Thanks for answering my question guys....
Q: Andy of Chicago - Tom/Anthony, I've heard that Ned Yost is quite the fan of coffee. As a coffee connoisseur myself, I'm curious as to the type of coffee he drinks, and how many cups per day he usually downs. Thanks guys and keep up the good work!
A: Brewers Mailbag - I know he frequents Starbucks quite often. Not sure what he's got in the pot in his office. I'd say he drinks around 12 cups a day. And that might be a conservative estimate.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Couple Things
1) A quick follow up to the "Hory Kow" shirt - the Sun Times, not surprisingly, absolutely slammed the guy who makes them while working in some diggs on all Cubs fans.
Great read, my favorite part:
Regardless, it's not funny. The image feeds not only ugly, arrogant and ignorant Japanese stereotypes, but also the stereotype of the obnoxious, profane, drunken, booing, garbage-throwing Cubs fan.
How much truth is there in either image? And how funny is either one?
Kolbusz said he's ''indifferent'' to the image on the shirt.
''I'm making money,'' he said. ''It doesn't offend me. If other people are offended by it, it's just a silly T-shirt. Nobody is trying to offend anybody.''
Which is probably true -- and, if so, sadly ignorant.
2) As you have probably noticed, there haven't been any updates on the blog lately. Unfortunately that is probably the outlook for the foreseeable future. Between my daily routine of working/commuting 11 hours and spending over 3 hours watching the Brewers (on my laptop no less) there hasn't been enough time or motivation to write new material for TYI outside of analyzing each individual game (done much better by sites like RightFieldBleachers.com and BrewCrewBall.com).
This may change later in the year so feel free to check back periodically. Meanwhile thanks to everyone who has read/commented/emailed/linked TYI the past few months.
Great read, my favorite part:
Regardless, it's not funny. The image feeds not only ugly, arrogant and ignorant Japanese stereotypes, but also the stereotype of the obnoxious, profane, drunken, booing, garbage-throwing Cubs fan.
How much truth is there in either image? And how funny is either one?
Kolbusz said he's ''indifferent'' to the image on the shirt.
''I'm making money,'' he said. ''It doesn't offend me. If other people are offended by it, it's just a silly T-shirt. Nobody is trying to offend anybody.''
Which is probably true -- and, if so, sadly ignorant.
2) As you have probably noticed, there haven't been any updates on the blog lately. Unfortunately that is probably the outlook for the foreseeable future. Between my daily routine of working/commuting 11 hours and spending over 3 hours watching the Brewers (on my laptop no less) there hasn't been enough time or motivation to write new material for TYI outside of analyzing each individual game (done much better by sites like RightFieldBleachers.com and BrewCrewBall.com).
This may change later in the year so feel free to check back periodically. Meanwhile thanks to everyone who has read/commented/emailed/linked TYI the past few months.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Draw your own conclusion
An actual shirt they are selling outside of Wrigley in honor of Fukudome.
Keep it classy Cubs fans.
Keep it classy Cubs fans.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Prince doesn't eat meat? No way!
Its never been clear what Mike Hunt's obsession with Prince Fielder has been about (or my obsession with Mike Hunt - but thats another article). He wrote about his contract situation (albeit a little late), he covered his new diet, and now - he uses his platform at the Journal Sentinel to write about Prince's "struggles" through 9 games this season.
We examine below....
It might be somewhat impractical to point out that a baseball player has begun a season without a home run in his first nine games.
I agree - very impractical to point this out. In fact if you were to point this out on Brewerfan you'd be shouted down by a lot of other rational people...but...wait....you....write for....a newspaper with a huge circulation....and...you....are...pointing this very issue...out...right now!
But this is Prince Fielder, who averaged one majestic blast for roughly every three games he played last season, we're talking about here.
Just you - you're the person talking about his lack of power after 9 games.
This isn't exactly what you'd call an issue, not yet, no matter if the Carnivores of Southeastern Wisconsin are planning to hold their next meeting in front of the big guy's locker in hopes of a relapse.
And we begin Mike Hunt's obsession with Prince Fielder's eating habits.
Its almost like he has covered this before.....
Fielder was 0 for 11 in the series the Brewers just dropped to the Cincinnati Reds. Except for a double he hit off the base of the center-field wall against San Francisco a few days earlier, Fielder hasn't made real solid contact yet. He's batting .242 with more strikeouts (six) than RBI (five).
Since joining the lineup for good in 2006, he has never gone this long without going yard, the last one coming on Sept. 25, 2007.
But it is early, ridiculously early for anyone to be worrying about Prince Fielder's swing.
EXCEPT YOU -- AND YOUR JOURNAL SENTINEL COLUMN-- JUST SPENT TWO PARAGRAPHS WORRYING ABOUT PRINCE FIELDER'S SWING.
Prince was also batting like .350 before the Reds series - why are we even talking about batting average after 9 games?
Anyone, that is, except for Fielder himself.
(And you...Mike Hunt)
"Come on, man," Fielder said Thursday after another 0-fer in the 4-1 loss to the Reds. "What do you think? No, I'm not OK with (my swing). It's god-awful. If I'm going to be in the middle of the lineup I've got to be a little better. Just got to keep going up there and swinging hard."
And you expected him to reply, "Nah man - my swing is fine." I'm assuming Hunt only actually watches games and interviews players if its a day game - so job well done.
Fielder has been through this before. Two years ago, not long after the Brewers traded doubles machine Lyle Overbay to make way for such power, Fielder began his career in earnest 0 for 11 with seven strikeouts. Since then, bleacher seats all over baseball have taken a beating.
I bet I could pull numerous 11 at-bat streaks where Prince has struggled (obviously way to lazy to do this).
Last year, at 23, Fielder became the youngest player to hit 50 home runs in a single season.
This off-season, Fielder became a vegetarian, so, of course, he will hear it now, especially this weekend when the Brewers are in New York:
Hey, Prince, have a cheeseburger.
He may here it from random fans wherever he goes. I'm assuming by his body size he's been hearing remarks like that since he started elementary school.
One place he is hearing talk about his eating habits? The Journal Sentinel.
But, really, does Fielder look any weaker to you? I asked him if he felt weaker.
"No, man," he said.
Again - nice job with the locker room access. I'm STUNNED that Prince didn't think he was weaker.
Fielder complained during spring training when the Brewers assigned him a $670,000 salary after such a season, but that doesn't mean he is under any more pressure to produce. He may hear about it more if he doesn't hit soon, but hit he will. He's too good a hitter, and not just a home-run hitter, to stay down long.
Remember when Mike found out about Prince's contract - 12 days too late? I do.
And the long ball?
"I just want to hit the ball hard first," Fielder said. "You can't worry about home runs until you make contact. I'll just try to hit the ball hard and see what happens. I'm just not getting the job done."
Great questions elicit great answers.
It's been said that Fielder plays best when he is challenged. If the Brewers didn't know it before, they know now that the National League Central is a little better than anyone thought. Fielder is the undisputed leader, the one who has shown the way with his bat.
Now we reach the point in the article where we are just filling space. Hunt went over his two main points:
Miller Park might've come down had Fielder connected in the ninth against Francisco Cordero, who was enthusiastically booed before he even left the Reds bullpen. Instead, Fielder fouled out.
Getting there...
Earlier against Aaron Harang, "He got a pitch that he just missed," manager Ned Yost said. "He just got under it and skied it straight to right field. We're talking a half an inch or a quarter of an inch more and that ball is in the seats. So there's no concern."
Almost there......
No, there's not. Not yet.
(Thanks Mike)
We examine below....
It might be somewhat impractical to point out that a baseball player has begun a season without a home run in his first nine games.
I agree - very impractical to point this out. In fact if you were to point this out on Brewerfan you'd be shouted down by a lot of other rational people...but...wait....you....write for....a newspaper with a huge circulation....and...you....are...pointing this very issue...out...right now!
But this is Prince Fielder, who averaged one majestic blast for roughly every three games he played last season, we're talking about here.
Just you - you're the person talking about his lack of power after 9 games.
This isn't exactly what you'd call an issue, not yet, no matter if the Carnivores of Southeastern Wisconsin are planning to hold their next meeting in front of the big guy's locker in hopes of a relapse.
And we begin Mike Hunt's obsession with Prince Fielder's eating habits.
Its almost like he has covered this before.....
Fielder was 0 for 11 in the series the Brewers just dropped to the Cincinnati Reds. Except for a double he hit off the base of the center-field wall against San Francisco a few days earlier, Fielder hasn't made real solid contact yet. He's batting .242 with more strikeouts (six) than RBI (five).
Since joining the lineup for good in 2006, he has never gone this long without going yard, the last one coming on Sept. 25, 2007.
But it is early, ridiculously early for anyone to be worrying about Prince Fielder's swing.
EXCEPT YOU -- AND YOUR JOURNAL SENTINEL COLUMN-- JUST SPENT TWO PARAGRAPHS WORRYING ABOUT PRINCE FIELDER'S SWING.
Prince was also batting like .350 before the Reds series - why are we even talking about batting average after 9 games?
Anyone, that is, except for Fielder himself.
(And you...Mike Hunt)
"Come on, man," Fielder said Thursday after another 0-fer in the 4-1 loss to the Reds. "What do you think? No, I'm not OK with (my swing). It's god-awful. If I'm going to be in the middle of the lineup I've got to be a little better. Just got to keep going up there and swinging hard."
And you expected him to reply, "Nah man - my swing is fine." I'm assuming Hunt only actually watches games and interviews players if its a day game - so job well done.
Fielder has been through this before. Two years ago, not long after the Brewers traded doubles machine Lyle Overbay to make way for such power, Fielder began his career in earnest 0 for 11 with seven strikeouts. Since then, bleacher seats all over baseball have taken a beating.
I bet I could pull numerous 11 at-bat streaks where Prince has struggled (obviously way to lazy to do this).
Last year, at 23, Fielder became the youngest player to hit 50 home runs in a single season.
This off-season, Fielder became a vegetarian, so, of course, he will hear it now, especially this weekend when the Brewers are in New York:
Hey, Prince, have a cheeseburger.
He may here it from random fans wherever he goes. I'm assuming by his body size he's been hearing remarks like that since he started elementary school.
One place he is hearing talk about his eating habits? The Journal Sentinel.
But, really, does Fielder look any weaker to you? I asked him if he felt weaker.
"No, man," he said.
Again - nice job with the locker room access. I'm STUNNED that Prince didn't think he was weaker.
Fielder complained during spring training when the Brewers assigned him a $670,000 salary after such a season, but that doesn't mean he is under any more pressure to produce. He may hear about it more if he doesn't hit soon, but hit he will. He's too good a hitter, and not just a home-run hitter, to stay down long.
Remember when Mike found out about Prince's contract - 12 days too late? I do.
And the long ball?
"I just want to hit the ball hard first," Fielder said. "You can't worry about home runs until you make contact. I'll just try to hit the ball hard and see what happens. I'm just not getting the job done."
Great questions elicit great answers.
It's been said that Fielder plays best when he is challenged. If the Brewers didn't know it before, they know now that the National League Central is a little better than anyone thought. Fielder is the undisputed leader, the one who has shown the way with his bat.
Now we reach the point in the article where we are just filling space. Hunt went over his two main points:
- Prince is struggling. We should be worried and he is going to use Milwaukee's newspaper to call attention to it.
- Prince may have lost strength because he stopped eating meat. He will bring this up, and uses his locker room access to ask Prince about this.
Miller Park might've come down had Fielder connected in the ninth against Francisco Cordero, who was enthusiastically booed before he even left the Reds bullpen. Instead, Fielder fouled out.
Getting there...
Earlier against Aaron Harang, "He got a pitch that he just missed," manager Ned Yost said. "He just got under it and skied it straight to right field. We're talking a half an inch or a quarter of an inch more and that ball is in the seats. So there's no concern."
Almost there......
No, there's not. Not yet.
(Thanks Mike)
This has to be some sort of record right?
Yesterday Brewer pitching walked 9 guys - not good. Even worse - they walked 9 guys on a team managed by Mr. Clogging the Bases himself.This has to approach some sort of single game record against a Dusty Baker managed team (though Bonds probably skews everything).
Lets hope we can keep the walks to a minimum today - though wasn't it enjoyable to see Bush strike out Dunn then throw 8 straight balls?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Grindy Update
Creepy Cardinal Nation (CCN) is back!
So I was reading FJM's pretty funny reaction to a Toronto Star beat writer's overreaction to an innocent question. I of course read the comments to this mailbag and stumbled across the best defense of David Eckstein I have read on the internet. CCN back at it again.
Most rational humans (non-CCN) see Eckstein for what he is - an average shortstop with little power with decent (not great) OBP throughout his career. This guy....not so much.
The full comment below (I've broken in up into paragraphs to make it easier to read) - my favorite parts in bold.
I have been following Eckstein since 2002 no matter what team he his on. I will grant that Eckstein may not provide as strong as arm as most shortstops and make the defensive stops that Ozzie did, but he is one solid player and has proven his defensive and offensive ability.
Why have a SS that has a stronger arm less offensive output when Eck might make 3 less outs per 100 attempts? He does not make mental miscues and gives 110% ever day he is out there. Look at his work ethic. Toronto fans will have an opportunity to watch him on a daily basis.
He is one of the first at the park to prepare and will work harder than most if not all of the other players. This is the reason for his success. He has been on successful teams whereever he has gone. Most people cite is stature and say he "has just enough" That is crazy. He has more than most. He has shown he has the talent to be there (two World Championships and 1 World Series MVP).
Some would say he is lucky. I would say they don't know what they are talking about. If you follow him daily has I do (and as you all will have the chance to), you will find out why the Blue Jays have opted to have Eckstein. I will enoy watching him bring the Blue Birds to the post season as he was a major factor for the Red Birds.
I'm tempted to think that this is simply a FJM reader having a little fun with the comments section, but because of the terrible logic and utter disregard for any sort of proper grammar (like TYI) - all signs point to a native of both Missouri and CCN.
Thoughts?
So I was reading FJM's pretty funny reaction to a Toronto Star beat writer's overreaction to an innocent question. I of course read the comments to this mailbag and stumbled across the best defense of David Eckstein I have read on the internet. CCN back at it again.
Most rational humans (non-CCN) see Eckstein for what he is - an average shortstop with little power with decent (not great) OBP throughout his career. This guy....not so much.
The full comment below (I've broken in up into paragraphs to make it easier to read) - my favorite parts in bold.
I have been following Eckstein since 2002 no matter what team he his on. I will grant that Eckstein may not provide as strong as arm as most shortstops and make the defensive stops that Ozzie did, but he is one solid player and has proven his defensive and offensive ability.
Why have a SS that has a stronger arm less offensive output when Eck might make 3 less outs per 100 attempts? He does not make mental miscues and gives 110% ever day he is out there. Look at his work ethic. Toronto fans will have an opportunity to watch him on a daily basis.
He is one of the first at the park to prepare and will work harder than most if not all of the other players. This is the reason for his success. He has been on successful teams whereever he has gone. Most people cite is stature and say he "has just enough" That is crazy. He has more than most. He has shown he has the talent to be there (two World Championships and 1 World Series MVP).
Some would say he is lucky. I would say they don't know what they are talking about. If you follow him daily has I do (and as you all will have the chance to), you will find out why the Blue Jays have opted to have Eckstein. I will enoy watching him bring the Blue Birds to the post season as he was a major factor for the Red Birds.
I'm tempted to think that this is simply a FJM reader having a little fun with the comments section, but because of the terrible logic and utter disregard for any sort of proper grammar (like TYI) - all signs point to a native of both Missouri and CCN.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Amen!
From Journal Sentinal on Friday (also linked on Deadspin and many other national blogs now), a pretty thought provoking article about the parking lot situation at Miller Park.
The article documents some of the "interesting" ideas people have used to avoid the 45 minute wait to use the port-a-johns in the parking lots.
"Three people told me they were wearing Depends diapers," Loche said.
Some, meanwhile, simply urinated on the asphalt. And many flocked to the makeshift businesses that sprouted on the lots.
One man set up a plywood screen around a large plastic barrel and charged $1 per use. By about 2:15 p.m. the entrepreneur had gone to the game, and the barrel was one-third filled.
A nearby competitor was reportedly charging $3 per visit for a crude toilet surrounded by a shower curtain.
Most elaborate was the operation of Brenden Augustine of Waukesha in a parking lot east of the stadium. He mounted a rented portable toilet on the back of a pickup truck and charged $5 a visit, or $10 for all-day access. Augustine said he and his buddies started the day charging $1 and $5, but raised the rates when long lines began to form.
"Demand went up," he said, "and once demand goes up, you've got to start charging more."
This article raises a very good point. WHY AREN'T THERE MORE PORT-A-JOHNS IN THE PARKING LOT????? YOU'RE A CORPORATION WORTH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT CHARGES $7 FOR A GODDAMN CUP OF BEER - WHY WON'T YOU PAY MORE MONEY SO I DON'T HAVE TO FILL UP EMPTY VITAMIN WATER BOTTLES AND LEAVE THEM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT (true story)???
I spent 5 minutes on Google and found new port-a-john for $600. I'm assuming that if the Brewers bought in bulk they could get that price down to at least $450-$500.
What is preventing this from happening? Do we need to write letters? This is not just an opening day problem- this happens every game all year 'round. I'm assuming Miller Park personal (while not confiscating perfectly legal t-shirts that say Yost Infection on them) noticed that there were hour long lines to use a disgusting port-a-john?
I'm glad the national media is picking up on this. Its been years of this crap (whoa!)....get it done Mark A.
God Bless Him
Nothing earth shattering from Mike Hunt the past few days....generic columns that have the general point that the Brewers won this weekend.
I will just leave you with the opening lines...since that is where the money is. Seriously. Just read the first (and sometimes last) lines and you'll get enough Hunt to last you a week.
Exhibit A
You are a baseball fan, but more than that you are a Milwaukee Brewers fan. Such an existence has been difficult to bear, especially on those occasions when the Brewers have been relentlessly creative in supplying you with ample motive to hold them in contempt.
But now they have thrown you a curveball. Now the Brewers defy you to find reasons to not like them.
And Exhibit B
I will just leave you with the opening lines...since that is where the money is. Seriously. Just read the first (and sometimes last) lines and you'll get enough Hunt to last you a week.
Exhibit A
You are a baseball fan, but more than that you are a Milwaukee Brewers fan. Such an existence has been difficult to bear, especially on those occasions when the Brewers have been relentlessly creative in supplying you with ample motive to hold them in contempt.
But now they have thrown you a curveball. Now the Brewers defy you to find reasons to not like them.
And Exhibit B
In his expanded role of overseer of all he surveys, from National Ave. to I-94 and points in between, Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost was asked Friday to offer his thoughts on the home-opener experience.
.....
And like Hall, they seemed properly positioned.
Hello?
Ned?Ted?
Maddux?
I was good to go on Friday....and Saturday....and Sunday. Please? Can I please pitch in a game that matters? I promise I'll do my best.
Hello? I was an All Star! Dammit! Why won't anyone listen to me?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Aww hell
I'm finally done here since I'll be joining Supertramp and on his blog sabbatical tomorrow at the ball park. If you get bored, take a moment to stop by All Things Steve and say hi.
Well, Carnac the Magnificent I am not, saying all my predictions for today's game went tits up. Bush pulled a 2005 Dempster walking a career-high 5 batters, one which resulted in a run. I didn't actually 'see' the game but I caught a lot on mlb.com's gameday and Bush was definitely pitching from behind in the count the entire day. When you are a control pitcher like Bush and can't consistently hit the strike zone, well you can see what happens.
Yost said Bush did a 'fine job' pitching today and the conditions could have been a bit to blame, but Dempster had no need for an excuse as he didn't seem to have much trouble with the order after the 4th. Bush escaped a 3 walk, 1 HBP inning in the 4th with only one earned run and kept the game close, but the offense never made up for it.
On a positive note, there was a Turnbow sighting this afternoon and he came out of the inning unscathed after putting the first batter on...something very rarely seen last year. Also a feat of note, Weeks tied a franchise record today by scoring in 16 straight games, dating back to last season. The record matches Paul Molitor's run set back in 1987. I think the fact that he de-cleated Soto en route to scoring that run makes the record that much sweeter.
I'd say expect posts to be light tomorrow but I'd be lying since thereprobably won't be any. The party starts at 9am as I will be joining Supertramp and a few other Yost Infected faithful, grilling brats and drinking High Life in the Giants lot at Miller Park. I could write a recap right now that will probably be more accurate than what actually happens considering the state we'll be in...but I'll spare you all. Go Crew.
Well, Carnac the Magnificent I am not, saying all my predictions for today's game went tits up. Bush pulled a 2005 Dempster walking a career-high 5 batters, one which resulted in a run. I didn't actually 'see' the game but I caught a lot on mlb.com's gameday and Bush was definitely pitching from behind in the count the entire day. When you are a control pitcher like Bush and can't consistently hit the strike zone, well you can see what happens.
Yost said Bush did a 'fine job' pitching today and the conditions could have been a bit to blame, but Dempster had no need for an excuse as he didn't seem to have much trouble with the order after the 4th. Bush escaped a 3 walk, 1 HBP inning in the 4th with only one earned run and kept the game close, but the offense never made up for it.
On a positive note, there was a Turnbow sighting this afternoon and he came out of the inning unscathed after putting the first batter on...something very rarely seen last year. Also a feat of note, Weeks tied a franchise record today by scoring in 16 straight games, dating back to last season. The record matches Paul Molitor's run set back in 1987. I think the fact that he de-cleated Soto en route to scoring that run makes the record that much sweeter.
I'd say expect posts to be light tomorrow but I'd be lying since there
It would be nice
I'm still here wile Supertramp is taking his blog sabbatical at the ball park. If you get bored here, check out at All Things Steve if you get a moment.
I know the Yost Infection faithful are thinking it too, so without saying it, I'll say it. Today's match-up of closers turned starters (working superbly in StL) seems to favor the Crew as Dempster hasn't started since May 4 2005, a loss to MIL where he walked 5 in 6.2 innings. Bush on the other hand, hasn't closed since college [ed note: is that Kevin Bacon as Dave Bush?]. So we got that going for us, which is nice.
Sweet Lou has already seen enough of his $136M man underachieving, so it looks like Alfonso Soriano will be moved to lead-off. He'll probably get a hit today and Pinella will be heralded as a genius for shuffling the lineup, but it's likely that Soriano wasn't going to go 0-13 to start the year anyway. He can get 10 hits for all I care, as long as the Crew wins. Game time 1:20p.
I know the Yost Infection faithful are thinking it too, so without saying it, I'll say it. Today's match-up of closers turned starters (working superbly in StL) seems to favor the Crew as Dempster hasn't started since May 4 2005, a loss to MIL where he walked 5 in 6.2 innings. Bush on the other hand, hasn't closed since college [ed note: is that Kevin Bacon as Dave Bush?]. So we got that going for us, which is nice.
Sweet Lou has already seen enough of his $136M man underachieving, so it looks like Alfonso Soriano will be moved to lead-off. He'll probably get a hit today and Pinella will be heralded as a genius for shuffling the lineup, but it's likely that Soriano wasn't going to go 0-13 to start the year anyway. He can get 10 hits for all I care, as long as the Crew wins. Game time 1:20p.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Well that was fun
Your guest host while Supertramp is splitting time between Miller Park North and South is Joe Steve. You can find him regularly bitching about the Cubs and relishing in the fact that he is no longer slinging season ticket packages in the front office for the Crew over at All Things Steve.
A few notes from today's 8-2 shellacking of the Ted Lilly led Cubs at Miller Park South. Take these with a grain of salt since it is game 2 of 162, but doing things right usually leads to more wins, no matter what game of the season it is:
A few notes from today's 8-2 shellacking of the Ted Lilly led Cubs at Miller Park South. Take these with a grain of salt since it is game 2 of 162, but doing things right usually leads to more wins, no matter what game of the season it is:- Jeff Suppan pitched effectively and he really only made the one mistake to Lee. He tried to put a letter-high fastball by him with a 2-0 count, but I'll take a solo homer from Lee any day of the week. The Soto HR wasn't quite as bad since he battled to a full count.
- Jason Kendall > Geovany Soto: You can probably blame the Soto HR on me since I was talking trash about him after he let Hart and Kendall run wild in the 6th, but again, solo shots don't sting too much. That being said, Kendall's strike-him-out/throw-him-out DP right after Lee's HR in the 4th was a huge rally killer. And reaching base 5 times in 5 at bats is pretty damn good for a supposed crappy catcher.
- Contrary to what Chicago media will tell you, Kosuke Fukudome is actually human. He went 0-fer with 2 Ks and a walk, which came on 4 straight pitches in the second. Curtain call, anyone?
- The Crew scored 4 of their 8 runs with 2 outs, something that was almost impossible for them to do last season. I'll admit I thought there was going to be hell to pay when the bases were loaded with none out in the 7th and no one crossed home, but the pen did their job and kept the Cubs off balance.
- Derrick Turnbow is still MIA but so are Shouse and McClung. I don't necessarily see a problem with having relievers not throwing, but if there is a typical DBow situation tomorrow and you don't see him, then the issue gets a bit more interesting.
Big Z still addicted to internet porn instant messenger
Your guest host while Supertramp is splitting time between Miller Park North and South is Joe Steve. You can find him regularly bitching about the Cubs and relishing in the fact that he is no longer slinging season ticket packages in the front office for the Crew over at All Things Steve.
It's almost game time and Kapler is your starting CF hitting in the two hole today, butbefore we get to first pitch [ed note: would have been before first pitch, which Weeks hammered onto Waveland, but firefox puked again. DAMN YOU MLB.COM!], I want to rant a bit more about the Cubs.
Yeah, it's really a non-story and it has roots in the Dusty Baker Cub era, but you would think that Big Z, the $91.5M man that he is, would figure out how to stop these cramps from happening. I don't know if the outcome of Monday's game would have been any different since both starters were hummin' along, but if your 'Ace of Aces' can't stay off the web or eat a few more bananas before a start there has to be some concern. I tend to give Sheets the benefit of the doubt with his odd injuries, but I know if I were a Cubs fan (my God, I just wrote that!?) this stuff with Z would be getting real old, real quick.
And finally, I hate unnecessary curtain calls, especially ones at Wrigley. My biggest complaint when people compare Wrigley to Fenway is the knowledge of the casual fan in each stadium. I realize all people in a ballpark aren't necessarily die hards, but Fenway doesn't erupt every time someone pops one up to short and they know when and when not to throw out a curtain call.
Fukudome, I'll give him the well earned curtain call after hammering Gagne's meatball to right-center, but I promise you he will get a fair share of unearned calls this year. I'm going to put the over/under of ridiculous curtain calls at Wrigley at 17. No real way of confirming this assumption, but I know you get my drift.
End rant and end of 1, good guys on top. Enjoy.
It's almost game time and Kapler is your starting CF hitting in the two hole today, but
Yeah, it's really a non-story and it has roots in the Dusty Baker Cub era, but you would think that Big Z, the $91.5M man that he is, would figure out how to stop these cramps from happening. I don't know if the outcome of Monday's game would have been any different since both starters were hummin' along, but if your 'Ace of Aces' can't stay off the web or eat a few more bananas before a start there has to be some concern. I tend to give Sheets the benefit of the doubt with his odd injuries, but I know if I were a Cubs fan (my God, I just wrote that!?) this stuff with Z would be getting real old, real quick.
And finally, I hate unnecessary curtain calls, especially ones at Wrigley. My biggest complaint when people compare Wrigley to Fenway is the knowledge of the casual fan in each stadium. I realize all people in a ballpark aren't necessarily die hards, but Fenway doesn't erupt every time someone pops one up to short and they know when and when not to throw out a curtain call.
Fukudome, I'll give him the well earned curtain call after hammering Gagne's meatball to right-center, but I promise you he will get a fair share of unearned calls this year. I'm going to put the over/under of ridiculous curtain calls at Wrigley at 17. No real way of confirming this assumption, but I know you get my drift.
End rant and end of 1, good guys on top. Enjoy.
Buenos Dias
Your guest host while Supertramp is splitting time between Miller Park North and South is Joe Steve. You can find him regularly bitching about the Cubs and relishing in the fact that he is no longer slinging season ticket packages in the front office for the Crew over at All Things Steve.
Nothing terribly exciting to report from last evening besides the fact that A Rod will make more than the entire Marlins squad this year and the Cardinals choked thanks to Troy Glaus, on a play Rolen would have certainly made. Let's hope Suppan has the same success this afternoon that another Card's castoff, Kip Wells, did last night against his old squad.
I know that you or someone around you was ready to jump off a ledge when Vargas was released but we're glad you didn't...especially because you would have missed this news. The Crew snagged RHP Richie Gardner off waivers from the Reds to fill the rotation in Nashville. Over two years removed from an injury, you have to like a guy that was once the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for any organization, even if it is Cincy. He got eaten up by the long ball in AAA last season but his time in A+ and AA should be something he can build on in Nashville.
Last thing of note before we await the start of today's game, unless youregularly order PPV porn rent on-demand movies, there is no reason for you to be surfing through the 800s on your digital cable. If you do make it that high though, you'll notice that MLB Extra Innings is once again in a free trial this year. Kinda like those free weeks of the Disney Channel when I as a kid, but better. I took advantage and caught the end of the M's - Rangers game last night and saw Putz pull a Gangne when Hamilton turned the first pitch he saw in the 9th into souvenir. Do we start saying Putz is washed up now too? I think not. Game Over will be back in full force soon enough.
Stay tuned this afternoon as the Crew will have a test on their hands facing Lilly with their mostly right-handed lineup. Don't be surprised if you see Kapler (.288 career vs LHP) in CF today.
[ed note: anyone else want to kick the nerds at MLBAM in the teeth for messing with the MLB.com sties? I swear 9 times out of 10 those pages blow-up my firefox...]
Nothing terribly exciting to report from last evening besides the fact that A Rod will make more than the entire Marlins squad this year and the Cardinals choked thanks to Troy Glaus, on a play Rolen would have certainly made. Let's hope Suppan has the same success this afternoon that another Card's castoff, Kip Wells, did last night against his old squad.
I know that you or someone around you was ready to jump off a ledge when Vargas was released but we're glad you didn't...especially because you would have missed this news. The Crew snagged RHP Richie Gardner off waivers from the Reds to fill the rotation in Nashville. Over two years removed from an injury, you have to like a guy that was once the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for any organization, even if it is Cincy. He got eaten up by the long ball in AAA last season but his time in A+ and AA should be something he can build on in Nashville.
Last thing of note before we await the start of today's game, unless you
Stay tuned this afternoon as the Crew will have a test on their hands facing Lilly with their mostly right-handed lineup. Don't be surprised if you see Kapler (.288 career vs LHP) in CF today.
[ed note: anyone else want to kick the nerds at MLBAM in the teeth for messing with the MLB.com sties? I swear 9 times out of 10 those pages blow-up my firefox...]
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
This Week
(The scene at Wrigley tomorrow)Keep it classy and have a cup of Yost in honor of the Crew this week. You can assume anything I post will be done under the influence so read with discretion.
Go Brewers.
Hey!
Hey Ned! Hello? Ned! Crap, he must not have been able to hear me.
Maybe you can help me out - who is this "David Riske" guy? This guy who looks like Doug Davis showed up in our bullpen and actually went into the game today.
I was so ready to go too. I gave Ned the thumbs up that I was good to pitch...he smiled and told me he would be sure to bring me if the game was close, but I think he forgot about me! I had just finished "Hell's Bells" on my Ipod after Gagne got shelled and then this "Riske" guy gets the call to warm up? How do you pronounce that? Doesn't everyone know that the 10th is DBow time? I thought when they didn't bring me in during the 7th or 8th that I'd get the call in the 10th.
I'm sure the old phones at Wrigley were messed up and Ned just forgot about me.
Dammit - the locker room door is locked and no one is answering the door. I'm going to go hang out by the bus, if you guys see Ned will you tell him I'm looking for him?
Thanks.
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