Blog Ambassador: Cubs
Friday, September 26th, 2008Al Yellon founded and has blogged at Bleed Cubbie Blue, a popular and very informative Chicago Cubs Web site since 2005. He was kind enough to answer some questions for us, and more importantly, answer them honestly. I appreciate his time and perspective, and before blindly ripping him a new one in the comment section, I suggest you take his answers for what they are - the imput of a knowledgable baseball fan. Like what he says or not, the man knows his Cubs. Read on!
First off, good season (I guess!). With the Brewers on the up and up, the Cardinals still relevant and Astros making a ton of moves this offseason, did you expect this kind of success from the Cubs?
I did expect success, to see them build on what they started last year. To win close to 100 games and win the way they have? No, that’s totally unexpected. They have figured out ways to win where past Cubs teams would have found ways to lose. This is the best Cubs team since 1935, when they last won 100 games.
In their second half matchups, the Cubs have basically throttled Milwaukee and snagged some key games in heartbreaking fashion. Do you expect Chicago to rest some key players or shorten outings in the last series to ready themselves for the playoffs?
Yes, and they have already done so through shortening pitching starts and resting two or three regulars every day. I’d expect them to start the regulars this weekend vs. the Brewers, as they don’t want anyone to get too rusty before the playoffs start.
Your guys have taken two from the Mets this week - and I thank them for it, as it’s keeping Milwaukee in contention. Speaking for the general Cubs fan, which team of New York, Philadelphia, Milwaukee or Los Angeles would you prefer to see the Cubbies face in the first round and why?
Speaking only for myself, I’d like them to face the Mets (sorry - I know that’d mean the Brewers are out, as the Mets aren’t likely to win the NL East). I think they match up well with the Mets and they have won four of six this year from them.
“Sweet Lou” is expected to name his playoff rotation soon, how do you expect him to align Zombie, Dempster, Harden or even Lilly - and would Carlos really be that pissed if he wasn’t the game one starter?
After [Wednesday] night’s Z meltdown, I think Z understands that he has to accept that he might not be the game 1 starter. Lou keeps trying to help him not allow his emotions to get the better of him, but Z has failed so far. I expect Ryan Dempster to be named the game 1 starter.
You’ve undoubtedly heard a lot about CC Sabathia’s performance as a Brewer, but the Cubs made a rebuttle of their own in bringing in Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for significantly less, what have each of those players meant to the team’s play in the second half?
Rich Harden has given the Cubs yet another “ace” type starter, someone who can go in and mow down lineups — assuming he stays healthy. He has had to go on long rest several times, and has stayed healthy as a result. With the extra off days in the playoffs, he should be just fine.
Chad Gaudin was out for four weeks after hurting his back. He hasn’t pitched well since returning… it’s possible that Gaudin might not make the playoff roster.
Matt Murton, a player I personally like a lot, was sent packing in that deal. Why did Murton get such a bad wrap in the Windy City? Attitude? Crowded outfield? Or just his goofy ass red hair?
Murton wasn’t that good a player; that’s the bottom line. He drew walks and got on base — but hit .290 instead of .330, and that would have been fine if he hit for any sort of power — which he didn’t really have. He’s the classic example of a player who’s decent at everything but outstanding at nothing. He was a mediocre outfielder with little speed and only an average arm, and could only play left field. He had the right attitude, but that’s not always enough.
Jim Hendry made two low-risk moves in acquiring outfielders Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson that seemed to pay volumes in dividends. Knowing what you know now, how key where those pickups? And do you think some fans regret being as worked up as they were when the moves were made?
I’ve always liked Reed Johnson, even all the years he was with the Blue Jays. When the Cubs were in Toronto in Johnson’s rookie year in 2003, he led off a game with a homer and then hit a walkoff in the 10th inning. He’s got a great attitude, plays great defense and hits well enough to be a fine platoon partner with Edmonds.
I was one of those who thought Edmonds was done when the Padres let him go, and looking at his numbers, what else could you have thought? But it was a low-risk signing - SD and StL had to pay all of his contract except the minimum, and if he hadn’t produced the Cubs would have let him go. He’s not only produced but been a model citizen. It was surreal to see him get a standing ovation at the season’s last home game — one of Cubs’ fans most hated rival players becoming one of the most loved players on this year’s team.
Speaking of fans, I know Brewers fans regard Chicago as its biggest foe - but St. Louis has been an even bigger rival of the Cubs for much longer. Are you noticing a shift in your fanbase’s hatred to grow to despise Milwaukee more, or will the Cards always be number one on Joe Cubfan’s shitlist?
Don’t call it a shitlist - as a Cubs fan I respect Cardinals fans, who love their team, are passionate and knowledgeable about baseball, and there’s a lot of history between the Cubs and Cardinals.
Not so much - yet - between the Cubs and Brewers. I’d LIKE there to be more of a respectful rivalry, because of the proximity between Chicago and Milwaukee, but it seems as if the Brewer fans are more like the little brother nipping at the big brother’s heels, saying, “Can I play? Huh? Can I? Can I? Can I?”
Wrigley Field - dump or semi-historic dump? I’m (half) kidding… Have you ever been to Miller Park? If so, what’s your opinion of it?
I’ve been to Miller Park many times, including for Carlos Zambrano’s no-hitter. It’s a nice park, sightlines are good, prices are pretty reasonable, and I have always liked the “Secret Stadium Sauce”.
Predictions for this weekend’s series, playoff fate(s)?
Of course, I’m picking the Cubs to win it all. Why wouldn’t I, at this point? This weekend I’m sure the Cubs will be playing all-out in a playoff tune up. You’ll be seeing Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis and I know that CC Sabathia will likely be going in the season’s last day. I’d love to see the Cubs sweep all 7 games in Milwaukee this year, but that isn’t likely. You guys have a good team. Looking forward to the series and - who knows - maybe seeing you again in the NLCS.