Buy That Kid a Drink

CPat leading off? Rolling on the floor laughing... They're coming to take me away ha ha.

Dusty and Hendry believe that they will wake up today and find a completely different Corey Patterson then the one who has been playing in the major leagues since 2002 (or for that matter in the minors and majors since 1998). It is called the triumph of hope over experience. After all, he has all that talent and tools, say the scouts. I don't know really who is more stubborn, Corey for maintaining his current approach to the game or Dusty and Hendry for continuing to believe this guy will work out. There is a certain grand madness to it. Mad is the word since all of the above keep repeating what they have done before but keep expecting different results.

Great minds think alike. I wrote my post before I saw the Insane Cubster's post. Time to open that second bottle of Jack Daniels.

I know we've been around the world and back with Murton/Cedeno discussions, but does anyone else think its really weird that of the 2 Cedeno's getting far more playing time? The Cubs have no great options for Left Field, and it sure seemed like the hollandsworth trade would force Dusty's hand to play Murton. Yet he sits almost every night unless there is a lefty on the mound while Infielder Hairston and Pathetic Korey are playing. Meanwhile, Cedeno - a guy I like, but who I don't think has nearly the potential of Murton - has been starting every other or every 3rd day. Now, I do think Cedeno should be starting over Neifi, and I realise that a lot of his starts are actually taking the bat away from Todd Walker, but of the two, Murton seems like the guy who should be playing a lot more. So what do you think is Dusty's motive here? I can only think of two reasons, 1 - Dusty's never liked being told what to do, and he's rebelling against the trade of Todd Hollandsworth (much like how he reacted when Dubois was supposed to be named the starter earlier this year) or 2 - Dusty sees in Cedeno a little of whatever it is he sees in Neifi and Macias. (Or along those same lines, maybe the bench boys gave the kid a peek at the pictures) Anyone else have any better ideas?

It's been said that a monkey typing on a keyboard, if given enough time, would come up with a great novel. Is that dusty's approach to lineup selection? We've already had ONE bad century... some random queeries: Resting Nomar? Another Oxymoron? Is Dusty and Oxymoron in the same sentence qualify as a double entendre? Does Dusty feel that if he shows that Nomar has worked hard enough for his $8 million this year, then could Dusty get $8 million if he worked twice as hard as Nomar? Does coming up with a new lineup every day qualify as hard work or random work?

Dusty (and Hendry) are fools...WHY ARE THEY PLAYING PATTERSON at all...? He just can't get on base...Bobby Cox would never play someone like Corey...He would have Murton out there almost every day...Cedeno and Murton should get LOTS of playing time. Yet, the Cubs management is stubborn...I can understand if Cedeno gets hurt then go with Neifi or Nomar but give these young guys a chance.

I can understand if Cedeno gets hurt then go with Neifi or... Scott: Don't tell me you posted this before they took Cedeno out of the game with an injury. If you did, could you please say something nice about CPat so he can pull a hammy or sprain an ankle?

I love it when Henry Blanco hits the foul pole. #9 Scott McClain #24 Henry Blanco I think McClain should consider a number change too.

Way to go Blanco -- great on the Defense today and now a 2 run home run...Henry is hitting .317 over his last 27 games...He is quite an offensive powerhouse right now -- and the Cubs really benefit from players like him. Patterson is 0 for 4 -- just what you would expect...WHY WON'T DUSTY PULL PATTERSON...? He may be a great defensive player but he just can't provide any help with the bat.

Dusty supporters...please justify placing Korey in the leadoff spot? Please?

Give me a break, dude. Corey, Neifi and Jose got pictures of me, that, well, let's just say you shouldn't get a portrait done of you, a pound of crystal meth, cuban cigars, weapons-grade uranium, 3 hamsters and a dead hooker. Don't ever say I don't learn from my mistakes, dude. And hey, we're winning, isn't that enough?

Did Cedeno get hurt? As for Murton, how do you know he can hit righties if he never plays against them? The conspiracy theory says he plays against lefties, builds up his stats-so they can get more for him in trade this off season. Otherwise, DEVELOP him against both righties and lefties and help him get ready for next year.

Dusty's Doghouse defined. I find it interesting that the person who has benefitted most from the dumping of Hollandsworth to Atlanta is Hairston (some would say Corey but I'm thinking left field on this one). Hairy has actually done fairly well both at the plate and in the field, but I recall Dusty saying something about LF being the toughest field to play when asked why he wasn't playing Hairston there earlier in the year. I guess it's all about contradictions when Dusty needs to justify his actions. Of course, Hairston was in Dusty's doghouse back then. Now that he only has rookies to play as an alternative, Hairston no longer qualifies as a dog houser. Hairy has made some nice plays in a tough sun field today. Still the concept of Dusty's Doghouse clearly isn't about who gets to play based on earning it through good play or being hot...it's about service or some intangible that gets him to show his loyalty to a player (or having those blackmailing photos). Bond's activated Monday...no circus for the cubs this series.

Did anyone read the articles about the possibility of Nomar playing left field?...Imagine....Barrett/Blanco at Catcher, DLEE, Walker, Cedeno, Ramirez from 1st to 3rd, Nomah in Left, Damon in Center and Burnie in Right....Cedeno would be practically free, and Damon would come from the "Sammy Savings"...resign burnie for your third outfielder, bench of Blanco, Perez, Hairston, Murton, and Grieve/McClain/whomever....Bullpen filled from within with Prior, Z, Wood, Maddux, and Williams filling the rotation. If Ramirez pulls a groin, put Nomar there and Murton in left...if Walker gets hurt or Cedeno, play Neifi...or move Nomar in and put Murton in left...I don't know the odds of Nomar playing left, but, boy do I like our lineup: 1.Damon 2.Cedeno 3.DLee 4.Nomar 5.Ramirez 6.Burnie 7.Walker 8.Barrett 9.Pitcher Doesn't sound too bad to me at all...

Why does Dusty almost always go with the same Bullpen pitchers...? He has not tried using Rich Hill in any game in the month of September...Rich Hill could be quite effective as a Bullpen pitcher IF Dusty would ever give him a chance.

"Corey, Neifi and Jose got pictures of me, that, well, let's just say you shouldn't get a portrait done of you, a pound of crystal meth, cuban cigars, weapons-grade uranium, 3 hamsters and a dead hooker."

Lol! Is it alright if I henceforth always refer to Jose Macias as "a pound of crystal meth, cuban cigars, weapons-grade uranium, 3 hamsters and a dead hooker". It's just a great nickname, so much better than "Gremlin". You don't mind do you?

Cubs IF: McClain, Neifi, Macias, Lee. Damn you DLee, you're keeping us from seeing the worst Infield in the history of the game. Where's Todd Hollandsworth when you REALLY need him.

Patterson is 0 for 5 and Dusty still has him in the game (as a lead-off hitter)...What does Hendry think about this...? Send Patterson back down to Iowa to learn how to hit or trade him...Just my view.

Maybe Murton would get more playing time if he were black.

Send Patterson back down to Iowa... That's a great idea. Hush, don't him the I-Cubs season ended and see if he notices when he get's off the airplane in Des Moines.

Dempster follows through and the Cubs win (in spite of some crazy decisions by Dusty Baker)...;-)

Now that Scott McClain is hitting .167 I suggest he switch from uniform #9 (ala Henry Blanco) To do this he could pay Dusty a hefty amount to switch to #12, and instantly get to play every day as well as double his batting average.

for what its worth i'm a big proponent for bringing nomar back. the risk/reward should be worth the price they'll have to pay to get him. if he's healthy, he's a great hitter. if he's willing to accept playing 2b, lf or ss, he's all the more valuable. i love captain caveman but i can't see boston letting him go. i said this before, i'll say it again: the entire offense is built off the lineup. if you know you have lee 3rd, ramirez 4th, 2, 6, 7 and 8 are not hard to fill. that leaves leadoff and 5 as the most important to fill. if we would have had good production from 1 and 5 2005 would have been different. that said, fill those spots, don't, however, count on nomar for one of them, and see this offense come alive. burnitz was productive this year for a 6 hitter-just not enough production for a 5. as for the pitching, guzman will not be able to pitch 200 innnings-probably ever. put him in the bullpen. a # 3 starter is a must. we need three players: leadoff, #5 hitter, #3 starter. set-up upgrade would be nice as well.

murton's minor league platoon splits (from the NSBB board): Murton at WT vs RHP: AB/AVG/HR/RBI/SLG/OBP/BB/K 196/.332/4/40/.459/.388/18/26 LHP: AB/AVG/HR/RBI/SLG/OBP/BB/K 117/.349/4/16/.564/.414/11/16 at Iowa vs RHP AB/AVG/HR/RBI/SLG/OBP/BB/K 25/.280/0/2/.440/.379/2/6 vs. LHP AB/AVG/HR/RBI/SLG/OBP/BB/K 9/.556/1/1/.889/.417/2/2 he hits righties just fine...

WILD CARD WATCH Cubs still not completely out of it. The fat woman is warming up though. Houston 75-65 (10-12 to go 85-77 if 1-6 against cubs then 9-6 the rest of the games) Florida 75-66 (10-11 all against winning teams) Philly 74-67 (11-10) Washington (12-7) Milwawkee 70-71 (15-6) NY (15-6) Cubs (15-5 if go 6-1 against Houston then 9-4 in all other games) Could this be a miracle season for the cubs??? We need to win tomorrow then sweep Cin. 4-0 Take 2 out of 4 from stl 6-2 2 out of 3 from mil. 8-3 2 out of 3 from Houston 10-4 split with pittsburgh 11-5 Sweep Houston 15-5.

wow. Cubs Win. But if there was ever anything that made me agree that baker should get his ass kicked and fired, it is today's lineup. So fucking mind numbing. Quite simply, I'm mystified and stupified. This bullshit of refusing to play Murton and Cedeno who have done nothing but play lights out baseball. I've stayed quiet about it and let everyone else complain. My turn to yell AARRGGHHHH!!! I've truly never wished ill will on anyone in my life until now. It's way past time to throw Baker and CPat off the plane on the way home. Chin scratchin time. Nice september from the Cubs thus far. 20 games left. What would a 15-5 record do for us? 8 games over 500. long shot. hard for this team to do. and it looks like the winner of the wild card will prolly be 10 over 500. Just looking at RS and RA. Thinking, damn. We've scored more runs than every team above us in wild card race. (tied with Mil) But then you look at the RA and smack your forhead. THEN I looked one rung down at the Reds. Holy crap. 707 RS (cards-707 RS) then that glaring 771 RA. WOW!! I know the RS and RA don't mean that much but it is kinda an interesting stat to ponder and say if only...

I hope Hendry was watching today. Because maybe he will have finally have seen the light on why Dusty sucks. How did he decide Patterson was the lead-off guy. Did Patterson call him at midnight again asking him to do it? Did he let Darren make-up the line-up? Does he actually think Patterson is a lead-off hitter? UFB I cant believe he pulled that shit again, of course I shouldnt be. Watching Baker manage is enough to bang ones head aganist a wall. GO Buckeyes!!!

Josh, Look at the matchups. Houston has 7 against us 3 against FLA 3 against MIl and 2 against Stl. If we take 6 out of 7 Houston is done. Period. If Miluakee wins 2 out of 3 from Houston this would be the nail in the coffin. Florida probably has the best chance of winning the wildcard, so we have to pull for houston to sweep or at least win 2 out of 3. We do need some help but with so many teams playing each other we could still sneak in and suprise some people. The bottom line is WE MUST KEEP WINNING.

Heres another tidbit to think about. Has anyone noticed our team is better withour aram? (Poor defense, slow runner) I say we try to trade Aram, Hill, & Mitre to the reds for Dunn this offseason. Sign Nomar to play 3rd. Sign Damon to play center. Heres my projected Lineup. Damon Walker Lee Dunn Nomar Burnitz Cedeno Barrett

Dusty's right. It's well known LF is the toughest to learn. That's why Dave Kingman played there. And when they put Ron Santo in the outfiled they chose... left field. And that's why defensive aces Cliff Johnson and Glenallen Hill have likewise patrolled this key area for the Cubs. And jay Johnstone and Moose Moran. You better be one hell of a fielder if you're playing left fot the Cubs. Right, Greg Gross? You bet, Scot Thompson. Left field is to MLB what right field is to Little League.

Well John, sure you could. It's a little long, though, dude. And Tbone, of course it's the hardest position to field. You have to cover more ground than any other outfield position, more hitters are righties, so you get more balls hit at you, and have you seen the funny dimensions of Wrigley in left field? I just wish I had Chili Davis out there, keeping everything under control. What's he doing now, anyway?

A Different Kind Of Streak For Cox...? http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news...

NC Fan, The only reason that the Reds want to trade Dunn is because of the money he is going to make. They don't Aram.

I say we try to trade Aram, Hill, & Mitre to the reds for Dunn this offseason. This would the worst trade in baseball history. Aram is a better hitter than Dunn, and probably will always be. So why would we trade for a worse hitter than we would be giving up, and throw in two quality prospects? Come on.

The 2006 schedule is being released but the only facts I found are from the Astro's website. Cubs are in Houston for July 4th. So it looks like the Cubs will be playing vs the AL Central too. Probably a trip to Minnesota and KC. Detroit and the Indians should be at WF (based on 2001) but the schedule makers might not be looking at past history. The last time they played the AL Central was 2001. (away vs. Detroit, ) (home vs. Minn, KC) (didn't play Cleve) http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news... Other key series at Minute Maid Park include three matchups with the Chicago Cubs (June 5-7, July 3-5, and Aug. 14-16) Houston opens at home vs the Marlins and Nats, then away vs. Giants, Dbacks. Astro Interleague is vs the AL central (home vs. Rangers (natural rival) plus Royals, Twins; away vs. Whitesox, Tigers, Rangers) Astros end the year vs. Cardinals at home and away vs. Atlanta (nice that it's no cakewalk)

Aram is a better hitter than Dunn, and probably will always be. I disagree, but this will never happen so arguing it is a waste.

I disagree What do you disagree about? That Aram is better now? Or that Aram will always be? And why?

I'm with Dave and Chifan. That's an awful trade to give up ARam. Althout it's a fine lineup, it would be 10x better with ARam instead of Nomar. I would also say that ARam is better at D than Nomar. In fact, I encourage Aram not to run hard on ground outs for risk of injury, and the same for Nomar. Point: Give up on Nomar. He's done as a Star SS. He's a heckuva $2M+incentives SS.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/new... We will play MIN in the dome. Also according to sox.com we play them at there place May 19-21. I am assuming we will play CLE due to the fact we did not play them last time. Because we haven't played alot of IL games I agree with Cubster that we will play KC and DET. giving us 18 IL games. If we want to win the division we need to go 12-6 in that span.

What do you disagree about? That Aram is better now? Or that Aram will always be? And why? Both. Dunn has just as much, if not more power. I think he has more by quite a bit. He also doesn't make as many outs. He may strikeout a lot, but he neutralizes it by getting the walk. I think Cub fans should know the value of walk and OBP%. It's what this club lacks dearly and is why I want Giles more than anyone.

Check this article out...Dusty makes some comments about playing Patterson ... No Bonds in series finale http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-k...

I think Aram is a sammy/moises style player. Good stick. Bad Defense and could improve on OBP. I think if nomar could stay healthy he would actually be a better fit if we had Dunn in the lineup. With Damon Walker batting in front of Lee he wouldn't have trouble getting to 100 rbi's like he is this season. With Lee and Dunn OBP machines batting in front of nomar and burny this would give us a 2 tier attack at offense. I love Aram and like him on the team, but if we could upgrade hes the one out of the big 4 (lee, aram, prior, z) that I would be willing to part with. And I would say the worst trade in baseball history would probably be the one that involved babe ruth. or the walter johnson trade....

I think Cub fans should know the value of walk and OBP%. Cub fans do know the value. Not much evidence that "managment/personnel/human resources" gets it. And there's the rub.

from Paul Sullivan in the Trib: "I was just trying to do something and get him in the action right away," Baker said. "That was the thinking. It didn't work." Patterson went 0-for-5 and saw only 12 pitches, leaving him with a .167 average since returning from his demotion to Triple-A Iowa. Baker was hesitant to say whether he would try Patterson in the leadoff spot again. "I don't know, man," he said. "It didn't work today, so Ö " -- Here's a concept Dusty, the leadoff hitter has to PROVE (as in earn the leadoff spot) he can get on base before you insert him in that spot. Try putting someone with a decent OBP. who can work the pitch count as a leadoff hitter. It's not gonna happen MAGICALLY with CPat. 12 pitches in 5 AB's is pathetic. After all the fuss raised about CPat's tools this shows the problem is one of inability to learn and understand lessons taught. Here's a concept Jim Hendry, next year give your manager a true leadoff hitter. Your manager doesn't understand what the qualities of a leadoff hitter are so...MAKE IT OBVIOUS who that guy is.

excerpted from Hal McCoy in the Dayton Daily News: Q ó I made a bet before the season that Adam Dunn wouldn't hit his weight (270). Has he been losing any weight lately? Tell him to eat hearty. ó Chris, Miamisburg A ó If he is going to do what he did to me last week, I hope he does lose about 50 pounds, even if it costs you your bet. He was sitting on a clubhouse couch (his massage recliner is still AWOL) when I knelt behind the couch to ask him a question. He leaned back on the couch to better hear me and suddenly I had a couch and 270 pounds of baseball player on top of my right thigh. I tried to lift the whole package. Fat chance. Ken Griffey Jr. and Austin Kearns came to my rescue, those humanitarians, and lifted the couch and Dunn off me. The top of my thigh is purple, '44' is stamped on my leg ... and I never did get an answer to my question. --- Q ó Will the Reds try hard to sign Adam Dunn? I heard he prefers not to sign and would rather explore free agency. ó Dave, Colerain A ó Dunn can explore all he wants until they call him Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan or Henry Hudson. He can't explore free agency until after the 2007 season. He is eligible for salary arbitration and the number will be high. Not only should the Reds sign him for next year, but they should sign him for five years. Yeah, he has mentioned he wouldn't mind playing for hometown Houston, probably so he can be closer to Texas football. But they do televise football games, even out of Texas.

Response to Post #44 by Mr. Magical Thinker. Again, the jive Dusty gives to the press and the fans come back to haunt him, in this case the line is that he has to play Corey and Neifi because he wants to win. Actually, if it was about winning games right now, then Corey would be firmly anchored to the bench. But as I pointed out as the No. 2 post above, the Cubs' management really want to hope that Corey wakes up one morning and become the player they have been dreaming on all these years. The triumph of hope over experience and I am afraid it may take the turning of the calendar, say Corey's 28th birthday, before the Cubs wake up from this particular dream. To be succient, he put Corey at lead-off to see if could get him out of this season long slump. If you read the opening chapters of Moneyball, Michael Lewis portrays the young Billy Beane, so like Corey in talent and results. It would not be a surprising Irony to see Corey as a sabermetrically inclined GM in 20 years.

NCFAN: excuse me, but you are friggin' delusional

Here's the deal from Mr. Obvious: Left field requires little throwing arm and with a good centerfielder, little speed. Easiest outfield spot to fill. 2b requires little arm and less range than shortstop. For years, teams have moved avaerage to marginal infielders to second base. Many a good hitting catcher or 3rd baseman was moved to leftfield. As for Aramis, he's a better hitter than Adam Dunn. He has power to all fields, a good eye and hits for average. Dunn, on the otherhand has power and a good eye. Add in that 3b is a much harder position to fill (how many did we try since Santo?) and you have absolutely no reason to trade a 3b like Aramis in his late 20's. On another note, lets say the Cubs sign a free agent or trade for a #3 starter. I'd say the pitching staff would look something like this: 1. Prior 2. Zambrano 3. ? 4. Wood 5. Maddux closer: Dempster loogy: ohman setup: upgrade-veteran rh middle: Novoa Lh middle: Hill rh middle: guzman I think the Cubs will attempt to upgrade their primary setup man but like enough of what they see in Novoa to keep him. That tells me Michael Wuertz will be moved. They want to upgrade their rotation and include Wood, so you'd guess if they keep Jerome Williams, he'll take Wuertz' spot and be available for emergency starting. I can't believe they have any room for Aardsma at this point, especially with their desire for someone with more experience. I'd say Mitre, Aardsma, Wellemyer and more than likely Jerome Williams, will be dealt in the off season. Guzman for all his ailes will be given every opportunity to play a prominent role in the bullpen. Not even the Cubs are dumb enough to think he can give you 180 to 200 innings, however, they still rave about his ability. Last but not least, I don't see them going 12 pitchers next year. They want quality over quantity.

Hey, hey...Murton plays against a righty, albeit it 's Brett Tomko (7-14) Today's lineup: CPat on the bench Hairy leads off MURTON bats 8th the only bad is Neifi bats 2nd, but with Cedeno hurt we knew he'd be in there. So Cedeno's going down means at least Walker plays against both lefty's and rightys. Silly but that's dustyball.

Hal McCoy--"He was sitting on a clubhouse couch (his massage recliner is still AWOL) when I knelt behind the couch to ask him a question."

I know it's a bit late now, Hal, but in future I would recommend that you sit down on the couch alongside Adam Dunn. This not only prevents you from having to write extremely weird lines such as "I knelt behind the coach to scratch the back of his neck ask him a question" in your columns, it also means you don't get your leg crushed.

Hal again--"Q ó Will the Reds try hard to sign Adam Dunn? I heard he prefers not to sign and would rather explore free agency. ó Dave, Colerain A ó Dunn can explore all he wants until they call him Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan or Henry Hudson [but he's not a free agent until after 2007]."

Hehe. Regarding Ryan Dempster as closer, 49 IP, 41 H, 1 HR, 2.20 ERA, 3.42 GB/FB, 26/28 in saves. There's a lot to like there, but I'm really not convinced he's worth bringing back. It's to do with the 22 BB, 40 K, 1.48 WHIP, really, that and the fact he's been noticeably lucky (Pujols line drives picking out infielders, etc). Here, let me list the other closers with K/BB ratios below 2.00 in 2005 (min 5 saves) -- Bob Wickman, Jason Isringhausen, Danys Baez, Braden Looper, Jose Mesa, Yhenzy Brazoban, Brandon Lyon, Armando Benitez, Brian Bruney, Dan Kolb, Danny Graves, Shingo Takatsu, Troy Percival, Octavio Dotel. I think you get my drift, because there you've got three good closers (two of which were injured, Benitez and Dotel, and one that's getting old, Isringhausen) and the rest is the cast of "Closers From Hell: When Leads Are Pissed Away". Anyway, I'm perfectly happy with Dempster as long as it's a short-term commitment and we're not spending much money on him, but, hmm, longer or more would scare me away, and that's what he's likely to get as a free agent.

Mr. Tightpants, Kyle Farnsworth just got his 6th save in a month for the Braves. A popup and 2K's to end the 9th vs the Nats. This is a multiple choice question: Why, does this alway happen soon departed ex-Cubs? a) Is it the magic of soon becoming a free agent? b) Is it the Bobby Cox/Leo Mazzone magic? c) Is it the Cubs impatience with talented headcases? d) Is it the Billy Goat? e) Is it home cooking for Kyle (he's from Atlanta)? f) all of the above (note that CPat is a free agent in 2007, and he's from Atlanta too...good luck to the Braves on that one)

I want a NEW offense. Hairy. Groundout-1 pitch Neifi. Popout-3rd pitch DLee. Flyout-5th pitch. OK. I'll keep DLee, but PLEEEZE...no more Neifi except in the 7 or 8 spot.

murton pulls one out!!! YEAH!!! that's the murton this team needs! right on!

to quote Jack Brickhouse: "Whoooboy" Murton hits a homer for a 2-1 lead... Dusty claps in the dugout. Right handed pitcher... Did we miss the point?

OK. He's a good friend of Neifi's...so there!

Regarding Dempster as closer: see 3rd base...in other words, the Cubs have looked far too long now for an effective closer. They'll re-sign Dempster.

Macias PH for Murton... Why do I even bother listening..?

Dusty Baker: "Hey kid, good job! Now sit your stupid rookie ass on the bench." "Macias, come here boy!" *Macias runs up and hugs Dusty like a father. Dusty looks glowingly down upon his little gremlin like a father* Dusty: "Your turn to bat!" Macias: "I will make you proud Mr. Baker, I will swing on the first ball thrown to me." Dusty: "Thats my boy. MURTON!!! This is where rookies learn how to play better. Watch Macias." Murton: *under his breath* I hate this team...

that'd be funny if only you'd actually watch the game insted of working on your comedy routine. macias hit for williamson...patterson replaced hairston who replaced murton in the *8th* after murton popped out in the top 8th. murton wouldnt have come up again unless the game got tied again. and if you still think murton is just gonna sit on the bench for the hell of it...well...be prepared to be suprised or maybe find some way to blame dusty for cedeno's injury, im sure it can be done if someone tries hard enough.

"murton wouldnt have come up again unless the game got tied again." well..tie or a buncha hits...

seriously...are there a lotta people here who think murton is just gonna play vs. lefties from here on out or battle like hell with patterson? im sure there are...but c'mon...there's a little more to "dusty ball" than playing a vet cuz he's a vet...and yeah, i still see murton getting 80 ab's easy...and yeah, its a damn shame cedeno's gone down

okay...i understand the frustration with dusty, but seriously...is it really on this level? there's been wins-galore with a week now and people still got stuff to bitch about and very little good to say. a lotta people cant even compliment cedeno/murton without giving them a death sentence in the same post. yeah, the year is 99.99% over...yeah, dusty didnt make all the right moves...and yeah, there are some of us who believe the players did a whole lot more to blow this than the lineup jockey. if murton played every game from here on out...which he most likely wont...there would still probally be people saying hendry "made him" do it. hating a guy is one thing, but wow...there's still a team out there on the field. if murton gets his 70-80ab's is that dusty paying attention or is it murton earning his shot? yeah, some people think it should have happened earlier, but some people also think murton (and cedeno's) time is later and not now...not cuz they're "out of the race" but cuz they've still got a bit to prove. MURTON TURNED ON ONE AND PULLED A HOMER FOR THE *FIRST* TIME OF HIS MLB CAREER TODAY. geez...this is a HUGE milestone in his progress. replicating this...even just putting it down the LF line and not over the wall would be a huge step for him and would show a lot about his improving game. today murton took a big ass step in his career.

I say 3rd base in general isn't as hard a position to fill these days. I think 3 years of Nomar then sign a young free agent. I believe this team would click better with a healthy Nomar next year.

Just so you know, Crunch, Murton's going to need 4 at-bats in every single one of the remaining 17 games in September to reach 80 at-bats on the month.

macias hit for williamson...patterson replaced hairston who replaced murton in the *8th* after murton popped out in the top 8th. murton wouldnt have come up again unless the game got tied again. So what you're saying is Dusty screwed up the double switch yet again. Apparently he still hasn't figured out that the point of the double switch is to have the pitcher bat LATER in the game. As far as Murton not batting again without a tie or a bunch of hits, I believe he was technically taken out of the game in the middle of the 8th, when he would have been due to hit 4th in the 9th inning. Which is why we saw Macias pinch hitting there. All it took was 1 hit. Seriously, How can ANYONE whose managed NL baseball for nearly 15 years still not know the point of a double switch?

BTW, I actually do think we'll be seeing Murton in most games from here on out. After Saturday's game, Dusty was talking about Corey in much the same vain as he talked about Holly when the decision was made to let Dubois start for a few weeks. I predict from here on out, Murton will be starting almost everyday. BUT we will continue to see him pulled in the late innings - frequently in backass double switches. (Yes, exactly the same way Dubois was used during his brief term as "starter")

Your right, I didn't watch the game. I just did my spoof off of what SM said. Doesn't mean it isn't based in truth, hehe. It is September 12th, and Murton has had 13 AB's. Something seriously wrong with that.

yeah, i dont got a problem with the spoof...i just dont get the sudden god-like status of prospects while heaping crap on a manager and ignoring progress in the prospects tools...the things theyre supposed to be working on and actually achieving it. i just dont get that. the one thing murton has needed to show and he shows it...yeah, he's done it before...off some 21/23 year olds in AA who mostly throw fastballs and bad breakers anyway...but wow, he pulled that bat handle into himself and parked one out with authority, one thing that's been missing from his game. you better believe if he does that again sometime soon he'll be seeing a lot more outside/middle working on him from righties. it'll be interesting to see how cin chooses to handle him. whatever he's been doing or whoever he's been listening to about his need to pull, it looked damn nice yesterday. im a murton fan...this is exciting crap to me to see him go inside and hit it off the fat of the bat insted of swinging through it or hitting it 50-150ft. off the skinny of the bat. he laid meat on that and BLAM...if he does it again any time soon advanced scouts better get to work telling their clubs to pitch him down and hope he keeps it out of the air as their only solution to murton.

That was indeed a beautiful sight. I like Murton more and more all the time. He seems like a smart ballplayer and a student of the game. I can't see any reason for him not to be the starting LF next year. I'd like to see him & Giles in the corners.

between murton's eye and his ability to adapt...so far so good. continued success should be a boon to the team and its payroll flexability. no need to overpay for a backup SS...esp. one that's expanding his game to cover 2nd in murton. that leaves hairston to CF unless they decide to spend big...the pen/RF/SS and perhaps a 5th starter could be well within reach of the cubs in top order if murton can show he's worth a 5-8m replacement player.

no need to overpay for a backup SS...esp. one that's expanding his game to cover 2nd in CEDENO...that is... and once again, for those that believe he's a starter, nix that suggestion...hehe