Prose and Ivy

Come on, that's funny

2009-11-20T02:43:30Z

This blog has been featured on the MLB.com home page and on the MLB.com Entertainment page, but never on MLBlogs' home page.

That is, until now. And what is the headline on the post below this one, previously greeting countless potential new readers while I'm featured center stage?

"Not A Whole Lot Going On".

Catchy, huh? Makes you want to read more doesn't it? Gee, let me click on this new Cubs blog I've never read. It's featured on the MLBlogs home page, must be fascinating. Let's check out the top post here...oh...not a whole lot going on. Alright then, guess I'll read something else.

Anyway, thought it was hilarious the timing of my last headline with the being featured and all. That, plus when I told my dad to pull up MLBlogs.com and check out who is on the front page he said "Cool...Tim Lincecum". I said "Below him". He misheard me. Hilarity ensued. Good times.

Thanks for featuring Prose and Ivy on the MLBlogs home page MLB and welcome new readers. Any Cubs fans interested in being interviewed for one of the fan segments, email me at proseandivy@cubsmvp.com

Go Cubs Go!

(And if we sign Grabow, cool. If not, cool, but I prefer we keep him. If we lose Harden, cool, but I know a few female Cubs bloggers that will be very disappointed. As for Reed....hope there's a way to keep him in the mix. Any outfielder not afraid to run smack into a brick wall to record an out for the Cubs is alright by me. One signing that would be particularly interesting if for nothing other than the secrets of Wrigley Field that could be revealed....Curtis Granderson. He comes with a bit of baggage and it's filled with production equipment for a potential new reality show. At least it wouldn't involve him decorating cakes in the Cubs dugout).

Not a Whole Lot Going On

2009-11-18T03:19:00Z

Since I last posted, the Ricketts family took over ownership of our beloved Chicago Cubs. Love their stance on looking at the Cubs from their owner seats the same way they would have if they still owned bleacher seats. Someone like that will hopefully help convince them to put a little more money into a deal here and there than they may have done otherwise if they didn't have an emotional attachment to the team. On the flip side, hopefully they have plenty of people helping them deal with their heads when necessary and not always their hearts. Need to make sure the deals they make are strategically sound business wise and baseball wise.

I mean think about how fans treat fantasy baseball drafts. Most of us go after the big names and load our team the best way we can. Often we take guys we enjoy rooting for and do so on the field in real life and in the fantasy fields. We can't have owners wanting the best for our Cubs but not thinking soundly the way we need those running the show to do. People with a passion for the ball club and dreams of the team finally winning again is a plus and I'm happy we don't have folks who are only in it for the dollars they can make in the long run. And if you don't know much about them, check out this interview with them here conducted by the Chicago Tribune:

That said, I think Wells got ripped off and should be the NL ROY. (See what I mean about making decisions with your heart and not your head?) Still, Wells had a great year, kept the Cubs in the thick of the NL Central and wild card berth races, longer than they could've hoped for without him. No one expected to need such a contribution from Wells this year but we did. With his help, we hung in there through the middle of September and kept things interesting. Interesting doesn't win you hardware though. Numbers and results do. That right there is the problem.

Zambrano won the Silver Slugger award once again, but really, who is his competition? Any other pitchers out there looking to go deep during BP? I think not. Zambrano can enjoy making more room on a mantle for all of his silver bats. We need him to start a new wing for some pitching awards if we're going to end up on top any time soon.

Bradley is still a Cub and I'm not sure how much longer that will remain as such. If we can't move him, I think he'll be a sore spot on a team with a lot of potential once again and we can't have that. I think his numbers would be better but his head and mouth would remain the same. My guess anyway. And we can't have that. Have to trade him and see what we can get. And Granderson? I guess that's cool, but I don't know, it doesn't really get my blogging juices flowing.

Anyone else excited or upset about anything going on with the Cubs since the World Series ended? Excited about any free-agent filings? Have a Cubs holiday shopping list you'd like to share? Does it involve Holliday? Please feel free to share. With Halloween over, Thanksgiving on it's way....winter meetings will be here before you know it. 'Tis the season.

(Oh yeah...and ex-Cub Sammy Sosa's getting lighter. Ok. I guess there have been some things going on).

Go Cubs Go!

Another Installment of "Prosecards from Cubs Nation"

2009-10-23T23:19:32Z

Cubs fans all over are counting down the days until Spring Training kicks off in 2010. Until then, I'm going to try and interview as many as I can and post the interviews here, on Prose and Ivy.

Today's Prosecard comes from Dave M. in Chicago, IL. Dave is a huge Cubs fan and can be found on Twitter at @dat_cubfan_dave. Dat Cub Fan Dave took some time out of his busy Friday afternoon and answered the following questions. And really, what says I'm a Cubs fan more than taking the afternoon off and enjoying yourself some Cubs baseball?

Here now is @dat_cubfan_dave's "Prosecard from Cubs Nation" on Prose and Ivy:

PROSE AND IVY'S "PROSECARDS FROM CUBS NATION"

Prose and Ivy reader and Cubs fan showcased: Dave M.

Name: Dave M. (Note: Dave M.'s lawn gnome pictured above, not Dave M.)

Why are the Cubs your favorite team?

Well, like many Cubs fans, it's genetic. My Mom told me once that she used
to listen to Cubs games on the radio with her grandfather (that would be my
great-grandfather for those of you keeping score at home). So I like to
refer to myself as a fourth generation Cubs fan. And, growing up, my Mom
always had Cubs games on TV during the summer so, again, like many others,
WGN played a huge role in my Cubs fandom. I used to get so excited watching
the games that I couldn't even finish watching them - I'd have to run out to
the garage, grab my glove and a tennis ball, and spend the remainder of the
game bouncing the ball off our garage, pretending I was a Cubs player (or
actually the whole team, come to think of it). Seeing as how this was the
mid- to late-70s, I wasn't exactly missing out on too many
championship-level teams.

Favorite Cubs memory:

It's hard to pick just one. Maybe walking into Wrigley Field for the first
time as a kid. Seeing the brilliantly green grass and legendary ivy explode
before my eyes as I reached that top step...wow...there's nothing like it.
More recently, it might be watching Jim Edmonds catch the final out in the
division-clinching game last year. I really felt like that team was the One.
They had it all: Something old (Lou), something new (Kosuke), something
borrowed (Edmonds), something blue (er, well, I guess everything was blue).
Fukudome's Wrigley debut is another favorite. Oh, and Kerry Wood homering in
the '03 NLCS. For a brief moment, it felt like the magic was back. Sadly, it
was not. As you can see, I could go on.

Favorite current Cub:

Again, it's hard to choose. I suppose the obvious answer is Derrek Lee.
He's a player I have enormous respect for, both on and off the field. I was
really, really happy to see him prove all the naysayers wrong this season.
Among the pitchers, I'd probably pick Ryan Dempster. I've happened to attend
one of his starts in each of the last two years and he's won both games. He
may not be the best pitcher in terms of stuff or results, but I appreciate
all he's done for the Cubs since he arrived here. (And, yeah, I know he's
getting paid handsomely for it.) He also seems like a really smart and,
obviously, funny guy - and I admire that. I've also always been a big Sean
Marshall fan, too. Not sure why - maybe it's because I watched his debut in
'06 vs. the Cards on TV and was really rooting for him. Like Demp, he's a
guy who's gone out and done whatever the team has asked in a really gutsy
way. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Randy Wells, who was among the
brightest of bright spots in a very frustrating '09 season. Ted Lilly is a
total badass. He scares me - in a good way. Big Z is the man...I actually
had a dream I was hanging out with him the other night. Seriously. Once
again, as you can see, I'm not very good at picking only one favorite.

Favorite all-time Cub:

Well, growing up, my favorite Cub was Bill Madlock. So maybe I'll just
stick with that. I suppose I won't truly know my all-time favorite Cub until
I'm about to take my seat in those Great Bleachers in the Sky.

Your dream starting Chicago Cub line up would be?

Wow, this answer could take some time. I don't quite have the energy to take a historical approach. And I tend to break out in hives when people put together their "fantasy" lineups of what the Cubs could look like next season. TRADE FOR ADAM LIND!!! GET HALLADAY!!! How 'bout dreaming somewhat realistically regarding next season:

1. Kosuke Fukudome RF

2. Jeff Baker 2B

3. Derrek Lee 1B

4. Aramis Ramirez 3B

5. Alfonso Soriano LF

6. Geovany Soto C

7. Mike Cameron CF

8. Ryan Theriot SS

9. Pitcher.

Dang, that's really right-handed but, hey, it's all I've got at the moment. I think Cameron, signed to a one- or two-year deal, would be a good stopgap centerfielder for the time being. This Milton Bradley thing could really go any number of ways and it's hard to know what the team will end up looking like until it's resolved. For the time being, I'm focusing on centerfielders, because I think Kosuke's defense is a big plus in right field.

How would you celebrate a Cubs championship?

Ha, any way I could. I don't get to watch too many of the games socially,
so I'd probably be alone when it happened - jumping up and down, screaming
silently (to not wake up my wife and daughter) and scaring the hell out of
our cats.

Most feared opposing batter?

Well, the obvious answer is Albert Pujols, isn't it? But there's a really
easy way to lessen that fear: Don't pitch to him! It drove me crazy how
often the Cubs did that with an open base this season. Joe Torre had the
right idea in the NLDS. Let's see, who else? The Diamondbacks' Chris Young
is an awful hitter who always seems to put one in the seats vs. the Cubs. I
have a feeling the Reds' Joey Votto is going to be a thorn in our side for
some time. On the bright side, I have to believe the Astros' Carlos Lee is
nearing retirement. Let's see, what other egregious Cubs killers can I throw
in here? Prince Fielder: Monster. I wish the Brewers would trade him to the
AL for some pitching and get it over with. I'm not exactly thrilled when
googly-eyed Ryan Braun comes to the plate either. I think that about covers
the division. Oh, wait...I forgot the Pirates. Um, yeah, Andrew McCutchen -
toolsy!

Most feared opposing pitcher?

Oh, that's easy. Doug freakin' Davis. Basically, any pitcher that throws in
slow motion is going to shut us down. Dan Haren, check. Jamie Moyer, check.
On a more serious note, Tim Lincecum is probably my favorite non-Cubs
pitcher. He's a lot of fun to watch - not against the Cubs, of course,
though I feel like they handled him pretty well this year. If I recall
correctly, we almost won the game he pitched at Wrigley and then Big Z
outpitched him in San Fran at season's end. That was a great game. And then
naturally you have the two-headed monster at the top of the Cardinals
rotation now. On the bright side, I do think Jim Hendry deserves some credit
for putting together some decent starting staffs since the Great Rotation
Collapse of '06. (Where have you gone, Juan Mateo?)

You can either sing "Take me out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning
stretch or call a half inning on WGN. Which would you rather do and why?

I'll take the singing gig, thanks. I'll leave the game-calling to the pros,
though I wouldn't mind tossing in the odd Santo-esque "Geez!" and "Yes,
sir!" if I could.

One thing you would change about Wrigley Field?

Hm, I dunno...move it closer to where I live? I do know it needs upgrades.
I'm going to say they need to get that Triangle Building thing done. As a
fan attending a game for three or four hours, I can live with some of the
antiquated aspects of Wrigley. I'd rather the players have decent batting
cages and the front office have the facilities they need to work
effectively, expand the scouting department, and put together well-rounded,
consistently competitive baseball teams.

One thing you would change about the game of baseball?

Well, to make a topical reference, I think I'm in favor of expanding
instant replay to some limited extent. I understand the concerns about
drawing out the games, but I think there's got to be some middle ground
between reviewing every strike call and dribbler down the line and the
current "home runs only" policy. One interesting idea I read was giving each
team a limited number of "replay calls" a game and then letting managers
factor it into their game strategy. Honestly, even if expanded, I don't
think instant replay would come up all that often. But when I see some of
these calls being made in the playoffs...sheesh...something needs to be
done.

You're having dinner in the Cubs clubhouse and can invite any four Cubs,
living or dead. Who would you invite and why?

Well, the site of Rogers Hornsby's shambling corpse sidling up to the
dinner table might put me off my salad, but I'll play along. Um, how 'bout
two of each: Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano on the breathing side and
Orval Overall (because I like his name) and Ken Hubbs (because his is such a
tragic story- in a rock star kinda way).

Do you believe the Cubs are cursed? Yes or no and why?

No, I do not think the Cubs are cursed. And let me just go on record as
saying we Cubs fans could do ourselves a big favor by ignoring this topic to
fullest extent possible. A curse is a shallow, superstitious excuse for
what's gone wrong with this team over the decades. If this team marshalls
its considerable financial resources; puts savvy, 21st century management
and scouting in place; and starts fielding competitve teams on a regular
basis, a championship will come. I believe that.

More vital to the Cubs' success...Getting Soriano back on track? Getting
Soto back on track? Trading Bradley? Landing a new leadoff man?

Well, I'll take the easiest question first: The Cubs don't need a leadoff
man - especially an overpaid one in his 30s. (Hi, Chone Figgins!) There's
too much emphasis on speed when looking at leadoff guys. I look at OBP and
PPA (pitches per plate appearance), and Kosuke Fukudome fulfills both those
categories quite nicely. Trading Bradley is probably the first step toward
putting the 2010 team in a position to succeed, if only because he'll be a
huge distraction if he's not gone by the time spring training rolls around.
I'm not a Bradley hater - I actually think he's an immesely talented
baseball player. But his situation has become more of an employment issue
than a baseball one. Both sides need to part ways and move on. It's a shame
because the team could really use his OBP at the top of the lineup (at the
very least). It's also a shame because he's worsened the Cubs
already-precarious financial situation. In any case, to answer your
question, getting Soriano back on track is probably the most vital thing. A
team can't lose that much production from its starting left fielder without
suffering mightily. Geo is important, too, but he's a catcher - and still a
relatively young player - so it's a little more reasonable to expect a
little less from him than his glorious rookie season gave us. He still
obviously needs to hit better and stay healthy.

The Cubs have just won the World Series and you have been given the
assignment of writing the lead story, covering this moment in baseball
history. Come up with 5 of the most creative headlines you can to kick off
your article:

1) CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! 2) Cubs quench century-plus drought 3) HEY
HEY HOLY MACKERAL NO DOUBT ABOUT IT 4) Cubs crush Royals, win World
Series (hey, it could happen), 5) Dewey defeats Truman!

You have 30 seconds to convince Hendry to either keep or trade Milton
Bradley. He will listen to you if your argument is convincing enough. What
do you say to him...and if it's trade...who would you trade him for?

Jimbo, buddy, dude...can we build one of those "Men in Black" laser things
that makes everyone completely forget what they just saw? If so, let's do it
and obliterate the memories of every Cubs player, coach, fan and media
member and give Milton another shot. What? You never saw "Men in Black"?
Well, that's a shame...it's pretty entertaining. Holds up rather well.
Anyway, how's about blowing in a call to Dombrowski in Detroit and see
whether we can con him into giving us Curtis Granderson. Maybe we could take
Dontrelle Willis contract as well and turn him into a set-up guy. And if
that doesn't work...hell, I don't know...just get Rowand from the Giants. He
was a pretty good hitter when he wasn't playing in a pitcher's park. And
we'll probably get a lot of free publicity when he explodes like a
cantaloupe running into the centerfield wall at Wrigley.

You are the hopeful new owner of the Chicago Cubs. The last thing standing
in the way of the deal getting done is you must decide one thing to change
at Wrigley Field. Have to. Would you either take away the ivy on the wall,
update the scoreboard to an giant HD screen, or change the outer marquee?
And...why?

Those are my options? Geez. Um...I guess I'd change the marquee - put it in
a museum somewhere maybe. Or, better yet, my garage. You can't touch the ivy
and you'd be putting guys out of work by replacing the scoreboard.

You are Steve Bartman. It is 2003 and you have the opportunity to see the
Cubs play in the postseason at Wrigley Field and potentially close out the
NLCS making your way to the World Series. However, you are warned that it
is guaranteed that either you will become one of the most hated Cubs fans in
history, OR you will see them make it to their first World Series in
forever. 50-50 shot. Do you attend the game?

I stay home and listen to Pat and Ron seeing as how I'm going to wear those
stupid-looking headphones anyway.

You're hired to run the Cubs 2010 public relations campaign. You can use
any slogan, player, etc that you want to. What is your advertising
campaign/slogan for the 2010 season?

Your 2010 Chicago Cubs: We're SO much better than that.

Thanks to Dave M. (@dat_cubfan_dave) for answering the questions and taking a few minutes (blowing off work) to talk Cubs baseball with Prose and Ivy. If you'd like to be featured in the next Prosecard from Cubs Nation, please email me at proseandivy@cubsmvp.com and I will send you a bunch of questions to answer and feature right here on the site! GO CUBS GO!

Hmmm...interesting

2009-10-22T14:42:30Z

Cubs sign Rudy Jaramillo as their hitting coach for 2010.

His time in Texas was littered with experience guiding Soriano and Bradley through productive years at the plate. You have to wonder if his time with them, plus the fact that Bradley trusts him so much, is a sign that regardless of whether a team out there is interested in Bradley, that perhaps Hendry is thinking of giving this Bradley experiment one more shot.

Jaramillo is known as being a guru. Hendry says he's the best hitting instructor in the game. Really Jim? You think so? It's a good thing he's received such high praise from his peers as well, because really, what else is the guy that hired him supposed to say? "Who, Jaramillo? Yeah, he's alright I guess". Not happening. Of course Hendry is going to say he's the best.

Jaramillo is known for being a great communicator in getting players to work hard and after seeing results, earn his trust. The Cubs website has a story where Jaramillo speaks of a time where Sosa was in the batting cage with four other hitters. Over 100 balls were hit and after the session, the four hitters picked up the balls and Sosa didn't touch one. Next round, same result. Only this time when the hitters went to pick up the balls, Jaramillo told them to stop and let Sammy do it all. Sammy, the diva, did just that. Considering Sosa has selective bi-lingual ability communication resulting in Sammy Sosa doing a ball boy's job that most major league hitters do without a second thought is definitely a great example of Jaramillo being a great communicator. But he's still a batting coach, not a shrink. So, not sure how he helps in Bradley's case. If he's even still around in 2010 that is.

Love the work ethic already though. Jaramillo is planning on viewing tape of Cubs' hitters from '09 and then meeting with some of the younger talent in Arizona in November. Taking this team from potential to reality is going to take someone willing to go the extra distance. I love Piniella and think he's a great baseball mind. However, people think he's sleeping a bit lately and not quite the fire plug he's been in the past in motivating and getting results. Maybe that's where Jaramillo comes in to reinforce that fire and add a level of urgency and desire on the coaches' level that's been missing. Jaramillo could help from his place on up in the organizational in that way potentially, as well as from 1 down to 8 in the Cubs' order. Wouldn't that be nice.

And not for nothing, but in 2006, Cub fan fave Mark DeRosa hit nearly .300 with Jaramillo on the Rangers as well. As far as working with former players goes...well, I'm just saying. That would be a great reason to welcome Jaramillo as well.

Off-season has begun already for the Cubs regardless of the fact that game one of this year's World Series hasn't even kicked off yet. And their first move comes on the coaching level. Interesting first tweak in getting this team to the next level in 2010.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy! (Great movie) Go Cubs Go!

Big Deal

2009-10-19T03:20:17Z

Admittedly, maybe its the lack of Cubs in this years playoffs...but I haven't seen anything to get excited about. Normally the playoffs are extremely addictive and I love watching every minute regardless of who is playing. This year however, I haven't seen anything to get all that excited about.

I am hoping that it is either going to be an Angels/Dodgers series...my number two choice because then we'd hear fun promos about a freeway series. Not really fun as much as different which will keep things interesting. A Yankees/Dodgers series...my first choice because I'd love to see Torre beat the Yankees. For sports fans it provides the best story lines. An Angels/Phillies series because I hate the Phillies and wouldn't mind rooting for them to fall at the door of a back to back championship.

The only combination I absolutely won't watch is a Yankees/Phillies series. I hate both teams with a passion and will find no joy in seeing either finish October successfully.

So, hopefully it's Torre over the Yankees. I get to see the Yankees lose and Torre have the last laugh. The Cubs aren't in it, so that sounds fun to me.

The film festival was a blast by the way. I had more people show up to screen my comedy "Quarter Life" than any other film in the festival. The audience loved it and it was a blast to screen a film I act in, in front of a group of people I'm not blood related to. The filmmakers had a great time. We screened over 75 films in four days and I look forward to screening more films next year. One of those films may be a Cubs film I have in mind. We'll see how that goes though over time.

For those with teams still playing in the final four, enjoy. I can't wait for the 2010 season to begin.

Uno!

2009-09-27T23:27:34Z

And not in a good "family game night" kind of way either.

Cubs lost to the Giants today and the Rockies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals. At the start of the day our elimination number was holding strong at three. After these two events, our elimination number is down to one. And unless a miracle happens, this will be the last day of the season that I post while we're still in contention for a playoff spot.

Wells was unsuccessful in his bid for win number 12 as San Francisco proved to be too much for him and held strong at five games out of the wild card spot. Here now is what the American League and National League wild card standings look like:

Unbelievably the American League is down to only two teams left vying for the final playoff spot. The rest of the league is out. National League proved to be a little more competitive this year as five teams are still left competing. Surprisingly, Atlanta has jumped up to second place, only two and a half games behind the Rockies after their recent six game win streak. Their elimination number is five so the rest of this week should prove to be interesting for both the Braves and Rockies. It's only a matter of time (barring miracles of course) for the rest of the teams listed that are still in contention.

This is why it's important to kick the season off fast, stay strong and finish strong. Every game counts when you tally it all up and look at the big picture. Those one run losses early on may not have seemed like a big deal then. Now, you'd love to have those turn around into one run wins. Would make a huge difference. Play the episode of today's Prose and Ivy Cubs Blog Talk Radio show I recorded earlier today, listed in the side bar on the right. My take on Bradley, next year's line up and rotation, use of the young talent, Fukudome's worth and what it all means looking at 2010 is discussed on the show.

Enjoy the talk now and leave a comment or two while we're technically still in it. One loss or one Rockies win and our '09 will officially wrap come the final regular season game. The rest of the way we play at Wrigley where we are much better than we are on the road. Maybe that will matter and maybe it won't. Unfortunately that's the stressful and depressing part of losing control of your own destiny. One to go. Will it come Tuesday? Will it come at all? Hope not. We'll see. On top of playing at home, we've got Pittsburgh coming to town. We know how I feel about Pittsburgh...wish we could play them all 162 games. The Rockies on the other hand have Monday off as well and then face the Brewers. Can't imagine the Brewers would like to do us any favors. Doesn't look good. But again, we'll see.

Dempster at home against the Pirates on Tuesday. All we can do is our part and hope for the best. Go Cubs Go!

Prose and Ivy on-line Talk Show today 11am CST

2009-09-27T14:52:35Z

Call in and share your thoughts on all things Cubs. Here's the description for today's show!

Wells goes for win number 12 today in San Fran. Keep those W's coming! Go Cubs Go!

Straight out of Central Casting

2009-09-27T03:52:51Z

'07.

'08.

Oh no. Two years of division titles in the Central for the Cubs and that is where it stops. Cubs are hot lately but it's too little, too late if you were hoping for a three-peat. Cardinals beat the Rockies tonight in the 'I really don't want to root for either of these teams Bowl' and clinched the NL Central. They had the better season. Their superstars had the better year. Their pitchers stepped up and outperformed us. Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals for taking the Central.

Now we're looking at the Wild Card. Granted, we're looking at it with horrible seats but at least we got tickets. A few teams are standing in our way of claiming the Wild Card and our down in front chants aren't doing much in making a difference. It hasn't seemed to work in our favor this last month of the season no matter what we do. It seems any time we pick up a game on the Rockies, so does everyone else. And if we lose a game, well, they do too. And the Rockies have pulled a ton of comeback wins out making our late season heroics attempts moot. We're not out of it yet and it's becoming quite the final couple weeks of the season. Don't know that I'd use the word 'wild' to describe it, but at least the games still mean something anyway. For three more games that is anyway, possibly less.

Our elimination number is down to 3. Any combination of Rockies wins and Cub losses that add up to three and we're done. These few games against the Giants have been a blast. I must admit, when I saw Zambrano v. Lincecum as the opposing pitchers the other night, I thought we were toast. Figures that's when Z steps up and delivers his best pitching performance since his no-hitter a year ago. Also figures that while Lee has been on a tear, he just happens to be the guy on base in front of Baker, who just happens to hit a 2 run shot to win a ballgame in the ninth, who just happens to drive in Lee, who just happens to be the victim of an overzealous Guzman celebration, who just happens to hit Lee (not Baker, who actually hit the home run) and who just so happens to injure Lee's neck while doing so causing him to miss a couple games. And that my friends is what we call the Chicago Cubs.

I wish this team would continue to play all out while we aren't mathematically eliminated but it has been nice seeing the young talent shine. I understand being careful with guys for next year, but since we're still in it...I guess since we're still in it, it does bother me a little shutting down guys like Harden and being so careful with Lilly who's been our star all year on the mound. And in total contrast, if you're giving up on the season and looking to next year and giving guys a bit of lighter workload, why are we allowing Dempster to push to try and reach 200 innings? Who cares if Demp wants to hit 200? You want to save him and make sure his arm doesn't throw any unnecessary pitches in 2009 we could use in 2010...then allowing this push to 200 is something I just don't get. Gorzellany has been great and the lineups and results have been working in our favor, but really who would've thought that'd be the case. I kind of feel like the organization gave up on the season too soon and have simply been lucky that the make shift line ups have come through the way they have.

So here we are three games away from elimination. Let's just keep playing hard and see where the chips fall. Central is no longer a possibility...but let's keep pushing and see if we can somehow make our way down front and capture the wild card. Never know. Right Yogi?

Wells up again tomorrow. Do your thing Wells and get that W. Go Cubs Go!

25 years later

2009-09-25T02:47:45Z

One of the most exciting seasons in Cubs history happened 25 years ago and the pinnacle moment of that season happened exactly 25 years ago today. Happy 25th anniversary '84 Cubs. A few videos to celebrate the memory of that exciting Cubs season. Both are interview clips with Rick Sutcliffe...this first one, man. Talk about a tough act to follow.

These videos come off of ESPN.com and its great to hear thoughts of that amazing Cubs year from someone smack in the middle of the whirlwind of reasons as to why it all happened the way it did. Something that would be great for Bradley to hear now too...maybe if he hears enough former and current Cubs talk about how lucky he is to be a Cub, maybe it will help him realize what he has if ends up staying or what he had if Hendry finds a taker this off-season.

The domino effect of events that had to happen in 1984, to end the way it did and claim the title that they did is a pretty amazing story. One that almost lets Hendry completely off the hook when it comes to the Bradley signing. I have taken him off the hook completely and feel confident in Hendry making the deals in the off-season to see if it makes the difference in 2010. No one thought the moves the Cubs made would put them over the top and back into the playoffs. But they did. And trades and signings that the organization and fans get excited over, ones that they have high hopes for can just as easily surprise and disappoint. The 1984 Cubs had a young, all-star caliber talent in Ryne Sandberg and a bunch of guys that no one saw coming. It all just kind of fit just right and put the Cubs in the playoffs.

Sure, we all want the Series title...aiming to make the playoffs is never the ultimate goal, simply the first necessary step to get there. But imagine if we were celebrating and enjoying a team like this today. I don't think any one of us would complain about that. Happy 25th anniversary 1984 Cubs. May you be one highlighted season among those that eventually, hopefully shortly, get us to the ultimate prize. Go Cubs Go!

Fuld, Colvin, Fukudome Left to Right in 2010

2009-09-24T01:55:12Z

Hey, wait a second...that doesn't sound half bad. Fuld, Colvin, Fukudome with Reed Johnson as our fourth and heavily relied upon outfielder. Three guys who aren't afraid to hustle after a ball and own the glove where would be bloop singles go to die. Three guys who aren't afraid to get a face full of ivy in exchange for a much needed out. Three guys who aren't injury prone and beyond their prime. Three guys who don't have handicapping attitudes that effect themselves, their teammates and the entire organization. Three guys Cubs fans could really get behind.

So then what do we do with Soriano and Bradley? Well come on. Bradley? I don't care what his mother says. "My son is willing to come back to the Cubs if they are willing to have him back". Or however she put it....give me a break. If the Cubs DON'T trade him, of COURSE you're coming back to the Cubs. And you better hope that 24 other guys in Cubs uniforms, your manager, your general manager, the general public and Cubs fans (especially those who sit in the bleachers) have a really short memory. Anyway, bottom line....Bradley? You trade Bradley. Get rid of him. Apology or no apology. I read a blog from an Orioles blogger suggesting perhaps the O's would be willing to take a chance on Bradley. Really?!? Great! How about Roberts for Bradley? How about that? No scratch that. Give us a quality reliever to throw into the seventh or eighth inning to set up Marmol. That would be a huge help and a great answer to 'then what do we do with Bradley'.

As for Soriano, make him our 2B. Seriously. Trade Fontenot and see what other bullpen help we can get or package him in a deal that may land us more depth on the bench or a quality 2 or 3 starter. Let Baker and Soriano platoon at 2B with Blanco as the key reserve off the bench. You put Sori at 2B and we keep his bat in the line up while returning him to his defensive roots.

If we did that, our opening day lineup 1-8 could look like:

Fukudome RF

Theriot SS

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Soriano 2B

Colvin CF

Fuld LF

Soto C

It honestly doesn't look as intimidating without Bradley's name on paper. But hey, we're three and zero in games without him since his suspension. The beginning of these few games have been filled with hit parades and tons of runs. Maybe having something that looks good on paper shouldn't be the goal. Maybe it's going to take the old faithfuls (Lee, Rami, Sori) with a good mix of reliable (Theriot, Fukudome, Soto) and a healthy mix of talented, hungry youngsters (Colvin, Fuld). That may be what we need after all. Maybe keeping up with the Joneses doesn't necessarily require spending like the Joneses at all, even though we're in a major market. Forget spending like the Joneses and try scoring W's and making the playoffs like them. That's what's important and maybe a little mix up of the line up with some new blood is just what we need. And what's easier to root for than homegrown talent? Straight out of the farm system? Very cool and very exciting for fans regarding the organization as a whole.

So in 2010, if I were Piniella (who I believe will be given one more shot at this thing, along with Hendry) I would heavily consider an outfield of Fuld, Colvin and Fukudome left to right. No fear and an extreme desire to succeed. Sounds like a brilliant recipe to me. What do you think? Go Cubs Go!

Silk City Flick Fest - Ironically, my Cubs film will wait 'til next year

2009-09-23T00:30:52Z

Tyler Colvin's debut last night was pretty smooth, impressive and the future looks bright. Watching the game right now and working on my film festival. Don't generally put things in here outside of Cubs baseball unless I'm really excited about it....this is one of those things.

I am organizing a film festival in my hometown of Manchester, CT for Columbus Day Weekend, Oct 8-11. A film I'm in is screening and about 75 other films that were submitted are screening as well. Here is the website for more information here. The festival is called the Silk City Flick Fest after the silk mills the town is famous for and it's going to be an amazing feat to pull off. Four days of filmmaker panels, screenings, galas and awards. Living in New York it's been tough to contribute as much as I'd like but the people working on it back home have put together quite a lineup. The schedule is listed on-line and more information is being listed every day. I'm doing a film on the Cubs for next year's festival and working out the exact angle I'll take. Would want to do something different than what's been done before.

Here are a couple of trailers to a films that will screen. The first is A New Wave starring John Krasinski from NBC's The Office and Lacey Chabert from Mean Girls. The second is a horror film called Kids Get in Woods...Kids Get Dead. Brilliant title. Check out the trailers and if you happen to live in the New England/CT area and are looking for something to do Columbus Day Weekend this year, come check out the festival. And when you find me, let's have a beer and put the Cubs '09 season to bed! More to come later this evening or tomorrow on the most recent Cub headlines. Here are the trailers:

Kids Get Dead - Trailer from Darkstar on Vimeo.

Go Cubs Go!

Got any change?

2009-09-21T18:17:49Z

Hey buddy, got any change?

If you're a Cubs fan, that's pretty much what you're thinking about, hoping for and expecting come this off-season. And the Cubs have no choice. Staying put is a recipe for disaster. Last year they won back to back division titles and made significant moves. This year their go to guys couldn't get a hit in the clutch when it mattered most, the starting pitchers had no run support and many turned in sub-par seasons when the organization and fans had hopes and dreams of so much more. This off-season therefore, should show significant action above and beyond what we saw last winter.

Zambrano has a no-trade clause and apparently he's not budging. Ok, fine. You know what then? My feeling is that it's not time to give up on Zambrano, simply time to expect less. He's no longer the ace of this staff. Well, let me rephrase that. He is the ace of this staff, however not deservingly so. He's seen his last consecutive Opening Day start, his last year as the number one guy. We had guys on this roster this year who performed more like the ace of the staff than Zambrano did, never mind the possibilities of what we may come up with in a trade or a free agent signing elsewhere across the league. So that's what needs to be done with Z. Knock him down a peg. Bring in a true ace. The Cards are deep in the ace category which is why they are destroying us this year. It seems like their entire staff dominated this season, two of their starters vying for the Cy Young award in the NL. We need a guy with the right stuff literally up his sleeve, and in his head. A leader. A true ace. Move Z down and find that guy. A rotation where Z is your number 2 or 3 guy instead of your 1 is a huge upgrade right there.

So Z needs a change of spot in the rotation and change of expectations to carry on his shoulders. Others need a change of location in the lineup. Soriano isn't capable of leading off any longer and Piniella has already announced those days are done. Good. Move him to the sixth hole where power is more of a commodity. Where you're practically a DH expected to field your position only slightly above average. Come to think of it...why not experiment moving Soriano back to 2B in the Spring? His knee is clearly a problem. Covering the hole at second calls for a lot less hustle and grind over the course of 162 than covering a large amount of room in left. His knee can't take it and the final games showed that he may not be our guy out there defensively. Sure he was in pain, but who's to say that won't happen again after another long season in left? Perhaps moving Soriano to the sixth hole to take advantage of his power and to 2B to take advantage of other options in the outfield is the way to go. Love Sori's bat potential...his detriment to our defense is too much to have him as our regular LF though. Sori to the 6 hole and 2B. Something to consider.

Other guys simply need a change of scenery. Enter, Milton Bradley. Or should I say, Exit. Bradley has been suspended by the Cubs organization for the remainder of the season. Comments he's made were determined detrimental to the team and organization and I believe we've seen the last of Milton Bradley in a Cubs uniform. You can't simply come in with a history of being a problem child, sign a three year deal which pays you 10million a year to play a game for a living, be expected to bring the power left-handed bat the team needs to put them (at least) out of the realm of being swept in the first round of the playoffs...then only produce a .257 AVG, 12 HR and put up 40 RBI. And then on top of it all, blame everyone but yourself for your poor performance while trashing the organization that gave you a great opportunity in the first place. Why doesn't he get what he could potentially be a part of? Imagine if this team won it all? He'd get to be a part of the largest celebrated, most talked about sports championship in the history of sports. And he'd be marked as a huge reason why. Instead, he limps out of a game, refuses to bat and disgraces his time here in every which way. I don't believe Milton Bradley deserves any racist comments that may have been thrown his way by fans. And I'm not equating taking that kind of abuse to having to read poor stats in the box scores every day...however, I believe Bradley and the fans deserve better. As far as I can tell, it looks like both may very well get just that.

Mathematically, we're still in (blah, blah). However, with reality comes the expectation that our season will end come the final game of the regular season. The thing that makes these remaining games fun to watch is simply Cubs baseball, rivalries, playing spoiler and watching the young guys get their shot. Think about how you feel just weeks after the final out is recorded in a Cubs game. Think about how much you can't wait for Spring to come around again so that the Cubs are back. That feeling is right around the corner, so enjoy watching the remaining games while you can. Sure, it's not always pretty, but at least it's there. And the rivalries...good times. Who doesn't love watching Cubs/Brewers, Cubs/Cardinals no matter the time of year? Those are always entertaining. I don't care if all are eliminated, simply fun to root for the Cubs to beat those teams and we got a week of the Brewers coming up. Let's go out strong and make a statement to take with us into the winter and into the Spring that we don't just lay down and die. The players, management, or the fans. And let's enjoy watching the young guns get their shot at the grand stage. I'm excited about Tyler Colvin coming up. I can't wait to see what he may have to contribute as a potential future Cub great. He's a coveted Cub prospect, his season is over and now is his time to shine. Shining in Spring training only means so much. Shining against division rivals when the games still matter is something else. Our outfield is depleted. Our team is hurting and so are our chances of making the playoffs. So let's get out there, change our outlook on the ending of this season starting today and enjoy the remaining games and the FEW positive things we have left to root for in '09 Cubs fans.

I mean really, what's the alternative? Cry about it? Not this year. Besides...if you cry about the Cubs into the Fall and Winter this year, when will you have time to do so about the '09 Bears? Pace yourself. Expect change. Enjoy this '09 team while you can. Gorzelanny on the mound tonight (see that, change already). Colvin on the grand stage up from AA ball. Let's beat Milwaukee...get that W Gorzelanny! Go Cubs Go!

If only...

2009-09-16T03:36:39Z

If only Lee didn't wait so long to turn it on this season.

If only Bradley wasn't turning out to be what we were warned about as fans.

If only Soriano had a healthy knee.

If only Ramirez spent more time on the field and less time on the DL.

If only Soto hadn't had the munchies this year.

If only Z was performing like a real ace.

If only Lilly and Wells had more run support.

If only Dempster wasn't screwed over by a lame offense as well.

If only Reed Johnson hadn't followed it off his foot.

If only Lou had gone away from Gregg as the closer sooner.

If only we'd kept DeRosa.

If only we had room on the roster for Hoffpauir and/or Fox.

If only Miles wasn't occupying a spot.

If only the Rockies hadn't found that hot streak.

If only Pujols didn't have another killer year (and by killer I mean Cub killer).

If only it wasn't 11:40pm on the East Coast. I'd go on and on. But it is. And overall, it is, what it is. All of these things have happened this year and we are where we are. Incredible win over the Brewers tonight only by far a perfect or strong outing overall. Zambrano nearly gave up way too much before he left. Milwaukee couldn't throw a strike if their life depended on it walking in and hitting people to give up more runs than the Cubs actually earned. We'll take it, sure...especially with the Cards losing tonight and the Giants (also fighting for their Wild Card life) on top of the Rockies as I write this...which means...the Cubs could gain ground in the Central and the WC race. Nothing to complain about there, but still, it is what it is.

Fourteen games left. Need to keep winning. St. Louis and Colorado are very strong and are not going down without a fight. We need to keep winning and let the chips fall where they may. Soriano had successful surgery today which is great to hear. We need him ready for the Spring so sooner the better with regards to the surgery. And of course, Lee needs to keep his hot streak up. He hit the 100 RBI mark tonight which is incredible that he could have a .300 30+HR and 100RBI season this year considering the way the season started for him. Love seeing him do well...just need to continue for another 14 games and then we'll see.

Continues tomorrow against the crew....Harden vs. Looper. No one has the obvious nod between the two of them as far as I'm concerned. Do your thing Harden and get that W! Go Cubs Go!

Didn't see that coming

2009-09-13T05:09:22Z

Today's broadcast of Prose and Ivy Cubs Blog Talk Radio went really well I must say for the first live broadcast. I didn't get word out nearly early enough for people to know about it, mark it on their calendars and call in. But the technology is really cool and I think it's going to be a blast to do in conjuction with the written aspect of Prose and Ivy. I'll be sure to let you all know when the next broadcast is going to be well in advance this next time so you can call in and share your thoughts. Talk radio is a whole lot cooler when people call in...er, even listen for that matter. Next time, more advanced notice for sure.

What I didn't see coming, was the final score of Reds 7, Cubs 5. Sonnufa....I swear. I left my apartment and it was 5-5 going into the top of the ninth inning. Marmol was in and I figured we were good. I can't believe he walked two in a row. That's the real surprise. Sure, Marmol has a tendency to be a little wild. But his stuff his undeniably nasty and I stand by it that he is the Cubs best option for closer and should have been the guy since Opening Day 2009. Going into 2010 I also believe he should be the guy. Unless he happens to be taking off guys' heads like Rick Vaughn did to wooden displays of batsmen in Major League, honestly, he's our guy. So, I'm on the talk show boasting about Marmol being the guy...I hang up (the show is recorded from your phone)...I look at my email and there's a message with the final Cubs score....Reds 7, Cubs 5...loser? Marmol. Sonnufa...well, whatever. I don't know...we didn't deserve to be tied in the ninth anyway. Unbelievably poor support of Wells today. Unreal. If it's not inconsistent hitting, it's poor fielding. Our starters can't catch a break. Read an article on Cubs.com today that reinforced my comments on air regarding quality starts from our rotation this year and how our team's bats have pretty much taken them and thrown them away, never to matter again. It's really unbelievable when you think that our starters have a 3.76 ERA and we're on the cusp of being eliminated from playoff contention, whereas last year we won the division with the same group of guys basically, and they had an ERA of 3.75. Two solid years from the rotation. Two very different results.

Whatever moves are made in the off-season, I hope they revolve around studying how clutch guys are and what they're average is with guys in scoring position. I hope that is taken into great consideration. That, and speed. Maybe if we can find a couple guys with high OBP's with some speed and timely hitting, maybe THAT will put this team over the top. Maybe it's not a 'left handed power hitter' that we need now or really needed this past off-season. Maybe it's simply a couple of speedy small ball guys to jump start the offense and fill in the necessary grind in between the large bats we already had on the team who are paid to go yard.

I don't know. I just know that as soon as I saw the email with the final game result with Marmol as the loser, I just said out loud "well, that figures". Left my apartment to do the radio show as they were entering the top of the ninth. We had overcome an inning filled with three errors early on to tie it up and now our most reliable bullpen guy was on the mound. I thought, hey, this looks good to me. Went out and put out a passionate plea to anyone who would listen to make Marmol the guy from here on out and through 2010. Bam. Two walks and a double. Reds win. Marmol loses. Didn't see that coming.

Also didn't see this coming either...apparently a pretty cool sports blogger conference that happened in June in NYC. Another one coming up in Vegas in October. My wife was upset that I watched 5 innings of Cubs baseball on my honeymoon one afternoon (she got over it and was cool afterwards, but at first...not so much)....imagine if we'd been married in October and I snuck off to this? Now that would have made for an interesting radio show. Check it out, pretty cool concept. Hope to catch the next one next time they do it in New York.

Cubs v. Reds again tomorrow at Wrigley. Mr. All-Star Theodore Roosevelt Lilly on the mound for the Cubs. Go get your W Teddy Mustwin (see a couple of posts below this). Go Cubs Go!

Prose and Ivy on-line Talk Show Today 3pm CST!

2009-09-12T16:03:12Z

Hey Prose and Ivy readers/Cubs fans...today features the first episode of the Prose and Ivy Cubs internet talk show and you can listen in by clicking on this link. The show details are listed below. Hopefully there aren't any glitches because I haven't used the system before...we'll see! Feel free to call in and talk Cubs baseball!

The listener call in number is 347-855-8243. Unfortunately our special MLB guest has had to reschedule so we'll have them on as a surprise at another time. But lots of great topics to discuss regarding the Cubs anyway....tune in, call in...Wells on the mound today against the Reds....Go Cubs Go! (UPDATE: The pilot show has been recorded and is ready for you to listen to now....click play on the Prose and Ivy Cubs blogtalkradio.com player in the link list to the right and check back for upcoming air dates SOON! And for accuracy's sake, when I say 'bottom of the ninth' I actually meant the top. Ok, that's it...enjoy!)