2008 Chicago Cubs

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I disagree. He reads the ball really well but he's not exactly fast. The speed disparity between Edmonds and Pie is huge. And Pie isnt that bad at reading the ball either. A lot of plays that Edmonds dives for that looks spectacular are plays where the better CF with speed catch the ball without needing to dive. I also think Edmonds embellishes from time to time but I just dont think he measures up to the better CF that have speed.

You don't need great speed to play a great Center Field. Guys like him and Andruw Jones aren't the fastest guys in the world but they get great jumps on the ball. Only thing speed is good for is to help some guys make up for bad jumps. But guys like Edmonds, Jones, and Hunter never get bad jumps.

[yvesdereuter]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

You don't need great speed to play a great Center Field. Guys like him and Andruw Jones aren't the fastest guys in the world but they get great jumps on the ball. Only thing speed is good for is to help some guys make up for bad jumps. But guys like Edmonds, Jones, and Hunter never get bad jumps.

I actually played CF. Actually, there is a disparity in speed between Edmonds and Jones. I wouldnt mention them together. Jones is an example of someone who is or has been a lot better than Edmonds because he gets a good jump and is faster...consequently, balls that Edmonds dives for, Jones catches on his feet. In my previous post at no point did I suggest that all you need is speed. I was very clear that there are guys who also can read the ball off the bat but who also have speed...and those guys dwarf Edmonds defensively.

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I actually played CF. Actually, there is a disparity in speed between Edmonds and Jones. I wouldnt mention them together. Jones is an example of someone who is or has been a lot better than Edmonds because he gets a good jump and is faster...consequently, balls that Edmonds dives for, Jones catches on his feet. In my previous post at no point did I suggest that all you need is speed. I was very clear that there are guys who also can read the ball off the bat but who also have speed...and those guys dwarf Edmonds defensively.

I will respectfully say that I disagree 110%. The speed gap is not that significant between Jones and Edmonds if there is a speed gap at all. You also have to take in to account that Edmonds does all of this while also playing the shallowest Center Field of anyone in baseball.

[yvesdereuter]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I will respectfully say that I disagree 110%. The speed gap is not that significant between Jones and Edmonds if there is a speed gap at all. You also have to take in to account that Edmonds does all of this while also playing the shallowest Center Field of anyone in baseball.

Negative. Edmonds really isnt THAT fast.

[yvesdereuter]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Nice win today. Ill take it.

[Perceptor]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Yup...another victory and the team is sitting pretty right now

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Man I wish it was October

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Fact of the matter is....StLouis and Houston have to start losing. We can't beat everybody, eventually another team is going to have to start losing ground for our lead to be in any way safe.

And for what it is worth...I wil take Pie's speed of the bench. But I might take Edmonds over Ward; but Hoffpauir has gotten some swings now and is not unpromising.

[yvesdereuter]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Fact of the matter is....StLouis and Houston have to start losing. We can't beat everybody, eventually another team is going to have to start losing ground for our lead to be in any way safe.

And for what it is worth...I wil take Pie's speed of the bench. But I might take Edmonds over Ward; but Hoffpauir has gotten some swings now and is not unpromising.

Theres no way I would not have Ward on the roster so that we could carry Edmonds. Ward is way to proven in those pinch hit clutch at bat situations. We're fortunate to have Ward. What he does in clutch situations is not easy.

[Jistic]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Man I wish it was October

Down boy! Let's get through June first.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Down boy! Let's get through June first.

I'm just saying I wish it was October, thats when my birthday is.

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Negative. Edmonds really isnt THAT fast.

Neither is Andruw. The point is that you don't need great speed to play a great Center Field. If that was the case you wouldn't see guys like Edmonds and Andruw and their 18 combined GG, winning the award every year. Those guys rely getting a good jumps not pure speed.

[Perceptor]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

As happy as I am with the Cubbies, I'd like to see the team prove that they can win more consistently on the road and hope that the Cards and Astros drop some games.

I know our starting pitching has bene solid, but I wouldn't mind going out and getting a more proven starter for the stretch run. I worry that even though Dempster is pitching really well now, he might fall back to earth in the second half of the season

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

As happy as I am with the Cubbies, I'd like to see the team prove that they can win more consistently on the road and hope that the Cards and Astros drop some games.

I know our starting pitching has bene solid, but I wouldn't mind going out and getting a more proven starter for the stretch run. I worry that even though Dempster is pitching really well now, he might fall back to earth in the second half of the season

And don't forget Marquis who is notoriously awful second half pitcher.

[poster]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Regarding the Friday comeback I was talking about the amount the runs they came back from. They once had a 5 run comeback vs the Brewers with two out and no one on in the ninth. Can't remember the year, but they were awful. There also was the Sept. 98 game vs the Brewers when Corky hit #60. They were down 12-5 in the 7th and came back with Merced hitting a walk-off 3 run PH homer. Lots of great comebacks. That 3 game set vs the Brewers was the best series of baseball ever, and I have never seen a one of those games on Classic. That's a shame.

Anyways, we are finally winning at Wrigley. They have a great home field advantage and it is great to see them using it to their advantage. We still need pitching, and I hate Edmonds (although he is starting to hit ), but so far so good. Long year though. Let's keep it going.