SB Nation User Blog: sparkles721

BCB Game Day -- UPDATED!!

sparkles721 — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:16:25 -0000

Update [2007-6-12 14:14:12 by Al]: It appears we're going to have extra tickets. If you were thinking about coming but didn't know how you would get a ticket, email me (link on right sidebar).

Update [2007-6-11 15:34:59 by Al]: To everyone mentioned below, I will email you in the next day or so to confirm you are coming, and to make arrangements to get you your ticket(s) -- probably at the game. See you then! Hey BCBers!

I am posting this because Al and I want to confirm who is going and who is not and who else wants to go to make sure everyone can get a ticket.

Here's a list I have, and I want to know how accurate it is:

> cashcowsquirtingsourmilk
> cubbieboy-1
> Kchance
> MJ
> jessica(might come)
> 26.2cubfan
> roach-1
> Jesse Guam
> Laven-1
> Imtrejo
> giddyup
> gauchodirk

If you guys want to come off the list, go on the list, stay on the list, or whatever please post or send an email!

Thanks and we hope to see you SATURDAY JUNE 16 the Cubs against Jake Peavy's (and Greg Maddux's)Padres.

I hope everyone is having a terrific day! :)

Trib Sale Update

sparkles721 — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:05:01 -0000

Today I got a link to this article.

It talks about Sam Zell possibly being close to buying the Trib. I read the article, and honestly I don't understand it. Therefore I turned to a site that provides clear explanations about all things related to a Trib sale.

This may have no impact now on the Cubs and large impact later, or maybe no impact now or later. I don't know, but maybe some of you can provide some more input and make people like me smarter. :)

BCB Day

sparkles721 — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:58:54 -0000

Happy Friday everyone!

BCB Day is still planned for June 16 for the game against the San Diego Padres at 12:05.

Many people tried to get tickets and failed, while others succeeded and have tickets to help out others.

Please post again if you want to come/are coming. Tell us if you need tickets for that day, and if some of you have any extras for other BCBers please say so. That way we can get a better idea of how many tickets we need to find.

You should all try to make it if you can. Like I said before, people in real life are way better than online. Plus, games are always fun anyway.

Any questions, concerns, and thoughts about BCB day can be posted here.

Mark Prior! :)

sparkles721 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:35:34 -0000

I read this article that's by Carrie Muskat, and I know they do this all the time but I don't care. I love reading stuff like this, and it makes me happy. I believe it at least until everything starts getting suspicious. Actually, the news that Mark Prior is working like every other pitcher is suspicious.

On the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers, he did everything the other pitchers did, without limitations.

"I think everybody thought I was coming into camp limping, but I'm coming into camp ready to go," he said Friday.

The article also says how he can't listen to everyone about what he should do, and that he will get criticized because he's on a big stage.

He also says he wants to play, and I believe him. I've never questioned his desire to play.

"I've never judged somebody on whether they're hurting or not. You don't get to this level unless you want to play. You get weeded out in a hurry if you don't want to play."

Just don't question his desire.

"Trust me, I want to play," he said. "It's a lot easier having a day like [Thursday] when I can walk out of here and no one has to come and ask me what's going on with my physical well-being or psychological well-being or whether I covered first or not.

"I want to get back to answering, 'Why did you throw that 1-2 pitch?' or 'What were you thinking in the third inning?' I want to get back to those questions. If I get healthy this spring, hopefully everybody can put this behind us and move on."

I love Mark Prior, and for now I am happy with him. Just in case, I hope he has some invisible bubble wrap to protect himself.

Poll

Will Mark Prior contribute in a positive way to the Cubs season?

Yes.

96 votes

No.

7 votes

Yes, but he will still go on the DL.

47 votes

No, he will not be good enough.

5 votes

155 votes | Poll has closed

Fiiight!

sparkles721 — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:52:18 -0000

Between Henry Blanco and Ronny Cedeno. That's what I saw today on ESPN Deportes.

That would've been awkward to see, but it was actually Cedeno and the pitcher Blanco was catching.

I always watch TV and do my homework at the same time, and today I decided to watch some beisbol. Felix Pie's team is in the finals like always, and I wanted to see Pie. I'm not even sure he plays for the Tigres because I never see him, and he didn't play during the time I watched. Miguel Tejada played for the other team, and the game was almost over.

I flip the channel to NFL network, which had the Bears game on from Sunday. I wanted some baseball though, so I flipped back to ESPN Deportes, and I saw a familiar image. A man with black hair and a catcher's mask playing for a Venezuelan team? "OH MY GOD!! It's Blanco! Henry Blanco!" My excitement for Mr. Blanco proved to my sister how much I miss baseball, but she got even more proof later. I went crazy when I saw the camera go to the left side of Miguel Cabrera on the infield. "RONNY! I miss him!" Cubs baseball needs to start soon before I lose the rest of my brain.

On to the interesting part. The announcers said Ronny had a .724 slugging% for something. Whatever it was, I think it means Ronny will do horrible in Spring Training. Ronny Cedeno then came up to bat, and of course, I expected a strike out. First pitch, ball one. Second pitch, ball two. I thought he would swing his way out and ruin his chance. Ball three. I was shocked. Geremi Gonzalez, IIRC(on the Brewers), sucks so that explains it. Ronny could still hit a weak ground ball like he did so many times in front of us.

He didn't.

Gonzalez threw him a pitch thisclose to him, and I couldn't even tell if it touched Ronny. If it did, it was just his jersey or something. The ball blew by his hips, and Ronny turned around towards the pitcher and looked very angry. He said something to Gonzalez, and then the benches poured out onto the field. Gonzalez got extremely upset with Ronny and flew towards him with his leg up in the air ready to kick him. He missed Ronny, but it was close. Ronny didn't do anything, but people held him back. He was really mad. I don't think he ever acted like that here, and I personally think the pitch wasn't that bad. The pitch was inside, but Ronny thought it was on purpose. This happened during the second inning of the playoff game.

It took forever(actually about 10 minutes)to eject Ronny and Gonzalez. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't think Ronny was a crazy Venezuelan that got ejected. Maybe he's more defensive in his home country.

Hank White(who played against Ronny's team) didn't do anything in the fight that I remember. He did show his cannon for an arm and almost picked off Randall Simon at first base. The throw was a laser and right on the money, but it was just late to get him out.

I also saw Bobby Abreu, and he was wearing a black sparkly shirt. He was sitting very close to one of the dugouts.

Yay for Venezuelan baseball!

Poll

Who is your favorite Venezuelan besides Z?

Bobby Abreu

5 votes

Henry Blanco

37 votes

Cesar Izturis

2 votes

Ronny Cedeno

8 votes

Johan Santana

39 votes

Miguel Cabrera

14 votes

105 votes | Poll has closed

Projections

sparkles721 — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:02:09 -0000

I'm not sure how many of you visit Maddog's site, but you all should. He has interesting stuff over there, and always very detailed but easy to understand at the same time.

Anyway, I saw he posted 2007 Bill James projections for Cubs players in addition to players the Cubs have been associated with this offseason.

I thought guys would like to see them.

Here are some 2007 ZiPS Projections that Various Styles posted a while ago, so you can compare. As Maddog says in his posts on his blog, they are pretty similar.

Nobody's stats really make me excited. Z has a lot of walks. But, Rich Hill though has a TON of K's and Soriano has 38 homers. Other than that I'm not impressed and I probably shouldn't be. Or I'm just being pessimistic right now. I don't know. Ramirez has pretty good stats too.

I would've like to see the Bill James projections of this year posted with the actual results from this past season like Various Styles did with the ZiPS. I also like to see how wrong or right they are. Maybe Maddog could post some for me? Please? :)

Projections don't say exactly what a player will do, but they are fun to look at.

Should I Buy Season Tickets?

sparkles721 — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 23:20:03 -0000

Well, they aren't really season tickets, but it's a package.

I would get to see the Peoria Chiefs in Kane County along with a few other teams. It's 10 games. They sent me the prices because I'm so going to the Midwest League All-Star game, so I signed up for info to get those tickets.

Last year I was planning on going to a Chiefs vs. Cougars game, but then I just kind of ran out of time. I felt very dumb because Don Veal started pitching here, and I could've seen one of our best prospects. Then he was promoted, so I missed him.

I'm not very well informed on the Cubs minor league system. If anybody wants to tell me about prospects that may start at Peoria or move up to Peoria, I would appreciate it. I want to know more about the players I could watch.

I kind of want to buy the package, but I don't know anything about minor league games either. How is the experience? I've been to two minor league games, but that was in 4th grade. I didn't pay much attention to the baseball diamond back then, and I forget anyway.

Maybe you informed people could help me make a decision. My parents ultimately have the final word since they will pay, but I haven't decided how much I should beg.

Thanks in advance. Go Chiefs!

Poll

Should Sparkles go see the Chiefs this summer?

Yes!

21 votes

No!

4 votes

Of course, but don't buy a package.

9 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

Spring Training Trip?

sparkles721 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:51:04 -0000

In Julie's 2006 BCB Awards diary, some of us started to talk about stalking Matt Murton(or at least I think I was), and the conversation somehow led from visiting Orange Guy in Georgia to going to stare at his glowing hair in Arizona or in left field at Wrigley. I think we can do both, but first up is spring training(Later on in the offseason, we can start talking about copying the wonderful Athletics Nation and having our own BCB Day). I believe some people out there said they liked the idea of going down to Arizona to watch our Cubs play. I'm not sure how serious you people were, but I'm starting this diary to start talking about that.

Jessica and I have started thinking about it, and we have decided that the dates would be around the last weekend/week the Cubs are in Arizona. If a group of us wants to go maybe we could organize ourselves and make the trip together. We could make it in Jessica's words "sort of a girls outing a la Where the Boys Are. However instead of chasing guys we will just watch the Cubs." If you really want to chase guys, I don't think we will stop you. If I go, I'm chasing Z. :)

So, who wants to go and get a nice tan while watching the Cubs? Do you have any ideas for the trip? Already have a planned spring training trip and want to brag about it? Go ahead and post!

WaNTeD: Prior Explanation

sparkles721 — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 03:29:16 -0000

I was originally going to post this as a comment, but maybe more people can help me figure this out.

I have problems. I sometimes believe what the Cubs say. That's why I thought Prior was going to be OK at the beginning of the year, but he obviously still isn't. That's why I thought Woody would be ready for this season if he pitched out of the bullpen last year, but he wasn't either. This isn't about Wood though, it's about Mark William Prior. I have lots of questions about him.

Several times, people have said Prior's injuries are mysterious or weird. That sometimes leads to saying that he needs to shut up and pitch among other things. Sometimes I feel like people think Prior pretends to be hurt, since his injuries aren't clear. If they are mysterious it's probably because the Cubs never tell us everything. They inform us. They hire the medical staff to diagnose those mysterious injuries. Sometimes they can't even diagnose them, so does that mean there is nothing to find or doctors/trainers just can't find them?

I like Prior, and you all know that. But why would he overreact about/fake/(whatever you think he's doing)injuries? And why would the Cubs be so dumb to allow it for a long time and not fix him and make him pitch or just let him go? He says he's hurt the Cubs know he's important, so they just shut him down. Even if it's just to be careful I can understand that, but if it continues why would they not go deeper and fix Prior's problem(s)? He's supposed to be a building block for the team, the ace, and the Cubs HELP him get out of pitching?

It just doesn't make sense to me(sorry if this diary doesn't make sense to you). I don't think he doesn't have the desire to pitch. It drives me crazy when people question that. That's my main question. I already asked it, but I will again. Why do people think Prior doesn't want to pitch? Maybe I missed/didn't pay attention to an article, a quote, an event that showed you that he isn't like Wood, a competitor that wants to be out there even though he's constantly injured.

If you can help it, don't insult Mark Prior(or me or anyone)in your explanation. I'm serious. I do need help with this, and with many other things too. College decisions. Ahh!

Anyway, I'm open-minded and ready to listen.

Cubs and Lies?

sparkles721 — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:43:11 -0000

I just have a question. What do you say, Cub Fans?

I need a filler: I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z. I love Z.

Poll

Do you like to be lied to by the Cubs?

Yes, I like being lied to.

17 votes

No, I don't like being lied to.

50 votes

The Cubs don't lie to us.

20 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

SB Nation User Blog: sparkles721

*BCB Game Day* -- UPDATED!!

Trib Sale Update

BCB Day

Mark Prior! :)

Will Mark Prior contribute in a positive way to the Cubs season?

Yes.

No.

Yes, but he will still go on the DL.

No, he will not be good enough.

Fiiight!

Who is your favorite Venezuelan besides Z?

Bobby Abreu

Henry Blanco

Cesar Izturis

Ronny Cedeno

Johan Santana

Miguel Cabrera

Projections

Should I Buy Season Tickets?

Should Sparkles go see the Chiefs this summer?

Yes!

No!

Of course, but don't buy a package.

Spring Training Trip?

WaNTeD: Prior Explanation

Cubs and Lies?

Do you like to be lied to by the Cubs?

Yes, I like being lied to.

No, I don't like being lied to.

The Cubs don't lie to us.

BCB Game Day -- UPDATED!!