Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

CBA Details

We finally get the details on the new CBA agreement which was announced today. The one provision that I was most concerned with was draft pick compensation and here are the details:
Type C Major League free agents will no longer carry draft pick compensation for the club that loses the player, beginning this year, while Type A and Type B free agents will continue to carry compensation. Next year the Type A and Type B pools shrink. Right now, Pool A is the top 30 percent at their position, but in succeeding with decrease to 20 percent. Pool B is the top 50 percent, but it will decrease from 21 percent to 40 percent.
Bummer, I was really counting on that pick we'd get for Henry Blanco. Oh well, that barely changes anything in my opinion. In case you need a refresher, here's how teams were compensated:
A type players fetch the 1st-round draft pick of teams in the top half of W-L record or a 2nd-round draft pick of teams in the bottom half of W-L record and an additional pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds. B types don't get the sandwich pick and C type players fetch a sandwich between the 2nd and 3rd rounds. The higher the player's ranking in the compensation formula, the higher priority the old team gets in acquiring draft picks.
Well that ended up to be a whole lot of nothing. The other interesting bit is this:
After Major League players file for free agency in the one-week period that begins at midnight the day after the World Series, all subsequent deadline dates are eliminated: Dec. 7 (for club to offer arbitration), Dec. 19 (for players to accept), Jan. 8 (last day the old club could re-sign its own free agent) and May 1 (first day a club's former player could re-sign with its former club if he went past Jan. 8 date). Also, the tender date for clubs to offer contracts to all players has been moved up from Dec. 20 to Dec. 12. And players traded in the middle of a multi-year contract can no longer demand a trade.
That one is kind of big and confusing. I don't get the deadline dates are eliminated part of the equation. I guess this means that teams have to offer arbitration to players by the same time that players have to file for free agency. And do players have to accept arbitration by that time to or can they accept it whenever they wish as long as it was offered? I am glad to see them remove the provision where players can demand a trade if they're moved in the middle of a multi-year contract. I'm guessing that's what the players had to give up to get more freedom on the arbitration side, which is what it sounds like all that is doing. Other provisions include: - Minimum salaries will rise starting next year to $380,000 and go up to $400,000 by 2009 where it will remain until the deal expires in 2011. - All Star Game winner will still determine homefield for the World Series. Blah! - Teams that can't sign their draft picks will get the same pick in the draft the following year. That means if you drafted someone third and couldn't sign them, you get a third pick in the next draft. Also teams only have until August 15th now to sign draft picks instead of up to the next draft. I think the owners wanted a slotted draft bonus system but agreed on this instead. - Teams have one more year now before they have to protect players from the Rule V draft. Wasn't that nice of them? - The luxury tax is going way up that only the Yanks will really have to worry about it, not that they actually end up worrying about it at all. It doesn't seem like anything that will make too big a deal from what I can see, but a few interesting new twists. UPDATES: Rotoworld is saying that Type B free agents that get signed will not cost the signing team anything. The team that loses the free agent though will get a sandwich pick. A commenter over at Baseball Musings who it seems runs the Cardinals site at scout.com is saying that the arbitration dates have just been moved up to December 1st (for offering arbitration) and December 7th(for accepting arbitration) respectively. UPDATE #2: The Aug. 15th deadline for signing draft picks does not apply to college seniors. It basically reduces the leverage of players who threaten to go back to school. There will be no worry of contraction of teams during the agreement. Teams who don't sign their first and/or second round picks get the extra draft pick in the same slot in the following draft. And as I mentioned, the arbitration dates have moved up, the big change is that if arbitration is rejected by a player, they still can negotiate with their last team. UPDATE #3: A little bit on the timing of all this thanks to Baseball America. The Rule 5 changes will take place this off-season meaning a few players that AZ Phil listed yesterday will not have to be protected, most notably Ryan Harvey and Chris Shaver. Players on the 40-man roster who are optioned to the minor leagues did get a boost in the minimum salary department to $60,000 though. The free agency and arbitration changes won't go into effect until next off-season though.

Comments

I wonder if that means the whole arbitration deal for free agents is gone? That always struck me as a stupid rule. If you're a free agent, you should be able to negotiate with any team, including your former one.

it does sound like that is going to be the case and I do agree it's for the better. I never did understand the whole you have to wait until May if you can't agree on a deal or pass up on arbitration. and everyone check out David's wonderful site @ Baseball Musings www.baseballmusings.com

I agree that the arbitration season now seems much clearer and more logical, though I imagine it will be a little more crazy at that. Too bad to see they didn't axe the All-Star game thing. Such a ridiculous idea. I wonder, does the increase in minimum salary now exclude cost of living? It used to be $327,000 + C.o.L. but now it will be $380,000. If that doesn't include cost of living, I imagine some minimum salary players in certain locales (Chicago, NY, Seattle, San Fran, etc.) will actually be taking home less each year than they had previously.

no, it still includes cost of living, but no one factors that in when adding up budgets.

no, it still includes cost of living, but no one factors that in when adding up budgets. Oh. Well, at least the oppressed working man of MLB continues to get his share.

The AP article about the new CBA says the following about signing draft picks, which is slightly different than what the MLB.com article says. Players selected in the June amateur draft who aren't college seniors must sign by Aug. 15, taking away the leverage of any threats to remain in school. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061025/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bbo_labor_8 So, I teams would have until next year's draft to sign college seniors, assuming the AP story has it right.

So much for no major announcements during the Series.

Nothing definite on HGH testing (from same AP article) "If a urine test is developed and scientifically validated and all the `i's' are dotted and `t's' are crossed, there is an understanding that we will adopt that test," Fehr said. "Blood tests we will talk about when one is validated. But as far as I know, and we check fairly frequently on this, there is not that testing available yet." I think if they were to start taking and freezing blood samples now with the understanding that they can and will be tested for HGH once a reliable test is developed, that would create a serious deterrent to using HGH.

I thought the same thing, WBZ. They probably released the information so people would stop talking about Kenny Rogers.

CT Steve: "They probably released the information so people would stop talking about Kenny Rogers." HA HA I posted the same thing yesterday. Too bad we are not getting the most important Cubs announcement now of ARam's signing.

"Oh. Well, at least the oppressed working man of MLB continues to get his share." HA HA! That's funny, Andrew!

"Great play by Neifi Perez..!" Now we get to see him try to bat! What are the odds he shows bunt on the first pitch? If Leyland lets him hit, he's nuts.

That new rule granting the same draft pick the next year in the event a team doesn't sign a drafted player is odd. Does that pick replace the next year's pick? Or is it an extra pick? If it replaces the next year's pick, it's not that great, especially if the next year's regular pick turns out to be the better one. And if it is an extra pick, that means a team could have the second AND third picks (for example) in a draft, right? Also, it really gives teams a lot of leverage in contract negotiations with high picks. "You know, if we don't sign you Mr. Number One pick, we'll just toss you back and take the number one next year (in addition to our regular draft pick), so take our offer or leave it, we don't really care." Also, note that the new deal provides that there will be no contraction for at least 5 years.

433: "Also, note that the new deal provides that there will be no contraction for at least 5 years." BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lost in the fine print: If a team loses a Type A & Type B free agent in the same year, they must draft a player who is blood type B-negative or risk losing C-notes. The following year the team would get a sandwich pick, and all players on the 25-man roster must be served ham and cheese sandwiches. Anyways... that's what all this sounds like to me. About the 5-year contraction thing, is that MLB trying to give the smaller market teams some leverage?

the contraction thing was never going to happen even if the players didn't have any say on it. Cause if MLB ownser did that, the players would screw them on something else. That new rule granting the same draft pick the next year in the event a team doesn't sign a drafted player is odd. Does that pick replace the next year's pick? Or is it an extra pick? It sounds like an extra pick to me. Just replacing your pick wouldn't really do much to help anybody. It wasn't much of a secret that owners wanted a slotted bonus system for the draft, which of course the union doesn't want. I think this was the compromise.

the CBA announcement was a big publicity coup for MLB and that's why there announcing it now. There were rumors of the announcement before Game 2, so I don't think Rogers had much to do with it. Since it shines a nice light on baseball, I don't think that's what Selig was thinking about in his silly gag rule order. That being said, I had only suggested that it possible that news on Ramirez's deal may not leak out till after the Series if the the sides came to an agreement. No one was suggesting that it was preventing Hendry and Kinzer from actually talking and it's pretty safe to assume no deal has been struck yet.

for those interested in a.jones in ATL... "Andruw has the control and Andruw is going to be an Atlanta Brave for the '07 season, that's clear," Boras said. "He'll see how the season plays out and what the team's situation is." ...wasnt aware he had a no-trade.

Jones' 5 & 10 rights kicked in late this season. That's one of the reasons his name was coming up before the trade deadline.

er... I meant 10 & 5 rights in post # 22. Hadn't had my coffee yet.

"Speier out, Quade in for third base coach" At least the roads will be safer here in town.

the E-Man: At least the roads will be safer here in town. Maybe I'm an "enabler", but I don't blame Speier. What Cub fan wasn't sloppy drunk 24/7 by that point in '06?

Thanks to Boras, we can now end the Andruw Jones and Alex Rodriguez pipe dreams. Here is the link on A-Rod going nowhere. Both Cashman and Boras agree. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2637909 Looks like Hendry just lost one more small bargaining chip with ARam. I would love to hear their "contingency plans" at 3B if they don't resign ARam. Why do I keep hearing this dancing through my head: "Batting 7th and playing 3B, number 7, Pedro Feliz".....PUKE!!!

Looks like Liriano might be heading for surgery. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2637773 I still can't believe they risked his arm like they did. They should of shut him down when he had the pain the first time this year. What a shame, he might never be the same again. I guess we can add Gardenhire to the list of managers who kill kids arms.

"Batting 2nd and playing 3B, number 13, (back from his championship run with the Tigers) Neifi Perez!"

That last part of Sullivan's article was the best part. Talking about how it takes players awhile to adjust to the day schedule change. Alou, Lee, Pierre, ARam and JJ all showed affects of it. I remember a few of us talking about that early this year when JJ and Pierre were struggling. Good to see Sullivan finally catching on.

I guess we can add Gardenhire to the list of managers who kill kids arms. --- Is Dusty on that list also?

I still can't believe they risked his arm like they did. They should of shut him down when he had the pain the first time this year. What a shame, he might never be the same again. I guess we can add Gardenhire to the list of managers who kill kids arms. So every team should totally shut down every young player any time they have a twing of pain? Is there any evidence that shuting him down for the season would have made this possible surgery any less likely? They shut him down for a month, and then slowly had him come back, under strict pitch counts, and then pulled him at the first sign of trouble - even though they were in the thick of a playoff race. Not to mention, even before the injury, Gardy took Liriano's injury history into account, always pulling him at or before the 100 pitch count. How exactly is that reckless? Its not like the Twins told him to throw through the pain, because they needed him for the playoff race. Its not like the Gardy or the Twins had a young pitcher with an injury history going out there and throwing 120 pitches every outing. (not that some people here haven't defended Dusty for doing exactly that).

LNL: "Is Dusty on that list also?" I was being sarcastic about Gardenhire, but they did make a big mistake bringing him back, and I said it at the time.

the twins won the AL Central title, Manny. Please expound upon why bringing back Gardenhire was a mistake.

Nate: "the twins won the AL Central title, Manny. Please expound upon why bringing back Gardenhire was a mistake." HA HA... I will, when you expound on where I said they should NOT have brought him back. But I was being sarcastic about Gardenhire, for obvious reasons.

I was being sarcastic about Gardenhire, but they did make a big mistake bringing him back, and I said it at the time. And you statement was as idiotic then as it is today. If the Twins shutting Liriano down for a month and then slowly bringing him back didn't make the problem go away, what makes you think that shutting him down for 7 months and slowly bringing him back would have made things any different. The only change I can see is that not only would the Twins lose him for the rest of a year when they are trying to get into the post season, but since any possible surgery would also likely be delayed, they'd be that much more likely to lose him for an even longer period into the future.

so "they did make a big mistake... I said it at the time" is sarcastic too? i can't keep up!

Bleeding Blue: "And you statement was as idiotic then as it is today." Thanks for your opinion.

And thank you, Manny, for being totally unable to defend your idotic statement.

Nate- Please go back and read what I wrote. I am talking about bringing Liriano back after he got hurt in August. That was the mistake I was referring too. Not bringing Gardenhire back. Oh brother...

oh brother, sorry that i couldn't follow your muddy grammar manny.

So it was wrong to pitch Liriano again this season, but Gardenhire isn't culpable for that decision?

Vorare: "So it was wrong to pitch Liriano again this season, but Gardenhire isn't culpable for that decision?" Yes he is culpable, but I wouldn't label him a kid arm killer yet. In fact, others in the organization should be partly culpable as Liriano is one of your franchise players and the GM and training staff needs to take some blame too, not just the manager.

the GM and training staff needs to take some blame too, not just the manager. And what do you want to blame them for? A pitcher getting hurt, despite their use of an abundance of caution? Do you have ANY evidence that trying to bring him back after a month of rest caused his current problems and those problems wouldn't still exist if he'd been shut down for 2 months, or the entire offseason?

they were pretty careful with Liriano, if it didn't happen now, it would have happened later. Man this is going to screw up my fantasy team. :( Some rotoworld stuff: Pendleton took himself out of the Nats job too... Maybe Dust-bag will back into a job. Yanks are talking about picking up Sheff's option ($13 mil) and then dealing him. Good luck with that unless you plan to pay for most of that deal.

a bit on the Cubs Instructs... http://cubs.scout.com/2/583118.html 3 guys worked on new positions... Matt Camp (CF) tried some 2b Steve Clevenger(2B) tried some catching Csey Mcgehee (3b) also tried some catching, well he went back to catching not sure if any of those are full-time switches though.

So I was just playing around with the sortable team stats on ESPN.com, and I noticed an interesting, little-talked-about thing. Everyone knows that the Cubs were dead last in OBP and also near the bottom in runs scored, but they were also near the "top" (as in, the most) runs allowed. Top five, I believe. And if you look at their other stats, they're also first in walks allowed. BUT, their BAA is among the lowest in the league at .255. In fact, among the top 10 teams in Earned Runs Allowed, they are the only team with a BAA below .270. So it seems to me that one gigantic thing that needs to change is: THE PITCHERS NEED TO WALK FEWER GUYS. Why does no one talk about this?

Marshall, you are right. The Cubs need to walk less batters. But that topic gets talked about a lot here.

But thank god we reupped with our pitching coach for 2 years. I don't know what the Cubs woud do without him.

"It's Rothschild's fault that rookies tend to walk people?" Maybe not, but they don't seem to improve under his care.

Maybe not, but they don't seem to improve under his care. Zambrano did.

Vorare: "It's Rothschild's fault that rookies tend to walk people?" Last time I checked the pitching coach is responsible for all the pitchers, not just the veterans. But Dempster, Prior, Z, Williams, Miller and Rusch all had high BB rates and they were not rookies.

Yeah, and of those Dempster has always allowed a lot of walks, Prior and Miller were far from 100% health-wise, and Rusch is out of shape and not terribly good in the first place. Zambrano is the only player with a dramatic increase in walk rate, and I'm pretty sure he's decreased every other year under Roths.

The Twins weren't risking much of anything with Liriano...he was going to get hurt at some point anyway. Liriano's half season this year was actually the most innings he's ever pitched since arriving in pro baseball (2002) with 121 IP. He's had some sort of injury every year, that's why SF was so quick to include him in the Pierzynski deal. He's MINN's equivalent to Wood, Prior, Rich Harden, Sheets, Aj Burnett, golden arm but hurt every single year club. The Twins brought him along just as they did with Johan Santana by babying him in the bully to start the year to build up his stamina and Johan seems to have turned out ok. This isn't on the Twins, it's on genetics or perhaps the millions of pitches he undoubtedly tossed back home in the DR on short rest.

IM Slacker: "Zambrano did." Not his BB numbers. He led the NL in BB this year.

Yep, Z's BB/9 rate under Rothschild: 2002: 4.23 2003: 3.95 2004: 3.48 2005: 3.47 2006: 4.84 His H/9 rate has also steadily declined while his K/9 rate rises (inluding this year).

he's a coach, not a god... mike maddux, hero one year, ordinary/sub-par the next. jack mckeon, hero one year, dog the next. leo mazzone, hero for a decade, dog last year. etc etc... you can point out arm slots, footwork, release, and other mechanics, but its up to the pitcher to commit it to muscle memory and make it work for him. cant think of any no-control/worthless pitching that's left the cubs to flourish or perform much differently elsewhere.

Vorare: "and I'm pretty sure he's decreased every other year under Roths." He has actually had an upward trend the last 3 years. 2004- 81 BB allowed (9th in NL) 2005- 86 BB allowed (4th in NL) 2006- 115 BB allowed (1st in NL)

I meant it's trended down since his rookie year. Of course, this year was an exception.

Vorare: "Yep, Z's BB/9 rate under Rothschild: 2002: 4.23 2003: 3.95 2004: 3.48 2005: 3.47 2006: 4.84" I was looking for those numbers but couldn't find them, and was too lazty to figure them out. Oh well, "Teflon" Larry is not to blame at all for the Cubs BB allowed.

Manny...you know better that that. Total walks mean little. One's walk rate is much more important than total walks. With that said, Z obviously struggled with his control this year.

here's a wild idea...how about blaming Z for his issues insted of a guy who's arm Z don't belong to? its not like Z threw 30 wild pitches, hit 20 guys, and lost totally his slider or something. last year was a pretty wild year for Z, but after 3 years before that of 80-95 walks (and 63 walks in 108ip in 02)...its not like its that shocking or he's never shown improvement.

thats wild...

a lotta players who develop problems know their problems...they just need to focus/commit to their issue or find a new way around it. these guys (pitchers) get paid a lotta money cuz they do something a lotta guys cant, throw a baseball on a professional level. to get to that level almost all of them know what theyre doing or trying to do with their body very well. the pitching coach, the extra set of eyes who focuses on the 12-15+ guys he keeps track of during a normal season, can take his experience of what he's seeing and what he's seen in the past to combat the problems. he cant make the guy he's passing this info/training onto make the info work for him, though. its up to the pitcher to "get it" or try something else. sometimes the pitcher just needs another way to look at it or soemthing else to try that their past pitching coaches havent sprung on them yet, but there's not a big history of pitchers leaving roth's classroom to go on to huge things elsewhere.

first a.jones gets a "he's not going anywhere" mesage yesterday...today its arod's turn, again, because for some reason being told twice isnt good enough for some sportswriters who need a deadline story... --- "Brian Cashman and I had a discussion and he made it clear that he has no intention of trading Alex," Boras told the Daily News, "and I told him that Alex Rodriguez has a no-trade clause. "There will be no movement of Alex Rodriguez this offseason," Boras said. --- so anyway...the cubs gonna get arod or what? =p

Who Knew? Over the last six years, the wind has blown in at Wrigley Field 54.6 percent of the time, according to official wind-trend stats compiled by the Cubs. It blows out only 34.5 percent of the time, with a 10.9 percent chance of a crosswind. That means Wrigley is a pitchers' park for more than half the home games, which suggests a more diversified offense should be a must. Full Story

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just saying. Personally, I think that's misleading, because if the wind is blowing in at 2 MPH, Wrigley IMO is still a hitter's park.

#14 of 69: By 433 (October 24, 2006 11:04 PM) That new rule granting the same draft pick the next year in the event a team doesn't sign a drafted player is odd. Does that pick replace the next year's pick? Or is it an extra pick? --- 433: The Cubs get the #3 pick (overall) in next June's Rule 4 Draft, and let's say they select RHP Andrew Brackman (NC State), but can't sign him by August 15th. If that happens, the Cubs get the #4 pick--NOT the #3 pick--(overall) in the 2008 June Draft, and that "replacement" pick is in addition to whatever other 1st round pick they get in '08. All other teams then follow after the Cubs #4 overall pick, with the club that was supposed to get the #4 overall getting #5 instead, the club that was supposed to get the #5 overall getting #6 instead, and so forth through the first round, with a total of 31 picks instead of 30 (or even possibly more than 31 if the Cubs aren't the only team unable to sign their #1 pick). Same goes for unsigned 2nd round picks. The affected team gets a replacement 2nd round pick one slot lower than where they picked in the 2nd round in the previous year's draft, in addition to whatever other 2nd round pick they have that year. For unsigned 3rd round picks, clubs get a "sandwich" pick between the 3rd & 4th round. Any picks left unsigned from rounds 4 or below are just lost. If a team is unable to sign a draft pick and gets a "replacement" pick the next year, it is strictly a one-year thing. If the club can't sign the "replacement" pick the next year either, then the draft pick is permanently lost. It is a "mulligan" that's only good the following year.

"The day games here at Wrigley should be an advantage for your home team," Piniella said. "But you need to rest your players, rest your troops. That's something we'll concentrate onóthe bench factor." nothing new there vs. baker's wants...hopefully the team will break with at least 1 "nevin-type" slugger who can be happy parking his ass on pine until he's called on. coverage players, multi-position players...useful...but the bench doesnt have to be loaded with them. gimmie a 1st/LF/PH slugger as long as he can get it done occasionally with a double/homer.

brack's a nice guy, btw...im in a poly sci. class with him and he's a bit overwhelmed with dissapointed people who really only care that he's not gonna play basketball this year. his "95-100mph" fastball is a bit overhyped, btw...he's more of a 92-95mph type.

andrew brackman...college pitcher...tall tall tall tall dude. he became a "top" interest when he was throwing high-90s in summer league. it might be a bit generous to expect him to throw that as a given, though.

Dusty looks ridiculous on ESPN before and after the world series games in that brownish overcoat that is way, way too big for him. It looks like something that David Byrne of the Talking Heads was wearing back in the 1980s when big shoulders were in style. Hint: Dusty, the tailored look is in style these days. I wonder how Dusty feels with no team apparently wanting him. Most likely a team will come along eventually, if not for 2007 then for 2008. But it looks like Dusty has figured out that he is going to need a job to make up for some of the $4 million per year that now has come to an end for him. My guess is that he will end up broadcasting games for some team or nationally. Who knows? Maybe he can get teamed up with Steve Stone!

"...David Byrne of the Talking Heads was wearing back in the 1980s when big shoulders were in style" do you mean the "Stop Making Sense" Tour & Film? Awesome!

Talking Heads "stopped making sense" after 1977 when they thought it would be a good idea to incorporate disco...though it's still better than that world fodder Byrne's skimming the cream off of these days on the next label who drops him. Girardi is apparently looking for a broadcast gig now and ESPN is suggesting he may go to the YES network and set himself up to replace Torre the year after. For the love of God, ESPN better keep Baker off of Baseball Tonight or I can't watch that show anymore...or at least the days he's on. Please put Baker in the booth on west coast games with the Padres and Giants that no one cares about.

here's some news... http://tinyurl.com/y5jabz Paul Weaver named special assistant to Hendry. Most recently a scout for the D'backs (kick-ass farm system at least in terms of position players) and the Astros before that (1980-2004).

"stopped making sense" after 1977 when they thought it would be a good idea to incorporate disco..." Much more divergent than "disco", sorry, totally disagree. Adrian Belew is much more respected in his own right as an artist than to play in a "disco" band. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but its wrong. Byrne is recognized, in many critics circles, SPANNING a LONG career as an artist. I have never read any article be it Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, Musician, Guitar Player, New York Times, Boston Globe, etc., stating the band became a "disco" unit. If you feel that by incorporating syncopation and polyrhythms in what was four-chord, 4/4 rock is "disco", than you might want to take a music appreciation course and learn about some different genres and open your mind up to more styles.

mlbtraderumors put up a list of the 2008 FA potentials and now that's a crappy list. Your big names under 30 and younger? Zambrano Dunn Vernon Wells Jason Jennings Marcus Giles above 30 you possibly have: Michael Young Joe Nathan Carpenter Abreu Ichiro Carlos Guillen

rain delay on espn radio, so they are giving us game 6 of the '02 NLCS. i don't think it ends well.

There is no Frank Black. Only Black Francis pretending to be a really, really, really bad songwriter for the last decade.

im gonna ignore that by making a comment about how im gonna ignore that.

frank black "teenager of the year" is one of the best indie/pop albums ever ;p his bar-rock with the catholics was nice. not a big fan of his last 2 solo albums doing 70s radio-rock and toned down alt-country. go cubs.

"I'm not black like Barry White, but I'm white like Frank Black is" - The Bloodhound Gang

http://tinyurl.com/txb7h the guy who signed Pujols stocks groceries at an Arkansas Walmart best paragraph Karaff, a friendly 64-year-old grandfather, doesn't mind if you come watch Game 2 with him, but under one condition: He's not gonna talk about Pujols. Though the slugger is wildly talented, he's also as sensitive as a junior high cheerleader and is still peeved because he believes Karaff said he wouldn't make it to the big leagues. In reality, Karaff felt like he was a talent but not a sure-thing first-rounder. Clearly, every other team agreed.

*frank black "teenager of the year" is one of the best indie/pop albums ever ;p* Charles' first solo album was the shit, too. I remember waking up on many a hungover college morning and blasting "Los Angeles", "I Heard Ramona Sing", "Fu Manchu" and "Brackish Boy" just to clear the cobwebs. If any of you have INHD as part of your cable, did you catch the Pixies Come Home show? Charles & Co. were pretty magnificient for old farts who barely talk to each other.

"You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but its wrong" E-man, your post is the funniest thing I've read on TCR...and read a little more carefully next time. I didn't say they were a disco band, I said they incorporated disco elements which they and Blondie DID...which I didn't like hence my preference of the Heads early stuff, that's all I'm saying...and mind you I was born in '82 so they were practically irrelevant by then. By the way, I'm sure you're a master of the arts and all but I also have friends and family members in the industry, including Echo Park studios, two friends at Sweetwater Sounds, friends in international bands such as Umphreys MaGee, Airiel, and the Impossible Shapes...and I took several music courses in college, both appreciation and advanced guitar courses, spent two years of grad school at Ball State to receive a TCOM Production minor just in case a friend and I decide to start a label/studio. Also know people like Lisa Germano who is close to my family (classically trained violinist who used to play with the much hated John Mellencamp). Her father taught me as a kid and is still a professor of music at a famous Catholic University in my city. My grandfather was a session guitar player after retiring as an engineer from Studebaker and played with Bert Jansch who in case you didn't know is considered the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. He also helped record various jazz legends like Ellington when they used to record at Gennett Records in Richmond Indiana...helped design two Gibson guitar models at the factory in Kalamazoo, is that diverse enough for you?...jazz, folk, indie rock, classical, UK inspired shoegaze/space rock, Celtic, progressive rock, psyche, punk...There is Velvet Underground next to Solomon Burke along side of the Pogues in my cd collection so nice try. Ask yourself why the Talking Heads adopted said elements? Don't you think it may have had something to do with appeasing the folks at Sire who who were going to drop them along with every other original punk band they hastily signed when that genre broke and then of course began to drop all those said bands by 1979(save for the Ramones who were a Stein fave). If you're going to come on here blasting people for a simple opinion it might behoove you to do it without that weak broad brush pseudo-elitist assumption, read up on the business side of the industry, and do it without using Rolling Stone and tribune references...who gets their music info from tribune writers, Billboard or a rag who puts Britney Spears on their covers? the same people who program Clear Channel and Emens Inc. radio of course.

Again with the music? *Talking Heads "stopped making sense" after 1977 when they thought it would be a good idea to incorporate disco...though it's still better than that world fodder Byrne's skimming the cream off of these days on the next label who drops him.* What was that album with "Drugs" "Air" "Animals" etc.? Fear of Music? That came out after '77, and it kicked ass. Certainly wasn't "disco". But yes, post-1989 David Byrne sucks dog ass.

"frank black "teenager of the year" is one of the best indie/pop albums ever ;p" I don't know if I could put it over Creation Records era MBV, Ride, Slowdive type stuff or early Pixies 4AD but it's definitely up there for a solo effort.

*Ask yourself why the Talking Heads adopted said elements? Don't you think it may have had something to do with appeasing the folks at Sire who who were going to drop them along with every other original punk band they hastily signed when that genre broke and then of course began to drop all those said bands by 1979(save for the Ramones who were a Stein fave).* The Ramones, now there's a band that sucked. The same derivative nonsense for over 20 years with absolutely no progression. They could have used a little "disco" thrown in just to liven things up. As for the Heads' "disco" tendencies--weren't all the members save Jerry into (what was called back then) "black music"? Weymouth & Frantz went out and formed their own ridiculous rap group on the side, for pete's sake, while Byrne meandered off into world music.

But have you seen my records? This Heat, Pere Ubu, Outsiders, Nation of Ulysses, Mars, The Trojans, The Black Dice, Todd Terry, the Germs, Section 25, Althea and Donna, Sexual Harrassment, a-ha, Pere Ubu, Dorothy Ashby, PIL, the Fania All-Stars, the Bar-Kays, the Human League, the Normal, Lou Reed, Scott Walker, Monks, Niagra, Joy Division, Lower 48, the Association, Sun Ra, Scientists, Royal Trux, 10cc, Eric B. and Rakim, Index, Basic Channel, Soulsonic Force ("just hit me"!), Juan Atkins, David Axelrod, Electric Prunes, Gil! Scott! Heron!, the Slits, Faust, Mantronix, Pharaoh Sanders and the Fire Engines, the Swans, the Soft Cell, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics.

Bogey: I also have friends and family members in the industry, including Echo Park studios, two friends at Sweetwater Sounds, friends in international bands such as Umphreys MaGee, Airiel, and the Impossible Shapes...and I took several music courses in college, both appreciation and advanced guitar courses, spent two years of grad school at Ball State to receive a TCOM Production minor just in case a friend and I decide to start a label/studio. Also know people like Lisa Germano who is close to my family (classically trained violinist who used to play with the much hated John Mellencamp). Her father taught me as a kid and is still a professor of music at a famous Catholic University in my city. My grandfather was a session guitar player after retiring as an engineer from Studebaker and played with Bert Jansch who in case you didn't know is considered the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. He also helped record various jazz legends like Ellington when they used to record at Gennett Records in Richmond Indiana...helped design two Gibson guitar models at the factory in Kalamazoo "Well, I have my own radio show." - Ron Bennington

todd terry and jaun atkins...ha. rock.

*But have you seen my records? the Germs...a-ha,* Uhhhhh. *PIL, the Human League* Uhhhhh. Hey, where's Heaven 17? *Lou Reed* Lots of fun memories. First time I ever heard Rock & Roll Animal is one. Hasn't done a thing worth a shit since New Sensations. *Joy Division* Played out. * Royal Trux, 10cc* Good morning Judge! *the Swans* Nice. *the Soft Cell* Boy, there's sure a lot of "disco" in your list. :) What can I say though, I've spent the entire day listening to Miles Davis "Pangaea", "Big Fun", "Jack Johnson Sessions" and MMW's "Uninvisible".

yeah after Rocket to Russia the Ramones should've disbanded...their fodder from the 90's was brutal and that mid-card Lollapalooza slot should have been enough of an insult to influence them to hang it up. Disco was pop(top 40) trendy music at the time when the Heads began incorporating it...I'm sure they were into it, but if Joey is to be believed the Heads were going to be dropped after the 2nd album and that is of course when it started to show up in their work. I'm not saying it as fact, I'm just throwing it out there which many of their NYC peers did at the time. I remember in one of those docu's Joey went off on them and Blondie for "selling out" to Stein and comparing them to a corporate arena rock band like Grank Funk or Boston. Verlaine and Patti followed with similar comments. IMO it was downhill after the first LP but you're right the 2nd was pretty good too, I get the 2nd and 3rd albums mixed up quite a bit actually but drugs was a great song, probably my 2nd fav Heads song and I think "Thank you God for Sending Me an Angel" led off that album too right? That was a good track.

so...what's you guy's favorite New Kids on the Block song? go cubs.

"Well, I have my own radio show." What can I say, had to stick it to someone who assumes someone else's background man!

"*Joy Division* Played out." Because of Interpol, the Editors and She Wants Revenge?

*so...what's you guy's favorite New Kids on the Block song? go cubs.* The Cubs aren't going anywhere for a while. My favorite NKOTB song is the last one on their last album, because thank god they haven't made any since.

What can I say though, I've spent the entire day listening to Miles Davis "Pangaea", "Big Fun", "Jack Johnson Sessions" and MMW's "Uninvisible". You don't know what you really want.

Probably the first time the Swans have been namechecked on TCR. Lisa Germano signed with Gira's "Young God" Records by the way...plug plug.

Right on Bogey, the E-man's comment was crap... And to repeat Rob from last night-we need some baseball!

*You don't know what you really want.* Songs with words mostly piss me off. Songs with words are like films with narration. It's like, hey dumbfuck, thanks for telling me what to think.

#100: definitely the first This Heat reference on TCR. Mr. Whip, let's get a This Heat cover band together and call it This Heater. #96:(classically trained violinist who used to play with the much hated John Mellencamp). I am so totally going to sue John Mellencamp for intentional infliction of emotional distress for that song on the commercials that have aired every .003 seconds during the playoffs and WS. That song makes "Pink Houses" sound like "Venus in Furs." I am completely chagrined that: a) this man was ever positively associated with Woody Guthrie b) I bought some of JCM's albums back in the day c) I saw him play the Rosemont Horizon in 1987 d) our seats were one level up from the floor and we were right near the railing that divided the two sections; just before the show, this one guy in front of me who was completely potted slouched forward and his head hit the railing loudly as he started yurfing all over everything OK, I don't regret that last one, it was pretty funny.

I think MrWhipple and IM Slacker are the same guy.

*I am so totally going to sue John Mellencamp for intentional infliction of emotional distress for that song on the commercials that have aired every .003 seconds during the playoffs and WS.* You mean "This our cunt-ree"? What a pile of crap. And what genius at GM thought that rednecks everywhere would want to buy a truck if only you reminded them of the great cultural touchstones of Vietnam, hippies and Nixon resigning? WTF--all they needed was to show the WTC on fire to complete the pastiche of American Psychoses. Did they fire the guy who had the schtick (farms, dirt, Bob Seger) down pat?

Pell, whatever you can do to overthrow the czar of Bloomington IN(a town he isn't even from)I'm in. He's Americana you know....he's just a regular guy...who of course happened to wed what, 2 supermodels? or is it 3 now? I can't keep track of them. He's a total jag and my friend who works for Echo Park in Bloomington wants to kill the guy so maybe you guys can get together. Sorry you got roped into his web...hopefully it was to land a girl right?

"And what genius at GM thought that rednecks everywhere would want to buy a truck if only you reminded them of the great cultural" Even funnier because Johnny Boy is a staunch Democrat and rednecks (if they vote) typically vote Republican.

*Even funnier because Johnny Boy is a staunch Democrat and rednecks (if they vote) typically vote Republican.* Nah, some rednecks are Democrats because "da union" tells 'em to vote pinko.

BOGEY: I enjoyed reading your reply. Indeed its cool you have some music education coming from a small town. (Its "Humphreys McGee, I believe) And, quite an interesting background. Sweetwater is in Ft.Wayne, IN, and Ball State's production resources are not, let's say, like the "big boys" like a City such as NYC, LA or Chicago, right? I do business with my local Sweetwater rep here...I have a violinist friend, Mariam Sturm, who was playing with Mellencamp as well. But for the life of me, I can't seem to name any bands that have broken out other than Mellencamp out of Indiana, in the last 50 years. Am I missing something? So while you diss publications like the New York Times (not the tribune, that you cited) and other music pubs I mentioned, you are doing it from Smallville, man, with perhaps a narrowed personal experience (just due to where you live and your own experience). Although I will agree, certainly more than many. Music is truly a subjective experience for the listener, anyway, right? Personally, I have toured extensively and opened for bands (out of Chicago) that were pretty popular in the 80's such as Duran Duran, Modern English, Graham Parsons, Modern English, Mission of Burma (you were three years old), lived in LA, then went on to compose music commercials that have run nationally. I am an audio engineer for my day gig and am very, very fortunate to have made my livlihood from music for over 15 years at a very high level in a major market. I also studied and performed West African, Gamelan, and Indian music, prior to the "marketing geniuses" that came up with the "World Music" label that they need to do for every style. We are the society that insists on "LABELS". David Byrne was always "The Artiste" behind Talking Heads. And yes, Sire may have wanted to drop them, but the record will show that Byrne (as other important artists have shown as well) at least had the presence of mind to continually try to always evolve and try new things. He is appreciated by the critics. Same with Bowie, and Gabriel. Should Byrne and Peter Gabriel be attacked because "World Music" infuences were something they wanted to incorporate into their music? Or, to start labels promoting people that many folks never heard of before? I don't think so. In my opinion, you were confusing "Funk" with "Disco" when you referenced "Stop Making Sense". Blondie's "Heart of Glass" from 1978, was about the end of the "Disco" era, and you referenced that as well. This was SIX YEARS BEFORE, "Stop Making Sense" Bogey. It ain't a disco record. I like Indiana sometimes Bogey. Its cheap for me. Lots of open space. Farms. But, maybe you may want to consider leaving Central Indiana for a bit, and see what's happening outside in NY, Chicago, LA, Seattle, Nashville, Atlanta and get a wider view of things and music. It will help you in your development as an artist in your own right.

"But for the life of me, I can't seem to name any bands that have broken out other than Mellencamp out of Indiana, in the last 50 years. Am I missing something?" there was the jacksons, but i dunno when or how old the jacksons were when they left indiana...from gary, btw.

no: Nah, some rednecks are Democrats because "da union" tells 'em to vote pinko. I usually try to avoid political discussions because my views are ...so not cool... but in response to this, I think the typical old-time union democrats vote conservative anyways. Gay rights and gun control just doesn't resonate with the typical blue collar Joe. the E-Man: But for the life of me, I can't seem to name any bands that have broken out other than Mellencamp out of Indiana, in the last 50 years. Am I missing something? That's because Indiana sucks, bro. I'm a fellow Hoosier (Ft. Wayne), so I feel free saying it. Our radio station options here in the Fort are: Country, Classic Rock, God Music, Country, Spanish, Country, and a station that advertises modern and classic rock, but their idea of modern rock is playing Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park several times per hour. It doesn't exactly get the creativity juices flowing. Finally last month some high school started a radio station that actually plays good music. If you get on the wrong side of town, though, it doesn't come in real clear... *sigh*

not all unions are created equal anyway...in the lobby-heavy, education-lacking unions (airline union, afl-cio, etc) you got corrupt money machines just trying to get policy passed via lobbying even though so much of it never gets done and continues to never get done for decades...the people get the union suggestion, but just vote what the want to anyway like an "ordinary joe". there's stronger unions which support labor-friendly active politicians rather than the "scratch-my-back-i-scratch-yours" types that the lobby-heavy unions love to court for some give/take losing track of issues along the way...the electrician's union, for instance. a union is only as strong in practice as the involvement of its members...but hey, its only like 7-8% of the workforce that's unionized anyway, or something like that. go cubs.

Ooh. Axl Rose.

"Songs with words mostly piss me off. Songs with words are like films with narration. It's like, hey dumbfuck, thanks for telling me what to think." Soungs without words... you mean you like the Gregorian Monks? Because if it has no singing it's not a song, it's an instrumental.

Oh, nevermind. I guess Tom Petty wasn't from Indiana. But he did mention Indiana in "Last Dance with Mary Jane" that got us pretty excited. Well, we've at least got Axl Rose and David Lee Roth. Two extremely talented musicians.

rose and roth can play the hell outta a bottle of bourbon.

Does everyone in Indiana know someone who played fiddle for Mellencamps?

Too bad no one got the joke. It was funny. Sorry for that burst of snarkiness. The record list is form the lyrics to the LCD Soundsystem song "Losing My Edge" which is one of the funniest songs ever written. It makes fun of the musical hipness contests that people like to have. James Murphy (LCD Soundsytem) runs DFA records which was responsible for a few bigger post-punk/disco/dance music inspired hipster bands of the last few years: The Juan Maclean, Black Dice, The Rapture. For example: Myspace Clicky. By the way IM not IM Slacker.

Didn't Todd Snider do the same thing? Don't know who did it first, but I think Snider's song was from his first album.

8 years it's predecessor, though I may have the wrong Snider album.

This in unreal. We really need the hot stove leauge to start soon. End now WOrld Series!

Gregorian Monks say words... they're just in latin, which makes them difficult to understand. Sometimes Buddhist monks sing songs without words. E-man, if you ever come to Austin, we should have a beer and talk music... it's such an insular scene down here and we only really get access to the outside world during SXSW. In response to the "bands from Indiana," there's Secretly Canadian. Not a band, but a label, and a pretty damn good one. Other than that, a Wikipedia listing of notable artists from Indiana yields some VERY slim pickings. Wow.

this is interesting...from the ap wire... --- NEW YORK (AP) -- Gary Sheffield was told Wednesday that the New York Yankees will pick up his $13 million option for next season, according to a newspaper report. Sheffield said he was hoping to test the free-agent market and get another three-year contract, USA Today said in a story on its Web site. "This will not work, this will not work at all," Sheffield told the newspaper. "I don't want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that." ---

forgot a paragraph... --- "I don't know what they're (Yankees) going to do," Sheffield said. "Maybe they picked it up just to trade me. If they do that, if I just (go) to a team for one year, there's going to be a problem." --- basically, he's pissed his option is being picked up and wants a multi-year restructuring to any team he might be traded to. i dont blame him for not wanting to play 1st...he looked pretty uncomfortable there.

Bogey: What can I say, had to stick it to someone who assumes someone else's background man! Please tell me this was supposed to be funny, because I can't stop laughing. Would have been even beter if you had used "maaaaan" instead of "man". Oh, and Mr. Wipple is right, he's not me.

#132: Sorry Mr. Whipple. I know/own that song, but I haven't memorized the list of names dropped within it, so I didn't recognize it. I got excited at the mention of This Heat because they were good, whether hipsters like them or not. The band that is my namesake wrote very good songs without words.

But I haven't memorized the list of names dropped within it Perhaps you should go back and listen to your catalog a few more times so you'll catch the next time I ask "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" Maybe next time you should be looking for the joke with a microscope. Oh, and Mr. Wipple is right, he's not me. Thanks. I had a hunch.

MARSHALL: SXSW is the BOMB. We're havin' beers! Austin is the oasis inside Texas in my opinion - so much different from the rest of the state. What a thriving music scene it is! And that SW Chile food!

So we can now cross Sheffield, A. Jones, A-Rod and Moyer off as possible additions to the team and the WS isn't even over. They are dropping like flies. If Wells is out of the picture, it looks like all our eggs will be in the Soriano in CF basket or it very possibly will be Pierre or Pie. With everyday that goes by and 1 more person is locked up or said not to be traded, I can see the losses slowly piling up for next year.

Mr. Whipple: DC, Cubfan, and I can whistle a few bars of a couple of tunes, if that would add anything to the discussion on music. We are all accomplished whistlers, with an extensive list of credits in various establishments. DC alone has been thrown out of many places because of jealousy about his whistling ability. And down here in Tennessee, when I whistle, I'm not just whistling Dixie.

Well there goes my pre-McFail resignation prediciton of signing Sheffield. Hopefully Hendry is on the phone with other GM's to make deals. That and signing Aram and extending Z. There is only so much pumpkin pie you can eat Jimbo.

Jacos: "There is only so much pumpkin pie you can eat Jimbo." Word is Hendry had to put all contract discussions with ARam and his agent on hold as he has to make last minute alterations to his Grimace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimace) Halloween costume. So basically we have to wait until at least November 1st before Hendry will be availible again. And that might even be a bit early as you can imagine he might need a full day or two to recover from his chocolate bingeing after trick or treating.

*Soungs without words... you mean you like the Gregorian Monks? Because if it has no singing it's not a song, it's an instrumental.* Yup, you got me.

As for Andy MacPhail, he has been the GM in Minnesota and president of the Cubs. Now heís working with Major League Baseball, and was a key player in hammering out the new Basic Agreement. And when Bud Selig retires as commissioner, odds are that MacPhail will be his hand-picked replacement. Earlier, there was a feeling that either former Toronto president Paul Beeston or former Oakland and current San Diego general manager Sandy Alderson would step into Seligís role. Selig, however, has stayed on the job longer, and there is no reason to expect him to retire anytime soon. Selig loves baseball, which makes his current job ideal for him. MacPhail would be ideal. From his front office ties, and his involvement in negotiations on Basic Agreement, he has earned the respect of baseballís hierarchy, and also the players. Full Story

Other accomplished Hoosier musicians include Axl's buddy Izzy Stradlin. And then there is this guy who's better than anyone else mentioned so far, John Hiatt. If you like rock music but hate the Ramones, you probably don't "get" them. I know I didn't the first time I saw them. I came away saying "That's just Chuck Berry, but louder and faster." And I was exactly right, but it still took a couple more years before I "got" it.

Suntimes said the A's are interested in Orel Hershiser to manage.

I am a huge John Hiatt fan, but didn't he leave Indiana when he was like 16? Would be sort of like calling Johnny Cash an Arkansasian.

According to allmusic.com, Hiatt didn't leave Indianapolis until he was 18, after high school. And his Indy band the White Ducks did release two records. So I think he's a Hoosier, regardless.

It would seem that Orel would be the opposite of what Beane would want, which is a carbon base life form to just fill out the uniform.

When and where, E-man? If you come down for SXSW, I can definitely give a good local perspective. And we can talk Cubs, too. Nobody cares about anything but Longhorn football down here, and I always jump at the opportunity to talk about some *real* sports. Like baseball.

We may not have many musicians coming out of Indiana, but at least we have Kurt Vonnegut. "Any place that will execute a white man for murdering an indian, that's the place for me" (or something like that). Not that I approve of capital punishment, but Indiana does have the distinction of being the first to do so.

Speaking of random facts: anyone aware that the Chicago Cubs funded Scott Boras through law school?

The Joe, Not that I disbelieve you on that but can you fill in any other details on that story?

boras is an old cubs farmhand...stl, too.

Oh sorry. Yeah, what Crunch said. He was a Cub minor leaguer and the Cubs paid for his schooling. Good for them.

mister whipple rocks music is his one true love never mind these cubs ******* #146 sam- no talent whatsoever is required to be thrown out of an establishment. starting the brawl, escaping as far as the sidewalk in front, and being thrown back INTO the midst...skill, brother, pure skill.

This is from his bio on Wikipedia Boras was a second baseman and center fielder who played in the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. After four years in the minor leagues, during which he never made it above Class AA, he retired due to three knee surgeries. The Cubs paid Boras' tuition to attend law school at the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.

Now it would seem obvious why the Cubs don't have any problems with Boras. Its clear that he still holds a soft spot for them.

...And his Indy band the White Ducks did release two records. So I think he's a Hoosier, regardless." But does he admit this publicly?

I wonder how many people on this board who make fun of Hendry's appearance are real lookers themselves.

"I wonder how many people on this board who make fun of Hendry's appearance are real lookers themselves." Imagine if a far less handsome version of Brad Pitt had spent the last 30 years drinking too much beer and you've pretty much got me. But I still look like a Greek God compared to the Cub GM.

Man - this is what we digress to while awaiting ANY decent player news? How depressing. So - we are looing now at potentially Shef, Soriano, a couple 2nd tier Japanese pitchers, and 2nd tier MLB pitchers as options? Oh - I read this morning that MArk Loretta may, or may not, re-sign w/the BoSox. 187 hits.

Tito, Jim Hendry is the face of the Cubs organization. They guy as a former athlete. There is a fine line between being a hefty guy and just letting yourself go. If I had job that required me to be recognized in public and be on TV, I would work a little harder on my appearance. He could start by not wearing wrinkled half tucked in shirts. How about that for a start?

The Joe- Your wife thinks I'm handsome, too.

Ha. I guess I should have expected that. Bitch.

If Hendry spent time in the gym, Manny would be like, "Why isn't working on A-Ram's contract?"

yeah, Charles Barkley was a former athlete too and so was Magic Johnson. Barkley's slimmed down lately but both look like they eat at the Rio buffet 3 times a day. Who the hell cares? It's great for a cheapshot joke and all, but it doesn't matter one bit.

Tito: "If Hendry spent time in the gym, Manny would be like, "Why isn't working on A-Ram's contract?" Well, he isn't spending time in the gym and he still hasn't worked out ARam's contract. So he is 0-2. But it is nice to see I don't even need to post and people KNOW what I am going to say. Tito must be the Amazing Kreskin.

I think describing The White Ducks as an 'indie band' is akin to calling playing in the high school band 'a member of an off broadway orchestra'. Unless someone outside of the band can name one of the songs, it doesn't really count, sort of like farting in a dream.

"Tito must be the Amazing Kreskin.", or you could be the most droll scratched record in the history of man kind. Take your pick.

The Real Neal: "Take your pick." I'll take the first choice. But thanks for your thoughts.

Anytime.

Real Neal, good one in #178. But if Hiatt is not an Indy native, where is he from?

*If you like rock music but hate the Ramones, you probably don't "get" them. I know I didn't the first time I saw them.* I don't hate the Ramones, I just think they suck. They don't move me at all.

But if Hiatt is not an Indy native, where is he from? TN

Oh yeah, Ranch. JH never graduated high school, he just got his GED this year.

Recent comments

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    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...