Friday – 1:20 p.m. Channel 9 – Jason Marquis vs. John Lannan
Saturday – 12:00 p.m. Comcast SportsNet – Ryan Dempster vs. Odalis Perez
Sunday – 1:20 p.m. Channel 9 – Dick Harden vs. Jason Bergmann
BONUS: THREE MINUTE VIDEO A MUST SEE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A WRESTLING FAN. CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND ENJOY.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Ben Johnson 
August 22, 2008 at 8:30 am
So now Bob Howry thinks he’s a bad ass? Too bad he can’t think about pitching a little more instead of pro wrestling. And somebody needs to tell Santino that the unibrow look is OUT!!
August 22, 2008 at 11:56 am
Maybe he wanted to see what it looked like when someone swings and misses.
August 22, 2008 at 3:13 pm
lo and behold: DP Lee has homered.
August 22, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Time for Cotts and Howry to go away.
I have seen enough of these two assholes.
August 22, 2008 at 4:01 pm
DeRosa is a fucking asshole too.
August 22, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I’m gonna go ahead and challenge that previous post there. Normally a fly ball bouncing off the wall is gonna be a double. It conveniently bounced into the fielders glove.
This is too bad, Marquis pitched a decent game too. Hopefully the offense can continue waking up and win this one.
August 22, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I just turned the TV off for maybe the second time all season.
August 22, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I broke my sunglasses in the car after Willie Harris hit that grand slam. I took them off and threw them against the passenger door. This sucks.
August 22, 2008 at 4:59 pm
“The Nationals come to town now. THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO LOSE A SINGLE GAME AGAINST THESE FUCKING BUMS!!!”
This is what armycubsfan posted yesterday. He is absolutely correct, there is no excuse to lose a single game to the pathetic Nationals. Last time I looked the Cubs were leading 4-0 going into the 6th, then I had to go out with my son so he could take his driving test, and come back to see them down 10-5 in the 8th!!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! These are the Nationals, not the Brewers, or Cardinals.
There bullpen has been suspect all season long, except for Marmol and Woody the whole thing is bring em in and pray. That won’t make it in the playoffs against the kinds of competition there.
This team still has issues that cause me to worry when playoff time comes around. I agree with the others above, Cotts and Howry are not the answer. Nevertheless, even Cotts and Howry (and Gaudin) should be able to handle the Nationals.
No excuse for this performance today…NO EXCUSE!
August 22, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Never underestimate the firepower of a last place team, they are gonna go on an eventual tear. The bullpen is gonna be conserved the rest of this game and Gaudin is gonna continue to take the punishment. But like I said, NO EXCUSES to lose anything against the Nats, especially at home. And once again to borrow from G-buster: PATHETIC!
BARF.
Let Ryan and Dick get them tomorrow and Sunday for at least a series win.
August 22, 2008 at 5:23 pm
All of us want the Cubs to win it all, it’s no secret. We’ve been waiting our entire lives for it. We can practically taste it.
A game like this is disturbing on so many levels: it proves that the bullpen has issues, something we’ve all known for quite awhile. In the end, good pitching will beat good hitting.
For the life of me, I do not understand why Howry still has a fucking job. The guy is an extreme liability and don’t be surprised if he plays a big part in a blown playoff game, assuming the Cubs make it that far. No guarantees at this point.
I don’t take anything for granted. Seriously, not trying to be negative…but what is it with this team? They sweep the Brewers — a good team — on the road…and then BARELY win ther series against the Reds, the fucking doormat of the central division. And now the “mighty” Nationals come to town and score 13 runs in the last 4 innings? What the hell is going on?
This Cubs team may not have the killer instinct needed to advance beyond the 1st round of the playoff–IF they make it that far. We all saw what the Diamondbacks did to the Cubs last year.
I hope Lou Piniella rips some ass in the clubhouse after this game, there is no fucking excuse for this meltdown, not now.
The team with the WORST record in baseball comes into the home park of the team with the BEST record in baseball–and the BEST HOME RECORD–and down 4-0 proceeds to bitch slap the hell out of “the better team”, scoring 13 runs in the final 4 innings. WTF?
I hope the Cubs are truly embarrassed by this PATHETIC loss…and I hope they wake up with a vengeance because this is the same bs that has contributed mightily to 100 FUCKING YEARS (still the best screen name) OF LOSING.
Sorry to be redundant, but the Cubs legacy of losing is PATHETIC. Anybody that thinks otherwise, “it’s only a game”, etc. is an asshole in my book.
And YES: it’s only a game, NOT life or death…NOT a plane crash, a senseless act of violence…but when a Professional Sports Organization in a Major Market can’t win a Championship in 100 years, that is PATHETIC any way you look at it…name 1 other team that has “accomplished” this wondrous feat.
Wake up Cubs: now is the time to be peaking, not coasting or backing into the playoffs…we’ve seen time and again how that works out.
The Cubs bullpen is very suspect…
And btw, when is this team going to be sold? Is Zell waiting for a WS title so he can grub some more $$$? Jagoff.
August 22, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Genre,
You have said everything that has needed to be said. Well done.
We all have been preaching to the choir when we say that this team needed another bullpen arm. Haven’t we been saying that since Spring Training?
Oh well. We are stupid and the Cubs organization and players are smart. Wrong.
August 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Here is a little comment from the sheep over at BCB:
“A little perspective is ok, too I’m pissed, sure. The Brewers beat the Nats at will a couple of weeks ago, and this game seemed to be in hand.
But the ledge jumping is astounding. You’d think it was 2006 by some of the comments on here.”
by Shanghai Badger
Get it? Anyone with an accurate historical perspective of this pathetic franchise are called, “ledge jumpers.” Maybe it isn’t 2006, or 2003, or 2007, or 1945…or any other year than 1907 and 1908, but the fact of the matter is these are still the CUBS. Everyone of us knows the Cubs are perfectly capable of losing the next 8 to 10 games in a row! Yeah, even against the Nats, Pirates, and Reds. Yeah, even with Lou Pinella, and Soriano, and Zambrano, and DLee, etc. Why?
I will allow my fellow Cub realist, genrebuster, to speak, because he does it better than me: “And YES: it’s only a game, NOT life or death…NOT a plane crash, a senseless act of violence…but when a Professional Sports Organization in a Major Market can’t win a Championship in 100 years, that is PATHETIC any way you look at it.”
There you go, that’s why we here at refugeesoffiredustbaker aren’t going to “calm down, it’s only one game” (typical comment from the sheep over at BCB). You see the Cubs have done nothing in 100 years to earn that kind of confidence. The name “Cubs” and “choke” are synonymous. That’s why they are the butt of jokes from the comics in old dumpy clubs in Hoboken, to the late night talk shows. They have earned nothing. Not until they win something like a pennant, or better yet a World Series, will they cease being a joke. Until that day arrives we have every right to NOT CALM DOWN!!!!
August 22, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks everybody…it is good to vent and everybody here has been contributing some great posts lately.
Shanghai Badger: your kool-aid is ready. And if you think 2006 was bad, you’ve got alot of catching up to do.
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
barf.
August 22, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Ernie (from your previous post): “You see the Cubs have done nothing in 100 years to earn that kind of confidence. The name “Cubs” and “choke” are synonymous. That’s why they are the butt of jokes from the comics in old dumpy clubs in Hoboken, to the late night talk shows. They have earned nothing. Not until they win something like a pennant, or better yet a World Series, will they cease being a joke.”
Very eloquent.
Indeed, respect must be earned over time.
August 22, 2008 at 7:10 pm
What do you say when a bus carrying Cotts, Howry, and Gaudin crashes into a ravine? Why wasn’t Marquis on that bus?!
What a classic Cub disaster. 2-2 at home against the NL’s worst. Can you say swept in the first round?
August 22, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Assuming they make it that far.
I was kind of in the same position as earniesarmy today. I left work early so I could go to a car show. They are up 4-0 when I leave, I turn the game on in my car and then they are down 10-5. WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS MOTHERFUCKING BULLPEN. Do you cocksuckers sitting out there realize if you had normal jobs YOU WOULD BE FUCKING FIRED BY NOW. START GETTING BATTERS OUT YOU FUCKING HACKS!!!!!!
And fuck those losers on BCB. All of them are goddamn sheep.
August 23, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Dempster pitched well and Ramirez hit well (understatement!!). Cubs just can’t seem to lose two in a row frequent enough to scare me too much. I just don’t see them getting quickly eliminated in the playoffs in any fashion. If anybody wants to boot us out of the playoffs they are gonna have to work very hard at it. I hope Lee is not hurt too bad.
Dick Harden stops’em tomorrow!
GO CUBS GO!!
August 23, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Can we please release Bottom of Barell How R You justifying his use and Neal Sucking Cocks…
I Dont agree with you on Marquis So far the cubs are 13-10 in his starts this year in 14 of his starts he has given up 3 er or less
In the ten losses the cubs have scored 3 or less runs less 7 times
In only two of the losses have the cubs been humilitated
August 23, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I’ve heard Marquis defended in light of his being a 5th starter and being able to eat innings. He’s averaged fewer innings per start than the rest of the staff, but I guess that’s why he’s the 5th starter. His ERA is higher than the rest of the staff and WHIP is higher. I don’t think Marquis is going to start on the postseason roster. If that’s the case, he wouldn’t be a factor as long as they get to postseason like eaverybdoy thinks they will.
Sounds like people are giving up on Fukudome, at least for this season. They say the league has adjusted to him and that he’s can’t hit the higher velocity pitching. I believe the adjusted part, but I can’t believe velocity pitching is the problem. If it is, that’s a huge problem. Maybe he eats too much junk food. Last week the Trib said he had a hot dog, ice cream bar and Cheetos without getting into detail about whether that was lunch or a snack. I know these guys can shovel it down and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t eat good food too. But he is an athlete and too much junk food can bog you down. (Just a thought.)
August 24, 2008 at 3:17 pm
well alright…looks like Fukudome laid off the junk food and went for the sushi today, hallelujah!
August 24, 2008 at 5:52 pm
80-50 with 32 games left. 19 on the road and 13 at home. It would be amazing to see them go 20-12 or better to end the season. I would expect them to go 9-4 or better at home. Only 7-8 days until the callups arrive and Micah Hoffpaiur brings his big bad bat back into the big leagues. However I wonder how that will go, due to the Iowa Cubs clinching the division championship. They will definitely need him in the playoffs.
8 straight series wins, lets go for 9 against the AAA Pittsburgh Pirates. Anything less than 2 of 3 is unacceptable.
GO CUBS GO!!!
August 24, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Here’s my take on the Cubs at this point:
1) 80-50 is the best record in MLB after today. Great job!
2) Their hitting is B+, the only reason they don’t get an A is still the inconsistency in the middle of the lineup. Only 7 hits today for example.
3) Their starting pitching gets an A. Except for Marquis on Friday they have been the best in baseball.
4) Their bench gets an A. Edmunds, Fontenot, Ward, Cedeno and Johnson have come up clutch in key situations, and their defense has been stellar.
5) Bullpen. Now here is where it gets dicey. Marmol, Wood, and Samardja are power pitchers, great stuff, but everyone of them has a bad habit of getting wild, which results in walks and trouble. Also, Woody, for some reason, likes to throw the hbp to the first guy up. These guys can get the job done, occasionally they are lights out, but they are not the kind of relievers that cause you to think, “we have the game won now, ” like a Joe Nathan, or a Mariano Rivera. Wood needs to become that guy, but as of now, he is not.
The rest, Cotts, Howry, Gaudin, and Marshall are average to mediocre to WHY IS HE STILL IN THE MAJORS! Since they have kept the team on the winning track I give them a B.
However, if there is a weakness that could cause them to go 101 years without a W.S., this is it.
August 24, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Dick Harden is the man.
August 24, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Isn’t his name Dick Hard-on?
Just kidding…I’m really glad Hendry got him. I do have to give him credit for making that deal.
August 24, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Does anybody know when or if they have put out what team plays which division in the playoffs? I know that the wild card winner will not play the same team from their divsion, but I don’t know if the East will play the Wild Card team or how that works. If anyone could shed some light it would be greatly appreciated. Just curious what the matchup would be if the Cubs won the division vs. winning the Wild Card, or if they make the playoffs at all.
August 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm
No offense to the Hendry haters, but this season is making him look really good. I’m indifferent to him myself now right now, even though I have pulled for his termination before.
Three of his biggest deals this year are pretty much season makers. Jim Edmonds, Reed Johnson, and Dick Harden. Although even though he sorta sucks now, Kosuke Fukudome may be the underlying reason for the hitting discipline on this team. They were taking walks and having working the count right out of the beginning stretch.
And if the Cubs pull it off this year, I do not see Hendry getting fired.
August 24, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Hendry’s moves helped the team more this year than the Craig Monroe/Steve Trachsel experiments of last season.
Piniella has done a great job of keeping the team focused and on the right track. If I’m not mistaken, they have not lost more than four in a row, and I think that happened only once. Lou has stressed to just keep winning series and everything else will fall into place. It was good to see them finally get their shit together on the road in the last couple of trips.
I know we all have had some fun with Fukudome’s name since he came to the Cubs. I was watching the start of the Little League World Series before I had to go to work today. There was a youngster on Japan’s team whose name was TAKASHITU. Where in the fuck do they come up with these names?
August 24, 2008 at 11:31 pm
cubsfaninar…
the best team in the leaque plays the wildcard winner but if the wildcard winner is in the same division, the best team will play the team with the worse record from the two other divisions. the team with the better record of the two other divisions will play the wild card winner. if the standingds hold up like they are right now, the cubs will play the d’fags in the first round since they have the worst record of division winners and the mets will play the brewers since they have the better record then the d’backs.
August 25, 2008 at 1:33 am
Sorry, but I am not on the Hendry bandwagon. If they win the W.S. this year I give a lot of the credit to Lou, and, believe it or not, Larry Rothschild. Rothschild has done something Oakland couldn’t, keep Harden healthy and pitchworthy. If that continues throughout the playoffs, then he deserves a lot of the credit.
I hope Mark Cuban gets the bid, and I hope he fires the entire front office and tears down Wrigley. This franchise needs a new look from top to bottom (excluding the manager and coaches). It would be great if they could build a new Wrigley on the same spot, but they need to build a new stadium. 100 years of futility in that place does not give me good memories. If they win the W.S. this year, I still want a new stadium modeled after the old one.
August 25, 2008 at 10:03 am
At this point, the only way I see Hendry keeping his job–that is, if I was “in charge”–is if the Cubs win a WS this year. If they win it all, I’d give him a 1 year contract…and then if they were more than 6 games out at the All-Star break next year, I’d fire his fat ass.
Anything less than a WS victory is just another season of failure. 100 years of that is more than enough…barf.
Like him or not, too bad we don’t have a Steinbrenner-type owner as Dusty would have lasted 2 years tops and Hendry would have been gone by now, too. And the Cub’s organization would be stronger as a whole. Steinbrenner is hated by many but the Yankees record speaks for itself. As does the Cubs. barf.
As for Lawrence Rothschild, I still hold him responsible for not speaking out against Baker’s misuse (abuse?) of the pitching staff. Maybe if he had challenged Baker’s handling of the Cubs pitchers, things would have gone much differently since 2003. For example, maybe Prior and Wood would have spent less time on the DL (?)…we’ll never know.
I do think the biggest difference this year is Lou, it’s his 2nd season so he’s had some time to settle in. Nobody is perfect but he is such an upgrade over Dusty Baker, anybody who can’t fathom that is a completely useless moron. I don’t know Piniella personally but it seems like he doesn’t put up with too much nonsense. Behave yourself, perform well….or get the fuck outta here! Sounds good to me.
Mark Cuban as Cubs owner? Why the hell not? My guess is that would be a big step in a better direction for the Cubs…seems like a no-brainer. Cuban appears to be passionate about the game of baseball and has loads of $$$…it’s obvious that he wants to win. He has already proven that time and again as an NBA owner…and from what I’ve read, he is considered a “good owner”. As Cubs owner, I bet he would be “on a mission” to win it all…from day one.
As for Wrigley, until recently I was against tearing it down. It stands today as a monument to bad ownership, too many years of losing, corporate greed, and worst of all indisputable proof that there are way too many dumbasses in the world, ie. sheeple who will happily accept whatever is handed to them, even if it stinks and is full of lies. Today my emotions are mixed: my Mom and step-Dad live a few blocks away and I like that neighborhood…but at this juncture I’d be happy with a new stadium built on that spot.
I’m not ready to give up on Fukudome just yet.
Finally, a series sweep against the Pirates would be nice…a series loss will be bad news.
August 25, 2008 at 11:41 am
Are we back to talking about a new stadium again? The Cubs are 30 games over. They have a new attitude with Piniella. They will likely be favored to go to the World Series, and we are talking about destroying the monument to failure and needing a new look? Earth to everybody: This IS the new look Cubs. A no-nonsense manager, a high payroll, and a significant portion of the fan base that is fucking tired of losing. A fan base that will boo a shitty performance or effort even with the team 30 games over. Sure, Hendry can be stubborn and doesn’t make all the moves we’d like. But big free agent signings and big July trades are what serious teams do-this team is serious. Maybe not as desperate as us, which can be upsetting, but this team is serious about winning. I don’t see how Wrigley Field is an issue. It has FINALLY become such a home field advantage, I see little point in tearing it down. Why? Because McDonough sold the fans on Wrigley? That was his job and even though he was an ass, you can’t deny he did a great job. If the Cubs GM had only been as successful as McDonough was at marketing, we’d have a few World Series Champs banners hanging over Wrigley already. Remember Elia’s rant about 3000 fucking people at the games? He was right, there were 3,000 people during a lot of those weekday day games. It’s not like there’s been 3 million attendance for 100 years. That is a very recent phenemenon. You do realize that if the Cubs won the World Series this year (believe it when we see it)-you would be talking about destroying the existing structure where they had won a World Series. That is fucking stupid.
August 25, 2008 at 11:43 am
the *only* existing structure where they had won a World Series.
August 25, 2008 at 11:57 am
I have been on completely buy sheeple sportsline.com and cannot believe some of the posts they have they will praise praise praise praise will not condemn that is why I like this site and the original fdb site cause you do not have to be someone who is happy going to wrigley in the fun and sun and I will quote the legend says the phrase all that alright well get em next year that shit is over and I am glad I can go to a site and not be satisfield till they win there 11th playoff game
August 25, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Wrigley Field – I don’t think Wrigley Field, as is, has much to do with not having won a WS in so long. (I still think the Cubs would have budgeted the same even if there were more seats filled, more revenue from other amusements and parking, and less facility expense for seats and fixing/maintaining it.) It will probably be a business decision, spearheaded by its next owner, that determines the fate of Wrigley Field.
Lou, Hendry, etc. – Lou and his coaches make Hendry a more successful GM. So, as long as Lou is there, I can stomach Hendry. Without Lou, I’d go for another GM. That’s how it shakes-out for now.
Soreboard watching – They picking-up much ground, so a series sweep of the Pirates would be nice.
August 25, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Nemo.
1. “being favored to go to the World Series” doesn’t mean shit and you know it. Besides, who cares what the bobblehead doll media nimrods think, in the end the results are what matter. Whoever wins the WS won’t be losing any sleep over whether they were favored…or not.
Seattle won a NL record 116 games in 2001, finishing 70 GAMES ABOVE .500…and FAILED to make it to the World Series…(sorry, Lou).
2. Sorry if my previous post wasn’t clear re: my stand on Wrigley Field.
I am not screaming for a new stadium at this time–a couple of years ago I was vehemently opposed to it…but now I’m not. I’d love to see the Cubs play a WS game in Wrigley…winning a WS would be even better. But if that doesn’t happen soon…and the team can benefit from a new stadium, then I won’t be opposed as long as they build it on the same spot or in the same general vicinity. In other words, if the Cubs are moved, keep them in the city and on the Northside, DO NOT move them to the suburbs. I agree that if the Cubs win a WS in 2008, it would be stupid to build a new stadium, at least not for a few years. That’s my position at this time.
3. For those who might view Wrigley Field as a “monument to losing”, there is evidence to support that:
a. Since beginning play in Wrigley Field — in 1916 — I believe the Cubs have had a grand total of 37 WINNING seasons. Sorry, but that is PATHETIC. I don’t know what the home record is season by season for all those years…but:
b. Just last year the Cubs were 44-37 at home, a winning record but far from dominating. But in 2006 they were 36-45 at home, a losing record. A slightly better 38-43 in 2005, they had a better road record that year. 45-37 in 2004. 44-37 in 2003. Back to losing, 36-45 in 2002. They were 48-33 in 2001…and missed the playoffs. So, they haven’t “dominated” at Wrigley in recent years.
You are correct, McDonough did do his job well. baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
4. The “new look” Cubs will not be complete until the team is sold. And if they don’t win it all this year, I’m all for Hendry getting a pink slip. And I’ll never let Hendry completely off the hook for retaining Dusty Baker as long as he did, that was utter bullshit.
That may sound harsh but that’s what 100 years of losing will do to a lifelong fan. I haven’t been around for all of those years…but I did attend my 1st Cubs game at Wrigley circa 1967 (I was 10). And I saw the Bears play there, too.
chucky posted something earlier: “WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS MOTHERFUCKING BULLPEN. Do you cocksuckers sitting out there realize if you had normal jobs YOU WOULD BE FUCKING FIRED BY NOW.”
I think it’s perfectly reasonable to replace “THIS MOTHERFUCKING BULLPEN” with “THE TRIBUNE’ or “CHICAGO CUBS BOARD OF DIRECTORS” or “JIM HENDRY”…given the teams performance in recent years. Especially since the Cubs are doing so well financially…and players are being paid so handsomely…while the average man on the street can barely afford the “luxury” of attending a game.
August 25, 2008 at 2:14 pm
…that’s “Scoreboard watching…” in the last paragraph. Sorry, Mitch. I guess I need spellcheck more than I thought.
August 25, 2008 at 2:41 pm
…there’s another mistake in the last paragraph of my last post …numb brain today.
We have to remember that the Cubs haven’t made it to postseason for two consecutive seasons in 100 years.
To clarify feelings about Wrigley and cause/effect relationship to losing – The franchise has been victimized by lack of interest, focus or expertise of its owners and impacted more by the state of the chewing gum and newspaper industries than it has by the major league baseball indursty. This allowed the franchise culture to go south. Lou and his coaches have done alot to make the culture better even though the team hasn’t been sold to a better owner yet. And what did the friendly confines have to do with this???
I
August 25, 2008 at 2:54 pm
JF, re: Wrigley, the 1st paragraph of your post (today, 2:11pm), nicely stated.
Mitch, please come back.
(some of those flames between Mitch and Kirk were highly entertaining)