Just as I started my last post on the start of the season for the Cubs, I am going to start off by saying it is still early. That being said, the Cubs are off to a horrible start and it will be very difficult to fix it.
Starting off the bullpen has been awful. Jeff Samardijia needs to be sent to the minors or released so he can go play wide receiver for the Bears. He can't can't anyone out on a consistent basis and can't seem to throw stikes. The same goes for Grabow who is supposed to be the veteran presence. Marshall has probably been over used because since his good start, he has not pitched as well. Russell has pitched well and has been a bright spot. Marmol has pitched very well. Even though he blew a save on Sunday, he made the Astros earn their runs. They had to hit their way on. I don't like the strategy of pitching him for more than one inning and in non save situations. He will get tired and wont be as effective for the save situations.
The Cubs have to figure out what to do with Soriano. He is an awful outfielder and is only getting worse. Maybe they can put him on waivers in August and someone can claim him like the Sox did to Rios last year. I want the guy traded or released as soon as possible. Another player I want to go is Fukudome. He is a good right fielder but is too inconsistent at the plate. If they can get rid of him and his contract. The Cubs would be in better shape next off season.
The rest of the offense will hopefully come around. Ramirez who is awful right now can not be this bad all year. I really feel that Tyler Colvin needs to get a fair shot playing somewhere on a consistent basis. If that will not happen he needs to be sent to the minor leagues to get regular at bats. I would rather see him play for Soriano or Fukudome.
Pinella may not be a great media interview but he know how to manage a game. I am sure he will be able to figure something out and get Hendry to call up the right players from the minor leagues. Jim Hendry has done well getting rid of mistakes but has a hard time judging pitching talent. I am not calling for his firing yet. He needs to fix this team and fast otherwise that will change.
As for the help that they have coming in the Minor leagues, I think they need to call up Starlin Castro as soon as possible. He needs to start at shortstop moving Theriot to second base. That will help the infield defense quite a bit. I was not overly impressed with Andrew Cashner and some of the other pitchers in the minors during Spring Training. That being said I many of them are now pitching well and should be considered for call ups in order to shore up the bullpen. If they can throw stikes and get people out that would go along way to what is wrong with this team.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Diet update
It's been over 2 months since I started my diet and I have lost about 20 pounds!!! Since I started the diet I have received all kinds of advice and suggestions. I have taken some of advice and incorporated to what I am doing.
One of the main things I have been trying to do over the past 2 months is keep my daily calorie count to under 2000. I feel I have been successful doing that. My daily diet normally consists of the following
Breakfast-2 mini bagels w/cream cheese
Mid morning snack-Banana
Lunch-Turkey and cheese sandwich and a bowl of Healthy Choice Chicken noodle soup and a serving of crackers
Mid afternoon snack-small tub of pringles
Dinner during the week 1 breaded pork chop, 1 serving from a tub of microweable mashed potatoes and a serving of corn
Desert-If I have desert it is sugar free vanilla pudding.
For the most part I try and find food(especially snacks) that is low in calories. I have figured if I can cut as many calories out of the foods that I do eat it will help me with my daily count and I can continue to lose weight.
During the week I normally drink 2 bottles of water a day plus a cup or two when I get home. I have all but given up pop. I tried diet pop but I don't like it enough or need the caffeine that badly : ) Depending on my calorie count for the day I may have Milk with dinner.
I have been going to the gym about 3 days a week. I do some weights and then the treadmill for about 40 minutes.
Do I cheat once in a while? Yes. When I do eat McDonalds I get water and only one Double Cheeseburger instead of 2. When I do splurge I try and offset those calories by eating something with less calories for my next meal. I eat more Subway Sandwiches that I eat McDonalds or other fast food place.
Thanks again to everyone who has made suggestions. So far so good and hopefully I can keep it up.
One of the main things I have been trying to do over the past 2 months is keep my daily calorie count to under 2000. I feel I have been successful doing that. My daily diet normally consists of the following
Breakfast-2 mini bagels w/cream cheese
Mid morning snack-Banana
Lunch-Turkey and cheese sandwich and a bowl of Healthy Choice Chicken noodle soup and a serving of crackers
Mid afternoon snack-small tub of pringles
Dinner during the week 1 breaded pork chop, 1 serving from a tub of microweable mashed potatoes and a serving of corn
Desert-If I have desert it is sugar free vanilla pudding.
For the most part I try and find food(especially snacks) that is low in calories. I have figured if I can cut as many calories out of the foods that I do eat it will help me with my daily count and I can continue to lose weight.
During the week I normally drink 2 bottles of water a day plus a cup or two when I get home. I have all but given up pop. I tried diet pop but I don't like it enough or need the caffeine that badly : ) Depending on my calorie count for the day I may have Milk with dinner.
I have been going to the gym about 3 days a week. I do some weights and then the treadmill for about 40 minutes.
Do I cheat once in a while? Yes. When I do eat McDonalds I get water and only one Double Cheeseburger instead of 2. When I do splurge I try and offset those calories by eating something with less calories for my next meal. I eat more Subway Sandwiches that I eat McDonalds or other fast food place.
Thanks again to everyone who has made suggestions. So far so good and hopefully I can keep it up.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Early thoughts about the 2010 Cubs
Well so far the Cubs are 1-2 when they could easily be 2-1. the opening day blowout loss was very disappointing and should be a the end of starting Zambrano on opening day. I am tired of waiting for Zambrano to get his act together and be a consistent pitcher.
I have been impressed with Sean Marshall and the Esmilan Caridad. They have pitched well and gotten people out. The rookie lefty, Russell did well holding the Braves in the first game as well. It's too bad that Samardijia and Grabow have been to this point completely useless. They need to get their act together soon or they wont get to pitch in meaningful innings. I think that Samardijia should go back to playing football. The bears need another Wide Receiver and he was a good one.
The team went up against some tough pitching playing against the Braves. That being said, they need to start hitting. I think the team needs to get rid of Fukudome and start Colvin full time in right field. I think once this team starts to hit and the bullpen figures it out it will be in the hunt all year. I believe the Cubs will take the wild card and have a good shot in the playoffs.
I have been impressed with Sean Marshall and the Esmilan Caridad. They have pitched well and gotten people out. The rookie lefty, Russell did well holding the Braves in the first game as well. It's too bad that Samardijia and Grabow have been to this point completely useless. They need to get their act together soon or they wont get to pitch in meaningful innings. I think that Samardijia should go back to playing football. The bears need another Wide Receiver and he was a good one.
The team went up against some tough pitching playing against the Braves. That being said, they need to start hitting. I think the team needs to get rid of Fukudome and start Colvin full time in right field. I think once this team starts to hit and the bullpen figures it out it will be in the hunt all year. I believe the Cubs will take the wild card and have a good shot in the playoffs.
A few thoughts about Pete Rose
Say what you want about Pete Rose and his gambling, but I believe that he should be in the hall of fame. I understand that Rose has been banned from baseball because he gambled on the games that he managed and other baseball games around the league. I do feel he should be suspended for life from the game because of his actions. However inducting Rose into the Hall should be a separate issue based on his accomplishments on the field.
We are talking about a player who broke Ty Cobb’s hit record. As far as I know, the baseball hall of fame is not operated by Major League Baseball and this does not have to abide by their rules in terms of who should be let in and not let in. Pete Rose’s accomplishments on the field should be honored by his induction into the Hall. Rose should not be given a pass in regards to his past transgressions and should not be allowed to be reinstated into baseball.
The baseball hall of fame has several players who were either dirty or cheated during their time playing the game. The aforementioned Ty Cobb was a “dirty” player who had no problem sliding, spikes up, into a base to try and hurt the fielder. “Catfish” Hunter was an admitted spitball pitcher.
I am not talking about the players that took performance enhancing drugs to increase their home run totals. That is an issue for another post. I am talking about a hard nosed player who broke a long standing record by hard work and longevity. Rose deserves to be in the Hall but not let back into the game that he betrayed.
We are talking about a player who broke Ty Cobb’s hit record. As far as I know, the baseball hall of fame is not operated by Major League Baseball and this does not have to abide by their rules in terms of who should be let in and not let in. Pete Rose’s accomplishments on the field should be honored by his induction into the Hall. Rose should not be given a pass in regards to his past transgressions and should not be allowed to be reinstated into baseball.
The baseball hall of fame has several players who were either dirty or cheated during their time playing the game. The aforementioned Ty Cobb was a “dirty” player who had no problem sliding, spikes up, into a base to try and hurt the fielder. “Catfish” Hunter was an admitted spitball pitcher.
I am not talking about the players that took performance enhancing drugs to increase their home run totals. That is an issue for another post. I am talking about a hard nosed player who broke a long standing record by hard work and longevity. Rose deserves to be in the Hall but not let back into the game that he betrayed.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
If I weren't a Cubs fan
People have always asked me if I grew up on the Southside of Chicago, how could I be a Cubs fan? They also ask how could be a Cubs fan since they haven't won in 100 years.
Well let me think about this for a second? I could be a Sox fan but until they won in 2005, they hadn't won in 88 years, that's not a winning tradition. The Sox haven't won anything since either Besides the vast majority of their fans worry more about the Cubs and their fans than their own team. No I couldn't be a Sox fan because they are any better to root for than the Sox and Cubs fans are much more loyal and focused on their team.
I could have been a Red Sox fan but up until they won twice within a couple years of each other they hadn't won for a long long time as well. They are probably as close to being a Cubs fan as you can get. That wouldn't be an option either.
I could have been a Yankees fan because they have won many championships over the years. Lime many people though it's always more fun to root for the underdog instead of the big rich dog on the block. The Yankees certainly identify with that.
I grew up watching the Cubs on WGN TV back in the 1980's. Those teams had likable players like Bill Buckner, Keith Moreland, Rick Sutcliffe, Jody Davis and my favorite player of all time Ryne Sandberg. I care about the Cubs more than any other sports team that I root for. Just becaue they haven't won in a long time does not meen I am going to stop rooting for them. I certainly am not going to root for the White Sox; )
Well let me think about this for a second? I could be a Sox fan but until they won in 2005, they hadn't won in 88 years, that's not a winning tradition. The Sox haven't won anything since either Besides the vast majority of their fans worry more about the Cubs and their fans than their own team. No I couldn't be a Sox fan because they are any better to root for than the Sox and Cubs fans are much more loyal and focused on their team.
I could have been a Red Sox fan but up until they won twice within a couple years of each other they hadn't won for a long long time as well. They are probably as close to being a Cubs fan as you can get. That wouldn't be an option either.
I could have been a Yankees fan because they have won many championships over the years. Lime many people though it's always more fun to root for the underdog instead of the big rich dog on the block. The Yankees certainly identify with that.
I grew up watching the Cubs on WGN TV back in the 1980's. Those teams had likable players like Bill Buckner, Keith Moreland, Rick Sutcliffe, Jody Davis and my favorite player of all time Ryne Sandberg. I care about the Cubs more than any other sports team that I root for. Just becaue they haven't won in a long time does not meen I am going to stop rooting for them. I certainly am not going to root for the White Sox; )
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A letter to Congress
Dear Congress
I am a very unhappy constituent regarding the health care bill. I feel the bill is too large and expensive for the country to handle. In addition I believe that it fails to deal with one of the most important issue related to health care: rising premiums. Many of Americans feel that we no longer have a voice in our federal government and that needs to be changed.
The following are a list of ideas for a common sense health care reform bill that will not cost the country as much as the current bill did:
1. The increase in health care premiums have to be tied to a benchmark like inflation or the cost of living
2. People who receive unemployment benefits get to keep their insurance as long as they are on unemployment.
3. People can not be dropped due to the amount of their claims
4. No pre-existing conditions
5. If you get insurance on your own it is tax deductible
I feel these are more common sense approaches that the nation will support and keep premiums down for the average person. This letter will probably not get to you and be pushed aside by one of your aides. If it happens that you do read it please provide some feedback.
I am a very unhappy constituent regarding the health care bill. I feel the bill is too large and expensive for the country to handle. In addition I believe that it fails to deal with one of the most important issue related to health care: rising premiums. Many of Americans feel that we no longer have a voice in our federal government and that needs to be changed.
The following are a list of ideas for a common sense health care reform bill that will not cost the country as much as the current bill did:
1. The increase in health care premiums have to be tied to a benchmark like inflation or the cost of living
2. People who receive unemployment benefits get to keep their insurance as long as they are on unemployment.
3. People can not be dropped due to the amount of their claims
4. No pre-existing conditions
5. If you get insurance on your own it is tax deductible
I feel these are more common sense approaches that the nation will support and keep premiums down for the average person. This letter will probably not get to you and be pushed aside by one of your aides. If it happens that you do read it please provide some feedback.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spring training
I will start out by saying that I understand that it is still spring training. That being said, so far Colvin has been tearing it up this spring after gaining about 20lbs of muscle over the winter. If Colvin can keep it up, I would like to see the Cubs trade Fukudome for a pitcher of some sort. In his place I would like to see Tyler Colvin get a shot at playing right field every day.
By trading Fukudome, they can free additional money up and go after a reliever to bolster the bullpen or even the starting rotation. Up to this point, Fukudome has been a disappointment. He has had great starts to the 2 seasons he has been on the team but has not finished strong. I think it’s time to move on and start the process of mixing in some of the up and coming kids with the veterans.
It also appears that the Cubs prized prospect Starlin Castro will start in the minor leagues. I don't have an issue with that except for their plan to not give Theriot time at 2nd base. Theriot mostly likely will be moved to there when Castro is called up and he should get time there to be able to get comfortable.
It sounds like the Cubs have several prospects that will be good major league players. Hopefully they can develop them and the players will perform as expected when they get here. The future looks bright for the team.
By trading Fukudome, they can free additional money up and go after a reliever to bolster the bullpen or even the starting rotation. Up to this point, Fukudome has been a disappointment. He has had great starts to the 2 seasons he has been on the team but has not finished strong. I think it’s time to move on and start the process of mixing in some of the up and coming kids with the veterans.
It also appears that the Cubs prized prospect Starlin Castro will start in the minor leagues. I don't have an issue with that except for their plan to not give Theriot time at 2nd base. Theriot mostly likely will be moved to there when Castro is called up and he should get time there to be able to get comfortable.
It sounds like the Cubs have several prospects that will be good major league players. Hopefully they can develop them and the players will perform as expected when they get here. The future looks bright for the team.
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