Random Thoughts on the Cubs’s Bullpen, Pete Rose, and Steroids

As bad as Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol have been, the Cubs should start praying for rain in the seventh inning if they’re winning. 

Tom Gorzelanny, the Cubs’s trade deadline acquisition, makes his first start tonight against the Reds.  Can he close?

I find it rather interesting that Bud Selig is once again reconsidering his decision whether or not to reinstate Pete Rose.  I, for one, have always felt that Rose should be in the Hall of Fame based on his play.  Baseball should not let him hold a job in the game anymore.  I think the reason that this is coming up again is that baseball needs to pave the way for the steroids guys to get in the Hall of Fame.  Many of the greatest players of this generation may not get voted in because of steroids.  Some people may say how can you let them in and not let in Pete Rose.  If Pete Rose is allowed to be voted into the Hall of Fame, then the steroid guys may not seem so bad either. 

Speaking of the steroid list, should all the names be listed at once?  I think that they are being leaked one at a time to soften people’s reaction.  There seems to be less furor each time a name comes out.  It’s almost like people are like, “another player on steroids…whatever.”  Leaking the names on at a time is numbing people’s reaction to the accusations.  It’s a P.R. move, I think.

Should we start to get excited?

Since the All-Star break, the Cubs are 9-2 and have moved into first place in the NL Central.  They swept the Washington Generals…er…Nationals.  A National disgrace, the Nationals have been.  They’re 37 games under .500.  The Cubs should have swept them.  They swept the Reds, who really have the look of a team that has thrown in the towel.  The Reds are falling faster than a skydiving elephant.  My point is I can’t judge how good this team is playing right now.  The Cubs lost two out of three from the Phillies.  This current stretch of games between the Astros, Marlins, Rockies, and Phillies will go a long way in telling me how excited I should be right now.

Reasons to be excited
Aramis Ramirez is back and has been swinging a hot bat.
Carlos Zambrano has been pitching like an ace.
Rich Harden pitched well at Wrigley.
Reasons to worry
Ted Lilly is on the DL with both shoulder soreness and a knee problem.
Are they rushing Ryan Dempster back too soon?
We need another starting pitcher.
The Astros have always been a second half team.
The Cardinals have greatly upgraded their offense.
The Phillies look like a team poised to repeat.
Yesterday’s 13 inning victory over the Astros was huge.  Despite the struggles of Alfonso Soriano, he does have a flair for the dramatic.
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Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune / July 27, 2009

Soriano’s grand slam is one heck of a way to start a four game series with surging Houston.  Let’s hope the Cubbies can beat Roy Oswalt tonight.

Photo Credit:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-28-cubs-astros-chicago-jul28,0,165899.story

St. Louis

What a busy summer it’s been!  This past weekend was barbeque city with my extended family’s summer get together at my parents and my son’s second birthday party on Sunday. For the record, my son got lots of Cardinal stuff from his Opa.  

On the weekend of July 18th and 19th, my brother and I took my father to St. Louis as a retirement gift.  We got to see a game at the new Busch Stadium on Saturday the 18th.  I had a great time in St. Louis with my father and brother.  New Busch Stadium is a great stadium, but very expensive.  I thought I was in Chicago for most of my time there.  Nine dollars for a beer.  Really?  Eight dollars for four chicken strips?  It seemed like most people in the upper deck with us were eating at Hardees because the food prices were more manageable.  It was like a fast food place in the mall that charges a little more because of the rent.  O.K., a little more expensive than that.

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The iconic St. Louis Arch commands ones attention.  I had a sudden urge for a Big Mac.
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The ballpark is in sight.
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A shot of the park from our parking garage.
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Busch Stadium still had All-Star fever.
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My dad found the legend, Jack Buck.  Notice the “L” T-shirt.  Surprisingly, we did not see any anti-Cub T-shirts in or around the stadium.  We didn’t see anyone selling any vulgar T-shirts.  Maybe we really weren’t in Chicago.
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My brother next to Stan the Man.
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All-Star fever.
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I wore my Zambrano jersey and did not get heckled at all.  People were very polite in St. Louis.
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One of the many statues outside the stadium.
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The only blue in a sea of red.
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The best thing about new Busch Stadium is the skyline view of the Arch behind the outfield.  Very nice.
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I like how they cut the Arch onto the field.  I wonder how long that took?
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Big Mac land.  Pujold knocked out one of the letters this year.
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Here comes Fredbird.  I bought my son a Build a Bear Fredbird as a souvenir.  My father bought out the Cardinals clubhouse for my son Joshua.  I may be fighting a losing battle.
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As you may or may not know, the Bowling Hall of Fame is in St. Louis.  It used to be across the street from the old ballpark, but they moved it to make way for a Nike All-Star store.  I’m not sure where they moved it to.  I had to take this picture because ever since we saw Popeye throw out a first pitch at Wrigley Field, my father has said that stuff like that is only for idiot Cub fans.  Real fans, like in St. Louis, are at the games to follow baseball.  My father had nothing to say about this seen before the game.  I feel sorry for the bowling pin, however.  It’s not an easy act following up President Obama in throwing out a first pitch at Busch Stadium.
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Neil Rackers of the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals also threw out a first pitch.  It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since the Cardinals called St. Louis home.
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It’s good to see Mark DeRosa get another chance with a contender.
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Even as a Cub fan, I have to admit that Albert Pujols’s swing is a thing of beauty.
After seeing a few of the newer parks in Major League Baseball this summer, I really have to admit that something has to be done with Wrigley Field.  It might be time for the wrecking ball, or at least leave the field and ivy and completely gut the interior.  The facilities at Wrigley really are antiquated.  I’m sure the players wouldn’t mind to have a real clubhouse and amenities.

Skyline Time

There is a big chili debate going on at our house.  It all started when we stopped in Cincinnati on the way home from our road trip.  My wife, Tina, knows some people who have been to Cincinnati and she was told that one of Cincinnati’s signature foods was Skyline Chili.  Usually this chili is eaten over spaghetti with mild cheddar cheese on top.  Apparently this is called a “three way”.  At the ballpark, they serve the chili over a miniature hot dog as a “cheese coney”.  We agreed when we got to Great American Ballpark we would sample this local fare.

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Our opinions of the Skyline Cheese Coneys could not have been more different!  I loved it, while my wife said it was absolutely “foul” and just plain “wrong”.  Our son Joshua just loved eating the cheese off of it.  I loved it so much that when Tina asked me if I wanted anything else, I asked for two more.  The chili has a very sweet taste.  I believe it’s spiced with cinnamon.  After we left Cincinnati, I was sad because I did not think we would find Skyline Chili in Illinois. 

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Last Monday I volunteered to do the grocery shopping at our local Meijer store.  I had been having Skyline cravings, but I was resigned to the fact that I would not find any around where we live.  I checked their website and I could order from them, but you have to order by the case and with the shipping, my cravings weren’t exactly worth my right arm.  I differ with grocery shopping from my wife.  Tina tends to have a list and goes in to get those specific items and them leaves.  I tend to linger around, looking at everything, even if we really don’t need anything in a given aisle.  So I’m walking down the chili aisle and what do I see?  That blue and yellow Skyline Chili can!  
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After a quick double take, I just about did the happy dance right there in the aisle.  I bought up a bunch of cans of the good stuff.  You can imagine what my wife thought when I came home.  ”You can have that.  That’s all for you”, is what she said.  So I had it Wednesday night.  A Nathan’s hot dog with some mustard, Skyline Chili and Cheddar Cheese.  Mmm! Tina said that her co-worker who had been to Cincinnati also said that Skyline chili is “foul”.  I’m sorry.  They’re all wrong. Or am I just strange?  Does anyone else out there love Skyline Chili and can back me up?  Next to Saag Bratwurst at Dodger Stadium, I believe that Skyline Cheese Coneys are my favorite ballpark food.
I’d be interested in hearing about other people’s favorite ballpark food.  This weekend, my brother and I will be taking our dad down to St. Louis for a game as our retirement gift to him. It should be a fun time.  Any “must eat” food at Busch Stadium?  By the way, does anyone know what hot dogs they use for the Cheese Coneys at Great American Ballpark?  They were good, also.
Photo Credits:
http://photos.igougo.com/images/p31026-Cincinnati-Cheese_coney.jpg
http://www.cincinnatifavorites.com/skylinechili.php

I know I’ve lost the bet

I’m resigned to the fact that I will not win the Cubs/Cardinals wager with my Father.  I’m already looking a the calendar to see when I can get over to Wrigley Field to be photographed in Cardinals attire.  After yesterday’s 8-3 beating of the Cubs, the Cardinals now own a 7-3 head to head advantage.  Since the teams only play 16 games head to head, if the Cardinals win one more game against the Cubs, I cannot win the bet.  The best I could do is a draw.  That’s if the Cubs would win the remaining five games.  Yeah, that’s not happening.  Have you seen the Cubs lately?

47994567.jpgMy sentiments exactly, Rich.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune/ July 10, 2009
The Cubs are a game under .500 and tied for fifth place.  The Houston Astros have now passed the Cubs!  To make matters worse, the revolving door of injuries keeps spinning.  This week, both Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto have landed on the DL.  Dempster got there by breaking his big toe jumping out of the dugout to celebrate a win.  That totally epitomizes the Cubs.  Soto’s DL stint began because he strained an oblique during batting practice.  Both of these injuries do not sound serious, but they are the type that can linger.  My wife once broke her toe and she says that the one month absence they are projecting for Dempster is very optimistic at best.  And an oblique strain can be bad, because you use it every time you swing.
The way I see it, the Cubs definitely have to trade for another starter.  Just expect Dempster to be out a while.  Last night, my wife and I talked about two trades the Cubs could possibly make.  One is a garbage contract for garbage contract trade.  It involves the Cubs trading Alfonso Soriano to the Giants for Barry Zito.  Both have big contracts and both could probably use a change of scenery.  The Giants need a power bat.  The Cubs could use a starter.  
The other trade senario has the Cubs trading for Roy Halladay.  The Cubs should offer Toronto Carlos Zambrano, Randy Wells, and/or Josh Vitters.  Zambrano is younger than Halladay and recently signed a contract extension.  Wells is another pitcher who could move right into the starting rotation.  If these two trades would happen, it would leave the Cubs with a rotation of Halladay, Lilly, Zito, Harden, and Dempster/Marshall.
If nothing else, baseball is about wishful thinking.
Photo Credit:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-photos,0,6973722.photogallery

All Stars

On Saturday, I voted for my All Stars.  Here’s how I voted.

American League
First Base – Miguel Cabrera, DET
Second Base – Aaron Hill, TOR
Third Base – Evan Longoria, TB
Shortstop - Jason Bartlett, TB
Catcher – Joe Mauer, MIN
Outfielder – Jason Bay, BOS
Outfielder – Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
Outfielder – Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
National League
First Base – Albert Pujols, STL
Second Base – Chase Utley, PHI
Third Base – Pablo Sandoval, SF
Shortstop – Hanley Ramirez, FLA
Catcher – Bengie Molina, SF
Outfielder – Ryan Braun, MIL
Outfielder – Raul Ibanez, PHI
Outfielder – Matt Kemp, LAD

It’s Good to be Back

My family and I had a blast on our week long road trip out East.  While in Philadelphia we saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, we ate Philly cheesesteaks (Geno’s is the best!  And definitely have the cheez whiz!), and we did the cheesy touristy stuff like have our picture taken at the Rocky statue.

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I just fell in love with Baltimore.  The Inner Harbor is just awesome!  The crab and crab cakes were delicious.  We went to the National Aquarium and I have to say I was blown away by it.  I don’t think I could ever go to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago again.  It just doesn’t compare.  My son had a lot of fun at the Aquarium as well as the Children’s Discovery Museum.
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While in Baltimore, we went to a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  I’ve been to ten different major leagues parks and this by far is my favorite.  I love how they incorporated the B&O Warehouse into the design of the park and the use of Eutaw street as a fan walkway.  Before the game we saw the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum next to the park.  Geppi’s is a pop culture museum and it is very impressive.  For someone who has collected toys and comic books like myself, it is a must see.  Next to Geppi’s is a sports museum, but we only went into the gift shop.  Despite being a Cubs fan, Cal Ripken, Jr. was my favorite player while growing up.  When I found a reasonably priced Ripken jersey in the gift shop, I bought it as a souvenir of Baltimore.
Camden Yards had me before we walked through the gates, but the park sealed the deal with me when the ticket taker noticed my 23 month old son and asked if it was his first ball game.  I said that it was.  He then told us to go to the guest relations office and they would give us something.  My wife and I said, “O.K., let’s go.”  We went over there and they gave my son Joshua a certificate with his name on it and the date signifying it as his first major league baseball game.  I thought this was class.  That certificate will be framed in his room along with pictures from the game.  It was great taking my son to his first game.
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Most of the people around us were Red Sox fans, so Joshua cheered along with everyone else whenever to Red Sox got a hit.  He started to get a little antsy, so we started to leave in the fifth inning.  The Red Sox were putting a hurt on the Orioles and ex-Cub Rich Hill.  It was 9-1 when we left.  Before we left, Joshua got to run around all the retired Oriole numbers they have outside the park.
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Actually, it was good that we did leave because the rain came and I guess the game was delayed almost two hours.  There was no way we could stay through a rain delay with a 23 month old.  We were shocked the next day when we heard the Orioles actually won the game 11-10.  I guess we can always say we were at that game, despite not seeing the end.
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On the way back to Illinois, we stopped in Cincinnati and saw a game at Great American Ballpark.  Joshua seemed to have more fun at this stadium.  He stayed in his seat, happy, until the seventh inning.
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The only reason he started to melt down was because they had a car race up on the jumbo-tron and after it ended Joshua started crying that he wanted more racing cars.  I liked this stadium, also.  It is a very family friendly park.  The best thing of all was that our tickets were only five bucks each and parking in a garage two blocks away was only eight dollars.  So for 23 bucks, we got three tickets and the parking.  I don’t think you can buy one ticket for 23 bucks in Chicago.  Parking at US Cellular Field is either 20 or 25 dollars.  Unbelievable. For the record, the Reds beat the Diamondbacks that night 1-0.

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So we had a fun, family vacation.  It’s great to be back home, however.  While on the road, I kept up with the Cubs.  Let’s see, our catcher has smoked pot, Milton Bradley was sent home during a game by Lou Piniella, the White Sox took two out of three from the Cubs, Alfonso Soriano can no longer hit, and Derrek Lee has been on fire.  We also took the first two games from the Brewers before losing badly Saturday.  In the end, the Cubs are .500, but still within striking distance.  It’s good to see Aramis Ramirez beginning his rehab stint with the Peoria Chiefs.

Road Trip

I will not be blogging for the next week because I will be going on a road trip with my wife and son.  It will be our first family vacation.  I already feel like Clark Griswold.  Hopefully, I won’t have any Griswold-like moments on the road. 

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We are driving out East to Philadelphia and Baltimore.  First we will be going to the Sesame Place amusement park.  No, it’s not closed for two weeks!!  One of my wife Tina’s best friends from college lives outside Philadelphia, so we will be visiting her and her family.  We are the taking a side trip to Baltimore for the crab cakes and to see the Inner Harbor.  While in Baltimore, we will be going to a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  We have tickets for the Tuesday, June 30th game against the Boston Red Sox.  I’m looking forward to seeing a game at Camden Yards.  It will be an important event because it will be my son Joshua’s first major league game.  I remember when my father took me to my first game at Wrigley Field back in 1982.  I’ve been teaching Joshua about Babe Ruth, because we will be seeing the Babe Ruth statue and museum there, as well.  On the way back to Chicago, we might catch a game in Cleveland or Cincinnati depending on which way we choose to go back.
Of course, I will be following the Cubs while on the road and look forward to blogging again when we get back.
Photo Credit:
http://www.eq2daily.com/images/Wally.jpg

Father’s Day

I hope everyone had a great Father’s Day weekend.  I sure did.  This year we spent Saturday with my father and Sunday with my father-in-law.  Here are some pictures.

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My wife and son surprised me with a one of a kind drawing of Kobe Bryant done by an artist friend of ours named Tony Santiago.  He does great sports art.  Check out his work and portfolio on his website Tony Santiago Illustration at http://www.tsillustration.com/TSillustration/TonySantiagoIllustration.html
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Now this is love!  Opa bought Joshua that Cardinals jersey for St. Nicholas Day 2007.  Now it fits him.  We let him wear it because, well, it was Father’s Day.  I don’t know.  Josh looks too happy wearing the Cardinals red.
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Whenever my father would see a Cub fan wearing a “W” shirt, he would joke that he wanted an “L” shirt.  Well, we found one.  My brother Tom and I share the moment with our Dad.
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Here are Josh and I turning Father’s Day into Lakers Pride Day.
Don’t forget my Father’s Day gift from the Cubs, a sweep of the Cleveland Indians.

Three in a Row!

The comeback kids do it again!

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                               Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune / June 20, 2009
For the third straight game the Cubs come back to claim a walk off victory.  Thursday, they erased a 5-1 deficit to beat the White Sox 6-5.  On Friday, they erased a 7-0 deficit and beat the Indians 8-7.  Yesterday, it was only a 5-4 deficit in the 13th inning.  It’s nice to see a little fight from the Men in Blue.  However, let’s hope our starting pitching isn’t going into the tank while the offense improves.
The one constant in each of these three comebacks has been Derrek Lee who is red hot.  Lee has homered four times in his last three games and has a 17 game hitting streak.  Finally.  A 17 game hitting streak?  Hmm, that means Gerald Perry was the hitting coach for at least 13 of those games.
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                     Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune / June 20, 2009
Another constant has been the emergenge of Andres Blanco as a major contributer in the Cubs late inning offense.
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The final constant has been Kerry Wood, the Indians bullpen, and the Indians infield defense. Oh, my God!  How must Eric Wedge feel know that you’ve got a seven run lead and you will likely lose the game?  It’s not just against the Cubs.  The Indians blew two five run leads in a game earlier this week versus the Brewers.  The 15-12 loss was capped off by a Prince Fielder grand slam.  That game, and the last two against the Cubs, are the signature games of the Indians 2009 season.  They tell exactly what has gone wrong for them.  The theme song of the 2009 Indians should be “Give it Away” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

O.K., Cubbies, you’re facing Jeremy Sowers today.  Sowers is 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA and has gotten to the sixth inning only once in his last seven starts.  There should be no need for a comeback win today.  Knock him out early.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there!
Photo Credits:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-photos,0,6973722.photogallery
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/53/537059m.jpg (Blanco picture)
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