Filed under General
Stars of the Game
1st: Kosuke Fukudome
2nd: Carlos Zambrano
3rd: Ben Sheets
If this was NCAA football, the season would officially be over. Thank God it’s a long year because I really think this team will win the division by double digits. That being said, I’d like to take some time to share my notes from today’s game. I’m going to probably go with a more bulleted list of notes this year as opposed to the long, drawn out recaps of action you watched along with me. Feel free to add your own notes as well and remember that the diaries are always available to share your thoughts with the whole community. That being said, here are the notes:
- Thank God we saw a great start from Kosuke Fukudome because I was really worried that he would start out the year similar to the way he played in spring training and the boo birds would be out early. There’s no question all the crazy plays on his name the bleacher fans would have come up with had he gotten off to a poor start. Instead, I came away hugely impressed with what he can bring this team. Be careful not to get too excited about the home run power, because he’s not going to be a 30+ guy. My guess is that 20 is more likely. Ultimately, I see Lou using him in the second spot in the order like Bob Brenly mentioned in the game. His skill set is a perfect match for that spot.
- Carlos Zambrano looked really good today before suffering the usual suspect, cramps. My question, to no one in particular, is why can’t he beat these cramps? If dominating on the mound is as important to him as his emotions indicate it is, he should be taking any measures possible to make sure cramps didn’t derail his outing. Aside from that, I was pleased with his outing, especially compared to April starts of the past.
- There are two types of fans that will come out after today’s game. First are the fans that will bash Kerry Wood and call for Carlos Marmol after today’s wonderful outing in the 8th and poor outing in the 9th. Then there are the folks that will stay the course with Wood (I’m in this category). One game should not decide the fate of Wood. I’d hang tight with him until at least mid to late May. Let’s try to remember that Marmol is still very young and has to earn it.
- The Ryan Theriot in the leadoff spot experiment didn’t go so well today, but like the closer, it’s a situation that needs to sort itself out. One thing is for sure. With Soriano unable to really test the wheels, he doesn’t need to be the leadoff guy. I’m fine with Theriot getting a shot before we try other options.
- You can’t blame Fukudome for being caught in a rundown in the 7th. It was a wild pitch gone wild, if there is such a thing. He clearly had a good read on the fact that the ball was going to be a pitch in the dirt and he was being aggressive. There was no way to project that after Kendall blocked it, it would hit directly off of Soto and back into Kendall’s possession.
- I really hope Ben Sheets gets injured soon. Yes, I really did just wish an injury on someone. He’s just that good. We need him out of there.
- Mark DeRosa hit the ball well today, but for the most part came away with nothing to show for it. He also made a great diving grab in the third on a soft liner by Gwynn.
- Is it just me or does anyone else get nervous when pitchers turn a 180 and fire the ball to second? I’m always afraid that the ball will get there before the fielder. Today it worked great, but I always wonder if it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I know you have to keep the runners honest, but I get worried.
- One game in and I’m already tired of the WGN baseball in 2008 commercial. I really hope it’s not a commercial that is going to run all year.
- I’m super excited about the fact that MLB Extra Innings has now figured out that it would be beneficial to have both the home and away television feeds available. Wonderful, now I don’t have to sit and listen to Vin Scully drone on at 1 AM.
I’m happy that the Cubs started today, I love baseball.
I’m happy the Fukodome had a great day.
But anger takes over when I think about Wood giving up 3 in the 9th.
Was trying to follow on MLB scoreboard, didn’t see on TV.
Where those 3 runs his fault?
Cool, I didn’t know this page was that wide
i agree with adam, pie couldnt hit a hot air balloon if it floated onto the field, he looked horrendous today
Calm down. Pie is young, provides excellent defense at a premium position and is the NUMBER EIGHT hitter in our lineup. Oh, and its just one game. By the way Joe, I think you just did your part to shred Z’s rotator cuff. Ixney on that sort of thing.
And leave Woody alone. Asserting that Pie and/or Wood ’suck’ after one game isn’t passionate being a passionate fan… its tedious.
Oh the wonders of readproofing.
As Pat and Ron said today, Big Z cant beat the cramps cause he doesnt drink enough water during the game.
Joe – I enjoyed your post until you trashed Vin Scully.
Come on man, he’s a poet! lol
#5 – “Oh, and its just one game.” Huh? Pie played 87 games last season and had 177 at bats. He struck out 44 TIMES and batted only .215. The numbers are bad but even worse were the pitches he was swinging at. He has poor vision at the plate and a terrible swing– G. Perry needs to shorten up that long, robotic swing even MORE. Worst of all, he always looks intimidated and confused at the plate.
I was actually more worried that Pie get off to a good start than I was that Fukudome do so. Fukudome is a professional and has been playing baseball for a good long while. Pie is still a kid and doesn’t have the confidence built up that he can do this. I think that he will be fine, but even if he isn’t let’s give him a month before we start the Pie sucks routine. Jerious is absolutely correct. After one game that isn’t being a passionate fan, it’s being an over-zealous idiot. Don’t talk to me about last year either. He was 22 last year and is only 23 this year. It might actually take him a couple of years to really show what he can do. He TORE UP AAA last year though. He does belong. Give the kid a break and let him play.
Only caught 9 and 10 after racing home from work…. Glad to see Fukudome deliver but overall silent bats agianst Sheets in game 1 is nothing to be ashamed of. Not yet at least. Bull pen does worry me though, and not just Woods. I think this will continue to be a challenge for consistency. Relatively new here and not sure what i am looking at with this chart. A little help?
Matt, that is a breakdown of each team’s chances of winning based on the current game situation as the game progresses. It’s based on WPA.
For more info on that, see this link:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-one-about-win-probability/
87 games!!! Many of them as a late game defensive replacement. I’m convinced. Why aren’t you a Major League GM already.
The problem wiht Pie is that we have yet to see any flashes of what everyone keeps talking about. He has a good glove. But we can’t hit for anything. Adam said it best – Worst of all, he always looks intimidated and confused at the plate. I can see him developing into a defensive replacement outfielder. Let’s hold on to Murton, because if Pie does not begin to hit, we should drop him, move Fdome to CF, and put Murton in right. If the Cubs begin to win, I give him 30 days. If we start to stuggle, I would pull the plug on him in 14 – 20 days.
Man I can’t stand Cub fans! No offense of course!
You people need to relax on Pie. How many other people looked good on the Cubs yesterday? 1! But hey, lets blame the guy with the least experience.
In my arguments on this topic with a buddy of mine, look at Ryne Sandbergs first 200 plate appearances. He had about a 280 OBP and was the same age as Pie. And in Ryno’s first 2 year, over 1200 at bats, he was TERRIBLE.
Look at Mike Schmidt’s first year with 376 at bats. He hit .196. I’m sure the Phils are glad they didn’t give up on him like y’all are giving up on Pie. (Can’t believe I just said Y’all).
Look at Sammy Sosa’s age 22 season. 316 at bats, 203/240/335.
For every Ryan Braun, there are 50 of these guys that take a year or two to get acclimated. Pie might suck, he might end up great. But just like these 3 past example, you have to stick with him for more than 180 freakin at bats people.
As for Marmol, you guys need to open your eyes and realize that the 9th inning isn’t MORE important than the 6th, 7th, or 8th. Would you rather our best reliever coming in in the 7th with 2 men on being up by 2 with 1 out, or would you rather Wood come into that situation and save Marmol for the 9th in which me may or may not have the lead?
would you rather Marmol throw 80-90 innings as a set up guy or would you rather him throw 50-60 as a closer? and who would you rather throw more innings, Marmol or Wood?
Bottom line is RELAX.
Jose: “I would pull the plug on him in 14 – 20 days.”
wow. i’m wondering how many HOF careers you would’ve missed if you gave up on a 23 year old with less than 250 career at bats.
And yet again, no one seems to understand that defense, IN CENTER FIELD!!!!!!! at that, might be kind of huge component to a successful club. This isn’t that complicated. He’s the #8 hitter, a lot of professional scouts think he has a very good chance of being a good hitter, and he’s got a very good glove in center. Remember, the Cubs certainly wouldn’t have made the playoffs last year if the Brewers didn’t have a converted infielder as a first time CF and an absolute butcher at third base. But never mind that, please fixate on the offensive output of the extremely young, #8 hitter. That’s right.
If the Cubs fortunes rise and fall this year based on whether or Pie becomes a major offensive threat this year that means that Soriano, D. Lee, ARam, and Fukedome have let us down and the season is a lost cause anyway.
My problem with Pie is really a personal viewpoint. I can’t stand watching him bat, his mechanics are horrible. And I am not basing this judgement on yesterday alone, this goes back to last year too.
Props to Jerious…..I think he just said it all in his last post! He is right on every point, especially the last.
Boomer- while your words are wise, we just can’t help ourselves. We react because we care too much. And Pie does not help his cause by appearing so timid. Pray tell which team you support in such a laid-back manner? (not being a smart-a$$- just curious).
I have loved Vin Scully for over 30 years. The consummate professional.
Too early to panic.
Pie got on in the late innings. More than Soriano or Theriot could do.
Cub-girl, I am a cub fan of course! I just can’t stand the over-reactive nature of my fellow fan! and it drives me nuts!
Boomer:
No one is throwing Pie under the bus; we just want him to perform. He does not have an endless chance to finally prove to us that he is a legitimate major leaguer. I for sure do not want to wait 2 years for him to develop into a hitter. I respectfully disagree with your point about HOF’er. We all can list about 10 players who started slow and wound up in the HOF. We can also list about 100 players who had all the potential in the world and did not live up to it. I am not a gambling man. We have a good team. Not a great team. We can not afford a hole in our lineup. He looks lost up there. Or at best is so aggressive he swings at everything. Either way it is not a good thing.
I have to confess to one point. We have a blue collar worker in Murton who has done everything we have asked of him. But he gets sent to the minors. Then we have a so called blue chip player who has yet to deliver on any promise and he gets handed a major league spot. Does not seem fair and I wonder what message it sends. What do we do when Murton begins to tear up the minor league and Pie continues to struggle? Do we keep Murton down there and hope that someday Pie figures it out? I hope not.
To add, I think all these people saying Pie needs to be replaced are basing it off the results of Corey Patterson. Let me ask you, that if Corey were a perennial all star right now, would you (no one in particular, just folks that think Pie needs to be replaced) still be so down on Pie? I’m guessing you’d cut him more slack.
So your thoughts on Pie are being influenced by a past failure. Which I don’t agree with. You have to let the past go because no matter how similar the situation is, Pie is NOT Corey.
Time will tell but I pray you are right.
Persoanlly, I don’t know why we ever let Lofton leave. Talk about your proven CF’er.
“I have to confess to one point. We have a blue collar worker in Murton who has done everything we have asked of him. But he gets sent to the minors. Then we have a so called blue chip player who has yet to deliver on any promise and he gets handed a major league spot. Does not seem fair and I wonder what message it sends. What do we do when Murton begins to tear up the minor league and Pie continues to struggle?”
Hmmm, maybe it has something to do with their respective abilities to play defense. Wait a second, maybe it has something to do with the fact that Pie provides excellent defense at a premium defensive position. Naw, that’s crazy talk.
Besides, I’d hate to suggest to prospects that defensive ability is valued by the Major League club.
Jerious:
You point is not valid. If Pie struggles, you can move Fdome to CF and put Murton in RF. We would not lose much in defense and pick up a lot at the plate. Hmmm. Maybe my suggestion is just crazy talk. Hmmm. I would hate to suggest to prospects that both offense and defense are important and wins games. Wait that is probably more crazy talk. Again, no one is giving up on Pie, we just do not want to wait too long before we begin to see productive at bats. I think we all would be willing to be less critical if he did not look so lost at the plate.
Boomer:
You are completely right. I know I suffer from Patterson thoughts. All the potential and none of the production. I just have a sense of urgency for this season. I think we can have a really great season if we focus on fielding the best team.
#13, #15, #24 – “RELAX”? By how many games did the Cubs win the division last year? Or the Phillies? Or the Rockies? (remember the 1 game playoff?) 2, 1 and .5 . That’s how tight it is in the NL! What did Lou and Hendry say at the beginning of last season? How long is Lou’s contract? This is NOT a rebuilding program! With the size of our payroll, anything but a World Series appearance or victory is a failure! I suggest giving Pie a few more starts and if he continues to swing poorly at bad pitches, start Reed.
Matt Murton is a terrible outfielder, with a terrible arm. If you start him, he has to start in left field. That means you have to move Soriano to right. Unfortunately, he happens to be only barely adequate in left (remember, all the quotes in spring training about how they were ‘hopeful’ that Soriano would improve his defense this year). Now the RF defense is terrible. On top of that, you take Fukedome, a guy dealing with an immense amount of change already and stick him in CF, where he has to be the vocal leader of the outfield defense. So while Fukedome does project as an above average RF, he’s almost certainly be a below average CF, at least for a substantial period of time.
Right now the Cubbie defense in the outfield promises to be a team strength. You might recall the hopeful quotes out of spring training to that effect. You do what Jose proposes, you potentially add offense (unless Soriano and Fukedome let their defensive realignment effect their batting strokes… not unheard of you know), and you add 0.5 points to the staff’s ERA.
So you can assert, “We would not lose much in defense and pick up a lot at the plate”, if you want to… but please don’t ask me to pretend it makes even a little bit of sense.
Adam: if you think Reed Johnson is the difference in the Cubs making the World Series or not, well then I must say, I want what you’re smoking!
Since when is it a big deal that your #8 hitter is a bad hitter? If the offense falters, its not because our #8 hitter couldn’t get an OBP above .300. it will be because of the 1-6 guys not doing what they are supposed to do.
#30 – When did I ever say starting Reed would get us to the WS? Never. So please, don’t put words in my mouth. What I am saying is that EVERY little bit counts! Reed is a veteran and before his back injury, he hit .319 with a .390 OBP in 2006! Reed is a hustler and a proven performer whereas Pie is a deer in the headlights at the plate. And if Pie can’t get on base with the pitcher behind him, what hope does he have? Also, I wouldn’t minimize the importance of any slot in baseball.
Glad that Adam and Jose were not my HS baseball coach. I would have never seen the field, let alone started, being that I was an excellent defensive catcher and a little sub-par at the plate!
For all you Pie faithful, let’s see where he’s at on 5-1 and leave it at that
Next topic.
FUKU Brewers!!!
Joe, where are you at on this one, you always seem to be pretty level headed about this kind of debate.
FUKU = ICHIRO/MATSUI HYBRID
I am more than happy to let Lou decide whats best for the team in this respect. I’m pretty sure has actually thinks defense when settling on a coarse of action so either way, I’ll wager if Pie does falter the back up plan won’t involve big red
I’m a Pie backer. I think he’s young. He’s shown all he can at the AAA level. He’s got to be given a good look in CF, which means a good half of a season or so. Some guys are just slow starters. To write a guy off this early would be insane.
Remember that in 2001, Zambrano came up and was terrible in 6 games.
Barry Bonds hit .223 in his rookie year that included 413 At bats.
Patience is the key.
Thats crazy talk Joe… Lay off the sauce before you post.
Brian:
I like your post. FYI, if I was your HS coach, you would have played in the games. There is a big difference between HS and MLB. In HS I would want players with fundamentals, potential, and desire. In the MLB I would add results.
Joe:
I would normally agree. But both the Zambrano and Bonds examples are not good ones because both repsective teams were not in a position to win that year. Thay had low expectations. We are in a different position. If all the Cubs perform, we have a chance to win.
This was a good topic. I can not remember the last time we had 38 posts. I will bring closure to this on my end. If Pie begins to deliver at the plate after 30 days, I will eat crow and post that Jerious, Joe, and Boomer were right. Here is my standard, he needs to bat at least 250, with less than 20 strikeouts, more than 10 walks, and at least one game winning hit.
Just so you know, I’m not predicting anything. What I think is salient here is the notion that defense really, really matters. And if you want to be in a position to win this year, you better have good defense up the middle. This is not a controversial stance here people, I’m not breaking new ground.
Jerious Norwood
A agree with most everything you said, but you may get a little further without treating people like they’re stupid, using sarcasm, or patronizing people. I agree with your substance, but not your style.
I don’t think Jerious intended it that way…..I think he was just using a bit of comedic sarcasm, at least that is the way I took it.
Jose is right, this has been a good topic, with over 40 posts now….hopefully we can get everyone to respond like this all season long!
Oh, and thanks for the comment, Joe. I figured you would chime in sooner or later, but I was really wondering what your opinion was. I agree with what you said. Good to know great minds think alike. Ha!
AnnoCatuli08, I believe almost everything you said has been told to me by every one of my friends/ significant others for most of my adult life… so basically, point well taken.
But I also believe that Brian’s point is also true. I’m not trying to denigrate or diminish anyone with my comments, but I’m trying to make a point without being vulgar or flagrantly inappropriate. Ultimately though, I think that the comments to which I am responding are full of condescending language, and that I’m just trying to expose them as the pretentious statements that they are.
I mean, just because I seam to be putting in a more clever way, doesn’t mean that what I have to say is wrong.
Hey Brian, I’m sure Jerious can speak for himself and your inane, butt-kissing comments (e.g. “Props to Jerious…..I think he just said it all in his last post! He is right on every point, especially the last.”) are “clogging up” this forum.
Hey Adam_, not butt kissing, just agreeing with someone who had posted what I was thinking too…….
Adam__ Says:
March 31st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
…oh, and forget about Pie, he just doesn’t have it offensively
Adam__ Says:
April 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I suggest giving Pie a few more starts and if he continues to swing poorly at bad pitches, start Reed.
Adam__ Says:
March 31st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
PIESUCKSPIESUCKS…blah,blah,blah,blah,etc. (The post that is no longer up)
I don’t know, maybe its just me, but I guess I just don’t understand “fans” who want to give up on a 23 year old CF’er in the first week of the season.
haha, point taken Jerious ~ and you are definitely not wrong on any of your posts so far!
Hey Adam_: Just cause Brian has sense of refinement and taste that you so clearly lack, doesn’t mean you need to lash out in such a puerile way.
“Refinement”?, “taste”?, “puerile”?…LoL! Too funny!
I’m with you AnnaCatuli08– Jerious, you’re just a silly and pretentious dork!
That’s not controversial either… just don’t forget to include better looking, smarter…. oh and a person that knows more about baseball than you.
By the way, I’m glad see the invective flowing, and after only one game. Should be a fun season, Cub fans!
Adam_,
Taking a look at our site’s 10 commandments, I would like to draw your attention to # 2
II. Thou Shall Not personally attack other commenters
Please take note.