Today I had a of things I needed to get done around the house. An online test to take (I passed, thank you very much), some painting, and final touches on a bathroom renovation, that took entirely too much time last weekend. I didn’t figure to get any time to watch the game, especially since I had pissed away yesterday drinking, and eating, and drinking some more. The gods were with me, and I managed to finish up my honey do’s in short order, and watch the game. Sort of. I napped through some of it.
After Friday and Saturday’s win, I really just hoped the Cubs would sweep, and go into the break on a winning note. At least, that’s what I thought would be nice especially after the meltdown from Saturday, ahem Carlos. It’d still be a series win, which is all you can ask for, but I like to see teams hit the break on a winning note.
Alas, it was not to be today. Dempster did not have his “A” stuff and really struggled with his command. I got the distinct feeling that he was thinking too much about getting to 11 and 0 at Wrigley. It’s a part of the mental game that gets taken for granted too much. As I’ve said before, the grey matter can really mess you up, in the long term and from game to game. Ahem, Carlos. The short rally in the bottom of the ninth was not menat to be. I really thought the best chance they had to make the game interesting was after Edmond’s double, and then in the eighth, when A-Ram hit that weak grounder to Castillo for the DP.
I kind of had the feeling the whole team was already mentally in the break. Oh well, it happens. As long as they get back to business when they get back.
- Carlos Marmol was named to the All Star game today in place of Kerry Wood. I really hope Clint Hurdle keeps him out of the game. That arm needs serious rest. Lou if you’re reading this (yeah, right) please tell Hurdle to keep Carlos on the bench.
- Did anyone else notice Edmonds drop a four letter word after his double? I did. He knew he missed a homer. That would of changed a 3-1 game to 3-2. Had he gone yard, I think the Cubs would of won.
- Just a mini-rant. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get to VFTB from work the past couple of days. I mean seriously, how am I supposed to kill time? I guess, take it as an FYI, if I’m not posting, I’m not ignoring anyone. I can’t get here. Grrrrr.
- Would anyone be interested in a series of articles/posts pertaining to items like how a balls spin, fade, hook, when they’re hit? Defensive positioning? Does anyone have a question that no one on TV ever seems to answer?
Matt, Thanks again for all your VFTB work. The tasks of work around the house as well as wisely utilizing downtime from our regular work is daunting.
I for one would love to see a few things. The first and the simpliest are the ground rules at Wrigley (baskets, lines) and such. Second a more detail analysis of the Cubs defense would be interesting beyond fielding percentages.
I wouldn’t mind a discussion of pitch evaluation. I have never been able to tell if a pitch was a curve or a slider or even a fastball. Or if I can tell, the announcer doesn’t agree…Often the announcer and I disagree about where the pitch was (high and outside versus low and inside?????? Is this just me???).
It does not help that I rarely see a game on TV. Almost always I am listening to Pat and Ron. Sometimes I have ESPN’s gamecast up while listening to Pat and Ron. Often Pat’s or Ron’s description of where the pitch was does not agree at all with where ESPN’s gamecast shows the pitch to have been.
I see two different possibilities. One, I’m an idiot and I will never grasp the subject (and this might be true). Two, the subject is a lot more subjective than one would think and the fact is not too many people grasp it so I’ll never figure it out listening to announcers while seeing the crappy camera angles.
Or maybe there’s a third…?
Well we can uncross o0ur fingers and toes, take a deep breathe for four days, and see what the “BASEBALL GODS” have in store for us the second half. Our starters should be well rested there fore they should be able to give us MORE innings. It is ridiculous to have so few complete game going into the second half. I guess ball players now days are just wimps all over. Curses, hexes, and THE DL be damned, GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the input guys! Maybe I’ll start a baseball for dummies type of segment for the off season, or get one of the pitchers on my team to illustrate pitch grips.
I’m still unable to get to VFTB from work. It’s killing me!
Something like that with pitch grips would be awesome. Something like that and maybe why those grips make the ball act the way it does would be great.