I’m just kidding about Soler Watch.
For now.
Tonight IS, however, the first game of the non-Rudy Jaramillo Era, which was kicked off by some scathing blog comments from the crowd here at LOHO. As if on cue, Theo fired Rudy this afternoon:
CHICAGO — The problem wasn’t Rudy Jaramillo, Theo Epstein said, but a need for a change in philosophy.
Jaramillo, a well-respected hitting coach with the Rangers who couldn’t seem to have the same success in Chicago, was dismissed on Tuesday as the Cubs’ hitting coach, because the team wanted to commit to a new message, Epstein said.
“Rudy’s not to blame for the results,” said Epstein, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations. “That’s something we’re all accountable for. We put the roster together. It’s probably more on us than it is on him.
If there was ever any question as to whether or not Theo reads this blog, I think we have put it rest.
On an additional note, because Theo DOES read this blog, I’d like to point that out that I’m available to stand outside the batting cages and tell hitters that their timing is off for far less than $3 million per year. Think about it, Theo.
Was Rudy Jaramillo holding the Cubs back from reaching their full potential? We’ll find out tonight. If the team hits the tar out of the ball, we’ll know it was all Rudy’s fault.
The Cubs are back at Wrigley tonight at 7:05 pm CT, as Paul Maholm (4-4, 4.50) takes on the multi-colored eyes of Max Scherzer (5-3, 5.17).
Lineup to come.
I wonder if your “I’m available to stand outside the batting cages and tell hitters that their timing is off” will be any more successful than your “I’m available to tell Soriano he needs to do yoga campaign” from a couple of years ago…
I think you need snappier slogans.
And a VP candidate.
Like Carl.
He DOES need to do yoga.
I think it’s too late now, if he tried the Pigeon Posture I reckon his leg would fall off.
probably, and then it would really be hard to trade him.
For 3 million dollars, Theo could hire all of us to take turns telling the Cubs how to hit. He could even fly in us non-Midwest Loho people…
this should be an interesting series. I just hope we don’t get pounded. GO CUBS!!!
I’m stuck at the station. All the trains are FUBARed.
I’m going to run for office and do an “I’ll smack the shit out of ya tour” I’m sure that @Canseco would love that, he is the first on my list to get a fat back hand. The Rudy dismissal is a positive but don’t expect our hitters to adapt the “Rizzo” philosophy immediately. Our new hitting coach has fashioned quite a few batters into serious ball players but don’t forget his interim status could be temporary as Theo/Jed have and I’m sure a different batting philosophy then what has been warranted by the Cubs staff as of late. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new hitting coach picked by Theo/Jed in the next week or so. Someone that has been in their structure in the past.
Still stuck. I should have just gone to Wrigley.
WOW the field looks like crap!! Those concerts much have torn the shit out of the turf.
It happens ever year.
Lame.
I can’t wait until Rizzo comes up so DeJesus can move back to the top of the order. For all the entertainment/distraction Campana has provided this season, he and his winged heels belong on the bench.
Stuck listening to the radio again tonight. Despite the fact that Des Moines is the home of the Iowa Cubs, our cable provider (Mediacom – the WORST) gives us FoxSports Midwest instead of Comcast, so we get to see all the Cardinals games. Radio wouldn’t be so bad, but Pat Hughes is off tonight so we have Keith Moreland doing play-by-play. I like Moreland, but he’s no Pat Hughes, that’s for sure . . .
As a play-by-play guy you’re right, he’s no Pat Hughes. But, then again, not many people are… Pat’s got to be on of my favourite commentators.
And as a colour guy, I quite like Moreland. Except, whenever he and Pat engage in humorous asides, I really miss Ron.
Moreland is awful. That is all.
I’ve been pretty disappointed in Moreland.
He’s lame.
Finally home, 2.5 hours late. BLAH.
Lame.
Oh God NOT CASEY COLEMAN, please. What — don’t you guys want to win this game????
This bullpen is lame.
Well that sucks… I was about to say “Return of the Pigpen” but they never went away did they?
Not really, though the fun photoshops did. We have to get those back.
Those photoshops were lame.
No they weren’t. They were awesome. Unlike you.
Not nice….
Lame.
Nothing was lame about the Rally Squid!
Blues Traveler is lame.
There is a crap load of Tigers fans at the ballpark tonight.
Lame.
Prince Fielder looks like he’s wearing a really shitty disguise.
I’d pay could money to see Clevenger try and tug that beard off and reveal the evil sheriff.
Bah… “good” money
Got too excited by the idea that this Cubs season might actually turn out to be one big long episode of Scooby Doo
Clevenger has a nice big carbunkle on the left side of his neck. Thank you High Definition.
Cubs win!
I see Mr. Sullivan feels the “dismantling” of the Cubs will begin, and he feels the Dodgers or the Tigers want Dempster. Considering his record, my bet is Dempster goes to either the Yankees or the Giants….