This was my original thinking, the only reason I'd read any book about the Red Sox would be to gain insight into Theo Epstein's approach to roster construction and player acquisition. Still, I'm a sucker for a good baseball story and I have to admit that learning about the Cubs sister AL team that suffered from the 'Curse of the Bambino' had it's appeal, if for no other reason than this old Billy Goat's misery loves company.
Seth Mnookin's 2006 book, 'Feeding the Monster' is an in-depth look at the Red Sox, focusing on team management and the eventual 2002 ownership change as the reason their drought ended. The Red Sox truly overcame urban legends created by the Boston press with their constant harping on eight decades of Epic failures and generations of fan misery.
Something I understand (except for the "overcame" part).
Now with the Theo "Compensation-gate" mostly completed, this book is filled with insights into the personalities behind what should have been a simple and quick front office only transaction (with no compensation as you will soon read). Why it became a bollixed, vitriol filled, press inflated, word-slinging mess that only Boston is known for makes more sense to me after this read.
There is a lot of story to set up before Theo Epstein jumps in, so prepare for the first part of the world's longest book summary. Most of Theo's story will be in part deux. Part one, after the jump...
m.trout gets his 1st cycle...
cubs sure are good at these late/last-inning comeback teases only to fail...
4-5, final...men stranded on 1st and 3rd.
make that 4/4 (.223)
Man, I'm sure glad Camp wasn't DFA'd. It's not like guaranteed salary is important or something. Wait....what?
16.2ip 26h 6bb 12k - 7.56era 1.92whip
rondon/russell/camp combine to give away a 3-0 lead.
awesome 5 run inning.
welcome back garza...this is what you've been missing.
still lots of lipstick on this Cubs pig...
btw on Garza, Cubs have no reason to trade him if they don't score big-time prospects. They'll certainly offer him the qualifying offer and get the draft pick or happily have him back.
Always good to get Shawn Camp some work. I hope Garza breaks his knees with a bat when he gets bak to the dugout.
Worst Cubs bullpen ever?
Phillip Humber on the roster, not a good thing though.
and......Camp gives him a no decision. Go Cubs.
He does have the stuff. Plus guys from Nacogdoches are always cool.
5ip 1h 3bb 5k (0r) for garza...82 pitches
cruising around 94mph with the fastball (92-94mph, mostly tipping to the upper).
I bet the Cubs could add Phillip Humber to the roster if they wanted.
well, he did have a no-hitter through 4.1ip today at least.
"Ability to have guys that have no-hitter-type stuff go out there is always a nice asset to have." -- Sveum, before game, on Garza return.
In other news, Tom Thibodeau said he likes basketball players that are good at shooting and Marc Trestman says the Bears are going to attempt to score touchdowns this year.
d.barney 2/2...breaks the .200 mark (.208)...should be over .300 ob% with that, too.
i would be impressed with more walks if he wasn't hitting 8th so much (all but 4pa this year).