SB Nation User Blog: mrcubsfan

OT: Snow Shuts Down Des Moines Area

mrcubsfan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:05:25 -0000

This is a view from my driveway in the Des Moines area. We received 15 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 50 MPH all day today. Schools, malls, banks, just about everything closed. The drift that went across my driveway was four feet high. Snowplows did not come through until late this afternoon. Main streets are open but side streets are one lane if lucky. The snow was deeper than most snowblowers so the dig out was time consuming. Most schools in the metro area have announced closings for tomorrow too. It's just plain ugly. I know what you're thinking.... better you than me and yes, I would not wish this on any of you.

I was able to read all the posts on the lack of the Bradley trade today, sandwiched around blowing snow. If you live outside of the snow area, you should feel lucky. This one set some December snow records in Iowa.

While we Iowan's are stuck inside today, let's get Bradely moved so we can get on with the off season. We're dreaming of next summer with Ryne Sandberg and the Iowa Cubs, we don't have anything else to do in Iowa for the next few days!

Justin Berg called up... Samardzija sent down?

mrcubsfan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:05:42 -0000

Justin Berg called up... Samardzija sent down?

Just out a few minutes ago from Paul Sullivan on twitter.

What it meant for the I-Cubs to play at Wrigley.

mrcubsfan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:29:02 -0000

What it meant for the I-Cubs to play at Wrigley.

Another related article that tells about the cost and setting the record for attendance at a "home" I-Cubs game.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090809/SPORTS03/908100311?GID=qZOdQBmz3Ywo4NnvjeLV72EOdSO0bgl02BaqzI8dERM%3D

Gene Baker into the DM Register Hall of Fame

mrcubsfan — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:43:37 -0000

Gene Baker into the DM Register Hall of Fame

Gene Baker was the 2nd black player to play for the cubs by a few days. He was a double play partner of Ernie Banks. He went on to play for the Pirates when they won the '60 world series and was also the first black manager of a minor league team. Nice read about a former Cub player.

Cleveland looking at trading Wood and Betancourt

mrcubsfan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:47:12 -0000

Cleveland looking at trading Wood and Betancourt

Wood's contract is overloaded for anyone to take him. Too bad, Kerry was always a favorite.

If we were .500 on the road we would be in first place.

mrcubsfan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:32:50 -0000

If we were .500 on the road we would be in first place.

There have been so many things going on no one has mentioned the simple fact that if we were .500 on the road we would have a 1.5 game lead in the central. Without any trades, this is one area we have to improve upon.

Lee Smith Agrees Cheaters Should Not Be In HOF

mrcubsfan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:32:37 -0000

Lee Smith Agrees Cheaters Should Not Be In HOF

Lee Smith, signing autographs at AAA Iowa, chimes in following Sandberg's comments on Sosa and others being associated with steriod use. Read his comments here.

MLB Daily Dish: De Rosa Ready to Be Traded

mrcubsfan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:11:04 -0000

MLB Daily Dish: De Rosa Ready to Be Traded

Al posted this new SB nation web site so I visited today and found this on DeRosa. Also, looks like Cleveland is ready to let their manager go. Was more surprised that the Cubs were not listed. Is the time to add DeRosa over?

What we can expect from Von Joshua's hitting style.

mrcubsfan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:49:10 -0000

What we can expect from Von Joshua's hitting style.

Harden's I-Cubs outing

mrcubsfan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:16:50 -0000

68 pitches must have been the number tonight. With an early class tomorrow I left when Harden got done pitching to a less than crowded night at Des Moines' Principal Park. It was upper 60's, cloudy and somewhat on the cool side and that, along with the fact over 9,000 thoughthe was pitching Sunday, held the crowd down tonight. Many season ticket holders didn't even show. I got a single seat 11 rows behind the I-Cubs batters box for $10. Good seat.

Harden left the game in the 5th inning with 2 outs and a runner on 2nd. Of his 68 pitches, 43 were strikes and he recorded 6 strikeouts, all swinging. His pitch total by inning was 14-8-20-16-10. Only two pitches topped out over 90, one exactly 90 and one at 91. Harden featured a lot of off speed breaking pitches throughout the game.

The only trouble Harden had was in the 3rd. Solid single to right; slow infield hit past Miles for another single; sac bunt; solid RBI single to left; runners on 1st and 3rd and a stolen base to put both in scoring position. Harden walks the bases full (the first of two walks). On the next pitch a high pop fly to right field was the play of the game...So Taguchi caught the ball and threw an absolute strike to home preventing any tag up. Harden got ahead 0-2 with a 90 mph fast ball and ended the inning with another pop fly to right.

In a few other game notes Miles needs to stay in Des Moines. In his first plate appearance he flew out to right in foul territory and later struck out with the bases loaded. Taguchi drove in two runs (has everyone forgot about him?) with a double down the left field line and Dubois drove in two more in the same inning with a drive off the top of the right/center wall. Haren had a nice sac bunt on the first pitch he saw in the 4th.

There were 4 radar guns behind first base, which is common at I-Cubs games. What was not so common were two Cardinal scouts charting pitches, one in full Cardinal gear. He kinda stuck out. They were about 10 rows behind the radar guns.

It was a good night for Harden. He looked smooth and strong using many off speed pitches and little full out fastballs. While it was my first I-Cubs game of the season, I always walk away saying I need to get back soon. We have a nice ballpark with good promotions (tonight was $1 general admission, $1 popcorn and $1 pop), a fun time with every seat a good one. As I finish writing, Harden is probaably on his way to Houston.