Dying to see video of the Cubs bunting tournament? Ask and you shall receive:
MESA, Ariz. — The first round of the Cubs’ bunting tournament got under way on Thursday, and pitcher Chris Rusin can breathe a sigh of relief.
Rusin was matched up with strength and conditioning coach Tim Buss, but the pitcher clearly had the edge and advanced.
“I think Bussy [was nervous] under the pressure,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. “He was really good out here at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.”
The others to advance include Jeff Beliveau, Lendy Castillo, Trey McNutt, Rafael Dolis, Dae-Eun Rhee, Scott Maine and Casey Coleman. Maine needed 40 points on his last bunt to beat Blake Parker, and got the win with a well-placed bunt into the 40-point block on the third-base side.”
Poor, poor Blake DeWitt. Not only did he have to drag himself back to Cubs camp after being placed on waivers, now he’s not even the only Blake in Mesa.
Matchup to Watch: Manager Dale Sveum takes on Kerry Wood as the first round continues today in Mesa. I continue to maintain that the Cubs are missing a golden opportunity in not streaming this contest online. I’d even PAY to watch Soriano try to bunt.
Speaking of Soriano . . . there’s this. You might want to sit down:
MESA, Ariz. — Dale Sveum said he has two spots in the order basically decided — David DeJesus as his leadoff man and Bryan LaHairin the cleanup spot.
Alfonso Soriano also could hit fourth, Sveum said.
“We obviously have a lineup that no one is cut-and-dried at any position now,” he said.
Hey Dale. How are you? How’s the weather down in Mesa? Hope you’re enjoying yourself. Look, I know you’re new around here, so let me give you a tip. If there’s one thing in this lineup that should be cut-and-dried, it’s that Soriano should NOT hit cleanup. I mean, I know we’re not exactly going to set the world on fire this season, but I’d like to actually try to win SOME games. Think about it.
I don’t even want to talk about Ryan Braun, because it’s only going to make me angry. But just remember that when Braun comes out with his whole “I’ve been vindicated” statement today, just remember that the reason he won his appeal is because some Fed Ex courier stashed his urine sample in his fridge for two days. Not because he’s clean.
Even Victor Conte doesn’t believe him:
And, in an interesting twist, SI’s Will Carroll wondered if MLB is mad enough to try to refer Braun’s case to the US Anti-Doping Agency, which could result in a suspension from baseball for two years. The problem? There’s no mechanism in MLB’s collective bargaining agreement to refer cases to the USADA, and it’s highly unlikely the MLBPA would take that laying down. But it would be fun to watch.
Hey, it’s Friday! That means Wrigley Talk Friday comes your way today at 1 pm CT on Blog Talk Radio.
Your iPod 5 assignment this Friday: Pick a winner for the bunting tournament and create a playlist for him. Go.
Here’s a photo of the bunting contest brackets as provided by Bruce Miles:
Leave it to Victor Conte to bring some sense (and some serious damning information) about this Braun situation.
That slimebag (Braun, not Conte) is sooooooo f’n guilty.
Look, we can say all way want about how unfair it has been that Braun got off, but one thing that has held true about anyone that has tested positive (which Braun has), they’re careers are never the same afterward.
There is no way that Braun will repeat as MVP. There is no way he’ll be the best left fielder in the NL. Between the added scrutiny, and the likelihood that he is “off the juice” now, over fear of being caught again, it should be expected that Braun has a less than spectacular year in 2012.
My head is just going to explode at all the “I’ve been proven innocent” crap. It’s not true. Both his samples were positive.
As Conte (and you) pointed out on Twitter, Marion Jones was banned for less evidence than Braun had.
Agree with both Doc and Julie. Sadly (for me), I’m surrounded by Brewer Fans crowing about his “innocence.” When I mentioned the two positive samples, one Brewer Fan told me, “Screw you. The Cubs still suck.” It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic…
My five is all for George Harrison’s birthday weekend:
The Art of Dying — George
It’s All Too Much — Beatles
Lend a Hand — Travelling Wilburys
Any Road — George
All Things Must Pass — George
I think it depends on Ramirez’s year (assuming he hits behind him??). If Ramirez isn’t feared during the season, they’ll pitch around Braun.
I think you missed my point…Braun will end up proving not to be the threat he has been in previous years regardless of how A-Ram does.
No I got your point, I just don’t think his lack of juice will be as critical on his numbers if he’s still got a good hitter behind him.
I think he’ll go back to his true self: A smaller left fielder that hits for a high average and has occasional pop. Plus his nuts will shrink.
Ryan Braun is holding a press conference at noon today.
Is there a link anywhere to the actual bracket? The link above just goes to Muskat’s blog which doesn’t have it.
Campana’s a lock I think (or should be) considering he bunts for basehits on a regular basis.
iPod 5:
Oba Igbo – Babatunde Olatunji
Politik – Coldplay
Got To Get Better In a Little While – Clapton
Drumming Up a Storm – Bob Holroyd
Waiting Room – No Doubt
Bruce Miles posted a photo of it. Let me find it an post it above.
Thanks!! You’re the BEST!!!
Happy Friday!
it’s up.
I hope Bruce doesn’t kill me for using it.
Oh…Bruce Miles is going to kill you…no doubt about that.
My pick and iPod 5…
Randy Wells will win the bunting contest…and my iPod 5 Styx tribute to him…
Why Me – Styx
Just Get Through This Night – Styx
Fooling Yourself – Styx
Borrowed Time – Styx
As Bad As This – Styx
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Julie didn’t say no judgements this week, so I’m judging.
(I actually did chuckle slightly.)
HA!
That should be Ryan Braun’s playlist. He’s in Wisconsin. He probably loves Styx.
Styx isn’t from Wisconsin.
And if you want a Ryan Braun-Styx playlist…here you go!
Bourgeois Pig – Styx
Light Up – Styx
Evil Eyes – Styx
Fallen Angel – Styx
The Grand Illusion – Styx
(I’m going to get banned from this site.)
He’s more the Hinder type…
Nah, he rocks to Creed.
What? No “Too Much Time On My Hands”?
I considered it, but I felt the other ones were a little more appropriate.
Friday 5
Queen – Under Pressure
The Who – Who Are You
Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
Journey – Separate Ways
Foo Fighters – Good Grief
You had me until Foo Fighters.
My pick is Campana, and the following songs:
1.“Another Hit and Run”-Def Leppard
2.“Born To Run”- Bruce Springsteen
3.“Learning To Fly”- Foo Fighters
4.“Light of Day”- Joan Jett
5. “Bend Me Shape Me”-The American Breed
Motherless Child – Eric Clapton
Mr. Jones – Talking Heads
I’m Your Boogey Man – K.C. and the Sunshine Band
Monkey Man – The Rolling Stones
Bed Are Burning – Midnight Oil
Joan Jett FTW.
WOW…The American Breed – Bend Me Shape Me…I still have the 45 I bought when I was 12 or 13…That should be worth 5O bonus points for Sloan mentioning that blast from the past…What was that like 1967 or 1968? Good Times…Good Times…..
There is an unwritten law that all kids growing up in southern CA must listen to oldies stations growing up. That and the fact that my high school was using Beach Boys and early Chicago songs until the 1990′s. My brother is now in charge of the music department and they have now moved up to “Glee”…
Soriano as clean-up hitter? Oh well any bets on how many games we will lose this year? Will it be more than 90 or less?
My 5 for Friday are:
1. Stealers Wheel – Everything Will Turn Out Fine
2. Leon Russell – Me & Baby Jane
3 Spooky Tooth – Wildfire
4. Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth
5. Squirrel Nut Zippers – Hell
Bonus Track:
Little Feat – Old Folks Boogie
It makes perfect sense to put Soriano in the cleanup spot — against lefties.
LaHair is left handed, so he likely won’t hit same-handed pitchers too well — or at least not as well as a righty slugger. Soriano, meanwhile, has hit lefties really well throughout his career — even in 2011. Against righties, he’s been below average for about four solid years (about 95 wRC+ or 5% below league average).
I’m not good with these sorts of things, so I’m going to randomly pick Ian Stewart to win (which means he’ll be eliminated in the first round).
And here’s my random playlist for him:
“I Want Candy” -Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies
“The Gang’s All Here” -Dropkick Murphys
“Black Betty” -Ram Jam
“Superman vs. Ignition” -Eminem vs. R. Kelly
“Life in a Tenement Square” -Flogging Molly
There ya go, Stewart. Bunt to that.
Rush and Queen both in lists today? this is why I continue to hang out here
sorry, this was supposed to go to the end
bonus points for the Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies!
Been forever since I posted my Friday 5. From my Motorola Xoom:
Bargain – The Who
Big Money – Rush
Rock and Roll the Place (Live) – Eddie Money
Get Ready – Rare Earth
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
What does it say about me that I want the opening scream from “Welcome to the Jungle” as a ring tone? I haven’t been able to download that yet….
I like that it says First Annual on that bunting print out. Gives me fuzzy feelings of hope for the future.
Sveum is being a bit presumptuous that he isn’t going to get fired after the team goes 5-76 over the first half of the season. I doubt the new manager in 2013 will have a bunting contest.
Oh Doc, I’ve missed your glass half empty approach
I think compared to last year, Dale can do no wrong. He’s solid for at least two years.
You say that now, but most people will change their tune when this team is 5-76 at the beginning of July. People will be like “Hey, Dale, how’s that stupid bunting contest working out for you now?” and we’ll be crying to have Mike Quade back giving everyone stupid nicknames.
I hope that isn’t the case, but if it is I shall come to you in July. I just have to have faith that something decent will happen, esp after this last football season. I need happy sports!
Going out on a limb here and predict a Reed Johnson victory and the playlist…..
Release – Pearl Jam
Tommy the Cat – Primus
Big Shot – Billy Joel
Trouble – Ray Lamontagne
Live High – Jason Mraz
Braun put his U of Miami communications degree to very good use today at that press conference.
Did anyone have an overs and unders on the use of “I”,”Me”, “Mine”,”My”, and “Uhh”….
I don’t call reaching out and connecting with a 50-60 mph lob bunting,muchless contest-worthy challenging. But,enjoy.
Yeah… What’s up with that?
That was my 1st impression watching the video.
I think any of us could compete in the bunting contest if they “pitched” like that.
I may not have millions of dollars like Braun, but at least I’ve never had to say “I’ve never had an STD” in front of the entire world.
How warm and fuzzy. All of his young fans must be so relieved.
Braun got off because he had good lawyers. Good for him. They never argued that the samples were tainted. He tested positive by a long shot. He got off and shouldn’t be suspended according to the technicality, but he juiced. If he can live with that (which I’m sure millions of dollars helps with), then more power to him. But he’s dirty.
Friday 5:
My Life – Billy Joel
Baby Driver – Simon & Garfunkel
Rodeo – Garth Brooks
When I See You Smile – Bad English
Treehouse – The Clarks
I agree with the general sentiment here that Braun took the drug. There’s little doubt in my mind. I’d probably say the probability of him taking it when you factor in false positives is 95% or higher. Most murderers in prison can’t be said to have a probability of guilt that high. If we insisted on that level of guilt, few people would be sent to prison. That being said, MLB broke the rules. Innocent people are freed on technicalities. It happens. Braun took advantage of one here and it was only right for him to have his suspension overturned. If MLB wants to punish the players for breaking rules then they had damn well be following the rules themselves.
Ryan Braun almost certainly took the drug, but he definitely deserved to have his suspension overturned.
Julie, I wouldn’t worry too much about the whole vindication or innocence remarks today. Athletes are stupid human beings so that’s what we should expect from them. At no point was the test itself challenged so Braun should even know he was not found innocent. He wasn’t vindicated and any person with half a brain sees that. He was vindicated and found innocent in the same way that OJ was vindicated and found innocent. I don’t think anybody in their right mind believes that about OJ and I’m comfortable saying that the probability of his guilt was no higher than Braun’s.
Actually, I’ve always thought “beyond a reasonable doubt” means AT LEAST 95% probability, but I think jurors probably think it means more like 75%.
I’m not worried about what Braun says or doesn’t say. I just think he and Brewers fans in general are annoying clowns.
Yeah, beyond a reasonable doubt has always meant that to me too. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t spend considerable time thinking about it as you may, but I know from watching 48 Hours Mysteries I find myself thinking at least 95%. But I guess it depends on how many free people you want in prison and how many guilty ones on the street. I’d like as few innocent ones in prison as possible.
I also agree on the technicality issue though that’s what I have referred to it as. The rules are there for a reason. It’s not too much to ask for MLB to follow them when they’re getting ready to punish someone for breaking rules.
And I’ve been on twitter arguing that breaking a chain of custody is not a technicality, too. I hate it when people say that. Or, when cops execute a warrantless search, “he got off on a technicality.” Our civil liberties are not technicalities. You either follow due process or the evidence gets tossed. MLB didn’t. It’s their own fault.
They’ve been having a debate at NYTimes.com, and a number of people who claimed to work at labs have been enumerating ways to mess with the seals on tests, etc. Just what I need to hear when I have to do a blood test next week…
You think somebody’s gonna frame you for juicing?
I guess I’m among the “people” in this case, because I said it on this thread that it was a technicality. I guess to me it is a matter of semantics, though I understand that calling it a technicality downplays the significance of the legal process. According to the info we have, the courier followed widely accepted procedure when it comes to transporting urine samples. It just wasn’t explicitly pointed out in the MLB policy.
Braun deserves to play baseball, because the procedure to which both parties agreed produced that decision. But he tested positive, and no one argues that the sample was positive.