Wedge

There is a great buzz around this team right now. It feels like 2000 all over again...

Despite my initial statement on this thread, I actually think that Crede has a good half of baseball in him this season. I think that is going to be big for the team.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Apr 16, 2005 -> 10:11 AM) That's my fault. I picked him as my PTC yesterday. He'll be better today, I promise. Greasy, can you pick someone to click on the other team, permanantly (i.e. Santana whenever we face him).

The problem with Dusty is that he took that team within a few outs of the world series in his first season, with a bit of luck. Thus, that sets the low-bar in the eyes of the fans and the media as the NLCS. He's going to have a tough time getting back to that level, thus any season afterwards that doesn't get there will be seen as a disappointment.

QUOTE(easyw @ Apr 16, 2005 -> 07:33 AM) Iguchi struck out 3 times in 4 at bats last night. The one that I saw, it only took four pitches. Awful , just awful. Let's bench him.

Any game info? What channel is it on?

At least we're not running the four man rotation like last year.

Is death an option?

QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Apr 14, 2005 -> 07:52 AM) Carl is a really cool guy...and the leader in that clubhouse! "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" -Jesus

Maggs is slowly starting to show to MLB why he's not on this team any more...

Let's get the sweep and make a big statement.

Phillies at 2? This list lacks any credibility.

QUOTE(ptatc @ Apr 13, 2005 -> 09:54 PM) Red 3 I believe Red 3?

QUOTE(TheBigHurt35 @ Apr 13, 2005 -> 09:17 PM) A sweep tomorrow would be great, but it's not necessary. As long as we win series, we're in good shape. That's so Jerry Manual-ish. Never be satisfied with 2/3 when you can get the sweep! Tonight was a sweet win for one main reason: the Count showed some resiliency out there. When he gave up run #3 in the 2nd, I thought it was going to be a rough outing, but then he did a great job shutting them down until the homer in the 7th. It was really a great effort by the Count, even if it doesn't show up as a win, helping his ERA or Ks or win contribution.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 13, 2005 -> 06:38 PM) What the f*** was that? It's the 6th inning in a tied game, not the time to try something like that. Why? Stealing bases has been scoring runs for us all year so far. Plus, now we get to start the at-bat over.

That was a beautiful rally by the guys

I actually sort of appreciate the article. Mariotti is nothing if not slightly entertaining. I don't know what it is, but I can't help see parallels between Baker and Ty Willingham. Both had been fairly successful with teams on the west coast and talked up in the media as great coaches. Then they move to the midwest to "fishbowl teams" (i.e. teams under a high level of media scrutiny). Both had very successful first seasons that ultimately fell just short of championship expectations and then never matched those levels of achievement on the field. With the personalities and tempers on that roster the past two years, the Cubs need somebody who is more Phil Jackson than "faith healer". They need a manager who's personality is robust enough to stand up to the players AND media, a guy like Ozzie, I think. That's one thing I noticed about Ozzie last year: he's great at getting along with the members of the Chicago Media. That probably comes from his connections to some of the reporters when he was a player. My bottom line prediction: as Mariotti suggests, Dusty is out of Chicago at year's end after the Cubs miss the playoffs (or have an embarrassing 3 game sweep out of the first round). He then takes the job of another underachieving coast team (maybe the Mariners or As, depending on how they finish up). EDIT: fixed spelling

Just thought I'd point out that Dimitri Young's AL Central Favorites, the Tigers and Indians, are currently 1-4 against non-favorite teams (Indians are 1-3 against the Sox and the Tigers are 0-1 against the Twins). Just thought I'd point that out. Maybe we should keep a tally.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 03:08 PM) http://ss***men.blogspot.com/2005/04/win-p...ed-4112005.html pretty pictures Is that a blog spot for plumbers or sewage workers? s***men?

I like our odds in this one.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 04:52 PM) whats interesting is he has a point... i just looked at the runs each team has scored so far... Twins are LAST and we're 3rd to LAST... Guess who's first in the AL? Detroit... who knows guys... anything is still possible Yeah, but that Triple A pitching staff is going to hurt them.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 04:34 PM) If the Indians and Tigers finish 1-2 in the divison I will make love to Dimitri Young... Dear God please don't let them do it. I'll watch you.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 04:18 PM) Those three Jacks sure were his fault. :rolly Exactly. When you manage a game to the point where you have your closer in with 2 outs and a 2 run lead and no men on, you expect him to get the job done and to win. That loss was on Shingo, not on Ozzie.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 03:54 PM) Yeha having Eckstein and not having Crede sure looks good in hindsight. Well, we'll just hope that Joe is gonna become passable until we can make a move Seems like Eckstein didn't want to come, so who cares, I guess.

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 03:54 PM) We could have been 6-1 or 7-0 without the tinkering Maybe so, but it's more important early in a season for a manager to learn what the members of his team can and cannot do. I'll trade 2 or 3 early losses if it saves us 5 or 6 down the road.