From the category archives:

Carlos Zambrano

Can We Please Play the Nationals for the Rest of the Season?!?!

by MiserableCubsFan on July 18, 2009

If only MLB would take pity on the plight of all miserable Cubs fans and allow our beloved team to play the Nationals for the remainder of this season's schedule. The Nationals took pity on Alfonso Soriano and served up a fastball (when was the last time a pitcher was dumb enough to throw him anything that was straight, hard, and over the plate?!?!) that Fonzie cranked over the right field wall for his first homer in a month and half. Zambrano throws over 40 pitches in the first inning of his Friday outing and still manages to win the game AND drive in two runs. Fielding errors, baserunning mistakes, leaving men on base in scoring position -- it's a dream team for Milton Bradley!

CUBS WIN as Big Z Homers & Pitches Well – But Ohhhhh, Albert

by Dr. Douchebag on July 12, 2009

I know I should be writing about Big Z getting his first Win in over a month and his 3rd home run of the season, however, I couldn't help notice the drive and talent of Albert Pujols. King Albert almost turned a routine infield out into a double as Theriot muffed the catch with Baker bailing him out. Albert was running HARD the entire time! Do you think Alfonso Soriano was paying ANY attention to how a true super star carries himself on the field? I figure I can praise Albert because he also let a grounder roll through the wickets Buckner style to give the Cubs two easy runs that solidified the win. Thanks big guy!

Cubs Lose, but How About That Congratulatory Pat on Big Z’s Crotch?

by MCF on March 7, 2009

I have some meaningful thoughts on today's game, but I have to begin with the odd post-putout congratulatory exchange at the bottom of the 1st inning. Cubs first baseman Micah Hoffpauir fielded a slow grounder that was hit along the first base line. Carlos Zambrano hustled over to first but Micah was already on the bag. As the two turned to head to the dugout, Micah went to pat Big Z on the ass, but (alas) Big Z was already turned around. If you have the MLB.TV subscription, check out the archived video as Big Z had an enormous smile on his face as he entered the dugout. Ahhh, what can I say, Spring Training games are not exactly thrilling so how else am I going to get your attention?

OK, on to more civilized conversation ... One piece of baseball strategy that I'm surprised is not used more happened at the very beginning of the game in the Cubs top of the first. Soriano had singled and the next batter, Sam Fuld, attempted a bunt on the first pitch. The pitch was way low and inside and Fuld pulled the bat back to take a ball, however, for the rest of his at bat, both the first and (especially the) third basemen crept in creating some large holes in the infield. Why isn't this done more? Even if the second batter isn't going to actually bunt/sacrifice, why not always show bunt while taking the first pitch of the at bat? I searched for bunting strategies and (oddly enough) I found this New York Times article entitled "The Lost Art" from 2003 that features Alfonso Soriano scoffing at the notion of utilizing -- even practicing -- the bunt. Some things never change ...
Even though the Cubs lost, I was pleased with the game as the Cubs pitching looked so good. Big Z was dominant (his fielding error was the cause of the two Brewer runs) along with strong innings from the rest of the various pitchers. By the way, can Larry Rothchild be any more boring and predictable in his interviews? His interviews are neither informative or entertaining. For someone who has supreme access to the pitching staff, why can't he ever tell us anything of value?
One last thing, Craig Counsell finally dropped the funky "high hands with a twist" batting stance! His new "normal" stance is working as he is batting .600.