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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

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Last updated 4-18-2024
 
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PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




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Game 16 Thread / Cardinals @ Cubs (1 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on
Game Chat (You can now register your username here and yes you have to do it again...last time...promise) Braden Looper vs. Ted Lilly Lineups:
Eckstein SS Theriot 2B
Duncan LF Floyd LF
Pujols 1B Lee 1B
Rolen 3B Ramirez 3B
Edmonds CF Derosa RF
Wilson RF Jones CF
Molina C Blanco C
Kennedy 2B Izturis SS
Looper P Lilly P
Lou's getting whackier by the day with his lineups, not that it's an entirely bad one, but Floyd in the #2 spot is a bit odd.

Comments

Submitted by CT Steve on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:42 am

I think we've found the answer to what happens to Pie when Soriano comes back.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:56 am

Ok, this lineup bugs me. The reason is this. Lilly is a flyball pitcher. Putting Jones in center with Lilly on the mound is really dumb. And having Izturis play at shortstop in this situation takes no advantage of his strength (his glove) in this situation. Since Pie's defense is more important than Izturis here, why not just slot Pie into Izturis' spot in the lineup and go with something like this: Theriot-2b Floyd-LF Lee-1B Ramirez-3B DeRosa-SS Jones-RF Blanco-C Pie-CF BTW, I really don't care that much about the order of the batting order, although I prefer the high OBP players at the top and I have no problem with the lineup as this is set up as long as they fix the obvious defensive problems.

Submitted by Archie on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:56 am

Wierd. Starting Barrett last night when Blanco has hit Redman so well and then starting Blanco tonight when Barrett absolutely owns Looper. Last night worked out well. Maybe today will too.

Submitted by cubster on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:57 am

Floyd is watching the replay of his last 2006 at bat against the cardinals...he plans on doing better today.

Submitted by dave on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:00 am

Putting Jones in center with Lilly on the mound is really dumb. Why? Jones has always had very good range in the outfield. His problem is not getting to balls, his problem is his arm.

Submitted by Wes on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:03 am

I think you need to rexamine the career games by postion of both DeRosa and Theriot, Sayers40. Pay particularly close attention to Theriot's minor league career. I'm not that upset about Floyd close to the top. Hell, he's hitting, which is more than we can say for a lot of guys.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 am

Barrett and Hill seem to click on the defensive end, probably the reasoning. I guess it's just the day after night game that gets Blanco the start tonight. I'm not upset by Floyd batting second, just unexpected.

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 am

Hendry handed Lou a bunch of ill-fitting parts that's supposed to win at home with the long ball. No long ball, no Soriano, so no lineup he trots out surprises me..

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:14 am

GO CUBS!

Submitted by Bryan on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:15 am

Ron asked Lou about the lineup on WGN pregame. Lou justified the lineup by pointing out that Floyd, Izturis, Blanco, and Jones did not play last night, Theriot has only had limited playing time, and that Ramirez had several days off due to his wrist. Therefore, Lee is the only player in today's lineup who has been out there everyday and who may not be as well rested as the other players.

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:18 am

Cards 5-3 on the road so far, Cubs 2-5 at home Have you noticed that 10/16 NL teams have zero home advantage so far this season? And only three teams are playing better at home than on the road.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:26 am

I think you need to rexamine the career games by postion of both DeRosa and Theriot, Sayers40. Pay particularly close attention to Theriot’s minor league career. First of all, I'm just interested in seeing an offensive/defensive platoon with Izturis. I think he has a decent glove, best on the team at that position but the Cubs can spot him in a way to use his strengths. You might be surprised to hear this, based on the condescension in the tone of your post, but I do know that Theriot was a shortstop in the minors and have watched 80% of Cub games this year (and have been a rabid baseball fan for some 30+ years). Having said that, there are two reasons why I choose DeRosa over Theriot: 1) I see Theriot as a starter. As such, I'd like to see him anchored down at one position. Under my scenario, Izturis plays a lot, so either Theriot shuffles back and forth between second and short or we just leave him at short. 2) Despite what you said previously, DeRosa has played shortstop. Would he be Ozzie Smith out there? Obviously not, but I think he would be at least as good, if not somewhat better than Theriot at the postion. DeRosa's arm is stronger and while Theriot probably has more range, DeRosa is ok in that arena. Think Julio Lugo. So given the makeup of the Cubs, I think using DeRosa in role would be somewhat preferable. If Piniella were to use a variation of this arrangement with Theriot, I wouldn't complain too much but it's just not the way I'd go.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:36 am

Putting Jones in center with Lilly on the mound is really dumb. Why? Jones has always had very good range in the outfield. His problem is not getting to balls, his problem is his arm. Obviously Pie is a better defensive CF than Jones. Not even sure why I have to state something that almost everyone knows

Submitted by Wes on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:38 am

I am aware that DeRosa has played there. But are you aware that Theriot has played there considerably more?

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:44 am

I am aware that DeRosa has played there. But are you aware that Theriot has played there considerably more? Did you actually read what I wrote? I happen to think DeRosa might be a better glove but that is only part of the reason why I choose him over Theriot for the role. Like I said though, If Piniella wants to go with a weird Theriot/DeRosa/Izturis/Jones platoon arrangement at three positions, well, than whatever, but I think that's a little much.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:05 pm

Re Theriot at shorstop. Here are his minor league fielding numbers: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/T/ryan-theriot.shtml He has played 190 games at short in the minors (+ 2 in the majors last year). DeRosa has played 136 major league games at the position. I think the difference is negligible. And anyway, that's not even my most important point. That point is that Izturis needs to sit more. Playing DeRosa makes more sense but I like the idea of either of them participating in this type of arrangement.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 pm

Poor baserunning by DeRosa there not even tagging 1B. Killed the rally… Release him. Fire Hendry.

Submitted by Horatio on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:12 pm

Sayers, Izturis has no strength. He is a horrible baseball player. Just because he is an average to slightly above average fielder doesn't mean he has any business being in a major league line-up.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:18 pm

>>> Izturis has no strength. He is a horrible baseball player. Just because he is an average to slightly above average fielder doesn’t mean he has any business being in a major league line-up.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:21 pm

Don't be absurd. Izturis has won a gold glove and is clearly the best defensive shortstop on our team. By a mile. Let's get real here. As long as he hits .230 and is spotted correctly, the Cubs can get 300 or so at bats out of him and let him gobble up ground balls when someone like Marquis is on the hill. Just because the guy can't hit very well doesn't make him completely useless.

Submitted by vorare on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:22 pm

"Just because he is an average to slightly above average fielder..." I'm not an Izturis fan, but that's an absurdly stupid comment. There's nothing "average" about his defense.

Submitted by Rynox on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:00 pm

...for those of you who doubt the importance of getting on base with a BB. :-p

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:03 pm

…for those of you who doubt the importance of getting on base with a BB. :-p Not sure who (or whom) you were talking about but it's important to get on base. Period. By a walk or otherwise.

Submitted by no on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:10 pm

*I’m not an Izturis fan, but that’s an absurdly stupid comment. There’s nothing “average” about his defense. * What's odd is that the few times I've seen Izturis play, it looks like he nearly double-clutches on every single throw he makes.

Submitted by Tito on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:12 pm

So how bad was Blanco's bunt? I might've just had Barrett pinch hit there, though I guess it wasn't an unsound decision.

Submitted by Wild Thing on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:12 pm

AHHH! This lineup is so freaking brutal, especially with Blanco and Izturis. 1st & 2nd with nobody out... and neither player moves the runners. Horseshit.

Submitted by Rynox on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:19 pm

Wow, both Eckstien's & Wuertz's pics on the Yahoo! scoreboard page look freaking ridiculous. Take those bastards to Glamour Shots.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:24 pm

how do the redbirds do it? a journeyman middle reliever/emergency closer/emergency starter...

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:36 pm

Isn't the question more like, "how do the cubs do it? ....a journeyman middle reliever/emergency closer/emergency starter…"

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:40 pm

Isn’t the question more like, “how do the cubs do it? ….a journeyman middle reliever/emergency closer/emergency starter…” Give Duncan and Looper some credit. The Cubs don't look like world beaters at the plate right now but Looper's pitched well all year.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:48 pm

Seems to me that’s what they were doing, giving them credit. Was responding to the post that blamed the Cubs and not Looper for his performance.

Submitted by Vegas Brian on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:58 pm

Cedeno came off the bag after touching it? You've got to be kidding...

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:00 pm

What a bonehead play. And the umps got it right. I wonder if this will get Cedeno sent down.

Submitted by eli18 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:02 pm

elite teams don't have that happen to them...then again, guys like Ronny Cedeno don't play for elite teams.

Submitted by David Phillips on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:04 pm

Cubs are brutal, this is awful. How do you overslide the damn bag on a walk.

Submitted by Chris on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 pm

Another fine pitching performance by a starter not named Zambrano and there's nothing to show for it but another "L".

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 pm

I get the feeling that umpires just assume the Cubs are a bunch of losers and are there to help them raise the L pennant. Way too many strange calls this year....

Submitted by Tito on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:07 pm

So what, he was running on the pitch, it was ball four and he overslid the bag and was called out? Wow.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:08 pm

so does that get filed with barret's blunder in philly, latroy's throwing a ball off the helmet, Neifi's 2-error play allowing a run to score from second on a sac fly?

Submitted by Vegas Brian on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:09 pm

Can someone explain what happened to cedeno? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- See post 50. That pretty much sums it up. I don't even know what to say.....

Submitted by Vegas Brian on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:10 pm

so does that get filed with barret’s blunder in philly, latroy’s throwing a ball off the helmet, Neifi’s 2-error play allowing a run to score from second on a sac fly? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top of the list. Really? Has anyone EVER seen ANYTHING like this happen? Not even in Little League...

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:11 pm

yeah, ball was inside but it certainly wasn't clear that is was called ball four. Molina threw down to try and get Cedeno who thought it might have been called a strike and overslid the bag. ridculous play on many different levels...

Submitted by Mike on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:11 pm

No, Really, It can't be. Are you kidding me? And I took time away from my job to watch the 9th inning on MLB.TV? Cedeno did not look back to see what happened with the pitch? Yikes

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:12 pm

bobby dernier just added another item to his list of things to go over while he's in town... #97 - which bases runners are allowed to overrun don't think i've ever seen somebody get thrown out stealing on ball four before...

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:12 pm

He did, JJ was still standing at home plate and umps did nothing to make it obvious that it was ball four. Umps should have some clear hand signal that a walk has been issued.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:13 pm

I know that theoretically, losing these close teams just means the Cubs are unlucky right now and will start winning but jeez. This one sucked way more than losing 7-1 or something. Still, Lilly pitched real, real well save for the one mistake to Wilson. I don't know, I mean, it still seems like this team is better than last year's model but we're 6-10. Now it's Marquis and Miller the next two games. This could get ugly.

Submitted by cubsterInLa on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:14 pm

Bad luck for the Cubs...that base running by Cedano was painful....why bring Murton in when you really need a hit -- I like Murton but he seems to get a lot of pop ups and isn't locked in like he has been in the past...I think Daryle Ward is a better clutch hitter when your down to your last out and you need to make something happen.

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:15 pm

HERE's THE RULE Rule 7.08(e) Comment: PLAY. Runner on first and three balls on batter: Runner steals on the next pitch, which is fourth ball, but after having touched second he overslides or overruns that base. Catcher’s throw catches him before he can return. Ruling is that runner is out. (Force out is removed

Submitted by Chris on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:16 pm

Bob said, "The main point here is STAY ON THE BAG". It's like Moises Alou just took control of Cedeno and willed his foot off of the bag.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:16 pm

and let me add, that's complete and utter B.S.... home plate did nothing to indicate it was ball four, JJ wasn't even sure it was a walk as he stood there, Molina didn't know so he threw it down, eck didn't know it was a walk, second base ump sure did nothing to indicate that ball 4 was called. Right call by the umps, but they really need to standardize how ball 4 is called. Cedeno would have let up otherwise.

Submitted by Chris on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:17 pm

I think Daryle Ward is a better clutch hitter when your down to your last out and you need to make something happen. _________________________ Pretty sure Ward was used earlier.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:20 pm

question: did cedeno ever touch the bag on his way by? if not, he never "arrived" there and could not, therefore, have "stepped off" the bag to be tagged out...whatever - just another day in the life of a cub fan

Submitted by BIllyBucks on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:21 pm

Cedeno somehow saved his bacon in spring training, after Hendry had written him off. If they have a SS in the minors who can either hit OR field (or, has a brain), Ronny may be gone soon. Great call by Eckstein, who explained the play to the umps. If the roles were reversed, do you think the Cubs would know enough to tell the umps the runner should out? No freakin' way. So now, we have 2 shortstops who are a joke at the plate (Izzy is laughably bad), below average in the field (Izzy is living off his play from 2-3 years ago -- he has not been good since he has been a Cub) and idiotic on the basepaths. Triple Crown!

Submitted by aaronb on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:21 pm

This is in no way a knee-jerk reaction statement. Mark my words. Ronny Cedeno WILL be optioned down to Des Moines BEFORE tommorrows game. My best guess for a replacement is either Mike Fontenot or Rock Cherry being who takes the 25th roster spot,with Eric Patterson being an outside candidate.

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:21 pm

The trouble with the Cubs so far this year, is the same as last year and the year before --- great performances like Lilly's today don't seem to turn the team on. Nobody else is influenced in a positive way. Quite the opposite when things start going wrong though.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:23 pm

right call, more upset about lack of procedure that got us there. Games should not be decided because it's unclear whether a ball or strike was called.

Submitted by ARM on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:24 pm

This seems like deja vu all over again. A Cubs team that cannot score runs! Imagine that! All indications this year are that we have a much improved starting rotation. However, it apparently does not matter because, once again, same old story, we cannot score runs. The only reason we won last night was that Rich Hill tossed a game worthy of a Cy Young award winner. Well, for that matter, Lilly apparently did that today, too. I like the headline over at cubs.com - - one mistake proves costly for Lilly. He better get used to that headline, I am afraid. Or was his mistake signing with a team that won't score runs? You know, it would be nice if, say, maybe once a month, the Cubs could actually come back in the eigth or ninth inning and score a couple of runs to come back from a one-run deficit. Is that too much to ask. The faces have changed but this is the same old Cubs team that we have all gotten too used to over the years.

Submitted by Vegas Brian on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:24 pm

I'm was listening to the game, but he apparently slide head-first and went over the bag.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:25 pm

time to head down to the old ballpark for the finale of the I-Cubs first homestand of the year - by the way, guzman slated to start for them tomorrow night in Nashville...

Submitted by aaronb on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:29 pm

I will say that I absolutely Love the accountability of Lou Piniellla. In his press conference he just said that its up to him and his coaching staff to correct mistakes. Would we have ever heard that at any point over the last 4 years? I say no.

Submitted by EricW on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:29 pm

"The Cubs invent ways to lose." That's why it's not Cubs Baseball but Cubs Theater. It a tragedy that you can't stand to not watch. It's not boring but interesting, sad, and painful. I guarantee every pissed off Cub fan will be right back at the new Shakespeare's Globe theater, Wrigley Field, tomorrow for the next Act of CUBS THEATER.

Submitted by Chris on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:34 pm

"The faces have changed but this is the same old Cubs team that we have all gotten too used to over the years." So true.

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:34 pm

Rob, not sure about "Molina didn't know" and "eck didn't know." Molina is a pickoff artist. He throws to bases all the time. That's what he does. And Eckstein has tagged a lot of guys after they touched the base. They decoyed him into sliding and they picked him off. The Cards have a strong defensive component to their game, especially up the middle. This can be important late in games.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:35 pm

2-6 @ home including 4 giveaway one-run losses to 3 different teams and it's already raining in the bleachers

Submitted by Chris on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:36 pm

"The Cards have a strong defensive component to their game". When was the last time it could be said that the Cubs have a strong defensive component to their game? Thinking....

Submitted by Sayers40 on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:39 pm

Cedeno should now be no more than 5th or 6th Cubs' depth chart at SS behind Izturis, DeRosa,Theriot, the SS at AAA and the SS at AA (who are they anyway?) I wonder if Cedeno will even be in the organization by the end of the year. Wow!

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:39 pm

I just thought of a way to describe the difference between the Cards and Cubs in less than 15 words: Barrett couldn't catch for the Cardinals and Molina couldn't catch for the Cubs.

Submitted by Vince on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:40 pm

"Games should not be decided because it’s unclear whether a ball or strike was called." It wasn't Rob. It was decided by the Cubs only scoring 1 run off Braden F. Looper. Regardless, If its a strike Cedeno is still out, it doesn't matter how unclear the home plate umpire is. If its strike 3, Cedeno is still out. My hatred for all things Ronny Cedeno multiplied today. Get him off the roster

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:40 pm

They decoyed him into sliding and they picked him off. Don't buy it, Molina gunned it down as soon as he got the pitch. When you're unsure of a call, you play through it in case it was a strike, same as Cedeno was doing. Cedeno unfortunately overslid the bag. It wasn't some clever ruse by Eck/Molina, they were just doing what you're supposed to do when you're not sure of the call.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:42 pm

Regardless, If its a strike Cedeno is still out, it doesn’t matter how unclear the home plate umpire is. If its strike 3, Cedeno is still out. My hatred for all things Ronny Cedeno multiplied today. Get him off the roster If the umps were clear that a walk was issued, Cedeno trots into second base. but yeah, one run off Looper is just gross...

Submitted by Joey from Iowa on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:59 pm

It's not the umpires procedures or lack thereof that should be blamed for Cedeno over sliding 2B.....there are two base coaches who should KNOW TO BE SCREAMING THEIR RESPECTIVE ASSES OFF TO STAY UP-----NOT SLIDE----BALL FOUR!!!! Blame the base coaches if you have blame anyone. Joey

Submitted by Tito on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:00 pm

Me personally, I blame Cedeno for oversliding second, not the coaches or anyone else. Like Brenly apparently said, the objective is to stay on the bag.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:03 pm

I blame Cedeno and only Cedeno. Everything else just underlies the fact that Cedeno did not stay on the base.

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:03 pm

Was there today. God I hate Cardinal fans. My "60 Day" eval period is starting to get hacked away at. Lilly was wonderful except for ONE mistake. It is truly unfair to have these starters thinking that they have to throw a shutout evry outing. Today's AB by fucking Hank White was worse than the three strike-out AB by JJ last week imo. Just totally inept at moving the runners into scoring position. Also, what threw us for a loop waas that for some reason, Quade held DeRosa at send base on a slow rolling ball to RF with a slow OF, Preston Wilson. After the inning, DeRosa and Quade had a pretty heated discussion about this. I have no idea why he did this. What I do have an idea about, is the same little stupid bad baseball decisions that were made by our team are still being made. As a team. I have a feeling that we will be seeing best-in-the-NL performances from A-Ram, Hill, and Lee, yet the myriad of stupid play and lack of performance in key situations will not have us sniffing the playoffs at all. Honestly, right now, I have a feeling that NEXT year might really be the year because Lou will be able to rid himself of the "talent" that is keeping the team back. After the game, Lou stated that its up to he and the coaching staff to help the guys put it together (fucked up play). Lou sounded discouraged and was not pleased with Cedeno. CHAD: your Izturis totally, unquestionally, without a doubt, unfailingly, certainly, SUCKS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOTH he and Cedeno are not worth a hill 'o beans! What a PILE OF CRAP. GOLD GLOVE??!! RIGHT! Take a called-third strike in a key AB right after Hank White stinks the joint up! OY! BTW, I don't know if TV showed this, but Cliff Floyd really tagged his first out to right, but the wind really held it in. Would have been 2-0 Cubs in the 1st.

Submitted by mattofamerica on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 pm

Right - ball 4 or not, Cedeno overslid the bag, which is a no-no. the fact that is WAS ball 4 just makes it hurt more. But really, even if he's safe, Murton pops out for out #2, and Izturis is up next. I still don't see us winning the game.

Submitted by Joey from Iowa on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:06 pm

Tito--it's Cedeno's poor sliding execution that caused him to over slide the bag.....but baserunners are taught to focus on the bag and listen to or see the base coaches. It's clear that: 1. he didn't hear them, or 2. They didn't yell. Fault is everywhere. Blow the team up and start over again. I'm kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scoring more than one run per game would help a helluva bunch...and I find a w3ay to get DeRosa on the field every fricking at bat he can get....and in the field. Joey

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:11 pm

fair enough Joey, blame the coaches as well. But there really should be some obvious and universal sign that a walk has been issued. I would think this was just as ridiculous if I saw it on Sportscenter and it happened to another team.

Submitted by Joey from Iowa on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:20 pm

Rob.....I umpire high school and college baseball...and while there is no protocol for a hand signal mechanic, there is a verbal call of BALL FOUR that IS SUPPOSED to take place by the home plate ump. Still...bottom line is you NEVER over-slide a f**king bag...ever. That's Little League crap. I'm just saying there is blame to share. Joey

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:24 pm

in a packed stadium how the hell is the guy running to second suppose to hear the verbal call though? that's all I'm saying...

Submitted by Vegas Brian on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:31 pm

Rob, I don't necessarily agree that this is the umps fault for how this game ended, but I will say that this is another instance (along with the Sox/Angels playoff game) where the umps ambiguous call (or lack of) has determined the outcome of a baseball game---maybe this indicates something should be done. On the flip side, umps usually aren't vocal on balls anymore, and there was no distinct hand motion or yelling of "strike 3" by the ump. I still put this on Cedeno for oversliding the bag regardless of the situation.

Submitted by Joey from Iowa on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:31 pm

Rob G......you have a good point, but honestly....even though I have never played or umped in a stadium that was 39,000 strong, I HAVE in a stadium of 10-15,000.....it is suprisingly easy to hear on the field even with all the noise. Also......from a pure rules perspective....a walk is not a dead ball situation....so there is no reason to come up with a physical mechanic-signal. The verbal call is considered enough. As well, we're right back to Cedeno and coaches being at fault, they simply should know the count and the situation. Gotta run.....the daughter has a high school soccer game.....I KNOW....the scourge (sp) of sporting society...I go and pout and consider it a waste of a kid's time. She should be practicing softball, dammit. OOOH YEAHH....SHE DOESN'T PLAY SOFTBALL...I HATE SOCCER. Joey

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:39 pm

of course I'm not really angry at these umps in general, more of the overall lack of procedure installed that lets it happen. and that AJ/Angels call was just as much B.S.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 04/20/2007 - 04:08 pm

The best part of the game? Preston Wilson stands at home to watch his home run. 'Hi, Preston? You realize you got released last year and you haven't hit a home run in, I don't know, 170 days? Go ahead and run it out, you scrub' Bean him tomorrow.

Recent comments

  • Raisin101 (view)

    Hi Arizona Phil!

    Exciting to see Naz Mule in box scores a few times. What's his stuff like now after the TJS?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Mastrobuoni can't come back, yet

    Wisdom does have an option left. He can hide in Iowa if Jed DFA's someone else

    Does Brennan Davis get shown the door? I know it's too early for that, but these injuries are crunching the roster of a 12-7 team playoff demands and BDavis isn't going to help anytime soon.

    Someone has to go to add Peralta. And Canario isn't going to get to play everyday regardless of RHers or LHers. Neither is Tauchman. Also don't see PCA getting a chance over Peralta.

    If Jed does those moves:

    4 OF: Belli, Peralta, Canny, Tauch

    2 C: Gomes and Amaya

    2 DH: Cooper and Mervis

    5 INF: Busch, Nico, Dansby, Morel, Madrigal

    Little short on OF depth but two injuries will do that  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I have had the pleasure of watching some of the young A's pitchers lately (first Joe Boyle the last day of Minor League Spring Training in March, and more recently Luis Morales last week and Steven Echavarria yesterday at Extended Spring Training), and it reminds me of the Miami Marlins a couple of years ago. A really nice collection of young pitchers. It will be interesting to see what the A's will get for two years of ex-Cub Paul Blackburn at the Trade Deadline (there should be a robust market for Blackburn). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Good deal

    MB needs some talent infusion!

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Very possible. Suriel, too. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: if a pitcher is recalled to be the 27th man for a doubleheader and then is optioned back to the minors the next day, the 15-day "clock" does NOT reset. The one day call-up for the doubleheader is treated like it never happened with respect to a pitcher having to spend at least 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Probably the only reason David Peralta is still in the organization (he is at AAA Iowa) is to be available in case anything bad were to happen to Ian Happ (which it just did). So if Happ needs to go on the IL, the Cubs can select Peralta to play LF, DFA Wisdom (and hope he and what remains of his $2.725M salary gets claimed off waivers), and recall Mervis to platoon at DH with Cooper (with Canario / Tauchman sharing RF), at least until Suzuki and Happ are back...

     

  • crunch (view)

    i'd just like to take a moment to express to the world i'm still pissed willson contreras is not a cub when the pricetag was 5/87m (17.5m/yr).

    it would be nice to have a legacy-type player to stick around, especially one with his leadership and the respect he gets from his peers.  cubs fans deserved more than 1 season of contreras + morel...that was gold.

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

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