Cut it out, Felix. You’re supposed to pull everything, remember?
The last two Cubs’ games have shown us something very telling about this year’s team. They just don’t get it. At all. Not a clue.
They’ve got it half right. A 7-0 lead is there to be blown. Get up early, get the fans relaxed then throw it away.
Blowing a pair of two run leads late in an extra inning game is fine. Expected, even. Hey, remember the day Rob Mackowiak became a dad and LaTroy Hawkins got the c-section scars?
But these Cubs did something very weird the last two games. They won them.
What does it tell us about the Cubs? That they’re scrappy? That they never say die? That they can’t hold a lead?
Probably all of those things.
It says a lot about the Pissburgh Pirates, too. They were two bunts away from winning these games. On Monday, Jose Bautista put down a perfect safety squeeze that would have won the game except Brian Bixler (who?) forgot to run home from third. Last night, Derrek Lee made a ludicrous play on a bunt and doubled Nyjer Morgan off second. The ensuing Nate McLouth double would have tied the game at two and then Jason Bay’s homer would have won the game instead of tying it.
Monday’s game was frustrating. The offense kicked it into gear and scored seven runs by the fourth without a homer. Ted Lilly couldn’t hold it and he got some (smoking) crack defensive plays from Ronny Cedeno and E-ramis and the next thing you knew it was 8-7. The game would have ended with that score but for the second time in four days Mark DeRosa punted a grounder that led to (a) late run(s).
An insane 12th inning rally that included five walks and no hits but scored two runs made the difference in that one. (The Cubs NEVER do that. They have it done to them, but they never do it.)
Last night was frustrating for another reason. They couldn’t drive in any runs when they had chances. Well, not until the 14th anyway. They got eight hits off of Zach Duke and only one run.
Kerry Wood blew his first save chance (he’s now 3 of 4) when Jason Bay homered to lead off the ninth. More curious than the result (Bay had no homers or RBI before the at bat) was the pitch selection. Fastball. Fastball. Fastball. Fastball. Homer. Hey, Kerry’s fastball is nice, but mix in a slider. He did to the next three hitters and made them look like little leaguers. Then again, they are the Pirates, they’re used to it.
Certainly, giving up one little homer in April doesn’t mean Kerry should lose his closer job, right? Right?
Fine. I’m going to admit something. I don’t read that many Cubs blogs. I do scan the usual suspects and I do check Hire Jim Essian and Ivy Chat every day. So I’m going to write something about Pollyellon’s blog and it’s sure to fire up those who think I give his milquetoast writing too much attention. Eh, live with it.
Oh, and nice of Len to give credit for Hire Jim Essian to Mike D. by the way. Somewhere Kermit was throwing tapioca pudding at a TV screen last night.
OK, here’s what Yellon wrote about Kerry’s performance last night.
Kerry Wood… not so much. He gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, Jason Bay, tying the game. Does this mean Wood can’t be a closer? Of course not. This kind of thing happens. However, it can’t be happening too much more often; if it does, Lou may have to consider a change. We’re not nearly at that point yet, though.
Heh? Holy crap, what does any of that mean?
Kerry gave up a homer! (First time, ever, I imagine. 10 years and nary a homer allowed until last night.)
Can he not be closer no more? (No!)
Does this kind of thing happen? (Yes! Occasionally, Dennis Eckersley gave one up once in like 1988 or something. It was famous. It was on TV.)
Can this kind of thing be happening too much more often? (No! This kind of thing should never happen!)
If this kind of thing happens Lou must make change? (Yes! Even though Carlos Marmol also gave up a run last night, Lou must change if this kind of thing happens too much more often!)
Are we nearly at this point yet? (No! We are not nearly at this point yet, though this kind of thing can not happen too much more often!)
Ugh. Basically, Al’s freaked out because Kerry’s had four save opportunities and has allowed a run.
Then, El Baldo goes on to say:
Can we stop overreacting to some players’ bad starts now? The Cubs have played eight games. If I believe some of what I read, Felix Pie is absolutely worthless and has to be sent back to the minor leagues never to return.
You can’t judge that off of eight games, only four of which Pie started. With Matt Morris, a righthander who the Cubs have pounded the last couple of years, starting tonight, Pie should be back in the starting lineup. I say you’ve got to give him at least a couple of months before ANY thoughts of a replacement (whether it’s Reed Johnson, who probably shouldn’t be an everyday player anyway, or someone to be acquired) be entertained.
I just don’t know what to say. Kerry, the 10 year MLB veteran, the fastest pitcher to 1,000 strikeouts, he gets the too much more often bullshit, but Felix, a guy with all of 197 big league at bats gets two months of hacking ABs before “ANY” thought be “entertained.” You know what’s not being entertained, Al? Your audience.
Look, I like Felix. I want him to do well. I was happy for him for two reasons last night, 1) because his hit gave the Cubs another two run lead to try to protect and 2) because I wanted him to come through for his own confidence. You could tell by the way he was practically molested near second base during the half-inning that his teammates want him to do well. I was encouraged that Felix stopped trying to pull everything and took a short swing to go with an outside pitch. Nice job. Well played. But it didn’t buy him 60 days of results-free playing time. Holy shit. The Cubs are trying to win a pennant here. It’d be nice if Felix played well enough to be an everyday player, but he doesn’t just get to stand out there in center every day for no reason.
I’ve earned respect from others because of my integrity, and my passion for the Cubs. I take a very professional attitude toward my blog, and that’s probably why it garners the respect that it does around the Internet.
Shame on you.
Muahahahahahahahahahaha!
Speaking of Reed Johnson, you know which of his at bats was most impressive last night? The last one. How about his Craig Biggio like refusal to flinch at the pitch that hit him in the shoulder? Only, unlike the Beege, Reed isn’t padded up like an American Gladiator. (Which one would the Beege be, anyway? I’m thinking Helga:)
He just took one for the team, Ron Stilanovich style. I don’t think he’s got the wheels to play center, at least not in some of the bigger parks (he’s probably fine in Wrigley), but I like the guy. Even if his chin makes you think of Tara Reid trying to get out of a limo.
[Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZPN0mjaAA]
Where’s the “shame on you” stuff from?
That’s from a previous Daily(-ish) Dose.
Just watch your back, Dolan. I’ll be pulling a coup de etat on Desipio next if you’re not careful.
I wonder if Andy Dolan has a baseball IQ. Actually based on your recent comments on Felix Pie, you have a negative baseball IQ. When you develop any kind of player in the big leagues from your farm system you give him more than 6 games to show if he can hit. Wait and see what his numbers are like after 500 plate appearances and then make a judgement call. The baseball season is 6 months long not 6 games. Remember what happened to Corey Patterson when you started benching him and sending him up and down from the minors? You killed the confidence of an extremely talented player. Have you seen what Patterson has done in Cincy so far? The Cubs tell this kid he won the CF job out of spring training and they bench him. This kid is so talented and you have to let him play through it. Just like every other star has gone through in majors. He will eventually snap out of it and start scorching the ball, stealing bases and showing you why he was their #1 prospect. You may want to stick to your day job Andy.
Dan Smith has a great point. Andy, why did you start benching Corey and send him to the minors?
Oh wait, Dan Smith is a complete douche who doesn’t understand writing in the 2nd person.
nicely done.
And Dan Smith, thanks for the laughs on the defense of Corey Patterson argument.
Dan Smith says Felix Pie needs more than six games to be judged. Dan Smith uses six games to declare Corey Patterson as salvaged.
What a fucking hypocrite. READ THE DOSE AGAIN DUMBSHIT.
There was this time, I was with the Cubs, I won like 20 games in one year for them. I could have led the team to the playoffs if it weren’t for McStiff’s ass and Delino’s Black Panther routine. Douchebags.
But now I’m back with the Cubs, in the pen, and on pace for 33 wins, doges!!
Excellent article, Dolan. If only more Cubs blogs weren’t riddled with mind numbing baseball ignorance and “we love our rookie cubbies regardless” do-goodedness.
Wow. Dan Smith. I mean…wow. That may have been the worst post in the history of the Interwebs. I am in awe. Tremendous. Congratulations, sir. You, you get to wear the biggest douchebag ever made.
Oh, and Chuck. The Al quote with the “Shame on you” came from the baloney sammich column.
https://www.desipio.com/?p=1414
And it’ll never get old.
Dan must be related to Sam. You know, the douche brothers.
II used to write for another Cubs blog. I was looking to add a little personality, a dose of reality, and some humor to their otherwise mind numbingly boring format. Their statistic obsessed owner was/is a control freak who uses his own forums to berate other fans and his own staff anytime their opinion differs from his. Even when he asks for it!
Your blog is everything a fan site should be. Honest opinionated, informed, and funny as hell. Dan “The Asshat” Smith that Bologna sammich eating mofo don’t know shit.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dan Smith, whoever he is, for answering the question “who was it who destroyed the career of Corey Patterson, not to mention killing his confidence?” Shame, Andy. Shame.
Are you TCR?
Dan Smith, what exactly has Corey “done” in Cincinnati other than proven he hasn’t learned shit?
.278 BA .308 OBP
2 walks.
So, swinging from his ass at every pitch from nose to toes has earned him 4 home runs, and that’s something to celebrate? I don’t know. Sure looks like the same old Corey bullshit to me.
There is no doubt that platooning Pie is probably in the team’s best interest. Especially since The Fonz and A-Ram are struggling. The 8 hole however, is a tough spot to hit if you’re trying to find your stroke. Pie would have a better chance of success with some protection behind him. If the Cubs had a legit, high on base leadoff man, Pie could be absorbed in the 2 hole where he would have a much better chance of being productive.
Interesting blog. I am in agreement with you on alot of things. Alot of things could help Pie (move him up,platoon with reed) but I dont think we are gonna patterson him around the leagues. At least i hope that we dont. Dan Smith is the one lacking the baseball knowledge. Pie will not benefit from leaving him in the 8 hole swinging for his life for the next 3 months. he needs some work on his hitting, but his defense is incredible. So I say move him up to 6 for a game or two and if he does better move him up to 2 and see if he blossums.
I’m not doing Pie any favors.
“If the Cubs had a legit, high on base leadoff man…”
Corey, dude!
Is where Dan Smith likes it.
Early in the season is the time to get Pennsylvania some at bats. Divisions are’nt won in April especially in this craptacular division. I would like to see Pea eh out of the 8 hole too but really there is no where else to put him.
P.S.Corey Patterson will be hitting .220 by June trust me.
Klute syas:
The 8 hole however, is a tough spot to hit if you’re trying to find your stroke.
It’s also a tough spot to draw walks. I would never want to see Pie leading off, but I’ll guarantee you he’d have more than two walks so far had he led off their for 9 games.
That post from Dan Smith is gold, Jerry, gold.
I got to watch some of the Reds game the other day. Patterson still has the plate discipline of a young Shawon Dunston on amphetamines. By mid-May at the latest, he’ll be seeing a steady diet of sliders at his shoe-tops and wildly swinging his way into Neifi-like OBP…
Just chill out until after the primary this Tuesday. Everything will be cool after that.
Seventh is about as high as Felix should be hitting right now. I agree that having the pitcher behind him is tough, so just scoot him up one spot.
Wow, thanks Dan Smith. I at one time was the most hated poster on Desipio. You have made me feel like a brand new woman…ahem man. Thanks dumbshit, try another post…please, you’re making me look good bro.
You’re now quoting bleedcubbieblue.com? Hmm… jealous much?
I guess Susan Smith had one child that lived. Stupid sun roofs.
Ah, the stupidest name and poster of all time makes its return.
All this talk about the 8 hole is ridiculous. Why don’t you bat him in the 9 hole and move the pitcher up to the 8. That will totally work because then P.A. will have Soriano behind him for protection. The genius has spoken. Thank you for the bologna sandwich.