text:
The BIG EIGHT-O
Once again my childhood hero's birthday has rolled around and he's turned the calendar on quite a milestone.
Mr. Cub is Eighty Years Old today.
When one's childhood hero hits such a milestone it means that when this Cub fan looks in the mirror, that reflection isn't the young Cubster that used to be, but... well, I still feel like a kid when I think about Ernie Banks unique batting style, fingers wiggling and bat upright. Crack, ball hits bat, fantastic wrist action. Remembering just one more Jack Brickhouse Hey-Hey! All baseball heros candles fade and real life takes over. But Eighty? That can't be correct.
So Ernie, here's my birthday toast to you: may your birthday cake with 80 candles be as GRAND the impact your Cub greatness had on me.
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saw a headline yesterday about how Ernie took a spill at his bday party. Presumably he's okay.
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According to Luis Arroyave, Chicago Tribune, Mr. Cub was ok after his fall. In fact, Jeff Garlin who was celebrating with him had some fun with it, quipping to Banks, "Let's fall twice."
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"Ata boy, Ernie!!"
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Az Phil: I saw this writeup on Rob Whitenack in the CCO blog. Do we have a Burt Hooton "lite" in our system?
The Cubs drafted Rob Whitenack in the eighth round of the 2009 draft. Whitenack throws a knuckle-curve that rates as an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. The 6'5", 180-pound right-hander features a smooth arm delivery with no recoil and throws his fastball in the upper 80s to lower 90s with an average slider and changeup.
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Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 7:52am.
Az Phil: I saw this writeup on Rob Whitenack in the CCO blog. Do we have a Burt Hooton "lite" in our system?
CUBSTER: I saw Whitenack throw in a game only once, and that was (briefly) in a game at Minor League Camp last year.
Whitenack went directly to Boise when he signed with the Cubs in 2009, and he did not attend AZ Instructs either post-2009 or post-2010, so I haven't seen enough of him to talk about his stuff.
He did have a very strong second-half in 2010 that earned him a promotion to Daytona, and then he pitched even better at Daytona than he did at Peoria.
Whitenack has a shot at making AA Tennessee coming out of Minor League Camp, but he will more-likely begin the 2011 season back in the Daytona starting rotation (probably with some combination of Lopez, Struck, Searle, Wallach, Antigua, and/or Jung), but he could get moved up to AA at some point during 2011 if he continues to throw as well as he did during the second-half of the 2010 season. .
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Mr. Cub was also my childhood hero. To those of you too young to remember, or not born, he was all we had in the late 1950's. Sure we had some journeymen that had a good year here or there, Dale Long, Bobby Thompson, Waly Moryn, Lee Walls, but Ernie was the only star. It wasn't until the early 60's that Santo, Williams and others came along. The late 50's teams were horrible, but Ernie kept hitting 40 HRs and 100+ RBI. He was usually our sole all star representative, when the all star games were exciting. Happy Birthday Mr. Cub, you gave me a lot of joy.
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what kind of a shortstop was banks? he had moved to 1B by the time my memories kick in...back-to-back mvp's on an also-ran team will never happen again...banks & aaron were rookies together i believe; not a bad class!
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My recollection is gold glove, few errors, not much range, never a web gem.
Looking at the fielding stats in BR, I see one Gold Glove in 1960, but 32 errors in 1958, the first MVP year.
The distinctive thing about Banks in the field was the extreme (almost submarinish) sidearm throw.
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Aaron-last Negro league player to play in MLB.
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Submitted by jacos on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:07pm.
Aaron-last Negro league player to play in MLB.
JACOS: Technically Orestes "Minnie" Minoso was the last former Negro Leaguer to play in an MLB game (October 1980).
BTW, I went to high school with Orestes Minoso Jr (known as "Orestes Arrieta" at the time), and he was on our 30-1 Evanston Township HS State Championship basketball team in 1968 with future Marquette University star and New York Nets forward Bob Lackey, point guard Walt Perrin, and wide-body center Farrell Jones. Orestes Jr later was a member of the first class of the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy in 1971, along with future Royals 2B Frank White and current Rangers manager Ron Washington.
While it's fairly well-known that the Boston Red Sox were the last MLB team to integrate (with INF Elijah "Pumpsie" Green in July 1959), did you know that the Kansas City Ahtletics were the last MLB team to go a full season (actually more than a season-and-a-half) with no black players on their Active Roster (starting when they traded IF-OF Hector Lopez to the New York Yankees on 5-26-1959 all the way up until Opening Day 1961), and that the Baltimore Orioles were the last MLB club to play part of a season with no black players on their Active List (during a period of 80+ games in 1962, beginning when they sent INF Earl Robinson to AAA at the end of June up until they they brought C Nate Smith up from the minors in September)?
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/screamed like Kirk in "Wrath of Kahn"
//correct again sir
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Where do you place him all-time? I used to default to Banks as the greatest of all Cubs, but some fancy stats tell another story. For example, BR's WAR has him third all time. Cap Anson leads far and away, and Banks closely trails (surprise!) Ron Santo.
It's nice to see Ronnie so high on that list. I can't be very proud of Anson, however, given his role in establishing the color line.
Also on that link, you can see where Banks has 3 of the top 10 Cubs seasons all time (again by WAR). Even with that peak, I'd be hard to place him above Anson for Cubs career accomplishments. A shame. I'd prefer the good guy on top.
Neyer leaves ESPN for SB Nation
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rob neyer...has he attended 100 major league games yet in his life or is he still catching them through the box scores?
ike ferrell.
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btw...and proof neyer has some sense of humor even when he's using it for spiteful evil...
"alibi" ike...har.
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that joke
my head
anyone else get it?
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he went on amazon.com a few years ago leaving a negative review for someone's book under an alias of "ike ferrell"...he was busted and had to publicly apologize.
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Apologize - for using a pseudonym, or for giving someone a bad review? Either way, that's stupid.
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from wikipedia:
One Day at Fenway
In September 2004, Neyer used a pseudonym ("Ike Farrell") on Amazon.com to write a negative customer review of One Day at Fenway, a then-new baseball book by Steve Kettmann.[15] Neyer subsequently took offense to positive reviews that he believed Kettmann's friends and relatives had posted.[16]
"How did this project go so terribly wrong?" Farrell/Neyer wrote. "Presumably the author wound up with plenty of source material, and so I can only assume that he [Kettmann] lacked either the talent or the time (or both) to shape the material into a decent piece of non-fiction."
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Matt Garza is really a #3 starter masquerading as a #2 behind a big park and an excellent defense. Chris Archer is likely to win several Cy Young awards pitching with the same advantages.
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Do you have Cubs Tourettes? This is not relevant to anything discussed in this thread.
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Newport's head.
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Don't quit your day job.
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The irony of your comment, especially after the use of the term "Tourettes" is lost on you.
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You don't make sense.
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The joke was about making irrelevant posts, like crunch did here, because he did the exact same thing the other day about Garza vs Archer.
Tourette's is a disorder that gives people nervous, usually facial, ticks. It's most commonly associated with people shouting out swearwords. You probably meant to say "autism". It wouldn't have been funny either, but it would have made a little more sense. I am just surprised that the PC crowd didn't jump on you.
You didn't get the joke, made a joke which was impossible to "get" because you used the wrong word, and then after that you used another "joke" to imply that I wasn't funny. That's the irony, you made two bad jokes, while telling me that my joke, which you didn't get was bad.
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If I could pay to make you invisible on here, I would. But then the comments wouldn't make sense as I would only be able to see one side if the idiotic arguments you like to engage in almost daily. Maybe instead of quit your day job, I should have said focus on your day job, you seem to spend way too much time here.
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a joke about rob neyer in a rob neyer post is irrelevant.
okay. sure...
wait, no.
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Ernie's career was long and eventful. As a shortstop, and through 1960, he might have been one of the very top players in baseball history. Bill James rated him as a top 100 player (#77, to be exact) ten years ago, not a top 50 player. If he'd been able to continue at short or to have another really good offensive year after 1960, that might have changed things.
James regarded Banks as an "adequate" shortstop. He disregarded the Gold Glove, saying that some years, somebody has to win it. He also disregards the fact that Banks led NL shortstops in assists in 1959 and 1960, due to the fact that Cubs had a ground ball staff and Banks played more inninbgs at short than anyone else. I never saw him play short, and my memories of him playing first come from when I was six.
In addition to aging, I recall that Banks had a severe illness in 1963, which led to a very bad year.
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Banks set the MLB record for fielding percentage in 1959 - did James also disregard that?
Errors were a lot easier to come by during that era, I guess it was the condition of the fields, but probably a big part of it was a change in scorer habits. Today if you get a bad hop, no error.
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He doesn't mention that. In the prior version of the Historical Baseball Abstract, he rated Banks as the 40th best player of all time. He says he revised his rating based on overrating Banks' defense and underweighting park effects.
He found Banks' range, in terms of the percentage of plays made by him as shortstop (in terms of total defensive plays by the team), to be only average.
I think James likes Banks. 77th is not up there with Stan Musial, but it's not bad.
Ernie really had two careers in one: (i) the first phase as an outstanding offensive shortstop and (ii) the second as a somewhat above average, but declining, first baseman. Had he been able to continue the first phase longer than he did, he could have made it higher on the list. As it is, he's still (deservedly) a hall of famer, and is one of the most famous Cubs of all time.
Dempster still a good bunter
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Really nice job for those pitchers. I bet at least a handful for each of those position players successful "sacrifices" were actual failed hit attempts.
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Az Phil-
I know that occasionally you post the "expected" rosters for each of the minor league teams. With the new influx of talent from the Gorz trade, the Garza trade, and the signing of the new Cuban players, what would you say the rosters will look like? I was trying to do it in my head and such, but I couldn't find your last update. Thanks in advance
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This is very much subject to change (surprise perfomances in Spring Training and injuries being the main causes of alteration), but here is what I would project the Cubs full-sesonteams minor league rosters to look like on Opening Day 2011 -- AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW:
* bats or throws left
# bats both
IOWA (24-man roster)
Justin Berg
Esmailin Caridad
Chris Carpenter
Casey Coleman
Thomas Diamond
* John Gaub
Jay Jackson
* Scott Maine
Marcos Mateo
* James Russell
Jeff Stevens
* Luke Sommer
Welington Castillo
* Steve Clevenger
* Matt Camp
* Bryan Lahair
* Scott Moore
# Augie Ojeda
# Bobby Scales (inactive player-coach)
Marquez Smith
Tony Thomas
* James Adduci
* Tony Campana
* Brad Snyder
Ty Wright
TENNESSEE (24-man roster)
* Jeffrey Beliveau
* Ryan Buchter
Alberto Cabrera
David Cales
Rafael Dolis
Ty'Relle Harris
Trey McNutt
A. J. Morris
* Brooks Raley
* Chris Rusin
Aaron Shafer
Kyle Smit
Michael Brenly
* Blake Lalli (inactive player-coach)
Chris Robinson
* Ryan Flaherty
# Marwin Gonzalez
D. J. Lemahieu
Rebel Ridling
Nate Samson
Josh Vitters
* Michael Burgess
Evan Crawford
* Brett Jackson
* Matt Spencer
DAYTONA (25-man roster)
* Jeffry Antigua
Yohan Gonzalez
Su-Min Jung
Robinson Lopez
Aaron Kurcz
* James Leverton
* Jeff Lorick
Oswaldo Martinez
Dae-Eun Rhee
Ryan Searle
Nick Struck
Brett Wallach
Rob Whitenack
Luis Flores
Jose Guevara
* Justin Bour
* Matt Cerda
Junior Lake
Jonathan Mota
Greg Rohan
* Logan Watkins
* Kyler Burke
D. J. Fitzgerald
Jae-Hoon Ha
* Nelson Perez
PEORIA (25-man roster)
Frank Batista
* Cam Greathouse
* Graham Hicks
Jin-Yeong Kim
* Austin Kirk
Matt Loosen
* Marcos Perez
Austin Reed
Kevin Rhoderick
* Zac Rosscup
Juan Yasser Serrano
Hayden Simpson
Ben Wells
# Micah Gibbs
Chad Noble
# Arismendy Alcantara
* Ryan Cuneo
* Richard Jones
Pierre LePage
Brandon May
Elliot Soto
Reggie Golden
Jesus Morelli
* Rubi Silva
Matt Szczur
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AZ PHIL: IS Scott Maine the heir-apparent lefty to Gorzo? Or, if he makes the MLB squad will his time be spent primarily in the pen?
How is his pitch repertoire, anyway?
What say ye PHIL?
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Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 6:36pm.
AZ PHIL: IS Scott Maine the heir-apparent lefty to Gorzo? Or, if he makes the MLB squad will his time be spent primarily in the pen?
How is his pitch repertoire, anyway?
What say ye PHIL?
E-MAN: Scott Maine throws a 93-95 MPH fastball and a hard slider, and he really improved a lot the second half of 2010.
I don't think there is much chance of Maine ever being a starting pitcher (he's a two-pitch pitcher who has never started a game in pro ball), but he is the heir-apparent to John Grabow as the #2 lefty in the Cubs bullpen, and in fact he could be the #1 lefty in the pen at some piont if the Cubs were to decide to move Sean Marshall to the starting rotation.
Otherwise, James Russell will apparently be stretched-out as a starter at Spring Training and will likely be in the starting rotation at Iowa (where he will be the I-Cubs only lefty starter), in case the Cubs need or want a lefty starter at some point in 2011 (again, that's if they want to keep Marshall in the pen).
And then LHPs Chris Rusin and Brooks Raley will very likely be in the starting rotation at AA Tennessee, and either could get called up if they are pitching well and the Cubs want or need a lefty starter and they don't want to call up Russell from AAA or move Marshall to the starting rotation from the bullpen.
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Cam Greathouse? Really?
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Nice job of distributing the talent, Phil. I particularly like that outfield at Peoria, with Szczur, Golden and Silva.
Could use a little more shortstop talent at the upper levels. Matt Camp, a doubtful prospect, should not be the only Iowa SS. Maybe Marwin Gonzalez, after his strong showing in the Venezuelan Winter League, can go to Iowa. Then Junior Lake can play shortstop for Tennessee. Lake has already done Daytona, and should not be held back. Watkins and Mota at Daytona, as you say, etc.
David Cales finished the season at Iowa and did okay, then performed well in the AFL. I don't see him dropping back, either.
I understand that you (and the Cubs) have a lot of bodies to accommodate at Iowa, but we still have to keep the conveyor belt moving for real prospects like Lake and Cales.
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I had thought for most of the off-season that Junior Lake would be the #1 SS at Tenmnessee, but that was because I figured Hak-Ju Lee was a lock to be the #1 SS at Daytona and that the Cubs wouldn't have wanted both Lake and Lee on the same team.
Also, there was an empty hole for a #1 SS at Iowa (figuring that Matt Camp would be used as a utiluity IF-OF) that I thought would have to be filled by either Nate Samson or Marwin Gonzalez, but with the Cubs signing Augie Ojeda, I now believe either Ojeda or Darwin Barney (most-likely Ojeda) will be the #1 SS at Iowa.
These two developments (trading Lee and signing Ojeda) should push Samson and M. Gonzalez back to Tennessee and open up the #1 SS job at Daytona for Lake. There really isn't any pressure from below (Elliot Soto and Arismendy Alcanatara will both likely be assigned to Peoria, and Wes Darvill will probably be at EXST in April-May and then at Boise), and while Lake could probably play at AA in 2011 (and he still might), he doesn't turn 21 until March, and so repeating Daytona (at least to start the season) wouldn't be out of line.
I know what you are saying about David Cales, but it's just a matter of not having enough slots available at Iowa. It's possible that the Cubs could put Cales at Iowa and drop either Gaub or Sommers to AA, but the fact that the Cubs did not give Cales an NRI to ST might be an indication that he is still fairly low on the bullpen depth chart.
A lot of the tentative assignments I projected will change if any Cubs MLB or AAA pitcher or player starts the season on the DL, and/or if the Cubs trade or release a player and/or pitcher or two presently ticketed for Chicago or Iowa during or at the end of ST.
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Phil, not as a prognosticator but as a fan, I really don't like the idea of non-prospects like Ojeda, Camp and Samson getting significant starts at the shortstop position. There are three teams at high-A and above, and there must be more than three viable shortstop prospects in this organization who can fill those positions.
Here are four names: Watkins, Lake, LeMahieu and Gonzalez. Watkins played second last year, but there was no choice, he was Lee's teammate. Maybe this year he plays shortstop at Daytona. That would push Lake up to Tennessee, where he belongs anyway.
Last year, Lake played 107 games at short, but LeMahieu played 25, and both played some third. That's good: anybody who still projects as a major-league shortstop (whether with the Cubs or not) should get opportunities there, because it enhances his value. Shortstop at Tennessee could go to Lake and LeMahieu.
That still leaves Marwin Gonzalez, who is a month shy of 22 but just had a very solid season as shortstop and number-two hitter for a good Caracas team. He had 86 games at Tennessee last year (81 at short) and could be promotable. Makes more sense to me than squandering starts at a key position on marginal players.
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You've also got to factor in that Barney may well be the I-Cubs SS this year. His bat is worse than the Cubs three middle infield starters, but there may be some hope that it will improve with more seasoning. You're not going to PH him unless he's the last option and Ojeda will probably be a similar defensive player. Organizationally it would be better to try and make like Barney is a real prospect who is blocked by Castro, than to just slot him into the last slot on the bench.
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I just don't see this Baker-DeWitt thing at all. Neither one of them is really a middle infielder. Both were third basemen in the minors. Whereas Barney is a natural shortstop who hits about as well as DeWitt. If Baker has more pop than Barney, that's true of most third basemen in relation to most shortstops. But we're talking about second base, and also backing up Castro at shortstop.
I don't like this second-base situation right now, especially if it's DeWitt-Baker-Ojeda.
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Won't Max Ramirez be at Iowa to catch with Castillo?
The last I heard, Ryan Flaherty was going to be moved to the OF, that would seem to be the case with Rebel Ridling moved up to AA now.
And speaking of AA, don't you think one of Watkins or Lake will be put at starting SS for Tennessee? You have both listed at Daytona right now.
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Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 2:41pm.
Won't Max Ramirez be at Iowa to catch with Castillo?
The last I heard, Ryan Flaherty was going to be moved to the OF, that would seem to be the case with Rebel Ridling moved up to AA now.
And speaking of AA, don't you think one of Watkins or Lake will be put at starting SS for Tennessee? You have both listed at Daytona right now.
JIM H: Max Ramirez is out of minor league options, and I don't think he will get through waivers if he does not make the Cubs 25-man Opening Day roster. If Ramirez does not make the Cubs 25-man Opening Day roster and then gets through waivers, I would project him to be the #2 catcher at Iowa (behind W. Castillo), with Clevenger nmoving down to Tennessee, and Brenly moving back to Daytona.
Ryan Flaherty will be an "everyday" player at Tennessee, but he will be moved around, playing 1B-2B-3B-LF-RF.
Unless Junior Lake forces his way onto the Tennesssee roster, I think Marwin Gonzalez and Nate Samson will be the two shortstops at Tennessee (with Samson also playing some 2B and M. Gonzalez also playing 1B-2B-3B-LF-CF-RF), and Lake would be the #1 SS at Daytona with Logan Watkins the #1 2B, although Watkins and Mota can also play some SS, and Cerda and Mota can play 2B. (Mota would also be used as a catcher from time-to-time).
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Well this is boring...
what are everyone's thoughts on Michael Barrett's defense?
Tony LaRussa bashing
God, it was inevitable that George Will and Tony La Russa would find each other, wasn't it?
Situations are shaped in innumerable ways by managers, by what they do to prepare for a game and what they do during a game. La Russa says, with a fine sense of semantic tidiness, that what are called baseball "instincts" involve much more than instinctual behavior. These instincts are actually the result, he says, "of an accumulation of baseball information." [...]
The accumulated information is evident when La Russa examines elements of strategy, such as playing for the big inning. It is an old baseball joke that big-inning baseball is affirmed in the Book of Genesis: "In the big inning, God created...." La Russa knows well the key to creating big innings: "First and third, nobody out—you're talking about a big inning," he says. "To me, the secret of scoring a lot of runs is getting guys into scoring position as many times as you can."
That's stupid. Shit, Tim McCarver thinks that's stupid. That's like saying, "The secret of scoring touchdowns in getting close to the end zone." It isn't the slightest bit profound, and yet George Will starts humping that quote as if Disraeli had said it.
There are few things in baseball worse than the cult of the manager, and there no manager cults more head-slappingly pretentious than the one that has sprung up around Tony La Russa. I have a theory that La Russa is so exalted by the George Wills of the world because he is more or less one of them — an observer who has little to no impact on what's transpiring in front of him, who spends his nine innings investing tiny fluke moments with galactic significance and stamping them with the mark of his own genius. Will and La Russa are perfect for one another — where Will has a bow tie to evoke a sort of out-of-step erudition, La Russa has a ballet t-shirt — and it was only natural that they'd spend a few happy days wiggling their toy intellect at each other:
A wit once said it was not true that Gladstone lacked a sense of humor, Gladstone just was not often in a mood to be amused. La Russa is no stranger to laughter, but he does not often laugh when he is within a fly ball's distance of a ballpark. He has ample dark hair and thick eyebrows and wears his cap with the bill pulled low, keeping his eyes in perpetual shadow. His watchfulness has an aspect of brooding. La Russa spends the hours of each game giving signs in response to what he sees on the field, and in response to what he sees—or thinks he sees or thinks he would see if he could decipher the evidence—in the dugout across the field.
La Russa is a guy playing Chutes and Ladders who thinks it's actually chess. He is a manager, nothing more, and he has been blessed with a lot of great players over the years, and he has been smart enough and sober enough not to fuck them up too horribly. That's it. That's his genius. This constant need on La Russa's part to prove it's somehow more than that is entirely a function of baseball's epic self-mythologizing. And it is with a fine sense of semantic tidiness that I say, "Fuck that." (Tommy Craggs)
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The Lord starting what should have been down awhile ago
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you can see a piece of the roped off section behind that miserable snowstorm.
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and poetically, standing alone in the middle of the snowarmagaddon is the Ernie Banks statue.
Or is it Ernie himself?
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Piniella to join Giants front office as Tampa-based buddah. Apparently Giants GM Sabean and Lou have been buddies since their Yankee days. I thought Lou would be brought in by the Yankees in similar capacity but it seems they spent their last dollar on Bartolo Colon.
Piniella, 67, is joining the Giants' front office to consult in a variety of ways, whether it's evaluating or advising on player movement or scouting or . . . well, whatever a baseball lifer of 48 years can provide.
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Sully says Cubs passed on giving Lou the Golden Buddah consultant position.
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Warm thoughts from Snowmageddon....
Pitchers and Catchers report: 19 days
Cactus League Opener: 25 days (Oakland vs Cubs at Mesa on 2-27)
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I thought we were down to 11 days on pitchers and catchers.
"2011 Spring Training, beginning on Feb. 13, when pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz. Their first workout comes on Feb. 14, with position players reporting to camp on Feb. 18 and the first full workout of the Mike Quade era taking place on Feb. 19."
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yep, my bad....11 days: Feb 13th (per Cubs.com)
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.


text: Cleary gets a tipped garbage goal on a PP and suddenly he's awesome? NOT! Tatar looks like a 2nd liner, Cleary doesn't. Tatar scored and played well even strength all night. Cleary had a better than usual game but he gets the majority of his chances because of Dats. Hell even Franzen can stand in front of the net.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
is sitting pretty with strong graphics card sales and better than expected sales of its
lightweight, power efficient fusion CPU+GPU systems on a chip (SoC). The
company is now
profitable after years in the red.
Looking to continue its success, AMD previewed [press release]
"Scorpius" at the 2011
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles
Convention Center (LACC) in Los Angeles. Scorpius is AMD's answer for the high-end
gaming market.
The design will feature an octacore, unlocked Zambezi processor
dubbed "FX", reviving AMD's old enthusiast CPU branding. Zambezi,
codenamed after a river in Africa, is AMD's high performance 32 nm SOI process upcoming desktop
CPU based on the company's new Bulldozer architecture.
The new platform will also feature a Radeon 6xxx HD graphics card from AMD and
an AMD 9-series chipset motherboard (socket AM3).
Leslie Sobon, AMD's vice president of worldwide product marketing, comments,
"AMD's FX brand will enable an over-the-top experience for PC enthusiasts.
By combining an unlocked, native eight-core processor, the latest in chipset
technology, and AMD's latest graphics cards, FX customers will enjoy an
unrivalled feature set and amazing control over their PC's performance."
The obvious competitor of Scorpius will be Intel Corp.'s (INTC) Sandy Bridge, possibly paired with GeForce 5xx series GPUs from NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA).
With eight physical cores, Scorpius will arguably have the edge over
single-socket Intel designs, though, which currently only feature four cores
(eight threads). Intel will bump its core count to six cores in the near
future, but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough.
Performance numbers on Bulldozer are still lacking, so it
remains to be seen exactly how powerful this octacore gaming rig will be.
One thing that may excite some is AMD's growing array of HD3D partners.
HD3D, AMD's proprietary 3D technology works fully with the company's EyeFinity firmware,
which supports up to six displays driven by a single graphics card.
AMD claims over 400 current and upcoming titles support the 3D gaming tech,
including, Eidos Montreal's upcoming "Deus Ex: Human
Revolution", Bioware's "Dragon Age II", Creative Assembly's
"SHOGUN 2: Total War", and Codemasters' "DiRT 3."
Regardless of who comes out on top performance wise, it's refreshing to see a
reinvigorated AMD challenging both Intel and NVIDIA in the CPU and GPU sectors.
A competitive market should push all three PC hardware makers to quicken the release of powerful new hardware that will delight PC gamers and
enthusiasts -- few as they may be, these days.
quote: The fun thing with X980/intel Extreme editions CPUs are that you don't need to overclock them. Just set Turbo to 4.4ghz on all cores. This is a very elegant solution since when people overclock, they use more energy and produce more heat.
quote: BTW. How many are using 100% CPU time with a 4+ ghz CPU? The only windows program I have used that maxed out my cores are video encoding/rendering. (and even with video encoding: most programs only use 2-8 threads. Not a single program was faster when I switched from 4core/8thread intel to a 6core/12thread intel)


text:
I am an executive at a major distribution center and I currently reside in Martinsburg. I am writing you concerning two issues: entitlement reform and government spending.
On the issue of entitlement reform, I have heard many Republicans call for the increase in the eligibility age for Medicare and Social Security. As a distribution center executive, I witness 60-year-old grandmothers moving boxes with their fragile bodies and it breaks my heart. Raising the eligibility age is a regressive move. It doesn't affect white collar workers like me, and it forces blue color workers to work longer into retirement age. These workers lift boxes, manufacture heavy machinery, mine for coal. Raising the eligibility age for entitlements is detrimental to the West Virginia blue collar workforce. Please tell Republicans "no" on this issue.
The issue of government spending is a catch-22. While we all like less government in our lives, West Virginia is dependent on federal dollars. Many airports in West Virginia (including Morgantown and Beckley county airports) rely on federal funding. This is just one example of how federal dollars help the West Virginia economy. If there is a broad-based cut in federal discretionary spending, West Virginia would be hurt more than other states. (West Virginia takes in more federal dollars than it pays in taxes). We need to return the national tax rates closer to historical levels to help pay for things West Virginians need. Higher tax rates, especially on the wealthy, would hurt wealthy Wall Street folks in New York and dot com millionaires in California more than they would hurt coal miners in West Virginia.
Let's do what's right for West Virginia. Thank you.


text:
Music Festival Queen pageant candidates include: Laykyn DeKezel, Rachel Quillin, Shyanne Brewer, Hannah Johnson, Marit Malen, Corbyn Beck, Emily Diehl, Lucy DeBisschop, Maggie Schlindwein, Allison Yerkey and Taylor Heppner. The pageant, sponsored by the Geneseo Rotary Club, will start at 7 p.m. June 14 in the city park. The event is in conjunction with the Rotary Club's ice cream social which will start at 5:30 p.m. and include sandwiches, baked beans, chips, beverages and dessert.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Story about William Matthew's great-grandfather taken from Confederate Military History, edited by Gen. Clement A. Evans, Atlanta, Confederate Publishing Co., 1899, Volume V, page 412:
Brig. Gen. Samuel McGowan was born of Scotch-Irish parentage near Cross Hill in Laurens County on Oct. 9, 1819. He graduated from South Carolina College in 1841, studied law with T. C. Perrin in 1842, was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1842 and embarked upon the practice of law at Abbeville.
He answered the call of his country in 1846 and started for the Mexican War as a private in the Palmetto Regiment. He was soon appointed to the General Quartermaster's Staff with the rank of captain, serving during the war first on the staff of General Quitman and afterward with Generals Worth and Twiggs. As volunteer aide to General Quitman at the storming of Chapultepec and the capture of Garita de Belem, he was distinguished for gallantry.
After his return to South Carolina in 1848 he continued with much success the practice of his profession, and sat twelve years in the lower house of the State Legislature; but also retained his connection with military matters, becoming Major General in the State Militia. Upon the secession of South Carolina he was commissioned Brigadier General in the State army and assigned to command of one of the four brigades first formed and in that capacity assisted General Beauregard during the reduction of Fort Sumter. Upon the transfer of the troops to the Confederate service he joined General Bonham in Virginia and served as a volunteer aide at the battles of Blackburn Ford and First Manassas.
Then, returning to South Carolina, he was elected lieutenant colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment and in the spring of 1862 while in service on the coast, was promoted to colonel. Soon afterward, with Gregg's Brigade, he began a distinguished career in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was wounded at Cold Harbor where he led his regiment in several daring charges, retrieved the ground lost by another brigade at Frayser's Farm, and continued on duty in spite of his injury until after Malvern Hill. For his gallantry in these battles he was recommended by General Gregg for promotion.
After fighting at Cedar Run he was wounded at Second Manassas, and for some time disabled, but he rejoined his regiment after the battle of Sharpsburg and commanded it at Fredericksburg. There General Gregg was killed, and in January 1863, Colonel McGowan was promoted Brigadier General and became Gregg's successor in command of the gallant brigade. In this capacity he served until the end of the war, receiving several wounds, the most severe of which befell him at Chancellorsville and during the fight at bloody angle at Spotsylvania Courthouse.
After the surrender at Appomattox he returned to his home and resumed the "profession from which he had twice been diverted by war." He was elected to Congress in 1865, but was not permitted to take his seat, made a thorough canvass of the State as an elector at-large on the Democratic Presidential ticket in 1876; in 1878 he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1879 he was elected associate justice of the Supreme Court. In the latter office he won lasting honor and distinction as he had upon the field of battle. His death occurred Aug. 9, 1897.
- Keywords


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CHARLES TOWN - Like a nice pair of broken-in jeans, there's just something very comfortable about Mi Degollado.
The smells outside, the look of the building - from the start, there is something very familiar about this Mexican restaurant.
Those first impressions are correct. Mi Degollado is a good place to eat authentic Mexican food.
Article Photos
Submitted photo
A chimichanga is shown at Mi Degollado Mexican restaurant in Charles Town.
Chile Rellenos
We stuck to the basics for this trip - well our basics any way. Some tacos, chile rellenos and, of course, fried chimichangas.
None of the items disappointed. The tacos had good flavor, fresh ingredients and were a hit.
The Chile Rellenos were made in the old-fashioned style: a stuffed poblano pepper loaded with cheese and, of course, deep fried. What a hot, spicy treat this is.
The fried chicken chimichangas were crispy on the outside and the chicken was perfectly cooked on the inside.
The beans were a tasty side, but the one thing that made this meal was the rice. The rice served at Mi Degollado is what you'd hope to find at a good Mexican restaurant.
The difference between a good restaurant and a mediocre restaurant comes down the details. The rice really shows that the staff at Mi Degollado cares about the experience down to the last grain.
Speaking of experience, the service at Mi Degollado is excellent. We were seated quickly, and the salsa and chips came with speed, along with the drinks. The waiter made excellent suggestions and the food arrived fast and hot.
The salsa has a nice zip to it. It's a little spicier than you might be used to. We enjoyed it, however.
The menu is classic Mexican fare. There are 22 combination dinners that range from $8-9 in price. Vegetarian dishes are also available. There are also the house specialties, which range from fajitas to seafood dishes. Anything you'd want Mexican is there.
The most expensive dish at Mi Degollado is the Biste Con Camaron, which costs $15.75.
The beer selection is also nice, and fairly priced at $3.85. It includes classics like Tecate, Dos Equis, Negro Modelo and Pacifico.
All things considered, Mi Degollado was a perfect stop for dinner. It's a great example of when great service intersects with good Mexican comfort food.
Mi Degollado is located at is 92 Somerset Blvd. in Charles Town. For more information, call 304-725-0333.


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Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Blah, blah, blah...I've been swamped and despite the recent not terrible baseball being played, the Cubs don't give me enough reasons to make sure I watch a game.
So I have little to offer today other than a quick recap of Baseball America's recent chat about their midseason Top 50 list which includes one Cub at #25 - Javier Baez (and one former Cub in Hak-Ju Lee at #47).
First Cub-related question was in regards to signing 2nd round pick Duane Underwood, which already happened to the tune of $1.05M. The Cubs can now pay Albert Amora up to $3,922,895 without forfeiting a draft pick and Boras will certainly demand every last dollar of that for his client. 25th rounder Rhett Wiseman is also still out there unsigned, but it's almost a sure thing he's going to Vanderbilt.
Re: Josh Vitters missing the list
Jim Callis: As someone who does our Cubs Top 30 for the Prospect Handbook every year, I talk to people incessantly about Vitters. He has made some progress, but his ceiling is solid regular and the guys on this list have higher ceilings than that. I'm also not sold Vitters could be an everyday third baseman at the big league level. I think you'd want a better defender than that. So no, I can't tell you he even received consideration for the Top 50.
Re: Jorge Soler
Jim Callis: We didn't include this summer's draft and international signees on the list, in keeping with our past tradition (Although he does make it sound in other comments like Soler would have made it).
Re: Brett Jackson making it into the top 50 by the end of the year
J.J. Cooper: My best guess on the end of season rankings is no. Jackson never wowed scouts with any plus-plus tool, now he's got a significant wart in a strikeout rate that is baffling.
Re: Jackson, Szczur or Vitters being in the top 50
J.J. Cooper: Not that close, further away and not that close to making the list. Jackson's K-rate is a major concern for a guy who doesn't have a lot of 65s on his scouting report. Szczur is a solid prospect, but didn't really compare yet to the guys at the back end of the 50 and Vitters is having a much better season, but there still doesn't appear to be a whole lot of ceiling there.
Re: Baez
J.J. Cooper: A whole lot to like, still has some growing up to do.
Road warrior
Colvin has homered in three games in St. Louis this week.
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Colvin sucks..that's impossible :P
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Can he play third?
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Sadly no...
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JP Morosi tweets about Tigers and Garza interest, and prospects from the Erie Seawolves
Tigers have interest in Matt Garza. Cubs recently scouted Detroit's prospect-heavy Erie affiliate. But talks not serious, sources say.
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That Castle Anus guy has 2bb vs 26k. That's solid.
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#BlueJays showing most interest in pitchers under control beyond this year. Matt Garza and Wandy Rodriguez high on their list, sources say.
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Try Volstad as a reliever. Get something out of his 2.6 mil. I've seen enough of Coleman and Wells. The next guy to bring up is Alberto Cabrera. We need more thump. Volstad does throw 93, Cabrera mid to high 90's, and neither walk too many.
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Everyone else sucks, no other obvious choices in Iowa, and they're not going to bring up the "promising" choices in TN. Turn chicken shit into chicken salad.
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Re: Another BA Prospect Chat
Will (NJ): Josh Vitters is on a roll. I've never been huge on him, but this is more than his sporadic hot streaks in the minors. He's consistently gotten better each month. What do scouts think about his ability to hit for power at the next level? Can be a solid 3rd base starter in the bigs? Could he be say, a .270-.280 type hitter, with say, 20 HR potential in a neutral environment?
Ben Badler: He's surprising the heck out of me. I saw him last year, talked to scouts about him and while the swing and the bat speed were still there, the sense was just that he wasn't really taking any steps forward. I'm still not sold that he's a third baseman, or at least an everyday guy there, but there's probably a bigger role for him at the major league level than we thought at this time a year ago.
Vic31 (Chicago): Jeimer Candelario has looked mighty impressive with the bat, so far, but I've heard the glove is the real question. If he can't stick, do you think he's got enough athleticism to handle LF or is he destined for 1b? Will the bat play regardless?
Ben Badler: Could be, just depends a lot on how the body develops, but I don't think he has to move off third base any time soon. He's such a good hitter that I'd be excited about him no matter where he plays.
TJ (MD): Matt Szczur has been on a really nice role. If he maintains his performance (improved discipline, plus defense, improving power, hopefully improves on it), is he a top 75 prospect? Does he still have starting potential in the bigs, as a top of the order CF who chases down balls?
Ben Badler: I don't have Szczur that high. The defense is there, the hitting approach has improved and I think he could be an average regular if a lot of things click, I just don't see the swing working for much more than gap power. He's plenty strong, but I just see a limited offensive ceiling.
David (Va Beach): I know you seem to really like Jeimer Candelario. Should we expect him in Boise all season long and what especially do you like?
Ben Badler: He does so many things that you like to see in a hitter. He has good rhythm, he's balanced, the bat is fast from both sides of the plate, his hands work well, he has an approach at the plate that's advanced for his age, he drives the ball for power now and has the physical projection to add more power in the future. Maybe he stays at third base, maybe he goes somewhere else, but the man can hit.
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y.molina out of the AS game (wife's grandfather died, bereavement)...replaced with m.holliday (lulz)
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replacing a STL catcher with a STL LF'r...lulz.
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People will say "you can't joke about [death]. [Death]'s not funny." I say "fuck you, I think it's hilarious!
I miss George Carlin.
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i just wanna see who catches RA Dickey...that should be fun.
posey/ruiz are the catchers left.
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r.johnson's last leadoff homer...2007 vs. j.santana
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...and he follows with a double in the 3rd...
15/30 (.500) vs. j.santana lifetime...2hr, 2 doubles, 1 triple
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make that 16/31 with a single...he's got 2bb (5k) lifetime, too.
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3r HR vs santana...nice shot, not a cheapie.
pro-tip: don't hang changeups to rizzo
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Prolific! Amazing! Stupendous! Superlative!
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it's fun to have a cubs power hitting prospect around that projects for 30+ HR and isn't projected for 200-ish Ks.
it's been a while...a long, long, long, while.
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I was thinking after the HR that I haven't been this excited about a Cubs call-up since Mark Prior. This is definitely the most excited I've ever been for a Cubs hitting prospect to hit the show. From what I've seen, teams are still being aggressive against him - hopefully his skills translate once pitchers start throwing him garbage. His OBP is barely higher than his batting average, but I think so far that speaks more to the pitches he's seen. Color me quite impressed.
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Folks were pretty pumped when Palmeiro and Grace were arriving in Chicago. But that was over 25 years ago, a long time between those two and Rizzo.
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Rizzoner at full mast
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Cindy Sandberg was also really excited over those arrivals.
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I've been sort of going out of my way to try to watch Rizzo at bats and he is definitely getting stuff to hit.
One thing is that he is really aggressive on the first pitch. Pitchers will have to stop trying to get that first strike by him and start throwing him crap on the first pitch. To Rizzo's credit, it's one thing to be aggressive on the first pitch. But it's another to actually hit that first pitch. God knows I've seen plenty of Cubs prospects who are aggressive on the first pitch, swing and miss, and just keep being aggressive on the next pitch, missing it, etc. Last night that pitch he hit looked off speed and he still smoked it. I think that is what impresses me the most about him so far. First pitch, off speed or curve or whatever, BOOM!
My prediction is that the league's first adjustment will be to try to get him off balance on the first pitch. My next prediction is that it won't work, at least not for long. For one thing, too many pitchers need to get that first strike. As soon as Rizzo starts discovering what they're up to, he'll adjust and start getting ahead in the count. Then they'll have to get a strike by him. Then, BOOM!
I remember the immortal Hee Seop Choi coming up to the league and he was the most tentative SOB I ever saw. I actually liked his swing - when he swung. Rizzo is sort of an anti-Choi. I don't see him standing around waiting for the pitcher to hand him first base.
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The Surging Santorums approve.
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Still a stupid trade, even if Colvin wasn't in the Cubs long term plans. You can't trade for an injured player who hasn't yet had surgery, that's just plain dumb, no matter how much Jedstein want to claim "upside potential." Dumb trade.
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Especially a wrist injury. I remember when the trade happened not having any idea about that injury and I was annoyed when I later saw that they did. That is almost a "what are you thinking?" type of move. On the other hand, the Rizzo/Cashner trade so far is looking not too bad.
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Wood for Marshall too.
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BTW, in case anyone forgot: Marmol sucks eggs.
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marmol is the pitching version of adam dunn: home run, walk, or strikeout.
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cubs no longer in last place (.5 ahead of HOU)
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If the Cubs option Travis Wood to Iowa prior to today's game (Saturday 7/7) and leave him there for the minimum-required ten days and have him start for the I-Cubs next Thursday at Omaha and then recall him on Tuesday 7/17, the Cubs would buy another year of club control over T. Wood that they won't otherwise have.
T. Wood came into the 2012 season with 1+039 MLB Service Time, and (as things stand right now) he will accrue 136 days of MLB ST in 2012 (taking his MLB ST to 2+003) if he remains on the Cubs 25-man roster through the rest of this season, thereby giving him an opportunity to be a free-agent post-2016.
However, if he were to be optioned to Iowa today and stay there for ten days over the All-Star Break (starting the I-Cubs game at Omaha next Thursday before getting recalled on Tueday 7/17 in time to start the Cubs game versus the Marlins that day), T. Wood would finish the 2012 season with 1+165 MLB Service Time, and therefore could not be a free-agent until after the 2017 season.
Since the Cubs rather clearly manipulated MLB Service Time to buy another year of club control over Anthony Rizzo (recalling him from AAA just three days after the cut-off point for him to get to 1+000 years of MLB Service Time in 2012), they shouldn't worry about how it looks to do the same with T. Wood.
The Cubs could easily justify the move:
1. They won't need a 4th starter again until Tuesday 7/17 (Garza, Samardzija, and Dempster would start the games against the Diamondbacks next weekend, and then the Cubs have a day off on Monday).
2. The Cubs need to drop someone to make room on the 25-man roster for Ryan Dempster (scheduled to start tomorrow).
3. T. Wood would stay on his rotation schedule by starting a AAA game for Iowa next Thursday at Omaha.
3. Although T. Wood cannot be recalled until he spends ten days on Optional Assignment, that's no problem because that would be just in time to start the game on Tuesday 7/17.
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evil genius
Can a player file a grievance for such an obvious money saving ploy?
Especially when he has 1.13 whip and 3.00 era.
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It's a smart move. But it would also be a dumb move. Why piss off a guy just as he is finding a groove?
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that too
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Sat, 07/07/2012 - 6:23am — jacos
Can a player file a grievance for such an obvious money saving ploy?
Especially when he has 1.13 whip and 3.00 era.
JACOS: Remember, the Cubs did essentially the very same thing with Anthony Rizzo.
They left Rizzo at Iowa (where he was destroying the PCL) even as the major league club was struggling to score runs and hit home runs, finally recalling him THREE DAYS AFTER the deadline where he would have hit 1+000 of MLB Service Time by the end of this season (thereby pushing eligibility to be a FA until post-2018 instead of post-2017). And he didn't file a grievance, and he doesn't seem to be pissed-off about it, either.
So yes, the player (Travis Wood in this case) could file a grievance.
But then the Cubs can say:
1. We don't need a 4th (or even a 5th starter) again until Tuesday July 17th.
2. We want T. Wood to stay stretched-out as a starter and take his regular turn next Thursday (even if it's at AAA) instead of just sitting around for ten days waiting for his turn (clubs often do this at the beginning of the season coming out of Spring Training, when the club's 5th starter gets optioned to the minors to get regular work as a starter until a 5th starter is needed).
3. Our other four starters cannot be optioned to the minors (Maholm, Dempster, and Garza have too much Service Time, and Samardzija is out of options). Only T. Wood can.
BTW, Travis Wood will be out of minor league options next season, so if the Cubs don't option him out now, then (unless he gets outrighted to the minors or released in the meantime) he will definitely be a FA post-2016.
So gaining one more year of club control (pushing T.Wood's eligibility to be a FA until post-2017) in exchange for optioning him to the minors for ten days when he is not scheduled to start for ten days anyway is just the smart thing to do.
Isn't it?
And from Wood's POV, he will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time post-2013 whether he has 3+003 MLB Service Time (if he isn't optioned) or 2+165 MLB Service Time (if he is optioned), because even if he falls just short of three years of service time post-2013, he'd still be eligible for salary arbitration as a "Super Two."
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As always, good stuff Phil, I just disagree with the comparison with Rizzo. He was a minor leaguer whose last appearance in the majors was a disaster. The team's comparison was to how they brought him up too fast in San Diego. I think that point is arguable -- his batting stance has changed a lot since SD, but it was still a much more reasonable proposition. Free agency is highly prized for baseball players. The combination of pushing my free agency back a year, and the humility of going to the minors, even if it was explained as taking one for the team, would really piss me off as a player.
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If the Cubs do not option Travis Wood to the minors for ten days over the All-Star Break, then the question is...
Why did the braintrust recall Travis Wood on May 22, when if they had waited just FOUR MORE DAYS (that is, waited until May 26 to recall him), they would have gained an extra year of club control?
In other words, was recalling Travis Wood on May 22 instead of May 26 worth it, if it meant that Travis Wood would be eligible to be a free-agent a year earlier than he otherwise would have been?
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"was recalling Travis Wood on May 22 instead of May 26 worth it"
good point. perhaps there was a Volstad gag-vomit factor that the brain trust just couldn't take anymore.
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Sat, 07/07/2012 - 12:16pm — Rob G.
I don't know if it was worth it, but they obviously needed a pitcher for the 22nd cause he pitched that day.
I believe Wood still has some option years left, so they can still delay his free agency if he falls off the wagon. I'd be surprised if it's not Volstad being optioned.
ROB G: Travis Wood will be out of minor league options next season, so 2012 will be the last chance the Cubs will have to option him out
Another player of note who will be out of minor league options in 2013 is Welington Castllo, BTW.
Because the Cubs did not option him to the minors prior to today's game, the Cubs would not be able to recall Travis Wood before Wednesday 7/18 (unless he is being recalled to replace a player who was placed on the DL) if they option him to Iowa tomorrow to make room for Ryan Dempster on the 25-man roster.
That's still OK, though, because the Cubs won't need a 5th starter any earlier than Wednesday 7/18 (or they could even wait to use a 5th starter until as late as Saturday 7/21), so Dempster-Maholm-Garza could pitch FRI-SAT-SUN vesus AZ and Samardzija could start TUE (7/17) versus MIA, and then T. Wood could be recalled to start the Wednesday game versus MIA (that's if the Cubs decide to option Travis Wood to Iowa tomroow).
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I can't answer that question, and I completely understand your logic, and, in addition, my overall knowledge of baseball personnel management is the tiny, tiny fraction of what I remember from your posts. I just wouldn't do it if I was them. It's possible that Wood would simply be completely professional about it, understand what is happening, and, I'm sure TheoCorp would talk about the need to take one for the team. I still wouldn't do it. If he wasn't in such a groove? Maybe. But to me, it wouldn't be worth the risk of throwing him off. He probably won't be around by the time he's a free agent, anyway, given the shelf life of pitchers these days, so there's always a chance that the whole point of this free agent shuffling is moot.
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AZ Phil- what % would you give this happening?
Also I believe you gave this scenario before with another Cub pitcher in the past. Wells, possibly? Have Cubs done this before?
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Sat, 07/07/2012 - 9:12am — jacos
AZ Phil- what % would you give this happening?
Also I believe you gave this scenario before with another Cub pitcher in the past. Wells, possibly? Have Cubs done this before?
JACOS: I actually think it's fairly likely, if for no other reason than Travis Wood won't be ready to throw even one inning until the middle of next week (and the Cubs don't start up again post-ASB until Friday), and because the Cubs do need to make a roster move to make room for Ryan Dempster, and they probably will want to keep Chris Volstad on the 25 (at least through this weekend) as a fall-back in case Dempster can't pitch or in case he gets shut-down early in the game.
I would have to look back in the archives, but I believe it would have been this way with Randy Wells one year, and possibly with Sean Marshall another year.
BTW, Jim Hendry would NEVER do something like this. That's why all the agents loved him.
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I dunno in some respects this reminds me of treating players like a video game. I am completely stat oriented, but behind those stats are human emotions and failings. You can't just toss players around based solely on spread sheets and expect things to go well.
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Implicit in the Cubs' waiting until late June to promote Anthony Rizzo was the unwritten rule that once he was up here--assuming a major-league level of performance--he would stay.
Doesn't Travis Wood get the benefit of the same rule?
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Sun, 07/08/2012 - 10:10am — VirginiaPhil
Implicit in the Cubs' waiting until late June to promote Anthony Rizzo was the unwritten rule that once he was up here--assuming a major-league level of performance--he would stay.
Doesn't Travis Wood get the benefit of the same rule?
VA PHIL: That certainly would be true if it was a matter of optioning Travis Wood to the minors on September 12th, except in this particular case it was about the All-Star Break where a 4th starter isn't needed again until Tuesday 7/17 and a 5th starter isn't needed until (at least) Wednesday 7/18, and so the Cubs could have legitimately optioned T. Wood to the minors to get his regularly scheduled start on Thursday 7/12 (for Iowa at Omaha), instead of sitting around inactive for ten or more days.
But even if it's an "unwritten rule" that Travis Wood can't be sent to the minors for ten days over the All-Star Break, even though a spot on the 25-man roster is needed for Ryan Dempster and the 4th and 5th starters aren't needed again until 7/17-7/18 (and I don't agree that in this particular case it is, for the reasons I explained as carefully and thoroughly as I can in previous comments on this thread), then why didn't Epstein/Hoyer wait FOUR MORE DAYS to recall T. Wood (that is, wait until May 26th instead of recalling him on May 22nd), if the difference was whether Travis Wood could be a FA post-2016 (if he was recalled on May 22) or not until post-2017 (if he was recalled on May 26)?
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Sun, 07/08/2012 - 1:41pm — Rob G.
Cause it's T. Wood, not Anthony Rizzo and they needed a starter for the 22nd.
ROB G: So for a club that talks about the importance of "long-term assets" versus short-term benefits, it was worth giving up a year of club control to recall T. Wood on 5/22 instead of waiting four more days to bring him up?
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Because clearly no one in the Cubs' FO has a grasp on these things as well as our AZ Phil (and I mean that without even a hint of sarcasm).
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
I'd think twice about optioning players playing well to the minors
to restrict their service time. It would sure be something that would piss off players and agents. Keeping a minor league guy in the minors is one thing. doing that to a player who has spent most of the last 3 seasons in the majors is stupid, and needlessly penny pinching.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 9:24am — Dusty Baylor
I'd think twice about optioning players playing well to the minors
to restrict their service time. It would sure be something that would piss off players and agents. Keeping a minor league guy in the minors is one thing. doing that to a player who has spent most of the last 3 seasons in the majors is stupid, and needlessly penny pinching.
DUSTY B: You didn't notice that the Cubs left Anthony Rizzo in the minors just long enough to prevent him from being eligible to be a free-agent post-2017, thus postponing his eligibility to be a FA until post-2018? You don't see that?
I'll bet Rizzo and his agent know it.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
"the Cubs left Anthony Rizzo in the minors, etc."
Phil, you can leave a guy in the minors his whole career, or send him home this morning. He has no standing. The rules--some perhaps unwritten--are different for major leaguers. That is, unless--like Wells--they flirt with demotion. But you're not suggesting that the Cubs demote Wood, just they send him down for a few days. I don't think they're at liberty to do that.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
BTW, Jim Hendry would NEVER do something like this. That's why all the agents loved him.
What GMs HAVE done something like this?
Again... this would be obviously and intentionally demoting a high-performing player solely to preserve an extra year of club control. The MLBPA would (rightfully) freak out.
And this is completely different than keeping Rizzo down in the minors to get an extra year of control. For one, Rizzo came up last year and really struggled. Two, Wood is already up and has pitched extremely well. They simply are not comparable.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Sun, 07/08/2012 - 9:30pm — big_lowitzki
What GMs HAVE done something like this?
Again... this would be obviously and intentionally demoting a high-performing player solely to preserve an extra year of club control. The MLBPA would (rightfully) freak out.
And this is completely different than keeping Rizzo down in the minors to get an extra year of control. For one, Rizzo came up last year and really struggled. Two, Wood is already up and has pitched extremely well. They simply are not comparable.
BIG LO: Anthony Rizzo was absolutely destroying the PCL and the Cubs desperately needed middle-of-the-order power and yet Rizzo was left in AAA until he reached the point in the season when the Cubs would gain an extra year of club control (where he would be eligible to be a FA for the first time post-2018, instead of post-2017 if he had been recalled on or before 6/22).
Only then was he recalled.
Apparently you fail to see this, but the Cubs front office clearly manipulated the rules to gain an extra year of club control with respect to Rizzo, and they had every right to do this and I applaud them for doing so. MLB is a business, and both clubs and players (and their agents) do what they have to do (within the rules).
The fact that Travis Wood has been pitching well lately (albeit not good enough to make the N. L. All-Star team, or even well enough to start this weekend versus AZ) does not mean that he was not the best choice to go down when Ryan Dempster returned from the DL (even if it had no affect on when he would be eligible to be a free-agent), and there is no way that Travis Wood could win a grievance on this (just as Rizzo would not have been able to win a grievance):
1. The Cubs needed a roster slot on Sunday 7/8 for Ryan Dempster.
2. A 4th starter would not be needed again until 7/17 and a 5th starter would not be needed again until 7/18 (at the earliest) or 7/21 (at the latest).
3. Maholm, Garza, and Dempster have too much MLB Service Time to get sent to the minors, and Samardzija is out of minor league options. Among the starting pitchers, only Travis Wood has minor league options available.
4. By sending him to Iowa, T. Wood could stay stretched-out and get his regular work and start a game with five days rest on Thursday (at Omaha), and then be recalled in time to start the game on Wednsday 5/18 (also on five days rest) at Wrigley Field versus Miami, instead of sitting around for ten days between his last pre-ASB start at NY on 7/6 and his first scheduled post-ASB start versus MIA on 7/17.
The last two times a player won a grievance as the result of being optioned to the minors was Minnesota Twins LHP Glen Perkins, who was optioned to AAA Rochester by MIN on September 1, 2009 (the date Active List rosters expand) just so that he would not qualify for salary arbitration as a "Super Two" post-2009 (Perkins did not dispute the Twins right to option him to the minors to keep him from being eligible for salary arbitration as a"Super Two," but instead claimed he had a sore shoulder and so he should have been placed on the Twins DL on 9/1 instead of being optioned to the minors), and Los Angeles Dodgers INF Tony Abreu, who filed a grievance after he was optioned to the minors in July 2007 when he claimed he had an abdominal injury (this was not a matter of the Dodgers tryng to suppress Abreu's MLB Service Time to avoid salary arbitration after that season, although it did ultimately affect when T. Abreu was first eligible for arbitration in 2010).
So the last two times a player won a grievance after being optioned to the minors was a matter of the player claiming he was injured when he was optioned to the minors, NOT because being optioned to the minors affected when he would be eligible for salary arbitration or when he would qualify to be a free-agent.
BTW, Mark Prior filed a grievance and had a minor league Optional Assignment voided a few years ago (back when he was with the Cubs), when he claimed he had a sore shoulder when he was optioned to the minors during Spring Training.
When I mentioned Jim Hendry in a previous comment on this thread, it was with respect to his tendency to look out for a player's interests more than most GMs do, like not offering salary arbitration to Type "A" and Type "B" free-agents (making them more attractive to other clubs because the club that signs the player would not have to give-up a compensatory draft pick), or giving players more money and for more years (and maybe even a NTC) than the player probably deserved, and not using the CBA and MLB Rules to his advantage.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Apparently you fail to see this, but the Cubs front office clearly manipulated the rules to gain an extra year of club control with respect to Rizzo
Huh? How do I "fail to see this" when I explicitly stated that what you are suggesting is different than how they treated Rizzo. Yet somehow I fail to see how they treated Rizzo? Got it.
You bashed Jim Hendry for not doing this kind of roster management, but then I asked this:
What GMs HAVE done something like this?
And you didn't answer. What examples do you have of GMs sending high-performing players down to the minors simply to delay their arbitration clock? I don't want the Rizzo examples - those are different. There is a difference between waiting to call a player up, and sending a player down even though he is performing very well on the big league club.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Didn't the Marlins do this with Logan Morrison last season?
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
No- Logan Morrison got demoted because of a bad attitude, among other things, if I recall. I never saw anything linking his demotion to adding a year of club control. This again would be a completely different situation with Wood.
Also, Morrison did file a grievance over the demotion, but I am not sure there has been a resolution on the grievance.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Do you realize how often you start a post with "Huh?"
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
No... how often?
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
A lot.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
That's some good work, AZ Phil.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
r.hill (BOS) was moved to the 60-day DL yesterday...elbow must not be looking so good.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
from mlbtr...
The Cubs have released Hong-Chih Kuo. They signed him to a minor league deal in early-June. The 30-year-old left-hander has not appeared in a game yet this season after battling back and anxiety issues last year. Kuo owns a 3.73 ERA in parts of seven big league seasons, all with the Dodgers.
Loosen / Alcantara
Another nice outing for 23 yr old RHSP Matt Loosen yesterday: 7IP, 3H, 0R, 1BB, 10K. 7-3 / 2.84ERA on the season, 73IP, 48H, 25BB, 71Ks, all with Daytona. 20 yr old Alcantara a single short of hitting for the cycle, with 6th HR, 7th triple, and 13th double ... and no fielding/throwing errors to boot.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Alcantara is showing he is a hitting prospect with his performance as a 20 yr old at a pitching friendly Florida league.
Daytona also has interesting pitching prospects now....Loosen is coming along well. Kyler Burke is starting to get his bearings at Daytona (he had a rough start after an all-star performance at Peoria and now is getting slightly more consistent). PJ Francescon was also dominant at Peoria (53 IP, 28 H, 14 BB, 42 K, 5-1 1.86) though he was repeating that level. He is 23 and is also starting to get his bearings at Daytona (now 1-2 with 3.40, starting tonight). Austin Kirk had a great first half at Daytona (as he did at Peoria last year) and is now 4-2 2.63 95.2 IP, 86 H, 58 K, 26 BB. Robert Whitenack is trying to make his comeback from TJ surgery there and hasn't been great, though his performance is getting more stable.
I am not sure of Francescon's stuff, though I know he was someone who fell (we got him in the 40th round) for signability reasons. Truly I think Loosen, Francescon and Kirk are all 3rd or 4th starters who could be reliable players. Whitenack has, I believe, the knucklecurve, that could make him a #5 or, if as good as his performance before TJ, a #2. Burke has the arm to be a #1 or #2, though nowhere near the experience and consistency.
All in all, Daytona is pretty exciting to watch, with these pitchers, Sczur, Alcantara and Rubi Silva as most consistent hitters (and Rohan before being promoted) and Torreyes as one to watch and hope.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
There were no signability issues with P. J. Francescon.
He was drafted as a college senior in the 40th round of the 2011 draft out of an NAIA school (Trevecca Nazarene) and got a $1,000 bonus. (He spent his first two college years at Middle Tennessee State before suffering a shoulder injury).
Francescon was the break-out pitcher at Minor League Camp this year, as he developed a sinker to go with his four-seam fastball and his strikeout pitch, an outstanding change-up that breaks straight down like a forkball. It looks almost exactly like Michael Wuertz's drop-slider, and in fact Wuertz is the pitcher to whom I would compare Francescon.
And just as Wuertz was a starting pitcher in the minors before getting moved to the bullpen mid-seaaon 2003, I suspect Francescon will eventually end up a reliever, too.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
Thank you Az Phil....based on his strong performance, I must have convinced myself that he was a better prospect when drafted than is actually true!
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
from a BP/Kevin Goldstein "future shock" article...
First Base: Dan Vogelbach, Cubs
A second-round pick last year who signed for first-round money with a $1.6 million bonus, Vogelbach drew some Prince Fielder comparisons during his high school career in Florida, both for his monstrous power, as well has his physique. At just six feet tall and somewhere around 250 pounds, Vogelbach is the definition of a bat-only prospect, as he's a 20 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale and a poor defender. While it's early, he's hit .432/.368/.773 in 10 Arizona League games, and he wouldn't have gotten that kind of bonus without scouts believing that the bat can play.
Vitters OBP
Not only has Vitters been hitting well, he is also walking more. His line in the last 10 games is .368/.457/.632, with 7 BB in 45 plate appearances.
For those who thought he would never take enough walks, the Cubs have found the magic solution: Put Vitters in a key spot in the order (#4 in most of these games) and hit Blake Dewitt behind him. At least one of these walks (from last night) was intentional, and I am sure that some others were unintentionally intentional.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
and hit Blake Dewitt behind him
finally, Blake DeWitt has a purpose in the universe!
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
When I saw the game in Round Rock, they had Dewitt batting fourth, which was probably the strangest clean up hitter sitch I have ever seen in my life.
Re: Obligatory Thread Overflow Post
so much for theory and saving a year of Wood free agency...
Volstad send back to Iowa to re-activated Dempster
Recent comments
first game for lester giving up more than 2 runs since july 24th. hell of a run.
doh, yes...dunno what happened there. jake arrieta is all "bro wut?"
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a LH (thanks jpep for the correction) 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
fwiw, all the games are free on mlb.tv
Short rest for MadBum would be 2 days. WC game is Wed., Games 1 & 2 are Friday/Saturday.
A left-handed one...
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.


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Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Hildegard of Bingen -The Remarkable Journey of a 12th
Century Mystic - Performed at St. John the Beloved
"A Feather on the Breath of God" brings to life the story of the medieval mystic, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). Professional actress Carol Anderson portrays Hildegard as a vibrant combination of wisdom, wit and passion.
Anderson has performed "A Feather on the Breath of God" nationally at conferences, churches, universities and events such as Charleston's Piccolo Festival. On Sunday, March 10 at 4:00 P.M., Anderson will be bringing what has been described as a "gem of a one hour show," to St. John the Beloved Catholic Church (28 Sumter Ave., Summerville).
For those who aren't familiar with Hildegard of Bingen, hers is the story of an obscure uneducated nun who went on to become an author, poet, musician, healer, naturalist, and prophetic voice for her time. Her counsel was sought after by everyone from the local peasants to the papacy of Rome, Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II. Hildegard's odyssey began as she states in her own words: "When I was 42 years and 7 months old, a burning light of tremendous brightness poured into my entire mind, inflamed my entire heart. A voice from heaven said to me. 'Write and speak what you see and hear.'"
Hildegard's struggle to obey God's voice and express herself in the face of the politics of her times creates a fascinating story of faith and courage. "A Feather on the Breath of God" has engaged audiences across the country. Dr. Bruce Hozeski Founder of the Intl. Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies says, "When I saw the performance I was truly astonished...a marvelously
accurate and entertaining portrayal of Hildegard."
Sue Monk Kidd, best selling author of the Secret Life of Bees says, "It was an incredible performance. But it was more than a performance, it was inspired. I've seen a lot on Broadway and this performance was up there with
some of the best."
Writer and actress Carol Anderson says of the play, "I am amazed each time I perform it how this piece speaks into lives today. Hildegard was an ordinary woman who stepped out and did extraordinary things. She inspires
us to do the same with our call. It's great to be able to perform her story."
"A Feather on the Breath of God" is presented as a gift to the community through support of the St. John the Beloved Music and Art Series. Donations of $10 for adults or $5 for students will help to continue to support the concert series. Patrons should pay as they able; those who cannot donate are still warmly welcomed. For more information, contact St. John the Beloved Music at 843-873-0631 x15.
For more information on "Feather on the Breath of God"
Carol Anderson and Acts of Renewal
Sue Monk Kidd
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text:
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Beauty is...
6 comments:
- bobbie said...
I can just SEE you drooling over this ~ it IS beautiful!
- February 16, 2013 at 11:50 PM
- suziqu's thread works said...
♥♥♥Hearts to you dear Lovey!
from Suzy ♥♥♥
- February 17, 2013 at 5:11 AM
- Junibears said...
Yes Beauty indeed. I love old vintage things.
Just a thought dear Lovey.....
Have you ever made bookmarks? I think they would look lovely! Hugs xx
- February 17, 2013 at 6:26 AM
- Wilma said...
Very beautiful, Lovey,
I've been doing some catching up on your blog.
Reading and enjoying! all the way starting at the beginning.
It's a pretty long way to go:))
But now and again I take some time.
I love and admire your art so much!
It's so wonderful with those beautiful fabrics,colors,
laces and pearls. Hope I'm not
too far from the theme here:).
I love how you feel and speak about the beautiful Ladies
in your work. So loving and respectful.
Very inspiring Lovey !!!
Hugs, Wilma.
- February 17, 2013 at 2:33 PM
- Dorthe said...
Yes an old beauty, dear Lovey!
HUGS, Dorthe
- February 17, 2013 at 2:58 PM
- Wateringen said...
Dear friend,
This pictures are so wonderful!
I love that old machine, it gives me
nostalgic feelings...
Love from your friend,
- February 22, 2013 at 3:12 AM
You'll Find Me Here Under Link Parties!
My Images
Sweet Blog Mentions
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The Way I See It
Got Art
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Wishin I Knew How to Blog
Awake With Charm & Spirit
I Owe it All To Him
Mentioned Here:
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Ragamuffin Gal


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After searching for three months for Baby Elaina across East Toledo and along the Maumee River, police said Friday that they have discovered human remains in the home where the missing toddler was last seen alive with her mother.
While serving a search warrant Thursday afternoon at the home where the 19-month old had been staying with her mother, Angela Steinfurth, and the mother's boyfriend, Steven King, police say they found a computer box containing "immature human remains" in the rafters of an attached garage, next to other boxes.
"We found what we believe may be Baby Elaina," says Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs.
He said it might take a few days to definitively identify the remains. An autopsy was set for Friday.
Elaina was reported missing after her father – Angela Steinfurth's estranged husband, Terry Steinfurth Jr. – went to King's house on June 2 to pick her up. After spending several minutes inside the house, Angela Steinfurth ran into the street yelling, "They took my baby!" several sources have said.
On Friday, Steinfurth Jr. told PEOPLE he's struggling with a range of emotions, including frustration that the remains didn't turn up during previous searches of the house.
"I'm upset with the whole situation and really don't know how to feel right now," Steinfurth tells PEOPLE.
Diggs insisted that police "didn't drop the ball," by not finding the remains sooner and that the investigation was stymied by false leads.
"We had a lot of deception taking place being told to us by a variety of sources in the community," Diggs said.
Angela Steinfurth's stepfather, Richard Schiewe, told the Toledo Blade the computer box was not in the rafters during initial searches of the house. "Somebody went and got that body and put that body up there," Schiewe said.
The discovery came after King spent several hours talking with detectives, but police wouldn't say whether King told them where to find the remains.
Attorneys for King and Angela Steinfurth did not return calls Friday seeking comment.
Baby Elaina: Remains in Box May Be Missing Ohio Toddler
Courtesy Terry Steinfurth, Jr.


text:
on January 25, 2013 - 9:58 PM
, updated January 26, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Wesley and Carol Pringle crossed the border into Niagara Falls, Ont., for a second honeymoon on Christmas Day.
But when they tried to cross back into the United States, Carol – an Australian citizen unfamiliar with U.S. immigration law – was denied. Her visa had expired.
It got worse.
Wesley crossed back into the U.S. alone, but when he tried to return to his wife, he was denied access into Canada. Two old arrests popped up on his background check.
Now, Carol – who is disabled and relies heavily on Wesley for help – is stuck in a hotel room in Niagara Falls, Ont., and her husband is back home in Steuben County.
Neither is able to cross the border to be with each other.
"My wife's not a threat to this country. She needs me," said Wesley, 50. "We're not asking for anything from anybody – just to be together."
An official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Buffalo said he wasn't familiar with the Pringle case, and even if he was, privacy laws prevent the agency from discussing the details unless an arrest is made or a criminal complaint is filed.
But border agents see a lot of different situations every day, and people are denied entry in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including criminal history and improper documentation, said Thomas Rusert, chief Customs and Border Protection officer for the Port of Buffalo.
Such cases are often steered to the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.
The Pringles say this is all an honest mistake on their part. Here's their account:
The couple met on a singles website and communicated through the Internet for several months, before Carol left Australia to visit Wesley in Wyoming County.
When she returned home, Wesley chased after her. The couple married on May 17, 2003, and settled in Australia.
But last year, the Pringles decided to resettle in the U.S., returning in late September and eventually buying a place on 3½ acres in Prattsburg.
On Christmas Day, they drove to Wyoming County to have dinner with Wesley's mother, then headed for Buffalo, where they crossed the Peace Bridge into Canada.
When they tried to return on Dec. 28, U.S. Customs at the Rainbow Bridge gave the Pringles a rude awakening: Carol's visa had expired.
The couple knew Carol legally had 90 days in the U.S. as a visitor but didn't pay close enough attention to the date of expiration. While the Pringles had started the process for her permanent residency, they hadn't filed the paperwork. They also thought that by re-entering the U.S. from Canada, Carol would get another 90 days as a visitor.
The couple's problems worsened, however, when they drove to Windsor, Ont., with the idea that Wesley would make a trip alone to Chicago in hopes of expediting Carol's visa. At one point, Wesley crossed the border into Detroit, and when he tried to return to the couple's Windsor hotel, he was denied entry into Canada.
A background check showed two old arrests: a weapons charge from when he was a teenager and a criminal mischief charge stemming from a domestic dispute during his previous marriage.
Now, Carol was stuck in Canada alone, and Wesley had no way of getting her.
Wesley's mother, Sharon Evans, eventually drove to Windsor, picked up Carol and returned her to Niagara Falls, where she and her mother-in-law have been staying for more than a week.
This mess at the border has cost the Pringles about $8,000 for food, accommodations and an immigration attorney to help them sort it all out.
The worst part is Carol suffers from a blood disorder and had a stroke several years ago that affected her speech, memory and mobility. She relies on Wesley.
"Everyday we say to each other, 'We hope this ends tomorrow,' " Carol said, "but it doesn't."
email: email@example.com


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TENNERTON - Elkins used ball-hawking defense to produce 13 steals Thursday night en route to a convincing 60-29 victory over Big 10 Conference rival Buckhannon-Upshur.
The Bucs had 21 turnovers and were held to just 12 field goals.
Early on, the game was tight. B-U held an 8-7 lead 6 minutes into the game, as neither team was efficient in their half-court sets.
Article Photos
The Inter-Mountain photo by Andrew Ferguson
Elkins High School's Tyler Shreve looks for a driving lane against Buckhannon-Upshur's Dillion Gaudet during Big 10 Conference play in Tennerton.
With a minute remaining in the quarter, Elkins first-year head coach John Lawson employed a full-court press, and B-U encountered immediate difficulty solving the pressure. The result was a 13-2 Tiger run that produced a 20-10 lead 4 minutes into the second quarter. Logan Phillips drained a 3-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer to highlight the run, and Colby Gainer recorded three of his game-high six steals during the surge. It was a coaching move that reaped quick dividends for Lawson.
"We were very lethargic during the first quarter, and that is why we made the move to the pressure," Lawson said. "That has happened a few times with us, but it seems the defense gets the offense going.
"We have some players that are quick, and they enjoy coming out and playing tough defense."
Elkins pushed the advantage to 30-18 by halftime, and extended the lead to 46-24 by the end of the third quarter.
As they continued to create B-U turnovers, the Tiger defense was effective at denying the ball away from Buc post player Dalton Westfall, who was held to just seven points and seven rebounds.
"We are trying to be strong in three phases," Lawson said. "The half-court offense, the open court and with pressure. We did a good job with the pressure tonight, and had some good moments in the open court. But in the half court we are simply not running an offense and scoring."
Phillips led the Elkins attack with 19 points, followed by Gainer's 14. Braden Hammond scored eight off the bench, while L.J. Lawrence tallied seven points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds. Tyler Shreve added a game- high four assists.
Aaron Anderson led B-U with eight points. Dalton Crislip and Cody Garrett each had three assists.
Elkins (11-5) will return home at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to face Robert C. Byrd, while the Bucs (2-16) will entertain Bridgeport on the same evening.


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