Cubs Emotion-o-Meter 10/1 Edition: Playoffs Game #1

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com



Just to make sure everyone is awake out there in Cubland we're gonna do a brief word puzzle. What popular phrase do these three pictures make?





I'm sure you were able to figure it out. But I just wanted to make sure you were intellectually limber while getting focused for the Cubs game tonight.

Tonight's game (6:30 ET on TBS) is the one that scares me the most, from a Cubs fan's perspective. The Cubs starter is Ryan Dempster, and the Dodgers send Derek Lowe to the mound. Righty Derek Lowe is pitching against a Cubs lineup that has a lot of right-handed hitters, and it's a lineup that might even be a bit rusty after having rested so many of its big hitters for so long. Lowe has had success against the Cubs in the past few years, and if he can keep the Cubs righties off-balance, it could possibly set the tone for the series, much like what happened with Brandon Webb and the Cubs last post season. In that series the Cubs were anemic offensively and never got the ball rolling. A good pitching performance can put an entire team in a slump for a few games after that.

That being said, Dempster is an absolute beast. His numbers are consistently better than Lowe's all season, despite Dempster pitching in a hitter's park, and Lowe pitching in a pitcher's park. Dempster has also came up biggest for the Cubs when it has mattered most all season, and he'll have the unanimous backing of the crowd which will probably sound like they have have been drinking coffee, snorting coke, smoking meth and contracting rabies, collectively, for the last 10 hours. I'm not worried about Dempster showing up, but I am mildly concerned that the Cubs' bats won't.

But I still like the Cubs to win. Ordinarily, I don't try to predict the score but since I know so many of my readers are gamblers and bet the over/under I'll venture a guess tonight, since it's the playoffs: Cubs 87, Dodgers, 2.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter 9/26 Edition: 3 Games Left

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


No one tore an ACL, so that was good. Lou started all the usual non-starters, and other than starter, pitched all the un-usual suspects so it's tough to care too much about anything. Except Micah "The Hoff" Hoffpauir. He was 5 for 5 with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored. That's good. And I like good. One thing about Micah Hoffpauir that most people don't know is that during a game in AAA this year, he hit 4 home runs in a game AND was involved (defensively) in a triple play. I love that guy.

In Chicago baseball A-Hole news: I was watching part of the White Sox game for a bit. Juan Uribe (of the white sox) was up with the bases loaded and two out in like the third inning with the game tied. So it was an important at bat, but nothing huge since it was still early in the game. He got ahold of a pitch and hit it up the middle and TAGGED the pitcher in like the forearm or ribs. It ricocheted a few feet from the pitcher, where he collected ball and overthrew first base, allowing 3 runs to score. So that was a pretty dramatic 5 seconds. As soon as Uribe hit it, you're thinking "ok, this is a few runs." then the ball hits the pitcher and you're thinking "ouch, I hope he's ok. He may actually be able to throw Uribe out." But not White Sox announcer, Hawk "The Hick" Harrelson. When the ball plunked the Twins pitcher, he didn't say anything humane like "ooohhhh" or "ouch" or "I hope he's ok". What did he say instead? "Dagnabbit" as in "Dagnabbit, the pitcher blocked it from going into the outfield". After the play, Hawk's moron co-announcer, Darren Jackson, was playing the part of diplomat talking about the condition of the fallen pitcher and wishing him well, while Hawk was like a kid on Christmas morning, shouting "What a lucky break! Oh boy! What a HUGE play that was! That's three lucky breaks for the Sox this inning!". Classy.

Enough crappy news.




Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: Keepin' the big blue train on the rails.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Cub Fan Emotion Monkeyified: Deep in thought about the playoffs.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter 9/25 Edition: 4 Games Left

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


I feel that, much like Nancy Reagan in the photo above, the Cubs are on the precipice of greatness. Right now the good Cubs fans are just casually coasting through the rest of the regular season and are more concerned with making sure the (playoff bound) pitchers are doing well and everyone else stays healthy, moreso than wins and losses.

To that end, last night's start by Carlos Zambrano raised an eyebrow as he gave up 5 earned runs in 4 and 2/3rds of an inning, punctuated by giving up a grand slam to Carlos Delgado, which I think is Spanish for "Carlos of the the Cat". In contrast to that start, middle reliever Neal Cotts had a very good outing and Bobby Howry showed some grit in getting out of a jam, albeit a jam he got himself into.

Today's Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: "Just keepin' it on the rails. " That was the answer my train conductor gave me in Philadelphia a few years back when I asked him what his strategy was for my trip. That simple answer has always stuck with me for some reason. Nothing fancy, just keeping things in order.

Today's Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Fan Emotions Monkeyified: Just hanging out until the playoffs.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter 9/20 Edition. 9 Games Remaining.

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


Cubs got humiliated, so I'm in no mood to be chatty about it. On the sunny side of the street, Milwonky lost. The magic number is now 1. That's remotely significant because it add to the Cubs climacticness (to quote Jamie Foxx's character Bunz, in Booty Call). Since the Cubs had a magic # of 2 on Friday, and played before Milwonky, had the Cubs won and Milwonky lost, the Cubs would have clinched the division while they were all at home. Clinching with a win is always preferred (it does wonders on the Emotion-o-Meter), or clinching due to an opponent's loss is still ok, as long as you're playing at homes and the crowd can all go nuts when the score is posted. So effectively, had the Cubs won yesterday, there wouldn't be a quasi-formal celebration of the divisional title, like there will be tomorrow if they clinch. Since both teams play at 2:55 CT tomorrow, a celebration should ensue.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: Let's get it over with. Ready celebrate.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Fan Emotion Monkeyfied: Get ready for the division clincing celebration people ....Get in your places people..... PLACES..... Ready, Set.... annnnnd Action!

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter: 9/19 Edition. 10 Games Left.

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com



Huge comeback win today by the Cubs. They scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th, capped by Geovanny Soto's 3-run HR with two outs. Derek Lee won it with a single in the 12th that scored pinch-runner Jason Marquis. Great come from behind win, to cut the Magic Number in half- from 4 to 2. This means that even if Milwonky wins every one of their remaining games, the Cubs will have to win just 2 of their last 10 to win the division. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: Parking Lot Pimpin. still.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Fan Emotion Monkeyified: Got to applaud today's performance.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter: 9/18 Edition. 11 Games Left.

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


Game 1 went like this:
Game 2 left me like this:

Magic Number remains at 4 and I like the Cubs' chances tomorrow with Harden pitching.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: still "Parking Lot Pimpin", no need for alarm after the loss.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Fan Emotion Monkeyified: Stay strong, my brethren.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter: 9/17 Edition. 12 Games Left.

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


Cubs won a doozie last night, and the magic number is down to 4. If they sweep Milwonky in this series, they win the division.

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: Parking Lot Pimpin'. Apparently, if you want to be a rapper and represent the dirty south, you have to make reference to parking lots in order to maintain your credibility. Why should I be any exception?

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter Monkeyification Picture: Smokin' and jokin', baby.



Today's edition of the CEOM will break tradition and not end with the monkeyification picture. It will end in pontificating. Ron Santo has been placed on the ballot for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans committee. It's time to get him elected into the Hall of Fame. It's a joke that he is not in the Hall already. Since this is (I am purely speculating here) read primarly by Hall of Fame Veterans Committee members, allow me to state Ron Santo's case.

1. Bill James thinks he should be in.

2) All of what Kerry Wood said here. It is exerpted below.

Cubs Closer Kerry Wood on … Ron Santo
"The Hall of Fame vote and Ron Santo are talked about a lot in our clubhouse. He's been denied 18 times, and after each vote we'll look at his stats and ask, 'Are these Hall of Fame numbers?' You'll get a yes from 95% of the guys. When you start digging into the numbers, I don't think there's any doubt. How can you not vote for a guy who was a nine-time All-Star, earned five Gold Gloves, had four top-10 MVP finishes, three top-10 home run finishes and four .300-plus seasons, and led the National League in walks four times? And if you look at all the third basemen who played between 1950 and 1975, Ron ranks second in HRs, third in hits, RBIs and games played, fourth in slugging, and seventh in on-base percentage. And he did it despite having diabetes. For him to play in the big leagues at that level is amazing.

"For some reason, third basemen get jobbed in the voting. There are only 13 of them—three Negro Leagues stars and 10 major leaguers. Nothing personal, but if George Kell is in [see chart], then Ronny should be too. Ronny crushed him in HRs, RBIs, hits and runs, and he did it with a respectable .277 career batting average, which is almost 25 points higher than the NL average during his career. I'm not saying Brooks Robinson doesn't belong in the Hall, but Ronny played eight fewer seasons and finished with 74 more HRs, a higher batting average and on-base percentage, and nearly the same RBI total. I know, Ronny never played in the postseason. Neither did Kell or Ronny's Hall of Fame teammates Ernie Banks and Ferguson Jenkins. Neither did Billy Williams when he was with the Cubs.

"I keep it simple: Look at the third basemen who are in, then look at Ronny's numbers. I'm amazed he isn't in yet. His next chance is in 2009. When it happens, and if the schedule lets us, I'm going to be there for the ceremony. He's the epitome of Chicago baseball. He's still part of this team. He lives and dies with it. In fact, I think we've put him in the hospital a few times. He should get in just for that."

CUBS CURSE Santo stacks up with his third-basemen peers in Cooperstown.
	AVG	HRs	RBIs	ALL-STARS	GOLD GLOVES
Ron Santo (1960-74)	.277	342	1,331	9	5
Eddie Mathews (1952-68)	.271	512	1,453	12	0
Brooks Robinson (1955-77)	.267	268	1,357	18	16
Wade Boggs (1982-99)	.328	118	1,014	12	2
Mike Schmidt (1972-89)	.267	548	1,595	12	10
George Kell (1943-57)	.306	78	870	10	0

3) This ESPN article, also exerpted below, furthers the Santo debate.

Santo is unique in baseball history, a third baseman who hit like a left fielder while playing excellent defense at the hot corner.

Part of the reason Santo has been left out of the Hall of Fame is that the BBWAA has never quite figured out what to do with third basemen. They are historically underrepresented, and the change in the position over time has made it difficult to establish standards for what makes a Hall of Fame third baseman. Santo also lacked one signature skill on which to hang his case; he doesn't have 400 home runs or 3,000 hits or one major point his supporters could use to beat his candidacy home.

Actually, the biases Santo fights are more basic that that. Large parts of his value are hidden in areas that the BBWAA hasn't done a good job of recognizing: defense and walks. Santo was the NL's Gold Glove winner at third base from 1964 through 1968, and led the league in bases on balls in four of those five years. He was among the league leaders in OBP and slugging throughout the 1960s, finishing in the top 10 in both categories in every season from 1964 through 1967.

He was a reasonable MVP candidate throughout this time, with his chances being hurt every year by the lousy Cubs team around him. You simply couldn't win an NL MVP on a bad team in the 1960s; every NL MVP winner in that decade played for a team that won at least 90 games. The Cubs won 90 games just once, in 1969, a season that for some reason isn't remembered on the North Side as their best performance of the decade. Because Santo never appeared in the postseason and rarely was a factor in a pennant race, he didn't have the visibility of other players. This hurt him, probably unfairly, with the voters.

Santo never had a monster season, in part because his era wouldn't allow for them. Yes, he played in Wrigley Field, which helped his numbers, but the game-wide dampening of offense kept him from having the signature years, the 40-homer, 120-RBI campaigns that Hall of Fame voters love to see on a resumé. He was never the best player in the league -- there was this guy named Mays who made that impossible -- but you can make a case for him as the second-best player in the NL during his peak.

So Santo was one of the top few players in his league for about six years, the second-best third baseman in the game's history upon his retirement, and put up numbers at a defensive position that would have made him a borderline Hall of Fame candidate at an offensive one. That is a Hall of Famer.

The omission of Ron Santo is the most egregious mistake ever made by the Baseball Writers Association of America. They should have inducted Santo 20 years ago, and that they overlooked him throughout his 15 years on the ballot is a shame. I sincerely hope that the new Veterans Committee rights the error quickly. It will be a boon to their credibility and a honor for a man too long left outside the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

**************************************************************************

Do the right thing, Veterans Committee.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter- 9/16 Edition- 13 Games Left

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


Cubs won again today, while Milwonky was idle. Well, idle in the sense that they didn't play a game today. But they were not idle from the standpoint of personnel moves because they fired their manager today! With two weeks left in the season, and tied for the Wild-Card lead, they canned Ned Yost. Ted Lilly nearly followed Zamrbano's no-hitter with one of his own. He took a no hitter into the 7th inning before giving up a base hit it would be Houston's only hit of the series. There was lots to like about today's win: the Cubs played with determination after an emotional game last night, and the power-slumping Geovany Soto and Derek Lee both hit home runs, and the defense was outstanding. Things are looking good.

So with 13 games left to go the Cubs Magic Number is down to 6. They start a three game series with Milwonky tomorrow, and if the Cubs sweep the series, they'll have clinched the National League Central. Things are looking good for the Cubs.


Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: Calm.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Fan Emotion Picture Monkeyified: Just cruisin', man. Just cruisin'.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter: ZAMBRANO NO HITTER:9 /14 Edition; 15 games left

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Great day at the office for Cubs fans. As I type now, Zambrano has a no hitter going through 8 innings and Milwonky lost TWICE today! As of this second the Magic Number is 8, and in about 20 minutes it will be officially down to 7 (the Cubs are leading 5-0). Oh, and did I mention, just to salt the Milwonky wounds after losing twice today, Zambrano is doing this IN Milwaukee?? Hurricane Ike postponed the Cubs versus Astros games in Houston, so they're playing tonight and tomorrow at a neutral ballpark- Milwaukee.

I'm going live-blog style for the last half-inning.

9:19pm: Trying not to jinx this.

9:19: Oh, and a friend texted me today to let me know that she had tickets to the game and asked if I wanted to go.

9:20: One pitch, one out. Groundball to The Riot. This is kinda awesome

9:21: pinch hitter Jose Castillo. he grounds out to Theriot as well. two outs.

9:22: Darren Erstad is the potential final out.

9:23: 2-2 pitch and Zambrano bounced a fastball. HE DID ITTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! CARLOS ZAMBRANO DID IT!!!!!!!!! NO HITTER!!!!!!!! FIRST ONE SINCE 1972 FOR THE CUBBBSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Moly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE RON SANTO DOESN'T HAVE AN H.A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAGIC NUMBER DOWN TO 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9:26: deep breath. That. was. awesome. First no hitter since Milt Papas in 1972 for the Cubs. So far Santo hasn't had an H.A., thank baby Jesus and Allah.


Cubs-Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: "I'll be Goddamned!!!!"


Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Fan Monkeyified: I'm so happy I could do this.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter: 9/13 Edition. 16 Games Left To Go

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


The Cubs remained idle today but Milwonky got humiliated by Philadelphia. That increases our lead to 6 games, with 16 games remaining in the regular season. That brings the Magic Number for winning the division down to 10!

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: "Kinda Awesome". Between our 16 remaining games, and Milwonky's 14- we need a total of only 10 of them to go our way (either Cubs win or Milwonky loss). That's a third. The Cubs' winning percentage is .603, and Milwonky's losing percentage is .439, our odds of winning the division are Kinda Awesome

Cubs Emotion-0-Meter Cub Fan Mood Monkeyfied: --->




Also, I was able to have one of my German operatives do me a favor. His cousin is a big Brewers fan and watches all of their games on MLB.com. The footage of him watching today's loss against the Phillies sheds a lot of light on the current mood of Brewers fans. They aren't nearly as carefree as our monkey is, that's for sure. See for yourself below.



See Also:

Emotion-o-Meter: Zambrano No Hitter Edition!!

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter- 9/12 Edition: 16 Games Left To Go

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

It's the bottom of the 9th and the Cubbies are gonna try to hold on to their 3-2 lead. I'll just live blog the rest of the game since I'm impatient.

10:12pm: Pinch Hitter Brendan Ryan steps into the batter's box. Luckily, I have never heard of him.

10:13: Glad I didn't say "he probably sucks" like I was thinking about saying. He just doubled to rightfield. He short-hopped the wall on breaking ball that didn't break.

10:14: HOLY BUTTHOLE PENIS FARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brendan Ryan DOES suck!!!!! The next guy for St. Louis bunted poorly to Derek Lee, who threw to third and narrowly missed Ryan. Ryan was safe. Then he OVERSLID the bag, and Aramis Ramirez tagged him out!!!!!!! That was awesome. Woweee. Wa wa we wa.

10:15: The next dude dunks a singles into left. Not an awesome sign. Guys on first and second one out. Cubs announcer Ron Santo's liklihood of having an H.A. during this game? Up to about 85%. On a good night it hovers around 60%. This is getting tight.

10:17: Praise baby Jesus. Wood struck out Aaron Miles.

10:18: Pujols is now at bat. Why does this always happen?

10:19: it's 2-0 on him. I hope they walk him. Ron Santo does too.

10:19: Looks like an unintentional intentional walk. All praise be to Allah.

10:20: Scratch that. it's 2-2. Oh boy. This could get non-awesome in a hurry.

10:20pm: Pujols popped out! Game over! We win! We're the best and they're the worst! Roll Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go!"

Ok, back to my business. Cubs won. Milkwonky lost (ha ha). The Magic number to win the division is now a Spinal Tapian "all the way up to 11". Or "down" to 11, actually. The Cubs' lead is 5.5 games with only 16 left to play. Luckily, Ron Santo, did not have an H.A.. Wow, that game was a doozey.

Due to Hurrican Ike, the Cubs regularly scheduled games for Friday and Saturday have been postponed, so the next Official Cubs Emotion-o-Meter posting is not scheduled until Sunday, but there could be a few unofficial postings if Milwonky happens to lose tomorrow or Saturday. We'll see. But before that happens, I need to commence with the goods.

The Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day: "Vigilant Optimism" still. Ordinarily a lead of 5.5 games with 16 play is a lot, but when you play that team 6 times, it's not quite as big. AND I used up all of my "being an arrogant, a-hole sports fan" points on the Patriots before the Super Bowl.

The Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Monkey Picture of the Day: Since I'm still exuberant after the win, and I downloaded some new monkey pics last night, I'm showing off. The Emotion of the Cubs fan monkeyified (i.e. personified by a monkey) is captioned "Take that, Milwonky"




Cubs Emotion-o-Meter 9/13 Edition

Zambrano No Hitter Edition!!!

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter, 9/11 Edition: 17 Games Left To Go

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Both Milwonky and the Cubs both won last night. The lead is still 4.5 with 17 to play, 6 of those 17 games are against Milwonky, so there's no point in making any assumptions just yet. Our Magic Number to win the division is 13, and the Magic Number for making the playoffs is down to 9.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Word(s) of the Day is still: Vigilant Optimism/Wait and See. Not much to do but sit and watch.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Picture: We're watching you, Milwonky!!!

Update: I just realized that Tuesday was the 39th Anniversary of the black cat running around Ron Santo in the on deck circle at Shea Stadium in 1969. That was done in like the 6th or 7th inning. What kind of fan smuggles a cat into a baseball stadium and keeps it hidden in a bag, or in the pants for 6 freaking innings? New Yorkers, that's who. But to his credit, much like fellow New Yorker Alphonse Capone, he's a nutty New Yorker that made Chicago history.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter 9.10.08

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


9.10.08-

Cubs lost. But so did Milwonky. Same old 4.5 games. I'm ok with that. Now it's 18 games to play. Sorry to disappoint, but the Emotion-o-Meter will not be changing as a result. So here it goes again.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter word(s) of the day: Vigilant Optimism. No reason for panic, or all-out "concern", but something to watch.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Picture that sums up how knowledgeable Cubs fans ought to be feeling right now:


One cool cucumber customer.

(in the interest of full disclosure I misspelled "knowledgeable" before I spell-checked. I may not be a knowledgeable fan, myself. But I am "knowledgable", at least.)

Cubs Fan Emotion-o-Meter

(please note in that picture that Harry has one cup inside the other. That was not beer #1 on the day for our friend Harry)

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

I'm gonna start doing this everyday now. The Cubs (with a record of 86-57) have a 4.5 game lead over the Milwonky Brewers (82-62) in the NL Central with 19 games left to play. Lately the Cubs have struggled a little bit which would be a bigger deal, but had Milwonky has also struggled recently. Tonight the Cubs play the always dangerous St. Louis Cardinals (77-66), Milwonky has a much easier opponent in the Cincinnati Reds (65-79).

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter word(s) of the day: Vigilant Optimism. No reason for panic, or all-out "concern", but something to watch.

Cubs Emotion-o-Meter Picture that sums up how knowledgeable Cubs fans ought to be feeling right now:


One cool cucumber customer.

(in the interest of full disclosure I misspelled "knowledgeable" before I spell-checked. I may not be a knowledgeable fan, myself. But I am "knowledgable", at least.)