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Hey Gang, gonna answer some posts on the blog from this week...here goes.
Oh great, Ryan Dempster to the bullpen. All our problems have been solved!!!! He has a 5.35 ERA, opponents bat .280 against him, he's walked 22 batters in 33 innings...I feel much better now. Especially with Jon Leicester in the starting rotation.
Hey, at least Sammy's gone (please note sarcasm).
Posted by Ron Albertson at May 9, 2005 10:13 AM
Len: Ron, are you the guy who was played by Fred Willard in "Waiting For Guffman"? Same name, just wondered...to reply, I can understand your frustration, but keep in mind that Dempster was going to be in the closer mix in spring training before the Wood and Prior injuries and at this point, the Cubs don't have a lot of other options. As far as Leicester goes, he was optioned to AAA Tuesday with Sergio Mitre taking his roster spot (he'll pitch out of the bullpen).
I think if Borowski gets healthy he can get back to where he was a couple of seasons ago and be fairly reliable. We need him back in a bad way or the office better get on task and find a way to trade towards a better bullpen. That or the bats have to get REALLY hot.
Posted by Scott at May 9, 2005 03:23 PM
Len: Scott, while the Cubs need Borowski back in a bad way as you put it, it might be too much to expect him to be the savior, especially early on. I think the Cubs would like to see Dempster grab this job for good, or at least for awhile. They don't want to keep moving him back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen if at all possible.
THANK GOD,anybody but letroy hawkins.how many times can u put a guy in a game to blow it,what took baker so long,also with dempster being a closer and wood hurt are starting rotation is falling apart,they need to bring back glendon rusch as a starter not john leicster.
Posted by leo surprenant at May 9, 2005 04:57 PM
Len: Leo, Dusty's options have been rather limited. Again, I feel the frustration, but with the Wood and Borowski injuries, two key guys are missing, putting other guys in spots they're either struggling with or are unfamiliar with.
Let's give Ryan Dempster a try as the closer. Being a closer is a different role and I think he will excel at the position. I mean who would have thought that borowski would have been such a success.
I'm not saying that Ryan will eclipse eric gagne, but if you look at the stats Ryan's numbers are pretty close to what gagne did as a starter. We won't know how well Ryan can do as the closer unless we give him the ball.
Keep the faith.
Posted by Jim Reisz at May 9, 2005 06:41 PM
Len: Jim, "keep the faith," I like that line!
Hey guys
Your right, that was a bad stratch of games there. I dont think any one should blame dusty for the cubs mastakes, the players have to take the blame, so if i hear any one say everything is dusty's falt i'll get very upset.
jeff berta
Posted by jeff berta at May 9, 2005 07:07 PM
Len: Jeff, it really does come down to the players and how they execute. Dusty has made changes in the lineup, he's moved guys around in the bullpen, he's tried to shake things up. Bottom line, the Cubs can't sustain anymore injuries and need the healthy guys to pick up the pace.
I was wondering what dusty baker's problem with Jason Dubois is? He gives ben grieve a start over dubois. Do they have some problems or what? Dubois is batting almost .300 Holly is around .221 you would think dubois would get a shot. Not that I dont like holly just you got to do what is best for the team and if one guy is hitting better that give him some chances. I think that is my only issue with Dusty this year other wise I think he is doing ok. Just come on dusty give jason a shot.
Posted by Derek at May 9, 2005 07:55 PM
Len: Derek, I think you're going to see Dubois get more playing time. He hit a HR Tuesday night and it looks like he's gonna get a shot at playing more in LF.
Ok I know its early but the Cubs need to pull a major trade or quite honestly start a scrap with someone. This team has no heart and no quick desire. Yes I never played, my "bust" isnt in Cooperstown. But ive been a fan my whole life(38) and looking back at the history at stuff that did work. The Cubs pulled two major trades in 1984 and made the playoffs. C.C. Sabathia would be my choice as the (pocket gm of the cubs). Plus with interleague play coming up C.C. has some experience with the American league. I shouldnt say they dont have desire but they need to overtake the redbirds because i see the wild card coming out of the east. They simply need to play with more energy.
Posted by Mike Battista at May 9, 2005 09:28 PM
Len: Mike, if Jim Hendry could get CC Sabathia, he'd make that deal immediately, believe me. But he's exactly the kind of player that NO team will give up. The Indians are building their team around young players like him and Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner. It's like asking the Cubs if they want to trade Carlos Zambrano. Not gonna happen. Now, if you want to give up Zambrano, maybe you can get Sabathia, but you get my point.
My comment doesnt really have much to do with the game or Leicester. It has more to do with the broadcast today.I looked it up and if anyone was wondering about the left-handed catchers thing, here is the list of left-handed catchers and the number of games they have played.
1,073 Clements, Jack
272 Trott, Sam
202 Tate, Pop
186 Sutcliffe, Sy
128 Harbridge, Bill
99 Hines, Mike
75 Humphries, John
71 Tenney, Fred
52 Twineham, Art
50 Baker, Phil
45 Donahue, Jiggs
35 Oldfield, Dave
34 Householder, Charlie
21 Malone, Fergy
16 McMahon, Jack
12 Krehmeyer, Charlie
7 WallL, Joe
5 Foster, Elmer
3 DiStefano, Benny
3 Hillebrand, Homer
2 Egan, Jim
2 Long, Dale
2 Squires, Mike
1 Cassidy, John
1 Eden, Charlie
1 Marr, Lefty
1 Mullen, John
1 Powell, Martin
1 Redmon, Billy
1 Short, Chris
Posted by George Patterson at May 9, 2005 10:22 PM
Len: Thanks George!!!