The Cubs lost again to the Brewers last night. This time they did manage not to give up 9 runs in the 9th inning, so that’s something. The highlights of the night were Travis Wood’s home run and Darwin Barney tying the National League record with his 113th consecutive game played without an error.
“It was one of those things where when I was younger I always thouht that defense was my weakness so I put a lot of effort into working on it and getting it as solid as I could,” Barney said.
(snip)
“I don’t think it about it as much as last year,” he said. “Last year, making that transition there were a lot of plays that I felt were not as comfortable, primarily turning double plays. But we came in with a plan to fix those things and to work on the plays I had trouble with and secured that up.”
Barney’s mark ties the record for games played in a single season. He still has 10 to go to match Ryne Sandberg’s 123 over the course of two seasons and 29 to go to match Placido Polanco’s 142 for the MLB record.
The Cubs figure to make a few September call-ups, but don’t expect any new faces by trade as the August 31 playoff-eligible roster deadline passes. That doesn’t mean Jed Hoyer won’t be trying.
‘‘The last couple of days [of August], people are always looking to secure their playoff roster,’’ general managerJed Hoyer said Tuesday. ‘‘So if we all of a sudden had interest in a guy that cleared waivers in the next 72 hours, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.’’
One face we won’t see any more is that of Alex Hinshaw.
The Cubs designated left-hander Alex Hinshaw for assignment, barely a week after acquiring him off waivers from the San Diego Padres. On Monday, he gave up a walk, a single and three consecutive homers to the five batters he faced in the ninth inning.
From the scrap heap you came, to the scrap heap you shall return.
They man can picket, that is a fact.
Darwin Barney could cure cancer and achieve world peace, and I still wouldn’t like him.
I’m not sure why.
Because he isn’t that good at baseball.
Which is unfortunate since he’s so nice to look at.
I guess I should have clarified that he’s not that good at hitting a baseball. I wouldn’t say he’s a failure in all aspects. He’s obviously got a good glove.
What if he found you the perfect job?
Maybe.
My boss wants me to conduct a job interview for a candidate today. I’m trying to figure out if I should grill the guy or just have a more casual chit chat. Ugh. I really don’t want to do this.
I feel like you’re always trying to figure out what to do with your job.
Yeah. That sounds about right. And I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I’m trying to figure out what to do with my career.
I was there this Spring.
I’m a big believer in the old Buddhist saying, “If you don’t know what to do, wait.”
The answer usually presents itself.
I like that. I will keep that in mind.
Patience and calm…things I need to work on.
“And have a beer or 2″…..Ahhh-uuuuuuuummmmmmm.
I think I read Buddha was a beer drinker.That’s how he got that gut.
Ask him Microsoft-style interview questions. That will be entertaining.
I already have them lined up. It’s going to be a bit weird…this guy has a PhD. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for him, it’s in astronomy and not software engineering. So do I great this guy as “Doctor”?
You should ask him if he were a tree, what kind of tree he would be. Also ask him why astronomers hated on Pluto…
My boss came in and said to grill this guy. I think if I talk about a tree, it would be a slightly different meaning.
We should claim Joe Mauer
Um…no. He is an outstanding catcher. But he isn’t going to remain healthy if he continues to catch.
A move to a corner infield or outfield position also reduces his value. As a catcher his offensive stats are outstanding. As a corner infield/outfielder, he’s just slightly above average. And that is a damn long contract to have to take on for a slightly above average hitter.
I didn’t realize we were running the team now.
If we were running the team, we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.
maybe
The Cubs posted a bunch of photos online of Michael Bowdon and Steve Clevenger visiting children in the hospital and giving them Cubs hats. You can tell by the looks on the kids’ faces that they wish they’d gotten White Sox players, instead.
Ungrateful kids- why would they want to meet AJ? The mistake is that the Cubs should have sent Rizzo,Starlin,or even Jackson. Sending Bowden and Clevenger, is like being invited to meet Bruce Springsteen and getting Chris Christie….
NEWS FLASH!
CJulie heartbroken Sox may not pay $$$ AJ is likely to ask for after this season. AJ may go free agent. CJulie seeks out RBraun for solace and support.
Wrong.
Hey Julie, how do you like the new commuter train cars with the inward facing seats?
Just read an article on them,”CTA Riders: How Awkward to See You Now”.
Reminded me of when you comment on some person of interest looking at you.
Eh–they’ve been on CTA buses for a while, so not really that big of a deal. My train this morning was degenerate central, they were all facing forward, and they STILL creeped me out.
They’ve had inward facing seats on the Circulator busses here in DC for a while now. I never, ever sit there.
Your’re the one always standing wearing that raincoat
How did you know? Did you see me?
the half seat, inward facing of the new(ish) trolley cars are my favorites here, nobody stands anywhere near you
all the subway cars are inward facing, except the Big Red cars, which have no seats, I never even thought anything of it
how is it another night game? don’t they know I need a day game to listen to today?
They seem to play an extraordinary number of night games against the brewers.
2 drinking towns playing each other.
Too many toasted individuals walking around after a day game.
because playing at night in Wrigleyville is going to keep those numbers down?
Maybe they hope the Brewers will get lost going to the ballpark in the dark?
My daughters,w/husbands,&kids are going to a Rockies game this weekend. 9 tickets w/2 parking passes: $75.
Sept 25-27, Cubs go to Denver.Tickets in the cheap seats: $5
I asked “Can you buy beer in that section?”
“Yup”
Can’t wait. Counting the days.
Game thread posted.