The Answer Is None – None More Black
In a previous post, I mentioned that baseball is supposed to be fun. So that's why I'm officially abdicating any hope I have that the Cubs might get back in the pennant race.
No, I'm not giving up my status as Cub Fan. And I stopped letting my team's performance affect my self-esteem when I was eleven, so it's not like I'm on suicide watch or anything.
It's far simpler than that. Like I said before, baseball is supposed to be fun. Watching my boys lose is not fun, especially when it's compounded by the wildly inventive ways they've found to emerge non-victorious.
There comes a time when even I have to avert my eyes from the train wreck. And so I make the conscious decision to stop watching the proceedings with abject horror. Instead, I will keep my emotions to bemused resignation (or, failing that, dull surprise).
Besides, why in God's name should I hold out hope for this team when it is plainly obvious that no one in the front office does? That last nail in the coffin that is the 2006 season is the last (and perhaps least) second baseman added to the roster. For reasons known only to them, Dusty Baker and Jim Hendry think that Tony Sprocking Womack deserves a roster spot.
To make room for Womack, we sent Ryan Theriot back to Des Moines. As I noted earlier, Theriot won't make anyone forget Ryne Sandberg. But he's got a better chance of being the Show next year than either Womack or Perez. And somehow Baker couldn't get Theriot more than ten at bats – just another sign that Baker has no clue how to manage the talent he's given.
For those of you keeping track at home, that gives us four second basemen on the roster – the only one actually worth a damn is currently filling in at first base.
I know this team isn't as horsepoop as it has played this month. Neither Pierre nor Ramirez are .220 hitters, so you gotta figure they're due for a month of .280 just to balance things out. Lee will be out of his cast in about two weeks. His return can only help, because Walker will go back to second and Perez will go back to the bench.
Wood has looked OK in his return to the rotation. Prior should be starting his rehab this week, and perhaps Wade Miller will soon follow. If all three can show that they can be effective, that would give us one too many starters, perhaps giving Hendry some trade fodder to bring in help for next year.
There are rumors circulating that Pierre is also on the trade block, since he will be a free agent at the end of the year. I can't really see a market for Pierre right now (how many contenders are desperate for a center fielder?). I think if Hendry moves Pierre it won't be until after the All-Star Break – giving Hendry plenty of time to determine if Felix Pie is ready to take over.
Just goes to show what kind of year it's been – I'm already pondering possible waiver deadline deals. I'd be a lot more upset by recent events if I hadn't been snorting graham crackers through a rolled-up pocket schedule all afternoon...
No, I'm not giving up my status as Cub Fan. And I stopped letting my team's performance affect my self-esteem when I was eleven, so it's not like I'm on suicide watch or anything.
It's far simpler than that. Like I said before, baseball is supposed to be fun. Watching my boys lose is not fun, especially when it's compounded by the wildly inventive ways they've found to emerge non-victorious.
There comes a time when even I have to avert my eyes from the train wreck. And so I make the conscious decision to stop watching the proceedings with abject horror. Instead, I will keep my emotions to bemused resignation (or, failing that, dull surprise).
Besides, why in God's name should I hold out hope for this team when it is plainly obvious that no one in the front office does? That last nail in the coffin that is the 2006 season is the last (and perhaps least) second baseman added to the roster. For reasons known only to them, Dusty Baker and Jim Hendry think that Tony Sprocking Womack deserves a roster spot.
To make room for Womack, we sent Ryan Theriot back to Des Moines. As I noted earlier, Theriot won't make anyone forget Ryne Sandberg. But he's got a better chance of being the Show next year than either Womack or Perez. And somehow Baker couldn't get Theriot more than ten at bats – just another sign that Baker has no clue how to manage the talent he's given.
For those of you keeping track at home, that gives us four second basemen on the roster – the only one actually worth a damn is currently filling in at first base.
I know this team isn't as horsepoop as it has played this month. Neither Pierre nor Ramirez are .220 hitters, so you gotta figure they're due for a month of .280 just to balance things out. Lee will be out of his cast in about two weeks. His return can only help, because Walker will go back to second and Perez will go back to the bench.
Wood has looked OK in his return to the rotation. Prior should be starting his rehab this week, and perhaps Wade Miller will soon follow. If all three can show that they can be effective, that would give us one too many starters, perhaps giving Hendry some trade fodder to bring in help for next year.
There are rumors circulating that Pierre is also on the trade block, since he will be a free agent at the end of the year. I can't really see a market for Pierre right now (how many contenders are desperate for a center fielder?). I think if Hendry moves Pierre it won't be until after the All-Star Break – giving Hendry plenty of time to determine if Felix Pie is ready to take over.
Just goes to show what kind of year it's been – I'm already pondering possible waiver deadline deals. I'd be a lot more upset by recent events if I hadn't been snorting graham crackers through a rolled-up pocket schedule all afternoon...
posted by Bob at
5:59 AM
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