversation and flash of the card at the gate got me private scouting material for the event, credentials, and a great perch in the photo bay for the game. The best part? My companion -- besides the lovely Kirsten Arnason from PBR -- was none other than Jim Prisching.
Yeah, I know; you don't know him. You probably wouldn't unless you spend way too much time like I checking photo credits. Now tomorrow, stop by cnnsi.com, check out last week's cover featuring the Mark Buerhle no-hitter, and check the credits. Yeah, that guy.
I probably gleaned more from him in an hour about sports shooting than I have in months; Jim is a super nice guy, who was more than willing to share him expertise. Two interesting notes. First, the guy isn't all that big on baseball. And second, he was constantly heading off to the seats to get a better look at things. Hilarious considering amateur sports photographers spend their time trying to get into the bay, and these guys just want to climb into the fan seats for something different. Talk about the grass always being greener.
Nick Castallenos hit the winning shot during the Home Run Derby (Cubbie Nation)
And the game itself? Super fun. I won't bore you, but two guys that you really need to keep an eye on are Nick Castellanos and Trey Griffin.
Castellanos is an absolute beast, first winning the home run contest before the game, then spraying balls around during like it was still batting practice. I had to offer a couple of scouts a pocket square to wipe the drool off.
I'm told he projects as a third baseman, which I can see. Big power, and a decent arm. I'm like to see a bit more bulk, but there's a ton of potential there.
Trey Griffin hits a broken-bat single in the eighth inning during the Under Armour All-Star game (Cubbie Nation)
And Griffin may be the most exciting young player I've seen in years; He did a bit of everything, all of it well, and even stole home to prove his speed. Amazing talent, and a bunch of fun.
Sunday, it was on to the Road to Wrigley game, featuring the Iowa Cubs vs. the Las Vegas 51s. It was fun. I mean, we got to see some old friends, such as Bobby Scales, Justin Berg, and MIcah Hoffpauir, and a few new as well.
Bobby Scales tags out Travis Snider attempting to steal (Cubbie Nation)
Everyone seemed to have a good time, and I think the players genuinely loved it. Well, maybe not Micah, who couldn't quite get this half smile, half grimace look off his face all day, but I guess that's understandable. The I-Cubs set an attendance record Sunday, with 16,280 on hand braving 90 degree-plus heat.
The I-Cubs would win 5-4 on the strength of a John-Ford Griffin homer in the sixth that Vince Perkins and Blake Parker were able to make hold up, even with a pair of Travis Snider home runs for the 51s making things interesting. Enjoy that peek while you can. With Alex Rios potentially on the move, Vernon Wells as mess, and Joe Inglett playing in left for the Blue Jays, he won't be staying on the farm long.
Nate Spears steals third base against the 51s (Cubbie Nation)
A great weekend. Now I guess it's back to work following the Cubs. Stay tuned for a Cubs-centric post tomorrow.
Filed:August 8th, 2009
St. Louis Cardinals (Cubbie Nation/file)
Long-time readers of this blog know I'm a baseball fan, probably more than anything else. Give me a notebook and a camera, and you can get me to watch and root for about anyone, anywhere. In the last few weeks alone, I've been to numerous cities, countries, and even to the South Side to root for the White Sox -- some would say that's a whole 'nother world. Okay, I'd actually lost a bet on that one, but still, if you're not playing the Cubs, I generally wish you and your team well.
But someone forwarded something to me recently that left me a bit rankled, and to be honest, plotting a touch of revenge. An anonymous Cardinals fan had sponsored the Baseball Reference home page for the 2008 Cubs, adding the caption:
All Cardinals fans sponsor(s) this page.
Thank you for your 100 years of failure. May it continue for 100 more.
As if last year wasn't upsetting enough.
Normally, I'd let this slide. But then Viva El Birdos, a fine SB Nation site blogging the Cardinals, picked it up, and have spent the last few days hyping it up, asking readers to vote on a better caption. I'll spare those with delicate sensibilities samples, but let's just say that the recommendation involving a dog's *** is probably not the worst one suggested.
Now, I'm not petty -- okay, I am sometimes, but that's another story. I couldn't let this stand. As such Cubbie Nation has purchased the home page for the 2004 Cardinals, a World Series team, if you recall, and would like to enlist your help in writing a caption. Right now, I'm leaving my original placeholder on the page:
St. Louis - Armpit of America since 1876
I think it's a pretty good one, but I'll bet some smart reader out there can top it.
I've a forum open for suggestions here. Stop by, leave a suggestion or two, and I'll pick a winner at the end of beginning of the next home stand. Registration is required, so if you've been lurking, now is the time for proper hellos. Winner gets a couple of nuggets from my box of Cubs swag; all unopened, new goodies. And yes, I do have bobbleheads.
Worst idea gets my White Sox Beer Guy figurine. You've been warned.
Lines have been crossed. There must be repercussions.
Filed:August 4th, 2009
Tom Gorzelanny (Cubbie Nation/file)
Every once in awhile, I get to be truly impressed, and well, even surprised. That might be how I'd best describe my impression of the performance of Tom Gorzelanny Tuesday, as the Cubs used a solid performance by him to beat the Reds 6-3 at Great American Ballpark. Seven plus innings of one-run ball, to be exact.
I figured when the Cubs picked him, that he'd be someone useful; no issues there. But after seeing Gorzelanny three times in person this season alone, I didn't think that there was much to see right now. He needed work as recently as a few weeks ago, and I suspected that AAA for another month was about the best way to go.
What happened? Maybe Larry Rothschild really was able to fix him. Keeping the fastball down was a big help, to be sure. However, he used the breaking ball early and often to get hitters out, throwing the changeup even on the rare occasions when he was behind in the count. Tom would fan six, and more important, produce a ton of weak ground balls, which are very reflective of a lefty sinker pitcher going right.
The Cubs gave him plenty of support though; with a Kosuke Fukudome solo homer in the first, then batting around in the sixth inning to break the game open. They'd pick up four runs off of Reds starter Johnny Cueto, highlighted by a Koyie Hill two-run double that just missed clearing the fence.
Derrek Lee would add to it in the eighth, with a solo shot of his own off Nick Masset.
This would have been an even greater story with a 6-1 win, but the bullpen proved to be problematic again late, as Angel Guzman ran into plenty of trouble in the ninth. He'd hit Jonny Gomes to start the inning, then serve up a Wladimir Balatien two-run homer to make things interesting. A Craig Tatum double would bring Carlos Marmol up in the pen, but for the second night in a row, it was Willy Taveras to the rescue, grounding out almost to the same spot as on Monday to again end the game.
Great job by Gorzelanny. And see, we've forgotten Kevin Hart already.
Filed:August 3rd, 2009
Cubs infielder Mike Fontenot (Cubbie Nation/file)
Aaron Harang looked as sharp as ever Tuesday, but a fat pitch to Mike Fontenot in the second inning resulted in a three-run homer, and proved to be the game-winner in a 4-2 Cubs win.
Randy Wells is awesome. And, I don't say that for his talent, or the hot winning streak that he's on right now. It's that he's a great reminder that for all of the scouting reports, draft analysis, prospect evaluations, and farm system rankings, guys still have to go out an play, and average guys are still capable of making big contributions.
A few years ago, guys like Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, and Ryan Theriot were coming up without much fanfare, and proved to make major contributions to the team during their last two playoff runs. Now, it's Randy Wells, a converted catcher and 38th round draft pick, who I can't flip a sport show on without him now being labeled as the trendy Rookie of The Year pick. It's a great story, and for me probably a fresh reminder that I need to take stats and paper evaluations with a grain of salt.
And his performance last night was flawless; changing speeds, with good movement on his pitches, and proving to be durable when Lou Piniella decided to bypass middle relief, and pitch him into the eighth inning. But when Alex Gonzalez served up a pinch-hit homer, really a fatigue hit than a mistake, it was time to go.
John Grabow would come in, and induce a Brandon Phillips double play to end the inning, although not before plunking Joey Votto. An accident I'm sure, but one I viewed with a certain amount of perverse pleasure, given the way Votto has abused the Cubs this year.
But these are the Cubs, so even a Monday game in Cincy was sure to have drama. This time it was in the ninth, when Marmol came in instead of Kevin Gregg, surely exciting the blogosphere writers who've been clamoring for this move. Sorry guys, it's just a tired arm, and as Lou so eloquently put it when asked if he'd make that move permanent, "Why should I"?
Good question, especially given that Marmol, likely the next most capable closer, is still something of a mess. Were it not for the grace of light-hitting Willy Taveras, who grounded out in the ninth with a pair of runners on to end the game, we'd be having a very ugly conversation this morning. Although, I think that conversation may have been last night, when before retiring Taveras, Piniella had a very animated discussion with his closer, which I suspect is not suitable for print.
It's bad times in Cincy for the Reds, now losers of their last seven. But Tom Gorzelanny -- who's looked a lot more hittable in AAA than the stats show -- has gotten the call for tonight for Chicago. This could be very interesting.
Filed:August 2nd, 2009
Cubs closer Kevin Gregg (Cubbie Nation/file)
I'm beginning to hate the Marlins. Whether it's this nonsense about trotting goats out on the field, their stab at fat, male cheerleaders, or the fact that they helped break my heart a bit in 2003, I'm growing very weary of these guys. And I say this as someone who spent most of the weekend at U.S. Cellular catching the Sox-Yankees series; I like most teams when they're not playing the Cubs.
Point is, the walk-off homer by Cody Ross Sunday to give the Marlins a 3-2 win was probably about my line to cross. The win gave them the series victory, and is probably going to leave way to many people debating the merits of Kevin Gregg as closer.
First thing, can we all agree not to? Please? Maybe I'd be more worried if he wasn't coming off of a really good stretch before these back-to-back blown saves. Or if the entire team didn't stink just a bit on this trip so far.
But the thing is, you've got to acknowledge at least the possibility that after two seasons of watching him pitch -- and believe me, everyone is very attentive when you're closing out games -- the Marlins might just have his number a bit. The timing. The release point. The break.
So, until I see that he's fling sh...stuff all over the place, he gets the benefit of the doubt with me.
Who doesn't is Aaron Heilman, who could have removed all this nonsense by even just keeping the ball in the park Sunday. Instead, he comes in for the seventh inning, and serves up a homer to Cody Ross, his first of the game.
Listen, I like a science experiment as much as anyone, but this isn't working. It was one thing when it was the beginning of the season, and the Cubs neither wanted egg on their faces, or to eat the contract. But it's late in the game, and he just isn't dependable. B.J. Ryan had another nice appearance on Saturday for the Iowa Cubs. May I suggest that it's time to make that change?
Either way, it was a crappy series, so thank you to Derrek Lee, let's the Marlins fans be crowing about a sweep. Fortunately, it's on to Cincinnati, losers of their last six. Nothing wrong with getting well on the road against bad teams. Here's to hoping that the Cubs do.