A word of advice to those of you who love watching the Cubs score runs. Don't show up in the second inning if you want to actually see any runs scored. Well, at least when Matt Harvey of the Mets is pitching. Harvey looked shaky in the first inning and then cruised to victory with 6.1 more innings of scoreless baseball. The Cubs did nothing for the other 8 innings, while Edwin Jackson pitched well enough, giving up 3 runs, two of them on solo homers. Struck out 4, walked one....blah blah bored. The only actual play worth mentioning is when with one out in the 8th and Darwin Barney on second, David DeJesus singled sharply, ostensibly driving in the winning run, but David Bell, our fearless third base coach, waved Barney around third, which was in hindsite a terrible move, because ex Cub Marlon Byrd threw him out by about 10 feet! It looked bad. So, instead of 1st and 3rd, one out, we had two outs and a man on second. Cub Rally Fail!
Dale Sveum, when asked about the Barney play said "these things happen". Duh! Of course they happen. But Barney was rounding 3rd when Byrd got the ball. He shouldn't have been sent. Period. I don't know if we score that run anyway, but we certainly weren't going to score it this way. Ugh. Just lame. Boring.
The Cubs also committed two errors, but neither resulted in a run, so whatevs....We now have 33, but luckily the Nationals still stink at fielding too, and have consistently had two more than us. I really do hope the fielding can improve. It's going to cost us a lot more games if they can't get their act together.
All in all, it was a boring boring game. Almost as boring as this blog post. So I'll just stick to my main tenants. Fire Sveum. Spend money on good players. No scoreboard. No Wave at Wrigley.
So what's happening today you ask?
Well, the lovable Lou Sears and I will be attending todays early game 12:05 start. It'll be Jeremy "Hugh" Hefner 0-4 with a 4.61 ERA vs. Scott "formerly known as Chinstrap" Feldman 3-3 with a 2.53. Hoping for a better result to this one, or at least a game that's not as boring as yesterdays.
Check out the New Podcast here! Trust me. It's more exciting than watching the Cubs Highlights from yesterday!
Also, please support Son Ranto by using the Amazon Search Bar at http://www.sonranto.com
Go Cubbies!
Showing posts with label lou sears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lou sears. Show all posts
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
A Tale of Two Cubs Games
So, I've been drinking beer at Wrigley Field the last two evenings, and have now witnessed a well played 5-3 Win and last nights laugher loss 13-7. Of course it was more fun to be at the game on Monday because we won, and I sat in the bleachers where the fans are a bit more sociable, than a loss viewed from row 17 of Terrace reserved, but either way, wherever you sit at Wrigley, provided it's not directly behind a pole, it's a good ole time. However, I find there to be changes a brewing among the fan base.
For example, on Monday, in the bleachers, our group including The lovable Lou Sears, participated in the age old bleacher tradition of razzing the right fielder. Chris Denorfia and Kyle Blanks got an earful from us about how his father is a lousy drunk, and his wife is cheating on him. None of it informed, and most likely not true, but it's nice to know they can hear you. I once yelled to Donald Trump that he sucked at a Mets game. He was only about 20 feet away, and he didn't react, but I know he heard me, and that was satisfaction enough to know that he knew someone in the stands that day thought he sucked. The same is true of opposing players. they should know they suck too. I love booing their every move. It's my right as a ticket holder, and I learned to do it as an impressional 13 year old in the Left Field Bleachers. I learned how to swear, how to jeer, and unfortunately about how drunk guys can tend to be homophobic pricks. Yet, in our current cultural climate, lets say, Generation Y, raised with time outs instead of spankings, participation trophies where everyone's a winner, and a general hipster nerd chic, is not as interested in the negativity spewed from those in Generation X through the boomers and beyond. These idiots even tried to do the damned "Wave" on Monday night, while me and a few old timers yelled back, "No Wave!" Later on, Lou, my friend Antonio and I tried to get a little "Left Field Sucks" going. But these, "free to be you and me hipster geeks" weren't the slightest bit interested, so I yelled out, "Fine! Lets do the wave, ya pansies!" Basically, Lou Sears and I have become those jerk offs who taught my 13 year old former self how to be a loud brash asshole at a ball game. Except for the homophobia. We've had parents yell at us for our language and volume, and Lou Sears says something like, "Family Sections over there folks!". Basically, we are total pricks and I hope we are influencing some young pre teen to carry on Wrigley Field's brash Bleacher tradition. Furthermore , Monday was the anniversary of the Lee Elia tirade. Check it out here...
For example, on Monday, in the bleachers, our group including The lovable Lou Sears, participated in the age old bleacher tradition of razzing the right fielder. Chris Denorfia and Kyle Blanks got an earful from us about how his father is a lousy drunk, and his wife is cheating on him. None of it informed, and most likely not true, but it's nice to know they can hear you. I once yelled to Donald Trump that he sucked at a Mets game. He was only about 20 feet away, and he didn't react, but I know he heard me, and that was satisfaction enough to know that he knew someone in the stands that day thought he sucked. The same is true of opposing players. they should know they suck too. I love booing their every move. It's my right as a ticket holder, and I learned to do it as an impressional 13 year old in the Left Field Bleachers. I learned how to swear, how to jeer, and unfortunately about how drunk guys can tend to be homophobic pricks. Yet, in our current cultural climate, lets say, Generation Y, raised with time outs instead of spankings, participation trophies where everyone's a winner, and a general hipster nerd chic, is not as interested in the negativity spewed from those in Generation X through the boomers and beyond. These idiots even tried to do the damned "Wave" on Monday night, while me and a few old timers yelled back, "No Wave!" Later on, Lou, my friend Antonio and I tried to get a little "Left Field Sucks" going. But these, "free to be you and me hipster geeks" weren't the slightest bit interested, so I yelled out, "Fine! Lets do the wave, ya pansies!" Basically, Lou Sears and I have become those jerk offs who taught my 13 year old former self how to be a loud brash asshole at a ball game. Except for the homophobia. We've had parents yell at us for our language and volume, and Lou Sears says something like, "Family Sections over there folks!". Basically, we are total pricks and I hope we are influencing some young pre teen to carry on Wrigley Field's brash Bleacher tradition. Furthermore , Monday was the anniversary of the Lee Elia tirade. Check it out here...
It seems, especially relevant on an important date in Cubs history such as the Lee Elia Tirade, that we could at least honor Lee with some vitriolic slander of the opposing outfielders personal life. It's only right. Bleacher Bums! Get it together. We are meaner than this. Find your inner hate, and spew it!
Now, I said this is a tale of two Cubs games. I sat in terrace reserved on Tuesday and watched the Cubs get blown the hell out. 13-7. A game plagued with errors, lack of clutch hitting, and for the first time this season, pretty horrific starting pitching from Edwin Jackson. Also, It must have been gay athlete appreciation night, because there were a ton of gay people there. Which is great! Considering the recent coming out of Jayson Collins, and the fact that the ballpark is pretty much situated in boys town. I don't know if they would ever do this, but they should have gay pride night, just like they'll do Irish appreciation, or German October fest. I would be at that game in a heartbeat. Win or Lose, the game would be fun as shit. Because Gays are awesome. Period. End of Story. If you've never been to a gay pride parade, you don't know what your missing. It's like Carnivale in freakin Rio! Imagine that kind of atmosphere at Wrigley! They kind of have it too "Out at Wrigley" is August 3rd...check this article out here.... but I wish they associated it with Actual Chicago Gay Pride which spans the last two weekends in June. The Cubs are in Seattle during the pride parade, but can you imagine if they had the floats do a circle around the stadium? It would be incredible! Also, if the Cubs were to come out strongly in support of Gays, what would that do to our fan base? A. Grow it exponentially. B. We'd have a return of the hilarious vitriol that I so miss in the Bleachers. (If you're unfamiliar, gays are often times incredible at snapping on people) Quick witted and sharp because of all the pain they've endured from homophobic neanderthals. I know there will be people that hate the idea, but just like I'm right that there shouldn't be a new ad spewing video screen, there should be hilarious, drunk, gay fans yelling obscenities at opposing players outfielders. Oh Snap!
Well, I'll be back again tonight. Where we'll have the tale of two beards. Chinstrap Feldman vs. Andrew "beard of bees" Cashner. Don't have a lot of hope for this one, but you never know. At least there may be some hilarious gay people around me. That would make the game more tolerable.
and our website http://www.sonranto.com
Let's turn those Padres into martyrs tonight! Avenge 1984!!!
Go Cubbies!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Cubs Almost Win; Lose Anyway
In the Chicago Cub's 2013 effort to lose in new and exciting ways, the Cubs last night gave up a 2 run lead in the bottom of the 13th to lose to the Reds. What was the culprit this time? Defense? Sappelt's misplayed ball in Right field? Michael Bowden getting shelled for the loss? Certainly, these plays directly effected our loss in the 13th. But the game should not have gotten this far. The Cubs got 11 hits, 4 walks, and benefited from 3 Red errors, and you're telling me we could only score 2 runs until the 13th inning where we got 2 more?
Well, except for the homeruns by DeJesus (to lead off the game) and Luis "I put arsenic in Ian Stewarts Cheerios" Valbuena, not one of the Cubs other 9 hits were for extra bases. And many of the singles came with 2 out in the inning, not giving much chance to get the guy in. Starlin Castro, who's hitting streak is now at 14, also left 4 men on base. Anthony Rizzo, presumably our best hitter, as he is positioned in the 3 hole went 0-6 with 3 strikeouts. He is batting .191 as well. Terrible! Speaking of strikeouts....umm...we struck out 16 times last night. Granted the Reds relief pitchers looked damned good. Especially fireballer Aroldis Chapman. But damn! It's hard to move runners up when you can't make contact. Some of these swings and misses are just embarassing! There was actually a moment in Sundays game when Luis Valbuena struck out and looked at his bat as if there must have been a hole in it. Apparently there are holes in many of the Cubs' bats. Oh...did I mention that pitcher Travis Wood has a higher batting average than our starting second baseman Darwin Barney, and 2 of the 3 pinch hitters we used last night? This is getting sad people....
Son Ranto and Lou Sears explain it all in the most recent podcast....
Ok. You want a bright spot? A glimmer of hope? Our starting pitching has been excellent. Over all, top notch. I hope it can last, but with our defense kicking the ball around out there, it's a matter of time before exhaustion will set in from all the extra pressure put on by constantly having to get 5 outs an inning. Stay Positive Ranto!! Umm....Starlin Castro made a couple of nice plays last night. It's those routine grounders he can't quite seem to handle... damnit Ranto!!!! Stay Positive!! Ummm errr...David DeJesus is turning out to be a power lead off man? He already has 3 homeruns and he only hit 9 last year....and his wife is smoking hot!! There I got through at least one Cub without both a positive and negative to share. Whew!!! David D for MVP! (of the Cubs anyway). Although to get excited about 3 homeruns, and someone elses hot wife is pretty pathetic.....Damn!!!! Can't do it!!! I have something bad to say about all of them!!! Except......starting pitching. It's been great. Keep up the good work boys, and lets hope these guys behind you can learn how to, score runs, and, well, just not look so terrible.
So what can I say? Let's get em tonight! We got 'The Stache' Carlos Villanueva vs. Reds lefty Tony Cingiani, who I understand mades a killer baked Ziti in the off season. I think we can win at least 1 of these games in Cincy...right? Cant we? I'll be hanging out with the Lovable Lou Sears at Three Aces Bar at 1321 W. Taylor if you want to come by. We will be the best looking guys in the bar, so you can't miss us!
So listen to the podcast, give us free tickets, and say hi! sonranto@gmail.com or http://www.sonranto.com
Well, except for the homeruns by DeJesus (to lead off the game) and Luis "I put arsenic in Ian Stewarts Cheerios" Valbuena, not one of the Cubs other 9 hits were for extra bases. And many of the singles came with 2 out in the inning, not giving much chance to get the guy in. Starlin Castro, who's hitting streak is now at 14, also left 4 men on base. Anthony Rizzo, presumably our best hitter, as he is positioned in the 3 hole went 0-6 with 3 strikeouts. He is batting .191 as well. Terrible! Speaking of strikeouts....umm...we struck out 16 times last night. Granted the Reds relief pitchers looked damned good. Especially fireballer Aroldis Chapman. But damn! It's hard to move runners up when you can't make contact. Some of these swings and misses are just embarassing! There was actually a moment in Sundays game when Luis Valbuena struck out and looked at his bat as if there must have been a hole in it. Apparently there are holes in many of the Cubs' bats. Oh...did I mention that pitcher Travis Wood has a higher batting average than our starting second baseman Darwin Barney, and 2 of the 3 pinch hitters we used last night? This is getting sad people....
Son Ranto and Lou Sears explain it all in the most recent podcast....
Ok. You want a bright spot? A glimmer of hope? Our starting pitching has been excellent. Over all, top notch. I hope it can last, but with our defense kicking the ball around out there, it's a matter of time before exhaustion will set in from all the extra pressure put on by constantly having to get 5 outs an inning. Stay Positive Ranto!! Umm....Starlin Castro made a couple of nice plays last night. It's those routine grounders he can't quite seem to handle... damnit Ranto!!!! Stay Positive!! Ummm errr...David DeJesus is turning out to be a power lead off man? He already has 3 homeruns and he only hit 9 last year....and his wife is smoking hot!! There I got through at least one Cub without both a positive and negative to share. Whew!!! David D for MVP! (of the Cubs anyway). Although to get excited about 3 homeruns, and someone elses hot wife is pretty pathetic.....Damn!!!! Can't do it!!! I have something bad to say about all of them!!! Except......starting pitching. It's been great. Keep up the good work boys, and lets hope these guys behind you can learn how to, score runs, and, well, just not look so terrible.
So what can I say? Let's get em tonight! We got 'The Stache' Carlos Villanueva vs. Reds lefty Tony Cingiani, who I understand mades a killer baked Ziti in the off season. I think we can win at least 1 of these games in Cincy...right? Cant we? I'll be hanging out with the Lovable Lou Sears at Three Aces Bar at 1321 W. Taylor if you want to come by. We will be the best looking guys in the bar, so you can't miss us!
So listen to the podcast, give us free tickets, and say hi! sonranto@gmail.com or http://www.sonranto.com
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Cubs Try to Lose; Win Anyway!
If there was any question as to how "Marmol" is spelled in japanese, I looked it up, and it's "F-U-J-I-K-A-W-A". In a dismal 9th inning appearance, trying to preserve Carlos Villanueva's 2-0 gem, Kuji-Fuji, as he will be referred to from here on in, stank up the joint, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, plus a wild pitch, and he hit a batter (Buster Posey). I was really hoping the plunked Posey would charge the mound ala Carlos Quentin vs Zack Greinke (video of melee in link), and break Kuji-Fuji's collar bone too. At least I could have forgiven the 2 more runs he gave up, as I imagine it's tough to pitch with a broken collarbone. But alas, cooler heads prevailed, and Posey trotted down to first, giving the Giants one more chance to go ahead. And go ahead they did. Eventually,leading 3-2 going into the Cub's half of the 9th inning.
What is it with Cubs closers this year? I've talked on the podcast with the lovable Lou Sears about how these pitchers trying to close out the game, put extra pressure on themselves to wrap it up for a win. That unnecessary extra pressure results in mistakes, thus runs, thus blown saves, and thus losses. Granted, the fans in the stands are all a titter about going home with a win, standing, drunkenly chanting, and clapping randomly, but the closer, whoever it is, needs to just pretend it's the 3rd inning, and approach it as the routine 1-2-3 we Cub fans long for. Maybe the fans could help set the scene by getting up to take a leak and buy a hot dog. Let's all just pretend it's the third inning, and listen to the "W" from the bathroom, standing shoulder to shoulder singing "Go Cubs Go" from the iconic pee troughs of the Wrigley Field men's bathroom. (Ladies, if you don't know what I'm talking about, find out by grabbing any random man in a Cubs hat and just say "Wrigley trough". Actually don't do that, it's weird... ). So what changes in the 9th? The only thing I can think of is that they stop selling beer, so many alcoholic fans have retreated to the Captain Morgans club, or one of Wrigleyville's many watering holes to watch the end of the game. Maybe the absence of the constant chatter of "Beer here!", and "Get your Old Style", is unnerving to the pitcher. It may be breaking the law to sell beer after the 8th, but I feel like we have to think outside the box for solutions. I, Son Ranto, for one would be happy to 'take one for the team' and buy beer from vendors in the 9th. Hell! I'll even make the sacrifice to buy and drink beer in extra innings. Yes. I love the Cubs that much. It's all about sacrifice.
OK. Ranto Rant over.....We won the game!!!! And I was there!!!!
I took a little time off of my busy schedule of complaining about everything, procrastinating and drinking at home, to ride my bike the mile or so down to the Friendly Confines. I was feeling generous, so I gave a scalper 10$ for a Box Seat and got to the game around the 5th inning. Might I add, I decided to go down there in the 15 minute period where the sun was out. I had been listening on the radio, as my poverty lacks Comcast Sports net and It was 1-0 when I got to the stadium. I heard Castro's homer from the roar of the crowd and Captain Morgan's amplified broadcadst, and found me a scalper. 2-0 is where it stayed until the fiasco 9th. And I was like "Just great! I come down here to sit in the cold rain to watch the Cubs blow another one. 2 damn days in a damned row". I was truly questioning my purpose on earth, along with my horrific life choices, when the Cubs came to bat in the 9th...and from the ashes rose the phoenix!
The 9th started wonderfully with Dionner Navarro, who's aversion to running the bases, gives him extra incentive to hit home runs, did just that. At 5'9", and 205 lbs, he prefers a trot as opposed to a full out sprint. But it's fine by me. Trot away Dionner! So tie game, and I'm figuring extra innings, basically, because I don't have a whole ton of faith in this team to score twice off Romo, the Giants closer, who was lights out the day before. My pessimism was briefly vindicated by watching Valbuena and "Oh God! why is this guy still on the team?" Brent Lillibridge strike out. So two outs, and DeJesus doubles, Castro singles. We win!!!
I must admit, I welled up a bit while singing "Go Cubs Go" with my drunken brethren. To steal a victory from the jaws of defeat with my fellow inebriated Chicagoans was just as sweet as any thing that's happened to me ever. Seriously. Ever. There are few better feelings for a baseball fan than a walk off win. Of course I prefer it happen in a 4 game sweep of the World Series (don't think my heart can take a 7 gamer). But I felt great walking out of there! Seriously wonderful! The fans were still singing on the streets. The atmosphere was jubilant! Hopefully, this walk off win can carry the team with confidence into the weekend and beyond. Especially Starlin Castro, who has failed miserably to be the hero all season until yesterday. Way to go Starlin! You acted the champion we all hope you'll be!
So, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend todays 12:05 start. I'm going to watch some little kids play soccer in the burbs, and hang out with my Michigan cousins. But I'll be back in the Friendly Confines tomorrow. Up in the FC! Got tickets? Cause I don't. Hit me up at sonranto@gmail.com, and of course http://www.sonranto.com. Don't forget to check out the podcast here!
Let's go get a W today! It's Madison Bumgarner (who I understand garners bums for the Giants) vs. Our very own ace Shark Samardzija.
Let's go Cubbies!
PS. Clevenger looked good at 3rd. Get rid of Lillibridge!
What is it with Cubs closers this year? I've talked on the podcast with the lovable Lou Sears about how these pitchers trying to close out the game, put extra pressure on themselves to wrap it up for a win. That unnecessary extra pressure results in mistakes, thus runs, thus blown saves, and thus losses. Granted, the fans in the stands are all a titter about going home with a win, standing, drunkenly chanting, and clapping randomly, but the closer, whoever it is, needs to just pretend it's the 3rd inning, and approach it as the routine 1-2-3 we Cub fans long for. Maybe the fans could help set the scene by getting up to take a leak and buy a hot dog. Let's all just pretend it's the third inning, and listen to the "W" from the bathroom, standing shoulder to shoulder singing "Go Cubs Go" from the iconic pee troughs of the Wrigley Field men's bathroom. (Ladies, if you don't know what I'm talking about, find out by grabbing any random man in a Cubs hat and just say "Wrigley trough". Actually don't do that, it's weird... ). So what changes in the 9th? The only thing I can think of is that they stop selling beer, so many alcoholic fans have retreated to the Captain Morgans club, or one of Wrigleyville's many watering holes to watch the end of the game. Maybe the absence of the constant chatter of "Beer here!", and "Get your Old Style", is unnerving to the pitcher. It may be breaking the law to sell beer after the 8th, but I feel like we have to think outside the box for solutions. I, Son Ranto, for one would be happy to 'take one for the team' and buy beer from vendors in the 9th. Hell! I'll even make the sacrifice to buy and drink beer in extra innings. Yes. I love the Cubs that much. It's all about sacrifice.
OK. Ranto Rant over.....We won the game!!!! And I was there!!!!
I took a little time off of my busy schedule of complaining about everything, procrastinating and drinking at home, to ride my bike the mile or so down to the Friendly Confines. I was feeling generous, so I gave a scalper 10$ for a Box Seat and got to the game around the 5th inning. Might I add, I decided to go down there in the 15 minute period where the sun was out. I had been listening on the radio, as my poverty lacks Comcast Sports net and It was 1-0 when I got to the stadium. I heard Castro's homer from the roar of the crowd and Captain Morgan's amplified broadcadst, and found me a scalper. 2-0 is where it stayed until the fiasco 9th. And I was like "Just great! I come down here to sit in the cold rain to watch the Cubs blow another one. 2 damn days in a damned row". I was truly questioning my purpose on earth, along with my horrific life choices, when the Cubs came to bat in the 9th...and from the ashes rose the phoenix!
The 9th started wonderfully with Dionner Navarro, who's aversion to running the bases, gives him extra incentive to hit home runs, did just that. At 5'9", and 205 lbs, he prefers a trot as opposed to a full out sprint. But it's fine by me. Trot away Dionner! So tie game, and I'm figuring extra innings, basically, because I don't have a whole ton of faith in this team to score twice off Romo, the Giants closer, who was lights out the day before. My pessimism was briefly vindicated by watching Valbuena and "Oh God! why is this guy still on the team?" Brent Lillibridge strike out. So two outs, and DeJesus doubles, Castro singles. We win!!!
I must admit, I welled up a bit while singing "Go Cubs Go" with my drunken brethren. To steal a victory from the jaws of defeat with my fellow inebriated Chicagoans was just as sweet as any thing that's happened to me ever. Seriously. Ever. There are few better feelings for a baseball fan than a walk off win. Of course I prefer it happen in a 4 game sweep of the World Series (don't think my heart can take a 7 gamer). But I felt great walking out of there! Seriously wonderful! The fans were still singing on the streets. The atmosphere was jubilant! Hopefully, this walk off win can carry the team with confidence into the weekend and beyond. Especially Starlin Castro, who has failed miserably to be the hero all season until yesterday. Way to go Starlin! You acted the champion we all hope you'll be!
So, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend todays 12:05 start. I'm going to watch some little kids play soccer in the burbs, and hang out with my Michigan cousins. But I'll be back in the Friendly Confines tomorrow. Up in the FC! Got tickets? Cause I don't. Hit me up at sonranto@gmail.com, and of course http://www.sonranto.com. Don't forget to check out the podcast here!
Let's go get a W today! It's Madison Bumgarner (who I understand garners bums for the Giants) vs. Our very own ace Shark Samardzija.
Let's go Cubbies!
PS. Clevenger looked good at 3rd. Get rid of Lillibridge!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Its a Great Day for Cubs Baseball! Not!!
It's cold. Damned cold. My old ass heater is loud and wakes me up at night. It's baseball season people. The taxes are paid. Why can't I watch a game at Wrigley field without wearing long johns and a parka!? I blame the lord fighting back against the dark magic of the goat head.
Speaking of goat heads. Check out the new Podcast here, where the lovable Lou Sears and Son Ranto sing "Goat Heads" to the tune of fish heads. Classy.... There's also an interview with Brent "Leprechaun" Lillibridge from Opening Day. And some "reality radio" from a roof top, where a fan obsessed with the 1984 Cubs says how we can win the World series this year. It's a drunken mess.
Ok. So Yesterday, after purchasing 6$ tickets to sit in terrace reserved, I walked through Challenger park in the cold mist towards Wrigley field, feeling confident that the Cubbies could scratch out some runs, and hand a loss to Los Gigantes. How wrong I was. Castro boots an easy grounder. And Chinstrap Feldman can't cover first base (twice). Result 4 runs. Boy. When the wheels come off the bus for the Chicago Cubs, the bus also bursts into flames, under an acid rain cloud, while an earth quake tears the ground on which Mongol warriors slaughter the women and children. The Cubs crack under pressure. They cant handle pressure or adversity, and before you know it, there are 7 runs on the board for the other guys. As a Cub fan, I know better to be confident, ever. Winning by 5 runs in the middle of the game does not guarantee a victory. Especially when you give the World Champion Giants 5 outs in an inning. But we could have won this one. Castro fields the grounder and we win.
Further illustrating the Cubs cracking under pressure when the chips are down, are the strikeouts of Clevenger (8th), Rizzo and Castro (9th), with a runner in scoring position. All it would have taken was for one of these guys to get a base hit, and the games at least tied. And Rizzo and Castro are our best players! They just can't deliver when the game is on the line. And that's just sad. Theo has emphasized only swinging at pitches you can do something with. Pitch selection. But now these guys just stand there with the bat on their shoulder watching called strikes whizz by them. Listen. I'm not saying I can do better. But this new approach seems to result in called third strikes. No me Gusta! I have not drunk the Theo Kool Aid as of yet. This whole "process thing" from the wonder boy from Boston. Remember where the Red Sox finished after he left? Last place. Remember where all those high priced free agents Theo signed are now? Yeah. Dodgers. I'm not going to sit and trust this "process" when it results in losses. So, this is a rebuilding year....blah blah blah....what the hell are we building? Great pitching? Defense? Slugging? Speed? What?! I don't see it. Maybe all the future wins are buried in saber metrics.
Speaking of metrics. I mentioned I only paid 6$ for Terrace reserved yesterday, which of course means 6$ for terrace box (you gotta sneak past the old man ushers if you wanna sit further down). 6$ on Stub Hub. And if you recall a story from this winter about the Cubs doing a different deal with Stub Hub, the result is you have to buy tickets by 7:20 AM for a 1:20 start. 6 hours before game time. Instead of last years 2 hours. I waited til 7:19 and bought the tickets. The price had not changed since the night before. But the moment I bought the tickets. The prices shot up to 7$. Like, just because I'm an idiot who wants to sit in the cold rain, and watch a team that has a good chance at finishing in last place, there must be other idiots like me ready to snatch up tickets. First of all. I'm resentful at the Ricketts for the 6 hour cut off time. It's ridiculous! Do you want people to come to these games or not? Do you know what looks terrible on TV? An empty stadium. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. And with no one there, it looks like a lame scene. Who is sitting there at home watching this sparse crowd, and saying to themselves..."Hey! That looks like fun! I'm gonna sit in the freezing rain with nobody and watch the Cubs lose!" The only excited fans yesterday were school groups. They should just let kids in for free. Hell they should let us all in for free. I spent 34$ on a Stanley Burger (which was quite good), and 3 beers. So yeah...they should go back to the 2 hour window. It's just petty, and annoying considering the team they are currently fielding.
So what's on tap? I gotta work today, and watch some little kids play soccer in the burbs tomorrow. But I'll be back at the game Sunday! It's supposed to be nice and warm and sunny! I'll be singing a different tune by then I hope. Come on boys. Lets get em today.
Go Cubbies!
http://www.sonranto.com
Speaking of goat heads. Check out the new Podcast here, where the lovable Lou Sears and Son Ranto sing "Goat Heads" to the tune of fish heads. Classy.... There's also an interview with Brent "Leprechaun" Lillibridge from Opening Day. And some "reality radio" from a roof top, where a fan obsessed with the 1984 Cubs says how we can win the World series this year. It's a drunken mess.
Ok. So Yesterday, after purchasing 6$ tickets to sit in terrace reserved, I walked through Challenger park in the cold mist towards Wrigley field, feeling confident that the Cubbies could scratch out some runs, and hand a loss to Los Gigantes. How wrong I was. Castro boots an easy grounder. And Chinstrap Feldman can't cover first base (twice). Result 4 runs. Boy. When the wheels come off the bus for the Chicago Cubs, the bus also bursts into flames, under an acid rain cloud, while an earth quake tears the ground on which Mongol warriors slaughter the women and children. The Cubs crack under pressure. They cant handle pressure or adversity, and before you know it, there are 7 runs on the board for the other guys. As a Cub fan, I know better to be confident, ever. Winning by 5 runs in the middle of the game does not guarantee a victory. Especially when you give the World Champion Giants 5 outs in an inning. But we could have won this one. Castro fields the grounder and we win.
Further illustrating the Cubs cracking under pressure when the chips are down, are the strikeouts of Clevenger (8th), Rizzo and Castro (9th), with a runner in scoring position. All it would have taken was for one of these guys to get a base hit, and the games at least tied. And Rizzo and Castro are our best players! They just can't deliver when the game is on the line. And that's just sad. Theo has emphasized only swinging at pitches you can do something with. Pitch selection. But now these guys just stand there with the bat on their shoulder watching called strikes whizz by them. Listen. I'm not saying I can do better. But this new approach seems to result in called third strikes. No me Gusta! I have not drunk the Theo Kool Aid as of yet. This whole "process thing" from the wonder boy from Boston. Remember where the Red Sox finished after he left? Last place. Remember where all those high priced free agents Theo signed are now? Yeah. Dodgers. I'm not going to sit and trust this "process" when it results in losses. So, this is a rebuilding year....blah blah blah....what the hell are we building? Great pitching? Defense? Slugging? Speed? What?! I don't see it. Maybe all the future wins are buried in saber metrics.
Speaking of metrics. I mentioned I only paid 6$ for Terrace reserved yesterday, which of course means 6$ for terrace box (you gotta sneak past the old man ushers if you wanna sit further down). 6$ on Stub Hub. And if you recall a story from this winter about the Cubs doing a different deal with Stub Hub, the result is you have to buy tickets by 7:20 AM for a 1:20 start. 6 hours before game time. Instead of last years 2 hours. I waited til 7:19 and bought the tickets. The price had not changed since the night before. But the moment I bought the tickets. The prices shot up to 7$. Like, just because I'm an idiot who wants to sit in the cold rain, and watch a team that has a good chance at finishing in last place, there must be other idiots like me ready to snatch up tickets. First of all. I'm resentful at the Ricketts for the 6 hour cut off time. It's ridiculous! Do you want people to come to these games or not? Do you know what looks terrible on TV? An empty stadium. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. And with no one there, it looks like a lame scene. Who is sitting there at home watching this sparse crowd, and saying to themselves..."Hey! That looks like fun! I'm gonna sit in the freezing rain with nobody and watch the Cubs lose!" The only excited fans yesterday were school groups. They should just let kids in for free. Hell they should let us all in for free. I spent 34$ on a Stanley Burger (which was quite good), and 3 beers. So yeah...they should go back to the 2 hour window. It's just petty, and annoying considering the team they are currently fielding.
So what's on tap? I gotta work today, and watch some little kids play soccer in the burbs tomorrow. But I'll be back at the game Sunday! It's supposed to be nice and warm and sunny! I'll be singing a different tune by then I hope. Come on boys. Lets get em today.
Go Cubbies!
http://www.sonranto.com
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Cubs Lose Opener. Wrigley Still Fun.
From our slightly obstructed view, Terrace Reserved seats behind home plate, The Lovable Lou Sears and I, Son Ranto witnessed a ball game where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Yes, 30mph wind was wreaking havoc upon any fly ball hit, too bad the Cubs didn't hit too many balls in the air. Yes. Starlin Castro's 9th inning fly out would have been a walk off grand slam, or a bases clearing double 2 innings earlier, but the wind started blowing in, and it was an out. Yes. If Darwin Barney had been playing second, or Valbuena would have tried to turn two instead of throwing home, the brewers wouldn't have scored 4 in the first. But that's what happened, and these are all excuses as to why we lost the game yesterday. Excuses excuses excuses.
This is going to a season of excuses. But I'd like to dig deeper. Why did Starlin Castro try to hit a homerun when he knew the wind was blowing in? I woulda settled for a single. Why is Brent Lillibridge on the team at all? Granted Barney's hurt and Javier Baez is not ready, but it would just be a few weeks, and we wouldn't have to watch Lilliput...the troll out there not fielding, or hitting! He's batting .000. His OBP? .000. The most exciting thing he's ever done for the Cubs was yesterday thrilling fielders choice. Another excuse, and over heard in the stands..."Barney would have gotten to that ball"....You know who else would have? Javier Baez, or Junior Lake.
Now here's the big mystery of the year. Why can't our catcher catch the ball? Beef Wellington's only been charged with one passed ball, but there have been numerous wild pitches and just straight up cross ups. Other, better defensive catchers would have gotten to some of those wild pitches. Sometimes. Castillo just straight up misses the ball with the glove. All I'm saying is, the whole battery looks shaky.
The boo birds were out for Carlos Marmol yesterday too. And the vitriol I heard spewing from the fans around me is unprintable. Here's my question? Do you want him to do well or poorly? Why boo the guy? He's already having a bad time of it? What if you were at work and having trouble getting something right, and everyone just came around telling you that you suck? Wouldn't that make it infinitely harder to do your job? I mean, Christ! It's not like we're going to win the world series this year. Let's just support these guys. It's our team. Team team team. Are you on it or just some drunken nay sayers?
Speaking of drunken nay sayers. The shadow unemployment in our society was well represented and explained yesterday, as on a Monday afternoon, unemployed alcoholics from all over the midwest showed up to watch the Cubbies lose this stinker of a ball game. They were quite hilarious though. And I look forward to recording these hilarious low lifes as the season goes on, and giving you out there who can't afford the 6$ to go to a game a window into how drunk Subs fans truly are. It's gonna be ugly people.
Speaking of the podcast...listen to it here... https://soundcloud.com/danny-rockett/son-ranto-home-opener. There's a problem with our itunes feed right now...in the process of fixing it....
Well...Lou Sears and I will be on a rooftop tonight getting shit faced if you wanna look us up....email sonranto@gmail.com , and we can commiserate in our misery....
Excuses excuses excuses.....
This is going to a season of excuses. But I'd like to dig deeper. Why did Starlin Castro try to hit a homerun when he knew the wind was blowing in? I woulda settled for a single. Why is Brent Lillibridge on the team at all? Granted Barney's hurt and Javier Baez is not ready, but it would just be a few weeks, and we wouldn't have to watch Lilliput...the troll out there not fielding, or hitting! He's batting .000. His OBP? .000. The most exciting thing he's ever done for the Cubs was yesterday thrilling fielders choice. Another excuse, and over heard in the stands..."Barney would have gotten to that ball"....You know who else would have? Javier Baez, or Junior Lake.
Now here's the big mystery of the year. Why can't our catcher catch the ball? Beef Wellington's only been charged with one passed ball, but there have been numerous wild pitches and just straight up cross ups. Other, better defensive catchers would have gotten to some of those wild pitches. Sometimes. Castillo just straight up misses the ball with the glove. All I'm saying is, the whole battery looks shaky.
The boo birds were out for Carlos Marmol yesterday too. And the vitriol I heard spewing from the fans around me is unprintable. Here's my question? Do you want him to do well or poorly? Why boo the guy? He's already having a bad time of it? What if you were at work and having trouble getting something right, and everyone just came around telling you that you suck? Wouldn't that make it infinitely harder to do your job? I mean, Christ! It's not like we're going to win the world series this year. Let's just support these guys. It's our team. Team team team. Are you on it or just some drunken nay sayers?
Speaking of drunken nay sayers. The shadow unemployment in our society was well represented and explained yesterday, as on a Monday afternoon, unemployed alcoholics from all over the midwest showed up to watch the Cubbies lose this stinker of a ball game. They were quite hilarious though. And I look forward to recording these hilarious low lifes as the season goes on, and giving you out there who can't afford the 6$ to go to a game a window into how drunk Subs fans truly are. It's gonna be ugly people.
Speaking of the podcast...listen to it here... https://soundcloud.com/danny-rockett/son-ranto-home-opener. There's a problem with our itunes feed right now...in the process of fixing it....
Well...Lou Sears and I will be on a rooftop tonight getting shit faced if you wanna look us up....email sonranto@gmail.com , and we can commiserate in our misery....
Excuses excuses excuses.....
Monday, April 8, 2013
Home Opener! Dream come True....
Hooray! We've all made it another year!! Now it's time to accomplish my life long dream of walking to Wrigley Field from my very own North Side apartment!!! As a child, I dreamed of living in one of the flats across the street (where the current 'rooftops' are). This was back in the 80s when I think the main people sitting up there were actual tenants, just sitting on lawn chairs. But alas, I can't afford to live closer than a neighborhood away...damned yuppies.....but still, I can walk to Wrigley in 25 minutes, and I'm freakin giddy as a japanese school girl about it. (Is that racist? make sense?) I'll be joined in the stands today at the Cubs home opener against by the Milwaukee Brewers, but we're starting out the festivities with a little Champagne Brunch at the Ranto Crib. And hopefully this morning rain will subside, and Tom Skilling's prediction of a decent afternoon will be fulfilled. Either way, I think they'll get the game in. And even though the Cubs looked horrible this weekend in Atlanta, there's nothing that can't contain my excitement about watching a game at Wrigley Field today.
OK. Enough wistful rhetoric about how awesome my life is right now. And onto how terrible the Cubs are.
Carlos Marmol. There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. And unfortunately, I've been saying this for two years now. Carlos Marmol is not a very good pitcher anymore. Every batter in the league played fly swatter with his slider for years, and then figured out that if they didn't swing, one of two things would happen; they would walk, or get hit by the pitch. Either way. They'd end up at first base. So then, the Cubs made him develop his fastball. So, Marmol starts throwing straight darts down the middle of the plate in addition to the slider (which was usually a ball), and it was like batting practice. His slider has or had crazy movement, his fastball has none. Whatever the pitching coaches turned Carlos Marmol into, the result is horrific. And I feel horrifically bad for the man because I used to love watching him pitch....in the 8th inning. He never should have been the closer. I've said it from the beginning. Why take him out of the 8th inning when he's doing great in that role. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well now it's broke, and I don't think anyone can fix it. It's over for Marmol and the Cubs. My hope is that he goes to another team....preferably in the American League, where some dynamo pitching coach can help him straighten out everything. I wish the man success, I loved watching him pitch, but I just don't want to watch it anymore. It's a train wreck.
The news then broke Sunday, that Marmol's out as closer, and Fujikawa's in. Great. Fabulous. Sound the trumpets. They finally did what I've been saying they should do for two full seasons now.
The real question about the Cubs front office when it comes to Marmol is..."why is he even on the team still?". They could have traded him for Dan Haren in the off season, and didn't because Dan Haren has a nagging hip problem. Well Carlos Marmol has a nagging pitching badly problem. And has for some time. I woulda traded Marmol for the organist for the Las Vegas Area 51's and a couple of Ho Ho Kams this off season. Seriously.
OK. Now I'm getting depressed...but today is Opening Day at Wrigley! Just checked the Sattelite, and it's looking good for weather this afternoon! Come say Hi!!!! We will be in Terrace Reserved to the third base side behind home plate. Look for two devastatingly handsome men sitting with an old lady (Mom Ranto)
In the meantime.... here's the podcast link for today!
https://soundcloud.com/danny-rockett/son-ranto-home-opener
OK. Enough wistful rhetoric about how awesome my life is right now. And onto how terrible the Cubs are.
Carlos Marmol. There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. And unfortunately, I've been saying this for two years now. Carlos Marmol is not a very good pitcher anymore. Every batter in the league played fly swatter with his slider for years, and then figured out that if they didn't swing, one of two things would happen; they would walk, or get hit by the pitch. Either way. They'd end up at first base. So then, the Cubs made him develop his fastball. So, Marmol starts throwing straight darts down the middle of the plate in addition to the slider (which was usually a ball), and it was like batting practice. His slider has or had crazy movement, his fastball has none. Whatever the pitching coaches turned Carlos Marmol into, the result is horrific. And I feel horrifically bad for the man because I used to love watching him pitch....in the 8th inning. He never should have been the closer. I've said it from the beginning. Why take him out of the 8th inning when he's doing great in that role. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well now it's broke, and I don't think anyone can fix it. It's over for Marmol and the Cubs. My hope is that he goes to another team....preferably in the American League, where some dynamo pitching coach can help him straighten out everything. I wish the man success, I loved watching him pitch, but I just don't want to watch it anymore. It's a train wreck.
The news then broke Sunday, that Marmol's out as closer, and Fujikawa's in. Great. Fabulous. Sound the trumpets. They finally did what I've been saying they should do for two full seasons now.
The real question about the Cubs front office when it comes to Marmol is..."why is he even on the team still?". They could have traded him for Dan Haren in the off season, and didn't because Dan Haren has a nagging hip problem. Well Carlos Marmol has a nagging pitching badly problem. And has for some time. I woulda traded Marmol for the organist for the Las Vegas Area 51's and a couple of Ho Ho Kams this off season. Seriously.
OK. Now I'm getting depressed...but today is Opening Day at Wrigley! Just checked the Sattelite, and it's looking good for weather this afternoon! Come say Hi!!!! We will be in Terrace Reserved to the third base side behind home plate. Look for two devastatingly handsome men sitting with an old lady (Mom Ranto)
In the meantime.... here's the podcast link for today!
https://soundcloud.com/danny-rockett/son-ranto-home-opener
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Off Day Blues
After running down to Montrose Beach to interview Boban Simic, a cage fighter who swims in the icy waters of Lake Michigan, and taking a 2 hour nap, I realized the Cubs off-days might prove to be more interesting than the days the Cubs are playing, where I predictably drink beer and sit on my ass, while texting brain farts to the Lovable Lou Sears. I did get some baseball in however, successfully rooted against the Brewers, which gives the Cubs sole possession of first place for the next 12 hours or so at least. Enjoy it while it lasts. I switched over to watch Yu Darvish blow his perfect game. which is hilarious because I love the look on fan's faces when they thought they were going to witness history, and instead have to tell the same story I've told about Eddie Milner breaking up Chuck Raineys NO-NO in 1983. I was 9, and it still hurts. I was at Johan Santanas no-hitter last year at Citi Field, but i was on a terrible OK Cupid date with this fat Philipino chick who laughed like Sylvester the cat, so I didn't even have that much fun. But I digress. Here's what disappointment looks like....
Ha. Freaking Ha!
So after watching Darvish blow the perfect game, I switched over to Bob Brenly and the DBacks hoping to root against the Cardinals, but I failed miserably and the Red Droppings won. By the end of the night, it was Vin Scully and the Dodgers, but alas it was the 9th inning already, so when that all ended I was forced onto youtube to watch fat people falling until I got tired enough to fall asleep. Damned naps keep me up to the middle of the night.
My overall point is. Baseball is back. And i cannot get enough. So much so, that I may just shell out the 11 bucks to sit in the box seats at "The Cell" today just to watch a little baseball live and in person before the Cubs home opener next week. Could someone please send me a private message at sonranto@gmail.com to remind me which way to where my hat, and what colors not to wear in order to not get shot at while on the South Side? I definitely won't wear any Cubs gear because then they'll know I'm lost, and I'll end up singing the baby sitting blues at some dingy hole in the wall before I can get back north. Actually, that would be kind of fun. And I prefer the company of minorities and women, so it might just work out perfectly. White people are pretty boring. Sorry.
Well, hopefully, I can make it back uptown for the Cubbies 6:05 start. It doesn't matter anyway because I don't have cable, so I can watch the game anywhere BUT my apartment. Maybe I'll see what the Lovable Lou Sears is doing and mooch a couple of beers off him. He's not supposed to drink because of the gout and I have a feeling that his wife is going to hate him, and subsequently me by the end of June. My divorce is pending. Lou's still married, and I Son Ranto aim to keep it that way.
So tonight! Edwin Jackson vs. Wandy Rodriguez. Let's just hope Lillibridge is somewhere guarding his pot of gold and doesn't play, and Marmol is spotted a 5 run lead in the 9th. Fingers crossed people.
Play ball.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Your First Place Chicago Cubs!!
While the hated St. Louis Bird Droppings languish in last place, the Cubs sit atop the NL Central! Many that has a nice ring to it! Our magic number is now 161. And if we extrapolate the performances of the players yesterday, Anthony Rizzo will hit 162 home runs. Brent Lillibridge will strike out 486 times. And Carlos Marmol will almost lose every game for us. But let's stay positive for a moment....
First of all. A special thanks to Three Aces Bar on Taylor st. and Benny the bartender for not judging me for drinking in the day time. The lovable Lou Sears and I had a lovely afternoon drinking Left Handed Stout. I also ate a delicious pulled pork sandwich, kale salad, and the best tomato soup ever for only 10$. And yes. That was a commercial. The game seemed to zip by, as Samardzija just mowed em down. 9 strike outs, 2 hits, 0 runs, 8 innings. Do we have a bonified ace now? Lou Sears is convinced he's the second coming of Randy Johnson. I still remain unconvinced until his fastball kills a bird.
First of all. A special thanks to Three Aces Bar on Taylor st. and Benny the bartender for not judging me for drinking in the day time. The lovable Lou Sears and I had a lovely afternoon drinking Left Handed Stout. I also ate a delicious pulled pork sandwich, kale salad, and the best tomato soup ever for only 10$. And yes. That was a commercial. The game seemed to zip by, as Samardzija just mowed em down. 9 strike outs, 2 hits, 0 runs, 8 innings. Do we have a bonified ace now? Lou Sears is convinced he's the second coming of Randy Johnson. I still remain unconvinced until his fastball kills a bird.
Yeah...the Shark was great! Let's hope this trend continues, and when the rest of the staff is healthy, we might actually make things interesting in the Central this year. Like the Pirates last year. Castro and Castillo had 2/3 of the Cubs 6 hits, which basically means that the rest of the team, besides Rizzo who homered didn't do anything. Soriano struck out twice, and Lillibridge, that elf looking MoFo, was horrible. 3 Ks and an error. We need our Dar Bar back and fast!
OK. Marmol. WTF.
He should not close a game ever. It's over for him. I'm sorry, but it just is. Marmol was a great 8th inning guy. But in the 9th. He's a head case. Why in the hell do pitchers treat the 9th inning with such a different energy? Just go up there, execute each pitch, and get the guy out! No matter what inning it is! One pitch at a time. Carlos Marmol is incapable of closing ballgames. Period. I have no idea if Fujikawa is any good. All I know is, he got the save yesterday,and was pumped his fist when he got the fly ball to center to save the game. So Dale. Mr. Sveum. Please. Don't ever let Carlos Marmol pitch in the 9th inning. Please. Thank You.
So who else sucked? Lillibridge. I actually think I hate him. First of all, he's an ex White Sox. Second of all. He sucks. and he looks like an elf. Or a troll. All I know is he's better off on Lucky Charms boxes and not playing second base. I'd rather see Aaron Fucking Miles hitting weak scribblers to second than watch Brent "Magically delicious" Lillibridge play baseball. Got it. Dar Bar come back to us!!!
After the game, The lovable Lou Sears and I went over to the Billy Goat Tavern and met up with friends and did shots of Malort until we were either gonna sleep or fight. Big thanks to our Bar Tender Jeff who kept me and the boys in line. We capped off the night with an amazing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds concert at the beautiful Chicago Theater. Seriously incredible show. And the perfect end to what turned out to be the best opening day I've had in a looooonngggg time....
So what's next? Edwin Jackson debuts for the North Siders against Wandy Rodriguez. Wandy always seems to pitch the Cubbies tough, and we've seen a lot of him in a Houston uniform. I actually wish he was on our team. I'd rather have him than Scott Baker at this point. Anyhow, he's on the Pirates now, and we gotta figure out a way to beat him on Wednesday night. I'm psyched to see what Edwin Jackson can do for us. We've got him for 4 years and 52 million. So...he better not get injured, and he'd better win 80 games through 2017. Got it?
Go Cubbies.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Let's Go 2013 Cubbies!
I'm just about to head down to Three Aces Bar on Taylor st. to watch our beloved Cubbies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. We better win this one, because it's one of our only chances to be in first place this year.....
There's a podcast, which i really don't remember recording with the loveable Lou Sears, because I drank too much Jesus Blood at Easter Dinner. I'm actually scared to listen to the cast because i might end up going to AA instead of Three Aces. Anyway...listen to it here.... http://sonranto.com/Sonranto/SonRanto_Cast/SonRanto_Cast.html
Today we got the Shark vs. AJ Burnette. The tattooed Burnette went 0-2 with a 7.36 era this spring, so that's pretty sweet on paper to face such a loser. But last year he went 16-10 with a 3.51, which is pretty damned decent. But hell, it's a new year, and we got our best pitcher going. It's mullet vs. rocking tats...and I can barely contain my excitement! Let's Tattoo Burnette!
Sucks that Dar Bar has a hole in his knee, so ladies and gentlemen, your opening day second baseman is Brent Lillibridge who has a leprachaun name.
Today's opening day lineup....
1. DeJesus CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Soriano LF
5. Schierholz RF
6. Castillo C
7. Valbuena 3B
8. Lillibridge 2B
9. Samardzija P
Alright people. I know this might be a tough year. But let's cheer our asses off anyway. In a year or two when we make a run at the Central you can say you were there when the team was in shambles. This is any Cubs fan's chance to prove they're no fairweather fan!
Let's Go Cubbies!!
There's a podcast, which i really don't remember recording with the loveable Lou Sears, because I drank too much Jesus Blood at Easter Dinner. I'm actually scared to listen to the cast because i might end up going to AA instead of Three Aces. Anyway...listen to it here.... http://sonranto.com/Sonranto/SonRanto_Cast/SonRanto_Cast.html
Today we got the Shark vs. AJ Burnette. The tattooed Burnette went 0-2 with a 7.36 era this spring, so that's pretty sweet on paper to face such a loser. But last year he went 16-10 with a 3.51, which is pretty damned decent. But hell, it's a new year, and we got our best pitcher going. It's mullet vs. rocking tats...and I can barely contain my excitement! Let's Tattoo Burnette!
Sucks that Dar Bar has a hole in his knee, so ladies and gentlemen, your opening day second baseman is Brent Lillibridge who has a leprachaun name.
Today's opening day lineup....
1. DeJesus CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Soriano LF
5. Schierholz RF
6. Castillo C
7. Valbuena 3B
8. Lillibridge 2B
9. Samardzija P
Alright people. I know this might be a tough year. But let's cheer our asses off anyway. In a year or two when we make a run at the Central you can say you were there when the team was in shambles. This is any Cubs fan's chance to prove they're no fairweather fan!
Let's Go Cubbies!!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Raise Your "T" Flag Proudly!!
I can't wait until all the games are on TV! Then I can watch my beloved Cubbies on any number of bar TV's all over Chicagoland. There's nothing like ponying up to the bar with my best buddy, the lovable Lou Sears, and watching the game with a cold one or 6. But alas, it's spring, and only the Royals TV televised what proved to be a wild "Tale of Two Ballgames."
The first half was all Royals. Scoring 7 runs in the first 4 innings, while socking 4 home runs, including back to backers against Cub newcomer Scott Feldman. The Royals scored 2 runs before Feldman even recorded an out! Yeah....Feldman was bad, really bad. Let's just hope he's working on a new grip for his sinker ball. Not that he out and out sucks. I mean he was 6-11 with the Rangers last year with a 5.09 ERA. That kinda sucks right? I just hope Dale only starts him when the winds blowing in. So, while I sat at the Carol's bar in Uptown with the lovable Lou Sears last night, checking the score on our iPhones, I figured I was gonna have to write a repeat of yesterdays post. When the Cubbies got spanked and spanked hard! But this was a tale of two ballgames.
Things really kicked off for the Cubbies when they put up a 5 run 8th, pulling within 1 run. I love the extra base hits too! DeJesus tripled, Valbuena doubled, as did Navarro. BTW. I really wish I could have seen Navarro running to second, because he hit that ball way into the right field corner, and any faster player would be standing on third. (Tony Campana would have scored most likely with an inside the parker), if he could hit the ball that far. I kid Navarro...I kid! But He's fat and slow.
Zach Putnam (minor league Cub) gave up a run to the Royals in the bottom of the frame. But the Cubs came back in the 9th to tie it. Where the game stayed knotted through a scoreless 10th. So raise your "T" flag! We tied the Cactus League Champion Royals!
What I liked most about this game is the battling back of the Cubbies. Losing by 6 in the 8th is usually a pretty good indication of how things are gonna end up. But not this team. These Cubs are young. And it truly feels like they believe in themselves. And 5 run innings were certainly hard to come by last year. It would be nice to see a few more of them. This is why I never leave a ball game early. Hell, if they can score 9 runs. We can do it too! That's the attitude I like to see!
Another thing I liked seeing, was Dionner Navarro running down the first base line still holding his bat on a clean single. As if he was going to beat down the first base man when he got there. I have a feeling Navarro will be a huge source of hilarity over this next year. I like his style.
So...we've almost made it!! A 2 O' clock Start against Seattle today, and then two in Houston. That's it. 3 more games. 3!!! Let's get this party started!!
Today it's Villanueva v. Iwakuma. And it's the last game at Ho Ho Kam. I have a feeling there will be a lot of teary old white men in Mesa today wearing weird Indian lapel pins. Personally, I went this Spring for the first, and last time, and the joint is a shit hole. I'm glad it's going away in favor of something nicer like the Giants have. (I saw the Cubs there too).
3 more games!!!!
Go Cubbies!
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