Alfonso Soriano and the Kaplan Conspiracy

LIfe is better when the Cubs win, but failure has a way of stoking a Cub fan's creativity, doesn't it? This dramatic reinterpretation of a call into David Kaplan's post-game "Tenth Inning" show is the work of WGN listener Edwardo, who was clearly inspired by Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers."

Tags: 
Cub fans
WGN
Alfonso Soriano
Submitted by Cubnut on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 2:18pm
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Comments

Submitted by Stevens
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 2:38pm

Wow. Kaplan isn't taking the canceling of Sports Central well.

No biggie. Kap wasn't very enjoyable after Tom Waddle left the show anyway. I do give him credit for airing a lot of Baseball Prospectus guys, though.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 2:48pm

I also give him credit for having a panel of Cub bloggers on with him this past spring on Sports Central, including Andy from desipio.com, who has ripped on Kaplan often, enthusiastically, and to great comic effect.

To be honest, I can't think of another Chicago sports radio guy I would rather listen to than Kaplan. Except maybe Les Grobstein, and Les is a different kind of sports radio guy. In fact, I think he is another species altogether.

Submitted by Stevens
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 2:53pm

"To be honest, I can't think of another Chicago sports radio guy I would rather listen to than Kaplan."

Tall midgets are still rather short.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 3:18pm

He should have gotten them on with Ruben Amaro. The Phillies just made a guy who has ranked 27th and 49th among offensive players over the last two years the NL's highest paid player. Chase Utley must be salivating.

Submitted by Stevens
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 3:39pm

Moly Holy, that's a big contract to a big man. What will Prince Fielder get in free agency now?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:00pm

A lot of green, that's for sure.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:35pm

Vegan joke!!

Submitted by tbone
on Tue, 04/27/2010 - 9:23am

Now there's something I never thought I would see: The word "inspired" in the same sentence as Comedy Central's Crank Yankers.

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 2:39pm

Long hair on Kaplan. :) haha

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:30pm

ss theriot, 2b baker, 1b lee, cf byrd, 3b ramirez, lf soriano, c soto, rf colvin, p silva

lefty going tonight in Lannan...

Submitted by Charlie
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:49pm

Maybe they're just trying to find playing time for Colvin? It doesn't seem like the best way to do it, but the Cubs have a surprising surplus of everyday outfielders right now.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:51pm

Seeing if he can hit lefties I guess.

Pretty small sample size.

Submitted by Jace
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:52pm

I just read somewhere that Lannan is AWFUL against lefties. Lefties are hitting over 500 against him, and righties are at about 250...
I wish I remembered where I read that... Obviously Lou didn't read it...
P.S. Here it is...
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 4:55pm

well if Lou read that, he'd play Fukudome, Colvin and Fontenot then today...

Submitted by Charlie
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:50pm

Wow. Just looked up his career splits:
in 1451 PAs by RHB: .257/.328/.384
in 463 PAs by LHB: .291/.357/.501

But the BABIPs are very different, .267 by RHB and .320 by LHB. How does that work when looking at pitchers? And the BB:K totals are more what you'd expect, 132:146 by RHB and 35:79 by LHBs, obviously LHB striking out much more frequently given the less than 1/3 as many PAs.

[Edit: He's really been rocked by lefties so far this year. Only 26 PAs, but .542/.538/.792 line for a 1.330 OPS. He's had reverse splits every year so far, which would seem to indicate the BABIP is the result of his pitching and not the result of luck.]

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:54pm

I was going to check Fangraphs for pitch types, then realize those are rarely accurate.

I believe Lannan's best pitch is his change-up, that tends to be down and in on a lefty in their happy zone, hence the troubles (possibly or it's just bad luck).

See how many breaking balls he throws Colvin I guess...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:03pm

1. Nyjer Morgan, CF
2. Adam Kennedy, 3B
3. Cristian Guzman, 2B
4. Adam Dunn, 1B
5. Josh Willingham, LF
6. Ivan Rodriguez, C
7. Ian Desmond, SS
8. Willy Taveras, RF
9. John Lannan, P

Guzman batting 3rd, commence laughter

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:05pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/st...

Z says he was assured stay in pen is temporary until a trade can be made...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:30pm

Z for Vernon Wells?

Submitted by Charlie
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:39pm

Har.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:15pm

I wonder if Ryan Howard's new contract means that Hendry will let D Lee go after next year and try to swing a trade for Ryan Howard. I'm trying to think of an equally bad contract the Cubs have (scratches head).

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:22pm

you realize that scenario makes no sense. If the Phils wanted to move Howard, you don't sign him to an untradeable contract.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:57pm

Oh, I know it doesn't make sense.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 04/27/2010 - 11:11am

Makes no sense to me. I'd rather have Vernon Wells or Soriano under contract than Ryan Howard for 25 per year.

Probably at least a 10 million per year overpay.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 5:22pm

Brett and Jay
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/26/1445...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 6:10pm

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/04/24...

If Lackey misses any significant time due to surgery on a pre-existing elbow injury during the first five years of the contract, the Red Sox gain a club option for the 2015 season in which Lackey would have to pitch for the major league minimum salary.

among others...

Submitted by thedirtbag
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 10:25pm

Is it me or is Big Z showing signs of serenity now and insanity later?

Submitted by thedirtbag
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 10:30pm

Is it me or is Big Z showing signs of serenity now and insanity later?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 10:54pm

He pitched well tonight - I am sure it's not really, but it seems like the first 8th inning of the year that we didn't give up a run.

Just 2.5 back now with 142 to play!

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 11:19pm

Hoochie mamma!

~ata boy, Lloyd!~

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