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September the Way it Should be


September 3, 2007

The Cubs are playing meaningful games in September, that is the way baseball should be. Every Cub fan has to be gleeful as September introduces the stretch run for the division. The Cubs have the best pitching staff in the division and they actually have some power. If Carlos pitches like he did in June and Lee and Ramirez hit the way they should, the Cubs will be at the top of the division and have a great shot in the playoffs.


Of course, the Cubs must keep their heads and concentrate on winning each game. They have the lead and no one can pass them if they keep winning. What is needed is a good ten game winning streak to put distance between them and those pesky Brewers and horrible Cards. It is September and time for Carlos to come out of his cocoon and propel the Cubs ahead of all the bystanders.


Carlos needs a consistent start today and the Cubs need to keep on winning.



The Best Rival


April 20, 2007

It has not been the start of the season that any Cub fan would have dreamed, but there are a few shining stars. Number one is Rich Hill the lefty that every team wants. Is he a flash in the pan or the real deal? Only time will bear that out. But for right now he is the best thing to watch with the Cubs.


Another good part of the year has been Dempster. I have liked Dempster on and off for the past 2 years. Last year I mostly couldn't stand him. He walked too many, but the entire pitching staff did that. The ace of the staff, Carlos, still does that this year. But Dempster also gave up game winning hits, he was scary to watch last year. Wait a minute, all of last year was scary. Oh well, Dempster has pitched much better this year and I am hoping that he will do it all year.


Of course the best thing about the year, is that the Cards are having as many problems as the Cubs are in winning games. And since the rivalry starts today, I am hoping that the Cards' troubles don't get better and the Cubs beat them to misery.


Go Cubbies!!!!!!!



Carlos Jekyll or Hyde?


April 18, 2007

I have always liked Carlos Zambrano, even before anyone liked him. I liked his enthusiasm and his fast ball. I can't stand his walks, but always believed that a little maturity would get rid of most of those. But I am starting to wonder if Carlos is ever going to grow up.


He pitches, lights out for two games and then blows up and walks the entire team twice. Actually this year he has only pitched one good game in a row. Tonight is his turn to pitch a gem. Will he or won't he? It is almost anyone's guess. I just want him to start getting a little consistency and stop walking.



Lou will be hoarse by June 1st


April 16, 2007

Lou Piniella had his first tirade after the Cubs blew up and lost the game friday after leading 5-0. What is a manager suppose to do when his ace implodes like a sack of tomatoes? Tell Carlos it will all get better and don't worry about it? I don't think so. The Cubs need a good kick in the rear and told to either win or get out of the dugout.


I don't think that Lou is the correct manager for this team, but I think he needs to vent his anger a little more. This team is dispicable and needs to play like they can instead of folding up. What happened yesterday? Soriano is on third base with no outs and he can't get home. You don't even have to hit the ball that far out for him to be sacrificed in. But no Jacque and Derrek both struck out. This is totally unacceptable.


This team has a chance because they are not in a very good division, but if they play like this for very long it will be a lost season.



I don't like this


March 10, 2007

I am not rooting for Sammy. Call me a disgruntled Cub fan. I wish he would go away. I am cheering every strikeout.


Sammy is presently making me unhappy, again. He is hitting great and looks the best he has in the last three years. He is going to make the Texas roster and he is trying on a new personnae. Why didn't he do that years ago? Maybe he could have helped the Cubs.


Sammy is a "me person" who has decided that presently it would be better to a "we person". I am not angry with the Rangers and actually think it is fitting that he is back with them. I just don't wish him success. And I think he is a phony.


That isn't much different then the rest of players.



More nonsense about steroids


March 7, 2007

What is all this nonsense about HGH? Are people surprised? Are they shocked? Are they offended?


This most recent relevation about mail order HGH, is alot of silliness. Of course, these atheletes are using HGH and any other chemicals or drugs that are not prohibited by MLB. If it is not on the list and not tested for, then it is okay to use. Ask any pro athelete. Pros are being paid and have to do whatever it takes to keep the paychecks coming. If they don't they can easily be replaced by those who will.


So why is everyone so up in arms and caring about something that is not prohibited by MLB. If it is a real bother then get MLB to stop the use.


If not then shut up and watch the oids hit the ball.



What is Baseball coming to?


February 27, 2007

Sammy Sosa will make the Texas Ranger's. Barry Bonds won't play in opposing fields in spring games. Mark Prior will now start in the first week of spring games.


Sounds pretty much like the old times are back in baseball, with these headlines. Everyone wants to see the old Sammy rounding the bases. Right? Not I. I am hoping that he would just fade off into the lights and disappear like his pal McGuire. I almost would root for Bonds to do better than Sammy. Does that sound like a disgruntled Cub fan?


Barry is the headline of every other spring story. If he isn't, then he will say something stupid so that he will be the headline. Who cares if Barry plays in spring games? Most of the oppposing fans want him to come to the ballpark, so they can boo him. So, it makes sense why the old man doesn't want to travel, just to get booed.


Cubs' pitching have been their achilles heal for years and Mark Prior was suppose to make that heal better not worse. Of course, he has proven to be a bigger problem then a solution. Now the Cubs have a manager who is incapable of properly using a pitching rotation, and I am suppose to believe the Cubs can win this year. Okay, Prior will now pitch in the first week of spring games, which should be fine. I just hope this isn't his big debut.


Things don't change much in baseball.



Call me a Sucker?


February 26, 2007

Okay, I love baseball and I love my Cubs. Therefore, I am excited about the spring. I love to anticipate what the season will bring and I love when the Cubs get off to a good start.


Should I really be excited this year?


Kerry and Mark have both been disappointments for the past 3 years. Piniella is not my choice for manager. I am not sure if Alfonso will translate into a centerfielder for the Cubs. And I am not sure the bullpen has been improved.


With all that said, I still think the Cubs will have a great season and contend for the pennant.


Prior and Woods will not be on the DL this year, though every Cardinal fan is praying they do. Woods will turn into a closer that will resemble a Sutter type. Prior will finally win twenty games and make Carlos try that much harder. Marquis will have an average year and Lilly will have an above average year. With all that pitching the hitting will take off and the Cubs will be trying to break through as World Series Champs.


Of course, most of you might think I am just a Sucker for believing.



Barry ready to take on Hank


February 21, 2007

Bonds is ready and aiming for the record. Does anyone really care? Is this really that great of a feat? The steroids and other drugs, the Barry attitude and the ineptness of the commissioner has wore me out on the home run race. I want all baseball records expunged from the books and I don't want to talk about records. I want to talk about baseball.


Records are for individuals. Baseball is a team sport. Lets throw out the records and concentrate on watching the teams play.



ARod and Derek not Chummy?


February 20, 2007

So, Derek and ARod don't hang out together as they used to? So what? Does that really make a difference in ARod's production? Does that make a difference in Derek's ability to throw a runner out? I don't think so. And if it does then there is something wrong in Yankeeland.


Yes, teammates need to get along, but there are plenty of stories of those that never got along but won. For instance Tinkers to Evers to Chance was the great double play combo for the Cubs and supposedly a couple of them hated each other. That didn't stop them from playing baseball together. And actually the Cubs played well in those days.


ARod finally admits that him and Jeter don't see each other as much as they used to, that doesn't mean anything. That is not a newstory.


I can't wait for real baseball to begin, then there will be real stories.



Yea for the little white ball


February 19, 2007

I love to listen and watch baseball. I definitely love to listen to baseball more than any other sport. You can listen to baseball and basketball, but those are about the only two sports. Baseball is the sport of my youthful summers that is why I still love it and, of course, anticipate the Cubs winning each year. This year will be no different.


Last year was an awful year to be a Cub fan, but I expect to witness a winning season that brings the Cubs to the post season. Yes, that is what Cub Fans want each year. It is spring and we can do it. Bring on the balls and bats and lets get spring training underway.


Looking forward to a winning year, even with Lou in the dugout.



Why do yankee fans hate ARod?


February 6, 2007

I do not understand why Yankee fans dislike ARod. I guess being a Cub fan, I have been loyal to much lesser of players. However, I think there are many fans out there that are loyal to much lesser players.


ARod is a very special and gifted player. In baseball stats are what is important, at times they dwarf the game altogether. Therefore, ARod's stats speak for themselves. Compared to Jeter they are pretty much even.


Jeter is older but has played in the big leagues a year less. ARod has been in more games but Jeter has come to bat more often. ARod has fewer plate appearances but has more runs than Jeter. Jeter has more hits, however, ARod has over twice as many homeruns. Those homeruns give ARod considerable more RBIs than Jeter. They have similar stolen bases and batting average and on base percentage, however, ARod has a larger Slugging percentage.


So, who is better? I say neither. But for some reason silly Yankee fans don't appreciate or acknowledge ARod for his stats. Most fans would take ARod for their team.



Barry or Roger


February 2, 2007

It is hard to determine who I want to see least play this year, Barry or Roger. Of course, I don't want to see Sosa play, but I think that is a moot point. Sammy will play in preseason and then fade into the sunset.


Barry Bonds is a player that is very easy to root against. He has an attitude and believes everyone is against him. Guess what? He is probably right. Why would anyone want to root for a moody, sully player who thinks he should be put on a pedastal and no one should talk to him unless he deems them worry enough for his time. Spoiled brats are not the kind of player I like to root for, and I am tired of all the talk about his prowess. Yes, he has great eye hand coordination and could have been one of the best. However, there was the dark side and he decided he would go there. I just really wish his tired old knees would take him away from the spotlight.


Roger Clemens is a player I just don't like. He is a great pitcher, but he has acted like a spoiled brat. And worse he is acting like Brett Farve. He toys with retirement and then decides, he can play but only on his terms. How is that conducive to a team sport? Roger only wants to play from late July to the end of the World Series. If that isn't the offer then he will take his ball and go home. I just find that attitude bad for a team.


Why don't both of these old farts go off into the sunset and let young men who want to play all the time get a chance. I am tired of both of them. Go away.



Red Sox are Overpaying


Januay 27, 2007

I think the Red Sox fans will not be happy with the signing of JD Drew. The Red Sox overpaid for a part time outfielder.


Drew is a decent player when he isn't hurt, however, he will get hurt. Injuries are a definite in baseball, and Drew will turn an ankle or pull a hammy in 2007. Then the Sox fans will be pulling out their hair and wondering where their Trot is. Well, he will be in Cleveland having an average year, but he will be playing.


The Red Sox gave alot of money for a parttime player.



Floyd a Cub?


January 22, 2007

The Cubs are going to sign Cliff Floyd? Can I ask Why? Have the Cubs not been watching this guy in the past couple of years? He has been ordinary and hurt.


I am not a fan of this signing unless Floyd is perfectly healthy. If he is still hurt as he was as a Met it makes no sense to bring him into the infirmary. Unless he happens to be a friend of Kerry and Mark.


This doesn't sound like a promising situation.



Is Baseball going to Star?


January 18, 2007

I always think that once baseball begins the cold will disappear. Since it has been so warm this winter, I haven't had to think about baseball. But now that we have winter weather, I really want to baseball weather.


Of course, the beginning of the season is the best for all baseball fans and since I am a Cub fan it has been the only good time recently. Will my Cubs fare better than last year?


That is as stupid as asking if the Knicks were going to win more games this year.


The Cubs has such a rotten year last year, they don't have to do much to be better than last year. However, I am excited about the new season and am looking forward to it.


Go Cubbies.



Sosa on a Comeback?


January 17, 2007

Sammy Sosa is trying to play baseball this coming season, that will be a little interesting. Of course, I don't expect for this experiment to last very long.


My question is, why now Sammy. When Sammy blew off the chance to play last year, he said goodbye to any legitimate chance of ever returning.


Sammy will play in some preseason games and the Rangers will get some extra fans in the stands. But those will be gawkers who want to see what size Sosa is. This experiment will be over before the real season begins.



Bonds flunked a test?


January 12, 2007

Barry tested positive for uppers? Is anyone surprised? Amphetamines was the drug of baseball until steroids and hgh came into vogue. Every ballplayer knows the benefits of having a little pick me up when they have to play a day game after a night game. Barry testing positive is not the story.


The story is that the bad teammate threw another teammate under the bus. This is just another example of Barry being Barry. He is a selfish, disrespectful, spoiled brat. Barry is about Barry and he doesn't care about anyone else. He could care less if the Giants win or lose as long as he gets paid and applauded.


Do we need any more examples of this baby being a baby? I think not.


Could he just go away? I doubt it.



The HOF, what a joke


January 9, 2007

Baseball fans are full of themselves. These fans believe that their HOF is pure and only the best people should ever get in, they don't believe in the best performers. But of course, if the performer is not liked don't expect him to get in. Only good non cheating guys get into the Baseball HOF.


That is a joke.


Doctoring the baseball is cheating. Stealing signs is cheating. But of course, these are baseball staples so they are overlooked.


Steroids would be overlooked if Barry (you all hate me) Bonds wouldn't be so close to breaking Babe (he is a god) Ruth's homerun record. The baseball fanatics just can't believe that this kind of person (Barry Bonds) will be in the HOF with their baseball gods. That is just another example of how the baseball fans are full of their records.


Some voters won't vote for Mark McGwire because they think he cheated. Others will vote for him because he was likable and never test positive. Of course, I just think he shouldn't be in because he is not a HOF candidate. He was a good homerun hitter, but he was a liabilty in the field and he was just a average hitter.


If you want a real HOF then put only the great players in, not the best candidate in a year.



Cards win


October 30, 2006

Too bad for the Tigers, the Cards won the series. I feel sorry for the Tigers and could care less that the Cards won another title. I guess I was a little surprised when I was reminded that it has been over 20 years since the Cards last series win.


These idiot Cards always seem in the hunt and they have been in the playoffs more times than I care to recall. I don't remember all the Cards titles, but my first memory was 1967. Of course, I was hoping for a 1968 moment. Too bad they won but it is better than the Mets winning.



Remember 1968


October 27, 2006

For all the young ones who weren't around in 1968, I want to remind them that the Cards were up 3-1 in the World Series and still lost to the Denny McClain Tigers. Let history please repeat. I do not want the Cards to win the series, of course I never want the idiot Cards to win unless they are playing the Yankees.


In 1968 the Cards had a wonderful team with McCarver as the catcher, Mike Shannon on third, Lou in the outfield stealing bases, and of course, the great Bob Gibson pitching. I do hate the Card,s but I am a baseball fan and remember these players as very good. Bob Gibson is one of the greatest pitchers of that era. Though the Cards had Carlton, I didn't think their pitching compared to the Tigers that year. Detroit had a 30 game winner in Denny and Mickey Lolich who won game 2, 5 and 7 of the Series. Mickey pitched three complete games and so did Gibson. Those were the years when pitchers weren't babied.


The Tigers, this year, definitiely have better talent in their rotation, but presently the Cards' much aligned rotation is pitching way above expectations. Pitching will determine this series and I am hoping it is the Tigers that prevail.



Rain, Rain Go Away


October 26, 2006

It is raining in St Louis. Who is surprised? It is the end of October and you are in the midwest, it rains people. Get over it. At some point in time it will stop raining and the World Series will continue. Just be thankful it is warm enough to rain and the weather hasn't turned bad and it is sleet coming down. Note it probably won't be snow but it very easily could be sleet.


If MLB doesn't like dealing with the rain, then change the site of the World Series and give the Series to a dry warm dome city. Or quit complaining.



So are the Cards the Champs?


October 25, 2006

So the Cards are the Champs? Please don't crown them so fast.


This series is going seven games and it won't be over until the Tigers throttle Pujols and the rest of that lineup. The Tigers have the pitching staff that can compete with the Cards and the Cards can fall apart.


Bonderman and Verlander will pitch two good games tonight and tomorrow and Tigers will go back to Detroit up 3-2. This series is not over.



How to win in St Louis


October 24, 2006

Detroit have beaten the Cards 4 times so far this year, and they can beat them three more times if they stay on course. Detroit cannot get distracted by the flack about Kenny's hand. They also can't worry about the outside elements. It will be unpleasant in St Louis, but remember it is the end of October and they are playing night games. When these two played in 1968 at least they got to play day games, so the weather was as unpleasant.


Detroit needs to keep pitching and hitting and they will beat my hated rivals. I will be happy.



Scuff on the Ball


October 23, 2006

Kenny Rogers said his hand was dirty. The umpires say it was just dirt. And other players say that everyone puts stuff on the ball. Who can you believe?


You can believe whomever. I happen to believe the other players. But I also believe that loading the ball is not a new thing or something that is going to stop. Remember Gaylord Perry was famous for his stuff and he wrote about it after he retired.


I do think that Kenny will be more careful in his next game, the cameras will be on him. Don't you wonder what we would have seen if all games had such scrutiny?



The Paper was Wrong, Again


October 20, 2006

On paper it was clear that the Mets were a better team. But games are not played on paper they are played in the field, and the Mets lost. Why did they lose if they were so much better? I even thought they should be able to sweep the Cards.


The Mets had one of the best hitting teams during the season, but in the series against the Cards these Mets didn't get their hits. The Cards didn't hit that much either, however they got just enough hits to win. The pitching was the amazing aspect in this series. That the Cards' relief pitching has been unhittable in the post season is unbelievable. This is the same staff that almost gave the division to the Astros in September.


On paper the Cards look like a clear underdog to the Tigers. But I believe they will play this series in the field. So, will the Cards win? I doubt it, but don't count them out.



The inept closers


October 19, 2006

Met fans had to find it pleasing to see Brad Looper inable them to win last night. Met fans only remember Looper as a very disappointing closer, that they couldn't get rid of fast enough.


Yes, Carpenter gave up the first two runs and was given the loss. But make no mistake that Looper was the losing pitcher. He only pitched for 2/3 of an inning and gave up 2 earned runs. That is when the Mets won the game, but the Met's new inept closer tried to give the game back to the Cards.


I know that Billy Wagner has not been anything like Looper, but Met fans should be concerned that he could hand the seventh game to the Cards. Billy puts men on base and then has to dramatically get the tying batter out. That can always come back to haunt a pitcher.


I don't know which is worse an inept Looper or an inept Wagner.



Cards win tonight


October 18, 2006

I thought the idiot Mets were going to sweep the hapless Cards, so I was wrong. Doesn't matter to me, I hate both of these teams. I did think the Cards were overmatched and am really surprised about the series to date.


Tonight will be the Cards best opportunity to take the series and send the Mets to playing golf for the winter. Carpenter will probably give up three runs in eight innings, so if the Cards hit tonight they will win. Just get this over with.



Do the Cubs need Lou?


October 17, 2006

I don't think the Cubs need Lou. I think that a younger and less stuck in the mud manager would be able to turn the Cubs into winners for the years to come. Lou has been around the bases too many times and I don't think he is what is needed.


Of course, if Lou brings in A-Rod that would be a good. As long as the Cubs can give away as little as possible, A-Rod would be a great acquisition. I know everyone figures they will have to give up Carlos. I think that is a high price but could be worth the cost. Carlos is a promising pitcher, however, A-Rod still has at least 10 years left to play. Carlos can win 15 games a year, but he only plays every fifth day. A-Rod will play 150 games and could very likely hit 60 homeruns in Wrigley Field. Consider him batting between Derek and Ramirez, that would be a decent middle lineup. A-Rod could potenially win 25 games just with his bat, and remember he will be the All-Star shortstop for the National League.


Lou is for the Cubs, but A-Rod is.



Tigers need just four more wins


October 16, 2006

The Detroit Tigers are going to the World Series, that is great. I can't say that it will matter to me who their opponent is. I hate them both. I do prefer a replay of the 1968 World Series, that was the first series I remember. I watched the weekday games on a black and white portable TV that the six grade teacher brought to school. He was a huge Card fan and so were most of the kids in my class. I just rooted for the team playing against the Cards.


Tigers I hope you win four more games.



Tigers chugging along


October 12, 2006

The Tigers have chugged along all year, just like their all star catcher Pudge. Their ability to keep focused and not look too far ahead has produced a team that is up 2-0 in the ACLS. Since, May and the Cubs decided they wouldn't play this year, I have been rooting that the Tigers win. I am still hoping to see them in the World Series. It is always fun to watch Pudge chug around the bases.


Go Tigers.



Jim Leyland knows his team


October 11, 2006

Yesterday the experts on radio were questioning the sanity of Jim Leyland in starting Nate Robertson instead of Kenny Rogers. Well, after last night's game they will now proclaim that Leyland is the greatest manager alive.


I don't think I go that far, however, I do think that Leyland coaches according to what he knows not what someone else knows. A baseball manager has very few times to effect a game, but when that time comes it is important that they make a positive effect. Leyland has done that so for this post-season.


The Tigers will go a long way as long as they play as a team and as long as Leyland doesn't listen to the experts.



The Mets


October 9, 2006

The Mets should win the National League Championship series in four or five games. It won't be the Mets hitting prowess, it will be their pitching. Yes, their pitching.


The Mets have average to below average starting pitching for the series, however they have one of the best bullpens. But remember the Cards have maybe average starting pitching and they have a dismal bullpen. Their closer is a loser, Met fans know that. Therefore, when the Cards and the Mets meet expect to see average games where the Mets win in the seventh inning.


The Mets test will have to wait for the World Series.



Trying to steal a win


October 5, 206

Yes, the Dodgers ran themselves out of winning yesterday. However, the Dodgers should not fall into the trap of pulling back the horses. The Dodgers want to steal a win in NY. To accomplish that feat they must win today or in the fifth game and their best bet is to do it today.


If the Dodgers quit running hard they will let the Mets win by default, therefore it is imperative for the Dodgers to play loose. Yes, the Dodgers lost yesterday but they very easily can win today. They are still in this series.



The Playoffs begin


October 4, 2006

Did the Cardinals right themselves? Are all of their problems over?


Though every Card fan would love to believe that the Cardinals' problems are over, since this is a different season, don't count on it. I don't like the Cards, however it doesn't take a Card hater to understand that the Cardinals' weakness is their pitching. Unless the Cards starters last for at least eight innings and don't give up any runs, the Cards will have a hard time beating the light hitting Padres. Winning their first game does help the Cards but don't open the champagne, yet.


I warn Yankee fans not to think about the next series, just yet. Considering the Tigers a pushover has all the makings of an upset. Please Yankee fans remember, the Tigers were suppose to lose last night. But one loss in Yankee stadium doesn't end the series. The Tigers have plenty in their tanks.


The loss by Santana was not a good sign for the Twins, but it is not over in the Metrodome, either. The Twins need to refocus and forget that the ace lost yesterday. If they can't forget it, this will be a short series.



No to a Subway Series


October 3, 2006

Yes, I totally despise the Yankees and the Mets but that is not the only reason that I don't want to see a Subway Series. A Yankee/Met World Series would be rotten for baseball. That matchup only reinforces that a team must buy their World Series Trophies not earn them. The Yankees are the highest paying franchise and the Mets aren't far behind.


A World Series with the Tigers or the Twins or the Cardinals would be better for the game. These are small market teams who have worked with and developed their own talent. They have loyal fans and they give baseball a pleasant picture to advertise. The Yankee and Met fans look like spoiled brats who believe that New York is the only place that baseball is played.


Just say no to a Subway Series.



Do the Dodgers have a shot?


October 2, 2006

The Dodgers will cause problems for the Pedroless Mets. The Dodgers will have pitching, that will trouble the hard hitting Mets.


The first problem is that this is only five games not seven, which always gives the advantage to the better pitching team. Second is that the Dodgers have played meaningful games since the all star break. The Mets last played a meaningful game in May, this year the Mets have not had to win. And the Mets don't have their star pitcher who can win just because he is a star. The Dodgers have a star.


The Dodgers will not go quickly and the Mets will not find this series easy. Beware of the Dodgers. What happens when it is the Dodgers against the Padres for the NL final?



Can the Cards lose again?


September 29, 2006

I am a little giddy about the chance the Cards may not be in the playoffs. What has happened in the past two weeks makes every Card hater laugh and clap at each Cardinal loss. Of course the Cards have to lose at least two more games for this collapse to occur. The inept hitting Astros have to win the rest of their games and the Cards have to lose twice before the end of the season. If the Cardinals lose twice in their home stadium, I want pictures. That will be a day to remember.


I can dream, can't I? This will be a little medication for the terrible season I have endured.



Not a good sign


September 28, 2006

Oh, Oh! The Mets may have a problem.


Yes, the Mets won without Pedro, but the Mets got Pedro to deliver them the playoff wins. How is Pedro going to win when he may not play?


At the beginning of the season everyone wanted to declare that Martinez was one of the greatest pitchers ever. Some experts wanted to say he was greater than Clemens. These people got ahead of themselves, dreaming of how his numbers would look if he pitched the whole season. Well, guess what he didn't pitched the whole season and he may not be able to pitch in the playoffs. The guy has to be hurt.


The only criticism that anyone had about Pedro before the season, was that he may fall to an injury. Injuries and age seem to have caught up with Pedro. I don't think the Mets fans should believe they are world champs, yet. Their pitching staff is a problem.



Glad to see the Cards fall


September 27, 2006

I am overjoyed that the Cardinals have lost seven in a row. Yes, I would love to see them not make the playoffs. Of course, being a Cub fan and a Rocket despiser, I would prefer to see the Reds make the playoffs, not the Astros. However, I have to be honest and say I actually think that the idiot Cardinals will pull it out in time. The Cards have played rotten the second half of the year, however, they get to play the next five games at Busch Stadium. Unfortunately, I think they will win four of those games and they will win the division. This is the awful National Central not the competitive American Central.


It will be too bad when the Cards win, but it would be worse if the Astros won.



Congrats to the Tigers


September 25, 2006

The Detroit Tigers deserve to be congratulated. I would like those experts, that were so sure that they would totally fold and that the great White Sox would make it to playoffs, to just shut up. Those same experts are now trying to jump on the Tiger bandwagon. Real Tiger fans, please push them off.


Tiger fans please enjoy this, because you have stayed with a team that has lost more games in the last decade than the Yankees have won. That takes dedication and a thick skin. Hope this turns into the division title, but of course more important is that you go to the World Series.


I would love to see the Tigers as the World Champs. That would be wonderful and not too far fetched.



No more Columbus jokes


September 21, 2006

No more Columbus Yankees. This is terrible. There will be no more threats to send Giambi to the Clippers when he goes 0-4. What will happen to those exchanges with ARod, reminding him that Columbus is just a plane ride away. Columbus has always meant the blackhole for Yankee under achievers. Will a Scranton threat scare the ballplayers?


I am not sure. But new material is always needed. Especially when you are trying to make fun of the NYY.



White Sox cooked


September 20, 2006

The White Sox have 11 games left and they are 5 games behind the Tigers. Can they overcome both the Twins and the Tigers? Simply put, no.


The White Sox have one more game with the Tigers which they play tonight in Chicago. Then they have four more home games against Seattle. Winning all of those games will not guarantee they can come even with the Tigers. The Tigers get to play the Royals while the White Sox play Seattle. The Tigers have dominated the Royals this year. I think the Tigers will still have a four game lead on the White Sox at the start of the last week of the season.


In the last week the White Sox play all away games. First three against the Indians, who are better than their record, and then they have a three game series with the Twins in Minnesota. I don't see the White Sox winning more than 2 games of these six. That will not give them enough of a boost to past the White Sox or the Twins. Therefore, I want Guillen to shut up and go home.


The White Sox are done and Ossie will not have the fans he had last year.



4 in a row


September 19, 2006

The Dodgers smacked 4 home runs in a row last night and then won in the 10th, when Nomar smacked a 2 run home run. On the verge of going down 1 and a half games behind the Padres, the Dodgers pulled out a great win. Will it propel them to the division title? Will the win smack the Padres into a doldrums where they will let the Phillies overtake them in the wildcard race?


Yes could be the answer to both of those questions. The Dodgers needed a miracle and they got one. The Padres have to be cautious now, they are never safe with a lead. This could haunt them til the end of the season.


I think the Dodgers will be in the playoffs, but I am not sure about the Padres. We will see what the next week will bring.



Two more weeks


September 18, 2006

There is supposedly 2 weeks to the end of the regular baseball season. I suspect that there may be at least one extra game played considering how close this year has been. The AL central division/wild card teams are quite exciting. There could be three teams with 90 wins and only two of those in the playoffs. This is a good race and right now the White Sox have the most problems, since they are 5 games behind the Tigers.


The National League west division and wild card are two interesting races. The Giants and Marlins and Reds have almost put themselves out of the competition. The Phillies still want the wild card which the Padres and Dodgers want if they can't win the west division. This race will come down to the last days. The wild card has given baseball interest at the end of the season.



Maddux gets it


September 16, 2006

Greg Maddux pitched no hit for 6 and a third inning and at the end of the seventh inning left, for the bullpen to finish up the game. Maddux said he wasn't sure he would have gone out in the eighth even if he still had a no hitter. This guy understands what baseball is all about. He is trying to get to the playoffs.


Yes, Maddux is old, but maybe that is why he gets it. He has never acted as he is the only member of his team that can win. I have watched Maddux throughout his career, remember he started with the Cubs. He played when the Cubs were awful. Maddux didn't leave the Cubs because he thought he was too good for the Cubs. He left because the Cubs acted like they didn't need him, though he was the best at that time. He went to the Braves and was just one of the anchors on an incredible pitching staff. This pitcher has never had to be the only pitcher, he has always been a part of a team.


It is easy to root for Greg to get to the World Series, since he has always been about the team. It has never been about Maddux's stats.



Please jump off the bandwagon


September 15, 2006

I am asking, in the name of the Detroit Tigers, that all bandwagon riders please jump off now. The Tigers and their fans do not need you and the wagon is overflowing with negative thought. The Tigers have come this far with their few devoted fans, they don't need the posers along with them. Thank you for your patience and don't get bruised jumping on to that NY wagon.


I would prefer that all the experts would shut up about the Tigers and let them finish the season. These great predictors love patting themselves on their own backs when the Tigers lose. Let's remember that the Tigers aren't that much different of a team, than they were last year. They just have a different attitude. Their attitude and leadership in Leyland is the largest change and with all the best of luck they will be in the playoffs.


Best of luck Tigers.



Francisco Liriano out for the count


September 14, 2006

Liriano pitched well for a couple of innings yesterday, and then left with discomfort in his elbow. He is now shut down for the season. Every pitching expert is now going to say, the Twins were pushing him back, the Twins were impatient, or something crazy like that. It happens all the time.


A young pitcher has a great first half of a season and then he develops arm problems and it is all the management's fault. There is so much second guessing that many will lose their job over this. This is baseball and second guessing another man's decision to leave someone in or take someone out is always debated. And there are many loses.


Twin fans just be ready for everyone to second guess your pitching staff in the next couple of years and wonder why it has not lived up to the hype. Probably it was that 2 plus innings that Liriano pitched in 2006 that caused all the problems. I know, I have heard this story before.



Cubs errs in winning


September 13, 2006

How can you root for a team that commits six errors and still wins? That is one of the hard parts at being a Cub fan in the end of the 2006 season. These Cubs are awful and last night they showed some of their real ugliness with their six errors. I really thought the game was over after the second inning.


Though the Cubs have been out of the race since May, I have followed them all year. That, unfortunately, is what a fan does. We watch when the team has a good year and we watch when they play like the bad news bears. Last night was just another example of how rotten the season has become for these Cubs. They are incapable of completing a double play, but are very capable of committing errors.


This season can't end fast enough.



Got to like the Dodgers' Schedule


September 12, 2006

You have to think the Dodgers have an advantage in their schedule. They get to play the worse team, my Cubs, for three games and then they have their final home stand of 10 games. You have to believe that they will finish those 13 games with at least 8 wins and very possibly 10. With that momentum they should be able to put themselves into the playoffs without worrying about their final six away games.


Cincy is the other team that has an advantage because they get to beat the Cubs six times in their final games. Of course, Cincy is a little too far behind in the wild card chase, but all wins are helpful. Remember the Cubs are so bad that every team is checking to see if they get to play them.



Lead down to two


September 11, 2006

The Tigers lead is down to 2, and the team behind them is not the White Sox. Are the Tigers in trouble of not making the playoffs?


Remember that the team in the lead always has the advantage. Of course, the thing that will now be important is that it is September and time is running out. The Tigers have 18 games left to play with eleven of them being at home. Also, six of the games are against the Royals, which the Tigers have played 11-1 so far this year. This isn't saying they will win all of those, but the odds are with the Tigers.


I have been rooting for the Tigers since early May, and I am still rooting just a little harder since the Cubs fell to the worse team. Go Tigers win.



Ryan hits two more


September 9, 2006

Ryan Howard smacked multiple homers again in a game this week. He started the week by smacking three home runs. Can this guy smack a dozen next week?


That is very possible. Howard has been in a groove this week and since people pitch to him, expect him to keep up the onslaught. Ryan should be named the National Leauge's MVP this year.


Does all of this mean there are no steroids in baseball? No. It means we have something better to watch. Go Howard.



A good win


September 8, 2006

The Tigers are playing the Twins in a four game series. Presently the Tigers are 11-5 against the Twins and have three more games to go. Last night's game may be a preview of the two teams to come out of that division.


The Twins have some great pitching but so do the Tigers and they have come through when everything appears to be crashing down. The Tigers have six games left against the Royals and the Twins only have four games. That would appear to give an advantage to the Tigers, also remember the Tigers have played better against the Royals than the Twins.


Yes, I am rooting for the Tigers, but I think that they need to run off a few wins to wrap up the division before the end of the month. Tigers get going.



A No-no


September 7, 2006

The Florida Marlin rookie pitched a no-no last night and no one was watching. Does that mean it didn't happen? I don't think so.


The Marlins may have problems at drawing fans, but for some reason they are able to assess talent. They have had some good pitchers on their teams and they have won some World Series. How is that possible when there is no one to watch them?


It is just like when a tree falls in the forest, it still makes a noise whether anyone hears it or not. The Marlins are a very strange organization. I just wish the Cubs had a little of their pizazz. My Cubs can't even manage getting into the World Series, let alone win it.


To make matters worse, this year the Cubs started out better than the Marlins and it is the Marlins who have a shot at a playoff spot. The Cubs are vying to be the worse team in the MLB.



I like baseball


September 6, 2006

I like baseball and it is probably my favorite sport to watch. It is a comfortable sport to watch on long hot summer days or nights. It is not too strenuous and you don't get too cold, until the playoffs. However, this summer has been very hard to watch.


As a Cub fan I looked forward to this year and anticipated the Cubs vying for the playoffs. I expected that they would at least try to win. But in the last couple of series it has seemed that these Cubs are just bad. Dempster can't close a game, let alone win one. They can't get the double play when they need one let alone actually make a defensive play. And of course they do not hit when necessary.


It has been a long season and I want it to be over, so I won't wake up to find the Cubs have been swept by the Pirates, again. What a lousy season. No thanks to the Cubs.



Is it Yea or Boo


September 4, 2006

I forgot if I was suppose to call ARod a bum or the next Babe Ruth. Which one is he this week? His status changes more often then Dennis Rodman's hair.


With all the smart NY fans I have never understood their reaction to ARod. One day he is a bum and the next day is the Babe. I guess since ARod is 9-19 with five home runs and 10 rbi in the past four games he is the mvp today not a Columbus wannabee.


Now if he goes 0-4 tonight or 2-15 in the series against the Royals, will they want to sell off ARod for a bag of balls and some cash. Probably, things change quickly in Yankee land.



Rest Rivera


September 2, 2006

Mario Rivera has a mild muscle strain that only rest will improve. Considering that the Yankees have the east title under control, I would error on letting that rest be long. The Yankees have no chance to go anywhere in the playoffs if Rivera can't pitch. The pitching staff for the Yankees is average at best, but their closer is still the best in the big leagues.


The Red Sox have decided to coast to the off season, so the Yankees will win their division with little effort. The Yankees need to prepare for the playoffs, so they need to rest Mario. With the regular season wrapped up now the Yankees must think of their real season.



Has it been too easy?


September 1, 2006

Have the Mets had it too easy? Will the weak NL be a downfall for them?


As a Met hater I sure hope so.


The Mets have clearly been the best of the NL, however their top pitchers are hurt and old which I think is a bigger problem than the ease of winning. If Pedro is not 100 percent don't mark the Mets for the World Series. And I would not be one who would count on Tom Glavine as being the same old Tom. Pitching will have to be top notched for these Mets to win.


Or they will just be a big winner during the regular season and then get beat by the Dodgers. That I would like.



Why Wells?


August 31, 2006

Why would anyone trade for David Wells? Does a broken down pitcher, who could hurt himself stretching be the answer to the playoffs?


The answer is no for those teams already in the playoffs. But for those 10 teams trying to get into the NL wild card the answer could be, maybe. The Padres could probably use Wells and he has played there before. So, that could be a fit. A tight fit at that.


I never understand why teams think that bringing back an old worn out player is more helpful then looking in their minor league system. But I guess it is human nature to use something that you already know. And everyone knows the downsides of Wells, they are numerous.


Yes, he has an upside. It is just under all the other crap.



Why is the NL so mediocre?


August 30, 2006

The NL wild card race is very close. Who will win is a guess. The Cubs, the Pirates, the Nationals and the Mets are the only ones not in the running. Of course, the Mets are the only team guaranteed a division title, so they don't need the wild card. And the other three are in the collection of worse teams with the Devil Rays and Royals. Since there are so many teams, why isn't there more excitement?


I think that the last week of September will make more excitement, when there are still five teams that could win the wild card. But as for now it seems too far away to get excited. Why are there so many teams still left? Medicroty? Or just bad Baseball?


I think that baseball is trying to become more like football and would prefer that all teams are still viable for the playoffs a month before the end of the season. Football generates excitement with their parity will the NL do the same. It is a wait and see game.



Hope Papi recovers


August 29, 2006

It is never good when someone has an irregular heartbeat and especially when that person plays professional sports. I am sorry to see that David Ortiz is sideline because of this affliction. You can only hope the best and are glad to see that the Red Sox sent him home to find out what is wrong.


Fans get caught up in the games and think that the players should give their all at all costs, however, you have to draw the line at one's life. No game is worth playing if you are sacrificing your life. Let's cheer this move as an indication that professional sports are not heartless and they live in reality.


Hope to see Papi back healthy.



Girardi has done nothing but Play


August 28, 2006

Joe Girardi is a first year major league baseball manager who has a minor league team. I thought when the Marlins got rid of everyone but Dontrell, that they could possibly win maybe 50 games this year. There were no expectations and most experts wrote them off as maybe the worse or one step above team. They are 63-66 and could finish in second place of a very bad division.


How is it possible that this minor league team can win in the major league schedule? Simple answer is Joe Girardi.


I know that the manager doesn't play. And usually I don't like to give too much credit or too much blame to the manager. However, this team is too young and too inexperienced to come to any other conclusion. Girardi has done a remarkable job of keeping the club together as a team and the players have played for him. That is all that a manager can do and it really doesn't matter how they do it. Some can manage and some can't. Joe can. So why can't Jeffrey Loria see that? Why is Loria so upset with Girardi that he won't give him a vote of confidence? Is Girardi too quiet?


I can't see why Loria doesn't support Girardi, but as a Cub fan I would love to have him as our manager. I still think Dusty can manage but I think that his time with the Cubs is over, unfortunately. What happened to Baker? I don't know, but it is time to move on.


Joe Girardi would look good sitting in the Cubs dugout again. Especially if he could get the Cubs to play the way the Marlins are playing.



Red Sox are dead


August 21, 2006

I hate the Yankees they cannot lose enough for me. But they will win their division and those idiot Sox will go home. I think they may just stay home after this awful weekend. Varitek is not the only reason these Sox are losing.


The Red Sox have tried to play like the Yankees. They overpay for mediocre pitching. They have some great hitters, though they did lose the battle for Damon. That should have been a sign that they should do something. But the Red Sox still had a chance this season. Then Varitek went on the DL and the pitching went, I don't know where.


Pitching wins in baseball. Because if there is great pitching, that means the other team didn't get their hits. The Red Sox have awful pitching and the Yankees smacked them around.


Now I would like some team to slap the Yankees around. Any team.



California baseball


August 17, 2006

The month of August has been good for a couple of the California baseball teams, the A's and the Dodgers. The A's are 12-2 and the Dodgers are a sizzling 14-2. How did both of these teams get so hot? Is there something in the water?


Since the other 3 Califonia teams are a combined 19-26, it doesn't have anything with being in California. Of course, it is quite a coincidence.


The Dodgers got some players back from injury and made a couple of acquistions at the trade deadline. Then the new Dodgers turned the team around to win eleven straight followed by a six game winning streak. These Dodgers will definitely make some noise in the playoffs. That is surprising.


The A's were 2 games over .500 before the All Star break. Last night's win gave the A's 16 games over .500 at this point in the season. For a race that looked like it would come down to the last game this race could be over.



Are the Sox for Real


August 15,2006

The White Sox have cut their deficit in half during the past week. They swept the Tigers which left them only 5 and a half games behind Detroit. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they still have seven games against the White Sox and they have not had a very good year against them. Chicago looks pretty good and there are plenty of experts who still think the Tigers will fold and the White Sox will overtake them to win the division.


There is a positive for the Tigers, they get to play the other Sox. The Red Sox have fallen mightily. They were swept by the Royals. Okay that maybe not be as embarrassing as being swept by the Pirates, but it ranks up there. The Royals, of course, were bombed by the Indians but they made the Red Sox look very average. I thought the Red Sox still had a chance to win the wild card or possibly beat the Yankees. However, barring some miraculous Boston play and some very bad Yankee play the Red Sox are pretenders this year.



Is pitching the answer?


August 11, 2006

Everyone has heard that pitching wins championships. But does pitching put you in the championship? I am not quite sure, and looking at baseball this season one may think not.


The Mets are a dominating team this year. However, I wouldn't say that any pitcher is scary but Pedro. They have a number one and four number fives. Steve Traschel, Orlando Hernandez and Tom Glanvine are all old, therefore each outing is an adventure. John Maine is a kid who still needs time to develop. So if the Mets make it to the World Series, which is a very strong possibilty it won't be with dominating pitching.


The Cards and Yankees both have suspect pitching however, they both look to be headed to the playoffs. The Dodgers and Tigers are two teams that have good pitching right now, but that could change before September. Pitching is an indegrient needed to win the championship but it is not the only thing needed.



A Light at the end of the Tunnel


August 10, 2006

I really despise the Cards. Never liked them since I was a little kid. Growing up in central Illinois in the 60's I had to watch that team in World Series with players that should have been on the Cubs. Yes, I really hate those Cards and this year is no exception.


There may be a little light at the end of the tunnel, because the awful Cubs have played the Cards decently this year with a record of 10-3 to date. The Cards are still leading the Central but the Cubs may get a chance to dethrone them if those Reds could win some games and the Cubs could sweep the six remaining games. That may not be an easy task, however, the Cards have not won in Chicago all year.


My formula for a not rotten Cubs year equals a sweep of the remaining 6 games this year. Leaving the Cards in second place and being out of the playoffs. Now that would be satisfaction. Not a good year, just satisfaction.



Are the Red Sox Done?


August 9, 2006

Are the Red Sox' season over? It may be if they can't beat the hapless Royals the next 2 days. Schilling and Beckett are scheduled to pitch those games, so the Red Sox should come out on top.


Even if the Sox win those two games they have to play the Tigers and the Yankees eight times in their next 11 game home stand. Can the Red Sox turn their season around or will the home stand be their last gasp?


The Red Sox are 12-13 since the All Star break, that is not the way to get to the AL playoffs. The Yankees are not going to fold the rest of the season, therefore the Red Sox are really playing for the wild card. And right now I don't think the Red Sox have much left in their tank.


The team I thought would win the East back in June will probably not make the playoffs.



How did the Dodgers get Hot?


August 8, 2006

The Dodgers have won 10 in a row. However, they are only 11-13 in the second half of the season. So, can they stay this hot?


Considering their competition and that they play the next six games at home, they are most likely going to win at least four of those games. They very easily could sweep.


Does this mean the west race is over? Will the Dodgers bolt into first place and finally run away with the division? Don't count on it. But there is a very good chance that they will overtake the Padres and that they will win this division, because of pitching. Pitching will win a division and right now the Dodgers have pitching. They have given up only 25 runs in the ten win streak. But remember they gave up 63 in their previous ten games, where they went 1-9.


The Dodgers are streaky and they better hope they play more like the Dodgers after the trade deadline than the one before.



Can the Reds catch the Cards?


August 7, 2006

In the next 11 days the Cards and the Reds play each other seven times. Will this determine the winner of the central division? Probably. And it could be either one.


I can't stand either team and only wish for both of them to lose as many as possible. However, I have to say that I figure the Cards will come out the best in this situation. The Reds downfall will be their pitching and always will be their pitching. The Reds have a decent hitting lineup and they tried to improve on their pitching before the deadline. But does anyone think they have enough to beat the Cards?


The Cards lose when their pitchers pitch average. They win when their pitchers pitch to their ability. Which will it be for the rest of the season? I figure the Cards will go around .500 for the rest of the season which will give them the division title. The Reds will be around .500 and it will probably stay in the race for the wild card. Neither team is great and neither will go far in the playoffs. Unless they have pitching.


Cards/Reds hope they both lose.



Does anyone want to win in the NL?


August 4, 2006

The Cards and the Reds are both in losing streaks. The Cards started by being swept by those awful Cubs in a four game series. Does anyone want to win this central division? I am not sure. These are the only two teams above .500 but they aren't that far ahead of the Brewers or Astros. This is just a horrible race.


The west division isn't much better. The biggest difference is that all five teams are in contention to win the division or the wild card spot. Then in the east division the four teams that won't win the division all have a possible shot at the wild card. I have to say if the Cubs hadn't forgot how to play earlier, they would still be in the hunt.


The Mets are the only team in the National League that acts like they can win. Everyone else is just a wild card team. How awful can this get?



Tigers win again


August 3, 2006

The Detroit Tigers have more wins now than all of last season. They can go 28-27 for the rest of the season and win a 100 games. Now that is amazing.


Considering how well the Tigers have played so far this season, it is a little hard not to believe they will win 100 games. They win at home as well as on the road. They have 4 pitchers who already have 10 or more wins. Yes, Rogers has pitched poorly lately but he can be replaced. The team's era is 3.72, the only team to be under 4.00. The opposing team's batting average is .247, the best in the majors. Their offense is in the top ten of all the teams in slugging percentage, batting average, hits and runs. This is a team that will be in the playoffs.


I am hoping these guys are in the World Series. An amazing story.



The hated Yankees


August 2, 2006

The Yankees are in a tie for first place and the wild card race. Yuck. I wish the Yankees would lose every game they play for the next 4 weeks. They can't lose enough for me.


Considering that the Yankees won't comply with that wish, my second wish is that the fans start booing Abreu before the end of the weekend. Now that wish is very possible. Yankee fans are quick, very quick to jump on a player who is perceived to be dogging it. Abreu isn't the best model for work ethic or tenacity. I am hoping that Bobby is slow in producing and then I will get to see Yankee fans go balastic.


Abreu went 0-3 last night. I hope he doesn't get his first Yankee hit until September. Wow that would be fun.



Winners and losers


August 1, 2006

Are there any winners from the trades just made? I would say that the Dodgers are a big winner no matter if they get in the playoffs or not. With the acquisition of Maddux the Dodgers just sold tickets to those games. A 300 winner and an easy to like pitcher, Maddux will fill the seats when he pitches. That makes the Dodgers a winner.


Reds are a winner because they addressed their horrible pitching. The only thing that is lacking for the Reds is that their pitching is falling apart. If the pitchers come through the Reds will either win their division or the wild card. Winner.


Astros may be the biggest loser. The Astros paid Clemens to come back this season. It was suppose to get them to the playoffs. The Astros supposedly shopped Clemens, Oswalt and Lidge around before the deadline. Do you think any of those players will be there next year? Expect the Astros to start all over next year, loser.



At least they can beat the Cards


July 28, 2006

The Cubs beat the Cards for the 7th time this year. Thank goodness there is something to cheer about. With this awful season in progress, at least something goes right.


If you have been a Cub fan for as long as I have, you understand my cheer in seeing the Cubs beat the Cards. The Cardinals are the Cubs worse enemy no matter how bad either is in a year. This is one of the greatest rivalries in baseball. So, when the Cubs stink and the Cards look like they are headed for the playoffs, again. Cub fans can only find solace in the face that the Cards can't beat the Cubbies.



Where are the White Sox?


July 27, 2006

The White Sox have been swept by the Yankees and the Twins in three game series since the All Star break. They lost their other two series 2-1 against the Tigers and the Rangers. The only pitcher that has won for them since the All Star break is Garland. Are the Sox done?


I am not sure if they are done but I think they have more problems then Ozzie wants to admit. Pitching wins baseball games. Contreras and Buehrle have 3 losses each since the break. Buehrle was 9-4 one month ago with an ERA of 3.22. Losing yesterday brings his record to 9-9 with an ERA of 4.81. Contreras was 9-0 on July 4th with an ERA of 3.31. However, he has lost his last 3 starts and upped his ERA to 3.52. Is July just a bad month for White Sox pitching or will it haunt them for the rest of the season?


The White Sox won the World Series with great pitching last season. If they don't get back on track it doesn't matter how many Sorianos they bring in, they will miss the playoffs.



Soriano where are you going?


July 26, 2006

Alfonso Soriano should thank the Yankees for trading him. Yes, if he would have stayed in the Bronx there is a chance he would get a winning World Series ring. But isn't it better to be the "great hope" that will send a team to the playoffs. Soriano is the biggest draw for the trade deadline. He is being touted as the final piece needed to make the playoffs.


I think most of the pros would loved to be wanted by so many. And I think that Soriano loves all this attention. He would not be the center of attention if he still played for the Yankees. He might be the one the Yankees trade.


Everyone is glued to the sports stations to find out where Soriano is going. Alfonso is smiling all the way to the bank.



ARod would look good in the Windy City


July 25, 2006

I think that if the Yankees really want to get rid of ARod the Cubs should give them anything they want. ARod would be loved in Chicago and he would play shortstop for the next ten years. Then maybe if he is too old he can go to first base like old Ernie. The Cub fans would embrace ARod and he would have every endorsement for the city of Chicago.


Of course, I could put in any other club in this scenario. There is no other club's fans who would complain about ARod as their 3rd base or shortstop. So, why are the NY idiot Yankee fans adamant about getting rid of ARod?


The Yankee fans would boo JC if he struck out. That is just Yankee fans. They are some of the stupidest but smartest fans. They want to throw someone away when they lose one game in April. They are also the most spoiled fans in baseball.


ARod is probably the greatest shortstop ever to play baseball and the only people that don't know that are the Yankee fans. ARod we would love you in Chicago.



The Tigers are still winning


July 24, 2006

The Detroit Tigers are the only team with at least 60 wins and their record is 66-32. Only the two Sox teams and Mets have 59 wins, but the White Sox are 6.5 games behind the Tigers. How is that possible? I thought everyone had promoted the White Sox to the next dynasty.


People maybe should relook at the fiery manager Guillen and wonder if his hot temper and antics are really what is best for the White Sox. It is grand to have a manager like Guillen but are the experts going to turn on him if the White Sox don't make the playoffs? I won't say that the White Sox are not going to make the playoffs. However, today is the first day that I actually think there is a possibilty for that to happen.


The White Sox are not a lock for the playoffs but they maybe a lock for a disaster.



Maddux is the young one


July 19, 2006

There have been too few games this season to cheer for my Cubs. However, tonight when the old guys pitch I am hoping for one of the good games. Of course, the Cubs have the young guy pitching.


When a 300 game winner pitches everyone wants to watch since it may be the last time. And when two 300 game winners pitch in the same game, it is a rare game. Tonight will be the second time that Maddux and Clemens have pitched against each other as 300 game winners. So, tonight will be the last time or it could just be another duel between the two.


I am hoping that Maddux has a good game and that the Cubs actually score. And I hope that the Astros go quietly into the night air.


There are few games this season that have been fun, I want this one to be fun for the Cubs.



Polar Opposites


July 7, 2006

The Cubs and Tigers are opposites. The Cubs have scored 333 runs and have allowed 441, while the Tigers have scored 445 and allowed 323. Huh, could it be worse?


Yes. The Cubs are 14-25 at home and 17-29 away. The Tigers are 26-14 at home and 31-14 away. No wonder my Cubs are looking at a 100 loss season and the Tigers are heading for a pennant.


How did the Cubs become the anti-Tigers? Or how did they become this bad, so quickly?



Lou or Dusty?


July 6, 2006

Should the Cubs dump Dusty and offer the job to Lou? I think it may be time to make changes.


I like Dusty Baker and I cheered his coming to Chicago. But this season has soured my hope that Dusty can work miracles. April started off promising and then immediately turned south when Lee went down. Why? Didn't Dusty have any magic dust to sprinkle on this team?


I don't blame everything on Dusty, and up until the last week or so I thought the Cubs should keep Dusty and get rid of a few players. But now I think, they should get rid of a few players and change the manager. The Cubs need a kick in the backside and I don't think Dusty is that type of manager. He is too much of a players' manager and too nice.


At least Lou is a hot head and there will be things flying out of Wrigley Field if they got him to come to Chicago. Of course, I don't know what will be flying but there definitely will be fireworks.



Break up the Cubs

July 5, 2006

Rumors say that the Cubs are going to trade away all of their viable old players. What does it matter? These viable players have done nothing for Chicago this season.


I thought a team couldn't play worse than the Cubs played in May. However, in June I was proved wrong. The Cubs embarrassed themselves all June. Dempster is a closer? I think not. What happened to this team?


Is Dusty the problem? Or are the veterans just quitting?


I know it is only the beginning of July, but I say let's build for next year.



What a disappointment


June 30, 2006

Prior pitched yesterday and looked maybe average, what a disappointment. I have waited for 2 years for Prior to break out as a pitcher and he looks about as good as Jeremy Gonzalez. The Cubs gave up on Gonzalez.


I know that you have to be patient after an injury, but Prior needs to show that there is some reason for us fans to believe that he will get better. After yesterday's performance, I have a defeatist attitude and am starting to believe the naysayers may have been right.


Mark are they right?



The AL Central hotstreak


June 29, 2006

The top three teams; Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota, in the AL Central have all won 9 of their last ten games. That is amazing. However, it is more amazing that the hapless Royals have won 7 of their last 10. This division has feasted on the National League.


The Royals have an 8-6 record against the National League. They are 17-46 against the real Baseball League. Shouldn't that put an end to the debate on which League is better?


The Cards, Reds, Astros and Brewers should all be thanking their lucky stars they won't have to play the American League much longer and they can get back to beating each other. And of course demolishing the Cubs and Pirates.


Yes, as a Cub fan I am glad to be in the National League Central. The Cubs are only 14 games behind, but if they were in the AL Central they would be more than 20.



The Tigers keep on winning


June 28, 2006

If you haven't paid any attention to baseball because you are a Royal, Cub, or Pirate fan, please note that the Tigers are still in first place. Yes, the hapless Tigers who usually take until August to get to 50 wins are leading the White Sox by 2 full games. And to top it off they get to play the awful Pirates this weekend. Can it get any better?


Yes it can. The Tigers get to play the Royals in a four game home series when they get back from the all star break. Before the Tigers face the White Sox in a home series they could very likely have 60 wins. What a turnaround.


It is wonderful to see the Tigers win. Their fans haven't had much to cheer since the Denny McLain years. But I believe that Denny played in my lifetime. Cub fans haven't much to cheer in my entire lifetime.



Cubs lose 8 in a row at Home


June 27, 2006

I may be old, but I am sure that there is something about home field advantage in baseball. How can these inept Cubs lose so many games at home? This is becoming embarrassing.


I should be used to the Cubs falling out of the pennant race and becoming the laughingstock of baseball. I am not. I truly believe the Cubs aren't this bad. But as of right now they are playing lousy baseball. You can't even say that this year if they had a little luck they would be close to forty wins. No, these 2006 Cubs stink. They haven't played good baseball since the middle of April.


The Cubs should either fire everyone and bring up the triple A team. Or buy the rejects from the Yankees. They can't be worse than this team.



The Tigers Sweep, again


June 26, 2006

I don't think the Tigers have used their brooms this much in decades. But since this time they swept the Cards, I am very happy.


How do you explain that the losers of the last 2 decades, the Detroit Tigers, have already won 51 games? It isn't even the All Star break. This is great for baseball.


Baseball only survies as an interest when their are new people to root for. The average fan gets bored when the same teams are in the pennant races each season. It is more interesting when different teams finally have good years. That is why the Tigers and the Mets and the Padres, to a smaller extent, are the highlights of this season.


I totally hate the Mets but am glad to see that the Braves are losing. It is better for baseball that they lose.


I am rooting that the Tigers keep it going. I have little hope that my team will amount to anything but trade material.



The Royals Sweep???


June 23, 2006

The KC Royals completed a three game sweep yesterday. Does that mean they are getting better? They do have 22 wins which is making them up there with the Cubbies.


Not to be mean, the sweep was of the Pirates, who is the only team in the National League that keeps the Cubs from being the worse. So even though this is a highlight and everyone should cheer a sweep. The Royals will still end with around 50-60 wins this year.


I guess I just have to wonder if my Cubs could beat them.



Ozzie called Jay a name


June 22, 2006

Why am I not shocked that Ozzie Guillen called a reporter a derogatory name? Maybe because I remember that Ozzie is just a baseball player who moved up to be a manager. But always remember Ozzie is nothing more than a baseball player.


Ozzie is not a genius. He is not a great compromiser. He is not a great diplomat. And if not for baseball, he would not have anybody care what he said.


Baseball is all that Ozzie knows. As the way things have turned out he has got himself a pretty good job. But Ozzie is not a diplomatic or a good role model. He is basically a little boy, who for the moment is in the limelight. He is called a genius and great for baseball. Huh?


Ozzie is only great for baseball because he makes headlines. But come September and the White Sox lose to the Detroit Tigers, Ozzie will be called a failure and fans will want him fired.



Cards have a bad night


June 21, 2006

Glad to see the White Sox score eleven runs in the third inning against the Cards last night. That made me smile.


Considering how bad the Cubs are playing, my interest is in seeing the Cards get beat. Of course, it is much better when they get spanked, like last night. I would enjoy seeing the Yankees and Mets lose but they don't do that much this year.


Lose Cards, lose.



Loss at Home


June 20, 2006

The Cubs just finished a six game home series. Being home is supposed to be an advantage. Not for these cubbies.


The Cubs were swept out of the friendly confines and went to that city on the other lake. Lake Michigan hasn't been a good location, but maybe Lake Erie will be. The Cubs have two more games with Cleveland and then they go off to Minnesota before returning to Wrigley.


With the way the Cubs perform at home this season, I think I would prefer that they play on the road. What a waste of my summer.



Unwritten Rules


June 16, 2006

In baseball if a batter is hit, his pitcher is to retaliate the next chance he gets. Of course, I actually thought that this is only suppose to happen if it looks like the hit was intentional. But it seems now that the cry babies always think it is intentional.


Personally it never bothered me when the pitchers did this. The pitchers always knew where to throw it and the batter knew it was coming. There weren't fights and it was done with no ejections. However, baseball thinks they need to control these actions and now they warn the benches. This is baseball sticking its nose where it doesn't belong.


This unwritten rule wasn't broken why did baseball think it was?



Baseball players are babies


June 15, 2006

Jorge Posada got mad last night when he was hit on the elbow by an inside pitch. Huh aren't the pitchers suppose to pitch inside?


This is not anything new, baseball players have been complaining for the past ten years about inside pitching. Basically the batter stands ontop of the plate and wants the pitchers to serve them batting practice. If that doesn't happen, they whine and say it is all the pitcher's fault for their .220 batting average.


Good pitchers pitch inside and good baseball players turn on the ball and smack it for a hit. Baby players charge the mound.



The Tigers are still in first place


June 14, 2006

It is June 14 and the Detroit Tigers have won 42 games and lead the White Sox by a game and a half. How is this possible?


I think it is stories like this that makes professional baseball so exciting. The Yankees are having problems. The Red Sox aren't blowing anybody away. And besides a few bad teams: the Royals, the Cubs, the Pirates, the Marlins and the Nationals, most everyone else is playing decent ball.


The summer should produce some fun baseball games. Of course, I just wish the Cubs were one of those teams that were playing it.



Griffey in Chicago?


June 13, 2006

The White Sox may go after Griffey? It would be surprising that the Reds would give him up this year.


Yes, Griffey has never been a healthy Red, but he is a good guy. He wanted to go to Cincinnati and he has played hard when he has been healthy. The only upside for letting him go would be new prospects. But the down side would be a public relations fiasco.


The White Sox may need a center fielder, but they may decide to look closer to home. Say across town at the Cubs. Nothing would surprise me.



The Reds aren't in first?


June 12, 2006

The Reds had a four game home series with those hapless Cubs. So, all those silly fans figured it would be easy to slip into first place. But what happened?


Yes, the Reds won on Thursday and actually had a half game lead on the Cards, but then reallity set in for the Reds. The Cubs won the next three games. All Cub fans know that this is one of the highlights this year. This was good.


Of course, this doesn't mean the Cubs will now go on a winning streak, but hope is eternal. And for Cub fans we have to savor all possible highlights.



It is hard being a Cub Fan


June 9, 2006

I have been a Cub fan since Ernie Banks played first base. He is known for saying, "Let's play two." This year I don't want the Cubs to play doubleheaders. It is hard enough to watch the Cubs lose one, but I don't want a double dose.


I always have an optimistic outlook on the season, but as I get older it gets tough to endure June and July when they are already twelve games out and Kerry Wood is going back to the doctor.


Of course, I still think there will be highlights this year. Call me silly.



How are the Yankees winning?


June 7, 2006

I thought the Yankees entire roster was on the DL. How are they still beating the Red Sox?


Sheffield, Matsui, Pavano, Dotel, Bubba and Chacon are all on the DL. Derek Jeter has missed the last couple of games. But the Yankees have beat the Red Sox two straight games. They are winning with old men like Bernie and young ones like Melky. How is that possible?


Injuries are part of baseball and everyone has them. It just happens that some teams are equipped to keep winning in spite of all their injuries.


I think the Cubs need to take a few lessons. Injuries do not ruin a season unless the team lets them.



Baseball Draft, who cares


June 6, 2006

The baseball draft is Tuesday and Wednesday, does any fan pay attention? Why?


The football draft is talked about for weeks. Then it is covered on TV and radio with much analysis. People bet on who will be the number one pick. There is much hullaballo about the NFL draft.


The NBA likes to think their draft is just as important. And since it is only two rounds it does have excitement. There is about as much speculation on the number one pick, but of course for the NBA it is usually the top ten picks that are over analyzed.


The MLB draft is off the radar. Why? Is it because it takes so long to get to the pros? Or is it because everyone picked is just a prospect?


The only conclusion is baseball experts can't figure out who will be stars. So are they really experts?



Not crying for the Cards


June 5, 2006

Albert is going on the DL. I am not crying, but I am not so heartless and doing cartwheels. Injuries are a part of professional sports and now maybe the cards will have to deal with some. Good.


For my part I hope the Cards panic and do something stupid. And of course I really don't care to see Albert come back until he is fully recovered, say maybe 2010. Cub fans don' cry for Cardinals.



Nats hold a firesale


June 3, 2006

There are rumors that the Nationals are ready to unload their top players for prospects. They have been out of the race since April 2nd, so this is no surprise.


What I find surprising is that the number one name for trading is Alfonso Soriano. Isn't Alfonso the same player that didn't want to move to outfield at the beginning of the season? And didn't he throw a temper tantrum and threaten not to play? Now is this someone that is wanted on a contending team?


If or when the Nats trade him, is there a guarantee that he will play where the new team needs him? I don't know, but for me I think Alfonso may be a little problem for a new team.


Of course, that will not stop the sale.



The Tigers avoid sweep


June 2, 2006

I almost thought I jumped on the Tiger bandwagon too soon. They had a four game series with the awful empire NY Yankees and couldn't get a win in the first three games. But with all the best of luck, Mariano Rivera the automatic closer got back spasms. That left Kyle Farnsworth, x cub, to try to hold a lead.


Farnsworth had some good moments as a cub, but he had some bad moments, too. And now he has a bad game for those Yankees, that makes me happy.


Let's go Tigers. Win some more.



Barry play another year?


May 31, 2006

People are already speculating if Barry will play another year, but he hasn't even finished this year. Is there any indication that Barry's tape will hold him together for this entire season? But I guess it is more fun to speculate about Bonds, when it isn't about his steroid use.


Of course, my first inclination was to consider the Yankees. I know that San Fran loves him, but I don't think he can play left field anymore and first base doesn't seem to be on the horizon. So if Barry plays next year, it will be for an American League team as a DH. The position was invented for the player that Barry is today. The Yankees have plenty of DHers but that is a moot point. George loves headlines and he loves controversy, therefore it is an easy jump to believe that George would love Barry.


Barry is not a Yankee prototype, but most of the team today isn't either. If Barry can still hit every other day, my money is on George throwing his weight around to get him. Of course if he has already passed Aaron's record, the odds change.


Just think, Barry in pinstripes! I wouldn't be shocked.



Randy is back?


May 30, 2006

Randy Johnson threw a good game yesterday, so now people want to say the old Randy is back. Huh? Even a pig can find a truffle.


Please note that Kansas City won yesterday. The Cubs bullpen didn't blow a good outing by Kerry Wood. Also, Pittsburg and Florida won yesterday. These games only point out that if you play 162 games, you will not lose all of them.


Has Johnson righted his ship? Maybe. But Johnson is an old pitcher, don't expect much from him. There is a reason that Roger Clemens is not racing to get back until the all star break. Clemens knows he has only so much pitching left in his arm and maybe people will finally realize that about Randy.



The Cubs score and still lose


May 29, 2006

The Cubs scored twelve runs yesterday. I should be happy. But they lost. So, I have no joy in the score.


This has been a really bad month for my not lovable Cubs. My hope is that it is the month of May and not the entire season that is lost.



The Royals break their losing streak


May 27, 2006

I imagine that George Steinbrenner wasn't too happy last night. Yes, Jeter did get his 2000 hit. But the Royals won the game. That had to get George mad.


Yes, the Royals, by pure accident, will have to win at least 50 games. But do you really think that Steinbrenner wants any of those wins to be against his high priced team? What must have really stunk was that it was at the stadium, not in Kansas City.


Oh well, I find it enjoyable when the Yankees lose. And I have to say the Yankess losing to Kansas City and the Mets losing to Florida made me feel good.



These royals stink


May 26, 2006

I turned on the Detroit/KC game yesterday and in the second inning the score was KC 6 Tigers 0. I was shocked.


My Cubs are having a rough spring, so I have decided to follow the Tigers until they falter. Were the Tigers going by the wayside like the Cubs?


No. I just didn't understand that the Tigers' opponent was so bad. The Tigers won 13-8. Now, that is either a good sign for the Tigers. Or it is just an indication of a horrible year for the Royals.


I am hoping it means the Tigers can win most any game.



El Duque a good choice


May 25, 2006

El Duque is back in NY. The only thing that is a little strange is that it was the Mets and not the Yankees who brought him back. The Yankees need a starter just as much as the Mets do, however, I think the Yankees are going to spend alot more for their starter. The Mets needed a fourth/fifth starter and paid basically nothing for it. Okay Julio was acquired for Benson, so this is a swap for Benson.


This is a good pickup for the Mets. They have not found that starter in their system that can fill Victor Zambrano's spot and this might be the one. El Duque pitched last year for the World Series champs and wasn't a hinderance for them, so the Mets should feel safe.


All El Duque has to do is start every fifth day until the end of the season and win half of those. That will keep the Mets in the race and they will probably use him in relief in the playoffs. Good decision by the Mets.



They win Again


May 24, 2006

Detroit scored four runs in the eight and pulled out a win 8-5 last night. Okay, it was against the Royals, so maybe that is not that great. But remember this is the Detroit Tigers who have lost an average of 100 games in the last five years.


Also, they chose a manager who most people thought was just going through the motions when he took the job. And then they signed Kenny Rogers. Kenny "I'll hit you" Rogers.


No one. That is no one thought this team would have 30 wins before June.


Yes, they have six of those wins against the Royals. And yes they have 12 more games against the "awful Royals". But Detroit just has to beat who they play to win their division and presently they are doing that better than any other team.


Here come the Tigers.



How Lucky can you get?


May 23, 2006

The Atlanta Braves struck out 18 times last night. That is usually an indication of a rotten game. To top it all off they only got one ball out of the infield. But they won.


How lucky can you get? But you have to feel for the Padres' pitching staff who struck out 18 and only walked one in a nine inning game. You are suppose to win when you pitch that well.


The Luck was with the Braves last night not the Padres.



I hope the smack adds some life


May 22, 2006

No, Michael Barrett should not have smacked Pierzynski. However, as a Cub fan I hope something good comes out of this. And I think the only thing good would be that maybe the team will come together and hit a little harder.


There is no excuse for what Barrett did but it may smack some life into these lethargic Cubs. I can only hope.



JT to the Cubs


May 20, 2006

JT Snow wants to play baseball, not sit on the bench and wait for a pinch hit opportunity. The Cubs need someone that could possibly get a hit. Anyone that can get a hit. Their offense is so anemic that if their pitching isn't lights out they can't win. JT probably has some hits left in his bat and besides the Cubs only need him for this year.


Of all the rumors about the Cubs this one sounds plausible. Here's hoping something can be worked out. I want to have something to cheer about this summer.



Are the Tigers for Real?


May 19, 2006

The Detroit Tigers have their longest winning streak in years. They also have the best record in baseball. And to top it off they have the best road record of 16-7. Now even for May, that is impressive from a team that is usually out of it by July.


History says that the Tigers will fall to earth and the White Sox will win their division and the wildcard will be either the Yankees or the Red Sox. But I am not quite sure that these Tigers may have found something to sustain them for the long season.


I am rooting for them to make the playoffs.



Sean Marshall worth watching


May 18, 2006

Of course being a Cub fan, I will revel in anything that is Cub positive. And Sean Marshall is a positive for the Cubs this year.


Sean has pitched some bad games but he has also pitched some good games, and last night was a good game. As a dreamer/cub fan I have to think maybe there is more to come. It will be fun to watch him this year and hopefully in years to come.



Something to cheer about


May 17, 2006

Carlos struck out 8 and only walked 2 in eight innings and the Cubs scored some runs. This is noteworthy, because the Cubs haven't scored much and Carlos has walked too many already this season. It would be nice if this is a sign of what is to come.


It is always one game at a time, but for Cub fans this was a game to cheer. We haven't had much to cheer about in May, so far.



Are the Yankees on Edge?


May 16, 2006

The Rangers beat the Yankees last night which keeps them a full game behind the Red Sox. And to top it all off they are only a half a game ahead of the Blue Jays. Can you believe it?


Also, the Yankees only have the fourth best winning percentage in the American League. If the playoffs were today, they wouldn't be in them. Oh no, I think George probably should do something. Don't you?


I know it is only May but wouldn't it be funny if it was October. No Yankees in the playoffs. That would be great.


Of course, that is just one of my dreams.



It isn't just Derek's fault


May 15, 2006

The Cubs are not playing bad just because Derek Lee got hurt. They are playing very bad baseball.


There is no telling if Lee wouldn't have been hurt whether they would be this bad. However, even if Lee was in the lineup and everyone was playing the way they have been, the record wouldn't be much different. Baseball is a team sport so the problems are shared just like the wins.


The Cubs need to hit and pitch better, if they are going to win.



Good Acquisition


May 13, 2006

When Detroit signed Kenny Rogers in the off season, my reaction was ho hum. I still couldn't believe he was still pitching. His stint for the Yankees I thought had been an indication he wouldn't have a long career. That was wrong.


Some people can't perform in NY and maybe that was Rogers problem. Of course ,he did come back and pitch for the Mets at the end of 1999 and did pretty well.


It doesn't really matter. Rogers is starting out very strong and if the Tigers continue to play well he will have a career year. Maybe this is another pitcher who finally learned to pitch, not just throw.


Good pickup for the Tigers.



What a catch


May 12, 2006

Aaron Rowand smashed into the wall, but held onto the ball. That one catch won the game for the Phillies and it was a great catch.


The bases were full and there were two outs. Xavier Nady hit a long ball that looked like it has eyes for the gap, but Aaron kept his eyes on it while he watched the wall. The wall landed in Aaron's face but the ball landed in his glove. That ended the first threat for the Mets. It was a short rainy night, so that catch played large in the Phillies win.


It was a great catch, the kind that are in highlights.



Carlos looked good


May 11, 2006

I like Zambrano and think he will eventually win multiple Cy Young awards, he is that good. He will be better than Wood or Prior, but this spring has been hard to watch. Last Night he looked very good. He made Barry look human.


Zambrano still gives up too many walks, but I hope he has turned the corner and ready to be dominate this year. The Cubs need some good pitching.



Too Strict???


May 10, 2006

Jason Kendall says that baseball is becoming like badminton, what is he talking about. Baseball puts up with too many big boy tantrums and they should stop them now.


There is only one way to stop big baby boys from throwing punches and helmets and baseball bats, fine them or throw them out of the game. In football if the player throws his helmet it is a fine no questions asked. Football has actually reduced some of the stupid little things that the big tantrum throwing boys do. Baseball lets them do anything they want.


There is no wonder why Delmon Young threw his helmet at the umpire. He knows he can. The best way to stop this is "zero tolerance". Rule number 1: A ballplayer may not remove his helmet until he is in the dugout. Rule number 2: A ballplayer will be fined every time he throws his helmet. Rule number 3: No appeals.


If these are implemented the little babies that play baseball will learn very quickly to stop throwing things. But don't expect this to happen. Baseball doesn't want to stop anything.



Livan is more like Victor


May 9, 2006

The rumor says that the Mets are eyeing Livan Hernandez as a replacement for Victor Zambrano. I would say that would be a good choice. Livan is on a bad team. He has one win, and so did Victor. However, he is pitching better than Victor was, which should translate into wins.


If the Mets can get Livan on the cheap, which is very likely, they should pick him up. If they still need arms to finish up the season then go pay for Zito in August. It is a no brainer.



Why replace Zambrano?


May 8, 2006

There is talk that the Mets are now interested in dealing their number one prospect,Lasting Milledge, for Barry Zito. Why now? Yes the Mets have lost a starter for the year, however, he wasn't much of a starter. The Mets are still at the top of their game. The division doesn't look that unbeatable, so why give up a prospect in May? In August it will only cost money, and the Mets have that.


It doesn't look that the Mets really need that much help to get through the summer. However, these are the Mets and they do over react to every situation. That is how they have Zambrano in the first place.


So my guess is that Mets get Zito and finish behind the Phillies. And Lasting Milledge becomes a star. Just a thought.



Alou hurt?


May 6, 2006

Moises Alou was carried off the field last night, and that may be a sign of the Giants season. If Alou, who already has 25 rbis and 7 hrs, is out for any length of time the Giants will have problems. Pitchers already pitch around Bonds to get to Alou, who has made them pay a little this year. What happens when Alou isn't there?


Here's hoping it will be a short season for the Giants. Yes, I don't like the Giants, either.



The Tigers are winning?


May 5, 2006

There is something wrong with the AL baseball standings. I read that the Detroit Tigers was in 2nd place with 19 wins.


Huh? That is for real? I think that is great.


I watched Denny McLain in 1968 and thought it was fantastic to win 30 games. Of course I rooted for McLain to win a few more games that World Series, the opponent were the "hated Cards". Yes, I hated the Cardinals that long ago.


Of course, since then the Tigers haven't done much and McLain got fat. So, when one of my favorite players Pudge signed with the Tigers last year, I though huh. Pudge must have lost his head. He played on a gutsy young Marlin team and now he was going to a nothing young team. Why?


I don't know if it is just Leyland and older players like Pudge and Rogers, but these Tigers just might be fun. I think I may pay a little more attention.


Of course, that may be because my team needs to get their s_ _ _ together soon.



Got a hit?


May 4, 2006

Barry got a hit with his head?


I think I read that wrong.


Barry got hit in the head? That is what it said.


Considering Barry's problems in hitting so far this season, I thought he just decided to try a different approach.


It isn't funny. But remember, when things go bad they just keep coming, even for the untouchables.



Oh Where, Oh Where is Roger Going?


May 3, 2006

Oh Where, Oh Where will Roger play??? It doesn't really matter. He won't be pitching for the Cubs, so I don't care.


Clemens is one of the best pitchers I have watched, but unless he pitches for the Cubs, I don't care if he ever plays again. He will pitch this season. And I know every game will be talked about as though it is his last.


Houston and the Yankees really need Clemens. The Red Sox may have enough without him, but he would be the icing on the cake. Every team would be improved with Clemens, but they aren't all in the running. Therefore, only a few fans really care which team he chooses. And I am one of those fans that don't care.



Is Arroyo for real?


May 2, 2006

Bronson Arroyo is off to his best start in his career, can he keep it up?


There is a good chance that Bronson will pitch well for the rest of the year. He is a left hander, and usually lefties take longer to develop. He has pitched decently in the last 2 years, so there is a history that he won't fall on his face. There just isn't anything that says he can stay this good.


Yes, Bronson is 5-0 but please remember that 2 of those wins were against the Cubs with Glendon Rusch pitching. And Glendon has been so bad that Bronson has hit 2 homeruns off of him.


Arroyo may be for real, however, the Reds will fall back to earth because the rest of the pitching staff is not as good as him.



What if Kazmir were still a Met?


May 1, 2006

If Scott Kazmir was pitching for the Mets this year in place of Victor Zambrano, how many extra wins would they already have? In looking at Kazmir's six starts this year he has only given up more than 3 earned runs in one of his starts. He is only 3-2, but he is playing for a weaker team compared to the Mets.


A fan could look at Kazmir and easily figure, that if he was pitching for the Mets, he would probably be 5-1. That would be four more wins than Victor has. And a Met fan can dream about a very possible 20 game winner, if Kazmir was pitching for the Mets this season. While a Met fan doesn't have to go too far, to realize that Zambrano has the ability to be a 20 game loser.


I only ask one question. Why did the Mets trade for Zambrano?



Bashing the ball


April 30, 2006

Saturday was not a fun day for this baseball fan. The Cubs got bashed in the head, by the long ball, from a team that is less talented. How can the Brewers hit 6 homeruns and the Cubs can barely must 2 runs, on the same Wrigley Field day?


That was an awful display of baseball. Let's hope there are not too many games like that.


Then to make my life even more miserable, those idiot Yankees bashed the ball around for 17-6 win over the Twins. I can't tolerate the winning ways of the Yankees. But it makes it worse, when they dominate, not just win.


I hope that today there will be sunshine and my Cubs do the bashing.



Pujols a big swinger, who didn't know?


April 29, 2006

Albert Pujols is ready to break the all time April homerun record. Ho hum, if anyone has been paying attention for the past couple of years this isn't news.


Maybe because I am a Cub fan and have to watch the Cards upteen times a year, I have always known that Pujols was a good hitter. It was obvious when he first came up. Therefore, that Pujols is possibly going to break a homerun record doesn't suprise me, in the slightest.


Now, what is surprising, is that the Cards have played the Cubs six times in April and Pujols only has one home run. That is news. Good news.



Pirates are not panicing?


April 28, 2006

The Pirates won't be making huge rosters changes just because they can't win this year. Hum, is that news? If no one has noticed, the Pirates have not been good since they let Barry leave town, that was September 1992.


The players the Pirates signed to bolster their offense are run of the mill players who have never been great. But there are some very young players that may have promise. Now that is what interests, me.


Aramis Ramirez played for the Pirates and the Cubs stole him away. I am just wondering if maybe the Cubs could get any of the young pitchers for cheap. Now that is what I would call news.



Walks are Badddd????


April 27, 2006

The Yankees walked 14 times and still lost. The most embarrassing part is the Yankees only scored 2 times. How is that possible?


If novice pitchers watched this game they would think walking is a good strategy for winning. I only want to say that Carlos Zambrano is using this strategy and he hasn't won yet. So, lets agree that this is an aberation and yes walks are bad.


This is funny though, because it is the Yankees that lost to the Devil Rays. So, George bought a team that can walk but they can hit. Good job.



Barry may retire soon????


April 26, 2006

So, Barry isn't sure how long he will play. What a shame....


No, not really. I am one of those fans that have never liked Barry. And I am not quite sure I would have liked him even if he had played for the Cubs. I just never had to face that question.


Barry is just not a very likeable player. Fans root for players they deem likeable. Ken Griffey smiled and was polite and soft spoken, so he was likeable. Barry smirked and didn't like opposing fans or the media. And he only talks about what he deems important. That's fine but he can't complain when fans don't root for him.


I liked Hank Aaron because he was a classy player. It was fun to watch him smack the ball over the fence in Atlanta. I just didn't like it when he beat the Cubs, but remember the Braves weren't that good when Hank was finishing his career.


If Bonds doesn't play long enough to break Aaron's record that is fine with me. A plea from a fan: Barry just leave Aaron's record intack. That would be the classiest thing you could ever do.



Alou is a classy player


April 25, 2006

It is hard to say something bad about Moises Alou and I thought that before he played for the Cubs. Moises has always been a classy player who doesn't make headlines off the field. That is a good trait.


So even now, when he plays for a team I can't stand, it is nice to see him beat the Mets. I wish the best for Moises, but would love to see the Giants lose 90 games this season.



Why is Maddux off to such a start?


April 24, 2006

Greg Maddux is a slow starter. In the past, April has not seen his best games. If batters break through in the first couple of innings, he can be beat. However, if Maddux hasn't given up runs by the fourth inning, it will be a long day for his opponents. And the Cards have experienced that twice already this year.


Maddux is pitching better than any Cub fan could have dreamed, considering the last two years and the fact he is forty. Why is he? He doesn't throw hard but he does work fast. When he gets the umpire to believe that he is in the strike zone, he will have a good game. This April he has everything working in his favor and he is making Cub fans forget that Woods and Prior are on the DL.


This Cub fan just wants this dream to continue all season.



More doubleheaders


April 23, 2006

Why are teams allowed to have no doubleheaders? As a child I enjoyed watching back to back games of my favorite team. Of course, I would have preferred the Cubs to win some of those games. However, I still enjoyed them. I thought it remarkable when Wilbur Wood, the knuckleballer for the White Sox, started both games of a doubleheader.


In April and May there are rainouts and instead of scheduling doubleheaders, the teams use off days. Why not give the fans what they deserve, two for the price of one. Every team should have to schedule three doubleheaders a season. And if there are rainouts they may have more.


Doubleheaders are for the fans. And once in a while, if baseball really wants their fans, MLB should give the fans something they want.


Of course, this is just another one of my dreams.



Who cares where Roger goes


April 22, 2006

Roger Clemens will probably wait until after the All Star break to sign with a team. Why is everyone talking about it now? And who really cares, but the team that gets him?


Yes, Clemens is one of the best pitchers I have watched, but I never did like him. He never played for the Cubs. And I don't figure he is going to play with the Cubs this season either.


I do think Clemens will pitch this season and possibly next season. The only thing Clemens has left to prove is the number of wins. Maddux is actually challenging Clemens on this.


Two more half seasons will give Clemens 20 wins and that will be enough to keep Maddux from passing him.


That is the way I see it.



How old is Julio?


April 21, 2006

Julio started playing in the pros before David Wright or Jose Reyes were even born. Does anyone believe he is only 47?


It is stunning that Franco would want to keep playing baseball. But, of course, it is more stunning that he can still take a roster spot away from a kid who is half his age.


Hope this is not from better science, but from his work ethic.



What do the Braves know about the Mets?


April 20, 2006

The Mets should have clobbered the Braves this past series. They should have taken advantage of the Braves being not at the top of their game. However, the Mets proved they aren't ready for to unseat the Braves.


What magical power do the Braves have over these Mets? Is it the Mets inability or is it the Braves greatness. I of course doubt that the Braves are really great. But I do think these Mets are going to have problems with their pitching. And the first name in problems with be Victor. Zambrano is not the pitcher the Mets need him to be.


As a Cub fan that is just fine with me. The Mets can't lose enough.



Pujols has been good for awhile


April 19, 2006

Why has it taken so long for people to finally admit that Pujols is a good hitter?


I have known since Pujols came up in 2001 that he was a good hitter. It is as obvious as his stats show. He had 201 HRs coming into this season. That is an average of 40 HRs a season and that is good.


My dream is that Pujols is traded to the Cubs, of course he would have to play the outfield. But since the cards and cubs won't trade with each other that dream isn't coming true.



Steroids are here, deal with it


April 17, 2006

Let me say from the start, I do not like Barry Bonds and never have. I didn't like him when he played for the Pirates, though he was becoming a great player. The main reason I don't like him: I am a Griffey fan. It should be remembered there was a discussion of who would be the greatest, Bobby's or Ken Sr's son.


I had watched both of the fathers play and it was quite exciting to see the sons follow their dad's business. I had enjoyed Bobby Bonds enthusiasm for the game, he played extremely hard. And I enjoyed watching Griffey's "runnning reds", but got tired of their winning. I am a cub fan and I don't like the cubs to lose. They lost alot to Cincy.


So, back in the '90s both Ken Jr. and Barry were compared to their dads. Then they were compared to each other and fans were to choose which one would be the best. Both had talent and both were probably better than their dads. Ken Griffey Jr. had a great smile. Barry had a surly look. I picked Griffey. Bonds was good and getting better but he played for a team that wouldn't spend money. If Pittsburg would have paid Bonds he would have stayed and probably been Governor of PA by now. But they didn't and he became mayor of SF. And Griffey has had more injuries than one should ever have. I picked the wrong player.


With all of that said, this stupid "steroid investigation" is just that stupid. Anyone with a grip on reality will admit there have been steroids in baseball. And unfortunately it has been going on for more than 1 year. Also, everyone understands that the union made sure that steroids were not specifically against the "rules of baseball" until just recently. So, anyone who took steroids in the '80s, '90s and early '00s did not do anything wrong in baseball. Also, the players wouldn't have tested positive because they weren't being tested for steroids. However, just because no one tested positive does not mean that steroids were not used.


So, what is Bud investigating?


This investigation is not investigating to see if the owners, who were paying outrageous salaries to Giambis and Sosas, ever checked to verify that those players were not taking steroids. No, the investigation is checking to see if anybody has used steroids since baseball started testing for steroids. Huh? That doesn't make sense. Shouldn't the testing tell you if there have been offenders?


Baseball needs to shut up and suck it up. Baseball: which includes the owners, the union, the fans and the media, allowed steroids to enter the game back in the '80s and never said a word. The owners loved the new run production, which produced more fans, which produced more money. The union loved the new salaries which produced more money. The fans loved the home runs. And the media loved the new drama which produced more stories. It was good for everyone or at least that was the feeling at the time.


Now the media and fans are in an uproar because Barry is going to break a "hallowed" record. So what? Why is no one screaming about what these steroids may have done to some of these atheletes? Yes, steroids aren't as damaging as in previous years, but still they can cause some unpleasant side effects which may not appear until years after the use. The aftershock will probably never be studied because everyone has their heads in the sand and don't want to believe that steroids have been used.


The tragedy is not that steroids have been used. The tragedy is that some men have sacrificed their bodies for a shot at a career and their bosses and their union think that is what they are supposed to do to make a living. And the media and fans think that is just fine as long as they can watch.



More daytime baseball


April 16, 2006

I am a cub fan and as you can see by my picture below I have a Cub's uniform that I love to wear. Yes, I only own one other outfit and I wear that when my uniform is in the wash.


As most people understand, baseball is the perfect game for people who love to lounge around in their t-shirts and shorts and enjoy a burger or brats with a beer. Baseball understands that a good game doesn't need to be rushed. Baseball must be savored, like a good wine.


That is why I am totally against having some stupid clock or time limits in baseball. If a pitcher wants to pitch at "Bob Gibson speed", then you have a one hour and forty five minute game. However, if a pitcher wants to pitch slower than Bernard Langer plays golf, there should be no problem with a six hour game. If all games were sped up there wouldn't be anytime to get refreshments and you might have only one hotdog. That would be a shame.


Baseball is played in the summer when it is fun and enjoyable to be outside. Of course, there could be more daytime baseball for those of us who would like to have a reason to play hookey from work.


Night time baseball is the invention of "the tyrant employers" who don't want their hard working employees taking off an afternoon in the middle of summer, to enjoy four hours out in the sunshine eating and drinking. I just think that is downright unAmerican.