SB Nation User Blog: Shanghai Badger

Hopefully the last Hershiser to the Cubs post

Shanghai Badger — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:12:02 -0000

As the fanposts on Jake Peavy are lengthlier than the federal complaint against Blago, I thought it might be fun to revisit Cubs rumors that never came to fruition.

About 10-12 years ago, Orel Hershiser was rumored to be coming to the Cubs to join the starting rotation. It never happened. In the mid-1990's, Jeff Torborg was supposedly the Cubs' manager in waiting, although that was mainly Mike Murphy touting that one, so . . . .

Then, of course, we have last year's endless Brian Roberts stories. So, in an effort to stave off some of the frustration that some of you are feeling from all these Peavy posts -- who else has some memories of Cub moves that were absolutely going to happen -- until they didn't happen?

Piniella in NY Daily News Column

Shanghai Badger — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:26:47 -0000

Lou Piniella was the topic of a short column in Friday's NY Daily News. It touches on Lou's former, and hometown, team being in the World Series and his take on it.

More interestingly, it talks about the organizational strategies for 2009:

While the Cubs had the National League's best record this season, their flaws - not enough lefthanded hitters, Alfonso Soriano's inconsistency out of the leadoff spot, shaky middle relief - all showed up in the playoffs. Piniella said the Cubs' main agenda these next few weeks will be to re-sign pending free agents Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood and explore trade options for lefthanded hitting and bullpen help. He also said he plans to move Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs' $48 million Japanese import whose second-half slump exasperated the manager, to center field as part of a platoon with Reed Johnson.

A lot of us have speculated on the platoon with Fukudome and Johnson, but this could give it some credence. I'm actually surprised to see it telegraphed like this (although I've not read it in any Chicago paper to this point), because it would seem to devalue Pie in a trade. If true, it's also a pretty clear sign to Edmonds that he won't be invited back.

Maybe Pie really isn't the real deal, but this does seem to be more of Lou's doghouse coloring talent evaluation.

(It also seems that I could win my bet with Ballhawk -- $5 to Project 3000 that Pie will be out of the Cub organization by the end of the 2009 Convention -- still waiting to see if Drew wants some of that action.)

I'm not familiar with the author of the column, and I don't know how reputable he is . . . I'm hoping for comments on that in addition to discussions on the quote itself.

Cubs pick up Harden's Option - No surgery needed

Shanghai Badger — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:29:52 -0000

Here's a link to the Trib's blog

I'm a bit surprised that no surgery is needed, with the velocity down. If he can pitch like he has in the past, this is obviously a good thing - but he's got to be more durable.

Here's hoping he can be effective and pitch EVERY fifth day in 2009.

And now I need fourteen more words. Fourteen, you say? Yes, just fourteen more words.

Must we mock other teams?

Shanghai Badger — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:20:07 -0000

As has been mentioned several times this year, this is quite possibly the best Cubs overall team that anyone alive has witnessed. I'm old enough to remember the early 1980's, and it's certainly been the best team that I've seen them have so far.

There have been plenty of ups and downs and the team is far from perfect. But, they have a legitimate shot (curses be damned, I'm saying it) win the World Series this year. Anything can happen in a short series, and the competition will be tough, but I like their chances if they are healthy.

In response to some of the posts/comments this morning taunting the Brewers -- can we knock it off? As some others have said, root for your team to win, not someone else's team to lose. For all the mocking that goes on at BCB about, say, White Sox fans, claiming that's what they do, how is it any better if a Cubs fan does it?

Yes, fans of other teams rip on Cubs fans. So what? Rise above it. Some of it probably is because there are times when the Cubs fans act like they're the center of the universe -- we aren't.

When you win a game, be gracious. I can't imagine Maddux, Sandberg, Dawson, Banks, Williams, etc. mocking the opposition -- why do the fans need to?

I'm not saying that we shouldn't celebrate if the season ends the way we all hope it does -- but shouldn't the focus be on the Cubs winning, and not someone else losing?

Off-day fun : Raising $ for Project 3000

Shanghai Badger — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:06:34 -0000

Ok, the off day is almost over, but let's be honest. We're all going to be stir-crazy waiting for 6:10 CDT Friday. The Zambrano news is good, so we can turn our focus back to the on-field action.

A few weeks ago, there was some banter on the site about the NFL, so in the spirit of fun, sportsmanship and talking smack, I bet Drew $20 that the Packers will have a better record than the Bears. The winnings will go to Project 3000, payable to Al at the 2009 convention.

I thought I'd start this post to see if anyone else wants to come up with fun ways to raise some cash. No, I'm not going to bet every Bears, Vikings, etc. fan out there. I might make another bet, if it's creative enough.

Anyway, have at it -- let's raise some more money!

OT: Ford Frick Award -- Goofy

Shanghai Badger — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:40:05 -0000

It's not new in 2008 that fans get to vote for their favorite broadcasters for induction in the Hall of Fame, it's just (in my opinion) stupid.

According to our favorite reporter, Joe Morgan was on the ballot last year(!).

There have been a few discussions on this site about our old third baseman and his performance in the booth. No matter how you feel about him as a broadcaster, I have a hard time believing too many of you believe he's a HOF announcer. If he made it, it would not reverse the gross injustice of him not being in as a player.

Compounding the nonsense this year is Andy Masur's inclusion on the fan ballot. Andy Masur? Nothing against the man, but this is his first year as a full-time announcer, and he's on the HOF ballot??

Let's hear your thoughts. Mine, in addition to the above, is that MLB marketers don't do a very good job.

Suds-Stars August 18

Shanghai Badger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:23:40 -0000

The Brewers lead 6-0 in the fourth, all on 2 out runs.

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Cubs-Brewers: Can't we all get along?

Shanghai Badger — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:48:39 -0000

Before you post flames -- No, I'm not suggesting that Cubs fans suddenly start cheering for the Brewers or vice-versa. Or that people should stop talking trash. I'm just suggesting that we can have civil dialogue even if we don't like the other team.

The animosity that goes on is really disappointing, because this could develop into a rivalry as good as Cubs-Cardinals over time. While I don't root for the Cards, what I love about the rivalry is that it's not unusual for Cubs fans and Cardinals fans to be able to talk baseball without posturing or attacking each other. I'd really like to see the Cubs-Brewers develop into this.

Note to Brewers fans: I am not calling anyone out with this post -- there are jerks on both sides and good fans on both sides.

I have friends that are Brewers fans and can have good conversations with -- I suspect many Cubs fans do and a lot of Brewers fans have Cub fan friends. Especially those of us that live within an hour of the state line. A few of us have had a nice chat with brewfan2 tonight -- that doesn't mean he won't be rooting for Dempster to get rocked tomorrow or we won't be rooting for Parra to get shelled -- but the discussion doesn't need to get ugly.

I realize there are going to be people that disagree with me and will say so. That's the nature of a blog. Please try to keep it civil, though . . . .

Jerome Holtzman 1926-2008

Shanghai Badger — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:25:01 -0000

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cs-080721-jerome-holtzman-death,1,2172202.story

Hall of Fame baseball writer Jerome Holtzman passed away last weekend, the Trib is reporting. In addition to being credited with inventing the save, Holtzman uncovered Hack Wilson's "lost RBI" several years ago -- and the record book was changed to reflect 191 RBI in 1930 instead of the previously believed 190.

Holtzman served for several years as a historian for MLB after retiring from the Tribune.

OT (because we need it): Strat-O-Matic

Shanghai Badger — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:58:04 -0000

I was going to save this for an off day, but I figure we can all use a distraction from the Cubs right now, especially with a west coast starting time on Monday.

I'm wondering how many of you have ever played Hal Richman's game of Strat-O-Matic. For those unfamilar, the game has cards based on players' stats from the previous year and is played with dice that determine the outcome of each play. In theory, if you play enough games, each player should approximately perform the same way that he did in real life the year before. Of course, "that's why they play the games".

I've been in a little league of 12 for a few years. We each have a parent club and get rookies (meeting certain qualifications) from that club. We also have a draft each year and make trades. Each team must carry at least 16 (out of 35 total) players that at one time or another played for the parent team. We play 81 games (with 25 man active rosters). My team is . . . the Mets. Before fans of the Cubs that have been following since before realignment ask about that -- it was the available team. Also, what I've found is, I don't make sentimental trades to get Cubs that I would if I had the Cubs. Much easier to be detached.

At any rate, who else has played or is playing the game? Any interesting stories? (As interesting as dice baseball can get...)