I’m still trying to chill out after the trainwreck at Lambeau last night, so forgive me if I’m less-than-cheery this morning. Know who else is in a bad mood? Manage Dale Sveum, who is still trying to figure out what Dave Sappelt thought he was doing on Tuesday night:
HOUSTON — Dale Sveum has been the Cubs manager for 143 games, which still isn’t long enough to understand things like Dave Sappelt’s mental gaffe on Tuesday night.
“Those ones baffle you,” Sveum said.
In a game the Cubs trailed 1-0, Sappelt tagged up at second with one out and headed to third on a Darwin Barney fly to medium center, just as Starlin Castro tagged and went home on an apparent sacrifice fly with one out. But Castro’s run didn’t count because Sappelt was thrown out at third before Castro’s foot hit the plate.
Sveum said he was “not sure what that category is” for Sappelt’s gaffe.
“Some things aren’t acceptable,” he said. “That’s something that’s not. … I’m not sure what it was, to tell you the truth. I’m still amazed at it.”
Other things have been deemed “not acceptable” by the Cubs include patience at the plate, having a decent pitching rotation the last month of the season, having someone other than Carlos Marmol close, and the first pick in the amateur draft.
Starlin Castro, on the other hand, is in a GREAT mood, and wants you to know that garbage bags full of money won’t change him:
Last week in Pittsburgh, Castro became the 28th player in history to accumulate 500 hits before turning 23, joining an elite group that includes Alex Rodriguez, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Hanks Aaron, Al Kaline, Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle. He’s the youngest player to accomplish the feat since Robin Yount did it at 21 years, 297 days in 1977.
The difference is none of those players, except Rodriguez, were able to cash in at 22. They never had to worry about losing their hunger because they were set for life, a problem that has befallen many pro athletes.
Castro doesn’t fret about that, and credits Soriano for keeping him grounded.
“He has helped me big-time,” he said. “He’s one of the guys I say thank you to for everything. He taught me how to be a big leaguer, how to be the same when the team is good or if the team is bad. He’s always saying something to keep me positive.”
This afternoon the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates roll into Wrigley, their season having been basically destroyed by the Cubs last week. Heh. That was fun. “Where do you think you’re going, Pittsburgh? Stay down! ”
This afternoon Chris Rusin (Really? Still?) will face James McDonald (12-7, 3.93). That sounds like a hoot. If you feel like watching said hoot, you’re in luck. The game will be broadcast on WGN.
Don’t forget to tune into Wrigley Talk Friday this afternoon at 1:00 pm CT.
Lineups to come.
Woo day game!
Why do people say money won’t change them?
Money absolutely will change you. I look forward to the day when money changes me.
I would also like to be changed by money.
I know this sounds completely stupid and insane, but I don’t think I’d want to take on the responsibility of having the type of money that Starlin will be making.
I could force myself. It would take a lot of willpower…..NOT!
Thats what accountants and lawyers are for.
I’d rot in hell before I’d pay a lawyer to handle my money.
No, an accountant handles your money. The lawyer keeps you out of trouble when you do the things you do when you have money.
I’m still not giving a lawyer any of my money. Lawyers are evil.
oh, i see what you’re doing now.
Too bad I agree with him.
There SHOULD be a bounty on lawyers.
We should come up with an idea, team up and work on it together, and then sell it for big money.
cling films for dry-erase boards. Calendars, tasks, etc.
I always liked to hear people after they would read a story of someone winning some huge PowerBall jackpot:
“That kind of money wouldn’t change me at all.I would still get up and go to work the next morning”
I just sit there smug and think “Um Hmmm”
I would make ABSOLUTELY sure that I had won and then I would be OUTA HERE!
I feel really alone here today.
I’ve been at the doctor’s office this morning as they try to figure out what is wrong with my leg.
Now I have a “boot” I have to wear for 3 weeks.
I’ve been working. And cursing the Cubs and Bears under my breath.
Ditto.
I’ve come to accept the Cubs this season. It is what it is.
The Bears, on the other hand…I’m really starting to consider becoming a Packers fan. I’m sick of this. For the 17 years since I moved to Wisconsin, the Packers have absolutely dominated the Bears and I’m sick of hearing about it. I’m sick of it because the truth is, the Packers have better owners, they have a better front office, they have better scouts, they have better coaches and they have a better stadium…and there isn’t anything I can do about it. The only thing the Bears have that is better than the Packers is the fans…and quite frankly…that’s starting to not be enough for me.
This isn’t like baseball or the Cubs, which I follow religiously. I like football a lot and I’ve been a Bears fan my whole life, but I don’t have the allegiance to them like I do to baseball and the Cubs.
I’m sick of being the point of ridicule for 5 months out of every year…and, quite frankly, they have every right to brag and laugh at me. I just wish that fuckin old lady would sell this fuckin team to someone who knows how to run a fuckin football franchise.
You’re a Bear and Cub fan and you are ridiculed only 5 months a year.
That’s really not too bad.
At least as a Cubs fan, I can poke fun at the Brewers fans every once in a while.
the Bears have better uniforms…
Ok. They have that.
The Bears have won more then just one championship in this past decade. Can’t say that about the Cubs. Tell your stinkin’ cheese head friends exactly this. Bears vs. Packers overall record, Bears 92 Packers 87.
As far as I’m concerned, I care very little about what has happened before I moved to Wisconsin, and even less before I was born.
Since I moved to Wisconsin, the Packers have absolutely dominated the Bears with the exception of a couple of wayward seasons. The Packers have won 2 Super Bowls. The Packers have had 2 hall of fame caliber quarterbacks. Unfortunately, there really isn’t an argument here that I can win as Bears fan. I can’t live off the nostalgia of the 1985 Bears…it just doesn’t hold water.
And besides, in another 2 years, the Packers will probably even up their overall record with the Bears…then that argument, for what it’s worth, is shot to hell too.
Think about how the Browns fans feel, that will make you feel better. It’s only one game. Don’t lose the faith yet brutha. Also to point out the Packers got their asses handed to them at home last week. They were definitely fired up to play this game.
Honestly, I could care less about the other 14 games during the season. The 2 games against the Packers are the only ones that matter as long as I’m living in this God-forsaken state.
Seriously, what the fuck was that shit yesterday?
Day off. Just put on the game. Over 90 degrees and no even noon…
I’ve had a phenomenally productive week. In fact, at this point, I’m all caught up.
Which means you all get the pleasure of my company for the next little bit.
*crickets*
I did like how Sappelt came back with a 3-3 day with and RBI. I’m probably a little higher up on this guy then most people. While most tend to think that he is a 4th OF, I tend to believe that he has the potential to be something special. I have been following him for a bit now and though his AAA #’s weren’t spectacular we must keep in mind that he got off to an awful start but completely raked it in the 2nd half to earn his call up. Keep an eye out. We could see him replace Sori full time if he’s dealt.
I’ve always thought of Sappelt (and Wood for that matter) as a throw in for that trade. The real get was Torreyes…who unfortunately has a pretty unimpressive year this year. It’s a disappointment because he had some rather insane numbers in his first two season in the Reds’ system.
If you’re going to be in Chicago the week of September 24 and you’re interested in social media or digital marketing, I’m moderating two panels:
http://socialmediaweek.org/blog/event/how-to-make-facebook-ads-work-for-your-business/#.UFNocbLN8f4
http://socialmediaweek.org/blog/event/435-digital-on-integrated-marketing/#.UFNo4bLN8f4
Social Media Week is free, but sign up fast! Only a few spots left in each.
Hey, I have that week of from work. I should go.
Of course, my wife has a honey-do list of things to do during that week and it is 3 pages long.
I’ll be in town from the 20th leaving the 23rd. Going to the Friday day game if anyone wants to meet up. I would go to your events but I leave on Sunday.
Oh, and Wrigley Talk Friday starts in 18 minutes.
You guys should talk about the Bears today.
The Cubs have won 5 of their last 6…they’re playing too well. At least with the Bears, there is something to complain about.
Is it just my feed or does it sound like a female is moaning every once in awhile during the show today?
It’s just you. sorry…
*sets vodka down*
I didn’t hear anything, but I didn’t have it turned up very loud.
My first thought about Castro’s money is that he will need a team of lawyers to protect him from fake lawsuits, and skanks..
Yeah…that girl that accused him last year didn’t wait long enough.
Did someone say skanks and Castro’s buying?
And now, time for the daily devotional to Soriano…
Speaking about being destroyed last week, is anyone watching the game? How’s the outfield look, after two (RAINY) Springsteen concerts and 160,000 people in there Fri and Sat?
It probably has some issues…but it is likely not nearly as bad as the Pink Floyd concerts, because that was in the middle of the drought and 110 degree temperatures. Grass doesn’t recover very well in those conditions. The rain will probably help the turf bounce back much more quickly this time around.
I was just thinking what my yard looks like after a rain with the neighborhood kids running through it . . . perhaps you’re right.
Most people’s grass wouldn’t hold up that well in the rain, but most of these stadium turfs drain really well…almost like a vacuum type effect, the the grass itself it genetically set up to handle some pretty rigorous where and tear.
I used to think that Scott’s Turf Builder was enough to make my lawn awesome (at least that’s what Harry Caray used to tell me), but it think it take more than that.
Soriano and Castro strand 2 runners.
They should get paid more.
Whoa…
Sabathia vs. Price tonight…I wonder if that game is going to be nationally televised anywhere. (Come on, MLB Network, don’t let me down!)
And 2 more stranded…
No hitter alert!
Does hitting a batter count?
No…that’s how he lost the perfect game.
Did something important happen last night?
And what the hell is a Lambeau Field?
Do they park airplanes there or something?????
It appears this game is a free live look-in or whatever on mlb.com.
Of course, that’s blacked out in Chicagoland, but those of you out of market should head to mlb.com and try your luck.
Almora took batting practice with the Cubs at Wrigley today. He knocked to homers. Soler will take BP tomorrow.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/13512/cubs-dangle-wrigley-carrot-in-front-of-almora?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Remember when gravedigger changed his name to “Fuck MotherFucker” or something like that, and then inserted fuck in all of his posts? It was in response to someone complaining about the language on the site. Something to laugh about this afternoon.
Did I really do that? lol
Really someone complained about the language on here? What a fuckin’ jerkoff.
Trying to remember…Julie? got screwed by Chase. She posted about it and the title was something like “Fuck You Chase”. Since LOHO was on Chicago Now which was associated with the Trib, it got picked up by the Trib on their main site. Some guy saw it and complained about the language. Gravedigger took it as his personal mission to irritate the crap out the guy. His posts were like “the fuck cubs fuck are fuck playing fuck right fuck now”
That sounds like a demented version of Ronnie Woo Woo.
Oh, ha. I’m starting to remember that now.
Good times, good times
Man, Soriano.
Bye bye no hitter.
and bye bye shutout.
If only Bye bye Soriano…
For the season, between Iowa and the big leagues, Brett Jackson has struck out 206 times this year.
But, on a positive note, his walk rate is phenomenal.
Well,now the cubs are beginning to resemble the cubs…
All is right with the world again.
Groggles has been released by the Orioles.
Is it just me or have the Orioles kinda changed there “let’s get all the ex-Cubs we can possibly find” philosophy and exchanged it for something that could actually make the compete in the AL East.
Our Chapman isn’t as good as the Reds’ Chapman.
That makes me kinda sad.
Cleavenger looks like he wants to cry…
Cleavenger reminds me of the gangsta kids that used to kick my ass in elementary school.
Theo: 2013 may not be much better
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/13516/theo-2013-may-not-be-much-better?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Well, he’s obviously not stupid.
And he sees exactly what we all are seeing…this organization lacks talent at almost every level except the lowest levels of the minor leagues.
Castro with a 3 run blast, Cubs up 7-3 in the 6th.
I have a bad feeling 7 runs will not win this ballgame.
I have a feeling that you’re usually correct.
When it comes to bad or pessimistic things…I, unfortunately, am very often right.
81 comments?
Where have you people been all season?
I blame the Bears.
Waiting for you?
Julie must now reply to every comment made on here.
The only one that should have thumb downed that should have been Julie. Secret stalker.
maybe some of us don’t want her to respond to anything.
You have a good point again sir.
I’m gonna go on ahead and take credit.
I got involved without talking about the… Other team I follow.
I was going to take credit…we got our release done at work and I have a little bit of time to goof off here now.
Oh come on, why the thumbs down for that
Because you brought up that other team.
Cubs need about 5 more runs .
How can this game only be in the 7th?
There have been about 50 pitching changes.
Why would BJax try to score from third on a ball hit to the pitcher with nobody else on base? He must be roommates with Sappelt.
He’s brain-damaged from making out with the wall the other night.
I bet you wish you were the wall.
I know I do
Please, oh please let the “not quite a crappy as normal” Marmol be pitching today.
First batter…HBP. Great.
And we continue to destroy the Pirates’ dream. I’m enjoying this.
7 losses in a row…only one game above .500 and now in a tie with the Brewers.
I’m enjoying this just because it’s the Pirates. But I also feel bad for their fans. The fans in Pittsburgh are good and they deserve better than this.
I think it’s karma kicking their fans’ asses for never coming out to games.
Actually, they started drawing pretty well….
Well…they started drawing pretty well when you compare them to the White Sox.
cubs win
Soriano is slugging .500
Castro .429
shocker.
So which one gets to be MVP?
I’m going with Vitters.
Samardzija
Im starting to consider disabling the thumbs down…
No game thread?