…they’re saying, “We don’t like youuuuuuuuuuuuuu.”
So this is how it’s going to be? Jock Jones is going to get mad every time he gets booed by Cubs fans? He’s going to be angry a lot, then.
How can a guy act that indignant when he’s hitting .209, getting on base at a whopping .271 clip and strikes out once in less than every four at bats?
Hey Jock. You signed a three-year contract because you wanted to play for Dusty Baker and play in Chicago. You got your wish. Should you want to avoid getting booed at every opportunity you might want to stop swinging at anything within an area code and a half of home plate.
Jones claims he’s been treated roughly by Cubs’ fans in the early going. Twice this year he’s been booed lustily in a game, only to hit a homer and bask in the cheers.
“I’m angry right now, you know what I mean?” Jones said. “It’s almost funny. It’s almost funny.”
Does this mean that Cubs’ fans are fickle? That they’ll boo you when you go bad and cheer you when you do well.
Uh…yes, it does.
If Jock Jones signed up for the Cubs because of the myth that Cubs’ fans didn’t care how players did, just so long as Wrigley didn’t run out of beer, he was ill-advised. Truth is, that was never the case. Ask Dave Kingman, or Danny Jackson and Dave Smith. They didn’t exactly enjoy love affairs with the Cubs faithful after signing nice, fat contracts.
“”I’ve seen friends go through it. Sammy Sosa hit 60 home runs three years in a row, went into a little slump and … hey, like I said earlier, they have a right to voice whatever opinion they want to voice.”
We know what “friend” Jock is referring to. It’s not Sammy, it’s LaTroy Hawkins. Jock claims he talked to LaTroy during the offseason about how bad it was at Wrigley. LaTroy didn’t try to talk Jock out of signing with the Cubs, which means either that a) LaTroy doesn’t really like Jock or b) that given a little perspective, LaTroy realized that the fans only really got on him when he did incredibly strange things like give up a constant barrage of 0-2 home runs, try to beat up an umpire (for like ten minutes) and bounce a ball off of Jose Offerman’s helmet into the first base dugout.
Jock didn’t come out and claim that the booing was racial, and let’s hope he doesn’t. One of the big reasons he’s the subject of these boos is because Cubs’ fans are frustrated that his mediocre hiney could be parked in right field for the next three years, blocking the next great hope, Felix Pie. The fans aren’t clamoring for the return of Jeromy Burnitz, and Felix isn’t exactly an albino.
Where I came from, they were passionate about baseball. We probably didn’t draw as many [in Minnesota], but they were there through thick and thin. [The booing] is something I’ve got to get used to. I’m blocking it out as much as I can.”
That’s right, Jock. The Twins fans are much better than Cubs’ fans. That’s why there’s always talk about contracting the Cubs because of a lack of interest in them.
You signed up for this. You’re getting paid handsomely for it. Now shut up, try to swing at pitches that aren’t either bouncing to the plate or headed for the screen and in time we might forget that you’ve thrown two tantrums about how mean the fans are in your first three weeks with the team.
What is kind of interesting, though, is the free pass that Jock’s outfield neighbor has gotten. Through 18 games, Juan Pierre’s on base average is a Corey Patterson-esque .299. He’s walked only twice (though he’s only struck out seven times…Corey would have 50 by now), and is tied for 21st in the NL in runs scored. He is second in stolen bases, though. So that’s something. Right?
Could it be that Juan is being given a free pass because a) he looks like a leadoff hitter, b) he’s not swinging at pitches over his head and c) because Corey’s struggles in 2004 and 2005 make Juan’s start look “red hot?” By the way, Corey’s batting average and on base average are the same in Baltimore (surprise), both a whopping .156.
It’s true that E-ramis Ramirez has to heat up to pick up the slack with Derrek Lee out, but it wouldn’t hurt if Juan would, too.
For those of us who live close enough to Chicago to enjoy the TV blackouts, but not close enough to haul in lovely WCIU, last night was a rare treat. The game was on ESPN, in glorious HD, and wasn’t blacked out. I don’t know if they finally figured out that WCIU broadcasts with a weathervane and two D batteries, or if it was a DirecTV mistake. But there was Erin Andrews, on my TV. That’s never a bad thing.
The three-man booth involved some curious hairdos, however. Eric Karros looked like he used the hand dryer in the men’s room to do his, Dave O’Brien–as always–had the Exxon Valdez look going, and Rick Sutcliffe…well, you have to admire his devotion to the pompadour.
O’Brien’s good, and I say that not just because I have his e-mail address and he thinks I’m funny, he really is good. So is Karros.
Sutcliffe?
Oh, he’s awful. Just horrific, really. I tried to figure out who he reminded me of. I came up with a list of people like Corky Thatcher, Mike Shannon and Charles Nelson Reilly, but finally it dawned on me. It took this statement:
It’s been a rough inning for Johnson. He’s thrown 14 pitches. Ten of them balls…(long pause), four for strikes.
By god, he’s Tim McCarver!
Both tell pointless stories about chats they had with players at the batting cage. Both feel the need to say things we just saw and need no explanation for, complete incredibly simple math equations for us and read the graphics showing on our TVs to us.
In both cases, I feel dumber just listening to them. That’s always great fun, isn’t it?
The Bulls are good at falling behind and then very nearly catching up.
Jock doesn’t like us very much, which just makes it that much more guilt-free to boo him.
Derrek thinks he’ll be back in six weeks. Why not three? What, he can’t play with a small cast on his wrist? Huh? Yes, I’m begging.
Cedric Benson expects to play more this year. He also expects to show up for training camp.
Ricky Manning says he can’t talk about allegedly beating up a guy using a computer at Denny’s. Nothing good happens to black people at Denny’s, does it?
The Jockey sort of answers fans’ questions, and at the end he asks for people to suggest celebrities to answer the mailbag questions. Why not suggest me?
Mariotti puts down the doughnut and shoves his head right back up his ass. There’s a reason Tim Thomas is playing hard in Phoenix. This is the last year of his huge contract and he wants to get paid again. Would he have played this hard for the Bulls had they kept him? No. Would he have played this hard for the Knicks if they hadn’t traded him? No. Getting sent home and watching what was left of his career flash before his eyes is the only reason he’s finally playing hard again. You watch, he’ll get paid next year and go right back to sleep. Besides, he fits in in Phoenix because he doesn’t have to guard anybody and nobody cares when he doesn’t.
Dusty is suddenly Greggie’s biggest fan. Could it be because Greggie is (for now, anyway) saving his ass?
By the way, isn’t it time for Dusty to admit that Carlos and Michael Barrett don’t work well together? It’s so simple that even Rick Sutcliffe might figure it out. Hank doesn’t let Carlos nibble and he makes him pound his fastball in and out, up and down. Carlos wants to throw lots of junk early in the count, Barrett seems to let him and Carlos falls behind guys. I know that Dusty thinks Hank is “curing” Glendon Rusch (it’s not happening, the ghost of Mickey Cochrane couldn’t fix him now) and so that’s the start Hank gets every spin around the rotation. But it’s time to line Carlos and Hank up again and leave it. Besides, it’s easier to lose Barrett’s bat in games Carlos pitches because you can bat Carlos in Barrett’s spot.
Nomar crushed a grand slam off bad Brad Lidge last night.
All you need to know about Joe Schad’s “scoop” that the Heisman Trust might strip Reggie Bush of his award is that Joe Schad is the same guy who can’t read a 20 second standup on College GameDay during the season. He has the IQ of a lemon.
Peter King is drinking the Charlie Casserly Kool-Aid that the Texans might not take Reggie number one. Sure. Whatever.
Longtime friend of Desipio Drew Lawrence says that he’s sorry he doubted Pat Riley. I doubt anybody who’s still combing his hair the same way after 30 years.
Even more longtime friend of Desipio Kelly Dwyer on the start of the NBA playoffs.
The hilarious and lifelong-lasting tale of Ron Mexico is resolved, for now.
America’s finest news source with the perfect headline for Brett Favre.
What, no mention of me busting my bat over my leg after a struck out?
That Reggie Bush is a damn disgrace…
You ought to suggest me to answer Seabiscuits questions.
Q: Carlos, what kind of effect has Derrek Lee’s absence had on the infield defense? Rob L., Mendota
A: Well, it’s good and bad. Good, because that $@!# Todd $@$! Walker isn’t butchering plays at second anymore. It’s bad becuase $@$!$ Walker is at first butchering plays for me now. I keel him one day.
Q: Carlos, what do you think of the abilities of Michael Barrett? Jeff T., Amsterdam
A: Michael can hit, but he does not call a good game. I want to keel him when he calls for an 0-2 fastball (Eds. Note: Zambrano has not had an 0-2 count this year). I like Hank White better, even when he tries to slap me.
And no mention of me fellating Eric Karros with comments like “If the Cubs had someone like Eric on their bench with bigtime home run power…”
You can talk to me about fans booing also. We can do it over drinks if you like. I’ll drive.
I’m bringin’ me a horsehead to RF-bleachers tonight. Gonna throw it at our overpaid Jockey.
Sut may be a poor announcer and a total waterhead like me. But saying he’s actually me is quite a stretch. See, unlike me Sutcliffe isn’t an insufferable conceited asshole who thinks the world loves him and his tired ass jokes. He’s kind of a good guy in fact. I on the other hand should be shot with a ball of my own shit for the Deion Sanders ice bucket incident and everything I’ve done or said since.
Smithers, are they saying “Boo” or “Boo-urns?”
Andy I will keel you if you ever make fun of me.
“I love watching Greg Maddux watch a game from the dugout.” Did anyone hear that comment during Friday’s game? If you want to know if I had any lotion out, ask Len. He’ll fill you in on all the details.
I was saying boo-urns.
Miguel no geev Toro el Tough Love, mang. Hank heet you, you no throw heat!
You say that Jock Strop is a jerk. Not fair. USC alums have to be held to a different standard. Ask Mary Prior.
Barrett… I no like him. I snap his pencil neck over my Z-normous thighs.
Carlos, blame yourself, you….carpal tunnel having cyber sex addict.
Quiet, you, or I’ll clean both your clocks.
You would think I would have an accent when I type, but that is not the case. No accent whatsoever. Crazy huh?
I’m glad someone else noticed Karros’ eraserhead haircut last night.
And what is going on with everyone calling each other by their initials. EK, OB, jesus, Is “Dave” too much trouble to say?
Nice dose, AD.
I was born in Tacoma.
Mang.
They’re still Sh!tty.
Would you…shave my coinpurse?
Nooooo way man. Holy freaking God.
I was saying, “Boo-urns.”
Fuck Dave Smith
P.S.and Danny Jackson
You know you’re bad when Itchy Jock Jones gets the game winner. Dontrelle, please save me my one last piece of dignity.
Watching Tim Thomas play here with the Suns, I can’t believe the Bulls couldn’t find a role for him. Oh well, now I know why the Bulls have sucked ever since Michael Jordan left…
“Nothing good happens to black people at Denny’s, does it?”
I don’t think what happened really happened “to me,” per se.
Also, I’m a savage and should get a long prison sentence.
We’ve got great young players, great coaching, great general management, two years of Knicks draft position, and a lot of free cash. We’re going to BE the Suns in a year or two, only better.
He boyzs, Jammer dat jullie me hebbe weggedaan. But no spang! Ik kan nog altijd first base, je weet toch!
Jim, je hebt me nummer.
Allow me to translate, Randall :
“Hey boys, shame you let me go. But no worries! I can always play first base again, you know. Jim, you have my number.”
He Randall, ben je gek? Rot op!!
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We are overrated trash.
AZ, I refused to play for the Bulls, so they sent me home so I could be a crying bitch there. I wish I could have continued playing for that well-run franchise in NY.