Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 25, 2009, 11:15 pm
 
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 25, 2009, 12:09 am
As a Cubs fan it’s easy to dislike Albert Pujols, but you have to respect the guy, even as a rival Cardinal. Take a look at Pujols’ 162-game averages for his career and tell me there̵...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 23, 2009, 11:50 pm
Sean Marshall sees himself as a starter, not a reliever. At least that’s the word coming from Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000. Funny thing is…I feel just the opposite. Last year the lefty w...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 22, 2009, 11:15 pm
Not hard to believe Tim Lincecum won consecutive Cy Young Awards. On the other hand, what is hard to believe is that ESPN’s Keith Law and Will Carroll from Baseball Prospectus both left Chris C...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 19, 2009, 11:05 pm
Aaron Heilman was my whipping boy last season, an obvious fact for those who reads this blog with regularity. I hammered the guy pretty hard too, like the rest of the ... road, but most importantly,...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 19, 2009, 1:05 am
Glad to see Junior back with the M’s for another season. His return is a bit of a surprise to me, although I’m not sure it’s the right move, either. Considering that in 117 games l...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 17, 2009, 11:15 pm
The baseball writers got this one right. Zack Greinke is most deserving of the AL Cy Young Award. He dominated opposing teams, and that was clearly evident beyond his numbers too. Statistics, remembe...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 16, 2009, 11:15 pm
The Cubs need a centerfielder; Curtis Granderson is the best player available. I’m all in favor of a trade. Granderson is a smart player, an energy guy and a terrific teammate. I couldn’...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 15, 2009, 11:01 pm
Kevin Gregg has been classified a Type A free agent. Basically, that means if another team signs him the Cubs get a first-round compensation pick. Are you kidding me, what a steal! Think about this...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 12, 2009, 11:01 pm
Chicago Cubs blogger Bullpen Brian says he’s surprised at the attention he’s received this week over a photo taken of him during baseball’s GM meetings at the O’Hare Hilton. T...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 12, 2009, 2:04 pm
Cliff Corcoran’s article from Sports Illustrated addresses the needs of all 30 teams this offseason. For the Cubs he’s listed one outfielder and one rotation spot as the primary need. His...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 11, 2009, 12:16 pm
Just heard baseball reporter Bruce Levine say on ESPN 1000 that Jim Hendry is working hard on laying the foundation for a Bradley trade. With the GM meeting having wrapped up at Noon Wednesday and n...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 9, 2009, 11:32 pm
Jim Hendry can trade Milton Bradley from his own backyard. The GM meetings last until Wednesday at the O’Hare Hilton, and the sooner Hendry deals Bradley the better. Despite the new ownership ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 8, 2009, 11:01 pm
More than 120 players have jumped into baseball’s free-agent money pool, two of which are Cubs: Reed Johnson and Rich Harden. Without hesitation, I’d bring Reed back in a second. Good clu...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 6, 2009, 12:35 am
I’ve said numerous times Ted Lilly is the true ace of the Cubs’ rotation. Of course, I’m always repeating myself because Cubs fans and the media barely recognize Lilly as an ace. D...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 5, 2009, 12:01 am
Would you believe it’s already been eight years since Luis Gonzalez’s RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth lifted Arizona to a 3-2 win in Game 7 of the 2001 World Serie...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 3, 2009, 11:42 pm
Indeed, Tom Ricketts’ talk is cheap. The man’s promised Cubs fans the world, as in world championship, king of the hill, top-dog. And why not make such promises? Isn’t this, after ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 2, 2009, 11:49 pm
Cliff Lee is deserving of all the love. It’s pretty clear the Phillies get swept this series without him. But don’t overlook the performance of Chase Utley, either. Yes,  the guy who...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 2, 2009, 12:05 am
Three weeks ago I witnessed the Chicago Blackhawks’ biggest comeback victory in team history. The Hawks rallied from five goals down to beat the Calgary Flames 6-5 in OT. By NHL standards, a f...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Nov 1, 2009, 1:02 am
I dressed as a skeleton for Halloween. It’s the same costume I wore last year, and the year before too. Next Halloween I’ll break out the ol’ bones wrap yet again. And why not? It ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 31, 2009, 12:42 am
The best owners in pro sports are the ones who sit back and sign the checks. They stay out of the petty day-to-day matters better suited for the front office, they let coaches coach, and above all el...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 30, 2009, 12:45 am
The scene is all too familiar. Mariano closing out another Yankees’ World Series win followed by Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York blasting in the background at Yankee Stadium. If anyth...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 29, 2009, 12:30 am
Cliff Lee is the Yankees’ daddy. The southpaw was simply spectacular in Game 1: nine innings, 122 pitches -80 for strikes- and just 32 batters faced. Lee’s been a Yankees killer througho...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 27, 2009, 11:47 pm
In baseball, winning starts at the top and trickles down. So it’s somewhat embarrassing the Cubs haven’t had a top-dog at the helm for more than two years. Thankfully, however, that̵...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 27, 2009, 12:51 am
Cubs fans won’t admit it, but we would all miss Tony La Russa had he left St. Louis for greener pastures. Every good rivalry needs a dislikeable leader on the other side, and La Russa fits the ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 26, 2009, 12:31 am
*My pick American League MVP *Joe Mauer: Had the most well rounded season playing the game’s toughest position. Miguel Cabrera: A pure numbers guy who played up to par defensively as well. Dere...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 26, 2009, 12:27 am
So much for the Angels comeback theory. Too many walks and fielding miscues cost the Halos its chance for a dramatic Game 7. It seems the Angels lost its momentum from a thrilling win in Game 5 with...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 25, 2009, 12:59 am
Don’t think the Angels can come back against the Yankees? Then let me remind you of the 2003 NLCS, when the Marlins overcame a 3-1 series deficit to knock-off our beloved Cubbies. The odds, of...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 23, 2009, 12:01 am
Take my word for it; this picture isn’t worth a thousand words. Nothing can translate the heart-pounding sensation of sitting 103 floors up from the ground with only an inch-and-a-half of glass...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 22, 2009, 1:20 am
I have little doubt Rudy Jaramillo can resurrect the Cubs offense from two seasons ago when they led the world in runs scored. The man is widely regarded as the best in the business at his craft, and...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 21, 2009, 12:56 am
We can only hope the Cubs are paying attention to what’s transpired with Manny’s arrival in Hollywood. Despite Philadelphia’s 3-1 series lead in the NLCS, the Dodgers’ over-hyped, over-pa...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 19, 2009, 5:52 pm
Cy Young Award *My pick American League *Zach Geinke: He was the most dominating pitcher in baseball this year, in either league, and the fact he won 16 games playing for the Royals is even more im...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 19, 2009, 12:03 am
The Padres should hire Kim Ng as the team’s next general manager. Ng is more than qualified for the job and the move would also help transition MLB away from its long-standing good ol’ bo...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 16, 2009, 12:25 am
I’m willing to give Jim Hendry a mulligan on the Bradley signing, on one condition, of course. That being Hendry’s ability to clean-up his own mess. Clean-up duty, as we all know, never ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 15, 2009, 12:24 am
The best regarded hitting coach in baseball is officially available. Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers’ long-time hitting instructor, has turned down a one-year offer from the club. Now a free agent...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 13, 2009, 11:17 am
Manager of the Year National League Jim Tracy, Colorado – There wasn’t a better manager during the season’s second half and the Rocks nearly overcame a 15-game deficit against the Dodgers in t...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 13, 2009, 12:23 am
I know it will never happen, but I’ll suggest it anyway. Why not shorten the baseball season by 12 games? The season could start later in the spring and finish earlier in the fall. Then, perh...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 12, 2009, 1:28 am
Jonathan Papelbon lives on the edge and the Angels finally made him pay for it. Additionally, this win in particular could power the Angles to a world championship. Rallying from a four run deficit ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 11, 2009, 12:01 am
I’m already thinking Dodgers vs. Yankees in the World Series. I’d just love to see Torre, who was shamefully pushed out of Gotham; take it to the Steinbrenners. The former Yankee skipper...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 10, 2009, 1:39 am
Teixeira’s walk-off reminds me of McGwire’s record breaking shot on September 8, 1998. Big Mac powering a sinking line drive over the left field fence at old Busch for No. 62. What’...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 9, 2009, 12:23 am
It’ll be interesting to see how Holliday responds after his error cost the Cardinals a split in L.A. St. Louis, remember, was suppose to be the team to beat because of Chris Carpenter and Adam ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 8, 2009, 12:01 am
I’ve enjoyed TBS’s broadcast of the playoffs. It’s not been perfect, of course, but I think it’s been much improved during the past two years. This year’s graphics are ...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 7, 2009, 1:29 am
Talk about epic. You’ve got players on both sides saying this was the greatest game they’ve ever played in, and I wouldn’t questions those feelings one bit. Rallies, comebacks, home runs, guys...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 6, 2009, 12:23 am
Many thanks to those of you who stuck with me and this blog through the entire season. The readership for Bullpen Brian doubled compared to last season, and I can’t express my appreciation enou...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 5, 2009, 1:13 am
It wasn’t suppose to end this way, but I’m glad this season is over, and I suppose most Cubs fans feel the same way. All the injuries, the slumps…Milton Bradley, I won’t miss it a...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 4, 2009, 12:20 am
I’m hearing many baseball experts project St. Louis as the team to beat in the NL. No doubt the Cardinals are a tough bunch, but I think the Rockies are a better club. Colorado has posted both...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 3, 2009, 12:14 am
Just what the Blackhawks didn’t need: Sports Illustrated picking them to win the Stanley Cup. Talk about a bad omen, the Hawks might as well sign Milton Bradley to play right wing. Yet despite...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 1, 2009, 11:27 pm
Three layers and winter gloves was no match for the bitter cold rain at Wrigley Thursday night. Although, somehow I managed to be the last man standing on the rooftop at the Skybox on Sheffield. For...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Oct 1, 2009, 12:45 am
I don’t care what the circumstances are; losing a twin-bill at home against the Pirates is flat out embarrassing. The Bucco’s threw two starters with a combined record of 7-14 against Lil...
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Brian C. posted an article on Bullpen Brian - Sep 30, 2009, 12:46 am
The Mets are way over thinking its uniform changes. It shouldn’t be about adapting the Giants’ cream color digs or doing away with the classic Mets pinstripes. Just ditch the abundance o...
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