The Future

Did the Cubs take to heart the term, “Lazy Days of Summer”?  Last night, the Cubs started well with Castro’s homer but then the Brewers showed them why they’re leading the Central Division and Darwin Barney committed a couple of errors in an inning.  All’s forgiven.  A learning curve and at this state of the season, it’s all about prepping for the next.

Ok, I think I’ll cheer for the Brewers in the post season, and who doesn’t like beer?.  When a team gets beat by the best, there’s a lot of respect that goes around.  Just remember, Milwaukee, the Cubs are coming back next year with a bang.  You’ll see.

—Mark Gauthier

The Young Guns

Starlin Castro sat out for one game because of poor play from the night before.  was it a disciplinary thing by Mike Quade or was it frustration?  The thing is that Starlin Castro leads the League in hits and that’s a good thing.  The performances by the Cubs younger players like Castro, Darwin Barney, the amazing Tony Campana and Tyler Colvin have been nothing short of outstanding this year. 

It’s the play by the veterans that have been sub par(with the exception of Ramirez and Pena).  So, I don’t know if benching Castro for the game was the right idea.  He needs to play and even if it is lacklustre, he needs to be there, to get experience and to take his lumps like any seasoned veteran.  That’s the facts.  I’ve been watching the Cubs this year because of their young stars.  Campana’s amazing speed(He’s probably the fastest player in the majors) is exciting and Barney’s incredible intuition for the play and he’s without a doubt, one of the best all around players in the game.  Not flashy, but a gamebreaker.  I wouldn’t compare him to Reed Johnson, but maybe, ok, Darwin is a smart player.  Tyler Colvin has gone out and put to work his practice in triple A.  perhaps he’s a clutch player and he’s done the job he’s supposed to do.  Starlin Castro?  Future Hall of Famer.

Good years ahead

—Mark Gauthier

Not in the Cards

Well, Cubs fans have seen this one coming all season.  It’s been a rough season and changes have to be made.  in the wake of Hendry’s release, Tyler Colvin’s walk-off single in the 10th inning propelled the Cubs to an important win over the Cardinals.  Not that I’m dreaming of a miraculous playoff this year but beating their rivals and really putting an end to Jim Hendry’s career with the Cubs is somewhat poetic.

it’s a new beginning for the Cubs.  Jim Hendry had 9 tumultuous years with the organization and he made some good moves and some not so good moves.  I’ve been saying all season long that with the highest pay roll this side of Manhattan and not being able to secure a World Series spot; there’s bound to be some changes.

Nobody can blame it on curses, Black Cats, winds blowing in or blowing out–Hell, being the “lovable losers” will only draw fans in for so long(Yesterday was their biggest attendence since 1978-was it for Hendry or the Cards?)The question at the end of the day is, Can you win any ball games?

Jim Hendry’s record with the Cubs was 749-748.  That’s an ok record if it were some other team, but the Cubs haven’t won a World Series in 103 years so that record should have been better.

Next year starts today.  No more bullshit(yes, that’s what it is).  The Cubs will make the post season next year, Albert Pujols will lead the team in HR’s and Sandberg will be back.

—Mark Gauthier

The Drama Continues

I don’t know what to say after that bad game Carlos Marmol played.  What happened?  I thought I was watching a different game but man, did he blow it!  I still like the guy but something was off.  A grand slam!! 

Speakin of Slam, Sammy Sosa…

In other news, Carlos Zambrano got advice from someone with a corked bat to someone who goes off half corked–brilliant!  Don’t retire!  Well, I think Big Z’s over stayed his welcome.  I know I’m through with his shenanigans–that’s right, I said shenanigans.

So, back to Marmol:  Quade thinks his skills are diminished but chalk it up to having a bad year.  Carlos is the type of player who will rebound and work hard in the off season.  it doesn’t help when there are so many distractions in the clubhouse this year.  it’s got to take an effect on everyone.  Marmol’s blown effort is right out of a Hollywood script.  Bases loaded, one out away from the win and Wham!!!!!  Grand Slam!

That was really hard to take.

—Mark Gauthier

 

 

Back From Nova Scotia

Well, we’re back from our amazing trip to the east coast.  It is always beautiful to get out there and see family and the ocean.  I never get tired of that.

Some of the hilights from our trip were The Miner’s Museum.  Let me tell you, some of the hardships that those workers went through was just numbing and sobering.  I think we have it easy going to work and complaining a bit.

We went to Louisburg and it was cool seeing the way early settlers lived. 

It was a great trip that ended way too soon.

So, now for the Cubs.  I should take more vacations because as soon as we left, the Cubs went on a tear!  They’ve won 12 of  15.  Hmmn, August has been very kind to the Cubs.  I don’t think they’ll be in the post season but never count them out.  I’m being realistic.

I haven’t been watching much baseball but keeping an ear open.  Now that we’re back, I can get caught up.  What’s happening to Zambrano?  Wow, maybe it is time for him to move on.

Trevor Gretzky is officially a Cub and I’m looking forward to seeing him play.  Hopefully he’s a chip off the old block!!!

Really, I’ve missed a lot but if the Cubs keep playing like they’re playing, it’s going to be an exciting finish!!!!

—Mark Gauthier

Nova Scotia, here we come!!

All right, tonight we leave for the east coast.  We’ve been gearing up the last week so I haven’t spent too much time watching the Cubs, but on with the latest being Kosuke Fukodome traded to the Cleveland Indians for some prospects.  The funny part is while I’m writing this post, I’m listening to Billie Holiday’s All of Me. 

The Cubs picked up Outfielder Abner Abreu and pitcher Carlton Smith.  The Cubs will have to eat a few bucks in the process but I think it was the right thing to do.  Kosuke came to the Cubs with great fanfare a few years ago but there hasn’t been too much room in the lineup for him.  Tyler Colvin will get some more playing time and that’s a good thing.

So back to Nova Scotia.  We’re going to take a two week vacation and drive across.  At least 16 hours, but probably closer to 18 with stops for Darcy to get fed and changed.  It’s going to be exciting seeing friends and relatives and of course seeing the beautiful Cape Breton.  The car is almost packed and the tunes have been loaded.  We’re ready to go!

I’m going to take a break from baseball for the two weeks but I’ll post our trip diary and catch the Cubs highlites from the road.

Go Cubs Go!

—Mark Gauthier

Not Out Of It Yet

Jeff Baker thinks they can do it.  The Cubs three game winning streak was over last night.  Say what?  The Cubs were on a winning streak in 2011?

During last night’s game a funny thing happened and in many ways it kind of sums up the season the Cubs have been having.  Bases loaded, no outs and Alfonso Soriano is up, he hits the ball directly to Casey McGehee, Casey jumps over the bag and throws home.  He didn’t touch the bag to get two outs.  Why am I talking about a Brewers player?  It was a dumb move, but worse is that the Cubs couldn’t score any runs with the bases loaded.  Now, that’s the kind of season the Cubs have been playing.  Not taking advantages of the opportunities that come up.

It was a good game and the Cubs can make up ground because they play divisional rivals.  There’s two months left.  It’s a long shot but anything can happen.

I’ve been a little lazy in keeping up with the news but I watched the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and the ticker that scrolled underneath it was saying that Pat Gillick would be interested in talking with the Cubs about a possible position in the organization.  This would be great!  We know the kind of work he did in Toronto and with the other clubs.  This would be a great move.

My Cubs optimism is kicking in.  I think they can turn around this summer, at least to some kind of respectable finish.  I’ve said all along that they’re a good team, maybe there was a Goat in the clubhouse.

—Mark Gauthier

 

Back On Track

All is right in the world when the Cubs beat up on the Astros.  As the trade winds blow throughout the league it seems every time players who’s necks are out there seem to step up, er, um to the plate.  shoot, I thought I could avoid that one.

There’s another funny phenomena that happens when teams lose and then they win a game or two; they try to validate their losing season by saying that,”I’m back on track”  of course I’m talking about Carlos Zambrano.  Now to be fair, yes, they won a game and maybe they are back on track but to say that this time into the season is somewhat false.  If this were the beginning or middle of May, i would say that “Being back on track” is a good statement to make.  There would still be time to salvage the season and a clear focus towards the World Series would be Back on Track.

I think in order to be “Back on Track”, the Cubs need to do well in the trade Deadline and show and prove to fans that they are taking leaps forward to next year.  They have the money to do it, I trust the brains behind the Cubs will do well.

The Cubs are in the right direction, but not Back on Track . 

—Mark Gauthier

It’s Time

As I’ve said before, I wear Alfonso Soriano’s jersey with great pride.  I think he’s a great player and he’s had an all right season.  Baseball is filled with superstitions, streaks and all sorts of crazy things that go on.  This season has been weird.  Individuals have played well but there’s no team chemistry with the Cubs.

When Alfonso Soriano says that he won’t step in the way of a trade, he doesn’t care.  He’s 35 and wants a championship ring.  Is that greed or he doesn’t want to play at Wrigley Field?

The Cubs need to look at the future.  I’ve enjoyed this season as much as any other season.  Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney and a few others have played amazing.  They’re not going to play in October.  They will next year. 

The Cubs should trade Alfonso Soriano and I think they will before the season is out.  They’ll suck up his salary and hopefully trade him for some young hot shots who want to and have the legs to bring a championship to Wrigley Field.  Now, I’m not saying that Alfonso and some other players have lost their enthusiasm but when the highest pay roll outside of New York can’t get it done, then changes need to be made.

Soriano would be doing the gracious thing by demanding a trade and the Cubs should hapilly eat that 36 million if it means getting some more young players.

On the flip side, I think baseball needs to move young players quicker up to the Show.  In hockey, you’re drafted and playing the next year.  Sink or swim, Welcome the Show, Don’t cry for Mommy.

That’s what I think,

—Mark Gauthier

 

 

 

Something Fishy

Ok, I’m really a sucker for those kind of things.  The truth is that after Ryan Dempster threw a beauty of a game, the Cubs got whipped by the Marlins 13-5.  I don’t think it was Carlos Zambrano’s fault and I think the finger pointing is well left in the first half of the season.  The fact is the Cubs got beat up yesterday.  They got beat up in the kind of game where some teams just have your number.  Here’s an example:

A few years ago, the Ottawa Senators were in the playoffs and after going three rounds where they just destroyed any competition that came their way, they were expected to go on and win the Stanley Cup.  However, the Anaheim Ducks were just a better team than the Senators and beat up them to win the Stanley Cup.  Was it anything the Sens did wrong?  Should they have changed their game plan?  Fire their coach the next season?  There were so many questions, but it all boiled down to the Ducks simply were the better team and they won.  Congratulations.  When a team plays hard and doesn’t win, it’s just as good as winning.

Carlos Zambrano pitched a good game and the Marlins had his number yesterday.  I think maybe that’s why this season has been frustrating because too many teams have had the Cubs number.  We’ll get em next time.

—Mark Gauthier

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