So what do I want to talk about today as it is the last day of the month of May 2007. I watched that so called Cubs game last night and was appalled that the game wound up as bad as it did. To loose to none other than Florida 9-0 is just not acceptable. The worst part is the yesterday and Tuesday's pitchers were former Cubs players that are doing better. Well actually Dontrelle Willis has been lights out for Florida for a while and Sergio Mitre actually looked like a true major league pitcher against his former team. Do not know what the hell happened to Ted Lilly yesterday other then the fact that he was killed by the Marlins. I just wonder what this team is ever going to accomplish in my life time. I have tasted the playoffs five times in my love of them and have been disappointed every time. Now this team is for sale and there is no word yet on who should own this team. I just hope that who ever takes over ownership cleans house and brings in true baseball people to put this team on a winning tract. Will this ever truthfully happen, I am not sure and unless something happens sooner rather than later I do not expect it to ever change.
Then there is my basketball team, the Chicago Bulls. I am still surprised that the team actually won a round in the playoffs and actually defeated the defending world champion Miami Heat. Then reality set in and they lost to the Detroit Pistons once again in the second round. John Paxson better start planning on continuing the transformation since his former back court partner retired from the NBA. John has done well in making the Bulls a playoff team however, it is still far too short for making them a world championship contender year in and year out. What will this off season bring to the Bulls? Who knows for sure however things start to change supposedly on June 27th with the next version of the NBA draft.
Then it is time to start thinking about Training Camp which should get underway approximately July 26th. Will the Bears be able to avoid the last six Super Bowl Runner Ups down slide and actually return to the Big Game on February 3rd in Glendale Arizona? What will become of Lance Briggs the malcontent who thinks his pay increase from less than half a million dollars to a guarantee of $7.2 million is insulting. Please let someone insult me that way. Remember Lance, you are successful because of the system that you are in and receiving the benefits of playing with one of the best linebackers in today's game. I remember Wilbur Marshall leaving after Super Bowl XX and not really doing that much in Washington. The only linebacker you still hear a little about is Roosevelt Colvin in New England however, Rosey has been hit with the injury bug far too ofter to matter.
Not to mention the instability that is the quarterback position. Too many people are still putting their faith and trust into Rex Grossman. Rex will never be the man and the sooner that Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith realize this and make significant changes the better off this team will be. Then of course there is the new question at running back. How in the hell do you 1. draft a kid and think he is going to be the next running back sensation in Chicago and not play him from the get go. Then the proven running back who just basically ran for over 1, 000 yards the last two seasons, you trade away and really get nothing in return except a draft pick that is just a prospect versus a proven contributor. There are a lot of questions to be answered coming out of camp and time will tell how great this team is going to be.
Then of course there is the Blackhawks. The hard part is that I really do not have much to say except that Bill Writz needs to sell this team so someone that cares about all the fans and Gary Bettmen needs to be fired as commissioner of the NHL. Until this happens, do not expect too much from the United Center's other tenant.
31 May 2007
17 May 2007
Frustration
I watched that so called Cubs game at New York today and thought wow, the Cubs seem to be able to win this game and gain a series split with New York on this road trip. Then Angel Guzman was pulled and Michael Wuertz came in and pitched pretty well. Then after one out in the seventh inning, Michael gets yanked and Wil Ohman comes in and God it seems that this team is going to wind up loosing this one. Surprisingly Ohman some how does well and the Cubs survive to the 9th inning with a four run lead. Then we enter the ninth inning and all hell breaks loose.
I have said it before and will continue to say it, Ryan "Crybaby" Dempster is not a closer and is a disgrace in our bullpen especially being assigned as the so called Closer. What is a closer you may be asking yourself and wondering what I am thinking. I'll tell you what a closer is to me. A closer in baseball is someone who wants the ball everyday no matter what is happening. Is reliable and consistent in their approach that the opposition is fearing versus thinking what is going to happen next. A closer is someone who comes in and gets the final outs to a game and there is no drama in regards to the ending. Whether it is a closing situation, or like today just getting the closer some time on the mound to keep him sharp. The Cubs have had quality closers in the past that include Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, Goose Gossage, Randy Myers and Rod Beck just to name a few. Sutter for one was one of the more special closers because he usually pitched more than just one inning. Now we have to deal with a player who does not get mad at the fact that his team eliminates a save opportunity for him and still goes out there, a bit steamed and mows down the opposition.
I have talked about it before and Ryan Dempster does not impress me. I spoke with him while the Cubs were in Los Angeles in 2005 and apologized for the fact that the team eliminated the save chance. Ryan was more than relieved that he did not have to work on a save and had extra runs to get through. A true closer would have been a bit pissed off and would have gone in and worked even harder to remind the opposition that he was in the game and would make you quake in your boots. Crybaby just does not get it and neither does the fool the signed him to be the closer, Jim Hendry. I am still miffed how this so called general manager still has a job with this team, as he continues to make more bone headed decisions versus intelligent decisions to help this team. I am only able to hope that the new owner of this team who ever it is, comes in and cleans house completely and brings true baseball people in to turn this beloved franchise into a legitimate contender.
I have said it before and will continue to say it, Ryan "Crybaby" Dempster is not a closer and is a disgrace in our bullpen especially being assigned as the so called Closer. What is a closer you may be asking yourself and wondering what I am thinking. I'll tell you what a closer is to me. A closer in baseball is someone who wants the ball everyday no matter what is happening. Is reliable and consistent in their approach that the opposition is fearing versus thinking what is going to happen next. A closer is someone who comes in and gets the final outs to a game and there is no drama in regards to the ending. Whether it is a closing situation, or like today just getting the closer some time on the mound to keep him sharp. The Cubs have had quality closers in the past that include Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, Goose Gossage, Randy Myers and Rod Beck just to name a few. Sutter for one was one of the more special closers because he usually pitched more than just one inning. Now we have to deal with a player who does not get mad at the fact that his team eliminates a save opportunity for him and still goes out there, a bit steamed and mows down the opposition.
I have talked about it before and Ryan Dempster does not impress me. I spoke with him while the Cubs were in Los Angeles in 2005 and apologized for the fact that the team eliminated the save chance. Ryan was more than relieved that he did not have to work on a save and had extra runs to get through. A true closer would have been a bit pissed off and would have gone in and worked even harder to remind the opposition that he was in the game and would make you quake in your boots. Crybaby just does not get it and neither does the fool the signed him to be the closer, Jim Hendry. I am still miffed how this so called general manager still has a job with this team, as he continues to make more bone headed decisions versus intelligent decisions to help this team. I am only able to hope that the new owner of this team who ever it is, comes in and cleans house completely and brings true baseball people in to turn this beloved franchise into a legitimate contender.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)