Headlines of the day

"Hoffpauir's grand slam boosts Cubs past L.A."

A mere 5 months too late...

"Soriano plans to return to steal business: targets 30"

Uh huh...

"Indians closer Wood slowed by sore back"

Good to know it's not just us...

Good times...For a minute, The Hoff shines...

11 days and counting....

Since the Cubs cut ties with Kerry Wood and he's STILL NOT SIGNED...

That's a window Jim, and it's closing...

WTF Hendry?

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/11/wood-leaving-cu.html

From Paul Sullivan -

While Wood was understanding about the Cubs' decision, which Hendry said was made in the best interests of Wood and his family, he did say he would've been amenable to staying and "would have done anything" to stay a Cub. The Cubs told him to go get a three- or four-year deal for more money, but Wood said he would've agreed to a one-year deal to stay.

So Woody's available to stay for one year, like I suggested in my previous post, and you say no thanks?? Are you freakin' kidding me? Why? so you can be Woody's buddy and let him walk and significantly deplete our bullpen.

Jim...Get Kerry on the phone, and beg him to come back...at elast for a minute. The guy wants to stay...don't be a d#$%...

Buh bye

Throwing a fit part II

So the old guy did it. Not in a playoff game, but close enough. I'm not surprised. He will probably kick off before pitchers and catchers report, so he had to get in soon. He did bounce it though. But hey, he's 104. His arm's prolly thrown more pitches than Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, and Rich Harden combined. Bet he's had less surgeries too...

For those of you just joining us:

http://oneminutecubs.blogspot.com/2008/08/throwing-fit-i-mean-pitch.html

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1100868,CST-NWS-fan11.article

so good for the old guy. He lasted a few minutes longer than I expected.

P.S. Yes, I'm going to hell.

I'm spoiled into being a bad Cubs fan...

Not a Cubs fan who is lacking, but a fan of a lacking Cubs team. Two years ago, the Cubs lose this game in any number of ways. Last year, 50-50. This year, I was lured by how bad they'd been in the past. THat post was not edited in any way. I was literally typing that as Rammy hit his double.

Un freakin' beleive able. Woody gets out of a Second-Third no out jam? KERRY Wood??? Nahh...not Kerry....wow. Geo Soto has officially become the OMC MVP and ROY. That's a lot of initials.

Dang. I need to sit...you know...for a minute...

I hear your sister's going out with...

...Ronny Cedeno.

Ok, let's say it. The little Bee-otch lost the game. Although the writing was on the wall when Edmunds committed that dumb schmuck error to start the inning. Woody can't close if his defense doesn't do the job. I don't have the numbers here, but Wood's become a second Zambrano - when a error is committed, he completely loses it. Like "Hey, it's not MY fault he dropped the ball. Oh well, screw it."

Such a ridiculous loss, it boggles the mind. I got a dollar that sayus if Marmol is closing, this game looks different. Now I'm not calling for Marmol to close - Wood's done a passable job, but can we not soak our drawers when someone screws up?

Bottom line is Little B#$%^ needs to make that play. Worst case, it's a 1-run game.

But then I guess every team needs a Rickie Weeks. Shoulda traded him while he had value. Now he doesn't even have a minute.

Squeaker

Z did not have his good stuff today, but he did have a cracked tooth. Listen to me - coming from someone who has suffered a plethora of dental anomalies, this is no small thing. Good for you Z that you stayed out there. Strike 3 for Woody was a gift call, but hey, the Cubs won the series - 7th straight - so it's all good.

Corey Patterson looked lost out in center field today. Kinda sad to see. In the Reds lineup, who's batting below Mr. Mendoza? Paul Bako and Corey Patterson. Who's in the lineup anyway? Yep you guessed it. Got a couple of things to discuss in future postings, but over all, another 1/2 game up, and another page off the calendar.

The minute fades back, he shoots, he SCORES!

Sweep

Kotsay hits for the cycle and the Cubs win the game. I don't care if it was against the Cubs, still kinda cool to see a cycle. and the Cubs won, so good for Kotsay, better for us.

Good to see Lilly last more than 10 pitches this time around. Escobar just really needs to get over that. Woody came in to pseudo-close. The bats came alive again. Hopefully this is a Cubs thing, not just a Braves thing.

Z going tonight has some stuff to make up for. Last two starts, not so Gouda. Last two years in Miami - ditto. Let's get that turned around and b-slap the Fish back to where they belong...

interesting trade idea?

So George Sherrill, the left handed closer from Baltimore is on the block. The asking price, by latest reports is a ML ready shortstop. Hello Ronny Cedeno. Here's the problem though. Cedeno is Theriot's only backup at SS. 2nd base has depth enough to get by without him, but SS remians a question. Any kids ready to come up as a backup? I'm honestly not sure.

What I do know is Marmol, while he hasn't been terrible his last few outings still ain't right. Bob "Gopher-ball" Howry isn't right. Woody's widdle finger hurts, so long story short, we've got issues.

I'm thinking Eyre-Cedeno for Sherrill, a proven closer. 46K's in 42 IP. 7 Blown saves, which is kinda scary, but still. You trade a solid lefty for a solid uninjured lefty, and a SS in the package. Win-Win. Plus Eyre's a FA this year - Sherrill's under team control for at least another year if not more. This is all contingent on whether or not there's a SS in AAA ready to step up, and to be honest, I don't know.

Just a thought...and a minute...

Oh Dear Jesus...

I can only imagine the conversation went something like this:

"Hey Carlos, you blew a 5 run lead yesterday and pissed away a great start from our new ace pitcher. Congratulations - you're going to the All Star Game!"

If you suspected that there is no justice in this world, here's your proof:

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080713&content_id=3127779&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I....I....Right now I just have nothing to say about this right now...

He doesn't deserve one, but that's a minute...

7* All stars!!

Yes! 7 all stars on Tuesday! Wait - what's that? Ohh Soriano broke his hand. Oh ok, well still 6 All Stars baby! Woo-hoo! What? Oh. Ryan Dempster's last start is two days before so he won't pitch? Rats. Well, ok. Still 5 All stars. Who? Why? Kerry Wood's got a blister? Oh..uh..um...ok.

4 all stars. What? Fukudome's been stinking up the joint lately and if Clint Hurdle knows anything about anything he won't play past his first at bat? Huh...

Congrats Cubs fans! The Cubs will set the record for most invited spectators at the All Star Game...La Di Freakin' Dah!'

Is it still too late to vote in Mark DeRosa?

That's my minute...well, 50 seconds....40...you get the idea.

Z is on.

So I listened to the game today. Didn't watch it. But that's only cuz we were recording something else. but from what I heard, Z was dealing tonight. Very good pitcher's duel up until the 7th or 8th. Cubs score a bunch of runs, and Marmol makes it interesting in the 9th, but Woody comes in and clsoes it out.

Would've liked to see Gaudin in there with a 4 run lead, but no worries. We need to get Marmol back on track...looks like he ALMOST had it today, but then lost it after that close play at first.

Good to see Z didn't miss a step after the DL. be interesting to see if/when he pitches in the ASG. meantime, cards and brews lost...woot!

That's my minute...

All Stars

7 players. Nice. Says something. Some of the picks? Questionable. I wonder if Soriano will actually play in the game. I'd like to see him playing there, if only because that means he's playing here too, and he did have the big knock last year.

Fukudome? hmm..tough call. You ask me a month ago, and I say "No Doubt". Nowadays? hmm...Good for Ryan Braun. He deserves it. I'll bet Griffey's pretty PO'ed though...

End of the day, it'll be good for the Cubs. Who closes if there's a lead? Lidge. No Question. He of the sub 1 ERA. I can live with that. Although if memory serves, the past two years, the AL has won the ASG in the 9th. Once off Gagne, and once of Hoffman. Maybe they should have Woody up, ya know. Just in case. Looking at the teams though, I have to say the AL looks much scarier than the NL. Time will tell. One week. Should be sweet. Maybe Zambrano will be able to dodge the fungos this year and get to play...

Another minute in the books....er...blog....whatever...

Cubs-Cards Game 2.

You know, driving home from work after the game, I was listening to the post game on 'GN and some schmuck actually called and asked why Pinella didn't leave Marmol in for the ninth?

Ok, first- Wood had converted his last 12 consecutive save opps. Second, have you been WATCHING Marmol lately?? For crap's sake...

I took the positives away from the game. Ramirez broke his 0-28 slump with his homer and Marmol pitched a perfect 8th.

Save or no save, you walk the first to batters in the ninth, and you have issues. Woody just didn't have it. Stuff happens. No worries. As it turns out, we won the series, so all is ok in the end.

Woody's a lights out closer. He won't convert every time, and it will SUCK when he doesn't, but please. Can we NOT get these phone calls every time he doesn't? Please?

Ok, that's my minute.