Mark DeRosa traded to…Cardinals

June 28, 2009

Jim Hendry trading Mark DeRosa has to go down as the worst trade away in post Lou Brock Cub history. It certainly is the most unpopular. Cubs were ranked first in the league last year against RH pitchers and yet we “needed more left handed bats”. Aaron Miles who can’t field and can’t run and hasn’t hit? Milton Bradley who hasn’t made it past GO? Fontenot who is not an every day player?

And who could have been playing 3rd while Ramirez is out? The first guy to play 3rd who actually looks like Ronnie out there. And he could have played left for defense, right as a starter and second as needed. What type of GM gives up a guy who can play all 9 positions for a lefthanded bat? A guy who brought great energy to the clubhouse, who always talked to the media, who was bar none the fan favorite, and above all, who understood what it means to be a Cubbie and tried to honor it every day?

It was wrong in every way possible and now the Cardinals have him. There goes any hope for our season to turn around. I’m happy for him. He gets to come back to Wrigley so fans can show him how much he’s missed. Problem being Kerry Wood is left behind – another person who understood what it means to be a Cub and someone who was actively involved in charity work.

How much charity work does Soriano do? His acquisition by far is the worst thing Hendry has ever done and there’s no getting rid of him. Compare his stats with DeRosa’s and it’s not even close.

Last year, DeRosa generated 20% of the Cubs runs while playing anywhere he was needed – sometimes two different positions in one game (once 3) and batting wherever Lou put him. Never complaining. And no matter how he was hitting, his defense was always solid. Albert Pujols generated only 10 more runs than DeRosa and if you even out their plate appearances – they’re equal.

How could Hendry justify trading someone who generated as many runs as Pujols? Somebody who could play a lot more than 1st base and is a lot faster on the basepaths.

He actually made our team worse with the changes he made and the proof is in the box score.

Pinella re: Soto: “It’s a non-issue as far as I’m concerned”

June 26, 2009

Lou Pinella comments on Geovany Soto’s positive drug test for marijuana back in March during the World Baseball Classic. Soto has apologized and neither MLB nor the Cubs are going to sanction him. His penalty was a 2-year suspension from international play. It happened before the season, Soto was representing Team Puerto Rico and ost of all, he didn’t test positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Spliffs aren’t exactly the way to improve hand-eye coordination, or in Bradley’s case, remember how many outs there are.

LOU PINELLA:

I have smoked dope one time in my life, and it didn’t do a damn thing for me, ok? And I never tried it again. And I’m fortunate because of that. I do know that young people make mistakes at times, and they learn from mistakes. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, personally, and I’ve learned from them. So how am I gonna — I read his comment. He knows what he did is wrong. And now he said he was embarrassed and sorry about it and it’s over with. It’s a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.

Denise Richards sang in honor of her mother

May 6, 2009

I really don’t understand the fuss about Denise Richards’ singing the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley last week. So she didn’t sing the greatest. Big deal. She wasn’t there to sing. Well she was, but she wasn’t there as a singer. They are called “guest conductors” for a reason - most of them can’t sing - even some of the folks who sing for a living. Peter Cetera didn’t sound so hot the next day. That’s not the point. The point is they have the courage to get up there and how much enthusiasm they show while they’re doing it. And on that she was 2 for 2.

I read a post by some guy who said it’s time to stop the tradition. He clearly doesn’t go to Wrigley nor can he be a fan. It’s part of the Wrigley tradition. Not only does it harken back to Harry Carey, it harkens back to Jeff Gordon and Ozzie and Mike Ditka and I suppose, now Denise Richards. It’s a time to stand up and sing with the rest of the crowd…just in case there’s no singing at the end of the game.

It’s not meant as a singing competition. Ron Santo is not blessed with a singing voice but there’s no one who gets a louder ovation. It’s the enthusiasm and it’s that moment of suspense before they sing: a 1, a 2, a 3…when you wonder are they going to sink or swim.

Leave her alone. She was in Chicago for a fundraiser for the Kidney Cancer Association in memory of her mother, who died from it last year. While there, she asked the Cubs folks in attendance if she could set up an information booth at Wrigley - they said yes, would you sing? And she did - in memory of her mother.

And what did she get for it? An internet bashing.

She was there for a good cause. She was there to remember and honor her mother. She had her reality film crew following her. And as someone who grew up a Cubfan, she got to sit in the booth with Pat & Ron and get a glimpse of the great view. They enjoyed her and she them. And while she was there, Ryan Theriot got a grand slam and she was treated to Pat’s call and Ronnie’s scream - something most every Cubfan would sing for.

Pat & Ron: “The Gamer”

May 4, 2009

They showed Ronnie early in the game and he looked like he had been in a sauna despite it being in the 50s at Wrigley. His piece looked wet and spiky and it was sticking straight up. Kinda like a mohawk with sides. I thought maybe he forgot and wore his “gamer”. His third string piece used as a last resort. It took till the top 7th for Pat to mention it.

PAT: You’re sporting a new do tonite.

RON: Yeah. Got a new haircut today. Thought I’d get the spiked look.

PAT: A different look tomorrow?

RON: I’m probably gonna go dry tomorrow.

PAT: The dry look.

RON: The dry look - this is the wet look.

PAT: Have you notice if women have a preference between the wet or the dry?

RON: I don’t know.

[Matt laughing in the background]

PAT: No, with your hair.

RON: It doesn’t matter.

PAT: It doesn’t matter?

RON: My wife is the only one that matters.

PAT: Good answer.

RON: Are you saying I would have a few more looking at the dry look?

PAT: You get a lot of looks anyway. You still have two or three sets you wear.

RON: Yeah.

PAT: Do you give your pieces nicknames like you used to?

RON: I still have a “gamer”. Something I would wear with a hat so if it fell off I would look like –

PAT: You’ve got some hair up there.

RON: Yeah some hair.

PAT: So your gamer would be your last string.

RON: Yeah. If I lose my number one and my number two - like if it caught on fire or something. Wait a minute - that already happened.

[Laughing]

Ron stood up for the National Anthem at his favorite park Shea Stadium and his piece caught on fire from the space heater. He didn’t realize it was burning until he smelled it. One more reason to hate Shea, which thankfully no longer exists.

Here’s the infamous heater (at top) courtesy of Matt Boltz.

Pat & Ron & Fergie, the male model

May 3, 2009

Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux had their numbers retired at Wrigley today. Check out the videos below. Prior to singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Fergie talked with Pat & Ron and as usual the conversation went in an unexpected direction.

Turns out Fergie was a male model in Canada. So Pat wants to know what kind of modeling he did.

PAT: No flexing involved?

FERGIE: I modeled clothes.

RON: He always asking questions like that.

PAT: Ron, have you ever modeled?

RON: They wanted me in Playgirl and I said no.

————–

#31 Retirement Ceremony Fergie Jenkins & Greg Maddux
WGN John Williams intervies Fergie Jenkins

WGN's John Willliams interviews Fergie Jenkins

May 2, 2009

Worth listening to. April 16th WGN interview - John Williams and Ferguson Jenkins talk about baseball, what Fergie’s up to, the old Cubbies, today’s players and their salaries. It took 6 20-win seasons for Fergie to make $100K. How much does Soriano get to jog to first and hop out in left?

Fergie always brings up how bad he wants to coach. Billie, Ronnie, Ernie and Ryno are all directly involved with the Cubbies and Fergie has always been the odd man out. He would give anything to coach. He says it each time he’s on and nobody in the Cubs organization hears him. It’s wrong. Depending on his present finances - he’d probably do it for free.

I hope the way overdue retirement of his number is just the start. It would be great to see him around like the other guys.

WGN

Baseball was Fergie’s third sport. He played hockey and played with the Harlem Globetrotters

Denise Richards, 7th inning stretch at Wrigley

May 1, 2009

Denise Richards was at Wrigley today fulfilling a fantasy…though not necessarily hers…and probably more than one. Richards, a Chicago native, was at the Park with her father and sister taking in the game as a wrap up to her reality show, which I didn’t know existed. She got to sing the 7th inning stretch, which requires - for the lucky and the brave - a stop in the booth with Pat & Ron. It was a long inning and it was fun to listen to since Pat & Ron were on their best behavior. Though you know Ronnie. And Pat got to actually do a proper interview which is his gratification.

Richards didn’t try to talk over them and actually listened like a true fan. Pat asked about the camera crew filming her every move and one or the other asked if they were going to be in her show. She said yes - that’s the point - if they were willing to sign a release. Her season ender or finale or whatever reality shows are called. She sounded excited about it as well as the view.

In case you non-Cubfans are wondering - she does not sit between them like the TV booth. She sits up behind them behind the crampness of the booth - so they can’t even see her unless they turn completely around or Matt has a mirror rigged somewhere.

And then she got her money shot and money call courtesy of SS Ryan Theriot, who decided to hit his first career grand slam, giving the Cubs a lead, which was never relinquished. Ron did his usual screaming and Pat did his usual call - it went about 2 rows up just to the right of the indentation in left field. And in the background was Richards. I’ll admit I was screaming as welll so I didn’t hear it all but it was a classic moment in the booth.

She couldn’t have asked for a better half inning - nor Pat & Ron for at least two reasons.

And then she went over to the TV booth and wasn’t so hot with Take Me Out To The Ballgame, which really didn’t matter because she was enjoying herself and the fans appreciated it. So what she had to look at the words. They are provided for everyone — even mumblin Ozzie and one breath Ditka - and a lot folks end up needing to look. Her main problem was that her mic seem turned up so her voice really stood out. Nobody in the TV booth cared. It is finny to watch what happens to them when an attractive woman visits in the booth. I don’t think Andy Masur has ever gotten over Shania Twain.

Lemme hear ya now…a 1, a 2, a 3…

One dead goat = end of the Curse?

April 13, 2009

I don't believe in the Curse...of the Billy Goat, of the black cat or of poor Steve Bartman. If anything it would be some evil White Sox fan circling the cosmos torturing Ron Santo. But somebody must think the curse exists and that offering up a sacrificial goat to Harry Caray is the way to break it. Or they were drunk and needed some cash.

Around 2:30 this morning (Opening Day) police found a dead goat hanging by a rope off Harry Caray's arm. No word on what condition it was in.

Before you Curse believers get excited, the same thing happened in 2007 and we all know what happened.

No damage done. No suspects in custody.

Cubs' skipper, ex-Yank, Lou Pinella's thoughts on new stadium

April 4, 2009

Well, the Cubs just wrapped up their 2 exhibition games against the Yankees - the first visiting team to play in the new park - and box score aside it was fun to watch. The broadcast on MLB was surprisingly good. They had some fantastic views of the park, including Monument Park, which is located next to the bullpen. The concouse is open to where you can see the game even standing in some concession lines. No problem watching the game when it's cold and windy or raining.

It seemed awfully lively. The balls were flying out - for the Yankees (6) and ex-Yankee Alphonso Soriano (1) (who put his head down and ran instead of standing there admiring) - even in the cool weather. the wind caused some trouble with fly balls for both infielders and outfielders and it looked like there'll be some odd caroms off the outfield corners. And what are the chances that 2 of the 3 NYY homers in the first game would hit the foul poles - one off the right, one off the left?

New Cub Aaron Miles (DeRosa trade was wrong and undeserved. And Peavey?) led off with a hit and subsequently scored the first run in the park. Derek Jeter, rightfully, got the first Yankee hit - a leadoff double. (Cano hit the first HR.) In addition, he holds the all-time hits record at the old stadium that of course can never be broken. It sure is nice that these records are held by a non-cheater. A-Roid had nothing to do with the christening as a player - nor did ex-Yank Roger Clemens. Andy Pettitte, who admitted his use of HGH, started today's game.

Native Illinoisan and Yankees Manager, Joe Giaridi, broke into the league with the Cubbies in 1989-92 and came back 2000-2003. In the interim, he played for the Yankees and won 3 World Series. He was in the running for Cubs' manager, which was subsequently given to Lou Pinella.

Wonder if they chatted about an ex-Cub being the Yankee manager and an ex-Yank being the Cubs' manager? There was a certain symmetry to this series that of course could have a very interesting ending...

As for Lou, he played for the Yankees from 1973-84 and then managed from 1986-88. Last year he was named Manager of the Year and he also got to manage the NL in the last All-Star game to be played in Yankee Stadium. And who beat the Cubs in the first round? Ex-Yankee Joe Torre. And who took Torre's managerial spot? Joe Giardi, who was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year and still got fired from the Marlins.

Anyway, George Steinbrenner picked the Cubbies because he wanted Lou to be there for the opening of the new Yankee Stadium. I'm sure was happy going in but Rich Hardin's and ex-Yankee Ted Lilly's pitching probably made him happy to leave.

Some of Lou's thoughts per Daily News' SEAN BRENNAN:

It's a wonderful facility. It's maintained, in my opinion, the charm of the old Stadium and it's really improved the amenities for the fans. It's a win-win. It really is.

Stir up any memories?

I walked by (the old Stadium) coming here and I had some very pleasant memories. But as soon as I got into this one, I came to the realization really quick why the new one was built.

Just walking through the corridors in this place, you got all the tradition, pictures, championships, the pennants of all the great Yankees exploits of the past. (But) it's modernized and it's going to be fun for the people that come in here and be treated to good Yankees baseball over the years. This is as nice a facility as there is in baseball.

Seen any of the old in the new?

Oh, no question. You can still see a little part of the subway out there in right field. They've done a really nice job, they really have. They didn't overdo it, but it's got a lot of the same features. The bullpens look the same. They've done a real nice job of putting this thing together and I commend them. I was hoping coming in here you would recognize the old Yankee Stadium and you do, you really do. There's a good flavor to it.

A flavor he would like to taste in October from the visitor's dugout:

I think coming here and playing in New York is an event itself. One of my desires would be to come here in the postseason and play them. So, we'll see.

And Wrigley?

Wrigley is a very unique place, it's almost a Field of Dreams-type stadium. It's right in the middle of a neighborhood. You've got the ivy. You've got the bleacher bums. You've got the people across the street on the rooftops. It's a totally different environment. It's got its charm and its history, and it's got its tradition. It's an exciting place to watch a ballgame. It really is.