Yes, you tip your cap to Roy Halladay. Yes, you celebrate the fact that the Cubs really responded in the 8th inning. Yes, Darwin Barney made a really poor baserunning decision in the 9th. Yes, there are a number of other legitimate things to take away from this game.
But I cannot control my rage about something else.
Brett Taylor is the lead writer at Bleacher Nation, and can also be found as Bleacher Nation on Twitter and on Facebook.
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Mike Quade really, REALLY deserves to be lambasted for this one.
Quade showed lack of knowledge for baseball when he left Z in. I mean it’s not even like Zambrano was leaving the Phillies guessing. Just bad managing. Another move that I didn’t necessarily agree with was putting Snyder in to pinch hit during the 8th.
Dam, I caught the first inning and from the 8th on (playing some softball, oh yeah) and when I first saw the score I thought the bullpen gave way a little. Little did I know I’ve already scene this game before.
I agree, as my twitter question suggests.
agree.
i didn’t see the game, but i’ll take your word.
In sum, Zambrano was laboring in the 6th. Walked a guy, then an intentional walk, then another walk to load the bases – was up to 125 pitches at that point. And Quade STILL left him in to give up the grand slam to Polanco.
Z should have been pulled after the intentional walk to Utley. I mean, that’s how it goes, right? Many, many times a pitcher’s last AB is an IBB. Freaking dead-ass Quade. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
As soon as he loaded the bases i knew he was gonna give up the grand slam
Ace, you”ve really turned on Q early.
I agree- I wanted Sandberg to get the job in the first place (and Girardi before him, but whatever). But knowing how you stood next to Pinella when many were calling for him to retire I’m just asking what your opinion is of his hiring. Did you buy that B.S. about his 24-13 record and knowing the system and yada-yada-yada. Just curious.
Bric, wouldn’t it be breaking your heart more than just a little to see Ryno at the helm of such a crappy team? Quade’s made some bad calls this season, probably 3 or 4 losses can be laid at his feet, but that still dorsn
Whoops…
That still doesn’t make us anywhere near a good team. I’d so much rather Ryno lead a good — or even a promising team — and make them great.
(How close are we to having an ‘edit’ button on our comments, Ace?)
It’s on the “June List.” No promises, but it’s definitely something I’d like to take care of in the near term.
I stood by Piniella? I wanted Piniella gone as far back as 2009. I didn’t even want him hired in the first place.
As for Quade, I was sold on the idea that he was a career baseball man, who would work harder than anyone else because he was finally getting his dream. The 24-13 did nothing for me, but Quade seemed like a better option than Sandberg – given the crumminess of the team, that part’s still probably true.
My bad, Ace, I just misinterpretted a few of your statements last summer. I remember you saying that given his age and career, Pinella would be allowed to leave when he wanted to. I took that to mean you were standing by him.
Anyway, the only reason I wanted Sandberg or Girardi to get the job was because Francona (an ex player) turned his team’s suffering around back in ’04 and I just believe in good hoo-doo. Something the Cubs have none of.
Another bad move by Quade, this should have been a no brainer. I think this is 2 or 3 times that this has happened to Zambrano this year. The way the bullpen has been throwing, no way should Z have been left in for Polanco after the last walk.
How about Barney getting thrown out at 2nd with the potential tying run at the plate?
That is Theriotesque…..
It was mentioned; it was a terrible decision, but a bit of bad luck, too. And, it’s not as though moving up would have been entirely pointless: if Barney makes it to second, with one out, he kills the double play possibility.
plus, Barney is not the problem, he’s had a good season. most had him as the 5th IF’er at best. guys like Soriano and Aram could learn from this kid.
Any chance Quade intentionally hung Zambrano out to dry by leaving him in???
I don’t think Quade’s even “smart” enough to do anything as devious. I think he just didn’t get it.
LOL
Very interesting question. Doubt a manager would do it, especially when his job is one the line.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/baseball-blogs-weigh-in-harper-braves-madson.html
Didn’t know if anyone else saw this, but Ace makes the MLB trade rumors blog list.
Thanks for highlighting, Jeff. Glad that article was featured – I’m proud of that one.
Ace, yous alls grows up baby…
Ace would NEVER use “impact” as a verb – which they did and is just another reason I love this site….
Unless it involved my bowels.
What makes it worse Z could have been pinch hit for in the top half of the 6th, he was already over 100 pitches. This has to be the 5th or 6th time Quade has left a guy in an inning too long. He is a checkers player playing chess, doesn’t know how to move some pieces and can’t think two moves ahead.
It’s become very apparent to me that Quade’s biggest issue is that he does not understand that as a manager he must ACT instead of REACT.
“He is a checkers player playing chess, doesn’t know how to move some pieces and can’t think two moves ahead.” Well said, Ron.
Hey! That’s what Hendry does too! He doesn’t act, he reacts. Any chance Hendry fires Quade, but keeps his job?
Very well said, both of you. And it seems highly unlikely that Hendry stays this year, but Quade goes.
Yes both of these statements are true for any sort of competitive situation and are the fundamental weakness of both dudes (not to mention the organization as a whole).
He keeps trying to double jump with his bishop.
i dont agree with leaving z in, but in quades defense, he needed to give the bullpen a rest and try to stretch z as far as possible
That’s certainly the excuse he’ll give.
same shit different day; someone please fire q already and promote dernier to head coach or rudy!
The fact that Q hasn’t been fired says a few things: 1) Hendy can’t fire him as he has already run past the limit of the number of managers a GM can hire and fire. 2) Q was his pick and to admit he made a mistake this soon just doesn’t fly. 3) if he fires Q he losses the, “we suck because of injuries” excuse. 4) the biggest reason (I hope) is that Ricketts is going to fire Hendry and leave the manager situation up up to the next GM. It makes no sense to fire Q, hire another manager (even it is an “interim” one) and then bring in a new GM, who will then bring in yet another manager.
To replace Hendry, Crane Kenney and Quade would certainly be a TRIFECTA!!! I got this idea from another post but how about Pat Gillick as team president and Andrew Friedman as GM??? In a heartbeat or Brian Cashman as well, in a HEARTBEAT!!!
That’s the dream, Lou. That’s the dream.
In looking for the positives, seeing Colvin starting to get his stroke back is very encouraging. He’s not a center fielder but at least his getting his ABs and if he keeps it up there would be a spot for him at one of the corners in 2012.
He’s going to have to keep it waaay up if he wants to be a corner OF starter next year. Then again, no one will be pushing him, as I suspect that Byrd will be traded, with Brett Jackson in center (only possible push that I can see is if the Cubs want Campana in center, and Jackson in right). So maybe he’ll get the job by default, if the Cubs want to save some cash.
I think the Cubs will have to sign at least one FA outfielder for next year to add some competition, counting on an outfield of Campana, Colvin, and Jackson is a HUGE risk. It would be awesome to have a home grown outfield, but I’m not counting on it.
Yeah. Unfortunately we’re stuck with Soriano for a while. No way that contract is getting moved. Would love to see the Cubs’ put their money at first/third/starting pitcher and let the young guys battle for center and right.
You’re not counting Soriano, though I’d let Pena leave and move Soriano to 1B if the Cubs can’t get rid of him. I wouldn’t mind seeing Fielder at 1B either.
I’m actually hoping that Pujols takes a lower-than-market offer from the Cards, driving down Fielder’s price, and then the Cubs sign Fielder. I’d hate to see Soriano moved to 1st. He’d be involved in too many plays defensively.
I want the Cubs to eat Soriano’s deal and play rookies making the minimum in LF , till the obligation is met..END OF STORY!!! The guy sucks!!!
Yup.
1B is the easiest of the 8 primary defensive positions to play. Also, Soriano, having played 2B has experience with how balls come off the bat on that side of the field. I’d rather have Fielder at 1B too, but with Boras as his agent he’ll never accept a below-market offer. He should accept a hometown discounted contract from the Brewers but he hasn’t.
He also doesn’t have the bat for 1B anymore (or LF, or CF, or C, or SS…).
Just sayin’, assuming the Cubs are stuck with him for 2012-2014, they could consider him at 1B and add a bat in the OF. Of course, they also could leave him in LF and add Fielder.
Playing first isn’t that easy at all. No way Soriano can dig those bad throws out of the dirt, or stretch for a throw, or come in on a bunt, or, or, or…it would be a horror show. It already is with him getting 4-5 chances a game, the thought of him having to be involved with 20+ chances boggles the mind. Smelling salts anyone?
Ask anyone in the know and they’ll confirm my opinion. 1B is the easiest defensive position to play in baseball. The breakdown. C, SS, 2B, CF, 3B, RF, LF, 1B.
Think about all the times Pena has dug out or made great stretches to save bad throws from Castro and Rami! No way Sori could handle it, errors would escalate, singles would be doubles, ect. You don’t need much range or quickness to play first, but you do need good hand eye coordination. Soriano would be a worse first baseman than he is an outfielder…there shouldn’t even be a debate on this one. Don’t discount pfk’s point about chances, thats as good as gospel.
Amen. Whether 1B is the easiest or the hardest wasn’t my point. The point was, given the type of plays a 1B has to make, Soriano would turn it into a travesty. Fact is, there’s no defensive position this guy could play. He’s a DH. Period.
You guys just don’t get it. That’s alright, though. Everyone’s entitled to their point of view.
I get it, I just think that your second suggestion (leave him in the outfield and getting Fielder) makes a lot more sense. I don’t think that there is any better position to put Soriano on a national league ballclub than in left. Considering his skill set, the extra production created by getting an outfield bat would be negated by the added misplays at first. If you recall, his defense in the infield was the reason he got moved to the outfield in the first place.
I think I get it – the Cubs are stuck with Soriano anyway, might as well try to bury him at first. I get it. I just don’t agree.
So true, he’s not even a DH candidate for a trade.
I’m not saying it’s likely, or even worth considering, but I think KC might be a good spot to unload Soriano if he could go anywhere at all. First off, any move made with him would certainly involve the Cubs eating some of his salary for the remainder of his contract. Kansas City is contending in a somewhat mediocre and disappointing AL Central. They have what remains of 22 million on Gil Meche’s contract through next year, just sitting there for adding help at the deadline since he retired instead of playing out his contract. They have quite a few veteran contracts in the 4 to 6 million dollar range coming off the books, and they need a power bat. I’m not saying it’s a perfect scenario or anything, but after Vernon Wells got traded, I am of the frame of mind that if Soriano goes on another little power binge, it is possible to imagine someone seeing some value in him. If he did manage to pull it off, I might have to re-think my opinion of Hendry thought.
Raymond, the thing about Soriano @1b is that I can see him hopping off the bag to recieve a throw..LOL
I saw that Brad Snyder was DFA! Coleman was brought back up!
And they will leave him in LF. 1B is the least of their concerns for 2012. They can make a run at Fielder, move Colvin there full-time or re-sign Pena among other options.