03-09-2009, 02:15 PM
I worry that the '09 Cubs will resemble the '85 Cubs.
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Predicting the NL Central
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03-09-2009, 02:23 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22543:date=Mar 9 2009, 12:06 PM:name=PcB)-->QUOTE (PcB @ Mar 9 2009, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22542:date=Mar 9 2009, 12:00 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Mar 9 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think the NL West will be a close 2nd as worst in baseball, but given the pitching talent there, I think it is slightly better than the NL Central. We probably have 2-3 of the the worst teams in the league, if not all of baseball.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the only team that's gonna be really bad in the NL West is gonna be the Padres. The Giants should be alot better, the Dodgers are gonna be fine, and I guess AZ is kinda of a crapshoot. Actually I forgot about the Rockies, yeah they're gonna be bad too. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Has anyone taken a look at the AL West this year? And the AL Central might struggle to find a team that wins more than 87 games.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
03-09-2009, 03:32 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22561:date=Mar 9 2009, 01:15 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Mar 9 2009, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I worry that the '09 Cubs will resemble the '85 Cubs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or the '90 Cubs, or the '99 Cubs. I don't think we'll win 97 games. And it seems inevitable that the Reds or the Cards or some other team has a surprising year and challenges us. I still think that we're the best team in the division.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
03-09-2009, 04:47 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22532:date=Mar 9 2009, 09:41 AM:name=Fella)-->QUOTE (Fella @ Mar 9 2009, 09:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I've been hearing peopel say "The Reds are gonna be good this year" for about 10 years now and it never happens.
I do think the Reds have a lot of young talent and there is a *chance* they could have a very good team. But I think they are probably 2 years away. For them to really contend this year they would need a lot of young guys to put up numbers they never have before. They really don't have any established producers on offense. Even Phillips has really only had one good year before. Getting Harang right would obviously be a big step in the right direction, I'm not so sure I buy Owings, Bailey and Cueto turning it around that fast, they all struggled last year. Id predict 1. Cubs 2. Cardinals 3. Brewers 4. Reds 5. Astros 6. Pirates I agree the Reds have the best chances to surprise and break out but I think its unlikely.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> Exactly how I feel. The Reds have the potential to, but it's unlikely. 1. Cubs- 94 2. Cardinals- 83 3. Brewers- 79 4. Reds- 78 5. Astros- 75 6. Pirates- 65 3-5 all feel about even to me. They all could be decent, and they all could be complete crap. The Cardinals will hang in there, they always do. I can't see them playing better than last year though. You can't <i>expect </i> Ludwick, Lohse, and Wellemeyer for example to repeat those performances. They're going to miss Miles and Looper too.
@TheBlogfines
03-09-2009, 05:41 PM
Like everyone else, I do expect the Cubs to win the division, although I don't think it'll be a cakewalk. It never is.
Just last year, the Cards were absolutely stunning; they had massive injuries, yet Ludwick appeared out of nowhere, Pujols went from great to spectacular, and even freaking <i>Wellermeyer</i> kicked ass. I mean, WTF? They contended all year. That kind of stuff, plus a natural regression to the mean for a team that suddenly explodes with, say, a 97-win season, is what keeps me on edge. I'm glad that Lou also feels this way. You can tell that he's not the type to take 'er easy and expect a '08 repeat to automatically happen. Go Lou! Kick some millionaire ass!
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
03-09-2009, 05:47 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22561:date=Mar 9 2009, 02:15 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Mar 9 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I worry that the '09 Cubs will resemble the '85 Cubs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Does anyone else remember the article in <i>SI</i> in the summer of '85 that detailed the Cubs woes? I remember clearly a picture of the starting five--Sutcliffe, Sanderson, Eckersley, Trout, and Ruthven--sitting on the dugout bench with a caption of how each spent time on the DL that year. This is the similarity I fear most.
One dick can poke an eye out. A hundred dicks can move mountains.
--Veryzer
03-09-2009, 06:03 PM
From the August 26th, 1985 issue of <i>SI</i>, entitled "How the Mighty Have Fallen. (1984's Division Champs are Faltering)":
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The plot for the Cubs' riches-to-rags story sickened with each injury. Last week they lost their fifth starting pitcher. Scott Sanderson tore a ligament in this right knee Tuesday when his spikes caught in the dirt on the mound. He joined Rick Sutcliffe (shoulder, hamstring, groin), Dennis Eckersley (shoulder), Steve Trout (elbow) and Dick Ruthven (toe) on the disabled list. As Sanderson hobbled off the field, pitching coach Billy Connors had a thought. "This is like Custer's Last Stand," Connors said to himself. "And they just got the last soldier." In the off-season Chicago spent a total of $18 million to keep Sutcliffe, Trout and Eckersley from flying the coop. Last year this trio was 39--16. This year it's 24-16. In the cases of Sutcliffe and Eckersley, they tried to come back too soon. "It shows courage on the players' part," says general manager Dallas Green, "but not good common sense." Says Eckersley, "A lot of guys feel obligated, responsible, and it's not too smart to do that." And so the Cub pitching is in shambles. "I don't even know the first names of our new pitchers," says reliever George Frazier. "I had very high expectations for this club," says Frey. "But then we lost Sutcliffe and [Gary] Matthews and then we lost Trout and then we lost [Ryne] Sandberg for seven or eight days and then we lost Sanderson with a bad back for a couple of weeks and then we lost [Bob] Dernier and [Jody] Davis and then we got some pitchers back but they weren't fit and each succeeding start for them they got worse, when we thought with each succeeding start they'd get better." Frey has held meetings almost every week. Last Wednesday Green came in and exhorted the club not to give up, upon which the Cubs went out, committed an error and a balk in the first inning and lost 8--7 to the Expos. When they called up Shawon Dunston and put Larry Bowa on waivers last week, Chicago pretty much acknowledged the reason was over. Last year it ended on October 7. This year it ended on August 12.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One dick can poke an eye out. A hundred dicks can move mountains.
--Veryzer
03-09-2009, 06:11 PM
AAAAAAAND the pic (complete with trainer Tony Garofalo!!!)
![[Image: cubswoes.jpg]](http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/CapnFatback/cubswoes.jpg)
One dick can poke an eye out. A hundred dicks can move mountains.
--Veryzer
03-09-2009, 06:23 PM
That's 2 Cy winners, (one a 1st-ballot HOFer), and 3 other good pitchers.
It's the Cubs...things can happen <i>fast</i>.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
03-09-2009, 07:35 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22563:date=Mar 9 2009, 12:23 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Mar 9 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22543:date=Mar 9 2009, 12:06 PM:name=PcB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PcB @ Mar 9 2009, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22542:date=Mar 9 2009, 12:00 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Mar 9 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think the NL West will be a close 2nd as worst in baseball, but given the pitching talent there, I think it is slightly better than the NL Central. We probably have 2-3 of the the worst teams in the league, if not all of baseball.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the only team that's gonna be really bad in the NL West is gonna be the Padres. The Giants should be alot better, the Dodgers are gonna be fine, and I guess AZ is kinda of a crapshoot. Actually I forgot about the Rockies, yeah they're gonna be bad too. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Has anyone taken a look at the AL West this year? And the AL Central might struggle to find a team that wins more than 87 games. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> The NL Central may have one of the worst teams in baseball, but will also have at least 3 teams (probably 4) over .500. It will not be the easiest division, and I think just as likely to be the 2nd hardest as 2nd easiest.
I like you guys a lot.
03-09-2009, 08:28 PM
You guys are underestimating the Astros.
I expect them to be better this year.
A herd of buffalo can move only as fast as the slowest buffalo. When the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
In much the same way the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, we all know, kills brain cells, but naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers.
03-09-2009, 08:40 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22632:date=Mar 9 2009, 06:28 PM:name=Captain)-->QUOTE (Captain @ Mar 9 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You guys are underestimating the Astros.
I expect them to be better this year.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> I just don't see it right now. They lost Wigginton and Wolf, they're very old, and they don't have money to add anybody this year. They have Oswalt, but then it's Wandy, Hampton, Moehler, and Backe.
@TheBlogfines
03-09-2009, 09:10 PM
<!--quoteo(post=22634:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:40 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 9 2009, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22632:date=Mar 9 2009, 06:28 PM:name=Captain)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Captain @ Mar 9 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You guys are underestimating the Astros.
I expect them to be better this year.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> I just don't see it right now. They lost Wigginton and Wolf, they're very old, and they don't have money to add anybody this year. They have Oswalt, but then it's Wandy, Hampton, Moehler, and Backe. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> They're probably gonna be selling pieces off early and often.
03-10-2009, 08:00 AM
<!--quoteo(post=22591:date=Mar 9 2009, 04:41 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Mar 9 2009, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Like everyone else, I do expect the Cubs to win the division, although I don't think it'll be a cakewalk. It never is.
Just last year, the Cards were absolutely stunning; they had massive injuries, yet Ludwick appeared out of nowhere, Pujols went from great to spectacular, and even freaking <i>Wellermeyer</i> kicked ass. I mean, WTF? They contended all year. That kind of stuff, plus a natural regression to the mean for a team that suddenly explodes with, say, a 97-win season, is what keeps me on edge. I'm glad that Lou also feels this way. You can tell that he's not the type to take 'er easy and expect a '08 repeat to automatically happen. Go Lou! Kick some millionaire ass!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> didn't the cardinals come in 4th place?
Wang.
03-11-2009, 09:40 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cardinals’ Second Base Experiment Stalling
By Joe Strauss St. Louis Post-Dispatch JUPITER, Fla. — What was intended as a bold stroke to inject additional offense into the Cardinals’ lineup increasingly appears to be an experiment running out of time. Outfield-turned-second baseman Skip Schumaker committed his fourth error of camp in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Florida Marlins. Schumaker lined an early opposite-field single that kept his Grapefruit League average at .333. <b>However, when he allowed a side-spinning chopper to beat him in the third inning, it became Schumaker’s fourth error in 10 games, dropping his fielding percentage to .826 (12 assists, 7 putouts, 4 errors). Unaccounted for within Schumaker’s fielding stats are several unmade double plays, one of which left first baseman Albert Pujols dangerously exposed in the baseline last Sunday. A forgiving official scorer allowed Schumaker to avoid a fifth error earlier in camp.</b> Schumaker’s error Wednesday led to two unearned runs during a three-run third inning against starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer. “It’s the easy play that has been the error, not the tough play, so far,” summed Schumaker. Manager Tony La Russa is growing impatient with persisting questions about the matter. But he is also less adamant about his idea’s chances of success. La Russa said he would use Schumaker as designated hitter in today’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Brendan Ryan and Joe Thurston are leading possibilities to receive the start. Schumaker exited Wednesday’s game after 4 1/2 innings. “You know how many times we’ve talked about the closing situation, second base… whatever it is?” La Russa said. “Somewhere down the line, after there’s been enough evaluating time, then I’ll give you some answers, whether it’s about the pitchers, second base, or whatever. But not now. Because it’s not fair to our club. It’s not fair to any decision you make, good or bad.” Schumaker says he is holding up well physically but admits the mental grind wears on him. “I think about it a lot, that’s for sure,” he says. Added Schumaker, who has never ducked the issue: “I feel like I’m making a little bit of progress every day. I knew coming into this it was not going to be an easy thing and it’s going to take a lot of work. I know I’ve been here three or four weeks; I know it takes guys years to get this thing down. It’s going to be a work in progress the whole year. It’s not just going to take one month of spring training.” Asked about the pressure on Schumaker, La Russa emphasized that he is “watching it very closely. I’m trying to make the best decision I can… the best decision I can for every place there is an issue.” La Russa’s options include Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden, Thurston, Tyler Greene and Jarrett Hoffpauir. None has received significant game exposure at the position to date. “I know Barden can play second base. I know Ryan can play second base. I believe I’ve seen enough of Thurston to know he can play. I’m not hurting our team,” La Russa said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> And some of you are seriously worried about the Cardinals? |
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