There is a bit of an internet groundswell to write in Neifi Perez at
SS on the NL All Star team. Read all about it here:

http://www.all-baseball.com/cubreporter/archives/018511.html

(I personally wrote in Jason Dubois, too, but that's just me. Call me
a fanboy if you must.)

Vote early and vote often. it's the Chicago way.

I'd like to see Dubois start more, too. I think that once he gets some
decent playing time, he's gonna be a stud in the outfield.




--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "T. Pope" <berserkerone@y...> wrote:
>
> > > I don't either but I also wouldn't have minded
> > > seeing him start
> > > tonight with that short fence out their.
> >
> > He did!
> >
> ****************************************
> Yeah but all he got was a pinch hit HR. I wanted to see him get 4
> shots at that shorty fence. It could have changed the game around in
> the early going. I like Hollandsworth as an everyday guy but with
> short left fields and a starting pitcher with a high era I would have
> like to see him get the whole game to play.

--- "T. Pope" <berserkerone@...> wrote:
> I don't
> know where it is
> the unseasonably cold weather or whether the umpires
> are calling a
> different strike zone but it is not just a Cub
> problem.

Our first "it's the weather" of the season. Mark the
time!

Ryan

> > I don't either but I also wouldn't have minded
> > seeing him start
> > tonight with that short fence out their.
>
> He did!
>
****************************************
Yeah but all he got was a pinch hit HR. I wanted to see him get 4
shots at that shorty fence. It could have changed the game around in
the early going. I like Hollandsworth as an everyday guy but with
short left fields and a starting pitcher with a high era I would have
like to see him get the whole game to play.

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> The Dirty Birds lost tonight, too.
>
> --CF4L
>
> --Bob Waters
>
>************************************
Yeah I watched part of that game to. Their pitching had some problems
but Atlanta let them off the hook when they had the bases loaded and
no one out. The Braves offense only managed to score at the time when
a cardinal pitcher walked in the tying run. That game should have been
blasted wide open for the Braves at that point but their hitters
fizzled. Still they managed to come trough and beat them Birds in the
final. I took my dogs outside with the score tied and when I came back
Atlanta had won and TBS had already started the movie. Hoooorayyy!!

--- "T. Pope" <berserkerone@...> wrote:
> --- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters
> <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> > I see where Jason Dubois is hitting .346!
> >
> > I don't expect him to keep it up, but not too
> shabby!
> >
> > --CF4L
> >
> > --Bob Waters
> >************************************
> I don't either but I also wouldn't have minded
> seeing him start
> tonight with that short fence out their.

He did!

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> I see where Jason Dubois is hitting .346!
>
> I don't expect him to keep it up, but not too shabby!
>
> --CF4L
>
> --Bob Waters
>************************************
I don't either but I also wouldn't have minded seeing him start
tonight with that short fence out their.

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, gmrstudios2@c... wrote:
> In a message dated 4/30/2005 2:46:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com writes:
>
>
> > Subject:
> >
> >   I  still want him voted of the island. He has proven through-
out
> > his career that he can not close. One save is not going to make
a
> > believer out of me.
> >
>
> How has Latroy proven he cannot close? He hasn't really been
called on to
> close all that often.
> Besides I think this closer thing is overrated and obscured in
needless myth
> and legend.

***********************************
Sure the Cubs staff has blown some games but that is going to happen
the whole season for very team. Overall the problem with the staff
is control. They have got to get the first pitches in for strikes
and  located well to force the batter to be on the defensive. But in
all the games I have watched this year (not just Cub games) I have
seen location problems for the pitchers. I don't know where it is
the unseasonably cold weather or whether the umpires are calling a
different strike zone but it is not just a Cub problem. These
younger Cub pitchers ahould have been watching Maddux and Clemens
last night. Early in the game the strike zone was small and it was
upsetting both pitchers. Still they worked the umpire by tossing
them into his zone and working the stike zone out wider by the end
of the night. Its the difference between a smart pitcher and a
pitcher who is a thrower. Wood as a good pitcher but he is a
thrower. His command of the  stike zone has never been the equal of
a Maddux or Clemens. Still he is a very good pitcher because he has
great stuff that is hard to hit when he is right. I think the Cubs
need to pull him and have him re-examined by different doctors until
they can be sure its safe for him to pitch. It could very well be
him throwing in all that cold Chicago weather has inflamed his
injury. I live three hours south of Chicago and I know all the cold
weather we are having has my bad arm and shoulder giving me fits. At
times I can barely lift my arm to shoulders height with all this
cold weather. I cannot even imagine how he is able to crank out a
100 mph fastball or break a cirve if his shoulder is huring as bad
as mine. He may just need some warm weather to finish healing. Or
even worse he could wind up being a warm weather pitcher only, that
would be bad for the Cubs, because he still a very good man to have
on that mound when his shoulder isn't giving him problems.

The Dirty Birds lost tonight, too.

--CF4L

--Bob Waters

__________________________________________________
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I see where Jason Dubois is hitting .346!

I don't expect him to keep it up, but not too shabby!

--CF4L

--Bob Waters

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Look at the career numbers.



--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, gmrstudios2@c... wrote:
> In a message dated 4/30/2005 2:46:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com writes:
>
>
> > Subject:
> >
> >   I  still want him voted of the island. He has proven through-
out
> > his career that he can not close. One save is not going to make a
> > believer out of me.
> >
>
> How has Latroy proven he cannot close? He hasn't really been called
on to
> close all that often.
> Besides I think this closer thing is overrated and obscured in
needless myth
> and legend.
> There's good pitching and bad pitching, period. Latroy is not an
outstanding
> pitcher but he is a good pitcher.
> A career NL ERA of 2.63 is quite good. That's better than Gagne's
3.29.
> That's better than Smoltz's reliever numbers.
>
> I don't care about saves (and Latroy has four this season so far).
I care
> about runs allowed. If he doesn't allow runs, if he keeps runners
off the bases,
> then he's golden.
> Every pitcher is going to blow saves from time to time. Nobody's
lights out
> all the time.
>
> The best thing the Cubs can do is closer by committee. The stupid
media
> always makes this sound like something sour and nasty but it's
really the best
> idea. You don't have pitchers with set roles. You just bring in the
best guy for
> the situation and let him pitch the right number of innings or
pitches.
>
> GO CUBS
> -chris
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 4/30/2005 2:46:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com writes:


> Subject:
>
>   I  still want him voted of the island. He has proven through-out
> his career that he can not close. One save is not going to make a
> believer out of me.
>

How has Latroy proven he cannot close? He hasn't really been called on to
close all that often.
Besides I think this closer thing is overrated and obscured in needless myth
and legend.
There's good pitching and bad pitching, period. Latroy is not an outstanding
pitcher but he is a good pitcher.
A career NL ERA of 2.63 is quite good. That's better than Gagne's 3.29.
That's better than Smoltz's reliever numbers.

I don't care about saves (and Latroy has four this season so far). I care
about runs allowed. If he doesn't allow runs, if he keeps runners off the bases,
then he's golden.
Every pitcher is going to blow saves from time to time. Nobody's lights out
all the time.

The best thing the Cubs can do is closer by committee. The stupid media
always makes this sound like something sour and nasty but it's really the best
idea. You don't have pitchers with set roles. You just bring in the best guy for
the situation and let him pitch the right number of innings or pitches.

GO CUBS
-chris


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree, he should be givin the chance. The knock on him has been
control but I think that Rothschild will help with that. He looked
pretty impressive last night.


--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Nick Blomeke <blomeke_23@y...>
wrote:
> What about the possibilty of Novoa in the future his
> stuff is electric he was toying with 99 almost his
> whole outing with some nasty breaking stuff.
>
> Nick
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Nick Blomeke <blomeke_23@y...>
wrote:
> What about the possibilty of Novoa in the future his
> stuff is electric he was toying with 99 almost his
> whole outing with some nasty breaking stuff.
>
> Nick
>
>**********************************
I think the Cubs have several potential closers in their bullpen.
The problem I see is that most of their potentials are all young and
inexperienced and they have showed that problem in the early going.
The real problems with the whole Cub staff this year is they are
having trouble with finding the strike zone. Then they fall behind
in the count and either walk someone or groove a fat one for the
batter because the at-bat has become compromised in the favor of the
batter. Its a sign of inexperience and something that should get
better as the season progresses. This is a pitching coach problem
that needs to be fixed. Walks and falling behind the batters in the
pitch count are killing the bullpen in the early going. But i think
the bullpen has ghreat potential once they learn how to work the
strike zone and not let poor first & second  pitches dictate the at-
bat.

What about the possibilty of Novoa in the future his
stuff is electric he was toying with 99 almost his
whole outing with some nasty breaking stuff.

Nick

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "ferrarilover7"
<ferrarilover@s...> wrote:
>   I  still want him voted of the island. He has proven through-out
> his career that he can not close. One save is not going to make a
> believer out of me.
>
>
>
***********************************************
His numbers as a setup man are excellent. His only trouble is his
closer numbers are average. But either him or Weurtz is the best the
Cubs have at the moment. He may not be Gagne, and his one run number
games make him average as a closer, but I like him better than
anything they could sign or trade for. I certainley do not like the
constant rumors of Urbina. We have enough average closers as is.

I  still want him voted of the island. He has proven through-out
his career that he can not close. One save is not going to make a
believer out of me.



--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "thirty three" <lyfestory@y...>
wrote:
> 13 pitches.. 10 strikes.. 3 batters face.. picking up his 4th
save..
> and here some of you want him voted off the island that is the
cubs..
> good job, Lt.. keep it up..
>
>
> jt
>
>
> --- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "thirty three" <lyfestory@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> >  pitched well.. 10 pitches..  strikes.. 3 batters faced.. got the
> > win.. struck out 2.. good job, Lt... good job..
> >
> > jt

Keep him on the island, and make him the setup man.

--CF4L
--- thirty three <lyfestory@...> wrote:
> 13 pitches.. 10 strikes.. 3 batters face.. picking
> up his 4th save..
> and here some of you want him voted off the island
> that is the cubs..
> good job, Lt.. keep it up..
>
>
> jt
>
>
> --- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "thirty three"
> <lyfestory@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> >  pitched well.. 10 pitches..  strikes.. 3 batters
> faced.. got the
> > win.. struck out 2.. good job, Lt... good job..
> >
> > jt
>
>
>
>

--Bob Waters

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

13 pitches.. 10 strikes.. 3 batters face.. picking up his 4th save..
and here some of you want him voted off the island that is the cubs..
good job, Lt.. keep it up..


jt


--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, "thirty three" <lyfestory@y...>
wrote:
>
>  pitched well.. 10 pitches..  strikes.. 3 batters faced.. got the
> win.. struck out 2.. good job, Lt... good job..
>
> jt

It's the Cubs' Greg Maddux (305) going up against Houston's Roger
Clemens (329 victories) in the first meeting of 300-game winners in the
National League in 113 years.





There were four matchups of 300-game winners in the American League
from June 28, 1986, to Aug. 4, 1987, all involving California's Don
Sutton, who had two starts against Phil Niekro and one apiece against
Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton.



The last time two NL pitchers with 300 or more victories faced each
other was Philadelphia's Tim O'Keefe against St. Louis' Jim "Pud" Galvin
on July 21, 1892.



----------

im not angry.. and to hear the dimwit Paul say the team isnt very
good is just wrong.. we have one of the best starting staffs in
baseball.. yeah, they cant all seem to stay healthy at the same
time.. but id take them anytime out there.. we had a great infield,
also hit by injuries.. but the subs have hit well so far.. i know it
wont last, but its good for now.. aramis and Lee are too of the
better players at their positions.. our outfield isnt totally
hopeless.. patterson is a good to great player .. dynamic.. can do
so many things, and at times, do them well.. weve had problematic
bullpens over the years, but so do the yankees.. and they have $200+
million payrolls.. personally, im not angry.. not at Baker.. not at
Hendry.. not at anyone except the team when they dont win.. but
theres always tomorrow..

  anyway, just my 2 cents.. yeah, wow, i was positive for a change..
imagine that..

jt


> Being a Cub fan: Tom from Elk Grove Village sent this
> message to Cubs reporter Paul Sullivan today after
> Sully filed his most recent "Ask Paul" Q&A:
>
> "Paul, do I sense a change among Cub fans? Could it be
> that the inept play and poor managing has alienated
> some of the fan base? Could it be that back-to-back
> collapses in '03 and '04 have finally taken their
> toll? For the last 20 years I was a rabid fan, but I
> was at both the Bartman game in '03 and two games of
> the Reds series last October and witnessing those
> games changed something in me. I have little desire to
> watch the team this year. Am I alone?"
>
> Tom, we hear you. And we don't think you're alone.
>
> Before 2003, Cub fans could all have had this Bobby
> McFerrin piece as their theme song -- "Don't worry, be
> happy." The team was generally hopeless, but it was
> baseball, it was summertime, Wrigley Field was a great
> place to spend an afternoon, and once every 10 years
> or so, the team was actually good.
>
> But in 2003, something happened. People really started
> believing it was possible. Five outs from the World
> Series -- followed by the most crushing disappointment
> any recent generation of Cub fans has ever felt.
>
> In 2004, hope was rampant. But it was an ugly, ugly
> season, punctuated by bitterness, injuries,
> recriminations and tons of bad mojo. Now, it's 2005 --
> and it's like 2004 all over again. Injuries, blown
> saves, runners left on all the time, players getting
> tossed ... any hope broken by the dawning, sad
> realization that this team just isn't very good.
>
> Cub fans, no longer McFerrin-like, are angry with the
> team, Dusty Baker, Jim Hendry, Tribune Company, fate,
> you name it. You can read it on Cubs message boards
> like the one on our site; you can read it in the kinds
> of questions being sent to Paul Sullivan. You can even
> sense it in the ballpark with the ready booing.
>
> In Chicago, that kind of anger has usually been
> reserved for White Sox supporters who love their team
> without reservation but hate losing even more. Yes,
> Tom, something has changed. Cub fans are starting to
> act like Sox fans.
>

That's a good question, Puckdropper. I had nearly the
same reaction when I read that headline.

The essence of that story was "I'm having trouble
getting a story because one player won't talk to me."
What kind of reporting is that? Tell it to your boss.

As a reader, my point-of-view is: Go get the story.
I'm not interested in the beat writer's troubles. If
you can't get a story because one guy won't talk to
you, you're not a good reporter.

--- puckdropper <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> Speaking of Ask Paul, this last edition has a
> question I submitted:
>
> Do you guys in the media need something to do? A
> recent headline was "Zambrano continues to give
> silent treatment." So Zambrano didn't talk to the
> media the day off, or the day after his start. I'd
> hardly consider that the silent treatment, and I'd
> hardly consider not being talked to by a player for
> a few days anything newsworthy. The question
> remains, do you guys in the media need something to
> do? -- Matt Brault, Fort Wayne, Ind.
>
> Everyone is a media critic these days. You weren't
> there when Carlos sidestepped five reporters to
> avoid an interview, so I would consider that the
> "silent treatment." Now that he's a star, he has to
> realize there are more media obligations.
>
> Puckdropper
>
> --- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters
> <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> > Being a Cub fan: Tom from Elk Grove Village sent
> this
> > message to Cubs reporter Paul Sullivan today after
> > Sully filed his most recent "Ask Paul" Q&A:
> >
> > "Paul, do I sense a change among Cub fans? Could
> it be
> > that the inept play and poor managing has
> alienated
> > some of the fan base? Could it be that
> back-to-back
> > collapses in '03 and '04 have finally taken their
> > toll? For the last 20 years I was a rabid fan, but
> I
> > was at both the Bartman game in '03 and two games
> of
> > the Reds series last October and witnessing those
> > games changed something in me. I have little
> desire to
> > watch the team this year. Am I alone?"
> >
> > Tom, we hear you. And we don't think you're alone.
> >
> > Before 2003, Cub fans could all have had this
> Bobby
> > McFerrin piece as their theme song -- "Don't
> worry, be
> > happy." The team was generally hopeless, but it
> was
> > baseball, it was summertime, Wrigley Field was a
> great
> > place to spend an afternoon, and once every 10
> years
> > or so, the team was actually good.
> >
> > But in 2003, something happened. People really
> started
> > believing it was possible. Five outs from the
> World
> > Series -- followed by the most crushing
> disappointment
> > any recent generation of Cub fans has ever felt.
> >
> > In 2004, hope was rampant. But it was an ugly,
> ugly
> > season, punctuated by bitterness, injuries,
> > recriminations and tons of bad mojo. Now, it's
> 2005 --
> > and it's like 2004 all over again. Injuries, blown
> > saves, runners left on all the time, players
> getting
> > tossed ... any hope broken by the dawning, sad
> > realization that this team just isn't very good.
> >
> > Cub fans, no longer McFerrin-like, are angry with
> the
> > team, Dusty Baker, Jim Hendry, Tribune Company,
> fate,
> > you name it. You can read it on Cubs message
> boards
> > like the one on our site; you can read it in the
> kinds
> > of questions being sent to Paul Sullivan. You can
> even
> > sense it in the ballpark with the ready booing.
> >
> > In Chicago, that kind of anger has usually been
> > reserved for White Sox supporters who love their
> team
> > without reservation but hate losing even more.
> Yes,
> > Tom, something has changed. Cub fans are starting
> to
> > act like Sox fans.
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>
>
>

Speaking of Ask Paul, this last edition has a question I submitted:

Do you guys in the media need something to do? A recent headline was "Zambrano
continues to give silent treatment." So Zambrano didn't talk to the media the
day off, or the day after his start. I'd hardly consider that the silent
treatment, and I'd hardly consider not being talked to by a player for a few
days anything newsworthy. The question remains, do you guys in the media need
something to do? -- Matt Brault, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Everyone is a media critic these days. You weren't there when Carlos sidestepped
five reporters to avoid an interview, so I would consider that the "silent
treatment." Now that he's a star, he has to realize there are more media
obligations.

Puckdropper

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> Being a Cub fan: Tom from Elk Grove Village sent this
> message to Cubs reporter Paul Sullivan today after
> Sully filed his most recent "Ask Paul" Q&A:
>
> "Paul, do I sense a change among Cub fans? Could it be
> that the inept play and poor managing has alienated
> some of the fan base? Could it be that back-to-back
> collapses in '03 and '04 have finally taken their
> toll? For the last 20 years I was a rabid fan, but I
> was at both the Bartman game in '03 and two games of
> the Reds series last October and witnessing those
> games changed something in me. I have little desire to
> watch the team this year. Am I alone?"
>
> Tom, we hear you. And we don't think you're alone.
>
> Before 2003, Cub fans could all have had this Bobby
> McFerrin piece as their theme song -- "Don't worry, be
> happy." The team was generally hopeless, but it was
> baseball, it was summertime, Wrigley Field was a great
> place to spend an afternoon, and once every 10 years
> or so, the team was actually good.
>
> But in 2003, something happened. People really started
> believing it was possible. Five outs from the World
> Series -- followed by the most crushing disappointment
> any recent generation of Cub fans has ever felt.
>
> In 2004, hope was rampant. But it was an ugly, ugly
> season, punctuated by bitterness, injuries,
> recriminations and tons of bad mojo. Now, it's 2005 --
> and it's like 2004 all over again. Injuries, blown
> saves, runners left on all the time, players getting
> tossed ... any hope broken by the dawning, sad
> realization that this team just isn't very good.
>
> Cub fans, no longer McFerrin-like, are angry with the
> team, Dusty Baker, Jim Hendry, Tribune Company, fate,
> you name it. You can read it on Cubs message boards
> like the one on our site; you can read it in the kinds
> of questions being sent to Paul Sullivan. You can even
> sense it in the ballpark with the ready booing.
>
> In Chicago, that kind of anger has usually been
> reserved for White Sox supporters who love their team
> without reservation but hate losing even more. Yes,
> Tom, something has changed. Cub fans are starting to
> act like Sox fans.
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

> > Haven't heard much talk about the fact that Lee is
> > leading the league in hitting, rbi's and hr's right
> > now...
> >
> > --CF4L
> >
>
> I think everyone's afraid to say anything and jinx him  LOL.
> He has really been on fire on both sides of the ball. I think i'm about
> ready to try him out as the closer. Seems like he can do nothing wrong.
> (I'm joking of course)

I agree, I'm so impressed with Lee right now. I hope whatever's got
into him is contageous and the rest of the lineup gets it!

--- In thecubhouse@yahoogroups.com, Bob Waters <r_e_waters@y...> wrote:
> Haven't heard much talk about the fact that Lee is
> leading the league in hitting, rbi's and hr's right
> now...
>
> --CF4L
>

I think everyone's afraid to say anything and jinx him  LOL.
He has really been on fire on both sides of the ball. I think i'm about
ready to try him out as the closer. Seems like he can do nothing wrong.
(I'm joking of course)
I was happy with the game today and not only because we won but
everyone played well with the exception of the 3rd inning by Dempster.
He settled down though and got us deep enough for the bullpen. All
those guys came in and did a great job too.
Anyone know why they sent Jon Leicester down?
Was it just to bring up Roberto Novoa up?

Being a Cub fan: Tom from Elk Grove Village sent this
message to Cubs reporter Paul Sullivan today after
Sully filed his most recent "Ask Paul" Q&A:

"Paul, do I sense a change among Cub fans? Could it be
that the inept play and poor managing has alienated
some of the fan base? Could it be that back-to-back
collapses in '03 and '04 have finally taken their
toll? For the last 20 years I was a rabid fan, but I
was at both the Bartman game in '03 and two games of
the Reds series last October and witnessing those
games changed something in me. I have little desire to
watch the team this year. Am I alone?"

Tom, we hear you. And we don't think you're alone.

Before 2003, Cub fans could all have had this Bobby
McFerrin piece as their theme song -- "Don't worry, be
happy." The team was generally hopeless, but it was
baseball, it was summertime, Wrigley Field was a great
place to spend an afternoon, and once every 10 years
or so, the team was actually good.

But in 2003, something happened. People really started
believing it was possible. Five outs from the World
Series -- followed by the most crushing disappointment
any recent generation of Cub fans has ever felt.

In 2004, hope was rampant. But it was an ugly, ugly
season, punctuated by bitterness, injuries,
recriminations and tons of bad mojo. Now, it's 2005 --
and it's like 2004 all over again. Injuries, blown
saves, runners left on all the time, players getting
tossed ... any hope broken by the dawning, sad
realization that this team just isn't very good.

Cub fans, no longer McFerrin-like, are angry with the
team, Dusty Baker, Jim Hendry, Tribune Company, fate,
you name it. You can read it on Cubs message boards
like the one on our site; you can read it in the kinds
of questions being sent to Paul Sullivan. You can even
sense it in the ballpark with the ready booing.

In Chicago, that kind of anger has usually been
reserved for White Sox supporters who love their team
without reservation but hate losing even more. Yes,
Tom, something has changed. Cub fans are starting to
act like Sox fans.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Haven't heard much talk about the fact that Lee is
leading the league in hitting, rbi's and hr's right
now...

--CF4L

__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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pitched well.. 10 pitches..  strikes.. 3 batters faced.. got the
win.. struck out 2.. good job, Lt... good job..

jt

http://www.uticaod.com/archive/2005/04/27/sports/26470.html   (full
article)


COOPERSTOWN -- Ryne Sandberg said his Hall of Fame election still
hasn't sunk in. But his actions betrayed his words.

All through his latest visit to Cooperstown, Sandberg never stopped
smiling.




Sandberg made his first visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday,
admiring artifacts and chatting with media in a relaxed setting.


  In a little more than three months, Sandberg will return to
Cooperstown -- this time with thousands of Cubs fans as they watch
Sandberg and Wade Boggs become the newest members of the Hall......



----------

> I grant you that Dubois is decent, but is this awful? I'd take Huff
> over Dubois in a heartbeat.
>
> Dubois is indeed decent. But he will never be more than decent. He
> isn't the ballplayer Alou was, for example-
> --CF4L

  I think most people would take a young unproven but potentially
talented Duboise over a maybe one good year left Alou. Personally i'd
like to be good for an extended period and not just one or two years.
Look how much Duboise has improved over the last three years. He's
very young and I will admit needs to improve parts of his game. My
mouth just waters thinking of a Duboise, Patterson, Pie outfield in a
few years.
  He needs the chance to play and that chance should be now. If he
fails then it's not too late to right the ship. But Baker won't even
give the guy a bat against righties. How will that help him improve?
  Unless they're some steroid induced freak, not many guys come out of
the minors hitting 35Hr and 120Rbi but I think if Duboise was able to
play the same amount of games as Patterson or Burnitz, He'd hit
around 30 Hr and drive in around 100rbi, which I would take from a
rookie any day.
  Another reason to at least try and play him is to help make a
decision for next year's outfield. Lets assume Duboise has his chance
and blows it. Wasn't the answer and never will be. Now you can look
to getting someone in the caliber of Lee/Aramis, A young guy whose
just coming into his own and proven. Now you have LF and CF all set.
Lets switch that around. Assume Duboise hits 30/100. Now you know you
have a future in left and center and can go after the younger proven
guy in right. Either way youv'e just improved your outfield.
  Lets look at reality now. Duboise sits on the bench all year unless
they face lefties. The year ends. Now what? Next year comes and lets
say we pick up that proven young guy anyway. Now we put it into
Dusty's hands to choose between Holly and Duboise for a bench
position, etc....... We keep going in the same direction.
  I could be totaly wrong and he may be a wash but I think it's worth
the risk to start him. It far outweighs reasons not to and NOW is the
time to try. Not August when someone gets injured and he's forced to
play.

>there are dozens of
> MLB outfielders who have more talent than Jason does.
>
> --CF4L

Are they availible and not senior citizens?
How do you know that there are so many guys better; have you seen
Duboise get a fair chance?


  Duboise has more than proven himself at every level of play in every
league he's played in and since I first heard of him, his talent has
just exploded. Why can't that trend of excelling at every level
continue?

I feel like Jaco B. Mugatu in the end of Zoolander.
"It's all one look, I feel like i'm taking crazy pills!!!!"