Yep, I was there!

Living in Indianapolis, I really only get to about 5 Cubs games in person each year. Its unfortunate, but I absolutely love the chances that I do get to get up there and enjoy Wrigley Field. That is why when yesterday the Brewers dropped 5 runs on my Cubs in the top of the 1st, I felt like the trip was going to be kind of a waste. Sure it was a beautiful day, and I was at Wrigley field, but when you devote an entire day to driving to and from Chicago, you just hope to not be out of the game after the first inning.

My immediate reaction was that the game was over. I have followed this Gallardo kid and I figured he'd mow us down all day. Then I knew our bullpen and the Brewer bullpen, I figured they had a huge advantage.

But as the game rolled on, the Cub bullpen just got stronger. We chipped away at Gallardo and the early Brewer bullpen, and by the 7th inning I was thinking....just maybe something magical can happen. But then Matt Wise and Derrick Turnbow came in during the 7th and 8th to absolutely disintegrate our hitters.

I got a text message in the 9th inning from my cousin about it likely being over due to Cordero. As a Cordero fantasy owner, I know this guy really isn't that great and he has been struggling of late. I sent him a message, that we've got them right where we want them and that Cordero has been very poor and shaky lately.

The bottom of the 9th opened up with a Theriot out. Then Soriano hit a nice ground ball up the middle for a base hit. Mike Fontenot extended his hitting streak with a ground ball to second base that I still think Rickie Weeks was out of position on. Derrek Lee hit a shot off his bat which at first us crowd thought had a chance, it turned into a routine fly ball with the winds coming in that sacrificed Soriano home. It was now 5-4 but there were two outs. My mind starting thinking about a gap double to try to get Fontenot home from first with 2 outs. The wind was very stiff coming in that I didn't really think a HR was possible. Before I really could even complete my thought about the gap double, we all know what happened now. No one captures it any better than Pat and Ron. I LOVE RON SANTO!

Pat and Ron's Call (mp3)

Wrigley Field almost collapsed from the emotion. It was the largest regular season Wrigley Field crowd since 1978 (which I still find hard to believe) - 41,908 fans....almost all of who had stayed. For 15 minutes following the game, no one wanted to leave. Go Cubs Go echoed probably a record number of times in a row...I can't even begin to describe what it felt like to be present at this game. I told my wife (who rarely attends with me), that this type of game maybe happens for a team once a season....but even more rarely is it such an important game for division standings. Just absolutely marvelous. At 2am after getting home I watched Sports Center for the highlights. The team reaction was even better. Sure, I saw them all at home plate....but I didn't see them in the dugout dancing and celebrating as a team. What a beautiful event. This team is starting to have a special spot in my heart among all Cubs teams....not just because they are winning....that helps....but this team has character, enjoyment, child-like enthusiasm, and the ability to never be dead. Guys like Fontenot, Theriot, Pie, Soriano, Bowen, Hill, etc...while they are not all producing, they have had some kind of effect on the veterans....or maybe it is Lou. They finally look like a team....first time since 2003. GO CUBS GO!

Futbol Meets Football

While I am not particularly fond of David Beckham (I think he is vastly overrated), I am a true fan of the game of 'futbol'. I had heard about these upcoming commercials to air in the U.S., and this spot shows all the bits in succession....its an enjoyable watch. Reggie Bush seems to be the perfect fit for this campaign.

Don't run on Alfonso Soriano

Ok, seriously. I know everyone in the league wanted to test out his arm last year as a new OF in Washington. All he did was lead the league in outfield assists with 22 last year. Evidentially, the memo still has not made it around the league, even with his gem nailing Terrero this past weekend. Last night, Soriano gunned down Troy Tulowitzski for his 10th assist already. Only Michael Cuddyer leads Soriano with 14 currently. Maybe Alfonso will pass 22 this year. You really need to see the video to enjoy this assist, hopefully on YouTube soon. But enjoy this screenshot. He was out by several steps and Derosa was just sitting there waiting for him.


To put 22 OF assists in perspective, here are the top 5 from last year...notice the drop off.

2006 MLB Outfield Assists
1. Alfonso Soriano - 22
2. Brad Hawpe - 16
3. Carlos Beltran, Jeff Francoer, Juan Rivera - 13
4. 5 others - 12
5. 3 others - 11

The Game that almost killed Ron Santo

The odds of what happened in the Cub's game last night are almost improbable. The Cubs not only experienced their lowest point of the season, the luckiest point of their whole season, and the most exciting point of their whole season in one game....it all happened in the same inning. And, it almost killed Ron Santo.

THE WORST
I went to bed after the 8th inning with the Cubs up 8-3 vs the Colorado Rockies. I figured even the Cubs bullpen couldn't blow this. Within minutes of crawling in bed, my phone alerted me of a text message from my cousin. The words were: "Another Cubs disaster..." I had to jump up, run downstairs, open MLB.TV on my computer (since my cable company won't give me CSN). By the time I got it opened, I had just missed a 3-run homerun by the Rockies that made it a 9-8 game in favor of the mountain men. The worst part about it? The 6 runs happened in about 7 minutes (serious) and there were no outs. We were lucky to only be down 9-8.

THE LUCKIEST
Bottom of the 9th, with Cubs runners on 1st and 2nd base and 2 out, Ryan Theriot hits a routine ground ball up the middle to end the game. Kaz Matsui however makes one of the worst boots on one of the easiest balls I have seen. All runners are safe....bases loaded, 2-outs, down 9-8. Audio of the play below:

Matsui's Booted Ground Ball (mp3)

THE BEST
Alfonso Soriano. After all, he had basically won all 3 games by himself against the White Sox with his 3 HRs and his great outfield assists. Once again we would call on him to deliver. He does not disappoint. He hits a sharp flare to right center field. The runners did not have to wait to see if it dropped with 2 outs and both runners scored. CUBS WIN 10-9! I didn't get to hear the radio call until this morning and it was absolutely classic. Listen to Ron Santo faintly in the background. Does it get any better than that? I think he almost died.

Soriano's Game Winning Audio (mp3)

THE FUTURE
Could this be the day we look back and determined the Cubs arrived? Maybe. Maybe it was the Zambrano/Barrett fight. Maybe it was the Pinella explosion. Maybe it was trading Barrett. But maybe, just maybe, it was being pushed to the limits, and coming through with a despeartely needed 9th inning rally.

GO CUBS GO!

Tarik Glenn

This morning I attended a men's breakfast at my church in Carmel, IN and Tarik Glenn (left tackle for the Indianapolis Colts) was the guest speaker. My initial reaction was the incredible size of this man as he walked into the room in street clothes. He is definitely not someone I would ever want to cross. Additionally...the Superbowl XLI Champion rings are really something to see up front in person.

As Tarik got up to speak though, I quickly realized what a gentle, humble man he really is. He was soft-spoken, well educated, polite, and extremely knowledgeable about God's word. He delivered a message on being a "God's Man". Speaking from the book of 1 Kings, he used the story of Elijah and Elisha to drive home 3 points of men needing to improve their Stewardship, Relationships, and Leadership. He said that men today are stuck in an identity crisis. We are being taught by media and our surroundings that money, women, and power is what it is all about. He challenged us instead that its the way we handle our gifts from God (stewardship), how we relate with God and others (relationships), and how we influence others positively (leadership) that defines us as men. It became obvious to me that while Tarik is a multi-year Pro-Bowler, a top left tackle in the NFL (and having to protect Peyton Mannings blindside every week), obviously financially well off, and extremely talented....this message was not just fluff from him. He really meant it. And he was truly passionate about it

Tarik and his wife developed an inner city mission named D.R.E.A.M. Alive (www.dreamaliveinc.org) to help youth in the inner city in much the same way in which he was helped growing up in the inner city of Oakland, CA. Please check it out if you have a few minutes.

I love coming across professional athletes like Tarik Glenn who truly are humble about the blessings they have received in life and he was quite an encouragement to not only me but the other 400 men in attendance from our church and community. Thank you Tarik for being an incredible man and role model. Keep challenging your teammates and contacts in professional sports to do the same. We need more of it.

What about the 2nd out?

One of the famous rules in baseball is "Never make the 1st nor 3rd out at third base". I think for the most part all baseball fans know this rule and agree with it. But I ask the question...."Why make any out at 3rd base?" Is taking a calculated risk trying to attempt to reach 3rd base with one out really worth it? Especially considering the fact that you should already have 2nd base safely? I got to thinking about this the last two nights based on events in the Cubs/Rangers series. On Tuesday, with 1-out, Alfonso Soriano tried to steal third base with Derrek Lee at the plate. He was thrown out, essentially removing the Cubs chances of any runs that inning. On Wednesday, Gerald Laird of the Rangers did the exact same thing with Kenny Lofton at the plate...and HE IS A CATCHER! My cousin and I argued online about it. He seemed to think its worth the calculated risk at times. I tend to lean the other way, preferring to NOT steal 3rd base unless you have the worlds greatest jump on the pitcher and can assure being safe. So...I decided to research it and I found a few things.

First, researching a custom stat like all time success rate of stealing third base is next to impossible unless you have access to Stats, Inc. It appears like only major conglomerates of media have that access.

Second, being on 2nd base is still considered scoring position. The players that "normally" make an out at 3rd base trying to steal or extend a double to triple are very fast runners. Very rarely would you ever see Ron Cey attempt to turn a double to a triple nor steal 3rd base. Therefore, a large percentage of the time, those same runners would score from second base on a single. Wouldn't you want to give 2 batters the chance to knock you in from 2nd base vs the good chance of making an out at 3B?

While I could not find the all time success/failure rate of stealing 3rd base, I did find this OVERWHELMING statistic thanks to an article at BaseballProspectus.com at the following link. I have to trust their research is accurate.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2607


In 2003, run expectation turned out as it appears below. I would argue that since there are so many games and situations every year, that these statistics would mimic almost any year. I also found the same table for the 2000 season and the combined seasons of 1998-2000, and the numbers only vary by hundredths or thousandths.

Runner on 2nd base and 1 out: .7125
Runner on 3rd base and 1 out: 1.0303
Bases empty and 2 outs: .1083

This means that a runner on 2nd base with one out is worth .7125 runs. Getting to 3rd successfully without making the out is worth 1.0303 (an increase of .3178). But, by making the second out at 3rd base and potentially leaving the bases empty yields a .1083 result (a decrease of .6042). Therefore, the loss is about twice the gain in the risk. I would say this is not worth the risk in almost all situations. Plus, a .7125 run expectation sounds pretty good to me.

Michael Wolverton of ESPN adds much to this debate at:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/bp/1202793.html

His lengthy research results in the following comment:
This analysis suggests that the price the offense pays for a caught stealing is three times the benefit they get from a successful steal. Another way of looking at it is that in today's game, you need three successful steals for each caught stealing (a 75 percent stolen-base rate) just to break even.

I would go as far to argue that a lot of his research has to deal with runners trying to steal from first to second (as there are many more attempts as such and because it is much more beneficial to get a runner from 1st to 2nd than it is from 2nd to 3rd)....just look at the numbers from the run expectation table in the links. So while I do not have the stats to calculate it, I would strongly argue that the risk is higher than the Wolverton stat when dealing with trying to steal from 2nd to 3rd....as a player is already in scoring position to begin with. Perhaps its 80%-85% just to break even. I am guessing here though.

One final note that Baseball Prospectus makes that is worth mentioning as a Cubs fan. Lou Pinella seems to always rank near the top of the league in stolen base success percentage (read the link for more)...so maybe he does have a knack for it. Of his 17 seasons coaching, his team has ranked in the top 5 in baseball 10 times and only been outside the top 10 once. I am not saying never steal 3rd base....I am just saying you better darn well make it or I will be screaming at you from my couch!

Welcome Rob Bowen

Well we could all see the writing on the wall. After Michael Barrett and Carlos Zambrano scuffled in the Cubs dugout a few weeks ago, it was clear that Barrett's days were numbered as a Cub. Then last week Lou Pinella announced that Barrett's playing time would be reduced. Reduced was right....right out of town.

I've always been a Barrett fan and he's been a good offensive weapon for the Cubs the last few years. While I think the Cubs definitely sold very low on him, as a fan I have to jump on board and now support the decision.

I do see some irony in the move however. Michael Barrett for Rob Bowen and a minor leaguer that I will not get into. Basically, we go from having a catcher that can't seem to get along with teammates to a catcher that doesn't want to protect teammates!

Does anyone else remember that just a few days ago, Rob Bowen was the catcher for Chris Young that was busy talking/arguing with the umpire while Derrek Lee went after Chris Young? I wonder how the relationship between Bowen and Lee will be now. Perhaps Bowen knew he was going to become a Cub and therefore decided to let his future teammate have at it. I doubt that....but I can't imagine two polar opposites in catchers. (based solely on two isolated and unrelated events)

Rob Bowen will always be known to me for beating the Cubs on a walk off HR....his first HR ever last May against the then dominant Bob Howry. Here is a picture from that game compliments of MLB.com.

I hope Bowen wipes my memory of that game by winning one for us soon. I will embrace him but I have to tell you that the platoon of Koyie Hill, Rob Bowen, and Henry Blanco does not sound as good on paper as Michael Barrett....although we can only get better defensively at catcher now. And, at least Bowen will be comfortable in his new home. I am sure Chris Young and the Padre teammates were not happy that Bowen stood idle during the fight. With the Cubs, he won't have to worry about protecting Carlos Zambrano in a mound fight....cause we all know Carlos would whoop up on anyone.

Boys and Toys

We are within 9 days of the launch of the iPhone. While I KNOW I am not going to buy one, I have developed this itch of really wanting one. What is it about Boys and their Toys? I am a tech geek and have become quite the Apple guy in the last 12 months with my iPod and Mac Mini. I'm going to hold off nonetheless, at least until generation #2 comes out....maybe the iPhone Nano as being rumored.

Anyway, I still can't wait until June 29th to hopefully find someone that owns one in person that I can see and touch for real.

Win Win?

Ok, time for my first fantasy baseball posting here. I realize this will be of absolutely no value to any reader except for myself and maybe the 1-2 guys from my fantasy league that read this blog (of course they make up my only readers). But what are blogs for anyway?

Chone Figgins going 6-6 last night prompted me with this idea. One of my favorite things about fantasy baseball is trading with other owners. There have been a few years in which trades are extremely hard to pull off, and I find those years very boring. Anyone that knows me knows that I like to try to pull off as many trades as possible. This year is no exception. So, here are all the trades I have pulled off this year and the result thus far:

1. Gave up: Adam Dunn
Received: Jimmy Rollins

This was a plan I had from about the 7th round of the draft. I had taken a plethora of early good OF's (Beltran, Soriano, Bay). The top shortstops were off the board early and when the 7th round rolled around, there were none that enticed me. I knew some medicore SS's would be around late such as Julio Lugo or Bobby Crosby. I saw Adam Dunn was on the board and while I did not need a 4th OF, I though this the perfect opportunity to grab 4 solid OFs and trade one for a middle infielder. Dunn had a monster of a first week hitting 2 HRs on opening day. Here was my chance. I saw another team in the league was extremely thin on OF yet had both Jimmy Rollins and Orlando Cabrera at SS (Cabrera was on his bench). I felt this was a very fair offer and he accepted.

Results: Overall Rollins is leading in points since the trade, but Dunn has outscored Rollins in as many weeks and the opposite result. Both teams I believe are better as a result. Its been a Win Win.

2. Gave up: John Smoltz and Todd Helton
Received: Erik Bedard and Lance Berkman

This was a preference trade. I knew my buddy had man love for John Smoltz and wants him every year. So I drafted him on purpose to work a deal. Coming into the season, I was thinking Bedard might be a top 5 fantasy pitcher. He has pitched like one, leading the AL in K's, but his bullpen and offense is so pathetic that he has more QS losses than anyone in baseball and more bullpen losses when he leaves with a lead. So, Bedard is 4-4. In my league, wins are worth a lot. On the other hand, Smoltz has pitched well but not great like in years past. Yet, he gets a win almost any time he pitches. He just knows how to win and the Braves have a solid pen. Smoltz is breaking down as I predicted...so I still like this trade. What has been more frustrating though is that I thought Berkman would outpace Helton over the season. This has been anything but true. Helton started out on fire but has cooled of late. Berkman has not gotten even remotely hot yet. I still like my chances in this trade for the second half.

Results: I would have been much better off keeping Smoltz and Helton to this point in the season, but as Smoltz is breaking down and Helton has cooled off, I still think this could be a good trade by season's end.

3. Gave Up: Scott Rolen, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Ray
Received: Garrett Atkins, Brett Myers

I was absolutely frustrated with Rolen as my 3B. Atkins had been awful too and I thought maybe this could be a good buy low candidate. At the time, Anibal Sanchez was pitching well and in the majors. Chris Ray had also come off 2 solid weeks in a row with several saves. Brett Myers had just been sent to the bullpen and I was hoping maybe I could get him and he'd return to the rotation shortly. While that did not come true, nor did Atkins get hot. I still really benefitted from this trade as Sanchez was sent down for no reason a week after the trade. Ray became human, and Rolen hasn't done anything yet either. This trade also set me up for a future trade.

Results: This trade didn't really do anything for either team other than frustrate both of us. It did set me up for trade #4 though.

4. Gave up: Garrett Atkins, Bartolo Colon
Received: Carlos Zambrano, Chone Figgins

Both teams were doing very well yet had not won in the H2H league in several weeks. We both wanted to shake things up. Zambrano had been a head case, yet I knew around this time each year he goes on a good stretch. Atkins hadn't done anything yet either, but both of us knew it was only a matter of time. I was nervous about Colon and his arm, and Figgins had been abismal since coming off the DL.

Results: This has been a Win-Win for both teams for sure. Atkins has really woken up and gone on a tear. Zambrano is 2-1 since the trade only losing a near no-hitter 1-0 to the Padres. Chone Figgins has been the biggest surprise, capping his nice 2 weeks since the trade with a 6-6 evening last night. The 6 hits in a nine inning game ties an AL record. I had been trying to turn one of my good starting pitchers around for a solid 3B in the last 1.5 weeks, but with Figgins play, I may not need to do that. This has been the biggest Win Win trade of them all this season.

Trades work well for both teams if they are architected and negotiated well. Even if they don't work out for me or the other team though, I'd rather be active trading in fantasy than not as it keeps the league interesting.

I'll post another trade update after the all star break.

Where is my allegiance?

So my Cubbies lost 2 of 3 to the San Diego Padres this weekend. It was a little painful to watch, especially on Saturday. Carlos Zambrano takes a no hitter into the 8th inning that is eventually broken up by a fluke chopper over the mound that Carlos just barely deflects. Had the ball not been deflected, it would have been an easy out for the SS. Then, in the top of the 9th inning, Russell Branyan hits an IMPROBABLE homerun one-handed off the top of the home plate. I am still amazed at how that ball could have left the field. Wrigley winds I guess.

More frustrating than losing a near no hitter game 1-0, was the decision by Derrek Lee to take a swing at Padre pitcher Chris Young.
I was listening to the play on XM Radio as Pat is describing it unfold (Ron was unfortunately in Peoria on Saturday). From Ron's broadcast it even seemed that Lee was in the wrong. Then watching the replays later Saturday night, I am appalled at why Lee would do such a thing. So much for being a mild mannered leader on the team. His act and likely 5-7 game suspension upcoming is REALLY going to hurt this team. Does he not remember how pathetic we were last year when he was hurt? Oh, and where in the world was the umpire or the San Diego catcher while this was unfolding? It is not as if Lee sprinted to the mound. He walked leisurely in that direction while he and Young had some words. In the video you can see the Home Plate Umpire and Rob Bowen (catcher) talking about something with their backs turned while Lee and Young go at it. If it weren't for little Marcus Giles getting Young out of the way, San Diego could have lost a very good pitcher. Way to go Rob Bowen....great catcher....right up there with Michael Barrett.

Anyway, putting aside the extremely frustrating day on Saturday,
I did not have much hope for Sunday's game. Why? Because Greg Maddux was on the mound. The beloved Ex-Cub. The beloved Ex-Cub that had a career 11-3 mark coming in against the North Siders. Greg Maddux is the perfect pitcher to face the Cubs. A patient, deliberate, methodical worker who takes advantage of over agressive swingers. Sure enough, he silenced the Cubs once again as he got plenty of run support.

I found myself as content as I have ever been with this loss though. Which made me wonder....Am I ok with the Cubs losing simply because Maddux is on the mound? If so, then I question what type of fan I really am. Don't get me wrong, I really wanted the Cubs to win that game, but somehow, losing the way they did to Maddux, made if easier to swallow. Maddux is the epitome of what is great about baseball. His stature is nothing to write home about, yet he's been one of the top 3 pitchers of my lifetime. The Cubs should never have screwed him over and let him go to Atlanta....oh what might have been. :(

Amazing Machines

I just got back from spending 3 days at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky with our high school youth group on a retreat. Among some great spiritual growth, we had the opportunity to spend time tubing, riding wave runners, and doing a lot of 4-wheeling in the mountains.

Now I had been on 4-wheelers in the past, but nothing like what we were riding this past week. I caught myself about 10 different times marveling at how incredible these machines really are. We went straight up hill at what felt like at least 60 degrees over rocks, roots, dodging trees. We went downhill at times at even steeper angles. We went through trails at 15-20mph bouncing over sharp boulders and roots again. We came flying through large mud puddles (and ocassionally got stuck), but all in all, these machines can handle anything. Everytime I thought that my 4-wheeler or the one in front of me was going to completely tip over.....it handled the terrain flawlessly.

I know 4-wheelers are extremely dangerous as I personally experienced by accidentally throwing a girl off the back of mine at one point and watching our experienced rider flip mine over him twice tring to get it unstuck from a position that I still have no idea how I got it in. But maybe its the danger that makes them so exciting. I already can't wait for next year's trip!

9 Ways to Reach First Base

My brother in law was chatting with me today and said he was told there were 9 ways to reach first base in MLB. So we started brainstorming and researching. We found people stating anywhere from 7 to 23 different ways. After the research, I do believe there are 9 different ways to score a batter to first base. Obviously there are tons of variations of each, but these are the ways it can be scored:
1. Single
2. Base on Balls (Walk)
3. Fielder's Choice
4. Hit By Pitch
5. Fielding Error
6. Dropped 3rd Strike (Passed Ball or Wild Pitch)
7. Catcher's Interference
8. Fielder Interference/Obstruction
9. Batted Ball hits another runner before a fielder touches it

Any others?

This led me to poke around MLB's official rules and I found some wild stuff. How about these Catcher Interference Comments?

Rule 6.08(c) Catcher Interference
Rule 6.08(c) Comment: If catcher’s interference is called with a play in progress the umpire will allow the play to continue because the manager may elect to take the play. If the batter-runner missed first base, or a runner misses his next base, he shall be considered as having reached the base, as stated in Note of Rule 7.04(d). Examples of plays the manager might elect to take:
1. Runner on third, one out, batter hits fly ball to the outfield on which the runner scores but catcher’s interference was called. The offensive manager may elect to take the run and have batter called out or have runner remain at third and batter awarded first base.
2. Runner on second base. Catcher interferes with batter as he bunts ball fairly sending runner to third base. The manager may rather have runner on third base with an out on the play than have runners on second and first.

I guess I had no clue that a manager gets to wait for the outcome of the play before deciding what scenario he would prefer, but it makes sense. I bet 90% of the time, the manager would take the run in the event of scenario #1 unless the team is down several runs later in the game. This has great resemblance to an offsides penalty in the NFL...based on the result of the play, you can decide to take or not take the penalty.

I look forward to finding some more obscure rules in the near future and posting them here.

My MLB Rankings

Power Rankings are a growing trend among sports sites these days. Seems every analyst posts his "Power Rankings". These rankings normally have something to do with standings, but takes the human factor and perception of how good the team is into it. Well I started thinking the other day....what if the Cubs disappeared? Who would I cheer for? Believe me, there are days being a Cubs fan when I wish I was a fan of someone else. So, I compiled my ranking (1 through 30) of all MLB teams in the order in which they would become my team should the team above them disappear. Kind of silly, I know....but fun right? Here it goes.

1. Chicago Cubs - my heart, my soul, my love
2. Minnesota Twins - have always respected the way the Twins run things. From an early age I remember my cousin liking Kirby Puckett (as a player)...thus I did too...it stuck.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - another lovable loser...the Phils have just always intrigued me...I'd like to see them win.
4. Oakland Athletics - they've really moved up my list since the Bash Brother days...but how can you not like a team that competes every year without wasting money?
5. Kansas City Royals - notice a lovable loser theme? I like what KC is doing with their young players right now and I think they will compete over the next 3-7 years.
6. San Diego Padres - shocking they are this high considering 1984 vs the Cubs, but I like the nucleus they have going, and they beat people with fundamentals
7. Cleveland Indians - explosive team currently with fun young talent and good arms
8. Los Angeles Dodgers - classic team, never seem to have an awful season
9. Milwaukee Brewers - the first NL Central team listed. Its been easy to like them as they have been poor, now that they are good, they might slip down my list...although Cubs seem to still beat up on them. Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Braun....fun to watch.
10. Baltimore Orioles - you can thank Cal Ripken for having them in my top 10...who didn't love that guy?
11. Pittsburgh Pirates - I still remember the 1992 NLCS when Sid Bream slid in safe at home. Though I hate the Steelers, I don't mind the Bucs as much.
12. Boston Red Sox - well they probably were top 3 until 2004, and I WAS happy for them, gave me hope, but now they are growing obnoxious and approaching Yankee level. They are plummeting each year on my list.
13. Seattle Mariners - eh...not much to say here, don't hate them, don't love em
14. Arizona Diamondbacks - though I despise that they already have a WS, anyone that signed Mark Grace gets some props.
15. Atlanta Braves - I am sick of this team being good, but you have to respect their success without spending like the other top teams. That alone keeps them in my middle pack.
16. Texas Rangers - boring
17. Washington Nationals - boring
18. Colorado Rockies - boring, but Coors Field is a plus
19. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - boring
20. Cincinnati Reds - NL Central foe, good thing they stink right now or I would dislike them more.
21. Toronto Blue Jays - Canada....boo
22. San Francisco Giants - this team would move up if Bonds would just go away
23. Detroit Tigers - surprisingly they took the biggest fall since last year. I probably had Detroit in my top 10. Now with guys like Sheffield, Ordonez, and Guillen, I find myself really disliking them. Curtis Granderson is the only admirable factor on this team.
24. Los Angeles Angels - Yankees of the west....boo
25. Houston Astros - NL Central foe, and always seem to be sticking it to the Cubs
26. Florida Marlins - 2003 NLCS and 2 World Series in their short existence....enough said
27. New York Mets - NY fans are cocky, and though I was not alive, if 1969 hurts Ron Santo that much, then it hurts me that much too. And, they always kill the Cubs
28. Chicago White Sox - dirty, cheating, south siders...and A.J. Pierzynski
29. St. Louis Cardinals - how they are not #30 on my list is shocking, but as a Cubs fan, they can't be any higher than 29.
30. New York Yankees - I find myself not able to hate any team in professional sports more than the Yankees, despite the Cubs struggles this year, I can take enjoyment from watching the debacle that is the 2007 New York Yankees.

Turning a corner?

I know its cliche, but I am wondering if the Zambrano/Barrett fight or the Pinella blow-up has at least caused the Cubs to turn a small corner recently? I don't want to give any of them credit, but Carlos seemed to pitch with purpose yesterday, and it was good to finally see that. He did get in his usual trouble in the 6th inning, giving up a HR to Prince Fielder, but he got out of it and kept the team in the game.

More so than any of the aforementioned reasons that the Cubs are on a good streak right now, is I believe the spark that Felix Pie is on this team. The Cubs are 14-8 when Pie makes an appearance in a game. Granted, about 7 of those games were as either a pinch hitter or a late defensive replacement, but you still can not argue with a .636 winning percentage for a team that has an overall .439 winning percentage. Just think of what the team is in games without Pie.

I hear Lou will continue starting Pie, although is likely to bat 7th. Obviously Lou did not learn anything. Trammel went 3-1 with Pie batting 2nd. Why change?

Thank you Felix Pie, you have been a spark, and the team is responding. Your best friend, Alfonso Soriano is also starting to wake up from his slumber. I can't help but think that your presence has lifted his spirits and has helped him focus.

MOSS 2007 Usage Analysis Reporting

Mostly for my own benefit, when I need to set this up again in 2 months and can't remember, to configure MOSS (Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server) 2007 Usage Analysis Reporting/Processing, it is very well summarized at the below technet link:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Office/en-us/library/5233cf43-6a8f-40cb-9014-0724600e7e381033.mspx?mfr=true

Alan Trammel is 2-1 :(

Ok, so maybe Trammel doesn't make much of a difference....but, outside of Ted Lilly stinking it up, I felt like the Cubs played a very solid all around game last night. And this just in....the bullpen seems to be fine when we are trailing games and there is no pressure. Give them a lead though and we might as well put a 12-year-old girl on the mound. Results would be the same.

Today is a big day for Carlos Zambrano. Has he put his tirade with Barrett behind him and is he ready to pitch for the remainder of the season? The team needs him today. If my fantasy team is any indication....since I just acquired big Z, he will not get a win. But I digress.

Alan Trammel is 2-0!

WOO HOO! I personally like seeing Pinella in the suite away from the team....its soothing and the Cubs are playing relaxed....minus the awful dropped pop up at the mound with 5 players in a circle. But nonetheless....we won!

A-Rod's Infidelity

I'm honestly sick and tired of hearing about A-Rod and his life. It seems I can not go a single 45-minute commute without hearing of A-Rod and something about his life on ESPN Radio or MLB Home Plate (XM).

Yet it's these same radio broadcasters (that I enjoy listening to when they are not talking about A-Rod) that are appalled at the media paparazi that follow A-Rod around and chronicle every minute of his life. Hypocrites? Hello? Aren't you spending every free second talking about him? I suppose even I am a hypocrite writing this and adding to the buzz.

But currently these sportscasters and analysts say that a professional athlete's life should be off limits to the media and that it is not fair for the picture to be taken of A-Rod and his mistress....I have to disagree. Sure, I think it sucks that A-Rod has media hounding him at every turn. But, at the same time, he is making millions and whether he wants to be or not, he is a role model. It comes with the job.

As a Christian man, I am big into accountability and believe it is vital to us men becoming better men. Men struggle with temptation. Men with money and power struggle even more. A-Rod is a married man and needs someone to hold him accountable. Obviously Derek Jeter is not going to be his accountability partner. If I had to guess, A-Rod does not have a friend to hold him accountable....after all he stays in his own hotels away from the team on road trips. If he doesn't even have a friend on the Yankees that stays in the same hotel, who else would be in his life to help him with his struggles?

If the media is the only thing that can hold A-Rod accountable to his fidelity and his struggles, then I am all for it. It is about time these professional athletes become men. If the threat of a media paparazi being around every corner is what keeps him mindful of morals, faithful to his wife, or keeps other players faithful to their wives....then media people.....keep the paparazi coming!

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Maybe A-Rod's "iron" will be the media.

My suggestion to MLB...keep Pinella home for a while

By now everyone is aware of Lou Pinella's tirade and indefinite suspension from baseball. MLB is supposed to rule on his actual suspension today/tomorrow. My suggestion to MLB....please make his suspension last a long time.

Since the Cubs signed Pinella, I was not crazy about the decision. Ask my buddies about my position the day it was announced. While most Cub fans were dancing in the streets about Lou being a savior, I thought to myself...."Is this guy really any good?" Were we not the same giddy fans about signing Dusty Baker prior to 2003?

So I did some research and this is what I found out about Lou's career:
Career Coaching Record to Date: 1540 - 1446
Comment: Not too bad, but I would have figured a savior would be much better than slightly above .500
1986-1988 Coached New York Yankees to a 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place finish in their division....basically he made the team worse each year.
1990: Won a World Series with a decent Cincinnati Reds Team (91 wins), not one of the best World Series teams in the last 20 some years...although better than the stupid 2006 Cardinals
1991-1992: finished 5th and 2nd in the division with the same Reds team....again, the team got worse
1993-2002: Coached Seattle Mariners to some great seasons, including 116 wins in 2001, but fell short of winning anything meaningful in the playoffs. During that run he finished first in the division 3 times but also had losing seasons 3 times. Keep in mind these teams had guys like A-Rod, Randy Johnson, Ichiro, John Olerud, Edgar Martinez at their finest. I probably could have coached them to 110 wins myself.
2003-2005: Coached Tampa Bay to 3 awful seasons. Granted these teams were bad, but the discouraging thing is that he did not really show any improvement with up and coming young talent winning 63, 70, 67 games respectively. His attitude and demeanor proved that he is not able to coach young teams and that he can not coach fundamentals.

Which led me to my concern over being the Cubs manager. Can he coach? Of course. Is he a savior? By no means. Will he help the Cubs? I said no preseason. I said we needed a fundamentals coach, one that could be patient and help teach some of these veterans that were never taught properly. Someone that would convince these guys that there is no curse. 1/3 of the way through the season, I believe his attitude and demeanor is playing against the team. He puts so much pressure on the team without teaching how to succeed that it looks like a bunch of little leaguers that are so afraid of upsetting their dad, that they actually end up playing worse due to a preoccupation with their dad's approval/disapproval. This was amplified when the "sibling rivalry" between Zambrano and Barrett broke out in the dugout. Both were under so much pressure from daddy, that they took it out on each other.

Alan Trammel is 1-0 as the Cubs manager in Lou's absence. I say, lets give that a shot. The team looked relaxed and excited to play in Lou's absence.

Lou, if you want to help the team win, stay at home and yell at the TV, let the Cubs relax and play for fun....We have enough talent that once we have fun, we will win.

I predict the Cubs go on a winning streak in Lou's absence.

Go Cubs Go!