Reds announcer (and father of former Cubs announcer Thom Brennaman) Marty Brennaman ripped Cubs fans during the game broadcast this week at Wrigley. He critized fans throwing balls onto the field of play which in my view is fair game. But then he takes the opportunity to spout off on what appears to be some deep-seated hate for all fans of the Cubs!
With Alfonso Soriano blowing a tire last night at Wrigley, his enrollment on the 15-day DL was certain. Instead of calling up left fielder Matt Murton, - surprise! - the Cubs recalled second baseman Eric Patterson. Seems like the plan is to send DeRosa to Left for a couple weeks until Soriano can limp back to hit more solo home runs. I would think the fairly hot-hitting Mike Fontenot would fill in admirably at second with DeRosa in the OF. But they call up Patterson instead? Something is brewing methinks - why add a potential fourth option at second? Could Mr Hendry have a deal in the works?? Seems like the future for Matt Murton in blue pinstripes is as uncertain as ever if he’s not called up under these circumstances.
Tonight at Wrigley will be a sort of homecoming for Dusty Baker. I would anticipate a mixed-to-negative crowd reaction when he is announced just prior to the first pitch.
Despite how Dusty’s tenure as Cubs manager ended in 2006, let’s not forget the “In Dusty We Trusty” magic of 2003. As David Kaplan pointed out on last night’s WGN Sports Central, Dusty really was the first modern day manager of the Cubs that came in with the clear expectation of winning. Don Baylor was much like his million predecessors as more simply minding the store, and not really expected to win - the culture on the Northside had been more hoping to win.
In my view, Dusty was not a very good in-game manager. His strength was in getting the most out of his players but the X’s & O’s were mostly lost on him. His player-centric management style sometimes works against him (ie his handling of LaTroy Hawkins & Neifi Perez) but let’s not overlook what he represents in the bigger Cubs picture - he brought the expectaion of winning to the Friendly Confines. Now it’s up to Lou to get it done.
The Cubs are managing to win tight games, sometimes in creative ways. And Lou simply outmanaged Phillies acting-manager, coach Jimy Williams (Phils skippper Charlie Manuel was tossed arguing a fair/foul home run call) by running up Felix Pie as a decoy pinch-hitter. With the game on the line in the 8th, Piniella sent in struggling rookie Felix Pie to pinch bat (hard to call him a pinch-hitter) for catcher Henry Blanco. This was a genius move to chase Tom Gordon and force the Phils to bring in another pitcher - JC Romero - to face Geovany Soto. The move paid off big as Soto hit a check-swing single to tie the game. Well done Lou, you out-classed ‘em today.
Off Monday then back to the Friendly Confines Tuesday. …I wonder how Dusty Baker’s return to Wrigley will be…?
Ok, now this is an autographed photo worth having: Lou Pinella blowing his lid in June 2007 at Wrigley Field. Totally awesome that he actually put his autograph on this picture!
On Monday the Cubs and Pirates struggled for 12 innings before the Cubs scored on five walks, a sac fly, and no hits whatsoever to finally not-lose the game. With Tuesday off, they resumed the ugly ball on Wednesday, playing 15 innings to not-lose another one. Then Thursday the Cubs starter (Rich Hill) couldn’t get it done; 3 innings, 3 runs on 3 hits, 4 walks. So Geovany Soto and Mike Fontenot provided the spark to pick up Hill…but how about the job Jon Leiber has done! Who’da thunk Leiber and Ryan Dempster would each throw 7 scoreless innings (Dempster just 1 hit) this week?
Lou said the 2007 would have likely lost both of those extra inning games and he was right. Good teams find a way to win, even when they’re playing ugly. And this week has been pretty ugly…
Chicago Cubs Official News
Stumble It!
