Throwing Pizza at Tony Campana and Other Bullets

May 07, 2012

Yesterday was a crazy day of baseball. O’s/Sawx go 17 with a position player as the winning pitcher, Pujols finally goes deep, Hamels plunks Harper, Werth breaks his wrist, the Cubs walk off against what was the best team in the NL…

That last one was obviously the highlight. That’s three wins already on the year in games in which the Cubs trailed going into the 9th inning. There’s no way the Cubs had three of those all of last year, and I’d hazard a guess that it’s as many as they’ve had in 2010 and 2011 combined. Anyone care to do some digging and drop the deets in the comments?

Yesterday’s starter, Travis Wood, had a nice outing, but even a shutout might not have kept him in the bigs. As I said yesterday, the Cubs are expected to send Wood back down soon so that they can call up an infielder to replace Blake DeWitt. Adrian Cardenas and Luis Valbuena are your most obvious candidates. Wood’s chance to really grab a spot in the rotation will come, but it won’t be until a pitcher or two are traded or put on the DL for a long stretch. Wood was pleased with his start: “I felt good and pitches started working later in the outing. I got some quick outs on ground balls and kept us close. I didn’t feel I was nervous or anything but odds are I probably was without knowing it. I was able to get those quick outs and we came back and won.”

On the move that brought Wood up to the big club (the DeWitt DFA), Dale Sveum is hopeful that the Cubs won’t lose a player, but offered a flaccid explanation for the move. “Hopefully he clears waivers and stays with us,” Sveum said, according to the Tribune. “It’s unfortunate, because of the flu bug it costs somebody his job. But hopefully he stays in the organization.” Come on, dude. The flu did not cost DeWitt his job. DeWitt’s play and the Cubs’ belief that he was replaceable cost him his job. Were it not the case, the Cubs would have DL’d Matt Garza. As it was, the Cubs believed three days of Matt Garza (i.e., Garza starting on Friday rather than next Monday) were more valuable than Blake DeWitt. It’s harsh, but it’s clear. I also happen to believe the front office had seen enough, and was ready to get Valbuena or Cardenas up with the big club. DeWitt could be placed on waivers (but not outrighted off the 40-man roster), and if he clears, the Cubs could send him to AAA if they wanted. We’ll see how it plays out.

Ian Stewart’s hit in the 9th yesterday after a long, battling at bat was awesome for so many reasons. It led to the tying run, he fouled off a ton of pitches, it brought his average back over .200, and … he was sick as a dog while he was doing it. The virus that’s been traveling among the Cubs’ clubhouse bit him earlier in the weekend, but Dale Sveum needed a bat. “Stewart was about as sick as you could get and came up with a huge hit,” Sveum said. “I asked him if he could go into the game and he was like, ‘I’m a little dizzy and can’t really see straight right now.'” Can we get a little love for Ian Stewart?

Tony Campana was recently talking about the Wrigley Field seagulls, and how close they get, and how they don’t have fear, and blah blah blah. But in the midst of that, he said this: “There was a fan who threw a piece of pizza at me,” Campana said. “I had to kick it away from me so the birds didn’t eat me. They were all around me today.” I’m sorry, a fan threw a piece of pizza at Tony Campana? Did he think Campana was hungry? Was he trying to spread the dough and the toss got away from him? I’m trying to envision the circumstances where a bleacher fan – of the Cubs or the Dodgers – throws a piece of pizza at a player on the field. If I saw someone do that, I’d be inclined to make sure they followed their piece of pizza right onto the field. Not cool.

I was on Wrigley Talk Friday last Friday with Julie DiCaro from A League of Her Own, but it was live, and I’d imagine many of you weren’t able to listen. If you want to hear the replay, I’ve now got the link (there it is). There was a bit of a glitch at the beginning, so we don’t start talking until about the 1:20 mark, but you can skip ahead. Gratuitous banana hammock mention at the end.

MLBullets at BCB, where I talk about the O’s and Red Sox’s marathon game, Bryce Harper getting plunked (on purpose) by Cole Hamels, and Albert Pujols finally hitting a homer.

Be ready: we’ve got another one-day, big money fantasy baseball contest happening on Friday. Details to come later today. If you missed the last one, it was a lot of fun, and, although I didn’t win, I feel like I backed up my smack talk by beating 2/3 of you who entered. I’ll take that. And I’ll do better this time. Chumps.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

24 Years Ago Today, Glenallen Hill Hit a Home Run ONTO a Wrigley Field Rooftop

In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton Had His First Really Rough Night

Usually, I like to use this space to celebrate a great game from a top Cubs prospect, but sometimes, it's important to note when the other thing happens. Last night, Cade Horton had his very first really bad start. He...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Pirates 2 – May 10, 2024

Although I'm sure Craig Counsell would've preferred not to have to use Ben Brown today, just in case Jameson Taillon can't go on Sunday. But *if* you were going to have to use Brown today, that was an absolute best-case...

Brett Taylor

May 10, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (5:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Brief Delay: https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1789062764675150018 CUBS LINEUP — In case you missed the good news/bad news report, Seiya Suzuki is BACK, but Dansby Swanson is on the injured list. The Cubs simply cannot catch an injury break this season, it's really wild....

Michael Cerami

May 10, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

Expect a display of power when Marcell Ozuna (12 HR) and the Atlanta Braves (24-12) take on Pete Alonso (4 HR) and the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field at 7:10 PM ET live on ESPN. Ozuna and the...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

Following a stretch of four consecutive wins, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) play the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET on Sunday.The Braves will give the nod to Bryce Elder (1-1, 5.28 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 2...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, May 13, 2024

The sportsbooks prefer the Colorado Avalanche at home (-135) over the Dallas Stars (+114) when they meet on Monday, May 13 at 9:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

Elias Schuster

May 12, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

The oddsmakers are expecting a close game between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers on Monday in New York City, with the Hurricanes given moneyline odds of -118 and the Rangers at -102.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes vs. Rangers...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

Tab Bamford

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (21-19) host the Oakland Athletics (19-22) at 4:10 PM ET Sunday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up 10 homers this season (No. 7 in the...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Kansas City Royals (24-17) hope to avoid an upset as -133 favorites when they take on Jo Adell (with homers in two straight contests) and the Los Angeles Angels (15-25). First pitch is at 4:07 PM ET Sunday, live...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Throwing Pizza at Tony Campana and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular