SB Nation User Blog: Reverend Jim Ignatowski

Watch this 1960 video of Wrigley history

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Fri, 25 May 2007 05:14:45 -0000

On May 15,1960 Don Cardwell made his first appearance as a Cub having joined the team just two days earlier in a trade with the Phillies. Watch the 9th inning to see if he becomes the first ever to throw a no-hitter in a debut performance.

Then watch again to enjoy the fans and ballpark.

http://108mag.typepad.com/the_southpaw/2007/05/don_cardwells_n.html

It really was a triple play

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 03:04:06 -0000

Rule 6.06 The Batter
A batter is out for illegal action when --
a) He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter's box.
(b) He steps from one batter's box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch;
(c) He interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home base. EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batter's interference.
Rule 6.06(c) Comment: If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner is out--not the batter. Any other runners on the base at the time may advance as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called.

So there was no interference. Force at second, tagged out at third and throw to first for the putout.

How about that sports fans.

Kenny Hubbs, R.I.P.

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:42:01 -0000

Yesterday's shocking events in Manhattan took me back to my early days. Specifically, Feb. 13, 1964. On that date my boyhood hero died. Kenny Hubbs. Chicago Cubs second baseman. Age 22. In 1962 he was the NL Rookie of the Year. He was also awarded the Gold Glove edging out Bill Mazeroski. Kenny set major league records for his fielding.

I watched Kenny play many games in Wrigley. I had my picture taken with him. I have his autograph addressed to me personally.

Kenny had many years of baseball ahead of him. I had many years of watching and cheering him ahead of me.

His airplane crash took that away.

I do not know what happened to his family, but I'm sure they are reliving their anguish today. I pray for their comfort.

I cried on February 13, 1964.

Torre Gone; Sweet Lou back in

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 06:30:16 -0000

Reports early this morning out of NY (As per ESPN,Fox and NYPost) are that Torre is out. He can resign or be fired. Lou Pinella is apparently The Boss' choice to replace Torre, part of the thinking being that May-Rod played well for him in Seattle.

This would probably mark the end of Joe's career as he'll get $7.0 a year for the next couple of years. It looks like it also means the Yankees 3rd baseman will stay in NY.

My thoughts are that Cashman is the one to let go as he put together the Social Security starting pitching.

I'm guessing that Sheffield will be gone.

Sphincters loosen as Fecal League race tightens

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 05:08:42 -0000

In a glorious movement for the Fecal League, the race for the coveted Brown cornCob trophy has tightened dramatically.

Here with today's Fecal League update is newcomer Katie "have you seen my colonoscopy" Al-Couric, of last place cbs, with perky little interviews from around the league.

First, the current standings:

Team L W Pct. GA L10 Streak

Kansas City 88 52 .629 - 5-5 W1
Tampa Bay 84 55 .604 3.5 7-3 L2
Chicago Cobs 83 55 .601 4 9-1 L4
Pittsburgh 83 56 .597 4.5 4-6 W2

From Kansas City this report: Once again tonight the Royals quickly fell ahead, but unlike the day before were unable to pull out the loss. Said manager Buddy Bell, " We've had tremendous success in rallying back from early leads this year. In fact, we're closing in on the record for coming from ahead by 4 or more runs to lose, in a single season. My kids are struggling some now and like tonight, you just can't take a big lead every game and expect to pull out the loss. We're all feeling the pressure of having a new GM, too. Ya know he's from Atlanta and there's concern that in another year or two we may become a 75 to 80 loss team and move to the middle of the pack. It's hell breaking in new GMs. They make such awful mistakes and teams like the cobs and Pirates will have a decided advantage. But I promise you this, we'll go out slumping to the best of our inabilities."

From Tampa Bay, the Devil, who have dropped the remainder of their nickname out of sincere and deep respect for the late Steve Irwin, lost easily tonight 0-8, but are feeling the pressure from the amazing cobs. Said manager Joe Maddon, "We're playing at a .700 clip and still gaining ground on the cobs. I don't know what else to do. How many times have the cobs come from ahead to lose in the 9th inning. Honestly, we can't under perform much better. We desperately want to hold on to our spot and make the playoffs, but we're scared of this cob surge, after all they've been doing this for 98 years now and their entire club, players, coaching staff, management and ownership are losers extrordinairres. We may have to hope for a collapse from KC to be one of the two playoff teams."

In Chicago tonight, the cobs continued their incredible play by losing for the 15th time in 18 games. An ecstatic Dusty Baker thanked the cobs racist fans for inspiring him through this streak. "Dude, all these death threats are really causing me to focus on baseball. I sent the kid and wife back out to SF and all I've got now is time on my hands to prepare my team for the stretch run. I'm studying baseball 24/7 now. Dudes, I'm focused. We really dodged a bullet yesterday when we sent our worst pitcher to the mound with his 5-14 record, but he was at his all-time best and got blown out early. As a bonus, it looks like my strategery of letting the dude throw 384 pitches a game has finally slowed him down to where he is in a groove now. Dudes, I'm focused I tell ya and now we're just a half-game out of the playoffs and we're going to do it. We've managed to lose too many games in the 9th and extra innings to fail now."

Pittsburgh manager Jim Tracy was visably upset after tonight's victory, but he did say, "How the hell are we supposed to lose to a team that Dusty manages. He's the best I've ever seen and I'm sorry, but there's no way I'll ever get the front office help he does. Dammit, no one ever said life was fair, but the wins are pissin' me off. I mean before this big series, I brought in our senior senator Arlen Sphincter to bring us one of his pep talks he uses to inspire the far right fringe of his party. I thought for sure that would induce apathy, but hell no, every night we fall quickly ahead and then that Dusty just works magic."

We close with this interview from Fecal League Commissioner Bertha Butt from league headquarters in Kohler, Wisconsin. Butt said, "This is one of the most exciting races we've had in years. We have the Chicago dynasty charging towards a playoff spot, the Pirates continuing their multi-year slump, and these two wouldn't even make the playoffs if they were held today. Attendance is down, ratings plummeting---our owners are thrilled. One thing all of us are grateful for is that this year's winner of the Brown cornCob trophy will be deserving because we are all losers!"

"This is Katie asking you for suggestions as to how to close my show and reminding you, that you are all losers."

Al and LF bleacher fans....

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 20:30:57 -0000

...you have an extraordinary opportunity Sunday that I hope you will seriously consider. Standing just a few feet in front of you will be Balco Barroid Junk Bonds, certainly the most despicable player in baseball.

While he is outside, enjoying life and making money, his friend and personal trainer, Greg Anderson, is once again in jail for refusing to testify before the grand jury investigating bonds.

While I like Al's suggestion of turning a back to bonds, it is simply not realistic to expect many to follow. So I propose a more effective way to protest.

Please make a banner that reads:"Barroid, where's Greg Anderson today?" Then while he's standing in left field and at bat or on the bases, I'd chant. "Where's Greg?" Of course there are other things to chant, but I, like you, often take my son to the game.

This is a chance for you and the bleacher fans to let bonds know what we think of him, please don't miss the opportunity. Thanks.

6/20/06 Fecal League Update....

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 04:13:36 -0000

(From the Feces News Network) In tonight's marquis match up between the teams expected to meet in the playoffs for the coveted Golden cornCob, second place Pittsburgh rallied from an early four run lead to lose 10-6 to the first place KC Royals picking up a full game in the standings, before a stunned KC crowd of about 40,000 fans cleverly disguised as empty seats.

Third-place Chicago Cubs resumed their drive for a playoff spot tonight by losing to Cleveland 4-2. Commissioneress Bertha Butt announced earlier today that the Cubs had agreed to settle a threatened suit by OSHA by requiring all fans sitting in the bleachers to purchase and wear helmets to protect them from opposition home run balls. This action was similar to the Cub response to an unfortunate incident in the infield earlier this year resulting in Cub infielders being required to wear helmets in the field. Recognizing a revenue source from the sale of helmets, Cub management said helmets would not be allowed to be brought in, but must be purchased with each bleacher ticket. Management also said that bleacher beer would also be sold by the helmet.

Fecal League Standings

Kansas City. 20 49 .290
Pittsburgh... 26 46 .361 (4.5)
Chicago...... 27 43 .386 (6.5)

June 15th is the anniversary of the Cubs worst trade ever.

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:18:57 -0000

Of course I'm speaking of June 15, 1964 when the Cubs traded a young outfielder by the name of Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ernie Broglio. Not only is this the worst trade in Cubs history, it may be the worst trade in baseball history (assuming Ruth from Boston to NY was not a trade but a sale).

To recognize this momentous date in Cub history, you're invited to list your all-time worst Cubs trades (and for bonus points any comparable baseball trades in general).

For those of you that don't remember "back in the day," June 15th was the trading deadline.

So...We've Got Some Affidavit Names

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:14:43 -0000

Here is a link to the Deadspin article of the same name:

Story Here

The names are interesting, but remember this is an "educated" guess, but still a guess. Of course the bombshell name is Chris Mihlfeld, who has been the personal trainer of one Albert Pujols. This is the first time I have seen anything that remotely touched El Hombre.

BREAKING: Cubs fire Hendry; name Isiah Thomas new GM

Reverend Jim Ignatowski — Thu, 25 May 2006 02:07:14 -0000

Citing the recent Cub swoon that has all but eliminated the Cubs from a World Championship for the 98th consecutive year, Cub leader Andy McFail announced the firing today of GM Jim Hendry saying, "We appreciate Jim's efforts to make us competitive, but during this time of tribulation we believe it necessary to go in a different direction. As our 98 year record has shown, we're really not that good at this baseball thing, so we looked outside of baseball for a new GM. One name jumped out at us as easily the best choice. A young man who grew up in this area, who went on to play ball and kiss Magic Johnson, then after retirement went on to destroy an entire league. We believe ultimately he'll destroy the National League leaving the Cubs as perennial pennant winners. I'd like to introduce you to former Knickerbocker GM, Isiah Thomas. Isiah."

"Thank you Andy. Before taking questions, I'd like to announce the following actions that I've taken. First it's important that my own man direct the day to day field operations, so Dusty Baker has been replaced by my old teammate Dennis Rodman, who has been given a 4 year $40 million deal. Dennis will bring to the Cubs the necessary intellect and discipline to make us winners. We will not be abused by opposing players or umpires again. While Dennis may not know baseball strategy, it's been decades since anyone around here has. In keeping with my successful method honed in New York, I've signed Kerry Wood and Mark Prior to 10 year $100 million contracts each. Zambrano and Maddox were traded to the Yankees for draft picks in 2009 because you can never have enough draft picks. Consistent with my philosophy of bringing in the best athlete available and to bring excitement to our great fans, we engineered a several team swap and received Barry Bonds, Fred McGriff, Rafael Palmeiro, Randy Johnson and three players to be named someday for Barrett (who is about to be suspended), Marshall, Murton, Rammirez and Cedeno.

We believe with these moves we've become a premium team and so we're raising all tickets to premium levels for the remainder of the year before adding a 20% surcharge to next years ticket prices. Also, no items will be allowed into the games and pay toilets have been installed. Thank you and good day."

See folks, things could be worse.