Hey, Hey. The Cubs are back in first place by percentage points over St. Louis, and lead the Cards in the loss column by two games. The White Sox are only two games back after a great weekend against the Yankees following their tough road trip. You could say that all is well in the City of Wind right now.
Another outstanding pitching performance by Randy Wells last night in Cincinnati. The guy improved his record to (8-4) overall, but if you look at his game log he'd be (14-2) if he had received ANY run support at all in his first several starts. The 26 year old right hander should absolutely win Rookie of the Month for July (5-1, 3.23 ERA) but how about Randy Wells for Rookie of the Year?
Wells' overall stats:
(8-4), 2.73 ERA, 102.1 IP, 65 K's, 23 BB's, 1.14 WHIP
The only rookie pitcher in the National League that even comes close to Wells is Philadelphia's J.A. Happ (7-2, 2.97 ERA). Wells has more wins, a better ERA, and a better WHIP (Happ's is 1.16). Not to mention, with the Phillies acquisition of Cliff Lee from Cleveland, there's a good chance that Happ will move to the bullpen all but ending his chances of winning R.O.Y. As far as rookie everyday players go in the National League, I've enjoyed watching leading contender Colby Rasmus of St. Louis (.252, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 310 AB's). His numbers simply aren't as staggering as Wells' or Happ's however, and now that the Cardinals acquired Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa, watch for Rasmus' playing time to decrease in the final two months of the season. (Man would I LOVE to see Jake Fox get 310 AB's!)
I know that it's a tired argument, and that I already clamored for Fox to get more playing time a few entries ago, but let's just take a look and see what ol' Jakey has done in that amount of time.
Fox hitting stats since July 28th:
15 AB's, .267 Avg., 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
Fox overall hitting stats in 2009:
107 AB's, .308 Avg., 8 HR's, 27 RBI's
Take Fox's stats and multiply them by 2.9 (to get to Colby Rasmus' 310 AB's) and Fox is running away with the NL Rookie of the Year Award (as far as "everyday players" are concerned).
Fox projected stats w/ Rasmus' amount of AB's:
.308, 23 HR's, 78 RBI's (w/o the protection of Albert Pujols in the lineup, and w/o a position).
In the American League, all I hear about is White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham (rightfully so), but given the opportunity, Fox would murder his stats as well. Beckham is batting .311, 5 HR's, 36 RBI, in 183 AB's. Let's compare ol' Jakey to Gordon by taking Fox's stats and multiplying them by 1.71 to get Beckham's amount of AB's.
Fox projected stats w/ Beckham's amount of AB's:
.308, 14 HR's, 46 RBI's (w/o the luxury of playing everyday, and w/o a position).
Good stuff huh? Now I'm completely aware that we're only looking at the offensive statistics when comparing Jake Fox to Gordon Beckham and Colby Rasmus. There's NO doubt that those two are MUCH better defensively than good ol' Jake Fox is...right? Well, let's take a look.
Fox has played 3B, 1B, LF, RF and C (versatile?). When comparing Fox at 3B to Beckham at 3B, there's really NO comparison. Fox has 1 error in 39 chances (.974 Fielding %), while Beckham has 9 errors in 160 chances (.944 Fielding %). If Fox fielded as many chances at 3B as Gordy, he'd have only 4 errors compared to the "Golden Boy's" 9! As far as Rasmus goes, it's a little bit more difficult to compare the two. Rasmus has played the majority of his games in CF, a position that Fox has/will never play(ed). However, Rasmus does have 1 error in 19 chances at the corner outfield spots, while Fox has 1 error in 14 chances playing the corners (pretty identical considering Fox is SO terrible defensively according to all of the experts).
Yes, when getting into zone ratings and range factors, Beckham and Rasmus are superior defensively. Only a moron would argue otherwise. But when you factor in that Jake Fox is FAR superior offensively than those two, and very comparable in the field as well...it makes you really wonder why he's not playing over Koyie Hill, Geovany Soto, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, and Milton Bradley. Can someone PLEASE introduce Lou to "Webby Files?"
BTW, this entry was INTENDED to be about Randy Wells...
Thanks for checking out my little blog. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section. Right now I'm listening to "Wait at Milano" by Tim Barry. Great song by a great song writer. Drinks of Choice: OJ. Big softball game tonight, final one of the regular season. If we win, we could end up with the number one seed in the playoffs, if we lose, we'll drop to three or four. Let's make it seven in a row.
Later.
Webby
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Got a Little Captain in You?
Hello again. I'm back from the dark walls/warm beer/sweaty air of recording some songs over the weekend. Won't have the final mixes for another week or so, but all in all I think that it turned out pretty well. I ended up recording seven songs for this little EP, and I'm planning on booking some shows in the very NEAR future all around Chicagoland. So stay tuned.
It was kind of funny how the process ended up taking place. I went in with the idea that I'd record these songs as simple acoustic demos with the possibility of adding some lead guitar parts here and there and maybe a little bass. I proceeded to introduce the tracks to a couple of friends in a room full of band equipment, so naturally we played them as "full band" songs with drums, bass, electric guitar, etc. This was a HUGE mistake, and I'll tell you why...the songs ended up sounding great. Because of that, I was led into deciding that I was going to record these songs as a full band and not just acoustic. I got greedy. Now that would've been fine if we had a full week to rehearse and record them, the problem is...we had two days.
On the first day, we tried laying down drum and bass tracks the day after my drummer and bassist learned the songs. Normally when a band goes into a studio to record, they've done the following things: played the songs a million times, wrote their OWN parts to the songs, and had the general idea as a whole of what "sound" they work looking to achieve in the "big picture" of whatever it is that they were recording. These guys had none of that. It wasn't their fault, they just weren't well rehearsed in the songs, didn't write their own parts to the songs, and didn't know the exact "sound" that I was looking for. I just put them in a "lose-lose" situation. Needless to say, we had a very unproductive first day in the studio so I decided to scrap the whole idea, and just do exactly what I should have done in the first place. Record the songs as acoustic demos with the possibility of adding some lead guitar parts here and there and a little bass. So that's what I did (I still may end up recording them as "full band" songs in the future...I'm just not there yet).
The next day I cranked out seven songs in eight hours (world record timing). I played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and then sang all of the vocals. Obviously, only having one day to work with, and thus cramming in all of these parts in such timely fashion, I really sacrificed some of the quality of the project, but I still think that it will turn out pretty well. It just felt great to record something again. There's something special about creating something that is completely YOU. Whether other people like it or hate it doesn't concern me that much, I'm just proud that I was able to accomplish something that I wanted to achieve for quite some time now. (Yay me!...make fun of my self indulgence here_______).
Normally I would have a few more paragraphs left in me, but I just don't seem to have much else to say to you today. OK, here's a few things:
I'm told that Kevin Gregg sucks (he's basically what Kerry Wood was last year...adequate), I'm not a huge fan of the Jake Peavy move (enjoy the AL Jake), as I've predicted since April, I believe that the Bears will make it to the Super Bowl (yes, I said it BEFORE it became fashionable), it's not gay to enjoy Bruce Springsteen (His 70's stuff is brilliant), who cares where Michael Jackson's kids are headed, I'm excited to see the "Inglorious Bastards" movie, it's not gay to prefer cats over dogs (it might be, but I still do), you should NEVER pay more than 10 cents apiece for chicken wings, it IS gay for a man to drink Captain and Cokes unless it's in the summer time and BEFORE 5pm, and there is nothing worse than those who get offended when people use the term "gay" to describe something...YOU are FAR MORE homophobic than I.
It's good to be back. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to "Bowl of Oranges" by Bright Eyes. Drinks of Choice: I should say Captain and Coke, but that would be lying.
Your Pal.
Webby
It was kind of funny how the process ended up taking place. I went in with the idea that I'd record these songs as simple acoustic demos with the possibility of adding some lead guitar parts here and there and maybe a little bass. I proceeded to introduce the tracks to a couple of friends in a room full of band equipment, so naturally we played them as "full band" songs with drums, bass, electric guitar, etc. This was a HUGE mistake, and I'll tell you why...the songs ended up sounding great. Because of that, I was led into deciding that I was going to record these songs as a full band and not just acoustic. I got greedy. Now that would've been fine if we had a full week to rehearse and record them, the problem is...we had two days.
On the first day, we tried laying down drum and bass tracks the day after my drummer and bassist learned the songs. Normally when a band goes into a studio to record, they've done the following things: played the songs a million times, wrote their OWN parts to the songs, and had the general idea as a whole of what "sound" they work looking to achieve in the "big picture" of whatever it is that they were recording. These guys had none of that. It wasn't their fault, they just weren't well rehearsed in the songs, didn't write their own parts to the songs, and didn't know the exact "sound" that I was looking for. I just put them in a "lose-lose" situation. Needless to say, we had a very unproductive first day in the studio so I decided to scrap the whole idea, and just do exactly what I should have done in the first place. Record the songs as acoustic demos with the possibility of adding some lead guitar parts here and there and a little bass. So that's what I did (I still may end up recording them as "full band" songs in the future...I'm just not there yet).
The next day I cranked out seven songs in eight hours (world record timing). I played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and then sang all of the vocals. Obviously, only having one day to work with, and thus cramming in all of these parts in such timely fashion, I really sacrificed some of the quality of the project, but I still think that it will turn out pretty well. It just felt great to record something again. There's something special about creating something that is completely YOU. Whether other people like it or hate it doesn't concern me that much, I'm just proud that I was able to accomplish something that I wanted to achieve for quite some time now. (Yay me!...make fun of my self indulgence here_______).
Normally I would have a few more paragraphs left in me, but I just don't seem to have much else to say to you today. OK, here's a few things:
I'm told that Kevin Gregg sucks (he's basically what Kerry Wood was last year...adequate), I'm not a huge fan of the Jake Peavy move (enjoy the AL Jake), as I've predicted since April, I believe that the Bears will make it to the Super Bowl (yes, I said it BEFORE it became fashionable), it's not gay to enjoy Bruce Springsteen (His 70's stuff is brilliant), who cares where Michael Jackson's kids are headed, I'm excited to see the "Inglorious Bastards" movie, it's not gay to prefer cats over dogs (it might be, but I still do), you should NEVER pay more than 10 cents apiece for chicken wings, it IS gay for a man to drink Captain and Cokes unless it's in the summer time and BEFORE 5pm, and there is nothing worse than those who get offended when people use the term "gay" to describe something...YOU are FAR MORE homophobic than I.
It's good to be back. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to "Bowl of Oranges" by Bright Eyes. Drinks of Choice: I should say Captain and Coke, but that would be lying.
Your Pal.
Webby
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
You said You and Me was Gonna get out of Town and for Once just Really let our Hair Down. Well Darlin', Look Out 'Cause My Hair is Comin' Down!
Happy "hump day" guys and gals. A big time win for my softball team last night. Going into the game we were tied with The Score for second place in the league at (6-2). We played the first place team Jack FM who was (7-1) and beat them in "walk-off" fashion 6-5. Now all three teams (us, The Score, Jack FM) are tied for first place in the league at (7-2) with one regular season game remaining before the playoffs. I was a solid 2 for 3 from the dish with 2 RBI's (pedestrian). Not sure how the tie-breakers are going to work this mess out, but I wouldn't want to play us as we've won six games in a row after a terrible (1-2) start to the season. I love softball. Yes (in Hawk's voice only).
As I predicted in yesterday's entry, the Cubs ended up losing last night to the Astros. The problem is, if you would've told me that they (the Cubs) were going to score six runs and have Roy Oswalt leave the game with an injury after pitching an inning and two thirds, I'd probably have chalked up a victory for the Northsiders. Well, what can you do? Big bounce back day today as Randy Wells takes the bump and tries to win game three of four in the series.
As I told you last week, I'm heading into the studio tomorrow to record an EP that I've written this summer. I'm bringing ten songs, but I haven't decided how many of them are actually going to make the record. When you write your own songs, naturally you love all of them for what they are, and in their own way. But that doesn't matter. You can love everything that you create (songs/paintings/dumps), but if no one else thinks very much of them, it doesn't mean a whole lot (I'm talking to you Randy Marsh...South Park, not the umpire). I'm just going to bring in these ten songs, and let the guys that I'll be working with have a LOT of input on what they consider to be the "recording worthy" tracks of the bunch.
I must admit that I'm very excited about this, but also extremely nervous. I've always been a pretty confident person in every aspect of what I've done (I know that I sound like an assclown for saying that), but since it's been so long since I've shared my music with someone else, I'm pretty scared about the entire process. With that being said, I do think that it's good and very important to get out of your "comfort zone" every once in awhile with whatever it is that you do. There's absolutely NO way that anyone can grow by doing what's comfortable to them everyday. There are so many people, in every walk of life, that take NO chances with what they do, and work the SAME job for 30 years with NO possible advancement (I guess that kind of security isn't a terrible thing...but I'll continue anyway with or without you) and eat at the SAME restaurant once a week, and NEVER travel anywhere, and just stay in their little BUBBLE for an entire lifetime. THAT'S NOT LIVING! Put yourself into an uncomfortable position from time to time. Do something that you've always wanted to do. If you want to skydive...what are you waiting for? If you hate the way that your boss runs things and you want to start your own business and run it "your way"...you should've quit YESTERDAY. If you've always wanted to go to Australia...just spend the money and do it (I hear that it's glorious). If you hate your office job and have always wanted to be a writer/musician/artist, please don't waste any more of your repetitive life. Quit the cubicle, and TAKE A CHANCE! I know that it's cliche', but you ONLY LIVE ONCE. (You'll wait forever if you think that there's reincarnation/heaven/judgment day/or any other stupid tradition that people try to force on you...stop waiting, cause it ain't coming).
There are always going to be naysayers when it comes to stuff like this. Generally, it's called ENVY. No matter what, there will always be a group of people that spend their lifeless days trying to bring those that are actually trying to do something "out of the norm" with their lives down to their pathetic level. These turds are inevitable. They exist like parasites around those who don't subscribe to their "cookie cutter" way of doing things. People are always envious when someone actually grows/has the balls to get out of the "rat race" and try something that they've always wanted to do even when it defies all aspects of logic. No one likes "punching the clock" at a job that they hate, in a town that they despise, while not tasting a drop of any of the possibilities that are actually out there for all of us. So naturally, they want to try and pull you down into what it is that they deal with on a day to day basis...their scummy lives. DON'T let these FOOLS bother you for a second.
To kind of wrap this entire entry up into a pretty red bow...99% of us want to do something with our lives that is "outside of the box" and not an "average Joe" way of traveling this road. Only 1% of us actually make it happen.
Which percentage do YOU fall into?
Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. I'll be in the studio all day, everyday from tomorrow through Saturday so you won't hear from me until Monday (you'll live a FEW days without "Webby Files" won't you?) Right now I'm listening to "Please, Please, Please Let Me get what I Want" by The Smiths. Maybe my all-time favorite band. Drinks of choice: ice water...drank WAY too much last night for Jeffy's birthday.
Get out there and be somebody (one of the WORST cliches of all-time).
Webby
As I predicted in yesterday's entry, the Cubs ended up losing last night to the Astros. The problem is, if you would've told me that they (the Cubs) were going to score six runs and have Roy Oswalt leave the game with an injury after pitching an inning and two thirds, I'd probably have chalked up a victory for the Northsiders. Well, what can you do? Big bounce back day today as Randy Wells takes the bump and tries to win game three of four in the series.
As I told you last week, I'm heading into the studio tomorrow to record an EP that I've written this summer. I'm bringing ten songs, but I haven't decided how many of them are actually going to make the record. When you write your own songs, naturally you love all of them for what they are, and in their own way. But that doesn't matter. You can love everything that you create (songs/paintings/dumps), but if no one else thinks very much of them, it doesn't mean a whole lot (I'm talking to you Randy Marsh...South Park, not the umpire). I'm just going to bring in these ten songs, and let the guys that I'll be working with have a LOT of input on what they consider to be the "recording worthy" tracks of the bunch.
I must admit that I'm very excited about this, but also extremely nervous. I've always been a pretty confident person in every aspect of what I've done (I know that I sound like an assclown for saying that), but since it's been so long since I've shared my music with someone else, I'm pretty scared about the entire process. With that being said, I do think that it's good and very important to get out of your "comfort zone" every once in awhile with whatever it is that you do. There's absolutely NO way that anyone can grow by doing what's comfortable to them everyday. There are so many people, in every walk of life, that take NO chances with what they do, and work the SAME job for 30 years with NO possible advancement (I guess that kind of security isn't a terrible thing...but I'll continue anyway with or without you) and eat at the SAME restaurant once a week, and NEVER travel anywhere, and just stay in their little BUBBLE for an entire lifetime. THAT'S NOT LIVING! Put yourself into an uncomfortable position from time to time. Do something that you've always wanted to do. If you want to skydive...what are you waiting for? If you hate the way that your boss runs things and you want to start your own business and run it "your way"...you should've quit YESTERDAY. If you've always wanted to go to Australia...just spend the money and do it (I hear that it's glorious). If you hate your office job and have always wanted to be a writer/musician/artist, please don't waste any more of your repetitive life. Quit the cubicle, and TAKE A CHANCE! I know that it's cliche', but you ONLY LIVE ONCE. (You'll wait forever if you think that there's reincarnation/heaven/judgment day/or any other stupid tradition that people try to force on you...stop waiting, cause it ain't coming).
There are always going to be naysayers when it comes to stuff like this. Generally, it's called ENVY. No matter what, there will always be a group of people that spend their lifeless days trying to bring those that are actually trying to do something "out of the norm" with their lives down to their pathetic level. These turds are inevitable. They exist like parasites around those who don't subscribe to their "cookie cutter" way of doing things. People are always envious when someone actually grows/has the balls to get out of the "rat race" and try something that they've always wanted to do even when it defies all aspects of logic. No one likes "punching the clock" at a job that they hate, in a town that they despise, while not tasting a drop of any of the possibilities that are actually out there for all of us. So naturally, they want to try and pull you down into what it is that they deal with on a day to day basis...their scummy lives. DON'T let these FOOLS bother you for a second.
To kind of wrap this entire entry up into a pretty red bow...99% of us want to do something with our lives that is "outside of the box" and not an "average Joe" way of traveling this road. Only 1% of us actually make it happen.
Which percentage do YOU fall into?
Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. I'll be in the studio all day, everyday from tomorrow through Saturday so you won't hear from me until Monday (you'll live a FEW days without "Webby Files" won't you?) Right now I'm listening to "Please, Please, Please Let Me get what I Want" by The Smiths. Maybe my all-time favorite band. Drinks of choice: ice water...drank WAY too much last night for Jeffy's birthday.
Get out there and be somebody (one of the WORST cliches of all-time).
Webby
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I've Tried 'em all, I Really Have, and the Only Church that Truly Feeds the Soul, Day in, Day out, is the Church of Baseball.
Hello again everybody. Can Jake Fox (Johnny Bench) please get a start behind the plate? All the guy does is hit, and for as bad as everyone says he is defensively he does an adequate job anywhere the Cubs seem to put him. Give him a start behind the dish so we can have that bat in the lineup. Thank you. If they would have put him at 3B as soon as Aramis Ramirez went down instead of going with Fontenot/Miles/Freel, I guarantee that their record wouldn't have been as bad as it was during that stretch. More of this discussion in a bit...
Another quality win last night for the Northsiders as Zambrano pitched 7 innings of 1 run, 3 hit baseball, and the bullpen gave the Cubs six scoreless innings. For as bad as that bullpen was in April, they have become one of the main STRENGTHS of this ball club. Even with Guzman and Gregg not available last night, they didn't miss a beat throwing Aaron Heilman, Jeff Stevens and Jeff Samardjiza out there after Carlos Marmol shut down the Astros. Now we get Ryan Dempster back starting tonight after his broken toe had him on the DL...I predicted in yesterday's entry: "There's No Crying in Baseball!" that the Cubs will take three out of four in this series. Well that obviously means that you're going to lose one. I think that tonight is the night that the Cubs' winning streak comes to an end with Roy Oswalt on the bump for the 'Stros. Prove me wrong Demp.
Whenever anyone lobbies for a guy like Jake Fox (a "late bloomer" out of the minor leagues) to get more playing time or to be included in a trade for some kind of need on your particular baseball team, all of the so-called "experts" on sports radio/newspapers immediately call the guy a "meatball" and dismiss his ideas because NO ONE that's any good spends that much time in the minor leagues. Well, that's simply not true. Try WATCHING a baseball game or two instead of burying your head in all of the saber metrics and you'll SEE that there are guys all around baseball that just took a little bit longer to develop than others. Of course, there are many examples of guys who get called up to the big leagues after a long tenure in the minors, enjoy a good three weeks and then are never heard from again (Bobby Scales). No question about it, but a lot of times you can SEE the difference with the old fashioned "eye test" between the "cup of coffee" guy, and the potential "everyday player."
Fox turned 27 years of age last week. He had a stint with the Cubs back in 2007 (2 for 14, 1 RBI) but wasn't heard from again until this season. At AAA Iowa this year, Jake Fox played in 46 games (roughly 1/4 of the season). In that amount of time he hit .409 with 17 HR and 53 RBI! I'm not the greatest at math, but multiply those numbers by four (not quite, I know...just relax) and that's an unheard of type of season. Since being called up, and given very sporadic amounts of playing time (92 AB's in 36 games), Fox is hitting .315 with 5 HR and 21 RBI. Not only has is playing time been inconsistent, he hasn't been able to get comfortable at a position either. He's played 15 games at 3B, 5 in LF, 5 in RF, 3 at 1B and 2 games behind the plate. You expect a guy to perform at a high level, yet you play him twice a week and when you do put him in the lineup, it's at a different position every time. Not easy, me thinks.
Now I'm not saying that Jake Fox is a future Hall of Famer. All I know is that the Cubs weren't getting any production out of third base. Then finally, Piniella said "screw it," put Fox at third, he hit, and the team started winning. Right now the Cubs are getting ZERO production from Koyie Hill behind the plate (offensively), and very little production from Fontenot/Baker at second base. How long will it take Piniella to realize that today's game is about hitting? Look at Boston/Philadelphia/LA Dodgers...yes, they do have solid pitching, but it's those OFFENSES that carry those teams to pennants, not wasting all of your time worrying about who plays a better defensive second base. You deal with the defensive shortcomings of Manny/Soriano/Pierzynski/the entire St. Louis Cardinals defense minus Molina, because you want their BATS in the lineup.
Play Jake Fox somewhere everyday, or trade the man while you can still get something for him. Yes, sports radio/newspaper "experts," he DOES have value. There are several guys who were older than Jake Fox before they started playing everyday. Some of them are pretty damn good players. You still don't believe me? Here are just a few:
Raul Ibanez, Phi - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2001. At 37, he's batting .308 with 26 HR and 74 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Nelson Cruz, Tex - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 29. He's batting .269 with 24 HR and 56 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Ben Zobrist, T.B. - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 28. He's batting .301 with 18 HR and 54 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Ryan Ludwick, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2007. At 31, he's batting .271 with 17 HR and 63 RBI. (1 time All-Star, 1 time Silver Slugger).
Luke Scott, Bal - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2007. At 31, he's batting .281 with 18 HR and 53 RBI.
Mark DeRosa, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2003. At 34, he's batting .266 with 18 HR and 57 RBI.
Jack Cust, Oak - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2007. At 30, he's batting .232 with 16 HR and 50 RBI.
Casey Blake, LAD - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2003. At 35, he's batting .274 with 12 HR and 58 RBI.
Nyjer Morgan, Was - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 29. He's batting .303 (stealing 1st) with 2 HR and 31 RBI to go along with 30 SB's.
Skip Schumacker, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2008. At 29, he's batting .304 with 3 HR and 24 RBI.
There are countless other good Major League players who were older than Jake Fox before they finally got their shot to play everyday. Don't buy into the "sports radio cliches" of "there's a reason why he's just starting to play at the age of 26/27, he's not that good." I agree with you. There is a reason. He wasn't good enough back when he was 21...but he is now. Watch a game.
Thanks for checking out my blog, I don't like to talk strictly sports like I've done the past two entries, but it's hard for me to get past how the Cubs are finally playing like they were expected to play. We'll get back to drama/advice/farts, etc. tomorrow (unless they win again :) Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to "You're Wrong" by NOFX. I agree with 99% of this song, but I just can't get away from meat...it's so delicious. Drinks of Choice: beef broth :) Big softball game today, highlights tomorrow.
I'm out.
Webby
Another quality win last night for the Northsiders as Zambrano pitched 7 innings of 1 run, 3 hit baseball, and the bullpen gave the Cubs six scoreless innings. For as bad as that bullpen was in April, they have become one of the main STRENGTHS of this ball club. Even with Guzman and Gregg not available last night, they didn't miss a beat throwing Aaron Heilman, Jeff Stevens and Jeff Samardjiza out there after Carlos Marmol shut down the Astros. Now we get Ryan Dempster back starting tonight after his broken toe had him on the DL...I predicted in yesterday's entry: "There's No Crying in Baseball!" that the Cubs will take three out of four in this series. Well that obviously means that you're going to lose one. I think that tonight is the night that the Cubs' winning streak comes to an end with Roy Oswalt on the bump for the 'Stros. Prove me wrong Demp.
Whenever anyone lobbies for a guy like Jake Fox (a "late bloomer" out of the minor leagues) to get more playing time or to be included in a trade for some kind of need on your particular baseball team, all of the so-called "experts" on sports radio/newspapers immediately call the guy a "meatball" and dismiss his ideas because NO ONE that's any good spends that much time in the minor leagues. Well, that's simply not true. Try WATCHING a baseball game or two instead of burying your head in all of the saber metrics and you'll SEE that there are guys all around baseball that just took a little bit longer to develop than others. Of course, there are many examples of guys who get called up to the big leagues after a long tenure in the minors, enjoy a good three weeks and then are never heard from again (Bobby Scales). No question about it, but a lot of times you can SEE the difference with the old fashioned "eye test" between the "cup of coffee" guy, and the potential "everyday player."
Fox turned 27 years of age last week. He had a stint with the Cubs back in 2007 (2 for 14, 1 RBI) but wasn't heard from again until this season. At AAA Iowa this year, Jake Fox played in 46 games (roughly 1/4 of the season). In that amount of time he hit .409 with 17 HR and 53 RBI! I'm not the greatest at math, but multiply those numbers by four (not quite, I know...just relax) and that's an unheard of type of season. Since being called up, and given very sporadic amounts of playing time (92 AB's in 36 games), Fox is hitting .315 with 5 HR and 21 RBI. Not only has is playing time been inconsistent, he hasn't been able to get comfortable at a position either. He's played 15 games at 3B, 5 in LF, 5 in RF, 3 at 1B and 2 games behind the plate. You expect a guy to perform at a high level, yet you play him twice a week and when you do put him in the lineup, it's at a different position every time. Not easy, me thinks.
Now I'm not saying that Jake Fox is a future Hall of Famer. All I know is that the Cubs weren't getting any production out of third base. Then finally, Piniella said "screw it," put Fox at third, he hit, and the team started winning. Right now the Cubs are getting ZERO production from Koyie Hill behind the plate (offensively), and very little production from Fontenot/Baker at second base. How long will it take Piniella to realize that today's game is about hitting? Look at Boston/Philadelphia/LA Dodgers...yes, they do have solid pitching, but it's those OFFENSES that carry those teams to pennants, not wasting all of your time worrying about who plays a better defensive second base. You deal with the defensive shortcomings of Manny/Soriano/Pierzynski/the entire St. Louis Cardinals defense minus Molina, because you want their BATS in the lineup.
Play Jake Fox somewhere everyday, or trade the man while you can still get something for him. Yes, sports radio/newspaper "experts," he DOES have value. There are several guys who were older than Jake Fox before they started playing everyday. Some of them are pretty damn good players. You still don't believe me? Here are just a few:
Raul Ibanez, Phi - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2001. At 37, he's batting .308 with 26 HR and 74 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Nelson Cruz, Tex - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 29. He's batting .269 with 24 HR and 56 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Ben Zobrist, T.B. - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 28. He's batting .301 with 18 HR and 54 RBI. (1 time All-Star).
Ryan Ludwick, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2007. At 31, he's batting .271 with 17 HR and 63 RBI. (1 time All-Star, 1 time Silver Slugger).
Luke Scott, Bal - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2007. At 31, he's batting .281 with 18 HR and 53 RBI.
Mark DeRosa, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2003. At 34, he's batting .266 with 18 HR and 57 RBI.
Jack Cust, Oak - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2007. At 30, he's batting .232 with 16 HR and 50 RBI.
Casey Blake, LAD - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 29 back in 2003. At 35, he's batting .274 with 12 HR and 58 RBI.
Nyjer Morgan, Was - Still hasn't played 100 games in a season (he will this year) at the age of 29. He's batting .303 (stealing 1st) with 2 HR and 31 RBI to go along with 30 SB's.
Skip Schumacker, STL - Played 100 games in a season for the first time in his career at the age of 28 back in 2008. At 29, he's batting .304 with 3 HR and 24 RBI.
There are countless other good Major League players who were older than Jake Fox before they finally got their shot to play everyday. Don't buy into the "sports radio cliches" of "there's a reason why he's just starting to play at the age of 26/27, he's not that good." I agree with you. There is a reason. He wasn't good enough back when he was 21...but he is now. Watch a game.
Thanks for checking out my blog, I don't like to talk strictly sports like I've done the past two entries, but it's hard for me to get past how the Cubs are finally playing like they were expected to play. We'll get back to drama/advice/farts, etc. tomorrow (unless they win again :) Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to "You're Wrong" by NOFX. I agree with 99% of this song, but I just can't get away from meat...it's so delicious. Drinks of Choice: beef broth :) Big softball game today, highlights tomorrow.
I'm out.
Webby
Monday, July 27, 2009
There's No Crying in Baseball!
What up y'alls? Hope your weekend was as good as the Cubs'. I probably couldn't have drawn that one up any better. The Cubs of course swept a three game series vs. Cincinnati at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2001. I figured that they would win two out of three, but sweeping them at home wasn't that big of a surprise considering how poorly the Reds have been playing in the second half. Here's where it gets better/more surprising if you're a Cubs fan. I assumed that Philadelphia would take two out of three vs. St. Louis (didn't know the games would be so lopsided), that wasn't a shock either, but to have the New York Mets go into Houston and take two of three from the red-hot Astros (combined score of 18-6 in the Mets' two wins) and for Atlanta to go into Miller Park and take two of three from the Brewers (combined score of 19-6 in the Braves' two wins) now THAT was a very pleasant surprise. I was off in my prediction from Friday's post where I said, "The Cubs will only be a 1/2 game out of 1st place on Monday." I can deal with being wrong every once in awhile. Great weekend.
From the Cubs' perspective, the standings are stacking up very nicely right now as we head into August and the "dog days" of the season. Not only are the Northsiders in 1st place by a 1/2 game after a very sub-par first 3 1/2 months, they lead the Cardinals and Astros by 3 full games in the loss column, while Milwaukee is four games back! With as good as Randy Wells (6-4, 3.10 ERA) and Kevin Hart (2-1, 2.08 ERA) have pitched, getting Ryan Dempster and All-Star Ted Lilly back into the rotation, and hopefully getting a HEALTHY Geovany Soto back will be like acquiring THREE former All-Star players at the trade deadline for a team that is already in 1st place. It seems that things are finally coming together for the '09 team, and I believe that it will only get better. (I just jinxed it didn't I?)
I like what St. Louis has done in the last few weeks (as does a very SURPRISED Tony LaRussa). The front-office was criticized very heavily for doing absolutely nothing in the off-season as far as key acquisitions go, yet LaRussa led a very over-achieving group to a hot start (17-7) in the first month of the season. Since then, the Cardinals have played the kind of baseball that most experts predicted them to play: A team that could jump up and bite you (because of Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter), but a slightly below average team none the less (a 36-41 record since their nice April). With the acquisitions of Mark DeRosa (does NOT look right in that uniform) and Matt Holiday (very surprising that the Red Birds gave up one of their BEST prospects for what is seemingly a renta-player), this is now a VERY formidable line-up as far as I'm concerned. Pujols now has legitimate protection with Holiday, and with DeRosa in the lineup, Cardinals fans don't have to see Joe Thurston playing everyday at third base (I'd be thrilled about that). If you've noticed, I haven't mentioned anything about the Julio Lugo acquisition. Well, that's because I don't really consider it to be that meaningful. Yes, I know that the guy is batting .317 right now (coincidentally what Aaron Miles batted last season...who?), but he's only played in 40 games (that avg. will drop very quickly) and I've always enjoyed the way that Brendan Ryan plays. He just seems to be more of a "LaRussa guy" than Lugo. Also, have fun with that $9 million per year for a utility infielder. (Not sure how much the Cards have to pay of that massive contract, but something to consider). I just hope he doesn't beat the crap out of any women down in the "Gateway City," that would be unfortunate.
Let's take a look ahead...
The Cubs welcome Houston into town for a four game series starting tonight (the fourth game being a make-up from an earlier rain-out). St. Louis gets to host the team with the best record in baseball as the Dodgers (62-36) come to Busch (very funny) for four, and Milwaukee has the good fortune of playing the next seven games against the Nationals (30-68) and the Padres (38-61). The Cubs have a great opportunity to really put a damper into the hopes of a valiant second half comeback from the Astros. If the Cubs can continue their outstanding play at home (30-18) and take three of four, all of a sudden Houston is four games back and five back in the loss column heading into August. The Cardinals are (26-21) at home and the Dodgers are (28-19) on the road. Something has to give in this series. My prediction: They split. Milwaukee should at worst go 3-1 against the crap that they get to face at home before heading to San Diego, so after this next series for all of these teams, here's what I believe the standings will be:
Chicago (54-46)
St. Louis (55-50) 1.5 GB
Milwaukee (52-50) 3 GB
Houston (51-51) 4 GB
Since we are heading into August and there are still a TON of games to be played, let's see who has the easiest road to the division:
Chicago - 66 games remaining (33 Home, 33 Away).
St. Louis - 61 games remaining (34 Home, 27 Away).
Milwaukee - 64 games remaining (32 Home, 32 Away).
Houston - 64 games remaining (31 Home, 33 Away).
St. Louis clearly has the advantage with the amount of home games remaining on their schedule. The Cardinals aren't as good at home as the Cubs, but the six less road games should definitely play to their advantage. Houston has the toughest road with more games away from Minute Maid Park than at home. Let's take a look at the caliber of opponents that are left on each team's schedule:
Chicago - Remaining opponent's winning % is .488 (36 games against teams .500 or better).
St. Louis - Remaining opponent's winning % is .488 (37 games against teams .500 or better).
Milwaukee - Remaining opponent's winning % is .457 (38 games against teams .500 or better).
Houston - Remaining opponent's winning % is .506 (46 games against teams .500 or better).
I think that these numbers are staggering! Milwaukee has a huge advantage as far as the winning % of their remaining opponents is concerned, while Houston is in BIG TROUBLE. Not only do the Astros remaining opponents combine to have an above .500 winning %, they play 46 individual games against teams at/over the mark (including the next 23 in a row!) I like where the Cardinals sit because they have all of those home games left, and of their 27 road games remaining only 12 of them are against teams that are .500 or better. The Cubs look very good as well with only 36 of their remaining 66 games against winning teams as they sit atop of the division.
Looking ahead to the final week of the season, know this: If the division is tight with six games to go, the Cubs are winning it (wow, two jinxes in one blog...very unlike me). The Northsiders close 2009 with six straight home games. Three against Pittsburgh (43-55) and then three against Arizona (43-56). The other teams in the mix aren't quite as fortunate. St. Louis has three AT Cincinnati (44-53) and then closes out at home with three big ones vs. Milwaukee (49-49). The Brewers play three AT Colorado (54-44) before heading TO Busch (53-48), while the Astros finish with four AT Philadelphia (56-40) before heading TO New York (46-51) for three vs. the Mets. Let's just take care of business vs. the pesky Astros.
It's good to dive into a little baseball after a great weekend. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back after a very unfortunate (1-3) series at Detroit. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog with your thoughts on the NL Central race. Right now I'm listening to "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" by Vampire Weekend. Catchy tune. Drinks of Choice: Smithwick's (don't ever say the name of this beer wrong!) Take care.
Webby
From the Cubs' perspective, the standings are stacking up very nicely right now as we head into August and the "dog days" of the season. Not only are the Northsiders in 1st place by a 1/2 game after a very sub-par first 3 1/2 months, they lead the Cardinals and Astros by 3 full games in the loss column, while Milwaukee is four games back! With as good as Randy Wells (6-4, 3.10 ERA) and Kevin Hart (2-1, 2.08 ERA) have pitched, getting Ryan Dempster and All-Star Ted Lilly back into the rotation, and hopefully getting a HEALTHY Geovany Soto back will be like acquiring THREE former All-Star players at the trade deadline for a team that is already in 1st place. It seems that things are finally coming together for the '09 team, and I believe that it will only get better. (I just jinxed it didn't I?)
I like what St. Louis has done in the last few weeks (as does a very SURPRISED Tony LaRussa). The front-office was criticized very heavily for doing absolutely nothing in the off-season as far as key acquisitions go, yet LaRussa led a very over-achieving group to a hot start (17-7) in the first month of the season. Since then, the Cardinals have played the kind of baseball that most experts predicted them to play: A team that could jump up and bite you (because of Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter), but a slightly below average team none the less (a 36-41 record since their nice April). With the acquisitions of Mark DeRosa (does NOT look right in that uniform) and Matt Holiday (very surprising that the Red Birds gave up one of their BEST prospects for what is seemingly a renta-player), this is now a VERY formidable line-up as far as I'm concerned. Pujols now has legitimate protection with Holiday, and with DeRosa in the lineup, Cardinals fans don't have to see Joe Thurston playing everyday at third base (I'd be thrilled about that). If you've noticed, I haven't mentioned anything about the Julio Lugo acquisition. Well, that's because I don't really consider it to be that meaningful. Yes, I know that the guy is batting .317 right now (coincidentally what Aaron Miles batted last season...who?), but he's only played in 40 games (that avg. will drop very quickly) and I've always enjoyed the way that Brendan Ryan plays. He just seems to be more of a "LaRussa guy" than Lugo. Also, have fun with that $9 million per year for a utility infielder. (Not sure how much the Cards have to pay of that massive contract, but something to consider). I just hope he doesn't beat the crap out of any women down in the "Gateway City," that would be unfortunate.
Let's take a look ahead...
The Cubs welcome Houston into town for a four game series starting tonight (the fourth game being a make-up from an earlier rain-out). St. Louis gets to host the team with the best record in baseball as the Dodgers (62-36) come to Busch (very funny) for four, and Milwaukee has the good fortune of playing the next seven games against the Nationals (30-68) and the Padres (38-61). The Cubs have a great opportunity to really put a damper into the hopes of a valiant second half comeback from the Astros. If the Cubs can continue their outstanding play at home (30-18) and take three of four, all of a sudden Houston is four games back and five back in the loss column heading into August. The Cardinals are (26-21) at home and the Dodgers are (28-19) on the road. Something has to give in this series. My prediction: They split. Milwaukee should at worst go 3-1 against the crap that they get to face at home before heading to San Diego, so after this next series for all of these teams, here's what I believe the standings will be:
Chicago (54-46)
St. Louis (55-50) 1.5 GB
Milwaukee (52-50) 3 GB
Houston (51-51) 4 GB
Since we are heading into August and there are still a TON of games to be played, let's see who has the easiest road to the division:
Chicago - 66 games remaining (33 Home, 33 Away).
St. Louis - 61 games remaining (34 Home, 27 Away).
Milwaukee - 64 games remaining (32 Home, 32 Away).
Houston - 64 games remaining (31 Home, 33 Away).
St. Louis clearly has the advantage with the amount of home games remaining on their schedule. The Cardinals aren't as good at home as the Cubs, but the six less road games should definitely play to their advantage. Houston has the toughest road with more games away from Minute Maid Park than at home. Let's take a look at the caliber of opponents that are left on each team's schedule:
Chicago - Remaining opponent's winning % is .488 (36 games against teams .500 or better).
St. Louis - Remaining opponent's winning % is .488 (37 games against teams .500 or better).
Milwaukee - Remaining opponent's winning % is .457 (38 games against teams .500 or better).
Houston - Remaining opponent's winning % is .506 (46 games against teams .500 or better).
I think that these numbers are staggering! Milwaukee has a huge advantage as far as the winning % of their remaining opponents is concerned, while Houston is in BIG TROUBLE. Not only do the Astros remaining opponents combine to have an above .500 winning %, they play 46 individual games against teams at/over the mark (including the next 23 in a row!) I like where the Cardinals sit because they have all of those home games left, and of their 27 road games remaining only 12 of them are against teams that are .500 or better. The Cubs look very good as well with only 36 of their remaining 66 games against winning teams as they sit atop of the division.
Looking ahead to the final week of the season, know this: If the division is tight with six games to go, the Cubs are winning it (wow, two jinxes in one blog...very unlike me). The Northsiders close 2009 with six straight home games. Three against Pittsburgh (43-55) and then three against Arizona (43-56). The other teams in the mix aren't quite as fortunate. St. Louis has three AT Cincinnati (44-53) and then closes out at home with three big ones vs. Milwaukee (49-49). The Brewers play three AT Colorado (54-44) before heading TO Busch (53-48), while the Astros finish with four AT Philadelphia (56-40) before heading TO New York (46-51) for three vs. the Mets. Let's just take care of business vs. the pesky Astros.
It's good to dive into a little baseball after a great weekend. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back after a very unfortunate (1-3) series at Detroit. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog with your thoughts on the NL Central race. Right now I'm listening to "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" by Vampire Weekend. Catchy tune. Drinks of Choice: Smithwick's (don't ever say the name of this beer wrong!) Take care.
Webby
Friday, July 24, 2009
We Busted Outta Class. Had to get Away from those Fools. We Learned More from a 3 Minute Record than we Ever Learned in School.
Good day everyone. So Mark Buehrle throws a perfect game...wow. Always fun to watch. I tuned in at about the 3rd inning, and even that early in the game you just had the feeling that he wasn't going to give up a hit all day. I thought for sure that he'd walk somebody, but man, it's fun to watch that guy just pound the strike zone and work as quickly as he does. A tip of the cap to you sir.
For as much as I like President Obama, his whole "I'm a die-hard Sox fan" thing is getting a bit tired in my opinion. I thought that it was cool how he wore the Sox hat everywhere after he was elected, and I dug the fact that he sported the White Sox jacket when throwing out the first pitch in the All-Star Game, but come on...first he called Comiskey Park "Cominsky." I thought that maybe it was just a slip of the tongue, but he proceeded to call it "Cominsky" again so I knew that that's what he thought that it was called. Now anyone who claims to be a White Sox fan (or even a baseball fan for that matter) knows Comiskey Park, but I forgave him. Then yesterday, he calls Buehrle to congratulate him for his perfect game...cool, but in an interview later on in the day he said that he told Buehrle that he better buy the Center Fielder "Weiss" a steak dinner for making that great catch. Maybe this is just a Sox fan thing? (Like the whole Javier VazqWez fiasco that we all dealt with for so long), but I'd like to think that a "die-hard Sox fan" would know who DeWayne Wise is and not refer to him as "Weiss." (Not sure if it's Charlie or Walt). I still love our President though, I just want him focusing on real issues and not pretending to be this huge Southside fan when he clearly is not.
In other baseball news, I'm reading that Cubs Manager Lou Piniella is weighing his options on whether he'll return for the final year of his contract next season. It's being reported that he had no idea what he was getting himself into, and that he said that the fans/media on the Northside are more difficult than anything that he's experienced in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other crazed baseball markets. All I can say is...thank you. Thanks for the compliment. Ever since 2003, there is no such thing as the "Lovable Losers" anymore, and I couldn't be happier. A lot of my friends have always called me a "Sox fan who roots for the Cubs," because I always treated the Cubs the way that White Sox fans treat their team. I held them accountable, didn't accept losing, and didn't go to the games win, lose or draw just to go sit in "The Friendly Confines" and get drunk on a warm summer day in Wrigleyville. Well it seems that a large portion of Cubs fans are now buying into that philosophy and I think that it's a good thing. I like the fact that we put pressure on players to perform. I like the fact that we outspend our division like New York and Boston, and compete payroll wise with anyone in baseball. I enjoy hearing boos when they're deserved (although I've never been one to boo). They always win in New York/Boston/Philadelphia and maybe it has something to do with the fact that their fans hold the team to a higher standard seemingly forcing them to translate it on the field.
I used to play a game with myself and friends after going to a Cubs game (long before the culture change at Wrigley). We'd be walking out of the park and towards all of the bars in Wrigleyville and I'd ask 15-20 people who were all just at the game, what was the score of the game that you just attended? No joke, if I asked twenty people (15 guys, 5 girls), only about TEN of the TWENTY would know the final score of the game that they just spent three hours watching. Seriously. When someone got the score wrong or would just say "I don't know," we'd ask them to take off all of their Cubs memorabilia because they clearly were NOT Cubs fans...not unlike our President with the White Sox.
It's been fun rapping with you this week. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to an acoustic version of "No Surrender" by Springsteen. Drinks of Choice: Headed to Wrigleyville for Old Style, me thinks. My prediction: The Chicago Cubs will be 1/2 game out of first place on Mondays edition of "Webby Files."
Peace the F.
Webby
For as much as I like President Obama, his whole "I'm a die-hard Sox fan" thing is getting a bit tired in my opinion. I thought that it was cool how he wore the Sox hat everywhere after he was elected, and I dug the fact that he sported the White Sox jacket when throwing out the first pitch in the All-Star Game, but come on...first he called Comiskey Park "Cominsky." I thought that maybe it was just a slip of the tongue, but he proceeded to call it "Cominsky" again so I knew that that's what he thought that it was called. Now anyone who claims to be a White Sox fan (or even a baseball fan for that matter) knows Comiskey Park, but I forgave him. Then yesterday, he calls Buehrle to congratulate him for his perfect game...cool, but in an interview later on in the day he said that he told Buehrle that he better buy the Center Fielder "Weiss" a steak dinner for making that great catch. Maybe this is just a Sox fan thing? (Like the whole Javier VazqWez fiasco that we all dealt with for so long), but I'd like to think that a "die-hard Sox fan" would know who DeWayne Wise is and not refer to him as "Weiss." (Not sure if it's Charlie or Walt). I still love our President though, I just want him focusing on real issues and not pretending to be this huge Southside fan when he clearly is not.
In other baseball news, I'm reading that Cubs Manager Lou Piniella is weighing his options on whether he'll return for the final year of his contract next season. It's being reported that he had no idea what he was getting himself into, and that he said that the fans/media on the Northside are more difficult than anything that he's experienced in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other crazed baseball markets. All I can say is...thank you. Thanks for the compliment. Ever since 2003, there is no such thing as the "Lovable Losers" anymore, and I couldn't be happier. A lot of my friends have always called me a "Sox fan who roots for the Cubs," because I always treated the Cubs the way that White Sox fans treat their team. I held them accountable, didn't accept losing, and didn't go to the games win, lose or draw just to go sit in "The Friendly Confines" and get drunk on a warm summer day in Wrigleyville. Well it seems that a large portion of Cubs fans are now buying into that philosophy and I think that it's a good thing. I like the fact that we put pressure on players to perform. I like the fact that we outspend our division like New York and Boston, and compete payroll wise with anyone in baseball. I enjoy hearing boos when they're deserved (although I've never been one to boo). They always win in New York/Boston/Philadelphia and maybe it has something to do with the fact that their fans hold the team to a higher standard seemingly forcing them to translate it on the field.
I used to play a game with myself and friends after going to a Cubs game (long before the culture change at Wrigley). We'd be walking out of the park and towards all of the bars in Wrigleyville and I'd ask 15-20 people who were all just at the game, what was the score of the game that you just attended? No joke, if I asked twenty people (15 guys, 5 girls), only about TEN of the TWENTY would know the final score of the game that they just spent three hours watching. Seriously. When someone got the score wrong or would just say "I don't know," we'd ask them to take off all of their Cubs memorabilia because they clearly were NOT Cubs fans...not unlike our President with the White Sox.
It's been fun rapping with you this week. Hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to an acoustic version of "No Surrender" by Springsteen. Drinks of Choice: Headed to Wrigleyville for Old Style, me thinks. My prediction: The Chicago Cubs will be 1/2 game out of first place on Mondays edition of "Webby Files."
Peace the F.
Webby
Thursday, July 23, 2009
These Pretzels are Making Me Thirsty!
Hey, hey, holy mackerel! How's life my fellow Internet mongoloids? Doing well here at the Webby Files headquarters. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all of the messages/emails that I've received regarding this blog. We're basically a couple of weeks into this thing and I'm definitely enjoying it more than I thought I would. Thanks for checking it out from time to time.
I'm taking ten songs that I've written over the last month into the studio on Thursday (a week from today) for a long weekend of recording/drinking/hanging out with my music friends and so forth. I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't recorded anything for about four years so this is very exciting for me. Hopefully it turns out as well as I imagine it turning out in my head. Right now these songs are just acoustic skeletons waiting to be layered and layered into a human being full of life and wonder. Hopefully within a month or so I'll be playing some shows around Chicagoland (either acoustically or with an entire band) to satisfy my musical urges that I've been having for the past couple of years. Who knows where it goes from there? (Probably not too far...but FUN and REWARDING none the less.)
Has anyone checked out the fairly new show on Comedy Central "Tosh.0?" Wow. I've been a fan of the comedian Daniel Tosh for quite sometime (thank you Laurence for turning me on to him), so naturally I was excited when I found out that he was getting his own show. However, I generally find myself being very disappointed with anything that's on cable TV. So far with this show, not the case. I actually find myself laughing out loud...partly because of how stupid the people of the Internet are (yes, I know that I'm typing a blog right now), but mostly because of his injections of humor in between the videos. He's hysterical. If you haven't seen the show, it airs on Comedy Central Thursdays at 9pm.
I'm thrilled that I like Tosh.0 so much because I'm finding that I'm getting harder and harder to please when it comes to movies/music/television these days. It sucks. I don't know what my problem is, but I seem to go into everything with super high expectations, and then I'm ultimately "let down" when those expectations aren't met. For Example: Everyone loved the movie "The Hangover." I was told by several of my friends to bring a diaper to the theater because I would literally shit my pants. So of course I brought a package of "Huggies" to the show, and I didn't even have to open it. I think I laughed maybe four times (half of the laughs were during the closing credits). Don't get me wrong, it was a decent comedy, but it didn't stand out to me as anything special. I guess my expectations were too high. I also saw "Bruno" last weekend. I think I laughed about five times during this one. I thought that it was better than "The Hangover," but it definitely wasn't that shocking or provocative. It was just OK.
I watch "Seinfeld" everyday. It never let's me down (except for the final season...no Larry David influence.) "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is the ONLY current sitcom-esque show that I watch, and they only do about 10 episodes every other year. I also enjoy "Real Time with Bill Maher." As far as television goes, that's about it. I don't like "Entourage," I HATE reality TV of any kind, and I can't get into any action based shows if they're on "basic cable." I can't watch "24" or "CSI Tallahassee" because if it's on basic cable, then they can't say and do the actual things that a person would do if they were in a "messy situation." There's NO cussing, NO graphic violence, and NO nudity...it's just NOT realistic to me.
The last five movies that I've seen that I REALLY enjoyed, and would give four stars too are as follows:
"Burn After Reading" Outstanding dark comedy by the Coen Brothers. 2008
"Religulous" Bill Maher's look at all of the different religions. 2008
"No Country for Old Men" Another great movie from the Coen Brothers (all-time great). 2007
"The Departed" Scorcese finally won an Oscar for this one. 2006
"Kill Bill Vol. 2" Tarantino's conclusion to the "Kill Bill" revenge movie. 2004
There you have it. I have to go back five years just to make a list of the last five movies that I've seen that I really enjoyed. That's ridiculous. I don't know what my deal is, but it seems that I need one of the best directors of this era (Coen Bros., Scorcese, Tarantino) or a documentary about something that I feel very strongly about (the scariness of religion) to get full enjoyment out of a picture these days. I've turned into something that I can't stand...a pop culture snob.
I'd love any recommendations on TV/movies/music that you think would satisfy my endless craving for something that isn't completely watered down and/or repetitive and unoriginal. I'm dying here:)
Please hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to
"Do You Pray" by Chuck Ragan, one of my all time favorite guys. Drinks of Choice: PBR is always satisfying, cheap.
Peace the F.
Webby
I'm taking ten songs that I've written over the last month into the studio on Thursday (a week from today) for a long weekend of recording/drinking/hanging out with my music friends and so forth. I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't recorded anything for about four years so this is very exciting for me. Hopefully it turns out as well as I imagine it turning out in my head. Right now these songs are just acoustic skeletons waiting to be layered and layered into a human being full of life and wonder. Hopefully within a month or so I'll be playing some shows around Chicagoland (either acoustically or with an entire band) to satisfy my musical urges that I've been having for the past couple of years. Who knows where it goes from there? (Probably not too far...but FUN and REWARDING none the less.)
Has anyone checked out the fairly new show on Comedy Central "Tosh.0?" Wow. I've been a fan of the comedian Daniel Tosh for quite sometime (thank you Laurence for turning me on to him), so naturally I was excited when I found out that he was getting his own show. However, I generally find myself being very disappointed with anything that's on cable TV. So far with this show, not the case. I actually find myself laughing out loud...partly because of how stupid the people of the Internet are (yes, I know that I'm typing a blog right now), but mostly because of his injections of humor in between the videos. He's hysterical. If you haven't seen the show, it airs on Comedy Central Thursdays at 9pm.
I'm thrilled that I like Tosh.0 so much because I'm finding that I'm getting harder and harder to please when it comes to movies/music/television these days. It sucks. I don't know what my problem is, but I seem to go into everything with super high expectations, and then I'm ultimately "let down" when those expectations aren't met. For Example: Everyone loved the movie "The Hangover." I was told by several of my friends to bring a diaper to the theater because I would literally shit my pants. So of course I brought a package of "Huggies" to the show, and I didn't even have to open it. I think I laughed maybe four times (half of the laughs were during the closing credits). Don't get me wrong, it was a decent comedy, but it didn't stand out to me as anything special. I guess my expectations were too high. I also saw "Bruno" last weekend. I think I laughed about five times during this one. I thought that it was better than "The Hangover," but it definitely wasn't that shocking or provocative. It was just OK.
I watch "Seinfeld" everyday. It never let's me down (except for the final season...no Larry David influence.) "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is the ONLY current sitcom-esque show that I watch, and they only do about 10 episodes every other year. I also enjoy "Real Time with Bill Maher." As far as television goes, that's about it. I don't like "Entourage," I HATE reality TV of any kind, and I can't get into any action based shows if they're on "basic cable." I can't watch "24" or "CSI Tallahassee" because if it's on basic cable, then they can't say and do the actual things that a person would do if they were in a "messy situation." There's NO cussing, NO graphic violence, and NO nudity...it's just NOT realistic to me.
The last five movies that I've seen that I REALLY enjoyed, and would give four stars too are as follows:
"Burn After Reading" Outstanding dark comedy by the Coen Brothers. 2008
"Religulous" Bill Maher's look at all of the different religions. 2008
"No Country for Old Men" Another great movie from the Coen Brothers (all-time great). 2007
"The Departed" Scorcese finally won an Oscar for this one. 2006
"Kill Bill Vol. 2" Tarantino's conclusion to the "Kill Bill" revenge movie. 2004
There you have it. I have to go back five years just to make a list of the last five movies that I've seen that I really enjoyed. That's ridiculous. I don't know what my deal is, but it seems that I need one of the best directors of this era (Coen Bros., Scorcese, Tarantino) or a documentary about something that I feel very strongly about (the scariness of religion) to get full enjoyment out of a picture these days. I've turned into something that I can't stand...a pop culture snob.
I'd love any recommendations on TV/movies/music that you think would satisfy my endless craving for something that isn't completely watered down and/or repetitive and unoriginal. I'm dying here:)
Please hit me up on facebook or in the comments section of this blog. Right now I'm listening to
"Do You Pray" by Chuck Ragan, one of my all time favorite guys. Drinks of Choice: PBR is always satisfying, cheap.
Peace the F.
Webby
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