It makes me Sick!

Carlos Marmol's slider was HORRIBLE. A painful bottom of the seventh. What gets me more is that Blanco kept calling for it. Bad job, Blanco. We needed that win. Fastballs only at that point stupid!
If you didn't see the Cubs vs. Rays last night, the Cubs had a 3-1 lead before Marmol comes in to walk two batters and then hit two of them. After Scott "Stevie" Eyre comes in to relieve him, Carl "The Shit" Crawford makes em' pay with a salami.
Just like the day I ate pepperoni and then candy whoppers, this is how I felt.

Random Simpson clip

The Good, The Bad, The Uglies

The good news is the Cubs are still up 3.5 games on the Cardinals in the central, despite losing the first two games versus the Rays. The Cardinals have lost two one run games to the Royals, and man what a shame we couldn't even pick up one on them.
That's really it for the good news right now.
The Bad and Ugly:
Carlos Zambrano was taken out by Lou Pinella after 6 2/3 after experiencing shoulder discomfort. He has flown back to Chicago and will undergo a M.R.I. today. At 106 innings pitched already, I'm not surprised he has a little soreness! He is on pace to shatter 220 innings pitched this year, and even if he is cleared, it might be a good idea to skip his next start based on what the Cubs can do against the White Sox this week-end.
Jim Edmunds is suffering from plantar fasciitis. He wore gym shoes at times on the turf in Toronto. I have plantar fasciitis. It hurts bad. At times it is almost unbearable, and the only cure is good support and rest. This guy is old anyway, but has proven to be productive with the Cubs, and his veteran experience may be needed if continues to play the way he has.
Reed Johnson has back spasms. Any body part that ends with the word "spasm" is no good. So what do we have?
Matt Murton.
I've seen this guy play right field twice at Wrigley, and he's a disgrace out there. He can't read the ball off the bat very well, and is often just running blind out there. Sure, his bat is nice if he can catch up again, but I'd really like to see him packaged in a trade to the American League. I almost consider Murton bad luck for the team, but that's just foolish superstition of course. I believe he takes away mojo.
The Cubs struggles should not be long. They still own the best record in baseball based on winning percentage, and just have to much talent to go on an extended losing streak.
They are the Only team in the National league that has not lost three in a row. An impressive accomplishment.
Sean Gallagher(3-3) vs. James Shields(4-5). Game time is 6:10(central).
D. Lee needs to break out of it. He is batting .283, and Soriano has more home-runs(15), and has seen the D.L. twice. I expect at least a .310 batting average.
WHAT TO WATCH:
The baseball trade deadline is July 31. I always look for Jim Hendry to be active. The Cubs should be appealing to anyone who wants out. A.J. Burnett is a cry baby, quoted as saying "please" trade me. I'd take a chance on him. C.C. Sabathia is the gem everyone has their eyes on. Hendry says he is not restricted by future owners as far as trading and spending, so go get him. I'm sure if the Indians dealt him, the National League would be a good chance, based on what they can get in return.
The Cubs are almost there people, but if we can get a match for Zambrano, it could put them over the top.

Is he killing that guitar Daddy?

What the hell is Peter Gammons doing to that 6-string man?!!!!
I'm all for the seventh-inning stretch and all, but now it's getting a little embarrassing. I can't tell what he's playing. Is that guitar? It's really bad. Just report you Hall of Famer you.

The Most Exciting Event in Sports?

I was up very early this morning and have listened to two different radio shows on ESPN 1000, Chicago. Mike and Mike in the morning, and Waddle and Silvy. Let me say this: Golf is not the most exciting sport to watch. If I had to choose between golf and soccer, I would choose to watch On Golden Pond. All these radio personalities just raved how there is was nothing like the U.S. Open in all of sports, and if they had the choice they would watch that over any other event. This event is what gets them off the most.
I watched the last 5 holes of Saturday night's coverage, and had it on at work on Sunday before the NBA Finals. You know who I was watching? Tiger Woods. That's it. That's all. Yes, it was exciting, but over the Giants beating the Patriots? No way. Is it more exciting than let's say the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series? Absolutely not folks. How about game seven possibility in the NBA Finals with two of the most storied franchises? Never. As much as don't care for soccer, what if The United States won the World Cup?
Do you believe in miracles?
Tiger is why golf is so popular right now. I will not be watching the playoff. I'll find out later. If Tiger wins my reaction will be, "Well that's what he does, he's the best." If he loses, "Wonder what happened to Tiger?" In the newspapers and radio and blogs, the headlines won't even mention the winner if Tiger Loses.
Everybody can play golf, so I understand that there is a deep connection to the sport, and it is great. I love to play it myself, but come on, does everyone want a make-out booth here. Step right up to french Phil, Tiger, Els, etc!
Tiger makes this sport happen.
Tiger will continue to make this sport happen.
Let's not fill airtime with your idiocy.

Wood Leads League

Stayed up for the whole game last night, and it was amazing. A friend called me later and told me Ron Santo was a wreck. Saying "Why are they doing this to me". I understand that fully. The Cubs had the game in the bag early, but Dempster lost it, and still awaits his first road win.

Kerry Wood, while at times gets into a lot of trouble, manages save 17, to lead the National League. His line so far looks like this. He's 2-1, with an e.r.a. of 2.70. This includes 17 of 21 save oppurtunitis, with 7 walks to 38 strikeouts. As far as I can see, Woody looks great on the mound. He seems confident with the breaking ball again, and his fastball has plenty of bite at the end. Right now I can't question his health or confidence. Great call by Lou Pinella to name him the closer during spring training. People were screaming for Carlos Marmol to close, and might eventually be put there, but he is such a great set up man. He can pitch multiple innings, as opposed to Wood, who will not pitch more than 20 pitches.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Carlos Zambrano has pitched 86 innings. Dempster has 82 and Lilly 72. All of them are on pace for 200 plus this year. It's going to get hot soon around the nation, and these guys will hit the wall at some point, especially Dempster, who hasn't done this in a hanful of years. Our Bullpen is going to get taxed more. The solution? I have no idea. It's possible that Marshall will get called up to spot start, along with Lieber, to maybe give these three a six day rest between starts. It would be nice if Gallagher could go until the seventh tonight. Carlos Zambrano goes tommorrow, and if the Cubs offense can build a huge lead, I'd like to see "Z" come out early, letting Hart take the rest. He's fresh, and so is Cotts, who has looked very sharp out of the pen thus far.
Lou Pinella and his staff has managed this team great. He's a good leader, well respected, and reminds me of my grandpa. I just wanna hug him.
Mark Derosa has had a nice road trip so far. 5-14, with 3 home-runs.
Geovanny Soto might want to move to the bench a couple games and let Blanco play tonight and Sunday. He's looking worn out, swinging and missing, swinging and missing. Something is ailing. Perhaps his hands or wrist. He is an All-Star, leading in voting, so let's give the guy a break, Blanco has been tearing the leather off the ball.
Stat Note: Carlos Marmol has just as many strikeouts as Carlos Zambrano. 57.
Go Cubs Go!

MLB Power Rankings, or Which Team Sucks The Most

Best record in baseball and winners of nine straight. Ranks number one in offense and the pitching has kept us in some games. The big test? Getting out of June and July with a heavy road schedule.


Why put the Rays ahead of the Phillies. Fuck Philly "itis", that's why. The Rays have better pitching right now. Upton, Crawford, Pena, and Longoria are exciting and exceeding expectations. Not sure if they can keep it up to win the A.L. east, but should be able to contend for a wild card if health agrees with them.

Well here they are. After a rough start they now own the fourth best record in the league. Chase Utley is crazy good. .325 batting, with 21 homers and 53 driven in. His .o.p.s. is 1.092. Jimmy Rollins, Ryan "Mr. K." Howard, and Pat Burrell lead a great offense. It took a while, but Burrell has it figured out. Pitching is weak, although Brad Lidge is back to form.

Last week, ESPN ranked these guys 9th, behind the White Sox, Marlins and Blue Jays. Laughable. Pedroia and Ellsbury have a combined 121 hits. Team batting avg. is .282, and they have the pitching depth to go back to the post-season. Health will be an issue down the road, but please, the Red Sox have been stacked for years and continue to win.

The L.A. Angels are one better in the win and loss column, but the Cards better them in batting with .276 to the Angels .256. Both teams e.r.a. are the same around 3.90. Pujols rbi's are down this year, but still batting .362, including 75 hit, and 14 home runs. If you look up and down the roster, everybody is producing. Molina(Yadier), owns the dish now! Ankiel, Glaus, Ludwig. You're fucking kidding me right? The pitching has been great too. What the hell! I curse you Cardinals. I curse you! Leave the Cubs alone already. Jesus!

Seemingly a better line-up than the Cardinals and are first in their division. A virtual tie in rankings, but the Cards are the surprise ahead of them.

I cannot put the White Sox ahead of the Marlins. Just can't do it. Slightly better batting by ten points, and that's not saying much. E.r.a is high at 4.48, but the offense is clicking and right behind the Phillies in the east.

Second in the A.L. in pitching with an e.r.a. of 3.36. High in strikeouts and keeping the base on balls low as well. Pitching is the ONLY thing keeping them in games, and I feel they don't deserve the ranking, but they are in first place. Without potential All-Star Carlos Quentin, the Sox are an embarrassment on offense. Thome(.208), Konerko(.202), Swisher(.202), Cabrera(.240), Uribe(.198). Astoundingly leading the A.L. central. Horribly boring team that waits for the offense to produce. Trot on Paulie. Trot on.

The Braves are fourth in the entire league in pitching with an e.r.a. of 3.58. Team batting ranks fifth in all of baseball with an avg. of .276, led by All-Star Chipper Jones's .409. Pitching will be a problem with them eventually, with Smoltz now hanging in the bullpen, and his retirement imminent.

Still have to put the D-Backs ahead of the A's and Blue Jays, who are both among tops in pitching throughout the league, but offensively stale. Arizona is fifth in the entire league in pitching and batting. They have a young team that is slumping right now, but I fully expect them to recover and win the division easily. Still in first place, the Dodgers have the only realistic chance of competing.

The rest
11. Oakland
12. Toronto
13. Twins
14. Astros
15. Yankees
16. Rangers
17. Dodgers
18. Indians
19. Orioles
20. Brewers
21. Tigers
22. Pirates
23. Giants
24. Reds
25. Nationals
26. Padres
27. Mariners
28. Royals
29. Rockies
30. Mets- Yeah that's right. They suck, and if you like them, YOU SUCK!

Bulls to hire Cry Baby Doug Collins. Again!

I have no idea why the Bulls would hire Doug Collins back here again. So What? He gets to coach our young nucleus and then be let go after a few years for some other coach to hoist the banner? He's a cry baby and a quitter. It makes me sick.

Rick Monday Saves the Day

The Cubs come back from behind victory yesterday afternoon was nothing short of inspiring. I could almost cry. A 10-9 win over Colorado. Jim Edmunds lives to play another day in Cubbie Blue. A home-run and a double, topped off with Derosa's go ahead homer. Nice work out of the pen, and a great way to make Ted forget that one. I was sent this e-mail, and thought this is worthy of a watch. Rick Monday of the Cubs saves the day.

Cubs looking good, need to improve on the road.

Today the Cubs go for a sweep against the Dodgers at home with Carlos Zambrano on the bump. They also have the Best record in the National League with a handful of teams right there as well. What is alarming is the Cubs 21-8 record at home during very cold months in April and May. Impressive for them. They are in dire need to improve on the road at 10-13. Divisional rivals St. Louis and Houston are hanging around, much to the disgust of Cub fans. The Cards and Astros are a combined 28-26 on the road, and truly a thorn in our side.

The Cubs have been explosive on offense, and have exceeded expectations on the mound. The Cubs lead the N.L in batting with a .284 team batting average, and a team on base percentage of .366. They are first in hits with 523 and look to have all the confidence in the world. I don't doom players coming to bat in pressure situations this year. If unsuccessful, they will get em' next time.

I will break down but one pitcher, and that is Sean Gallagher, who in four starts is 2-1 with a 4.5 e.r.a. He gave up only one run last night, and averages 6 strikeouts per game. Already better than Marquis in my opinion, and should be allowed to stay in the rotation as long as these results keep coming. I fully expect Jim Hendry to try and trade for a reliable starter sometime after the All-Star break. Greg Maddux has been rumored, and I would be just fine with that. In overall pitching, the Cubs are 3rd in the N.L. They own the third best e.r.a. with a 3.62, and are third in strikeouts with 380. Walks are a trouble spot, and complete games are a relic. The rotation has to go deeper a couple times a week to give a break to this bullpen which any team in the league should be envious of.

A couple players of note besides great production From D. Lee and Aramis Ramirez.

Ryan Theriot currently is second in the N.L. in singles with 49, only behind the 53 from future hall of famer Chipper Jones. Not before Ron Santo you don't Jonsey! Great job, and perhaps may solidify that 2 hole.

The real story to me is Geovanny "Han" Soto. He is making a case right now for the All-Star game. Brian McCann seems to be the starter right now, but I see Soto easily being the Reserve. Look at the Stats. 52 hits, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 35 rbi's and 29 walks. His strikeouts are a bit high at 47, but hey, he's a rookie after all. .304 batting and .403 on base percentage. Both better than Derrek Lee, and right round Aramis. Impresseive, truly impressive numbers. Go Cubs, Go!

Home Run Replay? This Face Say Yes!

Major League Baseball should implement the instant replay on home-runs.
Come on Man, How can you say no to this face.

One day I hope play in the World Series man. Not with Texas of course, we stand no chance man. Maybe in that World Series I hit walk off home run in game 7 man. I would not want that to be double. Double bad. Maybe next batter strike out to end game and lose series bro. Then Blue Oyster Club closed for Ramone. Even with handsome mustache. So please go with replay, I don't want to have to stick the Joker on you.

He bad man, man. He loco. He will really mess you up bro.
Instant replay be easy thing man. First of all I love tennis. Roddick, Roger, Nadal, rock solid man. Don't you love tennis too? Look at my eyes and tell me you don't. Anyway, in tennis, they have a machine that can detect when the ball hit the net for a let ball or faults like that man. Can't we run the same way along the outfield wall? If go over clean it beep or some shit, and if doesn't it is in play. Or we can get a couple of two of those ball boys and make them representitives to major baseball. Ramone like that idea to have one in left and one in right to watch the foul pole's no? Yes!!! Ramone would welcome such boys with open arms. Or we can hire more fat umpires and add more cameras in appropriate places, but would be boring.
One more thing before my cappuccino this fabulous morning. Let us not turn our umpires into NFL referees man. In NFL, referee cowards, letting a penalty go they may not be sure on. They wait for coach to throw flag for replay to get ref of hook. This is no way to behave man. In MLB, home-run instant replay will be easy for the insertion, restoring honor back to our umpires man.
See you after the game.
Stay thirsty my friends.

Love, Ramone

Not That There's Anything Wrong With That.

Wow! I mean... That's really something.

Talk about that bad May for the Cubs. May us never see this gayness for a while. Bob Brenly on guitar, Len Kasper on vocals.

NBA MVP Value.

I got into a discussion on the value of the NBA's MVP award when Pacifist Viking set Kareem's six awards up, along with Jordan's 10 scoring titles and Russel's 11 Championships, as a career accomplishment that stood out above all others. I'm still not sure I agree that it is, but it appears that my reason for criticizing it were incorrect.

I took the viewpoint that the MVP was essentially a popularity contest, voted on by cranky sportswriters, without using any real data or statistics. I tend to be unimpressed, though admittedly I employ them when measuring a player, with most awards for this very reason. Bob Dylan has many a Grammy, but I would never defend the quality, or impact, of his music by listing his Grammy awards. Its quality is completely subjective, and the awards he receives can only be a portion of his total impact.

Different than other art forms, sports offer us results and statistics to support our positions. Which is why Ron Santo not being in the Hall of Fame is so galling, though statisticians all agree his credentials are HOF worthy. I assumed if you held various MVP winners stats up against other players, like Jordan vs. Malone in '96-'97, you would find that the player having the best season did not always win the MVP. That like in Santo's case, they let personal biases cloud their voting.

I emailed Mike McGraw at the Daily Herald, who voted this year and was cool enough to respond the same day, to ask if there was a list of voters anywhere. He didn't know of any list and explained that each team chooses three people to vote and these three people can change every year. A certain number of national media get a vote, and that's it. This seemed to support my theory the voting was treated casually at best.

All wrongo.

Michael 'wiLQ' Wilczynski over at 82games.com has done an exhaustive study of the the MVP award going back to '84-'85. Using his own formula, that I barely understand and could never describe to you, he found that the voters had awarded the proper player every year.

Every year.

This is amazing to me. That the voters, who are again, just sports writers I find fault with everyday, could be correct some 22 times in a row. I think I'm interpreting the data correctly.

I think.

Someone please check me on this.

I guess the NBA MVP is one of, if not the most, consistently correct and reliable award given out.

You learn something new everyday.

Sweet Home Sports - The Bear Cave.

Phil also posts for The Bears Cave. Check it out.