WSoxShuf Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 after heavy discussion last night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 State of the Cubs a pressing issue at highest levels April 13, 2004 BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST When I meet the governor, I want to know about rising gasoline prices and what he intends to do about it. When the governor meets me, he wants to know about Mark Prior's health and what I intend to do about it. ''What do you hear about Prior? When is he coming back?'' said Rod Blagojevich, a concerned Cubs fan, staring intently with those vote-for-me eyes. Six weeks or so, I told him Monday at a Wrigleyville brew pub. ''How do I get in touch with you?'' he said. ''We should meet for coffee and talk.'' So this is how it's going to be in 2004, one big communal therapy session. Not that anyone with brain cells should have thought it would be easy. These are the Cubbies, remember, and on a day when booze turned to boos, Bill Murray exhibited better command than Greg Maddux, vendors sold furry stuffed goats and a nearby eatery barbecued a real goat, it became clear that this team will periodically drive its fans daffy while trying to prove ''next year'' finally has arrived after 95 misses. It was hard enough dealing with those tacky new LED screens on the facade down the left- and right-field lines, not to mention the larger message board below the old-fashioned scoreboard. They introduce digital animation -- read: additional ad revenue streams -- to a shrine that should prioritize timelessness over greed. But beyond Wrigley aesthetics, there are legitimate on-field issues in Cubdom barely a week into the season. The Prior saga is the baseball version of Chinese water torture, an incremental nightmare that now has him moving back his estimated pitching return to as late as mid-June. A timetable first listed as early March has been extended at least 2-1/2 months, prompting doubts about why optimistic reports from general manager Jim Hendry are countered by Prior's cautious warnings regarding his elbow and Achilles tendon. It should be noted that Prior's father, Jerry, always has protected his son's health like the Hope Diamond and was instrumental in having him shut down late in the 2002 season. It makes us wonder what the Priors are getting at when Mark says, ''I've been told to keep it open-ended, don't set myself up. It's frustrating because I want to be out there, but I want to be out there healthy.'' Assuming he'll need six weeks to get his arm in shape after he starts throwing off a mound, and that he isn't expected to throw off a mound until later this month, well, you do the calendar math. Again, there's no reason to panic yet in a National League short of powerhouse teams. And the rival Houston Astros have their own troubles, with one of their new aces, Andy Pettitte, on the disabled list with a sore elbow. But starting the last week of May, the Cubs launch a difficult and potentially defining six-week stretch that includes 12 games against the Astros, 10 against the St. Louis Cardinals, six against the White Sox and three each against the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics. If Prior isn't back by then, the Cubs literally may encounter their Achilles heel. It's important, in his absence, to develop consistency and rhythm in the rotation. If Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Sergio Mitre have done their part so far, Maddux and Matt Clement have not. In what was to have been a glorious homecoming for the pitcher who once went Cy-onara Young on us, Maddux followed a shaky debut with an abysmal second start. The loud ovations and beer-driven roars before the game were quickly doused by his sobering lack of control, which led to five walks and his third hit batsman in two games -- as many as he had in an entire season in 1996. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs in 3-2/3 innings and looked less intimidating than the batting-practice pitcher. He's now 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA and has managed only 83 strikes in 154 pitches. True, Maddux is more a scientist than a pitcher and has to be given a certain adjustment period. True, he started last year just as poorly and recovered to have a sound season in Atlanta. But while he wouldn't say as much, it had to stun him to hear throaty boos as he was rocked in an eventual 13-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. ''I'm upset I didn't throw the ball the way I wanted to throw it. At the same time, I know I let a lot of people down,'' said Maddux, more flip with his answers than visibly bummed out. ''I felt relaxed and comfortable on the mound. Mechanically, I felt good. Mentally, I felt good. It just didn't go where I was aiming.'' Was the windy chill too rude an awakening? ''I wasn't cold,'' he said. ''When you're moving around and your adrenaline is going, you're not cold. It was a perfect day to pitch. I didn't pitch good. I didn't locate well.'' At the moment, Maddux looks like an overpriced mistake compared to the option of the discarded Juan Cruz, particularly upon viewing what the Cubs received in the Cruz deal. His name is Andy Pratt, but I swear he's Ricky ''Wild Thing'' Vaughn straight from ''Major League.'' He was wild in Atlanta against his former club Saturday night, and he was wilder against the Pirates, throwing nine straight balls before Dusty Baker mercifully removed him. Before the game, Murray intentionally threw the ceremonial first pitch over the backstop. Little did he know Pratt and even Maddux would try to match him for ridiculousness. And for that matter, Joe Borowski continued to look shaky in an inning of much-needed work, allowing three runs and five hits while struggling to faze the radar gun. The only thing worse than the Pirates' 13 runs was the 16 runners they left on base. And the only thing worse than the Pirates' 17 hits was the three managed by the Cubs. ''We just got out butt beat,'' Baker said. ''Just a bad day all the way around.'' Maddux? ''He relies on location and he got some balls up. I've never seen him walk the pitcher before,'' Baker said. ''Everybody's capable, even the great Greg Maddux. I mean, he's human.'' Over coffee, I'll pass along to Gov. Rod what Dusty said. Then, hopefully, he can tell me why I won't be gouged at the gas pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSoxShuf Posted April 14, 2004 Author Share Posted April 14, 2004 :fyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Isn't that from yesterday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSoxShuf Posted April 14, 2004 Author Share Posted April 14, 2004 ok what is the real article??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Isn't that from yesterday? oops, just noticed the date...it's the latest article they have online Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Well on the site it doesnt have today's yet...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 The article posted by Play hatin was from yesterday. Today, he didn't have an article written. Probably spent yesterday admiring the Cell and cheering the White Sox during their home opener. On Moronitti's radio show this morning he was "torn" between attending a game on the south side or north side "I have space to fill for tomorrow, could be either team. What happens if I'm at the ballmall and word trickles down from Bruce Levine that Prior is experiencing pain while soft tossing? THAT would warrant my attention, as he is this years version of the Curse" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Today, he didn't even write a column... On Moronitti's radio show this morning he was "torn" between attending a game on the south side or north side that was convinient for him. i bet he's really "torn." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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