By Marty Gangler
I haven’t often felt this way in the history of The Cub Factor but here goes: I can’t really complain that much about where things stand with this franchise.
Let me explain. Sometimes the Cubs have been good but hey, these are the Cubs and they are typically bad. The weird thing now is that these Cubs are bad and management finally actually agrees.
Sure, we could quibble about how they screwed up the firing of Jim Hendry – which they did. They should have done it earlier in the season – or maybe before this season started or even right when these Ricketts guys got the team. That’s when I would have done it.
But here we are anyway. Most Cubs fans received a wish come true a few weeks back. You could even say one of their wildest fantasies was finally fulfilled – at least one of theri fantasies that doesn’t involve a corn cob dress, that one bat girl or kicking the crap out of Bartman.
Sure, the Cubs still stink on the field and the future doesn’t look all that promising. But there’s no general manager complain about and not even a real manager to complain about. Just a bad team. And that isn’t anything new.
Week in Review: The Cubs went 1-6 for the week and continue to remind us how much they stink.
The Week in Preview: The North Siders head out West for three against the Giants and then come home for three against the Pirates.
The Second Basemen Report: Darwin Barney got five starts at second and one at shortstop – his natural position – while Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker each got a start at second. Barney had four hits and two walks for the week and is still considered one of the young bright spots on this roster. I’m still not convinced. Just like Jim Hendry drew it up.
In former second basemen news, Darwin Barney isn’t going to be here next season if the new GM really is a sabermetric guy. Then he may be missed.
The Zam Bomb: Big Z is keeping in shape while on the disqualified list by still Getting Angry.
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Marlon Byrd Supplemental Report: Conte has been injecting Marlon with “Could of Helped a Contender.”
Lost in Translation: Tylero Colvinee-san is Japanese for The next GM is not going to bother.
Endorsement No-Brainer: Ryan Dempster for my gas tank. The guy is on fumes.
Sweet and Sour Quade: 8% sweet, 92% sour. Clearly he’s just playing out the string, yet he still managed to get ejected again this week. And just like your thought-to-be well-adjusted uncle, Mike knew he didn’t come to a complete stop at Main and 5th last week, but he took a day off from the plant to put together a Perry Mason-like defense in traffic court anyway. He lost and had to pay a $25 fine. The day off cost him eight hours of overtime. Duh.
Ameritrade Stock Pick of the Week: Shares of NBC traded higher among rumors the network is developing a new reality series called I’m A Cubs Fan, Get Me Out Of Here!
Over/Under: Mike Quade ejections coming this week: +/- .5.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by The Cub Factor staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that Aramis Ramirez sure perks up when he’s in a contract drive.
Farm Report: This guy is not considered major league material for reasons no one has explained.
The Cub Factor: Unlike Soriano, you can catch ’em all!
The White Sox Report: Know the enemy.
Get Your Gangler On: Follow Marty on Twitter.
Mike Quade Status Update: The magic word was gollygeewhiz, Bill!
Well-Adjusted / Delirious / High
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Posted on August 29, 2011