Bear Down Wildcats

Feeling old...

Still no pen for the Dodgers

New Cubs clubhouse is pretty impressive:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... story.html

Black sleeves, black hat, puts pine tar on tanned leather glove... Come on meat. Other team is going to let that slide in a cold weathered game in April though, because their pitchers are doing the same thing. Only they are being smart about it. Hopefully he figures out a better spot by October.

Coop Cat wrote:

Sucks his career is over.
-ASUHATER



But, as a Diamondbacks fan, I totally know just how much this sucks. Totally sucks. Castro is a Yankee, too, and killing it.

Amazing, a chance to make history, then this?

Hindsight is tough

That's the right move though and had nothing to do with fear of losing the lead in a close game after that walk. Dude only threw 71 innings in 2015 after Tommy John surgery. So 100 pitches is quite a few for someone like that, especially in his first start of the season and this early in the season. I just looked, 7 innings was the most he ever threw in 2015, and he only threw 90 plus pitches in a game twice (90 and 93), and those games were in August. In fact, the guy hasnt thrown 100 pitches in a game in his minor league career, and it has been almost 3 years since he even threw 95 plus. When a pitcher tires, proper mechanics and release point go, and the risk of injuring or re-injuring your arm go up. Not worth it.

After Arrieta's no-no.

I love the optimism!

Cubs are rolling!

Fire Girardi

Arrieta's transformation from mediocre pitcher in the O's organization to the Cubs has been remarkable. The closest thing I can think of is David Ortiz's transformation from the Twins to the Red Sox

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/xOprQnXxrf0[/youtube]

Chicat wrote:

Perfect, I love it!

Forgive me. I've been a diehard Cubs fan all my life and I have had to suffer. Many acquaintances have rubbed it in. But to see what the Cubs are doing this year is...well frankly...a dream coming true. The Cubs haven't had a team this good since 1945. And maybe I have a chance to see the Cubs take it all. My father was a Cubs fan and never got to see the Cubs take the crown (born in 1915). This is a special season and I am enjoying every minute of it. Maybe they don't win and the goat curse continues. But right now I will bask in the excitement. It is what sports is all about.

BTW, Kris Bryant has a legitimate change of winning MVP this year after winning rookie of the year last year. Other than college basketball I really enjoy baseball. It's more about the time it takes to master the trade, the chess game that base is (I admit it, I'm a geek), and the enjoyment of watching players develop. And the Cubs have developed more over the last couple years than any time I've seen them in my entire life. I'm going to enjoy the ride this year. for this won't last because, even thoug they are a major market franchise, they won't be able to resign everyone. But this is the year. I'm due. May the curse end. This is (maybe) the best Cubs team in their history.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/08/31/198890202" target="_blank

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/YmHG9yQcH5U[/youtube]

Cubs starting rotation is nuts this year.

No, you won't be able to resign everyone, but Epstein is a smart man and knows who to keep and who to let leave. A significant chunk of your offensive talent are not eligible for free agency for years, so they will be steals at their current contracts and during their arbitration years. Hell, they have Rizzo at a steal of $6 million per year through 2019. On offense the Cubs nucleus is set. They are a big market team, Epstein is not afraid to spend money and Maddon is a "player's manager," so they will be able to draw starting pitching as guys like Lester, Lackey and Hammel get older/arms wear out. The farm system fills in the gaps.

Translation= the Cubs are going to be title contenders for the next 4-5 years, at least, and I would say they are set up to be a perennial playoff team for the next 10 seasons, with maybe a down season or two in there at most.

Mike Trout has led the American League in wins above replacement (WAR) in every one of his five big-league seasons.

there have been 15 Hall of Fame outfielders who have had a season in their career that was worth nine wins above replacement or more, according to Baseball-Reference.

there are 44 Hall of Fame outfielders who have not.

at the end of this season, Mike Trout will have his fifth season worth nine wins above replacement.

the only Hall of Fame outfielders with more are Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Babe Ruth.

Mike Trout just turned 25 in August.

Can't wait until he's a Yankee.

The Angels will probably end up giving Trout away to anyone who takes on Pujols contract

MrBug708 wrote:The Angels will probably end up giving Trout away to anyone who takes on Pujols contract

That would be incredibly stupid and it would still require a lot of player value for a team to get Trout with Pujols.

30 homers and 115 RBIs and he's a throw in? Interesting take...

Francona is pushing all the right buttons. Two championships for Cleveland in one year?

American League MVP (Thursday)

Finalists: Jose Altuve, Astros; Mookie Betts, Red Sox; Mike Trout, Angels

Who should win: Trout

News bulletin: Mike Trout is as tremendous as ever. The best player in baseball just had, very possibly, the best offensive season of his career. And he still might not win this award. Which wouldn't reflect really well on the thinking powers of the electorate, right?

This season, Trout led the whole sport in runs (123), walks (116), times on base (300), on-base percentage (.441), OPS+ (174) and wins above replacement (10.6). He also scored an incredible 17 percent of his team's runs -- the highest percentage by any AL player since Rickey Henderson in 1985. But Trout made a bigggg mistake. He did all that for an Angels team that wasted his multifaceted brilliance by losing 88 games. If he finishes second, that'll teach him. At any rate, he now has led the AL in WAR five years in a row. The only other position player to do that: Babe Ruth.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1801 ... wards-week

Almost got a Wildcat in the Hall of Fame - probably next year.

Curt Schilling arguing with a fake Sidney Ponson twitter account tonight about the HOF vote is HOF worthy.

Don't watch MLB, but this is bad ass.