No relief for this city

I am sick to my stomach Roman and it ain't the Dodger Dogs.

My sister could pitch better relief. And why not bring my mother in to close; at least there would be cookies.

I would have left Hill in yesterday if I were Lou. He was doing better than any prospect coming off the bench. I would have much rather put another K in the box than a LO4 by Ward and still have some pitching to look forward to.

I would just like to see one game where the Cubs took the lead early and kept it until the end.

I am so disgusted I can't even be a little happy that the Sox are in the same boat, in fact; Sorry about your troubles Sox fans I hope things get better. Geezzz you see how sick I am.

Happy Memorial Day to all. And bless the families of the men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country. Baseball is unimportant compared to remembering them.

GO CUBS

Romo - I'm curious about something...

First off, I really enjoy your blog - you do a terrific job.
My question is do you and the other blog authors get additional money from the Sun Times if you're a regular columnist? The reason I ask is that some of the other ST blog owners seems to go weeks without updating their blogs. Isn't this part of their job?

Roman responds: Molly, I've been looking for an agent. You're hired.

Roman, I believe the Cubs have decent relievers, but the problem is with the managing and coaching. When Scott Eyre came in for the 8th yesterday he promptly served up three strikes... it just so happens that the third left the yard. Somebody needs to coach up these guys. On an 0-2 count you don't lace another 80 mph stike right down Broadway. You either nibble the corners or throw one in the dirt. Our guys seem too intent on throwing strikes come hell or high water. Yeah, throw a first ball strike, then take it from there. Seriously, we move Guzman and Marmol to the pen to set up Dempster, then a 1 run lead in the 8th comes along, and Piniella puts in Eyre with his shiny 9 ERA? I don't understand. Yeah Guzman walked 2 guys in the 11th, but he had a perfect 10th. If his 10th had instead been the 8th, we would have won the game. Also, Lou, don't be afraid to use Dempster for more than 3 outs. Ever hear of a 6 out save? We need to roll with Weurtz, Ohman, Guzman, Cotts, Cherry, and Howry ( I still think he can pitch).

And by the way, Will Lou ever find a lineup and stick to it? I hated that about Dusty, and now Lou is doing the same thing. I don't care if feelings get hurt. Find a lineup, and bring some gosh darn continuity to our team. This isn't little league where everyone gets their turn.

Hey maybe Devin Hester can set-up and Urlacher can close...

well, it is good to see you posting relevent threads again Mr. Modrowski. Why would you post something about UFC and not the INDY 500??? Are you nuts? The Illini thread???? Since when does anybody in Chicago care about U of I-unless there is a 'C' at the end ( I went there.....no one in Chicago cares).
What about this thread??? What real Cubs fan would bash the Cubbies anyway? what are you trying to prove with this thread?
The Sox aren't that bad...not even desparate. Do you have a blog quota to fill or something?

"Why can't this city get a decent set-up man or middle reliever?"

A: Recall when manager Tom Treblehorn held an impromptu 'fan conference' outside the bleachers to discuss the sorry play of the Cubs? Well, it's time to flush out the taverns for open tryouts on the street.

A couple of scouts from each organization can get the city to close off a block outside of the neighboring pubs after the game is over and let 'em have a go. The media will have a field day. And if any talent actually surfaces, there's a Hollywood movie deal to be had (I'm thinking of the Devil Rays reliever a few years ago who emerged while he was well entrenched as a high school biology teacher; played by Randy Quaid, I think.)

Stuck in WI..Indy? Are u nuts?
The sports biggest attraction is their biggest attraction because she's a woman! How lame is that?!
I take that back...she's the sports' biggest attraction because she's a hot woman! Whatever it takes. Soon she will be Indy racings' Anna K...
Indy racing is about as popular as the wiener race at Brewer games.

On second thought Roman the Cubbies don't deserve my mothers cookies.

Another great performance by the pen today.

Is it time for Lou to start throwing things yet?

Any clue to why the 3-4 balks Kim committed today were not called?
A warning for balks?

Things will get better!

GO CUBS

Cubs certainly have more trade baits than Sox do to strengthen pen. I wrote Padres to suggest a Linebrink for Jacque Jones trade.They kind of like that in a reply letter. Padres need a bat & a change of scenery might help Jones out. It's a wonder Eyre is still gas canning it ! He must have pics of Lou or something ? MacDougal looks like he lost it on south side .Sox appear to have finally woke up offensively but a weak pen & bench will do them in without the GM waking up. Sox problem is they don't have anyone that another team would want in a trade. That is anyone they could afford to deal away. If I'm another club I wouldn't want Mackowiak or alligator arms can't hit Iguchi as examples. Sox would probably have to give up a couple decent minor leaguers to pick up a Linebrink type pitcher.

Romo - new blog topic...did u see the NY Post suggesting Kobe to the Bulls? If he was interested 2 years ago after talking w Paxson and Skiles, why not now?
Now the bad part...what would the Lakers demand? Assuming you put Kobe at the 3, I'm guessing the trade would inlcude Deng, Gordon and Thomas and/or their #1 this year.

It was pretty irritating to see the Sox get ahead of Santana - which never, EVER happens - and see them promptly blow it. Granted, Contreras loaded the bases before getting relieved, but the reliever didn't need to allow ALL the runners to score, and then a couple extra for good measure.

I don't know what it is. MacDougal is normally a fine pitcher, he seems to be overthrowing the ball, who knows. Aardsma seems to be having the kind of control issues he had with the Cubs. Whether these are temporary issues or not, I can't know. Sisco was sucking really bad and hasn't really shown much all year so it was time for him to get sent down. At least Thornton has been ok.

I do know one thing. I've been witnessing two very good reasons Kansas City has been a cellar dweller in the past. Andike MacSisco.

Roman responds: I always find stuff like that to be funny.

MacDougal is just awful. I love how Ozzie sticks with his players and gives them EVERY chance, but its just been painful to see Mac. I don't like how he throws. He is throwing with all his power, but has no control. Nothing wrong with his speed, but mechanics may be off. He needs to be sent down. Our problem is still the bats. I still thing the Sox are due for a good long run.

MacDougal is just awful. I love how Ozzie sticks with his players and gives them EVERY chance, but its just been painful to see Mac. I don't like how he throws. He is throwing with all his power, but has no control. Nothing wrong with his speed, but mechanics may be off. He needs to be sent down. Our problem is still the bats. I still thing the Sox are due for a good long run.

When does football season start? I'm about ready to give up on the Cubs again until next year. Not really, but 5 out of six would sure help on this home stand.

Can Lance Briggs pitch? He might be looking for something to do this summer.

Lance would be better than McDougal, thats for sure.

If only Ditka would come and pitch relief for the Cubs. They might sew up the division before the All Star break.

Gas cans in pen aren't only problems for Chi baseball teams in 07. Cubs in spite of getting paid well can't do simple fundamentals such as smart base running or making routine defensive plays . Barrett continues to look like he's playing in a company softball game with his dumb base running. The cubs have hit respectable but fail in the clutch on a continued basis. Sox look at times like they are playing in a bubble too. A weak pen also & a very poor batting average as a team. Bases loaded tonite against a tired Twin pitcher Thome K's & Konerko weakly taps out on first pitch of relief pitcher. Examples of two clubs just going through the motions. Id say both clubs are a making me ashamed to be a Chicago baseball fan with such a lousy effort.