Len & Bob's baseball blog

Speed Bump?? You can't be serious with that flawed logic!! Cubs just lost 2 series against teams with mediocre pitching and the Cardinals have Pujhols and.....that's right, nobody. Cubs are to inconsistant on offense. Leading the league in runs doesn't mean much when you score 10 one day and one run the next.

This team needs 2 starters, 2 relievers, a leadoff man and another LH bat. Don't fool yourselves Len and Bob and please don't make excuses anymore because that's what this latest column is.

I'll tell ya Len... these last three series have shown just how important starting pitching is and having a bullpen that doesn't WALK guys. I'm NOT concerned about the OFFENSE because we have had LOADS AND LOADS of guys on base consistently this season. We're going to hit and score lots of runs, of this I'm sure. I just can't understand how a guy with 20 game winner stuff like HILL can't seem to get it at the MAJOR LEAGUE level. And DEMPSTER being are 2nd best starter?
I would have NEVER figured that, that's for sure. I'm happy for RYAN but truth is he would be a number 4 or 5 on most staffs. We HAVE TO beat teams in our own division and WIN SERIES. I've actually had to go to the PEPTO for the first time this season. And that's not encouraging pal!!!

The sale of the Cubs is the key to progress. Clearly, Mr.Zell has sent a clear signal that what the Cubs need is not a priority, and his underlings sometimes resent Cubs fans for wanting more.
Let's all pray that the Cubs are sold in time to make what improvements are needed this season.

I personally believe that they should get rid of Jason Marquis and move Carlos Marmol up to start.

I know I'm tired of excuses too. BUT I also understand why Len and Bob have to write what they write. Remember Steve Stone cub fans? He was steamed at the end of another losing season and ripped cubs management about not getting the RIGHT players and surprise surprise, he was fired! Len and Bob know that we know what we're talking about and I'm sure off the air and blog, they would agree with our sentiment regarding the cubs lineup and pitching. I agree with Scott, we need a couple starters and at least one able pitcher in the bullpen. All I know is that if I see Soriano leading off much longer, I am going to call direct tv and ask for them to cancel my mlb extra innings package because it's starting to put me in a bad mood on a nightly basis. OUR leadoff hitter, .325 career on base %, who has 260 career walks compared to 982 career strikeouts. How many teams in the league would want a strikeout or homerun guy as a leadoff hitter? Leadoff hitters are meant to take walks, steal bases, JUST GET ON BASE ANYWAY YOU CAN.. We have enough power in the rest of the lineup, we don't need a homerun hitter in the leadoff position! Sweet Lou is making these excuses because the fact of the matter is that Soriano and his big fat contract has more pull in the organization that Lou does so Lou has to "support" Soriano because his job depends on it. Everyone knows Soriano as a leadoff hitter is a joke but nobody that could do something will say anything about it. Soriano was 2-14 in the playoffs against the D-Backs last year with 4 strikeouts and of course we all know that the cubs were swept. Now if they had someone that could get on base in the leadoff position would they have won? who knows, maybe, maybe not but you look at any solid team in the majors today and guess what? they have a leadoff hitter that get's on base.. this will be the cubs demise this year unless it get's fixed but knowing our history in baseball, it won't and this will turn into yet another disappointing campaign. How's this.. Soriano and Rich Hill for Jake Peavy? I mean the padre's take the rest of our used up players (maddux, rusch, barrett)

These are fun to read, mostly for the inane nature of the comments the last few days.

Marmol to start? Who will you use in the pen day after day. It's a great idea to take one of the best relievers in baseball and start him.

Where are you GMs picking up all these players? Other teams are just lining up to give up starting pitching and position players.

Steve Stone fired? Um,no. He quit after not being able to get along with Dusty Baker.

Yup, this season is just about over for the Cubs according to you. Are there problems? Of course, and it's been a bad week. Every teams has them. So throw the baby out with the bath water and bitch to the high heavens your team doesn't win every game. That's what real fans do.

i want to go on some record to say i spoke with soto at the dhcfc and told him he would have a no hitter. he's replay was, with which team, i replied, who cares.
lrm

You use Lieber to relieve because Marmol's got a great arm and I think he can bring a lot to the starting rotation because outside of Z and Dempster, it ain't goin nowhere. They moved down Hill when they should have gotten rid of Marquis.

you are soooo right about the cubs' tv announcers "justin r." the problem is these two boobs are supposed to be "professionals." as a broadcast tv veteran of 15 years len and bob are the biggest embarassment to broadcasting i've ever come across. you can call a game and still not jeopardize your job.
that crap len spouted the other night about how soriano is a good leadoff choice based on numbers from previous leadoff batters is hogwash. the funny thing is his partner is so retarded that he thought he was backing him up, but totally proved him wrong by saying the only time you're guaranteed a lead-off spot is in the first inning. that's true, but it totally negates the others' argument. cubs fans are disappointed because Hill gets sent to AAA while soriano can't hit. soriano routinely swings at the first pitch, that generally puts him in a hole that eventually leads to an out of 3 pitches or less. soriano routinely ends an inning or even worse ends an inning with runners in scoring position. he had the 2nd worst avg., 2nd worse obp, 2nd worse slugging % tonight. the only person worse was the pitcher. HELLO!!!!
but it's not just his hitting. he cost the cubs two games in a row last week because of his fielding. and these two boobs tote the company line. be a man len and bob! call it like it is! there's nothing wrong with that. soriano is clearly not in the right place right now. move him to the 8th batting position. even 9th. or send him to triple-A. i thought this was a business. and if a bank manager kept losing money away something would be done. make him a teller, make him a security guard until he gets it and is back in proper form. there's nothing wrong with that mr. soriano. check in your ego. be a man!! you're costing your team and fans games.
at the end of the season when a playoff spot is on the line these games early in the season cost teams. not one of these boobs on tv will say that. they are horrible. they have been for years. one thing's for sure they're no "stone/caray" combination. but they are at the top of one category...least respected broadcast pair in the league. just horrible.

Wow, nice podcast studio boys, what a view! And I love the fireplace, nice touch. Little fireside chats with Len & Bob, I love it! Of course, it is summer (well, almost summer) so it'd be kind of silly to have a fire going. But come October (and we'll still be playing without a doubt) that fire may come in handy.

All ya need is a little gargoyle hanging off the balcony, and a flag to show you when the wind is blowing out, then you'd be set.

Enjoy the new digs!

Robby.. is this your 1st year being a cubs fan? have you not watched the cubs prior to this season? Did I say at any point that the season was over? of course not, they could still win 100 games or lose 100 games this season, too early to say it's over unless they were like 2-20. Steve Stone quit "technically" but it was only to save face from saying he was given an ultimatum, quit or be fired. Your a moron if you think he just woke up one day and said.. "hey..I don't think I want to announce for the cubs anymore" Stoney is as big of a cubs fan as there is.. Let me give you the whole story Robby since you must have been out of town when this happened. Dusty was making horrible managerial decisions down the stretch in 2004, culminating with poor strategy in a 2-1 12inning loss to the reds on sept 30th (have the game on tape). Stoney rips Dusty on his managing down the stretch, culminating a strife from august of that year because Stoney criticized Kent Mercker and Mercker called up to the television booth DURING the game to bitch about it. Dusty did nothing as usual and thus began the strife. Now, Stone also had problems with cubs front office for questionable player aquisitions and their handling of Prior and his injury from earlier in the season, and the cubs not willing to match an offer from atlanta to keep his broadcast partner chip caray in the booth. now also at this time Stoney's name was being kicked around at possibly succeeding Hendry as cubs GM so I'm guessing Hendry wanted to kick out any competition. Now we have a meeting the following day, October 1st with Stone, Baker, Hendry, and McPhailure to discuss the comments he made about the team not having any heart and the comments relating to Dusty's managing decisions. They supposidly talked it out and everything was settled. Now shortly afterward Hendry and Baker were asked by reporters about the incident with Stone and they began criticizing Stone's comments after it was already supposidly settled. Then at the end of the october stone announced he was resigning because of friction with cubs management. Now if you still believe that he just quit on his own desire, you are A) an idiot and B) a sox fan. It's been 3 1/2 yrs and I'm still pissed about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally happy with Len and Bob in the booth (still surprised Bob isn't coaching somewhere) but it was just the way that they handled the situation. Stone was the voice of the cubs for so many years that he became synonomous with cubs baseball like Haray. He was a cubs fan 1st and foremost and he got canned because he spoke the truth and didn't cover up that disasterous season with management rhetoric.

THIS TEAM HAS PLAYED POORLY SINCE WOODIE BLEW THE MILWAUKEE GAME. THERIOT AND FOTENOT ARE ALWAYS RUNNING US OUT OF INNINGS.DEROSA AND SORIANO WITH THE GLOVE. WHEN DO WE PLAY THE PIRATES AGAIN.

Arizona v. Angels in October, with TV ratings in basement.

Cubs promise next year lead off hitter will have removed rust and hit his own weight.

New Cubs owner installs padding on outfield walls that resembles ivy, including ability to conceal balls.

Soto wins Rookie award.

The Cubs are clearly a better team with Johnson in the leadoff spot. Cub fans deserve better that to have to watch team management allow a selfish player to determine where he will play. I though Lou was a tougher maneger than that and I expected him to do what was best for the team

What can I say anymore... monkey see monkey do
Sorryono has set the example and the team is following suit..
Fukodome got them going on a win streak...
Sorryono has takin the team down with him with his great rallying killing poor fielding play...
Why r we bowing down to this guy? TRADE HIM...NOW because he IS going to be traded eventually...Cub fans have already had enough and once that starts it is inevitable...
Lou can sugar coat it all he wants but we are watching this overpaid underperformer taske the team down the tubes and we are the ones who eventually call the shots

Hey Justin, if your guy Stone is so brilliant, why has he never held a baseball job since he retired? Why didn't any team, just one, snap him up after he left for the booth? Didn't he quit once before? Did someone, anyone in MLB take him then? I have been a Cubs fan for a long time and I like Stoney, but to trot him out as a Messiah or as a symptom of why this team is having a bad week doesn't cut it.

Would he be with you thinking you can trade a lefty who can't find the strike zone and is now at Triple A along with a 100+ million contract liability for the Padres National League Cy Young winner?

I love it! Spirited Cub fans at it, and I'm not even in the middle of it? Great stuff!

Where were you folks last season, though, when I was panning Sorry-clowno's acquisition from the beginning? Ah, never mind, better late than never I guess. But let's be honest folks: that guy's a cancer on this already over-rated excuse for a ball club. By the way, we're 1-4 since his return, just another case in point. He belongs on a lousy ball club where Alflubbo's Foibles may be overlooked for what little he contributes. What that guy gives, he always manages to take back with his poor baserunning, pathetic fielding, laughable situational hitting and general lack of hustle. Then again, if we did get rid of the imposter, who'd assume that cushy contract? Certainly not an intelligent owner. Well, maybe there's some there after all.

Speaking of lack of intelligence, let's turn to our bellicose 'braintrust', laughable loser Lou Pinata, our fearless manager. You remember, that guy who saved our best pitcher, Carlos Z, to pitch in a game that didn't even exist last season.

Last night, our embattled manager decides to bunt with Dumpster down 5-1 in the middle innings, who promptly abides by doing so into a DP. Then when he should've bunted in the late innings to put 2 runners into scoring position, he sent up Mr .007 D Ward, who promptly obliged with an easy out. One thing's for sure, Daring D Ward won't ever hit his weight. He would have to hit over .300 then. Looks like he never misses a meal either. Either way, good job Loser Lou!

But last night's Bonehead Award goes to Cubs' favorite: DP DeRosa. He struck out 3 times in crucial situations and made a very costly error. Many of you raved that DP Dero was our MVP in the first half of last season, and you may've been right. But that wasn't sayin' much was it? Since then he hasn't done much of anything. He's slow, a liability in the field and hit into a DP in the playoffs last season that snuffed out whatever hopes we may'be had against AZ. No wonder why these clubs were willing to part with him!

And just in case you missed my Bonehead Award from the night before against the Cards: I gave it to D Lee, who, like last night, failed again in the clutch. Maybe he feels that he's earned a long vacation after having a decent April. What does that guy make: something like $65mil? Oh please!

Finally, let's not get on folks who take the time to participate on this feisty forum. We can poke fun at the players, and every once in awhile, our brilliant, but bombastic broadcasters: Loquacious Len and Brawny Bob Barker...ah...Brenly. But when we blast each other, we focus our fire on those who have little to do with the outrageous outcomes we've observed on the field lately. Let's save our ammo for Cub's (mis)management and these lousy players.

For example: Sarah. Dear, Marmol's in the bullpen because he's practically our only consistent pitcher out there now. He's more valuable there then he would be as a starter. See, now we didn't need to get on Sarah, when a simple explanation will do. I know I got on folks' cases last year and I apologize profusely for that.

However, there's plenty of grist for the ole griddle here, thanks to our genius GM, our magnificent mgr and our brilliant ballplayers. Oh pu-lease Ray, go back to doing what you do (almost as) well. Meanwhile: Cubs Forever...LOSERS!!!

Hey, "ray of Reality": Is that you Ozzie? Now let's see, Ozzie says the White Sox are Chicago's what, again?

Just an F.Y.I robby, never said stoney was a messiah or used him as an excuse for this season or any other season for that matter.. read over my posts carefully, twice maybe if needed. The only reason why I brought stone into the conversation was because the "current" cubs broadcasters were making excuse after excuse about Soriano batting in the leadoff position and sweet Lou's decision to leave him there come hell or high water. I brought it up because Stone wouldn't peddle management rhetoric, he would call sh*t, sh*t and I respect him for that. It was just nice to have a "fan" in the broadcasting booth, not just someone saying things in order to continue cashing a paycheck. The reason why Stone didn't go anywhere else is because he loves the cubs and the city of chicago, I know I'm a cubs fan through and through and wouldn't be caught dead announcing for the cardinals regardless of how much they'd pay me. Just make sure you don't bite your tongue cause depending on who buys the cubs, there's a good possibility that he will be back in the cubs organization...

Atta boy Lou...leave Leiber in there until the game is lost. Great managing!!! When this team can't win a series against Dustbag Dusty and the worst team in baseball....you officially SUCK!!!! This team has no heart and no balls. PATHETIC

LOL, very good James Miller! Nah, I'm not Ozzie. As you can probably tell by my posts I'm much more articulate than Ozzie. But at least he brought a World Series to Chicago, a claim that no Cubs' Mgr can make in the last 100 yrs, so I'm flattered that you compared me to a successful mgr.

Actually I really am a Cub fan who has grown weary of this baloney that they've been trying to sell us over the last generation or so. I still contend that they continue to bring over-rated, mediocre players to this franchise and re-package them into something they're not. Bottom line: the Cubs only won 85 ball games last year and are very over-rated this season. I will continue to point that out too, even it may become obvious to all.

However, if you do manage to guess who I am, I will be glad to tell you whether you've got it right or not. As you can tell by my witty comments, I am something more than the average guy off the street yet have had to endure this mediocrity forced on us long-suffering fans over the years like everybody else.

Best of wishes to you James and yours; and thanks for comparing me of the embattled Sox manager. At least he has a couple World Series rings and understands excellence, brief as it may've been! Cubs Forever...LOUSY!!!!