Monday, April 25, 2005
Brushing the Dust off the Blog...
"In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love...."
.... Or, in the case of this intrepid student, thoughts of exams and final projects. Posts have been scarce as of late but the Blue Bear has been keeping close tabs on the season. I know it may just be perpetual Cubs gloom, but it feels as though the season is slipping away already. Starters are dropping like flies, the bullpen is becoming a mess, and Aramis Ramirez has misplaced his bat thus far. The burden on the starting pitching could be immense this season. Hey, at least we have a logically sound manager at the helm.... uh... hmmm.
- I think it's time we just put this out there, mourn a little bit, and get over it. It's painfully clear that Neifi Perez has sold his soul to the devil. Moment of silence - aaaaand move on.
- Who else is anxiously awaiting the day that Jeromy Burnitz gets season ending whiplash from his gi-normous swing? It's like he thinks he's playing T-ball-- pick a spot and swing as hard as you can at it. I can't decide whether it's a credit to him or a knock on the pitchers that he actually picks the right spot 25% of the time. When he comes to the plate, the Disney cartoon of "Casey at the Bat" plays over and over in my mind...
- I know it's been beaten to death already, but why did Dusty pinch hit Macias for the red-hot Jason Dubois the other night? Maybe Dusty just doesn't trust young guys. It's not like Jason is 26. What's that? Oh.
-The Bill James philosophy on a closer is to bring in your best late inning pitcher when the situation is most critical. For example, if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th, you put the closer in then, instead of saving him for the 9th. While I'm not completely sold on this idea, I think maybe Dusty should try this with Latroy- without telling him. Latroy is the guy who said during spring training that he feels comfortable in the 8th because there is room for error. It's possible that we could trick him into thinking that there is no pressure in the 7th or 8th. Then again, maybe it's not exactly wise to play head games with a guy who tells reporters he is "f***ing crazy." Then again.... if that leads to Latroy taking out Dusty....
-I know there's a nickname joke about Nomar Garcia-popup to Nomar Garcia-groinpull, but I'm not going to make it.
All in all, the Cubs are nowhere close to losing the season. Neifi! and Derrek are making up for the lack of production from Nomar (RIP) and Aramis. Things will even out, and the Wild Card will be within grasp. Don't give up hope just yet.
.... Or, in the case of this intrepid student, thoughts of exams and final projects. Posts have been scarce as of late but the Blue Bear has been keeping close tabs on the season. I know it may just be perpetual Cubs gloom, but it feels as though the season is slipping away already. Starters are dropping like flies, the bullpen is becoming a mess, and Aramis Ramirez has misplaced his bat thus far. The burden on the starting pitching could be immense this season. Hey, at least we have a logically sound manager at the helm.... uh... hmmm.
- I think it's time we just put this out there, mourn a little bit, and get over it. It's painfully clear that Neifi Perez has sold his soul to the devil. Moment of silence - aaaaand move on.
- Who else is anxiously awaiting the day that Jeromy Burnitz gets season ending whiplash from his gi-normous swing? It's like he thinks he's playing T-ball-- pick a spot and swing as hard as you can at it. I can't decide whether it's a credit to him or a knock on the pitchers that he actually picks the right spot 25% of the time. When he comes to the plate, the Disney cartoon of "Casey at the Bat" plays over and over in my mind...
- I know it's been beaten to death already, but why did Dusty pinch hit Macias for the red-hot Jason Dubois the other night? Maybe Dusty just doesn't trust young guys. It's not like Jason is 26. What's that? Oh.
-The Bill James philosophy on a closer is to bring in your best late inning pitcher when the situation is most critical. For example, if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th, you put the closer in then, instead of saving him for the 9th. While I'm not completely sold on this idea, I think maybe Dusty should try this with Latroy- without telling him. Latroy is the guy who said during spring training that he feels comfortable in the 8th because there is room for error. It's possible that we could trick him into thinking that there is no pressure in the 7th or 8th. Then again, maybe it's not exactly wise to play head games with a guy who tells reporters he is "f***ing crazy." Then again.... if that leads to Latroy taking out Dusty....
-I know there's a nickname joke about Nomar Garcia-popup to Nomar Garcia-groinpull, but I'm not going to make it.
All in all, the Cubs are nowhere close to losing the season. Neifi! and Derrek are making up for the lack of production from Nomar (RIP) and Aramis. Things will even out, and the Wild Card will be within grasp. Don't give up hope just yet.
# posted by Brian @ 22:33 
