text:
David Kelton Granted Free Agency
Joe Girardi your new Florida
Joe Girardi your new Florida Marlins manager.
I don't know who's going to
I don't know who's going to take a flyer on Kelton, but you can bet it will be another minor-league deal, maybe a spring training NRI if he's lucky. His third year at Iowa was hardly different than his first two, and nothing to write home about:
Year AB HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
2003 442 16 67 8 .269 .338 .446
2004 420 19 68 7 .245 .303 .448
2005 460 11 37 14 .283 .331 .420
I thought it was interesting
I thought it was interesting to hear Girardi was holding off his decision to see what would happen with Baker (per ESPN on a Sportscenter Update).
If Baker were fired or let
If Baker were fired or let go when his contract is up after next season, would Girardi still be an option even though he would be under contract witht the Marlins? I don't know the rules, but I would assume that the Cubs would have to be granted permission by the Marlins to talk to him. I also wonder if he got something in his contract that would allow him to leave to take the Cubs job should it open. Just a thought.
I think that only works with
I think that only works with colleg athletics, with coachs allowed to go to "dream" jobs.
Lou Pinella was traded. Who
Lou Pinella was traded. Who knows, maybe we could send Dusty Baker and Corey Patters for Jeremy Hermida and Joe Girardi
Meanwhile, back at the
He could leave if the
He could leave if the Marlins gave the Cubs permission to talk to him. Chances are some sort of settlement of his contract would need to be done between the Cubs and Marlins though if they ended up hiring him. I'm guessing he's not getting paid all that much anyway.
Just cause Girardi wants the job doesn't mean he's even on Hendry's radar. See how the Marlins do first this year, they certainly should have enough talent to compete this year.
"Lou Pinella was traded. Who
"Lou Pinella was traded. Who knows, maybe we could send Dusty Baker and Corey Patters for Jeremy Hermida and Joe Girardi"
The rules have since changed - you may no longer trade a manager.
Girardi is taking the
Girardi is taking the Marlins job and word had it from ESPN Radio that Cubs upper management weren't ever considering Girardi as a future manager of the Cubs....At least that is one good move they did.
Also, I am sure that the
Also, I am sure that the Marlins talked to Girardi about this situation of leaving to go to another job ASAP. I am sure he told them he will stay. Even so, the Marlins have him under contract and he can't manage anywhere else unless they relinquish that.
I guess some Cubs fans just won't get past thinking of ways to get rid of a manger and instead focus on the much larger picture of trying to get fundamental, healthy, good defensive, headsy players on our roster, which Hendry hasn't exactly done much of lately.
weren't ever considering
weren't ever considering Girardi as a future manager of the Cubs....At least that is one good move they did.
If your report is right then it wouldn't it have been a classy move to let Girardi know that?
Instead he's been holding out hope for some reason.
What good does it do for Cub
What good does it do for Cub fans to concentrate on getting good players? Since when do we influence Jabba the Hendry?
CWTP: "If your report is
"If your report is right then it wouldn't it have been a classy move to let Girardi know that?"
Maybe they did. But also, the Cubs have a manager under contract, AND have been talking about an extenstion with him the the GM, so what would make Girardi think he was next in line anyways?? I think he was holding out for the NYY job and as soon as Torre said he was coming back, he said OK to the Marlins.
Thanks for the dose of
Thanks for the dose of reality cubswinthepennant....
CWTP: "What good does it do
"What good does it do for Cub fans to concentrate on getting good players? Since when do we influence Jabba the Hendry?"
Well the same can be said as to when do Cubs fans influence Dusty Baker? Fans have very little influence on anything, so should that mean we should concentrate on nothing?
The most important thing for the Cubs right now (besides the CHW losing the WS) is to start getting the kind of players that I described above in order to finally build a Championship tyeam.
Don't mind Manny, he's
Don't mind Manny, he's sensitive to the idea of his boyfriend getting fired.
Thanks Big John Stud!! More
Thanks Big John Stud!!
More classy personal attacks...making Ruz and the TCR community very proud.
It sounds like someone wants
It sounds like someone wants to get players that don't need to be managed. I don't see why we need a manager if he does no managing. Or better put, I don't think we need Baker to say "go get 'em." It's easier to blame things on the players than improve them. Dusty does it all the time so I'm not surprised to see it show up like this. Maybe we should just get cheap players who don't need coaching who will all put up MVP numbers? Then Dusty could relax and focus on being witty in the newspaper. This is all Hendry's fault! Fire him!!!
I've been waiting all day
I've been waiting all day for someone to say, "Oh my G-d, we protected him for no reason and Andy Sisco is gone forever!"
in 6 years we can get sisco
in 6 years we can get sisco back in free agency, come on!!!!
actually 5 I suppose if they
actually 5 I suppose if they don't send him back down in the next few years.
re: #18 manny, i think
re: #18
manny, i think after subjecting the readership of this blog to seeing "IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY!!!!!!" in big bold letters with exclamation points literally hundreds of times you're going to have to learn to take a few digs. For me it's became the cyber-equivalent of sitting next to Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers at a game. just saying.
Amen, man. I can take
Amen, man. I can take someone who's annoying, but someone who's annoying and whiny is something altogether different.
Bob Brenly in tonight's
Bob Brenly in tonight's game: 'You've got to score one (run) before you can score three.' This is with 2 men on base. I guess things could be worse than having Dusty as manager.
Well, if I have to deal with
Well, if I have to deal with the childish, personal attacks, you guys will have to deal with me whining about them.
And oh yeah, JACK, I see how posting "IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY!!!", is equal to getting personally attacked. Thanks!!
is it even possible to get
is it even possible to get "personally attacked" on an anonymous internet forum?
didn't mean to stir. but, in my non malicious opinon, "IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY!!!!!!!!" is annoying.
that's all.
"I guess some Cubs fans just
"I guess some Cubs fans just won't get past thinking of ways to get rid of a manger and instead focus on the much larger picture of trying to get fundamental, healthy, good defensive, headsy players on our roster, which Hendry hasn't exactly done much of lately."
So batting Perez and KPat in the top of the order and playing Macias is NOT Baker's fault when he could have played Fontenot, Cedeno and Murton? C'mon. The Cubs team is flawed, yes, no argument from ANYONE on this board, however, Dusty has to go.
Jack- It may be annoying to
It may be annoying to you, but I haven't posted it at the end of my psots in like a year and only posted it when the Cubs won, which wasn't that much. So I guess small things annoy you. sorry...
Mazzone to the Orioloes?!?!
Mazzone to the Orioloes?!?! Now we'll see what he's made of. And Atlanta without him...
Yes, go 'Stros!
Jimbo, you're on to
Jimbo, you're on to something.
While Manny wouldn't admit it himself, he's finally saying what I and others have been saying for more than a year: Hendry needs to put together a near perfect "Dusty-Proof" team for the Cubs to have a chance at a championship.
Its a shame too, Hendry came pretty close in 2004, but even that talent-loaded team wasn't good enough to overcome consistant mismanagment.
GO CUBS GO....GO CUBS GO.....HEY CHICAGO WHAT DO YOU SAY...THE CUBS ARE GONNA WIN TODAY. I"m not sure what's wrong with me, but I'm a bit delerious now that it's not a Sox/Cards World Series.
Can't wait till next year, the world is not over.
Bleeding Blue: "While Manny
Bleeding Blue:
"While Manny wouldn't admit it himself, he's finally saying what I and others have been saying for more than a year: Hendry needs to put together a near perfect "Dusty-Proof" team for the Cubs to have a chance at a championship.
Its a shame too, Hendry came pretty close in 2004, but even that talent-loaded team wasn't good enough to overcome consistant mismanagment."
Where to start????
No, I will not admit that a team needs to be "Dusty proof" and implying that is what I am saying is of course putting words in my mouth.
And in 2004, the team was nicely assembled except for two MAJOR things: INJURIES and bullpen. Both which together cost the team a playoff berth. Of course with revisionist history and all, people say the injuries and bullpen wasn't all that bad.
But hey, everyone on here has their agendas and will spin things to fit what they want.
So Mazzone was truly
So Mazzone was truly availible and the Cubs weren't in the running???
Hendry signs Rothschild for another year instead of making a run at Mazzone. Get Madddux to make a call and see if he would be interested at least. Rothschild was here before Baker, so he is not one of his boys, so i am sure hendry had the final say here.
Hendry must go.......
Wow, kudo's to the Orioles
Wow, kudo's to the Orioles management. They have alot of young arms in the rotation (Damn good arms) and what better way to groom them than to go out and get the best pitching coach in the game.
Meanwhile back on the ranch......-crickets-
As for a Dusty proof team. That would require Giles, Manny, Furcal and a bullpen made up of Wagner and BJ Ryan. Oh and a bench with Nomar, Paul Konerko, and I don't know.....Barry Bonds.
That is about what it would take to Dusty proof a team to keep him from going to his tired washed up veterans that do nothing but suck. Not just suck but suck far below the league average. Oh and did I mention bat in the 1st two spots in the order on a regular basis?
Basically it is impossible to Dusty proof a team, injuries happen and our fearless leader will always choose the worst option. Happy times!
Congrats to the Sox and Astro's, should make an interesting World Series. Great pitching matchups. I would like to see Houston win and Clemens go out in style. I would like to see the Whitesox win also to embarrass the Cubs franchise even more. Before we could look to Boston and the Whitesox and go, "Hey they are in the same boat as us." If the Whitesox win, we are all alone in the boat and the waterfall is coming up quickly.
What waterfall? What the
What waterfall? What the hell are you talking about, MikeC? What's going to happen in 2008 if we haven't won a World Series in 100 years? Sox fans will make fun of us? They do that anyway, always have and always will. It makes the world go 'round.
"So Mazzone was truly
"So Mazzone was truly availible and the Cubs weren't in the running???
Hendry signs Rothschild for another year instead of making a run at Mazzone. Get Madddux to make a call and see if he would be interested at least. Rothschild was here before Baker, so he is not one of his boys, so i am sure hendry had the final say here.
Hendry must go......."
"Hendry signs Rothschild for
"Hendry signs Rothschild for another year instead of making a run at Mazzone. "
Mazzone would not have come here with Baker as a lame duck manager. He is very closer friends with Sam Perlazzo who just signed a 3 year deal to manage the Os. That's the main reason why I think he is leaving the comfort he has with Cox. He didn't take the Boss' money. We didn't even call him (assumedly), since we probably knew he wouldn't consider it.
Now if we cleaned house, and hired a manager that Mazzone wanted to work for, that would be another story. But that will have to wait at least one more year.
I'm tired of these personal
I'm tired of these personal attacks. I'm tellinggggg! Ruzzzzz!
This whole organization is
This whole organization is messed up.
There is enough blame to go around for everyone from the Trib down to Gene Clines. To blame just Dusty, I'm no fan, is to blame a driver who veers off the road but before he hits a wall the car breaks down.
I will say it again get rid of Wood, get a few starters, a bullpen, get an entire new outfield and a shortstop and then lets complain about the manager.
Unless Mazzone is also a surgeon on par with Dr. Jobe I don't know how he can help this pitching staff.
Like I said Manny, I know
Like I said Manny, I know you wouln't admit it, and I am putting words in your mouth. But you're making the same argument that I and others have been making about a Dusty-Proof team.
You think Jim Hendry needs a team has overwhelming talent and doesn't need any coaching. I agree.
As long as Dusty is manager, Hendry needs to put together a team that will overcome at least 5 losses a year because of mismanagment, with players that already have perfect fundementals and mechanics, because we all know the manager and coaching staff will do nothing about the problems players on the team already have.
As far as 2004 goes, go back and look at the threads from August and September, you'll quickly see where the revisionist history is coming into play. At the time I told you repeatedly how frustrating it was to see that team piss away game after game, in large part because I knew it would take a very long time to get that level of talent on one Chicago Cubs team again.
Mazzone has a pretty good
Mazzone has a pretty good track record of keeping his starters healthy by making his pitchers more efficient. You know actually having his starters get through 6-7 innings on 70-80 pitches. Unlike the Cubs staff who goes 6 innings on 120 pitches.
I wouldn't mind Mazzone bringing his, don't hold the runners on base philosophy, it is not like Michael Barrett has a chance in hell of throwing out anyone anyways.
Oh and the waterfall is the 100 year anniversary. I am not sure about other sports but the Cubs could be the first franchise in America to achieve that infamous legacy. If the Cubs win before the 100 year mark it wont be that big of an issue. But if we go past the 100 year mark it will be something that will never be forgotten. It will be a stain on the franchise. Now to some of you 97 or 100 years doesn't mean much, it is just a few years difference. But it is a matter or pride. Everything in this organizations power should be done to prevent that from happening.
Not only will the Cubs be the "Lovable Losers" but they will also be known to every sports fan as the team that went a 100 years and still couldn't figure it out. Like I said we could always pat Boston and the Whitesox on the back and say hey, you guys suck pretty hard also over the years. 80+ years? We know your pain. There was comfort in knowing other fans we pretty much in the same situation. If the Whitesox win, their is no franchise even remotely close to the situation we are in.
injuries... .300-.320ob%
injuries... .300-.320ob% hitters...poor bullpens...poor bench and injury backups...
who knew all that could solve that would be a manager change?
Perlazzo was Mazzone's best
Perlazzo was Mazzone's best man. Dusty/Hendry could not have gotten Mazzone.
So Mazzone was truly
So Mazzone was truly availible and the Cubs weren't in the running???
Hendry signs Rothschild for another year instead of making a run at Mazzone. Get Madddux to make a call and see if he would be interested at least. Rothschild was here before Baker, so he is not one of his boys, so i am sure hendry had the final say here.
Hendry must go.......
as x said, learn the facts next time. Mazzone and Perlozzo are close friends and Mazzone's deal is the same length as Perlozzo's.
"Mazzone, 57, and Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo grew up together in Cumberland, Md. Perlozzo was the best man at Mazzone's wedding"
A valiant blind attempt to bash Hendry though.....of course no worse than the valiant blind attempts to bash Baker that float around here as well.
dlee, aram (missed 1 month),
dlee, aram (missed 1 month), walker (missed appx 2 months), barrett (cant play everyday) were the only .800 ops hitters on the club.
garciaparra didnt quite make it, but came on strong late...too bad he missed all but 2 months or so of the season.
now look at who the backups for these guys are...hairston was the only backup worth a damn and he got his playing time. still...he was no pimp himself, just very servicable. he played for walker and he played for patterson once patterson sucked it up. as far as CF goes...it was hairston or macias...take your choice. no one has the arm for RF but burnitz no matter how you wanna shuffle it or believe for some reason ben grieve/etc. could play there.
the bullpen was...well...we all saw what that was...and it wasnt latroy hawkins 19 stupid innings that killed the pen. 19 innings...19.
the whole pen took turns blowing crap until the dumpster came along. as far as the arguement that the dumpster should have been closer all along...i wanna know where that logic comes from.
look at dempster's historical #s. until this season, his WORST pitching period is pitches 1-15. now what about that screams "this guys can close"? a lot of his closer heat came from the injury concerns upon comeback vs. questions of his durability.
now to me...all of this seems a bit more important of a factor than some coaches and a manager...and that's just this year. 2004 was a lot more messy.
Hehe. Nice to see that not
Hehe. Nice to see that not much has changed and that the regulars here (and the Cubs franchise too!) still hold true to form. We'll get em next year, boys...
Jim Hendry was pretty
Jim Hendry was pretty adamant during training camp that Ryan Dempster should be the Opening Day closer.
Dusty overruled Hendry, and then refused to remove Hawkins from the 9th inning role, even as Hawkins was blowing saves at an MLB-record pace.
Ultimately, Hendry had to pry Hawkins from Dusty's hands.
I'll say this - Dusty's lineup cards for 2006 had better come pre-printed with "M. Murton, LF" in the 2-spot. That's one small Dusty-proofing step we could take...
Ok Crunch...we get it. It
Ok Crunch...we get it. It wasn't JUST Dustbuster's fault that the Cubs stunk this year. No doubt about it. But he sure did insist on playing the immortal Todd Hollandsworth in LF, which weakened the Cubs in LF (hitting .197 in June)and on the bench, where Holly would have been an asset. He insisted on hitting K-orey leadoff the first 2 1/2 months...running out Neifi effing Perez in the 1-2 spots, where he just SUCKED from mid-May to August(great April and August)...I won't mention Macias, as he "only" had 177 AB's, which is 100 too many....(I know that too, that "Macias just isn't important")...also for just being pig-headed in getting Murton into the line-up during July-August...for just blantantly ignoring Ronny Cedeno....who isn't a savior, but, being 10 years younger and $2 million cheaper than Neifi, has to be considered, at least as a better option. I can't even talk about his management of the arsonists we called a bullpen...using Wuertz on consecutive days(knowing he struggles this way), bringing in Novoa with men on base(here comes a walk or 2)...and the whole Lefty-Righty mismanagement with Remlinger.....
Christ, the Cubs wouldn't have won the pennant with a different manager, but I'd bet on 5-7 more wins....
the whole pen took turns
the whole pen took turns blowing crap until the dumpster came along. as far as the arguement that the dumpster should have been closer all along...i wanna know where that logic comes from.
I posted this at BCB a few weeks back...
[Hendry] †"We are going to give Ryan Dempster an opportunity to do [be the closer] in spring training, if nothing else changes. LaTroy Hawkins did a terrific job in the eighth last year and didn't have quite as much luck in the ninth. In fairness to him, with Joe Borowski and Kyle Farnsworth being hurt, Hawk was put in a tough situation where he had to be overworked to a degree."
However, Dusty Baker is quoted as saying, "Everybody talks about Dempster, but we don't know if he can do it; he never has done it. Joe Borowski might be healthy, we don't know yet. And LaTroy Hawkins might be more experienced than last year. He certainly has the stuff. . . LaTroy will be better if he knows the league himself."
Do a google search for articles between Nov-Feb of last year and you get all kinds of talk about Hendry wanting to give Dempster a shot to close. Hendry gives Baker the roster, and then gets out of the way. He put Dempster on the roster, most likely had a discussion with Baker and Rothschild about how he could be an effective closer and the conversation most likely ended there. Same with Murton, called the kid up, said I wouldn't mind if he played and that's the extent of his meddling. He lets his coaches - coach, right or wrong as that may be.
I was quite against the Dempster for closer argument at the beginning of the year too, but if you want to bash Hendry for poor bullpen and bench construction, give him his props for signing Dempster for closer duties, cause that's exactly why he did sign him. Baker and staff mucked up that one and I don't know how much clearer that can be.
all this about jim hendry
all this about jim hendry making dumpster the closer dont mean a whole lot.
dusty is the manager.
ask dave miley what happens when a GM runs the club over the manager. or more importantly ask jiminez, kearns, dunn, mo pena, griffey, and casey.
the GM doesnt bark orders down to his manager. if he needs to, he fires the manager and gets a yes-man like beane has out in oakland.
hell, let hendry manage...he did pretty well in college. not bad for a highschool teacher anyway.
besides...there's not much reason to believe hawkins 19 innings wouldnt have been wasted in the 8th. his 19 innings along with poor 1st halves by almost everyone but ohman really screwed a lot of things up in that pen.
remlinger worked full
remlinger worked full innings, not loogy situations. the handling of other pen guys like wuertz/novoa/etc...they improved in the 2nd 1/2...what's up with that, eh?
and as far as the macias/neifi/etc/etc stuff goes...this goes back to the "look at the replacements" stuff...you got the choice of crap vs. crap.
yeah, batting crap up top isnt the wisest move, but hey...you still got crap, period.
none of this will change the fact the pen was full of gambles that didnt work...and i dont think there's a coach or manager you can blame for that.
the bench was PURE ASS that was totally unprepared for the LF collapse, the CF collapse, or longterm injury to ANYONE...much less 2nd/3rd/SS (especially with SS injury replacement becoming a full-time player).
some of you see "bad coaching"...i see bad players.
Good coaches can help take a
Good coaches can help take a bad team and get them to play somewhat better. But at the same time the players in the organization have to be willing to listen. Look at the Nationals franchise who very publicly said they as an organization were hacking too much at the plate and were preaching a more controlled approach when batting. This specifically meant seeing more pitches and working counts.
The Cubs have the same problem but have you ever heard 1 of them say, "Hey we are trying to change how we approach the batting style of our team?" Not once, not ever. Just throw out a bunch of excuses and praise the team for being agressive.
It is like with any alcholic, first you have to recognize the problem before you can fix it. The Cubs are just the drunk idiot who wakes up in the gutter every night and doesn't think he has a problem. Everything is under control.
"But he sure did insist on
"But he sure did insist on playing the immortal Todd Hollandsworth in LF, which weakened the Cubs in LF (hitting .197 in June)and on the bench, where Holly would have been an asset."
.233avg .283ob% as a pinch hitter? yeah...cubs could use some of that magic.
seriously...get over all this "but this over this" and look at WHO is available...that's my point.
there was a lot of crap on this team...espeically on the bench and in the pen.
the pen was a gamble that didnt work and the bench was full of dead weight unprepared for injury or a collapse of CF/LF. that's how it was constructed and all the chips fell in the wrong direction.
i dont see how any manager/coach could polish this turd.
Ok boys, settle down. First
Ok boys, settle down. First of all, I don't often agree with Manny Trillo, but the man has a right to express his opinion without being personally attacked. Lets be a little more mature.
Secondly, I think the best thing that could happen to the Cubs is the White Sox winning the World Series. It will put true economic pressure on the Cubs to improve their product or risk losing significant chunks of fan base (and revenue) to the Sox. Thats good for the customer(fans).
Last but not least, we had several holes on the 2005 team. I strongly feel that Hendry's plan was to improve the weak spots at the mid season point. He felt he had enough major league ready talent to trade going into the season. The market fooled him. Trades were virtually unavailable. The level of parity kept too many teams in the race and the teams that were out of it had too many suitors. Hendry didn't see it coming.
As for how Baker managed, I'd have to say the team still underachieved. This team may not have had the horses to win it all, but should have posted a winning record. Thats two years in a row the team has underachieved on Baker's watch. Hendry has shown a great deal of character and has accepted his share of responsibility, instead of putting the blame on Baker.
The biggest challenge the Cubs organization faces is determining where they are and where they're going. I think the 5 yr plan is a thing of the past. They way the game has changed has made a 3 yr plan more realistic. That said, are we at the end of the 3yr plan or starting a new 3 yr plan? The last 3 yr plan was built around the arms of Prior and Wood. The last two years we've seen how fragile those building blocks are.
Big Jim has his work cut out for him. I don't think short term contracts to guys like Burnitz is gonna get it done.
"A valiant blind attempt to
"A valiant blind attempt to bash Hendry though.....of course no worse than the valiant blind attempts to bash Baker that float around here as well."
The Manager and the GM of a sub-.500 team with a 100mm+ payroll do deserve being bashed. I'm an equal opportunity basher. Hendry gave Dusty a crappy pen and a lineup that we knew lacked fundamentals. Dusty failed to get that team to live up to its own skillset or expectations. Then the players actually failed to deliever. And at the same time, we paid $50 per game to come and see this, and we reupped our season tickets, or we will wait in line to buy them again next year.
Nobody should go without blame, from the fans to the players, to the Mgr, the GM, up to the ownership. This isn't about who to lay blame to. It shouldn't be "dusty haters" and "Hendry bashers" and other factions arguing here. There is enough blame to go around the horn. This was a team that was considered by most to be a contender, that finished 10 games out of the Wild Card.
"It will put true economic
"It will put true economic pressure on the Cubs to improve their product or risk losing significant chunks of fan base (and revenue) to the Sox."
That's an interesting question...
Will it?
What % of the Cubs fans will choose to stick with the Cubs if they become, over an extended period of time, a significantly inferior product? Will attendance drop below 3mm? Will people stop watching WGN? Will they stop funding the ownership?
Cuz only then will things change.
I am not sure if the majority of the Cubs fans have the intestinal fortitude to do what it might take to convince the franchise that they need to change from being all about filling the park, and selling more beer to about winning championships? I think the franchise is morally bankrupt, chosing profit over victory, (I know - 100mm payroll, but the team generates so much more revenue than nearly any other franchise that 100mm is relatively not as much as it is absolutely.) and will be such until the paying fanbase sends a message.
I know we criticize Sox fans for not filling their park. It is shameful to them that they had such a great year and only sold 2.3mm seats. But I'd like to start seeing some empty seats at Clark and Addison. It might put pressure on this team to stop looking for fan favorites and for profit maximization and start doing more of the things that win baseball games.
From article on USA
From article on USA Today.com by bob Nightengale on the Yankees retooling for 2006.
"Bernie Williams won't return, not even in a part-time role. The Yankees simply don't want him around, know that Torre would start playing him every day."
Hmm. Sound familar?
Sorry-- The quote should
Sorry-- The quote should say--..."knowing that Torre would start playing him every day."
All you have to know about
All you have to know about not showing up is that they are adding about 2000 seats to the bleachers this year.
This is a business, not a beer league. They only care about the dollar, Wrigley bought this team to sell gum, and the Trib bought it to sell papers and WGN.
And there is your 100 years of ineptness.
Anyone can have a bad
Anyone can have a bad century.
i agree with MikeC on the
i agree with MikeC on the Cubs' organization-wide lack of smart hitting. It's really remarkable that they can go year after year, decade after decade and assemble the same type of team. Powerful and slow with a profound inability at the top of the lineup to reach base. You look at the Dopiraks, Harveys and Pies who strikeout once every 4 or 5 PAs and walk once every 14 to 23 PAs and you wonder if these guys are even being coached. Thank God Murton came over at the age he did. If he spent four years in the Cub system he'd probably end up in a straight-jacket banging his head on a wall.
But what can you say about an organization's ability to produce position players when that organization hasn't been able to pencil in, for any decent amount of time, a home-grown regular third baseman or second baseman since Santo and Hubbs? It's mindboggling when you think about it. You'd think that they just would have ended up with one by mistake at some point.
and the Trib bought it to
and the Trib bought it to sell papers and WGN
If I only had a brain...
52 week performance (down from $44 to $31; down 30%)
The Tribune as a publicly traded company has been a short sellers dream the last year, look at that 1 yr chart.
The Cubs don't amount to a hill of beans regarding that large a company but if the Cubs were run poorly and the company as a whole was run well, some heads would be rolling (can you spell McFail). McFail's gang is doing about as well as any other portion of the Tribune as a whole (not a good thing)...slightly below mediocre, with mediocre products. Mediocre equates in baseball terms to .500, does it not? The Cubs as a business are a no brainer, run by no brains (it runs itself but only the high level management make money on this company).
Hoping the White Sox success motivates them to do better is like peeing into the wind and expecting to feel relieved (but realizing you're still particularly smelly).
At this point I think its
At this point I think its down right foolish to blame the Trib for the Cub's shortcomings. They have done nearly everything they could to build a winner. If you want to blame the McFails (intentional) and Hendry's for getting the wrong types of players or making bad deals, fine. But you cannot accuse any organization that spends 100 million on payroll for not trying to win. What more do you want from them?
OK that was strange.
OK that was strange.
"look at that 1 yr
"look at that 1 yr chart."
[shakes head]
"The Cubs don't amount to a hill of beans regarding that large a company "
That's just not true...not if you look at the impact they have on other TRB businesses, and the significant gain on the purchase price of the assett when put in the diversification, yet synergize strategy that TRB has.
They make money at a rate far higher than any other TRB business. The Newspaper business suck right now. I'm not crying for the poor old Tribune corp.
"But you cannot accuse any
"But you cannot accuse any organization that spends 100 million on payroll for not trying to win. What more do you want from them?"
I want them to spend proportionally to the net income.
Are you kidding? That is no
Are you kidding? That is no way to run a business. If you can build a championship team on 100,000,00 then why spend a nickel more? That is ridiculous!
ANOTHER classless attack on TCR. I think you just took the lead for the year. I wonder what Ruz or the "writers" will give you as an award if you hold onto the lead. CONGRATS!!!!
Well clearly the Cubs have
Well clearly the Cubs have proven that they don't know how build a championship team on 100,000,000. And so did the Red Sox, for that matter.
Bleeding Blue: "You think
Bleeding Blue:
"You think Jim Hendry needs a team has overwhelming talent and doesn't need any coaching."
HA HA WHERE did I say this??? I want Hendry to sign players who know how to play good defense, can stay healthy, run the bases well and perform the fundamentals that they should of learned in Little League. Not too much to ask I think...
if you want to call it aq Dusty proof team, then those are your words, but I think ANY team would like those players no matter the manager.
Rob G.: "as x said, learn
Rob G.:
"as x said, learn the facts next time. Mazzone and Perlozzo are close friends and Mazzone's deal is the same length as Perlozzo's."
So how is Mazzone close to Torre?? And where did he come out and say he was going to only interview at places where he was close with the manager? It was worth a shot to at least bring him in and talk. But they wanted to keep Rothschild...
CARMEN FANZONE and X- Great
CARMEN FANZONE and X-
Great back to back #56 and #57 posts.
I pretty much agree with them totally...Except for wanting the White Sox to win to get the Trib more motive to win.
Froze, I never said that
I never said that they know how to do it. I proposed the concept of not needing to spend more than that in order to win.
if you want to call it aq
if you want to call it aq Dusty proof team, then those are your words, but I think ANY team would like those players no matter the manager
Sure, any team would like a group of players that don't need to be coached. The difference, other team find ways to win without a perfect team.
Its nice to say "get players who know fundamentals that should be learned in little league." Guess what, if your boss doesn't care how you do your job, after a while you start cutting corners. Sure there will be individuals that are better or worse at fundamentals than others, but there's a reason why certain teams are known as fundamentally sound ballclubs.
Dusty's teams make excuses as to why its not the manager or coaches fault when groups of players make the same mistakes over and over. Which is why we agree that Hendry's in the position of finding a team of perfect "Dusty-Proof" players that don't need coaching.
"ANOTHER classless attack on
"ANOTHER classless attack on TCR. I think you just took the lead for the year. I wonder what Ruz or the "writers" will give you as an award if you hold onto the lead. CONGRATS!!!!"
ANOTHER whiny reply. Ruz and the "writers" are probably "laughing" because they know that I'm "kidding". You, on the other hand, wouldn't know a joke if it SLAPPED you in the face.
You're too busy saying the same thing over and over...
Hendry should of signed players who are invincible, don't get hurt, run the bases well, play good defense, perform fundamentals they should of learned in little league. Is that too much to ask?
You never take Dusty to task. Hendry admitted he didn't make the right moves last winter... Dusty on the other hand is a fuckin' excuse machine. He points the finger anywhere he can and still lives under the illusion that he's one of the top managers in the game. His arrogance is disgusting. A good manager makes the best of what they have. Dusty makes excuses.
How do you know he didn't
How do you know he didn't ask? Maybe the Braves only gave permission to AL teams, maybe Mazzone hates Baker, maybe Baker hates Mazzone, maybe Mazzone stole Hendry's girlfriend in college, maybe he only interviewed with the Yanks cause they were going to make him independently wealthy or needed some leverage so the O's didn't lowball him?
maybe hendry knew that mazzone had no interest in coming here and the cubs would never approve the cost it would take to buy out his Braves contract and get him here for a manager that may or may not want him.
maybe, just maybe hendry didn't feel the need to waste time on something that had no hope of ever happening and is choosing to spend his time trying to improve the team in ways that are possible, rather than putting on a show to make Cubs fan happy.
But no, you're probably right, the only possible conclusion in this scenario is that Hendry wants Rothschild and no one else. That's why he gave Rothschild permission to interview with another team and instead of trying to match the Tigers mutiple year offer, he stuck to the original one year contract. Cause he really wanted Rothschild back no matter what. (sarcasm)
And let's also not forget that Baker asked for the entire coaching staff to come back next year. I don't recall him mentioning anything about not including Rothschild in that deal. Does anyone else?
Chad, Fair enough, but when
Fair enough, but when you have the resources at your disposal, why limit yourself to an arbitrary figure simply because other teams have shown it feasible to do so and win. If the Cubs can't win with a $100 mill payroll, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't go out and spend $130 million--they can certainly afford it and still turn a huge profit. It's not bad business to spend money as long as you are still profitable and especially when you can project future profits from spending money now. And if the Cubs were to win the world series, that would undoubtedly create a lot of dollars down the line through merchandising and future fans.
Of course, the accountants running the team won't see it the same way, but that's just because unlike the Yankees and Red Sox (and I think the Angels under Arte Moreno as well), they want to try to put a monetary value on winning and accountants don't understand opportunity cost like economists.
The Sox Won the Pennant shit
The Sox Won the Pennant
"It's not bad business to
"It's not bad business to spend money as long as you are still profitable and especially when you can project future profits from spending money now. And if the Cubs were to win the world series, that would undoubtedly create a lot of dollars down the line through merchandising and future fans. "
I would propose to you that as long as fans keep showing up, they won't see any reason to spend the extra 30mm as they won't make more than that back. Remember merchandising isn't Cubs profit, it is MLB profit and redistributed evenly as revenue sharing. It is extra concessions/vending money, but that's limited too.
"the accountants running the team won't see it the same way"
That's the problem with corporate ownership (Tribune Corp) vs individual ownership. An individual may put value on winning. A corporation and its board has a fiduciary obligation first to its shareholders, not to the fans of the team.
If the Cubs can't win with a
If the Cubs can't win with a $100 mill payroll, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't go out and spend $130 million
Just from a business and advertising sense. The Cubs viewership locally has shut down from about late August. Not being in a playoff race loses sponsors from the exposure they hoped for and possibly next year advertising if the ads don't get eyes/ears.
The free press in the media for the pennant drive and playoffs is "in credit card terms"...PRICELESS.
Not to mention future fan base that isn't garnered because some fella's 10 year old son did get to go (or in the Cubs case-DIDN"T get to go) to a playoff or World Series game. That fan development is also...PRICELESS.
I've been posting here for
I've been posting here for about 3 years now. I had to take a break in September from here because it was an awful season. I figured I would come back much later when cooler heads prevailed. I obviously came back too soon.
First off, my best friend is a Sox fan. Aside from all the arguments we have had, he made it a point to mention we are bitter fans now. The thing is--he's right. We may not all get along, or like each other--but we are all here because we all love the Cubs.
Yes, we will disagree on players, managers, or whatever. Respect everybody's opinion. For one, nobody is right or wrong. There's no way to prove the Cubs would be better without Baker. In fact, this team couldn't beat our Iowa team 3 or 4 years ago before Baker. So there's a fair argument to be made whether it is Baker or the players.
The point is the beauty of it is we can argue. It shouldn't be personal. We have lost some guys who gave good input because of this crap. We have others that no longer post because they don't want to get lynched for posting their opinion.
I assume we are all adults here, so let's start acting like it. Let's go back to the fans we were before 2005. Let's not become fans like those of the Raiders, White Sox, etc where everyone hates us.
I'll step off my soap box now. Play on.
Mazzone was not going to come to the Cubs. If the word is true, Mazzone made up his mind a while ago when Perlozzo was hired full time.
Second, I honestly don't think the amount of money that is spent makes a difference. It is how you spend it. This team needs a lead off hitter, and bullpen help. After that, I would prefer another starting outfielder and another starting pitcher.
For all Mazzone backers here
For all Mazzone backers here are a few names you might want to keep in mind:
Kerry Litenberg
John Rocker
Mark Wohlers
All these guys devloped Rick Anikel diease under Mazzone. If Mazzone was perfect why couldn't they get a closer during the early to mid 90's. NO pitching or hitting coach is perfect and they are held hostage to their talent.
Big John Stud: "You're too
Big John Stud:
"You're too busy saying the same thing over and over..."
And you don't...HA HA
and they are held hostage to
and they are held hostage to their talent.
and he didn't fix Farnsy when the spotlight was on him this fall. Same old, same old.
on another topic...
It sure is sickening that sports talk radio in this town has become unlistenable. Given the playoffs and WSCR becoming an outlet for the sux next year, they've gone off my dial...they've become a wall to wall wsox advertising outlet, with only one cub fan on the air and they put him in the worst possible time slot. I'm sure that was part of the Reinsdorf effect too.
Brian (Vegas)- Great
Brian (Vegas)-
Great post...hopefully those personal attackers start respecting everyone so we can have a civil discussion about the Cubs. If not, more people will leave.
Obviously people just ignoring these personal attackers doesn't work as that is what some have suggested, but they continue to attack people. They need to be called out and exposed.
Again, Brian, good post.
lame What a fucking whino.
What a fucking whino. I've never seen someone who kept coming back for more self induced punishment and then complains b/c of it. Say something, whine...say something, whine...ad infinitum (latin for all the time - roughly). Go ahead and talk shit all the time, whine for someone to come save you - whine after they do - whine after they don't - whine b\c you like it - and that's why. Any attention is better than no attention.
Back to money again. Why
Back to money again. Why should the Cubs spend more money when they don't have to. Steiny proved that it takes more than a deep pocket to win a World Series. The Astros + the Sox payroll is less than the Yanks. I think that you can assemble a fine team for 100 mil and win a championship. lets get a couple more bullpen arms and either a left fielder or short stop that can put up numbers. I could live with Neifi at short if we had ManRam in left. OR, I would be happy with Murton in left IF we had a healthy Nomar at short.
Of course Mazzone isn't
Of course Mazzone isn't perfect, but there's little doubt on the positive influence he puts on a pitching staff and his track record of turning marginal pitchers into above average pitchers for their time in Atlanta is outstanding. I know Rob Neyer did a respectable study on this awhile ago and came to the conclusion that Mazzone deserved to be in the HOF.
I think the closer issues Atlanta has is an organizational philosophy. Have they ever paid big money for one? Smoltz, but he was converted from a starter to help save his shoulder/elbow woes and the money was already spent. Rocker was pretty good for awhile, but didn't his falloff coincide with his unfortunate remarks? Wohlers had some good seasons too before some serious arm troubles I believe.
The one myth about Mazzone is that he keeps pitchers healthy. I know I read a pretty good study that this really wasn't the case. He probably has a slightly better track record than most organizations, but it's nothing compared to let's say the A's, who for a few years didn't have any organizational arm injuries and only have had a few since Peterson left. (Obliques, backs and hips are another story)
A few Mazzone examples...
Wohlers (was it an arm injury or the Leyritz HR? I forget)
Odalis Perez
John Thomson
I know there's many more....
Here's one article (not the one I was thinking of) that debunks the Mazzone myth a bit
not sure i agree with it, but interesting stuff.
Felix Pie's first
Felix Pie's first outing...
-- Dominican Winter League -
CHC F. Pie CF 4 2 2 1 1 1 .500 - 2B, 3B
Thanks for your opinion
Thanks for your opinion Jumbo.
But I wouldn't have to be a "whino" if some posters didn't feel the need to personally attack or be immature with their posts. The easy way to get me to stop whining is to get those to stop attacking....GOOD LUCK with that.
wow i have been posting on
i have been posting on this site forÖa month maybe?
i gotta say it does seem like some guys get excited over nothing.
somebody says your post was way off or puts a word or two in your mouth?
jeez, big fucking deal!
what would be the point if everybody had no reaction to what others posted?
is there a law that says you must only make positive and encouraging commentary
regarding the posts of others?
donít you guys that go way overboard in your reactions (and you know who you are)
have any drinking buddies or friends that you watch sportscenter with?
you know, sitting on the couch talking shit over a cold one, shooting holes in eachothers opinions and theories regarding the sporting life?
do you fly off the handle at your buddy when he tells you youre full of shit because you think we should keep nomar or whatever?
do you fly off the handle if your buddy calls you a fag or says you need a bitch-slap cuz you like our chances with orton, or say benson needs more carries?
of course fucking not, because youre buddies!
thatís the thing i see here, is an unneeded nastiness that you just donít see when buddies
are just talking about the sporting life (in this case the cubs).
i donít completely agree with brian(vegas), because while i donít think it necessary to make
so called ìattacksî on individuals, i think when you say things like ìlets all be adults hereî
and all that, youre forgetting were talking about a kids game that people get riled up over and take very seriously, and sports fans are prone to give their buddies shit over stuff.
so hey, what I guess im trying to say is, donít take shit so fucking personal cuz its all in good
fun, try to keep in mind the ìbuddies just talking shitî mentality, and when somebody says
you need a bitch slap over what you said, fucking let is slide for chrissakes its just a fucking jibe you fucking weenie!
by the way, how many of you have an autographed picture of you and Ernie Banks shaking hands?
i do, biyaaaaatch.
Well Cubby I wish I was
Well Cubby I wish I was sitting next to you watching SportsCenter so I could B-I-T-C-H SLAP you because your post is nothing but STUPIDTY.
***Hey if there is nothing wrong with it, I am going to start doing it too. It is only a joke anyways, right, so just let it slide. :)
Chad- I do agree with you
I do agree with you that $100 million should be enough for Hendry to play with to get a championship team. As long as the Trib continues to let him have a payroll in the top 10, money shouldn't be much of an issue. He just needs to fill the clearly defined holes that we all see. Hopefully he can with players that don't get hurt.
Cubster, If you are going
If you are going to give a pitching coach credit for Drunk Tightpants you should be praising Bob Cluck. Farns pitched well for DET before getting traded. The way people talk about Mazzone is ridicious. Lets say Mazzone was our pitching coach last year would we have been a .500 team?
if the cubs get to play with
if the cubs get to play with the 16m that was sitting in baltimore via sosa they didnt get to count toward their "100m team" they could have a hell of a team.
hell, imagine what the 05 club would have been with that 16m...a "real" LF'r and a pimp reliever minimum.
then again they'd probally find a way to both get injured and miss 2/3rd of the season =p
Yeah crunch....say $12
Yeah crunch....say $12 million for a real stud LF and $4 million for a stud reliever. That would of solved many ills.
But like you said, they would of been injured anyways, so it doesn't matter :)
i think somebody mentioned
i think somebody mentioned how cubs teams of not too long ago couldnt even beat the iowa cubs, and i agree, not literally, but on that our current situation is WAY better than it used to be. though there has been some let-down considering the expectations, its much more enjoyable being picked by people to contend for the playoffs rather than being expected to finishing 5th before opening day has even come.
we might not always make good on the predictions, but i for one like being among those considered to be in contention. i think the current trend is good, going for high profile managers, signing bigger-name talent, getting rid of fan favorites not projected to help us any further ala sammy, etc. i think we just need to be patient and that 100Mil will prove to be enough.
regarding rooting for the sox or the stros, i think i like what lovie smith said, about if the sox can win one, then maybe itll bring some good mojo to the city and start a championship run for the bears, bulls, and cubs to follow as well. i mean its just something the guy said, but hey, thats positive thinking for you and i like it.
what do the cubs and their fans have to lose if the sox win it? is it really that bad? im not a sox hater because simply i dont really care one way or another what happens in the junior circuit aside from it being good baseball entertainment, and frankly im too busy hating the goddam cards, mets (yep, i STILL hate the mets) and the rest of the NL central.
to be honest though, i got what i wanted when the damn stros beat the fucking cards, and i want houston to lose more than i want the sox to win, cuz hey, SCREW the houston astros dammit.
im definitely NOT going to say "go sox" though, the hell with that bullshit.
Wow guys, I think Manny
Wow guys, I think Manny needs a hug... Somebody spit in his face.
I thought AZ Phil mentioned
I thought AZ Phil mentioned a little while ago that the Cubs had some moves they needed to make within 10 days of the end of the regular season. Has anyone heard of the moves they made?? Or was the deadline wrong. Thanks!!
Cubby post #93. You said it
Cubby post #93. You said it better than I ever could.
Great post dude.
Some people just want to try and control what others post and say.
seriously, though...if it
seriously, though...if it doesnt matter if people put words in your mouth i guess it doesn't matter if you want to have credibility or not. if you got very little to say but ranting, it doesn't matter much. if you try to pass on real-life info along with your opinions, it kinda matters.
ive let things pass...ive taken some things to task. believe me, ive definately not called out every piece of "drama" thrown at me. you let some things go...you take some things on.
i guarentee if i put words in any of you guy's mouths enough you'd get tired of it, too. no, im not saying im being picked on. no, im not trying to shut anyone up. im just dealing with reality.
if you call someone out you should expect a responce anyway, especially if you're assuming things or calling names. if its every time or when you've had enough crap, it dont matter much. everyone's gonna handle it differently.
i've taken on the wrong end of some of these issues myself, and ya know what...ive taken responsibility for it and given appologies when applicable.
do i expect everyone or anyone to do what i do? no...this is the internet. people gonna do what they want and im not an ethics teacher.
you can only let so many issues pass before you gotta pull the chokechain on a barking dog, imo.
it leads to people thinking you're something you're not in some cases...and that can cause a whole lot more "junk" posts than dealing with the issue before it gets too stupid.
some people are here to just talk smack...some are here to pass information...some are here to give their opinion...MOST of us are a mixuture of all of this with a bit of others things along side.
The Cubs only needed to make
The Cubs only needed to make some 40 man roster moves to protect players from being minor league free agents. The list thanks to AZ Phil...
Cliff Bartosh
Enrique Cruz
Nate Frese
Talley Haines
Mark Johnson
David Kelton
Casey Kopitzke
Kevin McGlinchy
Calvin Murray
Phil Norton
Cody Ransom
Brandon Sing
Aron Weston
The only one I've heard about that was given free agency was Kelton and it didn't seem like an official press release, rather some inside info from Inside the Ivy. The Cubs are either keeping a low profile cause of the White Sox and saving all their news for later OR all those players were free to become minor league free agents. Some may have been immediately resigned to a new minor league deal. I highly doubt the date was wrong because if you check rotoworld a bunch of teams made some 40 man roster moves around that day although a few teams made announcements past the deadline.
once the series ends the
once the series ends the minor league (and major leage) FA pools appear. some people get early release, though its not common.
chances are no official announcement will come til the series is over.
100K for a pickup...nice time for some gambles. cubs picked up peter bergeron last year...dunno what happened to him. KC picked up emil brown...kaching.
not much comes outta it, but hey...100K.
what i hate is the way i
what i hate is the way i felt after the bit on mlb.com about corey working on his swing.
the way they give keller credibility by mentioning manny ramirez etc and then quote him saying "absolutely yes" on what he thinks about corey in the bigs.
not to say i was swayed to any significant degree in how i feel about the first-pitch wonder right now, which is dump his ass, but just that i even considered for a second that it would be worth it to invest more actual games on him in '06 because of what some "roving instructor" said about him after he has already failed at 1 attempt to get him out of his so called comfort zone or whatever the fuck theyre blaming for his ineptitude.
christ i mean nomar came back from his crotch ripping apart, played in 62 games and had 230 at bats, and still had only 4 less rbi and 20 less runs scored than corey in 126g/451ab!! not to mention corey fanning 118 times!!!
no, no more. let him be a superstar for somebody else, if it happens, so be it, but im sick of this dude and his "its just a game" bullshit, whether its to psyche himself out of a funk like that shrink said or not.
we need more studs like derek lee, todd walker, these guys who think losing fucking SUCKS and the cubs faithful deserve better. i mean, people called this guy the prototype leadoff man with power, and he goes 0 for 4 at-bats having seen 6 total pitches? WHAT!!?
and you fucking wonder why normally docile or whatever the hell they brand cubs fans to be are now lustily booing his ass?
"If Mazzone was perfect
"If Mazzone was perfect "
Chifan - I missed the part where anyone said he is perfect. Can you go back and find that?
"Well Cubby I wish I was
"Well Cubby I wish I was sitting next to you watching SportsCenter so I could B-I-T-C-H SLAP you because your post is nothing but STUPIDTY."
That's good fun...
Really, I have to think that even if Corey's still around next year that he's the backup plan for CF.
Entering his second
Entering his second arbitration year, that would be a lot of money to pay a guy who very few (if anyone) actually thinks will be able to turn the corner here.
The problem is his value is so low right now that I'm not sure the Cubs want to move him either.
It is amazing how stupid
It is amazing how stupid some of the posters here are. Posters like Cubby and MikeC and Big John Stud are just cum dumpsters. Spit on MannyTrillo? Maybe you want him to blow a load on you. Man you guys are really big men, calling people names and acting all tough on the internet. Obviously you are trying to make up for the shortcomings in your real life. There should be an age requirement or least a maturity requirement to post here, but TCR must like these kinds of posts and posters as they do nothing about it. By saying nothing they encourage it.
I don't agree with everything manny says, but at least be civil. You guys complain that all he does is support Dusty, well many of you only bash Dusty. Sounds hypocritcial to me.
I can see why many of the good posters over the past year or so (DC, KJK and others) have left or rarely post here. Bad enviorment when you can't post something without getting ripped.
MANNY T: Ten days after the
MANNY T: Ten days after the end of the regular season (every year), any player who qualifies as a "six-year minor league player" becomes a free-agent. Unlike major league free-agents, six-year minor league free-agents do not have to "file" for free-agency. It's automatic.
However, just because a minor league player becomes a free-agebnt does not mean he has to sign with a new organization. He can re-sign with the same organization if he so desires (and if his previous organization wants him back).
Last year, Jermaine Van Buren (who had been the closer at AA West Tenn in 2004) was a six-year minor league free-agent, but chose to stay with the Cubs organization and signed a AAA contract with Iowa for 2006, probably because he received an invivation to Spring Training with the Cubs as a non-roster player. But even after signing a AAA contract and receiving an invitation to Spring Training, Van Buren still could have been lost in the Rule 5 Draft. But he wasn't.
On the other hand, Jim Hendry DID choose to add Will Ohman and John Koronka to the Cubs 40-man last year (on October 13th) before they could become six-year minor league free-agents. Adding Ohman and Koronka to the 40-man roster (instead of trying to sign them to a AAA contract with an inviation to Spring Training as a non-roster player) at that time means either that Hendry could not (unlike Van Buren) get either one of them to agree to a AAA contract, or, that he was not willing to take the chance of losing either of them in last year's Rule 5 Draft even if one or both were willing to sign a 2005 AAA contract.
But it's very rare that a GM will add a player who will be a six-year minor league free-agent to the club's 40-man roster after the close of the regular season. It's even more rare when he adds two (as Hendry did last year). Usually, players in this class are brought up to the major league team during the regular season after rosters are expanded on September 1st.
This year, Brandon Sing wa eligible to be a six-year minor league free-agent, but has apparently chose to remain with the Cubs organization (though it was not announced), because he was given a "Cubs slot" in the AFL, and players cannot play in the AFL without a "sponsor."
The problem is that even though Brandon Sing (like Van Buren last year) must have signed a AAA contract with Iowa for 2006 and probably has already received an invitation to Spring Training with the Cubs as a non-roster player (the list of non-roster invitees to Spring Training is usually not released until sometime in December or January), Sing WILL be subject to the Rule 5 Draft if he is not added to the 40-man roster prior to the 40-man rosters being "frozen" on November 19th (in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft). Hendry is still probably trying to decide which prospects he wants to add to the 40-man roster (he has another month to decide), because he has not announced the namex yet. How Brandon Sing performs in the AFL may go a long way toward deciding whether he gets added to the Cubs 40-man roster. Even if he makes the AFL all star team, there still might not be room for Sing on the 40-man roster, depending on how many slots Hendry decides to leave "open" for "wiggle room" (free-agents and trades).
The Rule 5 Draft takes place at the Winter Meetings in December, and during the period of time between the rosters being frozen on November 19th and the Rule 5 Draft, players on minor league rosters cannot be traded, released, or moved up to a 40-man major league roster. Players on 40-man rosters can be ASSIGNED to minor league rosters during this "frozen" period, however. So if a club signs a free-agent sometime between November 19th and the Rule 5 Draft, and has to drop a player from the 40-man roster to make room for the free-agent, a player on the 40-man roster CAN be sent outright to a minor league roster.
A couple of years ago, the Cubs acquired Derrek Lee from the Florida Marlins for Hee Seop Choi and a player to be named later (Mike Nannini) during Thanksgiving week. The reason Nannini could not be identified or immediately sent to Florida was because the trade was made during the "frozen" period prior to the Rule 5 Draft, and the Cubs could not actually send Nannini to Florida until the Rule 5 Draft was completed. Nannini COULD have been selected by another club in the Rule 5 Draft, in which case the Cubs and Marlins would have had to agree on a different player as the "player to be named later." Presumably, there was a Plan "B" in place, but it wasn't necessary because Nannini passed through the 2003 Rule 5 Draft without being selected.
Another type of roster move that MUST be made within ten days after the close of the regular season (or else the club has to wait until Spring Training, and no more than 25 days prior to the start of the regular season) is the outright assignment of an injured player to the minor leagues. This is per the CBA. Last year, the Cubs assigned Nic Jackson to Iowa the same day they added Ohman and Koronka to the 40-man roster, and they had to do it by that date (or else wait until 25 days prior to the start of the following season) because Jackson was physically unable to play at the end of the 2004 season (he spent most of the year on the West Tenn DL). What is significant about being classified as an "injured player" is that the player can be removed from the 40-man roster and assigned to the minor leagues without having to be placed on irrevocable "outright waivers" (so he cannot be claimed by another club), although such a player is subject to the Rule 5 Draft.
One other roster issue that applies to injured players, is that any player who has been optioned to the minor leagues and subsequently spends at least 90 days on a minor league disabled list, is not charged an option year and will receive an additional option year IF the player has less than five separate FULL seasons (minimum 60 days as an active player in each given season) on a major league or minor league roster in a given season. This applies to Angel Guzman, because he spent more than 90 days on the West Tenn DL this year, and was not recalled by the Cubs after September 1st. In only three previous seasons (2002, 2003, and 2004) did Guzman spend at least 90 days as an active player on a minor league roster (he played in "short season leagues" in 2000 and 2001). So he gets a fourth option year, as long as it's used prior to him completing five separate "full seasons" on a major league or minor league roster. So Guzman has used up one option year (2004--he was added to the Cubs 40-man roster in October 2003), and (because he was injured this past season) still has two left. Thus, the Cubs can option Guzman to the minor leagues in both 2006 AND 2007, if necessary and if they so desire.
The "fourth option" will probably also apply to David Aardsma, not because of injury, but because he signed a "major league contract" with the Giants after being selected in the 1st Round in the 2003 First Year Player (Rule 4) draft, and was immediately placed on the Giants 40-man roster. He was optioned to the minors in 2004 and 2005, and will presumably be optioned by the Cubs to Iowa next Spring (2006). So 2006 would normally be his third and final option year. But because he will have less than five "full seasons" as an active player (barring injury, "full seasons" in 2004, 2005, and 2006), he will get a fourth option year in 2007 (presuming he is still on the Cubs 40-man roster at that point in time!).
I think we are seeing
I think we are seeing posters tired of the blind faith MannyTrillo where anyone who critiques the Cubs is not a real Cubs fan. I know we have seen dozens of times Manny question other posters on being a fan because of this. And then we got the my opinion is fact and I what I say is the gospel Crunch. And for both of them anytime anyone picks apart what they say they going off whining and crying like little babies.
They can't handle one ounce of disagreement on their viewpoints. It is either their way or the highway. They are also like robots. They both say the same thing over and over and over. Eventually wearing down other posters who simply give up and go away. You can't argue with someone who doesn't even accept anyone elses arguement and dismisses it when 1 little piece of it might not add up but the other 99% of it rings true.
I am sure they will have some choice words for me now, but hey I have heard from them over the months and year to already know. I am one of the few people left of the old days of TCR. Before the homers and blind faith people showed up like Crunch and Manny. There was hardly ever any discourse on the boards. We had intelligent conversations and people seriously read what other people said and formed and deformed opinions. Those days are long gone. Never to return.
So before people like Cubbiefan spout off at the mouth maybe you shold learn the history of this board to find out where it started going down hill.
Oh and about this putting
Oh and about this putting words in your mouth.
Crunch's favorite arguement is, "I don't understand why YOU people (insert subject)."
The "YOU people" is all the people who disagree with him. For example lets take the highly controversial subject of Dubois from earlier in the season. "I don't understand how YOU people think Dubois is the answer in LF."
That sounds a lot like putting words in the mouth of other posters does it not? You do it with many other arguements but I am just using this example. The people argueing against you never suggested Dubois was ever the answer or the solution. We simply wanted him to get a real shot, good or bad, it didn't matter. But time and time again that point just flew over your head. And you kept come back with the "you people" arguement.
I was one of the first people to argue early on that if Dubois was not going to play then the Cubs should bring up the hot hitting Matt Murton from AA. Because I believe you keep trying someone from the minors till you actually find someone who can play regardless of starting their clock. He doesn't have to be the top rated prospect. Some joe blow who no one ever thought would make it to the majors could be your next all-star. But you can never find that out if your going the tired old veteran route.
That is all the arguement was for Dubois and the rookies. But time and time again Crunch your arguement was putting words in the mouth of other posters. While you didn't specifically say one certain person you were clearly putting words into the mouth of a whole group of people.
But you know what? It is something that never occured to me before. Nor is it something I care about or look for. But now that I look back on it I just see how much of a hypocrite you are Crunch. You have been doing this since you started posting, and you have the balls to accuse me? If I ever put words in your mouth I got a hell of alot of catching up to do with you.
You may want to learn how to
You may want to learn how to spell the word "argument" given the frequency with which you seem to need to use it.
mike... your sorry job of
your sorry job of covering your ass is just that...sorry.
now you wanna say i'm putting words in other people's mouths? now you wanna change what you think you said about dubois pre-season and ignore the crap you flung on me? now you wanna try to say i'm the guy instigating this? now you come to the realization that you think im a hyprocrite?
you need to quit while you're ahead. and you REALLY need to quit putting words in my mouth. if you're not getting your way you need to whipe the snot from your nose and get on with life, especially if you're gonna keep saying how much you dont care.
you seem to think you're protecting everyone from me...
saying i'm doing it doesn't make it so. your damage control is as weak as your reasoning on this matter.
you cannot turn your situation on me...you live with it. you cannot take things you've done and say that i'm the one doing it. quit acting like a damn victim for christ's sake. live with what you've done and move on. don't try to change history to fit the view you want on it.
AND YOU NEED TO QUIT TRYING TO DEMONIZE OTHERS IN ORDER TO TAKE THE HEAT OFF YOU. that is just low as hell.
btw... mike, have you
mike, have you noticed that even though you share popular opinions with others you're constantly one of the most embattled persons on this board.
before i even posted here i saw mikec vs. ??? wars going on where you lashed out at people for one reason or another. ive also seen you use your "turn the tables" tactic where you counter-accuse someone of what you're being accused of.
this is nothing new, dude.
and btw, you're the only person who's trying to tell everyone what conspiracy i'm up to as far as me pushing my views on people.
your campaign to demonize people dates back before my first post even landed on this board.
you can't just attack people like you're some kind of gift to this board and expect people not to call you out for it. just because you want to revise your comments mid-arguement and lay blame on people for calling you out doesn't mean you didnt earn what you're hearing.
you're not protecting anyone from me...you're not making people realize things about me...you're not the voice of reason...and you are constantly involved in conflict.
im sick of it...deal with it...i gotta deal with you. no one's gonna rescue me from it. hey, you do what you gotta do, but trying to revise history and using selective memory isnt gonna get it done cuz i'll continue to call bullshit on you.
quit making stuff up and trying to pin your self-determined psychoanalysis on me...it might help you get a point across if you even care to make one.
calling people names and counter-accusing isn't dealing with an issue. why do you think you attract all this conflict anyway? i suggest you go back and read some of your posts and how you respond to percieved threats.
AZ Phil- Thanks for the
AZ Phil-
Thanks for the clarification...like Rob G., just dying for some news and the hot stove to start up.
Is this all because the
Is this all because the White Sox are in the series? Usually things don't get testy around here unless the Cubs are mucking about.
Although this is the internet and a global community, I was born and raised in the States. So banning, deleting and modyfing comments just isn't in my nature, screams censorship to me personally. Speaking completely for myself, when things go overboard, I'll step in but DO NOT EXPECT and certainly DO NOT ASK that I do something about it.I do not have the time, nor desire, to police a bunch of adults. Okay....
Mike C. and Crunch, your ongoing dialogue about putting words in people's mouth, etc, is tiresome. No one hear wants to read it, so don't waste the space. Neither of you is better than the other, nor are your opinions. I WILL begin deleting those posts if there is nothing baseball related in them. Sorry, but it's for the better of the TCR community. Take it behind closed doors, find a chatroom, email, whatever, okay? We don't care, your not going to shine the light of truth on anything and your obviously not going to change each other's opinions. So knock it off..
For everyone else, keep it civil, no personal attacks, keep it to baseball. You have a problem with some one, either take it behind closed doors or email one of the TCR writers. Stop using this board to push your agendas and one up each other. Alright? Just cause, "I've been saying" so and so since whatever might have made right on one point, doesn't mean your right on the next point, okay? No one here is all-knowing, cause baseball is too darn unpredicatble.
I've said my peace, please respect TCR and that it's a community to talk about our favorite team. Our method of cheering and certainly our ideas for what constitutes winning baseball will always differ. Please respect that difference. And please respect each other. You want to change how things work around here, then lead by example, not by contributing to the problems.
Recent comments
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...
Giants scare me. I think you're wrong about Bumgarner, he would pitch on short rest for Game 2 and then full rest for Game 5. Cueto would go Game 1, then short rest in game 4. Add in some really tough outs in that lineup and I want nothing to do with them. With that rotation they can easily steal a series.
Cards are a tough matchup. The rivalry evens out their comparable lack of talent. And like someone said, they love HRs, which is how to beat the Cubs. The upside is that I would feel really good about Lester twice against STL.
j.buchanan with a nice start...5ip 2h 1bb 3k, 0r/er
zobrist with 2HR and a double through 8
heyward 0-4 :(
Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales
Soler likely to return Sunday, Maddon says
Right now, I'd like to see the Mets first, Giants 2nd.
I believe that since most of the team from last years' NLCS is on the squad this year, they will really amp their game up even more to kick their ass in payback for 2015.
The Giants just do not have the depth in years past, and I think all things equal - and at Wrigley - they could handle them.
I do not want to see the Cards, period. Or their fans, media, or Joe Buck.
I don't want to play Braves in the first round. Any friggin team in the league can win 3 of 5..I hate the first round. Furthermore, I wanted to play the Marlins in 2003 and the Mets over Dodgers last year.
With that said in reverse order:
3. Cardinals: It will be devastating to lose in the first round, but even worse to their main rival. It is increased incentive for the Cardinals, especially after last year. Cards would have nothing to lose, Cubs have everything to lose.
2. Giants: Rotation in the playoffs scare me a bit, but what a lousy team.
1. Mets--because of the losses in the rotation
2. Giants--because they're not the team they were BUT they maybe have bullshit even-year magic?
3. Cardinals--because rivalry and not making the playoffs hurts them more than losing in the NLDS plus getting eliminated by them in the playoffs would make for horrible sports commentary next throughout next season.
Who's asking?
CLE/DET rained out last night already, possible rain-outs in New York (vs. Baltimore), Boston(vs. Toronto) and Philly(vs. Mets) this weekend too.
Not only games involving playoff spots that would need to be played, but any that involve home field advantage.
I got the first one! Second one I'm not even sure what even/odd betting is.
any opponent preference for NLDS?
Mets are down to 1 great pitcher instead of 4. Syndegaard may pitch Sunday which means if Mets win the WC game, he'd be set up for Game 1. There's a chance they clinch a spot by Sunday so he'd pitch the WC and then we'd probably get Colon for Game 1. They've certainly had the hottest bats over the last week and month out of the WC options.
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness
Hopefully Pirates don't call up A. Lincoln.
j.buchanan going friday...should be...baseball...or something like it.
Wow. I didn't know they could do that.
Nice for Willson, not so much for Addy.


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Arrange For Your Student Visa
In order to apply for a student visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, you will need to obtain a visa application form, either from the US Embassy or Consulate. You will need to complete all relevant sections of the visa application form, attach and submit the I-20 form that we sent you, the admission letter, all relevant documentation, and visa application fee.
Before Leaving Home
What you should Bring
Center For Global Engagement (CGE) wants to ensure that your arrival at Indiana State is both safe and comfortable. The following information is provided to help in this regard. If you are a new student, we strongly recommend that you make all your housing and airport pickup arrangements before you arrive.
Transportation from Airport to ISU
The nearest passenger airport to Terre Haute is Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana. This about a one-hour drive from Terre Haute. Driving directions to Terre Haute from the Indianapolis Airport can be found at: MapQuest link (Note – Chicago O'Hare International Airport is approximately 3 ½ hours from Terre Haute; because of this distance, the CGE is unable to provide airport pickup services for those new students arriving in Chicago. Please plan to make Indianapolis your final destination if you are in need of airport pickup services).
If you are a new student, the CGE provides limited airport pickup services before new student orientation of each semester. New students will be contacted by email before the beginning of each semester regarding the dates and details of these pickups. Some International Student Associations (ISA) at ISU also provide limited airport pickup to new students. For information on these pickups, look on the appropriate ISA website or contact the ISA representative. The CGE can also assist in communicating with each ISA. All airport pickup arrangements must be made before arriving at the airport.
Unfortunately, the CGE and ISAs are unable to pickup all new students due to the large number of students. In some cases, new students will be responsible for transportation to the university. Some of these options are:
At the Indianapolis Airport, you can take a taxi to Terre Haute. The cost of this taxi ride is approximately $120 to $140. For information on taxi service from the Indianapolis International Airport to Terre Haute, please visit yellow page link: http://www.yellowpages.com/Indianapolis-IN/Taxis?from=ip5indtlod_taxis_taxi+in
Greyhound Bus Lines also provides bus service between Indianapolis and Terre Haute; however, if you are a new student arriving with much luggage, taking this bus may not be convenient.
Arrival at the ISU Campus
A map of the ISU campus can be found at: http://www.indstate.edu/campusmap/
If you are arriving during normal operating hours for ISU (Monday-Friday, 8:00 – 4:30 p.m.) and have a housing reservation, we suggest you first check in at the Residential Life office.
If you arriving after normal operating hours, ISU does have several temporary guest rooms available in the residence halls. Information about the location of these halls will be provided to new students by the CGE before the beginning of each semester. Residential Life can also provide this information. A reservation for these guest rooms is recommended.
Once you made housing arrangements, please report to the CGE office (Rhoads Hall Mezzanine) as soon as possible.

subset: commoncrawl


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Las Vegas convention consultant Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe has been chosen as the new president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board.
The board chose the 52-year-old Rippetoe unanimously Friday to replace Harold Workman, whose retirement is effective at the end of the year. Workman has been president and CEO since 1993.
Rippetoe also was executive director and CEO of visitor information services for Utah for the 2002 Olympic Games. The board says he raised money, coordinated 800 volunteers, managed guest accommodations and worked with corporate sponsors.


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Based on the wild cheers inside the ballroom, Cheryl Burke and her injured partner William Levy gave viewers what they wanted on Monday night's Dancing with the Stars. But don't expect the pair to take things a step further with a mid-routine smooch like the one Derek Hough and partner Maria Menounos shared on the Latin-themed episode.
"We like to leave it up to the imagination," Burke, 27, told PEOPLE backstage after the performances, adding that she and Levy have no plans to kiss.
But unlike judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Levy, 31, and Burke don't worry about whether an actual lip-lock was too much for the dance.
"I don't know," they both said at the same time. "They can do whatever they want."
Added Burke with a laugh, "I kissed [Levy's] nose. Is that good enough?"
Meanwhile, Hough told PEOPLE that he normally agrees that passion should be implied in dance – rather than actually acted out – he has no regrets about Monday's routine, which landed the couple a second-place spot with a solid score of 27 points.
"There was a place in the music where there was such a big build, we thought we needed to do something fun," he says. "And since we didn't [actually kiss] during the rumba, we thought, 'Why don't we actually do it [for our salsa]?' "
Calling the dance "sexy," Hough goes on to say, "Tonight it was fun. Tonight it called for it."
William Levy & Cheryl Burke Won't Kiss on Dancing with the Stars
Adam Taylor/ABC


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on June 10, 2013 - 7:59 PM
, updated June 11, 2013 at 9:33 AM
WASHINGTON – Federal authorities have found 400 long-missing pages from a diary kept by a key aide to Adolf Hitler at a small academic publishing house in Lewiston, and Holocaust experts say the find may shed new light on the extermination of millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
The missing diary pages, written by Hitler confidant Alfred Rosenberg, turned up in the possession of Herbert Richardson, the head of Edwin Mellen Press, a small academic publishing house based in Lewiston, the Reuters news service reported on Monday.
A man who answered the phone at Edwin Mellen Press said Richardson would not comment on the diary, which is the second major trove of Nuremberg war crimes trial evidence to be found in Richardson's possession in the past 13 years.
Federal officials and the U.S. Holocaust Museum are expected to announce the finding of the diary pages at a news conference later this week.
"The documentation is of considerable importance for the study of the Nazi era, including the history of the Holocaust," according to an assessment of the diary prepared by the Holocaust Museum, which Reuters obtained. "A cursory content analysis indicates that the material sheds new light on a number of important issues relating to the Third Reich's policy. The diary will be an important source of information to historians that complements, and in part contradicts, already known documentation."
Rosenberg was a Nazi government minister and Hitler adviser who was convicted of crimes against humanity at the international war crimes trials at Nuremberg in 1946 and subsequently hanged.
According to the assessment Reuters obtained, his diary – which covers the period from the spring of 1936 to the winter of 1944 – offers details on struggles within the Nazi leadership as well as the fascist party's looting of European art, which he directed.
Rosenberg held several key roles with the Nazi party, heading its foreign affairs operation and editing the party newspaper.
And through it all, he kept a diary that historians will now be able to explore.
The prosecutors at Nuremberg had cited the diary as evidence, but it disappeared once the trials ended.
Reuters said it has long been suspected that Robert M.W. Kempner, one of the Nuremberg prosecutors, brought the diary and other evidence with him after the trials.
In 1999, a vast collection of Nazi documents that Kempner snatched turned up in Richardson's possession in Lewiston, and he agreed to turn them over to the Holocaust Museum. But the Rosenberg diary remained missing until now.
Law enforcement investigators in Delaware County, Md., said at the time that Richardson obtained the documents by persuading the late Kempner's aging legal secretary to have Rosenberg's historical papers transported to the Lewiston publishing house from Kempner's family home in Maryland.
Federal authorities investigated the moving of those documents to Lewiston, yet no charges were ever filed.
Nevertheless, "it was pretty suspicious," a detective said at the time.
A lawyer for Richardson, Paul H. Reid of Niagara Falls, told The Buffalo News at the time that the Lewiston academic publisher had done nothing wrong.
"There was no secret about the fact they were moved," Reid said. "Nobody is trying to hide anything. Nobody is trying to deny the Holocaust Museum of things properly given to them."
email: email@example.com


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It's kind of like the old saw
It's kind of like the old saw (no reference to the movie intended) where they try to make a pitcher out of a hard thrower. Can that be done with a hard swing? Can you teach a guy to be a "hitter"?
Junior Lake's counterpart
Junior Lake's counterpart playing cricket?
and then there's this...
Justin Bour can't match Baez
Justin Bour can't match Baez's 18 HR in 51 games at Tennessee, but he does have 18 HR in 80 games. Last year Bour hit 17 in 138, also at Tennessee.
Boise lost to Salem-Kaizer
Boise lost to Salem-Kaizer last night, while Hillsboro lost to . . . somebody. Second-half standings show S-K in first place by a game over Boise and Hillsboro.
Boise actually has two paths to the playoffs: win 2 of 3 vs. Hillsboro starting tonight; or watch S-K finish ahead of Hillsboro, which would trigger this Boise-favoring playoff procedure:
"If one team wins both the first and second half of the season, then the team with the next best winning percentage for the entire season will get into the playoffs."
Advance Scouting Report
Advance Scouting Report
Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs (2013 edition)
Analysis: Don't throw it in the zone, stupid.
Anthony Rizzo with two ugly
Anthony Rizzo with two ugly errors in about 2 minutes time.
TIL - JD loves to randomly
TIL - JD loves to randomly throw baseball cards out of the booth for the hell of it while calling the game and pre-game.
it seems he enjoys seeing how far he can make them fly rather than trying to throw cards at specific people.
1st castro HR in a month...d
1st castro HR in a month...d.barney actually has a good day at the plate...k.gregg doesn't blow a 1-run save...and the cubs win.
Javier Baez 1st inning 2 run
Javier Baez 1st inning 2 run HR, he's 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 rbi. Smokies ahead of the Lookouts 4-1 in the 5th. HR #19 for Tenn.
Struck pitching, only hit is a solo HR by Joc Pederson in the 1st.
m.olt's recent good hitting
m.olt's recent good hitting has gotten him promoted to #4 in the lineup tonight...where he went 0-4 with 4 Ks. sigh.
also, bryant is sitting tonight in daytona.
Javier Baez, you are
Javier Baez, you are ridiculous!
per Rotoworld...
per Rotoworld...
Orioles recalled C Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk.
The 27-year-old backstop was acquired from the Cubs in early July as part of the Scott Feldman trade. He has been stinging the ball in 20 games at the Triple-A level with the O's, hitting .324/.402/.437 with two homers and 11 RBI. He'll provide catching depth for the O's, and could also see the occasional start at first base.
I wonder if we can trade Olt
I wonder if we can trade Olt for Clevenger?
Boise Hawks were no hit last
Boise Hawks were no hit last night by Kyle Schepel, losing 5-0. They only had one walk and another got on by an error.
(Schepel...Pitched a seven-inning no-hitter for Class A South Bend in the first game of a doubleheader on April 14, 2013 at Lansing. ... Signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a Minor League free agent on Sept. 23, 2012)
There should be some 40 man
There should be some 40 man roster moves today. If Sweeney comes up (60 day DL), will McDonald or Gillespie be gone? If they want a look at Olt, Cody Ransom is gone. To get another look at Schlitter or a look at Grimm or Rosscup might mean a mysterious injury to Rondon. Stuff like that.
Rondon's eligible to be to
Rondon's eligible to be to sent down now, isn't he?
CHARLIE: Hector Rondon has to
CHARLIE: Hector Rondon has to spend the entire 2013 MLB regular season on the Cubs MLB Active List (25-man roster) and/or MLB DL(s) with at least 90 days spent on the Active List before Rule 5 restrictions are removed. (If a player does not spent 90 days on an MLB Active List during the season after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, he remains a Rule 5 player going into the next season, but only until he has accrued the required 90 days on an MLB Active List).
However, because Rondon has been outrighted previously in his career (when he was with Cleveland), he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted.
BTW, Rondon will qualify for a 4th minor league option in 2014 (presuming he is still on the 40-man roster).
So a mysterious injury it
So a mysterious injury it would have to be. Gotcha. Guessing he just survives the September rearrangements.
Bruce Miles answers the
Bruce Miles answers the first wave of roster moves.
Cubs activate Sweeney and Valbuena today and recall pitcher Alberto Cabrera. To make room for Sweeney on 40-man, they DFA Eduardo Sanchez
Sweeney is in the lineup today, Valbuena is not.
Red Sox just DFA's Daniel
Red Sox just DFA's Daniel Bard. Something tells me Theo's antennae are twitching
Theo will be on WSCR's Hit and Run end of season show at 11am cst
bard hasn't been the same
bard hasn't been the same since he lost 3-4mph off his fastball last year...and lost control of what he's throwing.
one of those odd cases where taking 3-4mph off his fastball (not by choice) caused him to be even more wild than when he was throwing hard.
Stats Sunday %K vs K/9 to be
Stats Sunday %K vs K/9 to be discussed (see link in the TCR Twitterbox)
here's the link to what they reference...


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Top Definition
Main character of Assassins Creed 3. Also a total badass of a fighter, climber and over all bamf. Has the willingness to fight against injustice and against Templars like his ancestors Ezio and Altair. He completely dismantles the entire Knights Templar Order.Also is the son of a Templar Grand Master Haytham Kenway. Ironic.
Connor Kenway killed Haytham Kenway as a last resort because Haytham was gonna kill him.
de Hopeisthefutureofman 3 novembre 2012
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Your Take: How Do You Prepare Your Taxes?
Last night I had to pleasure to finally meet some of the DC personal finance bloggers and some PR folks at a happy hour (or three) hosted by TurboTax at Busboys and Poets at 5th and K Street. It was a fun event that was really casual and it was nice to meet people I'd only been emailing, instant messaging, or twittering with these last few months and years. Many thanks to the most awesome Chelsea (@TTaxChels) for inviting me!
In talking with both Scott Gulbransen (@prgully) and Dave Donohue (@davedonohue), I was surprised to learn that most people prepare their taxes the same way their parents did. If your parents did their taxes online with a service like TurboTax, you were more likely to use TurboTax. If they always went to a tax prep place like H&R Block, then you would be more likely to go to H&R Block over trying to do them yourself.
At first I was a little surprised to learn our tax preferences are influenced by our parents, but then I realized I was influenced by my parents. When I first decided to use TurboTax, I didn't compare it to TaxCut or TaxAct or going to a tax preparer. I chose it because that's how my dad did our taxes when I was younger. So I shouldn't have been that surprised because I did the same thing!
So the Your Take for today is a two parter – How do you prepare your taxes and how much do you think your choice is influenced by your parents?
(Photo: daquellamanera)


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SALINEVILLE - The first half had all the makings of an epic battle between backyard rivals. In the end, however, a second half slaughter ensued as the Indians ran over the Tigers en route to a 40-9 victory on Friday in the annual "Black and Blue Brawl" at Wigwam Stadium.
With the game tied, 9-9, at the break, Wellsville was energized and appeared to have the momentum on its side. It was Southern Local, however, which regrouped and emerged from the locker room on a mission.
While the Indians' potent aerial attack did its part, it was the ground game behind Mike McKenzie which did the most damage. McKenzie plowed through the Tigers' defense to the tune of 315 yards and a school record four touchdowns on 28 carries.
Article Photos
Southern Local quarterback Luke Griffith hands off to Mike McKenzie on Friday against Wellsville. (Photo courtesy of J.T. Higgins)
That wasn't the only record that was broke on the night.
Senior wideout J.J. Napierkowski had one of his lowest outputs of the season with two catches for 26 yards, but it was enough to push him past Trey Griffith on the all-time list for yards in a career and a season.
Finishing the night off with another school record was kicker Steven Treadway who connected on a 52-yard field goal to cap the scoring in the fourth quarter.
Southern Local coach Mike Skrinjar said his team was able to respond from a first half that didn't go as planned.
"We needed a little wake-up call at the half," he said. "But, you know what, that's what makes a good football team - responding to adversity. With it being a rivalry game, the emotions were flying in the first half. We just had to settle down and play Indians' football."
Skrinjar said himself and offensive coordinator Mike Schneider played a little "good cop, bad cop" with the Indians during halftime.
"Schneider got to them first," Skrinjar said. "He said he almost passed out he was so upset. I came in after that and just asked them to look me in the eye. I told them that I believed in them. That Indians' mindset allows them to fight through adversity. They're a rare breed. They believe in each other and there's strength in togetherness."
Wellsville coach Dave Skinner said an early second half penalty brought an abrupt halt to any momentum his team had gained.
"One undisciplined penalty in the third quarter changed the
whole complexion of the game," he said. "It might sound stupid saying one penalty changed things, but that was it. One dog-gone penalty."
Skinner said his team entered the game with the hopes of slowing down the Indians' passing attack. However, with the attention on Southern quarterback Luke Griffith, running lanes were opened for McKenzie.
"You have to pick your poison with them," Skinner said. "We only had five in the box because we were trying to defend the pass. They made some adjustments on their blocking schemes at the half and we weren't able to stop them."
Making matters worse for the Tigers was the loss of standout Marcus Moxley, one of the area's most dynamic playmakers. Moxley left the game midway through the first quarter and did not return after coming off the field with what appeared to be concussion-like symptoms.
"When you lose one of your best athletes, it hurts," Skinner said. "He's a two-way guy and when you lose that type of speed, it's hard to make up for it."
After a scoreless first frame, the game's first score came with 9:45 in the second quarter when McKenzie plowed his way to a 31-yard touchdown.
The Tigers would respond, however, on their very next possession. On a 3rd-and-19, Wellsville quarterback Jordan Sloan would find tight end Seth Bradford down the middle for what ended up being a 46-yard score after several broken tackles.
An interception of a Griffith pass two plays later by De'Shaun Coles set up a 25-yard field goal by Cavan Lemasters to give the Tigers a 9-3 advantage with 2:51 left in the half.
The Indians would move 63 yards to the Wellsville 11-yard line before the drive stalled and ended with a 28-yard field goal by Treadway putting the score at 9-9 entering the break.
It took only two plays in the third quarter for Southern Local to break the game open.
McKenzie found a seam, broke through several tackles and used his speed to race 73 yards for a touchdown giving the Indians a 16-9 lead.
Wellsville answered with an extended drive that advanced to the Southern 18-yard line. Then a 15-yard personal foul followed by a 5-yard false start infraction pushed the Tigers all the way back to the 36-yard line. Wellsville was unable to convert on a 4th-and-26.
"They hit that long run on us and it kind of took the wind out of us," Skinner said. "But we came right back and drove the ball. When we got that penalty you could just see the air being sucked right out of us. It was critical and we weren't able to get back in it."
From there, it was the 'Mike McKenzie Show.' Touchdown runs of 12 yards and 2 yards on the Indians' next two possessions put the game out of reach.
"We knew we could run the football," Skrinjar said. "We had faith in him. The coaching staff believed in him. He stepped up and rose to the occasion."
Griffith, who finished the night 11-of-21 for 153 yards, hooked up with Jared Shilot on a 29-yard scoring strike with 8:23 left to play to put the score at 37-9.
Then Treadway made history with a booming, line-drive kick that split the uprights from 52-yards away.
"He's the captain of our special teams," Skrinjar said of Treadway. "He's a perfectionist. He takes pride in what he does. He's not a secret weapon anymore, but he's definitely a weapon."
The loss drops Wellsville to 3-4 on the season and it will host McDonald next week. The victory puts Southern at 5-2 on the year and it will play at Western Reserve in Week 8.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Read Sunday's edition of The Review for more on Mike McKenzie's big night for the Indians.