Let’s Celebrate a Cardinals Championship and Other Bullets

Apr 13, 2012

It’s Friday the 13th, and the Cubs are headed to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals, who are having their home opener, which will feature a bunch of World Series-related festivities. That sounds swell.

Of the Cardinals getting their rings today in front of the Cubs, I’m not entirely sure Dale Sveum gets the issue. “I don’t know if it’s tough to watch, you give anybody respect when they win the World Series,” Sveum said. “It’s gotta be one team every year that wins it, that gets their rings and raise a banner like that. [The Cardinals are] the best in the world right, they’re the world champions of baseball. You’re gonna have to be out there and you’re gonna have to watch it. But, hey, you want other people to be watching you do it someday as well. It’s a fun day, there’s no question about it, I’ve been able to do it twice and it’s very, very fun.” Well bully for you, Dale. I think I’m going to go ahead and hate it, thankyouverymuch.

Matt Garza was understandably upset at himself for throwing away – literally – his chance at a complete game shutout yesterday when he couldn’t make a throw to first base with two outs in the 9th. At 119 pitches at the time, Sveum did the only reasonable thing, and pulled Garza. I wasn’t crazy about Garza coming out for the 9th inning in the first place (he was already over 100 pitches, it was an eight run game, and it’s early April), but I can understand why Sveum would allow Garza back out there. As we often have to remind ourselves: these are people. And I’m sure Garza was dying to get back out there.

Garza explained the throw that got away, and his thoughts on getting pulled thereafter: “I got [the ball], saw [first baseman Bryan] LaHair and said ‘son of a gun.’ The ball felt like I threw a change-up rolled up in dirt, dang it. I’m fine throwing it to the bases, but like I said, it just slipped out. All spring I was just dotting [the first baseman] in the chest. Today, just, [dang] it. It is what it is, I can’t be [ticked] off at skip, 120 pitches in, there’s no reason to be throwing 130 or 140. Like I said when [Jeff] Samardzija got his shot, you get your one shot and that’s it. I’m [ticked] off at myself, but man, we played one hell of a game. We got a lead, smelled blood and went out and got it.”

Phil Rogers says he walked in on Matt Garza exploding, privately, after the throwing error. Garza quieted, and then later apologized (even though he was just trying to blow up on his own and not in front of anyone else).

Dave Sappelt is working his way to the big club by succeeding in Iowa. “I thought when I first came over to the organization that I’d be an immediate impact guy with the big-league club — an outfielder off the bench,” Sappelt said. “It didn’t happen that way. I struggled hitting …. I’m finding my swing again. Everything’s starting to click.” Sappelt is currently hitting .207/.233/.379.

Speaking of those World Series festivities, Cubs’ coach Dave McKay will be participating with the Cards, since he was a long-time coach there, including last year. “Most people say, ‘Oh, it’s just another game,’ but it isn’t,” McKay said. “It’s the Cardinals and the Cubs and I’m with the Cubs now. I’m looking forward to it. I hope we put on a good show. I gave them everything I had for 16 years but that’s baseball. Now I’m with the Cubs, and I’m going to give them everything I got.”

MLBullets over at BCB, featuring Johnny Damon signing for chump change.

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

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger Sticking With Scott Boras

Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

How to Watch

Cubs vs. Marlins: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (11-7) host Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (4-15) at 2:20 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Chicago-Miami matchup below.When is Cubs vs. Marlins and when does it start?This contest between...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Lukas Reichel Will Play for Rockford, Not Germany

Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was asked before the regular season finale if forward Lukas Reichel would play for Germany at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, or if he was headed to Rockford to join the IceHogs for their playoffs....

Tab Bamford

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Even With Butler Out, the Bulls Will Have Their Hands Full Against the Heat

The Miami Heat are a better team than the Chicago Bulls. We can all agree on that, right? We're talking about a franchise with three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in four seasons. This included last year's historic run,...

Elias Schuster

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Former “Coyotes” Franchise Moving to Utah

On Thursday afternoon, the NHL made it official: the Arizona Coyotes are no more. The league's Board of Governors voted to approve the franchise relocating to Salt Lake City, effective immediately. The franchise will be owned and controlled by Smith...

Tab Bamford

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Several Bulls Questionable Heading Into Play-In with Heat

The Chicago Bulls aren't ruling Alex Caruso out just yet. Despite the guard having to exit Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament over the Atlanta Hawks, Caruso is currently listed as "questionable" on the latest official injury report. The Bulls' defensive anchor...

Elias Schuster

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1st Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks at 26th Overall

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2024 NFL Draft in a familiar position – contenders with a need to retool. Baker Mayfield solidified the quarterback position sans Tom Bracy, and while the Bucs boast a talented roster, key departures and...

Brian Twining

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks After Selecting Jayden Daniels in Round 1

New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft - The curtain has closed on the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era in New England. The Patriots, once a dynasty of consistency, now find themselves at a crossroads. With the number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft,...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

Joc Pederson leads the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) into Thursday's matchup with the San Francisco Giants (8-11) on a two-game homer streak. His Diamondbacks are underdogs for the contest, however, with bookmakers naming the Giants as -161 moneyline favorites. The game...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Let’s Celebrate a Cardinals Championship and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular