SB Nation User Blog: EJThunder

Cubs Players on Twitter?

EJThunder — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:08:56 -0000

Cubs Players on Twitter?

Hey all.... With all this playful trash talk between Ochocinco and the Bears this week I've created a twitter account (I can't believe myself). Haven't been a big fan of the whole 'tweeting' thing but I'll admit its pretty cool to follow athletes, especially ones from around here. So it got me wondering: Does anyone know of Cubs players that tweet? Or does anyone have anyone baseball / chicago sports related that they follow?

Hulu: Shaq vs. Albert Pujols

EJThunder — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:15:14 -0000

I know this doesn't necessarily cater to us Cub fans but I thought this was appropriate. This episode is actually pretty funny and it also goes into a little detail on Albert's charity work. Hey, you can even see our old pal, John Mabry. I find every chance I can get to root against the Cardinals but I can't root against Albert Pujols, the baseball player and human being. Got a lot of respect for him and he seems like a great guy.

So if you got some down time, definitely watch it.

Deadline Dealing: Thome and Contreras

EJThunder — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:59:58 -0000

Deadline Dealing: Thome and Contreras

Kind of surprised they are throwing in the white towel....... Only 6 GB in their division.

Letting go of Contreras was a good move but Thome? Iffy.

And LA, is Thome going to be playing a lot of 1B? Hasn't played there full time since '04.

Interesting......

What do we do? C - Jake Fox?

EJThunder — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:40:15 -0000

Hey all,

TheRiot4Life's fanshot the other day on Jake Fox at new positions got me thinking....

I don't know about anyone else but I feel like after watching tonights game, maybe we need to think about starting Jake Fox at catcher in the Washington series after the break.

Yeah, he's had limited experience at the plate, but I don't know if this team should start out the 2nd half of the season with good ol' Koyie Hill. Sure, the guy's a great story but he's a below average offensive guy at-best, with above average defense--one of the main reasons he is on this roster.

There will be the argument "whatever we get from out catcher, especially Koyie, is an added bonus". Well the way this team has played offensively, we need all the help we can get. Geovany's injury hurts that much more because of the way his bat was starting to come around--driving the ball with authority, plus, his defense was improving also.

So the question is: Is it worth risking a little defensive prowess (Will there be THAT much of a noticeable difference?) at the catcher's position to get Jake's bat in the lineup? There doesn't seem to be any FA catcher available that would be of better help than what we have in Koyie or any minor leaguer we bring up. Plus, we sure as hell shouldn't be trading for one at this juncture. Another thing that might need to be taken in to consideration is that if Jake DOES begin to catch on a regular basis, would his offense begin to suffer?

What's your take? Eh?

Poll

Jake Fox starting at catcher for at least 2 games in the Washington Nationals series after the break.... So?

Yes. I'd rather have Jake out there instead of Koyie or a minor-leaguer.

17 votes

Yes. Jake's bat needs to be in the lineup--period.

53 votes

No. Let's bring up a minor leaguer to platoon with Koyie.

0 votes

No. Jake's defense (or potential lacktherof) will hurt the Cubs more than his bat will help.

23 votes

93 votes | Poll has closed

ATTN: Cub Fans That Don't "Care"....

EJThunder — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:56:14 -0000

ATTN: Cub Fans That Don't "Care"....

You DO care.... why else would you be here?

This article caught my eye and I thought it was pretty good and pertained to some that were/are here. Thought I'd share it...

ESPN: Wrigley Rooftops Hit By Economy

EJThunder — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:41:57 -0000

ESPN: Wrigley Rooftops Hit By Economy

I read this article on ESPN and found it to be pretty interesting. I didn't really know that much about the rooftops prior to reading it.

Looks like they'll become a bit more affordable....

Has anyone ever had the luxury of being at Skybox on Sheffield or any other rooftop for a Cubs game?

If so, share.

A New Steroid Policy -- By BCB

EJThunder — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:28:14 -0000

Back in 2005, Bud Selig had introduced a new steroid policy that was thought to have been thee solution. Turns out, it still doesn't scare some players enough.

Some players seem more worried about having bad statistics and disappointing their franchise, fan base, and MLB. They don't seem to be worried about MLB's image, as a whole.

As a refresher, Bud Selig's current steroid policy (won't even get into amphetamines) that was ratified by owners and players in 2005 is as follows:

Steroid Penalties

• First positive test -- 50-game suspension, up from 10 days.

• Second positive test -- 100-game suspension, up from 30 days.

• Third positive test -- Lifetime ban, with player having right to apply for reinstatement after two years and an arbitrator being able to review reinstatement decision. Under the previous agreement, the earliest a player could be suspended for life was for a fifth positive test.

• In addition, a conviction for possession carries a 60-to-80 game penalty, while a second offense carries a 120-game to one-year penalty. A third offense nets the offender a lifetime ban. If a player is convicted for distribution, he will be suspended 80-to-100 games, while a second offense equals a lifetime ban.

Source: 2005 ESPN Article

In light of Alex Rodriguez's admission, even though he supposedly stopped in '03, do you feel as if this policy needs to be ammended?

I feel like this policy won't hold up. It's not scary enough. Players are still going to try to find ways around being caught. I can say with a good deal of confidence that there are still many players, in the minors and majors, that are still succeeding at beating the system.

There was some discussion in another thread as to what changes should be made to the current policy. Cubbie-Tim and a few others came up with ways to amend or change the it.

They are as follows:

(Almost) Zero-Tolerance Policy:

• Any player found to have taken steroids (Prior to the 2008 Season) will not be punished should their name arise through past tests, reports, etc. (Alex Rodriguez, 104 unnamed players, etc.)

• First Offense: Any player that tests positive after October 2008, will be suspended for 3-years and will be forced to relinquish the money to be made in the remaining year(s) of the contract

What about lifetime banishment, only after first offense?

• Second Offense: Lifetime banishment, name, stats, records, etc. expelled from Major League Baseball

• Also (from Cubbie-Tim): Any team with a player who fails a test cannot replace the player on the roster that season

What do you think? Sure, it might not be ideal and might have trouble being ratified by both the Players Union and Owners, but I feel like the current policy doesn't cut it.

Do you agree that the MLB needs to solidify their stance on PED's and construct a new policy?

If you were put in charge of coming up with a new steroid policy for Major League Baseball what would it be? Would you be harsher? More lenient?

-------

If you're sick of steroid talk, walk right on by. I thought this would be a good thing to discuss.

Go at it, if you wish.

Poll

Bud Selig's current steroid policy: Does it need to be changed?

Yes, it still doesn't send a strong enough message to players

29 votes

No, Bud's current policy works efficiently enough

12 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

Alex Rodriguez Comes Clean

EJThunder — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:43:10 -0000

ESPN (Video Inside)

A-Rod has admitted that the allegations made against him by SI are truthful.

Tidbits:

"When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day," Rodriguez told ESPN's Peter Gammons in an interview in Miami Beach, Fla. "Back then, [baseball] was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naïve. I wanted to prove to everyone I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time.

He's gained some respect back... but man, what a blow.

It's becoming more and more clear that steroids were a lot more prevalent than what everyone first thought.

"The more honest we can all be, the quicker we can get baseball [back] to where it needs to be," he said.

Rich Hill is on his way out

EJThunder — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:35:05 -0000

Rich Hill is on his way out

Looks like it's the end of the line for Rich. We knew it and I bid him farewell and good luck.

I hope he does good in the AL and is a second coming of Cliff Lee (not likely). I'd be sick to my stomach but still.

Slightly OT: Pujols -- I want Manny Ramirez

EJThunder — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:51:53 -0000

Here's an article I stumbled across on ESPN. Take a gander..... It probably doesn't mean squat, but still.

Couple snippets:

"I speak with Manny every three days and he tells me, 'Man, no one wants to sign me,'" Pujols said Thursday during a news conference. "I'm not an agent or general manager, but I can't understand how Manny has not signed."

Right, Albert. The money Manny wants now is nothing compared to what you'll want when you hit the open market.

Pujols passed along Ramirez's telephone number to St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.

"Maybe St. Louis doesn't have the money to sign him, but he could give them a discount because St. Louis is a great city that supports its players," Pujols said.

Manny give St. Louis a discount?

That's laughable.... or is it?

I was about to post this as a fanshot but I thought I would get everyone else's input on the subject. I'm kind of curious.

I figured maybe change it up and not talk about Brian Roberts, Jake Peavy, etc.

Let's say Manny does sign with St. Louis.... how does that affect the Cubs? Would St. Louis give us more trouble if they ended up landing him? And do you see Manny taking a "discount" to be Pujols's teammate and to play there?

Just wanted to get people's ideas of where they think Manny will sign since teams have shown that they don't believe in throwing him the money he thinks he deserves.

Poll

Opening Day: Where is Manny Ramirez?

Los Angeles Dodgers

100 votes

New York Mets

9 votes

San Francisco Giants

11 votes

Chicago Cubs (HA!)

26 votes

At home watching everyone having fun without him.

15 votes

Other

9 votes

170 votes | Poll has closed