In light of the last few days, I felt I would be remiss if I didn’t use this photo this morning. Enjoy.
Bad news out of the Arizona Fall League: Javy (we’re calling him “Javy” now that we know he can hit) is broken:
Cubs prospect Javier Baez had his 2012 season end with a possible fracture of the tip of his left thumb.
Baez, who was playing third and shortstop for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League, incurred the injury off the field on Saturday, apparently while celebrating, a team source said. After sitting out Sunday’s game, Baez was sent to see a specialist on Monday.
The Cubs believe it’s a broken tip of his thumb and will shut him down.
The injury isn’t expected to affect Baez’s readiness to go to spring training in February.
You hear that, kids? The tip of Javy’s thumb is going to be okay!
As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, Darwin Barney is a finalist for a Gold Glove. I don’t recall ever before celebrating someone being a “finalist” for a Gold Glove. Actually, I’m not sure I ever even knew there were “finalists.” I just assumed they voted out of all the position players for each Gold Glove.
At any rate, we’ll take what we can get this season:
CHICAGO — Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney will find out Tuesday whether all his hard work paid off.
Barney is a finalist for the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award, to be announced Tuesday night. Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Ozzie Smith will take part in the presentation, to air on ESPN2, starting at 8:30 p.m. CT. Each Major League manager and up to six coaches on his staff voted from a pool of qualified players in their league and could not vote for players on their own team.
You hear that, kids? Darwin Barney might win a Gold Glove!
And then Dave van Dyck decided to ruin my morning:
DETROIT — Ryan Theriot left the Cubs to become a World Series champion.
Twice.
In fact, twice in a row.
Theriot scored the winning run Sunday night in the 10th inning of 4-3 victory over the Tigers, as the Giants swept the American League champions.
Last year he was a member of the winning Cardinals.
“Blessing in disguise,” he said of being traded by the Cubs to the Dodgers in 2010. “I wanted to finish my career there, but everything happens for a reason.”
He made an extra $323,000 as a World Series share with St. Louis last year and figures to make that much more. The Cubs, of course, haven’t seen any World Series money since 1945.
When the Cardinals didn’t re-sign him, he went to the Giants as their second baseman, only to be replaced by Marco Scutaro halfway through the season.
Ironcially, Scutaro drove home Theriot, who was playing as DH, Sunday night.
Finally today. I felt the need to point out the ridiculousness of this article, which purports to apply “Moneyball” principals to business, specifically, the managers. As all of you know, the genius of Moneyball was that it took business principals, specifically, the ability to identify undervalued assets via statistics, and applied it to baseball. This was revolutionary. Taking said business principal and re-applying it BACK to business? Not so much. This reminds me of when British TV made their version of “Friends,” which they called “Coupling.” A few years later, and the US gets its own, American, version of “Coupling.” Do you see why I always have a headache?
I always have a headache too…but I thought it was because I clench and grind my teeth at night. Maybe it is just that moneyball thing.
Or a hangover. Or nearsightedness. Or a brain tumor.
Hangover…no.
Nearsightedness…I once thought it could be my eyes…but alas, no.
Brain tumor? Distinct possibility.
TMJ-9 times out of 10,not covered by insurance…
It also just might be my kids.
I actually liked the British series “Coupling”. I never liked Friends,because I only likes Chandler and hated Monica and the rest of the girls. I did not even bother to watch the American version of Coupling.
Coupling British version good, American version opposite of good
also, Steven Moffat is awesome
I would have to agree with that.
Oh . . hello, Sandy:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/73102924/News/Windy-City-waves
I was watching a live web-cam of lake michigan this morning (because I had nothing better to do)…nasty waves…nasty!
Cowabunga!! Surf’s up!
A number of other blogs are reporting that the Cubs are quietly seeing what fans think about the possibility of the Cubs leaving WGN.
to go where? no seriously, where, CSN Chicago, Fox Sports? A new Cubs network?
I am against anything that means I get fewer televised games, being out of market sucks, but being out of market for the Cubs sucks less than for other teams.
if I have to become a freaking AL fan because the only games I get out here are the Red Sox on NESN and the Yankees on YES I might cry.
I would assume they would either move all (or most) or their games to CSN Chicago, or they are indeed looking to start their own network (which is a bit complicated due to contract issues with CSN).
link?
http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/cubs-putting-out-some-feelers-about-leaving-wgn.html
http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/10/30/are-the-cubs-laying-the-foundation-for-a-departure-from-wgn/
And TV or Radio? Or Both?
This would be for TV.
Remember now…this is all speculation…
But we do know that there has been some thought into possibly creating a new Cubs networks similar to YES. That might cause some issues for CSN Chicago, though, as I would expect the Cubs to pull in at least one other major sports franchise (money on the Blackhawks) to be on their new network.
The WGN contract is said to be up in 2014…though there is some confusion on this. During the bankruptcy, the settlement for the sale (which I had access to as a season ticket holder) explicitly stated that WGN’s contract with the Cubs went on until 2022. That being said, part of the sale might have had a negotiation for an early out.
I guess I don’t see how moving more to CSN would be beneficial to the organization (or more accurately the brand). The Cubs are such a national brand that restricting it to local tv only isn’t going to help broaden their reach.
Starting their own network makes a little more sense, and having a transition time for it does seem likely. But then they are still in the position where they have to negotiate contracts with cable providers.
I just don’t understand why you would want to give less access nationally.
I’m not entirely positive, but I’m pretty sure that Hurricane Sandy was Theriot’s fault.
Star Wars Episode 7.
Yeah…ok.
Not okay.
Actually, you are correct, as they will be using story treatments from Lucas himself.
he’s not directing though right?
I blame my hangover on Ryan Theriot.
Darwin Barney wins a Gold Glove. Hopefully, the first of many.
I’m stunned.
I’m happy for the kid and (gulp) I think he deserved it, but I’m still stunned he won it.
I’m stunned Joe Morgan didn’t somehow prevent this.
Yeah, but I’m sure he’s going to make sure we are going to hear no end of his bitching about how Barney didn’t deserve it.