Cards take series 2-1 Cubs lose final 9-1

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs couldn’t bring the success of Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday night the Cubs won 11-4 by hitting with runners in scoring position. They collected 17 hits and were able to capitalize with men on base.

Wednesday’s was just the opposite. Cardinals won this one going away, 9-1. Casey Coleman just didn’t have it. If he doesn’t have his A stuff he is in trouble.

This 9 game home stand was viewed as an important gauge since they were playing top teams. They started with Cincinnati, then St. Louis and now the Giants come in for 3 games. The have lost both series so far and are 2-4.

The Cubs are now 16-20, 4th place 5 games back. Its early but hope it gets better soon. Last year got ugly fast.

 

 

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Cubs lose series to Reds, 2-1

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs lost Sunday, Mothers Day to the Reds being shut out 2-0. This after a come from behind win in the bottom of the 9th on Saturday where they won 3-2.

Dempster had another strong start which leads me to believe he has found himself. Yesterday, Coleman did a great job and hopefully that will add to his confidence. Garza is still trying to find a way to win. Friday’s loss put him at 1-4. It is hard to figure but his ERA is 4.43 which is a high for a starting pitcher. He has struck out 58 while only walking 13 in a little over 44 innings, which are great numbers.

The Cardinals are coming for 3 games starting Tuesday night, followed by Giants for a weekend series. They had a good road trip going 4-3 and need to starting winning at home. They are 15-18 and playing like it. They are getting hits but leave runners in scoring position all the time. No runs and the bases loaded is all too common.

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Game 31 Cubs lose 5-4 to Reds

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs lost one today they should have won. The are 14-17 in 4th place and 3.5 games back. Thought it would be a good time to take stock of things so far.

It is no doubt the Cubs have been hurt by Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells going on the DL list for as long as they have.

But there are a number of positive things to look at. The development of Starlin Castro into a star of the future is continuing. Darwin Barney has been a very pleasant surprise and has solved the 2nd base problem. Aramis Ramirez is healthy again and his average is a respectable .282.

I must admit I was not expecting Alfonso Soriano to do much of anything this year. To say I was wrong would be an understatement so far. Last I checked he was leading the league in home runs with 11.

Fukudome has started out strong again. The question is how long will it continue. He is currently hitting .338 and sharing the lead off spot.

Byrd is hitting .302 after a fantastic spring. He had a short slump for 10 games or so but has bounced back.

Carlos Zambrano has been like a new person since the second half of last season. He has only had one bad outing this year and is 4-1. And he is under control.

Hopefully Ryan Dempster has corrected his problem with his last outing. It was a concern as far what was going on as he was getting hit hard and his control was in question. He is 1-3 with an 8.05 ERA. But his last start against the Dodgers he only gave up 1 run, walked 2 and went 7 strong innings.

Matt Garza is a little bit of a question. The big trade has mixed results. He is a good strike out pitcher. But he is giving up a lot of runs.

The strength of the club is their bull pen and that has lived up to the billings. Kerry Wood, Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol have done their job. If the Cubs can get a lead heading into the 7th innings the trio can hold it for them.

And Jeff Samardzija has been a surprise with his outings this year. He made the club because he was out of options and he has come through. He still struggles with his control walking almost as many as he has struck out, but his ERA is .245 and has not given up a run in his last 8 appearances over 12 innings.

There are concerns. Without Cashner and Wells the 4th and 5th starters have struggled. James Russell is not ready to be a starter. And Casey Coleman can’t get out of the 6th inning.

But a real concern is both Tyler Colvin and Carlos Pena. These 2 were suppose to be the left handed power the Cubs need. Neither is hitting at all. Pena did hit a couple of home runs in LA but both are hitting below .200 with out any run production. Colvin can’t even break into the line up and has been pitch hitting and is a late game replacement.

Power is also a big question. Except for Soriano no one is hitting the ball out of the park. Soto is the only one with 3. Colvin and Pena have only 2, Ramirez, Byrd and Baker 1 each. As a team they have only 26, 10th in the league.

The Cubs are 2nd in hitting with a .269 average. But they are 10th in runs scored. That won’t cut it when you have an ERA that is at the bottom of the league.

Right now the Cubs are not excelling at anything. But the season is still early. They will need to step it up or the season will get away from them before you know it.

 

 

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Cubs lose series to Pirates

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs lost a tough one by giving up two runs in the top of the ninth with Carlos Marmol on the mound.

Matt Garza took the mound for his Cubs and Wrigley Field debut giving up 3 runs over seven innings. He gave up 12 hits but he also struck out 12. He pitched well enough to win. It was a quality start.

Starlin Castro had a big day at the plate but made an ill advised throw in the ninth that allowed the winning run to score. Castro did have 3 hits which included 2 triples. He also added a walk. He is batting .615 for the year. But he needs to tighten up on defense.

Darwin Barney is off to  a good start as he is hitting .375 including an RBI today. Alfonso Soriano only has 2 hits for the year but today’s hit was a home run that put the Cubs up 4-3.

Tyler Colvin made a great throw from right field to cut down the tying run at home in the eighth. Kerry Wood pitched the eighth and gave up a couple of hits.

You could see a number of empty seats yesterday and today. Wrigley Field which is usually sold out had just  30,857 and 35,782 on Saturday. I’m sure the weather played a part but it is something to not.

The Arizona D-Backs come into town for a 3 game series before the Cubs head up to Milwaukee.

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Ron Santo a Perfect Ten

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

There has been a lot said since Friday when we heard that Ron Santo had passed away (Dec 2). From newspapers, TV, Radio and of course the internet there is an abundant amount of information.

There are a few too bads that I hear. Its too bad that the Cubs didn’t get to the World Series and its too bad he wasn’t elected to the Hall of Fame. And it is too bad.

But on the other hand Ron Santo lived his life as may I say many of us would like to. He loved what he did. He loved baseball. He loved being a Cub. And he loved being a broadcaster reporting on his beloved Cubs.

No, I never had the pleasure of meeting him personally. But I was a fan. I was a fan of Ron Santo and I was a fan of the Cubs. I watched him play on TV and from Wrigley Field. And from time to time listened to him on WGN radio. I could only get him through MLB.com.

When you thought of the Cubs you also thought of Ron Santo. When you thought of Ron Santo you also thought of the Cubs. They went hand and hand. It will not be the same. But life must go on and we will need to learn how to follow the Cubs without his input.

Everyone is different on how they react and feel about death to a celebrity. Ron Santo brought his heart and soul to the Cubs and shared it with who ever wanted to watch and listen. I will miss that because I enjoyed him. He was a fan and I related to that. As fans we all would live and die so to speak as to how the Cubs were doing. Winning or losing. Ron Santo just did it at a different level and was able to share with all his fans. And we enjoyed sharing it with him.



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Ron Santo passes away at age 70

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan


Ron Santo Retired Flag

Ron Santo our beloved Cub Fan has passed away at the age of 70. He will be always remembered by some as the Cubs No. 1 Fan. He went through a lot in terms of medical problems but it seemed to never interfere with his love of the Cubs as a broadcaster or player.

Ron Santo played for the Cubs for 14 seasons and his final 15th season with the White Sox. He earned 5 gold gloves and was voted to the All Star Team 9 times. He is regarded by many as the most talented player not in the Hall of Fame.

(Ron Santo should be in the Hall of Fame )


Ron Santo
But I don’t want to remember Ron Santo that way. I want to think of him as the player I enjoyed watching as I grew up watching the Cubs. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and at times criticized for it.  He loved being a Cub and he wasn’t afraid or ashamed to show it. He was so passionate about it all that it rubbed off on me. All part of the stigma of being a Cub Fan for over 50 years. He was just one of the reasons Cubs fans stay Cubs fans.

Reading and listening today from internet sources, news and TV you could tell the affection Cubs fans had for Ron Santo. And not just Cubs fans. Anyone who came in contact with him or somehow knew him.

In 2004 a documentary was made, This Old Cub. The film was produced and written by Jeff Santo,his son. If you have not seen it click on to the link. Ron is also involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and endorses the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes in Chicago. Since 1974 the walk has raised over $50 Million. In 2002 Ron Santo was named the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Person of the Year.

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Cubs Road Trip 8-1 Head home final home stand

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

Yes, you heard it right. The Cubs were 8-1 on this completed road trip and have won 6 in a row. The swept the Marlins and the Cardinals. And they are 17-7 under Mike Quade.

So what is going on here? The Cubs are playing better than they have all year. Their starting pitching is to die for. The hitting is timely especially with runners in scoring position.  The call ups from AAA are doing a great job. In fact today’s game it was the call ups or rookies getting the playing time while the regulars watched. The only regular playing but who himself is a rookie was Tyler Colvin.

By the way in case you missed it Tyler had to leave the game after he was struck in the chest with a splintered bat. It looked like he was hit with the sharp end of the splintered bat and was immediately taken out of the game. He was on third and scored but you could tell he was concerned. I have read reports from AP and the Sun Times that Tyler was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital under observation. It was also reported that he may be done playing for the season. This is all preliminary but the injury appears to serious and there is no need to rush any of it.

I know the season is over but winning is always a good thing. To sweep the Cardinals is always great. To go 8-1 on a road trip is also always great. It doesn’t salvage the season but winning is always a good thing and it puts on a good show.

What does this mean for next year. Your guess is as good as anyone else’s. It is a good time to look and see  the AAA players. There are quite a few that may be at the end of the road as time is not on their side. They get as far as they can in AAA but just can’t make the next move up to the big show. It is for various reasons. So just aren’t good enough or the really isn’t room for them. This is true of players in the field along with pitchers.

Geovany Soto is also done for the year. He is scheduled for surgery to correct his shoulder problem. It is reported that this is minor and will be ready by the end of the year.

The manager search goes on. Read today that Mark Grace says Ryne Sandberg is the best candidate, that he had paid his dues and deserves the shot. I am a Ryno fan as much  of the next fan. But just because he had paid his dues does not make it a good fit.

Bob Brenly is also being considered and was asked to interview. I like Bob Brenly and his approach to the game. He has the experience with the Diamondbacks and took them to the World Series. I think he would be a great choice.

Mike Quade had surprised me and I really didn’t know who he was. His record so far speaks loudly and should be taken into account.

Joe Torre is now free from the Dodgers and he may want to manage again. Not that being 70 is too old. His experience would help any team. He has great style. But I think the Cubs are looking for a younger person to take over the team.

Joe Girardi might be a good fit but the Yankees may  want him and are waiting to see what happens the rest of the year. If they make the post season it will delay things and I am not sure the Cubs will wait that long. Jim Hendry has his own time frame he wants to get this done by. The next few weeks should be interesting.

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Cubs sweep Cardinals in St. Louis

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

You heard that right. The Cubs went into St. Louis and swept them in a three game series. The Cardinals hopes for any post season play is about done as they are now 8 games back and only 18 to play and the Reds magic number down to 10.

So what is going on with the Cubs team under Mike Quade? The starters and bullpen  were awesome giving up only 6 runs over the 3 games. And Carlos Zambrano since coming back is 6-0 with a 1.59 ERA.

Randy Wells and Jeff Samardzija were equally as good. And it was especially good to see that Jeff Samardzija did as well as he did. I was beginning to wonder if he was going to be anywhere close to what he was billed at when the Cubs signed him. It looks like, at least on the surface, they are teaching him to pitch with a couple more pitches and change of speed. The last time I saw him pitch it was like batting practice as he was not fooling anyone.

Since Mike Quade took over as of August 23 the Cubs are gone 14-7. I don’t know if you can ask for anymore than that. That must make some impression on Jim Hendry when he decides who best to manage the Cubs in 2011. I must admit that Mike Quade being named the interim manager was a surprise to me. I really was not aware of him besides being the third base coach. But he has sure surprised me. From what I hear the players like playing for him. No I haven’t heard anything negative about Lou Piniella but the team sure seems to be responding to Mike Quade.

Who is going to be the manager next year? Fan favorite Ryne Sandberg has declared he wants the job. Joe Girardi is not saying since he is still with the Yankees and they are in a pennant race. Mike Quade is becoming more of a candidate. There isn’t much talk but I imagine Bob Brenly would like a shot. I hear Joe Torre is not happy in LA and the ownership problem there maybe a reason. Is he a candidate? Will Joe Torre take the same road as Bobby Cox and Lou Piniella and say its been a good life?

Rumors fly with something like this but it won’t happen until after the World Series but I don’t think Jim Hendry is going to wait to long to make his pick. Tom Ricketts has said it will be Hendry’s job to fill the spot but wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall with some of the discussions.

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Cubs head to Milwaukee to start 9 game trip

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs under Mike Quade are 9-6. They still can’t solve the Houston Astros. The September call ups are here. What is next?

The Cubs are 60-80 and in 5th place in the Central. But no one really cares at this point. In fact the only meaningful games left are that with the Giants or the Padres. And that remains to be seen if there is still a race going on.

So its try out time for the Cubs.  Mike Quade is on the list also. The Cubs have added quite a few players from AAA Iowa since there season has ended with the loss on Monday against Memphis.

New pitchers are Justin Berg and Jeff Samardzija. Justin Berg has been up and down a few times this year. We haven’t seen Jeff Samardzija since he was sent down to AAA  April 24th when Ted Lilly was reactivated off the DL. I’m curious to see Jeff Samardzija pitch again. The Cubs have a lot invested in him contract wise he has only ,

Sam Fuld and Bobby Scales are back for another tour with the club. They both seem very popular with their enthusiasm but they can’t seem to hang around with the big club.

Welington Castillo is a third catcher that we haven’t seen before. And Brad Snyder a 28 year old rookie outfielder.

The Cubs had room on the roster in August that also brought some new faces and some familiar ones.

Darwin Barney may be the reason Mike Fontenot became expendable and traded to the Giants. In the short time I watched he looks like a heads up player.

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Cubs 4-2 on Road Trip Coming Home

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs finish the road trip 4-2 which is the best — all year? Don’t really know but with their record it would not surprise me.

The Cubs are looking better but then again I still see some of the same things that justifies their record. Is it the Mike Quade era that is breathing some new life into the team? Different atmosphere? The bats are better. The defense still lousy. Pitching about the same.

The bats have been better. Kosuke Fukudome’s bat is hot. The Cubs are scoring more and hitting with runners in scoring position. Great news and it tells on the lastest road trip. But then again they did play the Washington Nationals.

The thing that is bothersome and brought up a number of times by the broadcast crew of Len and Bob is the infielders not stopping balls hit at them or balls they maybe are not perfect but it would be nice if the infielder would get in front of and knock the ball down instead of letting it go by into the outfield.

Two players in particular are Aramis Ramirez and Starlin Castro. They play as if they don’t want to block the ball because it may hurt if they miss it. A major league player has to stop balls if they can. Playing them off to the side is chicken sh*t.

There was more than one reason the Cubs lost today but plays like those didn’t help.

The Cubs are coming hope to face the Pirates. Monday is Andre Dawson day and will be honored for his Hall of Fame induction.

Wednesday the Cubs are moving the Harry Carey statue and rededicating it to him.

The following week the Cubs will be unveiling the new Billy Williams statue.

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