SB Nation User Blog: ar_hawkins

Sights and Sounds of Z's No-Hitter

ar_hawkins — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:29:35 -0000

Here's a place for folks to post and sound/video/pics etc from Z's no-hitter! I've been working on pulling Pat and Ron's call of the game, but only have this rough clip to share from WGN's post game recap. Rather large (23MB) WAV file, will try to condense into web-friendly MP3.

More to come shortly, hopefully including WGN video with Len and Bob's call. Feel free to share anything you have! Sorry if this is duplicative or in the wrong place, just wanted to make sure everyone sees it.

GO CUBS!! CONGRATS BIG Z!!!!

Update:

AUDIO:

Pat and Ron's call in the 9th (full file)

Pat Ron last pitch (YouTube)

Len's last pitch call

VIDEO:

Len's call - final pitch

All of Zambrano's outs (You Tube)

ESPN recap

FSN Houston last out (from mlb.com)

Z's interview with Len and Bob

Big Z being mobbed (YouTube)

9th inning (YouYube)

IMAGES:

Chicago Tribune's photo gallery

Chicago Sun-Times photo gallery (bottom of the page)

CNN-SI gallery

ESPN gallery

Instant replay is here

ar_hawkins — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:45:19 -0000

Cubs will get it Thursday against Philly. What say you BCB? I worry about the slippery slope – yes, fair/foul on HRs is certainly possible to do quickly and efficiently, but what happens when everyone starts calling for all fair/foul calls? Safe/out calls? God forbid balls and strikes?

It seems the NHL has produced a very successful model, (since the early 90s?) and they’re still only looking at whether or not the puck crosses the line. So maybe this will all work out. Also, where are they going to install replay monitors in MLB – thinking of Wrigley, there’s not much space, do they put them in the dugouts or umpire room?

Discuss.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3554357

New advertising at Wrigley?

ar_hawkins — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:28:46 -0000

Forgive me if this has been posted already, but I just read this article and got a little knot in my stomach. Apparently, there will be new Under Armour ads on the outfield doors in both right and left. Yuck:

The green doors tucked into the ivy in the left- and right-field bleachers of Wrigley Field will be decorated with 7-by-12 foot advertisements, touting Under Armour's signature logo.

It's the first time the Cubs have allowed any ad or sign on the outfield doors. Jay Blunk, director of marketing and sales for the team, said the Cubs have been approached by other companies wanting to use the space. He said Under Armour was the "right fit."

See the full article here.

Now, I realize this is a new era of mega-bucks advertising (and the Cubs already have a hard time competing with all the newer stadiums), but does anyone else see a problem with this? I know we're going to need some fast cash to pay for a $300 million shopping spree, but this seems like the beginning of a lot of "upgrades" to Wrigley. What say you BCB?

Hendry Quote

ar_hawkins — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:46:04 -0000

What do you all think about this quote from Hendry on Cubs.com:

"The Cubs have shortstops Neifi Perez and Ronny Cedeno both in the mix. Cedeno would be better either second or lower in the order, and Perez batted primarily in the No. 2 spot and hit .254 (29-for-114) as the leadoff man this season. Another in-house option as a leadoff candidate is Jerry Hairston Jr., who hit .265 batting first.

'If we start tomorrow with the three guys in the middle who we have in-house and we do a good job of shoring up the outfield, I'd be OK with that,' Hendry said. "

Seeing as Todd Walker is very likely trade bait at this point (for an outfield deal), I don't feel comfortable with Neifi as a possible starter. And to have Neifi anywhere near the top of the order for very long is a bad idea. Thoughts?

Wilkerson for Cedeno?

ar_hawkins — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:14:31 -0000

Just to keep my mind off of waiting for official Furcal news, saw this one run across mlbtraderumors.com.

Brad Wilkerson for Ronny straight up? Apparently his source is close to Barry Larkin's cousin or something crazy like that. Probably totally made up, but interesting nonetheless. I don't like the idea...

Thoughts?