Bush League Times

"Bush League" is a general term used to describe an action or thing as being amateur, inferior or crude. In a literal sense, it refers to a low quality minor league, not associated with the major league teams. We at Bush League Times are all of the above.

July 18, 2008

Welcome Back

Posted By: Jay

Welcome back to Bush League Times. We took advantage of the All-Star break and used the time to get reacquainted with our families. Thankfully, the Cubs season resumes tonight and we are back to all things baseball.

Before we put this All-Star Game to bed, I just wanted to address some things from this year's game.

- We're not sure when it happened, but George Steinbrenner all of a sudden has permanent Robert DeNiro face.

- Has anyone else noticed that the guy in the bobble head costume singing 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game' during the Baby Ruth commercial looks just like this guy?

- Maybe it's just Yankee Stadium, but Dan Uggla sucks. Maybe we were all too hard on Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch?

- Attention Cubs! Feel free to run all day on Corey Hart and his miserable arm.

- So, if the game would have gone to 16 innings, the game that decides home field advantage for the World Series would've been closed out by a position player on the mound? I think everyone agrees it's time to reevaluate this mess.

- As noted previously at Bush League Times, Jose Reyes should have made the team over Cristian Guzman. I have no problem pinch running for Aramis Ramirez late in the game, but if you are going to do that, I would prefer you replace him with somebody who can actually steal a base.

So the Cubs won't have home field advantage this year in the World Series. Not a big deal if you ask me. It just increases the probability that the Cubs can clinch at home in Game 4 or Game 5.

Thanks again to the readers who have been emailing me articles for potential content. I obviously can't do them all but I appreciate all the suggestions. I've noticed that a lot of the submissions are articles by Jay Mariotti. Here's the thing about Mariotti, I feel like I'm taking the bait whenever I rip his work stuff. His only intent in journalism writing stuff is to annoy his readers. I treat him the same way I treat the creepy homeless guys on the off ramps every time I see them (and their signs are just as well written as Mariotti's column), I just ignore them.

That reminds me, Steve Rosenbloom is back from vacation and he is well rested and even more negative. This is from yesterday's Rosenblog:

The Cubs begin the second half with the best record in the National League. They have the third-best ERA in the league and they just acquired Rich Harden, one of the best young arms around. They have the best batting average in the league and they haven't had Alfonso Soriano the way they expect to have Alfonso Soriano. What's more, the Cubs' offense leads the league in walks. Yes, walks. The Cubs. Those Cubs. Go figure.

So, yeah, the fall couldn't be any further. Or farther. Whatever the word, the collapse that every right-thinking Cubs fan fears couldn't be much worse given where they sit now. If you don't have worries, I'll have whatever you're drinking. In the meantime, you can share mine.

A quick recap of Steve's math: Best record + good pitching + newly acquired stud pitcher + good hitting + returning superstar + patience at the plate = panicky douche bag.

I'm so glad he's back.

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