Thoughts on the Chicago Cubs and other topics in baseball. E-mail Tom at: tomsmithcubs@ hotmail.com

 
FRIDAY'S GAME VS. PITTSBURGH: Dreadful performance by the Cubs as they get bombed 13-3 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Offense stunk. The defense committed four errors in the first four innings. Pitching was terrible. Yuck.

PRESTON GOMEZ AWARD: In the top of the third inning Jason Kendall was on second and Cub killer Brian Giles was up with first base open. Bruce Kimm decides to pitch to Giles who promptly doubled to right scoring Kendall.

MEL ROJAS AWARD NOMINEES: The nominees for worst performance by a Cubs relief pitcher in Friday's game are numerous. The nominees are: Jesus Sanchez, 0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HR; Will Cunnane, 1 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB; Kyle Farnsworth, 1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 HR.

MEL ROJAS AWARD WINNER: The winner for worst performance by a Cubs relief pitcher in Friday's game is Jesus Sanchez.

CHIPMUNK 1: In the top of the second inning Chip started talking about something and said, "It is like that Brady Bunch episode..." AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brain realizes it is going to enjoy six month vacation from Chip starting on Monday.

CHIPMUNK 2: Moments later in the top of the second inning Chip said, "Oakland is on the verge of winning the American League West." The Oakland Athletics clinched the American League Western Division title yesterday Chip.

CUP OF JOE: Chip and Joe started discussing the upcoming playoffs and Joe informed us, "The thing about baseball is you never know." Later in the game while discussing signing free agents Joe informed us, "The thing is history repeats itself." So you never know what is going to happen but it is going to be the same thing that has happened before. Thanks Joe.

CHIPMUNK AND CUP OF JOE: During the middle innings two fans appeared on camera. Chip said one man looked like Bob Hope. Joe said the other looked like Sonny Bono. Actually neither did. But then Joe probably thinks Sonny Bono, like Pete Rozelle is still alive.


posted by Thomas at 1:53 AM

 
THURSDAY'S GAME VS. CINCINNATI: More of the same old boring Cubs again yesterday as the Cubs offense takes another day off as the Cubs lose to the Reds 1-0 again. Hey guys, the off-season does not begin until Monday.

POOR TODD HUNDLEY: In yesterday's Chicago Tribune Rick Morrisey takes Cubs fans to task for booing Todd Hundley. Morrisey thinks the booing of Todd Hundley is unfair. Puhleeesee!!!!!!!! When you are making $6 million a year and can not hit or play defense you are going to get booed. But Hundley is booed not just because he plays lousy but because of the attitude he brings with himself. The fans dislike of Hundley is really centered around his lousy attitude and actions. If Hundley last year or this year had simply come out and made a statement such as, "I know I have stunk. I do not know what the reason is. I am trying my best and I am putting in extra work to try to improve. I am sorry I have let you down." Hundley would not be nearly as disliked by the fans. But have we heard that? No. What we have heard is an endless list of lame excuses for why he has not played well such as, "Don Baylor did not start me on Opening Day in 2001. My back hurts. Don Baylor does not play me everyday. We play too many day games. (Was Todd unaware of this when he signed with the Cubs?)" Then you add in Hundley's giving the finger to some fans at Wrigley Field and later in the season saying the fans who boo him "can kiss my (butt)." and you have one unpopular player. Todd Hundley has brought these problems on himself not the Cubs fans.

MARIOTTI RE-RUN: In yesterday's Chicago Sun-Times Jay Mariotti re-writes the same column he always seems to write about the Cubs. The Tribsters have no plan. The Cubs better keep Sammy. Etc. Etc. Hey Jay write a new column about the Cubs for a change! Maybe with all this constant rehashing of old columns Mariotti is trying to get Bob Greene's old job at the Tribune?

MACHA NEW MANAGER?: Since it is almost a given Bruce Kimm will not be back in 2003 speculation has begun on who the new Cubs manager will be in 2003. Both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Daily Herald report Oakland Athletics coach Ken Macha may be what Jim Hendry is looking for in a manager. I do not think this is an accident that both papers have this story today.

THE YANKEES ARE COMING! THE YANKEES ARE COMING!: The 2002 season is not even over yet but looking ahead to 2003 the Cubs probably already have three loses on their record. The Cubs announced the team's 2003 home schedule yesterday and the Cubs have three games vs. the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field June 6, 7, 8. Like the Yankees need any more help getting to the post-season each year.
posted by Thomas at 9:06 AM

 
WEDNESDAY'S GAME VS. CINCINNATI: Awful performance again by the Cubs as they lose 8-2. No home runs by Sammy as he goes for career number 500.

TUESDAY'S GAME VS. CINCINNATI: Kerry Wood pitched very well except for giving up a solo home run in the first inning. The offense was missing again however as the Cubs lose 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds.
posted by Thomas at 11:15 AM

 
PRESTON GOMEZ AWARD: Now that Fred McGriff has his 30 home runs with five teams record and is over 100 RBI for the season hopefully we will get to see Hee Seop Choi at first base for the Cubs the rest of the year. Way to go Bruce Kimm. We are trying to build for the future but Kimm kept McGriff in the lineup even though we know he won't be back next year. Unbelievable.
posted by Thomas at 4:54 PM