SB Nation User Blog: moose97

Hits vs. Errors

moose97 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:06:39 -0000

Well, I know that Cedeno's phantom "error" has been discussed a bit in the game post (for those that don't know, it was officially changed to a 2 run doubble for Chris Dickerson), but coupled with CC's non-no-hitter (which I thought should have been), what do you guys think of the official scorers position?

The Cedeno non-error screams of homerism, but the CC "hit" is the opposit. I believe Al has called for a fifth umpire, or MLB official (i.e., a unbiased person) to make the scoring decisions. Yesterday's ruling seems to support this opionion, one which I would support as well.

Moose

West Side Rooters Social Club

moose97 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:25:57 -0000

Was watching the ballgame yesterday, and Len Casper mentioned this new (old) Cubs fan club that's (re) starting up, called the West Side Rooters Social Club. Now, this may just be a marketing ploy for Harry Caray's, but it's free to join, and Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg are involved as well.

Al, if you think this is too much like free advertising for Harry Caray's, feel free to delete it, but I thought it was interesting (and historical)...

Moose

New Majestic Cubs T-Shirt

moose97 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:52:20 -0000

So, I got my newest Eastbay catalog, and they have a new Cubs t-shirt available. Funny, I don't remember the Cubs having three World Series titles... So I look closer. Now, I'm all for celebrating the Cubs pre-AL/NL merger success (NL titles in 1887, '80, '81, '82, '85 and '86 - as an aside, why aren't these titles more celebrated? I.E. no flags on the rooftop, etc.?), but the one year they pick (1884) the Cubs didn't even win the NL title (they finished 5th in the NL, and the Providence Grays beat the New York Metropolitans 3-0 in the "World Series" - a post-season exhibition between the top two teams in the National league)!

Anyway, thoughts?

Moose

Critical two week stretch comming up for the Cubs

moose97 — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:05:00 -0000

3 @ Arizona
3 vs. Milwaukee
3 vs. Houston
4 vs. Los Angeles

After these 13 games, the Cubs don't play another game vs. a team currently above .500 (the closest is St. Louis, who may be above .500 before all is said and done).

Meanwhile, in the next two weeks, the Brewers have:

3 @ San Francisco
3 @ Chicago
3 vs. Pittsburgh
3 vs. Houston

And St. Louis has:

3 vs. Atlanta
3 @ Houston
3 vs. Cincinnatti
4 vs. Pittsburgh

If the Cubs can keep their head above water the next two weeks (i.e., stay within a game or two of first place) with their tough schedule, they will be in great position to win the Division. Here's why:

As mentioned, the Cubs have a fairly easy schedule down the stretch. The Cards still have the series with the Braves, plus home sets with the Cubs and Phillies and road trips to Arizona, Milwaukee, and singles to Chicago and New York. That a tough schedule.

Milwaukee's got: the Cubs road trip, plus a trip to Atlanta. They also have the Cards home series, and close the season with San Diego...

Again, critical two week stretch comming up. If the Cubs can hang in there, I think they'll be alright.

Moose

PS - It sure would have been nice to have had a game and a half lead going into this 13 game strech, eh? Oh well...

West Coast Baseball Trip

moose97 — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:43:24 -0000

I'm headding out to the West Coast

in about two weeks (I leave July 19th) to tour each California MLB park, plus Arizona. I'm doing this through Diamond Baseball Tours, and their "West Coast Swing":

http://diamondbaseballtours.com/

What I was hoping was that some folks that have been to these ballparks (or live in that area of the country) could recomend some of the "can't miss" items right around the park.

Specifically, I'm looking for 1) a restaurant to eat dinner at just before the game (must be walking distance); 2) items that make that park unique; 3) anything else that you can think of.

Thanks in advance for your help! This will be my third trip with Diamond Baseball Tours, as I did one three years ago simelar to the current "Classics" trip (2005's was Wrigley, the Jake, Fenway, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, Cooperstown and Comerica), and a "Dixie Swing" two years ago (started at Great American, then Busch, Kauffman, Ballpark in Arlington, Minute Maid, day off in New Orleans and finaly Turner Field). I'd highly recommend the tours to anyone...

Moose

New Batting Practice Hat

moose97 — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:30:05 -0000

I know someone

posted a diary about the new batting practice jerseys a while ago, but I found a photo of the new hats as well. Here you go:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/chstuff_1933_58888121

In case you're wondering, the color on the sides is a new look for ALL teams. See the Tigers:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/chstuff_1933_60311561

Reds:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/chstuff_1933_59178134

Cards:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/chstuff_1933_59730542

And even Yanks:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/chstuff_1933_59475164

Thoughts?

Moose

Sprint Wireless Play-by-Play

moose97 — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 15:42:33 -0000

A new way to follow the Cubs

I'm wondering if anyone heard about the new offering from Sprint Wireless, where, for $5.99 a month, subscribers can listen to MLB play-by play on their cell phones. Here's the Sprint press release:

http://www2.sprint.com/mr/news_dtl.do?id=12980

Basically, this boils down to MLB.com Gameday Audio (which is $7.95 for the season), but you're paying extra for the added portablity.

Personaly, I already have XM radio, and am considering adding this to my Sprint cell service (I already have Sprint, and wouldn't have to switch). All Vision services DO NOT count against your plan minutes, so if you spend three hours (or five and a half, as it was Tuesday night) listening to a game, you're not shot, as far as call time for the month. The reason I would do it, despite already having XM is that the XM isn't as portable as you might want either (although likely more portable than MLB.com Gameday Audio).

Anyway, enough from me, anyone else have thoughts?

Moose

Two 325+ Game Winners

moose97 — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:27:25 -0000

I know Cubs and Astros fans realize how special the pitching match-up Wednesday is, but does the rest of the country?

The last time there were two active 325 game winners in MLB was 1927. Walter Johnson for the Senators in the AL, and Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander, at the time with the Cardinals in the NL. Obviously, they didn't pitch against each other being in different leagues.

This got me to looking back at the other guys who have 325 or more wins (we all know how rare 300 game winners matching-up is). Well, you have to go back to the old NL only history to find a time when you find Pud Galvin (Pirates and Browns) and Tim Keefe (Phillies) with 325+ wins each active in 1892. Obviously, they were likely to have faced each other.

Why do I bring this up? The last match-up of 325+ game winners in MLB history likely came in 1892. The game is on WGN-TV, and something that hasn't happened in 114 years is going to happen... Sounds like must-see-TV to me.

Moose