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

 
WEDNESDAY'S GAME AT NEW YORK METS: SCOTTSDALE -- A rather embarrasing bottom of the first inning for the Cubs, as Matt Clement gives up a double to Roberto Alomar, a two-run home run to Cliff Floyd, and three wild pitches. Throw in a dropped third strike which Damian Miller threw into Burnitz's back as Burnitz ran toward first and you could see it was not going to be a good night for the Cubs. Sammy Sosa hit what looked to be career home run #500 to left in the sixth with two men on but the wind blew it back. Clement had to leave after the third inning because his back was bothering him. Too bad it did not bother him before the game because his pitching in the three innings he pitched was bothering me. The bullpen looked good going five innings with no runs, and only one hit, and one walk allowed. Joe Borowski pitched three of those scoreless innings. In the end the Cubs lost to the Mets, 4-1.

DON BAYLOR AWARD: SCOTTSDALE -- The Don Baylor Award for bad managing involving bunting to Dusty Baker for Baker's decision to have Corey Patterson lead-off the game with a bunt attempt after Corey's big day on Monday. I know Dusty wanted to try to catch the Mets sleeping but is this really the best way to use Corey?
posted by Thomas at 5:41 AM

 
MONDAY'S GAME AT NEW YORK METS: SCOTTSDALE -- What a way to start the 2003 season with a 15-2 pounding of the New York Mets. Corey Patterson went four for six with two home runs, seven RBI, and made two great catches in centerfield off of blasts by Mike Piazza. Sammy Sosa had a single and walked three times. Kerry Wood pitched good for the five innings he pitched. Juan Cruz struck out six batters in his two innings of relief. Just a great game.

ROGERS ON BAYLOR AND CUBS: SCOTTSDALE -- If you figured you read the last Phil Rogers column hailing the great Don Baylor after the Cubs wisely fired Baylor last year, well guess what you have not. In today's Chicago Tribune, Phil Rogers gives credit to the Cubs' success on Monday to...Don Baylor! Rogers heaps praise on Baylor for making Corey Patterson a better player. Really? It is not exactly a secret Patterson did not care much for Baylor. Nor did Baylor's criticism of Patterson make Patterson better. Patterson is not the type of person to respond postively from the negative criticism heaped on him by Baylor. But Rogers gives Baylor the credit. Rogers hails Baylor for comparing Patterson to Oddibe McDowell, the multi-talented prospect who flopped. Rogers informs us Patterson recoiled from the criticism but Baylor who had been frustrated in his attempts to get through to Patterson was trying one more time. Rogers then writes of Baylor's criticism of Patterson, "Guess what? It seems to have worked." Yes Phil, ex-Cubs manager Don Baylor compares Corey Patterson to Oddibe McDowell and that was all it took to make Corey Patterson great on Monday. Unreal.
Juan Cruz struck out six batters on Monday; so who does Rogers give the credit to? Cruz himself? Pitching coaches? No. Why it is none other than, you guessed it, Don Baylor! A guy who has not been the Cubs manager since last July 5th, who is a former hitter who admits he never liked pitchers is the reason for Juan Cruz's success on Monday.
Brilliant.



BAYLOR'S BATTLE WITH CANCER: SCOTTSDALE -- In all seriousness, best of luck to former Cubs manager Don Baylor in his battle with cancer.


posted by Thomas at 3:14 PM

 
2003 SEASON BEGINS TONIGHT: SCOTTSDALE -- The 2003 Season begins tonight with the Texas Rangers at the Anaheim Angels. The Cubs open the season tomorrow at 1:00 P.M. Eastern at the New York Mets. Let us hope the Cubs have a good year in 2003.

2003 PREDICTIONS: SCOTTSDALE -- My predictions are not always very accurate, but here are my 2003 predictions. AL EAST - New York Yankees, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa Bay. AL CENTRAL - Minnesota, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit. AL WEST - Oakland, Seattle (WC), Anaheim, Texas. NL EAST - Atlanta, New York Mets (WC), Philadelphia, Montreal, Florida. NL CENTRAL - St. Louis, Houston, Cincinnati, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee. NL WEST -Arizona, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Diego. ALDS: New York Yankees over Seattle; Oakland over Minnesota. ALCS: New York Yankees over Oakland. NLDS: Arizona over New York Mets; St. Louis over Atlanta. NLCS: Arizona over St. Louis. WORLD SERIES: New York Yankees over Arizona.
posted by Thomas at 5:08 PM