|
X-Factor
Xavier Nady Gets Key Hit in Face-Saving Win
Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE
Maybe yesterday's 4-3 victory over the Pirates was a season-turning win, right? It's possible, isn't it? In the meantime, we'll just be glad that the Cubs salvaged a little dignity and weren't swept by the feeble Pirates. The Cubs were down 3-1 in the 7th, but scored two that inning and won it in the 8th on Nady's pinch single. Alfonso Soriano made some Keystone Kops-caliber plays in left, but he also doubled, had an RBI, and stole a base. We'll take it.
ESPN Chicago: Nady, Cubs prevent Pirates from getting rare... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Nady delivers in clutch as Cubs finally beat Pirates
MLB: Nady comes through in a pinch vs. Bucs [+ video]
Daily Herald: Nady caps Cubs' 4-3 comeback against Pirates
The Heat Is On
Calls for Piniella Firing Getting Stronger
You've probably heard people whispering for a while that Lou should get axed. Now, it's not just the guy at the end of the bar: a big name is saying Piniella should go if the Cubs don't turn it around. "The Cubs, much as they appear to need a collective kick in the rear, might benefit more from a little stress relief," says FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. He also says presumed manager-in-waiting Ryne Sandberg isn't the answer. "He has never even served as a coach at the major-league level," Rosenthal says. "Making him manager with such little experience would be setting him up to fail."
FOX Sports: Sorry Lou, but Cubs need a change
Sweet Lou Gets Sour
Piniella Has Minor Meltdown Before Game
You've probably thought it yourself: Why isn't Tyler Colvin playing more often? Don't ask manager Lou Piniella that question. "The reason we're not winning baseball games is certainly not Colvin," Piniella says. Pressed further, Piniella fumed, "I wouldn't be getting these questions day in and day out, having to make excuses and everything else, if we start to do what we're capable of doing.... We talk about everything but winning games. That's what the hell I want to talk about. Period." Sorry Lou, but it's a reasonable question.
Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs' Piniella tired of same old questions [+ video]
ESPN Chicago: Frustrated Piniella vents pregame
Chit-Chat with the Top Dog
Len & Bob Talk to Tom Ricketts in the Bleachers
WGN's Len Kasper and Bob Brenly did their broadcast from the bleachers yesterday, and at one point they chatted with team owner Tom Ricketts. The always affable owner emphasized that his family is committed to keeping the intangible feeling, that je ne sais quoi, of the Friendly Confines alive. "Wrigley Field is special," he said. "The game you see here is a lot like the game your grandfather saw here." Sounds good to us, as long as PSLs don't become part of the equation.
Agony & Ivy: The bleacher aristocrat
Venting One's Spleen
Tidbits, Knick Knacks, Geegaws, and Other Random Thoughts
Sometimes, you don't want to read a lengthy story, filled with thoughtful arguments, reasonable analysis, BABIP, OPS, OPP, and all that. Sometimes, you just want to read some musings. Some of these from And Counting are funny ("Carlos Zambrano belongs in the bullpen like Rod Blagojevich belongs on the Supreme Court") while others are a little more relevant ("Over the last week, the Cubs went 2-4... and gained a game on the Cardinals"). Whatever, they're a good read. Enjoy.
And Counting: Stream of Cubbie consciousness
Yesterday's win was Piniella's 1,800th victory, something only 13 other managers have achieved. Congrats, Lou... Xavier Nady's last successful pinch-hit at-bat came on July 19, 2008. The team he played for: The Pittsburgh Pirates.
"One game does not constitute a turnaround. The Cubbies have the third highest payroll in MLB for 2010, and they've sucked hard so far this season."
-Jen Goldsberry Quandt
Submit your Rant on Facebook
*Don't be a Sox fan... be clever. If it's smart enough, we'll publish it here.
What's this?
|
|
