- The Tribune's own Rick Morrissey calls Wrigley Field a dump this morning. He actually did this once before in 2004, when the field was suffering from "falling concrete" syndrome. He really makes some good points - the Wrigleyville neighborhood is what makes the field special. Well, maybe that and the scoreboard.
- Chris De Luca does some real in-depth research and determines that Ozzie Guillen is not on the hot seat. Um... duh!
- Richard Roeper, also from the Sun-Times, weighs in to let everyone know that the Cubs are a very successful business. Yes, when a sports team focuses on the bottom line and couldn't care less about winning, they can make money.
- The Daily Herald and Scot Gregor found some positives in Monday's Sox loss, namely Ozuna and Erstad. I'm not going to get excited about the strong performances by the bench players, because you can't get too excited about anything in a blow out loss.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Is Wrigley Field a dump?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The start of a bizarre season indeed
The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers makes a few interesting points regarding the beginning of what should be quite an interesting season for the White Sox.
I know it's only one game, and I actually feel somewhat stupid for analyzing it at all, but if the pitching staff doesn't get it together this year, expect quite a bit of column inches devoted to questioning GM Kenny Williams and his direction.
And these won't be innocent hints, like in the Rogers piece. These will be more along the lines of "hit you over the head repeatedly until you won't want to work in this city anymore."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the town, Sun-Times' Chris De Luca allows Cubs manager Lou Piniella to all but excuse his team's horrendous game due to the circumstances stemming from the Tribune Co. announcement.
If I was ever allowed to run a baseball team, you can guarantee I wouldn't provide any excuses for my team of professionals. And if, God forbid, I ever get a press pass, you can be sure that I wouldn't let comments like that slide from a manger as high regarded as Piniella.
I know it's only one game, and I actually feel somewhat stupid for analyzing it at all, but if the pitching staff doesn't get it together this year, expect quite a bit of column inches devoted to questioning GM Kenny Williams and his direction.
And these won't be innocent hints, like in the Rogers piece. These will be more along the lines of "hit you over the head repeatedly until you won't want to work in this city anymore."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the town, Sun-Times' Chris De Luca allows Cubs manager Lou Piniella to all but excuse his team's horrendous game due to the circumstances stemming from the Tribune Co. announcement.
If I was ever allowed to run a baseball team, you can guarantee I wouldn't provide any excuses for my team of professionals. And if, God forbid, I ever get a press pass, you can be sure that I wouldn't let comments like that slide from a manger as high regarded as Piniella.
The Cubs are being sold
The Tribune Co. announced that it has accepted a very large buyout offer, and that the Cubs will be sold following the 2007 season.
Overall this is a good thing for Cubs fans, as they may actually end up with an owner that will put winning ahead of the bottom line. And all that money the Cubs spent on high-priced free agents? Well it will do nothing short of increase the value of the team.
Is Tribune Co. showing its true colors once again? Perhaps the whole "we want to win right now" campaign was nothing more than a ploy to raise the value of the team before they sold it.
I guess it was all just another line that Cubs fans were happy to swallow, hook and all.
Overall this is a good thing for Cubs fans, as they may actually end up with an owner that will put winning ahead of the bottom line. And all that money the Cubs spent on high-priced free agents? Well it will do nothing short of increase the value of the team.
Is Tribune Co. showing its true colors once again? Perhaps the whole "we want to win right now" campaign was nothing more than a ploy to raise the value of the team before they sold it.
I guess it was all just another line that Cubs fans were happy to swallow, hook and all.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Game Time
Well, here we go - Opening Day. Stay right here during today's games for live updates from the guy sitting on the couch flipping the channels.
12:55 - Well, I have to give some credit to the Reds' field announcer, as he's getting really psyched about his future 4th place team.
The Sox are on commercial meanwhile.
1:06 - Sox game is about to start. I'd send you the starting lineups, but that's too much work. You're in the internet, look it up yourself.
1:07 - Home Run on the second pitch by Sizemore. Nicely done Contreras.
1-0 Indians.
1:11 - Contreras has given up 3 hits in a row now, all hard line drives. I think he's in some trouble right now. Might be time to switch over to the Cubbies.
1:15 - 2-0 Indians on the 4th hit in a row. I'd switch over to the other game but i don't wanna miss anything spectacular like a grand slam or something.
1:17 - First out of the season for the Sox!! Yay!
And so it's only 5 batter into the game and we're already talking about something other than baseball. I'm going to look up why they call it a pickle.
1:20 - Meanwhile the Cubs go quietly in the 1st. D Lee tried to steal a base... always a good idea.
Switching back to the Sox, and another run scores on a base hit to right. The bullpen should be getting up in about 5 min. I don't think that's a good sign for your club, when your opening day starter struggles to get out of the first inning.
1:23 - a double to right-center scores another 2, and it's 5-0 Indians in the first inning.
1:26 - Contreras gets the final out, and we switch games just in time for Adam Dunn to jack a 2 run homer. 2-0 Reds. Zambrano is dancing around all pissed on the mound, acting like he cares.
1:30 - A message from my Cubs fan buddy: "Is it possible to be depressed 2 innings into the season?"
1:33 - Darin Erstad takes a mighty cut in his first AB with the Sox and slams a 2 run HR. There's life for the Sox yet. This has all the makings of a 14-13 barnburner today...
1:37 - After 1 full inning, the city of Chicago is down 7-2. Way to be fellas.
1:43 - After a couple more hits, Ozzie makes his first trip to the mound for the season. He's not too happy about it either.
1:46 - 2 runs score on an errant throw by Uribe, and Ozzie is back, taking Contreras out of the game... we'll have his final line for you in a few minutes, after NASA calculates his ERA for us.
1:48 - Nick Masset comes into the game, making his debut with a firm "go get 'em" from DJ in the booth. Kind of embarassing that the cheerleader announcers have to make an appearance in the 2nd inning of the FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON! My buddy was on to something. I'm depressed and the second inning isn't even over yet!
1:53 - 9-2 Indians, not sure what happened (i was on teh Cubs game). But there are definitely some high-fiving going on around home plate for the Indians. I'm gonna go throw up, be back in a few minutes.
1:54 - Hawk sums it up "After an inning and a half, not good."
1:57 - Doesn't look a whole lot better for the North Siders... Adam Dunn hits his second HR of the game. 3-0 Cinci.
2:05 - There's a real NASA astronaut in the booth with Hawk and DJ, and I think DJ is hitting on her. Yup, he's definitely working on her. And now Hawk said something creepy about watching her while she was talking. And DJ said he had the feeling he was with a special person. This is so creepy and awkward. Gotta love blowouts in baseball.
2:14 - 11-2 Indians. I don't even want to watch this anymore. Too bad the Cubs game is boring as hell. Still 3-0 in the 4th inning now. I'm waiting for Zambrano to do something exciting. Or at least hit someone in the head and start a brawl. Either would work right now.
2:35 - And the Cubs are on the board following a Murton check swing half bunt didn't mean to do that single and a Derrik Lee single followed by "the baseball equivalent of a no-look pass" from Freel in center that ended up in the third row of the stands. 3-1 in the 5th.
2:50 - Took a few minutes off to read the Sports Guy's column from Friday. Nothing too exciting, yes, we all were pumped for this weekend's sporting events, although I'm leaving teh weekend somewhat unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, Zambrano walked in a run, and allowed another to score on a sac fly. I'm not sure if he's still pitching.
And I'm afraid to switch back to the Sox game.
2:54 - WGN is showing footage from the break of Zambrano yelling and screaming in the dugout. He better be pissed at himself, because he's walked 5 guys in 5 innings and has no right to be yelling at anyone right now. In fact, if I was Lou, I'd just walk over and kick him in the balls right about now.
3:08 - Sox threaten with bases loaded and 1 out, but fail to score. Just not their day today. Still 11-3 Indians. Konerko hit a dinger earlier in the game. I think we missed it while I was throwing up from Contreras' outing.
3:23 - They made a sequal to "Are We There Yet??!?!" Really? I better get my screenplay together, because apparently Hollywood has officially run out of movies to make.
3:26 - Score update: Chicago 4, Other Guys 16.
3:35 - Josh Hamilton is coming into the game to hit for Cinci. Great story with this guy. Let's hope he's got his shit together now, and can finally concentrate on his game. GL to him.
3:46 - Cubs game's over, 5-1 victory for the Reds. Thank God that's over.
4:00 - Sox game's over. Don't even worry about the final score.
All in all, a real crappy opening day for Chicago. Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come. If I was a starting pitcher in the minors for either of these clubs, I would be pretty excited right now.
12:55 - Well, I have to give some credit to the Reds' field announcer, as he's getting really psyched about his future 4th place team.
The Sox are on commercial meanwhile.
1:06 - Sox game is about to start. I'd send you the starting lineups, but that's too much work. You're in the internet, look it up yourself.
1:07 - Home Run on the second pitch by Sizemore. Nicely done Contreras.
1-0 Indians.
1:11 - Contreras has given up 3 hits in a row now, all hard line drives. I think he's in some trouble right now. Might be time to switch over to the Cubbies.
1:15 - 2-0 Indians on the 4th hit in a row. I'd switch over to the other game but i don't wanna miss anything spectacular like a grand slam or something.
1:17 - First out of the season for the Sox!! Yay!
And so it's only 5 batter into the game and we're already talking about something other than baseball. I'm going to look up why they call it a pickle.
1:20 - Meanwhile the Cubs go quietly in the 1st. D Lee tried to steal a base... always a good idea.
Switching back to the Sox, and another run scores on a base hit to right. The bullpen should be getting up in about 5 min. I don't think that's a good sign for your club, when your opening day starter struggles to get out of the first inning.
1:23 - a double to right-center scores another 2, and it's 5-0 Indians in the first inning.
1:26 - Contreras gets the final out, and we switch games just in time for Adam Dunn to jack a 2 run homer. 2-0 Reds. Zambrano is dancing around all pissed on the mound, acting like he cares.
1:30 - A message from my Cubs fan buddy: "Is it possible to be depressed 2 innings into the season?"
1:33 - Darin Erstad takes a mighty cut in his first AB with the Sox and slams a 2 run HR. There's life for the Sox yet. This has all the makings of a 14-13 barnburner today...
1:37 - After 1 full inning, the city of Chicago is down 7-2. Way to be fellas.
1:43 - After a couple more hits, Ozzie makes his first trip to the mound for the season. He's not too happy about it either.
1:46 - 2 runs score on an errant throw by Uribe, and Ozzie is back, taking Contreras out of the game... we'll have his final line for you in a few minutes, after NASA calculates his ERA for us.
1:48 - Nick Masset comes into the game, making his debut with a firm "go get 'em" from DJ in the booth. Kind of embarassing that the cheerleader announcers have to make an appearance in the 2nd inning of the FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON! My buddy was on to something. I'm depressed and the second inning isn't even over yet!
1:53 - 9-2 Indians, not sure what happened (i was on teh Cubs game). But there are definitely some high-fiving going on around home plate for the Indians. I'm gonna go throw up, be back in a few minutes.
1:54 - Hawk sums it up "After an inning and a half, not good."
1:57 - Doesn't look a whole lot better for the North Siders... Adam Dunn hits his second HR of the game. 3-0 Cinci.
2:05 - There's a real NASA astronaut in the booth with Hawk and DJ, and I think DJ is hitting on her. Yup, he's definitely working on her. And now Hawk said something creepy about watching her while she was talking. And DJ said he had the feeling he was with a special person. This is so creepy and awkward. Gotta love blowouts in baseball.
2:14 - 11-2 Indians. I don't even want to watch this anymore. Too bad the Cubs game is boring as hell. Still 3-0 in the 4th inning now. I'm waiting for Zambrano to do something exciting. Or at least hit someone in the head and start a brawl. Either would work right now.
2:35 - And the Cubs are on the board following a Murton check swing half bunt didn't mean to do that single and a Derrik Lee single followed by "the baseball equivalent of a no-look pass" from Freel in center that ended up in the third row of the stands. 3-1 in the 5th.
2:50 - Took a few minutes off to read the Sports Guy's column from Friday. Nothing too exciting, yes, we all were pumped for this weekend's sporting events, although I'm leaving teh weekend somewhat unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, Zambrano walked in a run, and allowed another to score on a sac fly. I'm not sure if he's still pitching.
And I'm afraid to switch back to the Sox game.
2:54 - WGN is showing footage from the break of Zambrano yelling and screaming in the dugout. He better be pissed at himself, because he's walked 5 guys in 5 innings and has no right to be yelling at anyone right now. In fact, if I was Lou, I'd just walk over and kick him in the balls right about now.
3:08 - Sox threaten with bases loaded and 1 out, but fail to score. Just not their day today. Still 11-3 Indians. Konerko hit a dinger earlier in the game. I think we missed it while I was throwing up from Contreras' outing.
3:23 - They made a sequal to "Are We There Yet??!?!" Really? I better get my screenplay together, because apparently Hollywood has officially run out of movies to make.
3:26 - Score update: Chicago 4, Other Guys 16.
3:35 - Josh Hamilton is coming into the game to hit for Cinci. Great story with this guy. Let's hope he's got his shit together now, and can finally concentrate on his game. GL to him.
3:46 - Cubs game's over, 5-1 victory for the Reds. Thank God that's over.
4:00 - Sox game's over. Don't even worry about the final score.
All in all, a real crappy opening day for Chicago. Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come. If I was a starting pitcher in the minors for either of these clubs, I would be pretty excited right now.
It's finally here...
Opening day is finally upon us. The White Sox open up at home against Cleveland, a fashionable pick to take the central this year, first pitch at 1:05. The Cubs are in Cincinnati, with game time set for 1:10.
Because we're so awesome, we'll be doing live updates from both games, posting right here on the Bullpen Sports Bar.
Additionally, expect full posts in the near future regarding our predictions this year for both Chicago teams.
Stay tuned...
Because we're so awesome, we'll be doing live updates from both games, posting right here on the Bullpen Sports Bar.
Additionally, expect full posts in the near future regarding our predictions this year for both Chicago teams.
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
High-five Mr. Danks
Newly-aquired White Sox pitcher John Danks has seperated himself from the pack and been named the 5th starter. Knuckleballing wonder-kid Charlie Haeger has been reassigned to Triple-A while Gavin Floyd is continuing to fight for a spot in the bullpen.
Danks was the darkhorse candidate for a rotation spot this year, having just come over from Texas in the trade that sent former heir-apparent Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers. It should also be noted that Danks has exactly zero innings experience in in the Big Leagues. The competition was never really that heated, as for the most part nobody seemed to want the job. I hate to be mean, but for the majority of spring training I could have pitched as well as these
"professionals."
It seems, however, that Danks does not want the competition to end...
The rookie who was previouly lauded for his ability to throw strikes walked six batter in barely four innings of work.
Very promising...
Danks was the darkhorse candidate for a rotation spot this year, having just come over from Texas in the trade that sent former heir-apparent Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers. It should also be noted that Danks has exactly zero innings experience in in the Big Leagues. The competition was never really that heated, as for the most part nobody seemed to want the job. I hate to be mean, but for the majority of spring training I could have pitched as well as these
"professionals."
It seems, however, that Danks does not want the competition to end...
The rookie who was previouly lauded for his ability to throw strikes walked six batter in barely four innings of work.
Very promising...
It's not baseball, but...
You have to check out this video.
The greatest basketball team the city of Chicago will probably ever know. God bless the '95-'96 Bulls.
Special thanks to TrueHoop for finding this. They may not read this, but we read them daily.
The greatest basketball team the city of Chicago will probably ever know. God bless the '95-'96 Bulls.
Special thanks to TrueHoop for finding this. They may not read this, but we read them daily.
