not exactly a surprise

The Cubs Thursday acquired left-handed pitcher Andy Pratt and infielder Richard Lewis from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitchers Juan Cruz and Steve Smyth. The problem here isn’t trading Juan, since at any point you get out pitched by SERGIO!, there’s a problem. The problem here is that this is a year too late … Continue reading “not exactly a surprise”

The Cubs Thursday acquired left-handed pitcher Andy Pratt and infielder Richard Lewis from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitchers Juan Cruz and Steve Smyth.

The problem here isn’t trading Juan, since at any point you get out pitched by SERGIO!, there’s a problem.

The problem here is that this is a year too late – Juan would’ve got us a lot of value previously and even without Maddux signing late, we would’ve had the same options for reserve starters as we have now and it’s not like they were ever going to rely on Juan for a long time unless he pitched back to back shutouts or something. Instead, we get just some other teams unfufilled promise. Which is fair, but a lot down on what we were talking about when everyone first started trading Cruz in, say, 2001.

Also Good: No more bringing up Mr. Smyth just because he’s a lefty and ignoring that he’s not a good AAA pitcher, much less a ML one.

Also Good: No more mispelling “Smyth”

Also Bad: Richard Lewis is a little old to be playing infield, ain’t he?

insane at the keyboard

Peter Gammons: “Shawn Estes has thrown the ball very well.” Possible responses! – Except when he has to face a batter. – His dog has no trouble fetching it. – The opposition has hit it back at him even better Estes has a 1.80 ERA, but with all of 5 innings pitched!

Peter Gammons: “Shawn Estes has thrown the ball very well.”

Possible responses!
– Except when he has to face a batter.
– His dog has no trouble fetching it.
– The opposition has hit it back at him even better

Estes has a 1.80 ERA, but with all of 5 innings pitched!

knee surgery for everyone!

Corey Patterson, in his first semi-offical at bat since blowing on his knee while stepping on first base last July, just hit a home run. That’s a nice welcome back. Of course the real question is if it can cover all the ground between Alou and Sammy (who ended the first by making a sliding … Continue reading “knee surgery for everyone!”

Corey Patterson, in his first semi-offical at bat since blowing on his knee while stepping on first base last July, just hit a home run. That’s a nice welcome back.

Of course the real question is if it can cover all the ground between Alou and Sammy (who ended the first by making a sliding catch, nice jump pacing yourself on a wet field Sammy), but it’s a nice sign.

Since I’m listening to this on GameDay Audio, maybe I’ll add more comments later. Primer doesn’t have a chat thing up for this and surely my wise insights can’t be wasted only on myself.

Hey, have you seen my phone?

1-1 after one. Need to go get lunch.

Update #1: 3-1 Giants after 1.5. Squeeze by the pitcher, so everyone get to practice bunt plays. Rey Durham played all of one inning before getting pinch hit for. Third run comes in on a pop fly behind the mound that Walker misplays (his first of the season!) into a RBI double. Isn’t baseball great?

I got a Wendy’s #2 (plain w/cheese and a Sprite) for $6.07. I had exchange change, which makes my day. Who wants to deal with 3 quarters, 1 dime, 1 nickel and 3 pennies?

Update #2: I’ve been busy and lost track of the score, but Pat says it’s 3-1 in the bottom of the 3rd. Carlos got hit by a pitch in the leg. But he’s okay. It’s cold enough – rained in the morning – that Carlos is wearing a jacket. Ron notes that Corey’s stance is a lot more closed this year.

Update #3: Fourth inning. Pat and Ron are already “sliding trap by the Cubs Right Fielder….uh…we’re not sure.” Carlos is giving up a lot of small hits. It’s early.

Update #4: Ron’s new attendence game strategy? “I’m going to cheat.” We’re debating if Ron’s lost the regular season contest four or five years ago. Joe Niekro’s son is now playing.

Update #5: 4-1. Carlos walks in a guy with the bases loaded.

Update #6: Lance Niekro, Joe’s son and an NRI, slipped and fell in foul ground chasing after a ball. He hurt his leg, and he’s being helped out.

Update #7: Ron advises you to wear a t-shirt if you’re wearing a ’65 Cubs Jersey, because it’s itchy.

Update #8: Matt Herges is the Giants backup plan for Nen? I would have thought it odd, but his b-r numbers don’t look that bad. Now 4-1 through 6.

9: Beltran just walked some and gave up a grand slam to Jeffery Hammonds, who’s shockingly uninjuried at the moment.

10: I’m betting on Ron to win the attendence game. Whatever they’re doing for GameCast Audio’s radio breaks is really annoying – it’s like we’re getting the stadium mics, but broken up every other second. Actually, I know we’re getting the stadium mics, because I can hear them singing the 7th inning stretch.

11: Pat won. I think. LaTroy managed to field a ball hit back to him without straining anything, already making him an improvement over Alf.

12: It’s “A whole heck of a lot to 1” now, as Joe got lit up. I’m busy.

13: Giant Matt Montgomery has shown up to loaded the bases, via walks and HBPs (Hollandsworth.) Cubs are down by 8 but you never know.

14: Tom Goodwin’s made it 9 to THREE by hitting a single. He has to stay in character.

15: Final out. Giants 9 – Cubs 3.

maddux

Greg Maddux is a Cub. Greg Maddus is a Cub, again. Greg Maddux is a Cub. Only a faint grip on sanity and courtesy is preventing me from calling people and telling them Greg Maddux is a Cub! It may be a bad contract that’ll hurt in 2005 or 2006, but in right now in … Continue reading “maddux”

Greg Maddux is a Cub.

Greg Maddus is a Cub, again.

Greg Maddux is a Cub.

Only a faint grip on sanity and courtesy is preventing me from calling people and telling them Greg Maddux is a Cub!

It may be a bad contract that’ll hurt in 2005 or 2006, but in right now in 2004 this is unbelievably good.

Oh man what if Greg Maddux was awesome in 2004 AND 2005 AND 2006!

Pitchers (including GREG MADDUX!) and Catchers (including PAUL BAKO! who’s obviously got a regular gig unless someone can dig up Hector Villanueva) report in a few hours and baseball rules.

Greg Maddux? Awesome
Jim Hendry? Awesome
Kerry, Mark and Sosa? Still Awesome.
Houston? LOSERS.
St. Louis? BIGGER LOSERS.
Can we start the season right this very moment?

12 years later, he’s back. I can not believe it. He really is the anti-Clemens.

Your First “When will he win 300?” prediction: Friday, August 13th vs LA. MLB.com’s always fun Milestone Tracker isn’t ready to help predict just yet.