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CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

[December 29th] -- When I was growing up in the early 1960's, the music of the Kingston Trio was always on the family record player (it was a stereo player -- my dad spared no expense). "Tom Dooly," "Charlie and the MTA" and "Raspberries & Strawberries" were all wonderful songs. My favorite, however, was a cute little ditty called the "Merry Minuet" that began with this refrain:

They're rioting in Africa (whistling)

They're starving in Spain (whistling)

There's hurricanes in Flo-ri-da (whistling), And Texas needs rain

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls

The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles

Italians hate the Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch AND I DON'T LIKE ANYBODY VERY MUCH!

The recent uneasiness within the Nationals' blog-o-sphere has made me think about this song often over the past few weeks. Several within the community have ceased being commentators and are now themselves the news of the day. Disagreements over the signing of low level free agents have taken on a very personal feel with both message and messenger being eviscerated on a fairly regular basis.

Without taking sides, this has to stop. The small band of brothers that are the Nats' Nation have come too far and seen too much to bicker over the signing, or not signing, of some pitcher who might, or might not, still have some juice left in his tank.

Whether you agree or disagree with how Stan Kasten and the Lerners have set up shop, one thing is for sure: The Nationals have yet to play a game under "the plan." Nothing has happened yet. Perhaps the "anti-planners" will be ultimately right and will be allowed a thundering "I told you so" aimed right at the rest of us. Or perhaps the "pro-planners" trust and belief in one of baseball's top executives and one of the business world's top moguls will be well founded and a young, credible team will rise from the ashes of losing.

I don't know, and neither do you.

Look, the 1st Ammendment floodgates are open wide here at The Beltway Boys. Let the ideas flow. But why must the prose become prickly and end up being both personal and pedantic? We can disagree all we want; it's not like we're debating a subjective, unquantifiable result. The Nationals will have a definitive record at the end of each and every season, and we'll have plenty of time to demand accountability regarding the team wins and losses. Let's not pull apart the team before it's even come together. Let's look at the results of "the plan" before deciding on its merits.

It's kind of like filing for divorce a year before getting married because you're afraid your fiancee is going to have an affair sometime in the future.

It makes no sense.

I'm not advocating for a monolithic block of blogs. I am, however, asking for smooth sailing from the skippers of the S.S. Nationals task force. As one of the rust-buckets screening the big ships, it's not my job to torpedo my own aircraft carrier. Rather, I desire to guide it to it's next destination doing whatever I must to insure its safety - and that can include demands for the captain to change course when warranted.

Differing opinions are great. But in the words of the knight in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Choose wisely."

Please?

Bobby Murcer Ill: Bobby Murcer has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was to have surgery on Thursday to remove it. I remember Murcer's Nationals playing the Senators in spring training of [I think] 1969. He played at third base and fellow rookie Jerry Kenney was in center. As I recall, both made a couple of errors and misplayed a few balls as well. When the Senators played the Yankees on opening day a few weeks later, Murcer was in center and Kenney was at third.

He had a good enough career that the San Francisco Giants traded Bobby Bonds straight up for the Yankees center fielder. Bonds is gone now, and Murcer .... well .... I offer him my best wishes as he goes through this difficult time.


Comments:
The knight was in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." The only thing of interest in "Temple of Doom" was Short Round saying "No time for love, Doctah Jones!"
 
Oh, you're right Jammning! I knew that, yet my stupid fingers typed the wrong thing. I'll fix it. Thanks.
 
Good job commenting on the cat fight. I'm afraid the bloggers are splitting down the middle, half with a "don't worry be happy" attitude and the others with a "damn they all" perception.

The angry guys are getting too angry, and that's too bad.
 
There is always going to be followers of both groups, those who don't like to speak ill of the Nationals and those who enjoy it almost as a hobby. Both have viable positions, but the personal attacks make the discussion just no fun to be part of.

Thanks.
 
Thanks, Basil.

First, I'm with you and that "pain in the pit of the stomach" when I feel I've wronged someone. And second, I have never read a word of your prose that could have been misconstrued as anything but the fair consideration of a situation.

I agree to an extent that a comment left on a blog is deserving of consideration and critique, but still doesn't open the writer to personal attack (and yes, I've seen it several times; perhaps your view and my view of "personal attack" may be different however). There is no problem with saying, "Joe, you're not on point because ....." But to say, "Joe just doesn't get it. You must be one of those dreamers who believes the Lerners are ...." or "Oh, so you'd give back all your Christmas presents because you didn't like one of them?" isn't entirely called for. The last one was mine.

There is a difference, however, between answering a comment on your own blog and pasting a story from another blog and then eviscerating it on a point by point basis. I'm just not sure how that moves forward the discussion.

Of all of us, your's is known to be as fair and factual a blog as there is, and if you haven't seen some bloggers get too personal, I take you at your word. But I have seen it, I have been written about, and I have seen other friends be taken on. Several blogger friends have emailed me saying "what gives? Why are they doing this?" If three or four bloggers not only are seeing it but have felt it, then there has to be a problem.

No, no one is using 'F' bombs or calling people George Carlin-like names. But there is a tinch of "too personal" beginning to surface.

It has nothing to do with liking or hating "the plan," or how we cover the team, whether we're "fluff piece" writers or attack journalists.

It has to do with respect. I hope it calms down come opening day, and I think it likely will. But the last thing we need is a rift in the blogosphere. That you or some of the others say you haven't seen any of these situations is taken at face value and with credibility. That said, my dad taught me once that "what 'is' doesn't matter; it's what's 'perceived' that is the problem. If just one blogger believed things were getting too personal, then that's one thing. But when several, perhaps three or four, think they see it, then that's another matter entirely.

I just don't want our websites to turn into a live version of some of the message boards around town where arrows are slinging every which way.

It's hard to come back from that.

Thanks for your thoughts, Basil. Hopefully, in a week or two this will all be forgotten.
 
One of the problems with the internet is the lack of tone. You can write something and based on how someone reads it, it can come across in different ways. (It's even worse if you are like me and avoid the use of emoticons if at all possible) Plus, at times, while I agree with Basil and don't feel anything personal has been going on, I do think things can get too...familiar. You react in a way that you find comfortable with a friend, but in reality we're closer to strangers. We don't know eachothers limits. Communication issues are just par for the course. (Just ask me about Baby Ruckles.)

If you feel you, or someone else, is being wronged in some way then you should confront the person who is doing the wronging (especially if it's me). I would hope for the same from the impartial observers who emailed you as well. Sometimes the "wronger" doesn't know there is a problem, or more likely, doesn't know what exactly it is that caused the problem. If the latter isn't clear, it makes it difficult to avoid causing another problem in the future, which is the mutual goal of everyoen involved.
 
As always, a very reasoned response, el gran. Please know - I have never been wronged. That others have complained to me doesn't mean that I am complaining. As a blogger, I am a psuedo-public figure.

I have been trying to find a better term than "personal attack" because that is too strong a phrase. Perhaps your choice, "too familiar" is the right one.

I appreciate a good disagreement as long as it's based on facts and not fancy. Invective comes in various tones and tenors; what "is" to some "isn't" to others.

You, or no other, has offended me. That has never been the point. I am concerned, however, that our blogs are going to turn into some of the team's message boards that can get very venomous at times.

That's all I'm saying.
 
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Welcome to CubsHub.com
Friday, December 29 2006 @ 08:38 PM EST
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Sunday, October 15 2006 @ 12:10 AM EDT
Contributed by: Bob Sacamento Views: 845




David Price, possible Cubs' 3rd overall pick

Next year's amateur draft is looking like the deepest since the 2001 draft that produced such first round talents such as Joe Mauer, Mark Prior, Mark Teixeira, Gavin Floyd, Chris Burke, Aaron Heilman, Bobby Crosby, Jeremy Bonderman, Noah Lowry, and David Wright. And with the Cubs having the third overall pick, they are in line for an impact prospect. No matter what the Cubs do via free agency their pick is protected (top 15 picks are protected), just like it was last year when they selected lefty starting pitcher Mark Pawalek out of High School in Utah with the 13th overall pick. Here's what the draft order is looking like right now (subject to change due to free agent signings):

2007 Draft Order

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. Washington Nationals
7. Milwaukee Brewers
8. Colorado Rockies
9. San Fransisco Giants
10. Arizona Diamondbacks



11. Seattle Mariners
12. Florida Marlins
13. Cleveland Indians
14. Atlanta Braves
15. Cincinnati Reds
16. Texas Rangers
17. Houston Astros
18. St. Louis Cardinals
19. Philadelphia Phillies
20. Boston Red Sox
21. Toronto Blue Jays
22. Los Angeles Dodgers
23. San Diego Padres
24. Los Angeles Angels
25. Chicago White Sox
26. Oakland Athletics
27. Deroit Tigers
28. Minnesota Twins
29. New York Mets
30. New York Yankees

Unfortunately for the Cubs, they have a poor history of taking players with their top five picks that don't pan out. Here's what our history looks like:

Cubs Overall Top 5 Draft History

#1 overall pick
1982--Shawon Dunston (SS)

#2 overall pick
1967--Terry Hughes (SS)
1981--Joe Carter (OF)
2001--Mark Prior (RHP)

#3 overall pick
1984--Drew Hall (LHP)
1998--Corey Patterson (OF)
2000--Luis Montanez (IF)

#4 overall pick
1975--Brian Rosinski (OF)
1987--Mike Harkey (RHP)
1995--Kerry Wood (RHP)

#5 overall pick
1966--Dean Burk (RHP)



Up until recently, the two most hyped players going into the 2007 draft were Vanderbilt lefty David Price and California high schooler Robert Stock. With Stock considered the higher ceiling of the two. At 17, he's an extremely talented two way athlete. On the rubber he consistantly hits 94-96 mph with a real good breaking ball and he's a catcher with good defensive qualities and very good power potential. Nevertheless, we'll have to wait til the 2009 draft on Stock as he's signed on to play for USC, due to his academic standings, Stock was allowed to skip his senior year in high school.

David Price - LHP (Vanderbilt) 6'6 220lb L/L

So let's move on to the rest of the players that are qualified for the 2007 draft, starting with David Price. The 6'6 lefty has a deceptive delivery that some scouts feel needs worked out to ensure the health of his arm. He's arsenal consists of a fastball that sits 93-96 mph and touched 98 mph, along with a hard breaking slider that registers at 86-88 mph, plus a good changeup that makes him absolutely filthy. Not only does Price have nasty stuff, but he has great control. During the regular season, he had some problems but for Team USA, it looks like his hammered those out. He's been called the best college pitcher to come out of the draft since Prior by some scouts. There's also good reason to believe he won't slip to #3, as the Royals recently showed they aren't afraid to spend on an elite college player. Of course, Andrew Miller was the number one guy at this time last year before the 2006 draft where he went sixth overall to the Tigers.

Mike Main - RHP HS (FL) 6'7 220lb R/R

With a late season run and good numbers this summer in the Cape Cod League, Florida high schooler Mike Main is making some noise. Some scouts have compared him to Mike Mussina bodywise. Main has a fastball that sits consistantly at 94-96 mph with late movement. His secondary pitches consist of a hard curve that's around 74-79 mph along with a late heavy sinking changeup around 76-80 mph. Unfortunately he has some serious problems with throwing across his body delivery plus the tendency to try hitting lightening it up on the gun with his fastball. He's got an eerie similiarity to Kerry Wood. He missed most of the 2005 season due to a shoulder injury.

Matt Weiter - C/RHP (Georgia Tech) 6'5 235lbs S/R

Without question the best college hitter in the draft is Georgia Tech catcher Matt Weiters. Some call the 6'5 switch hitter the best college hitter since Mark Teixeira. Currently, he's a premiere hitter yet has pitched very well as the Yellow Jackets' closer, constantly hitting 94-98 mph with his fastball. Still he projects as a positional player due to great eye at the plate, his above average power and a very good bat. There's a very good chance he doesn't stay behind the plate positionally, but he has a strong enough arm and big enough bat to play either third base or rightfield or a worse case scenerio first base. It also won't hurt that Scott Boras is Weiters representing advisor, someone the Cubs don't have a problem dealing with. Still there is talk that the Royals absolutely love Weiters and see him as keypiece for their future.

Andrew Brackman - RHP (NC State) 7'0 245lbs R/R

At 7ft tall (reported height listings varies from 6'10 - 7'), Brackman would be the tallest MLB. He's decided he will forgo his baskeball scholarship and roster spot on the NC State team to concentrate on baseball for the 2007 season. His basketball playing, was leverage that his advisor (Boras) could have exploited. His fastball consistantly hits 94-96 mph and topped out at 99 mph this season. With his long arms and release point though, a 95 mph has the illusion of being 5-10 mph faster. What's more is that he throws from a low angle which is even more deceptive. Not only does he have the high octane fastball but he's got a tight slider and late breaking splitter both are quality secondary pitches. For a big guy, his mechanics are pretty fluid, occasionally he has hitches in it but those can be worked out. His good control is suprising as well, what's not suprising is that this talented player already has Scott Boras on as his advisor. Brackman needs to work on changing his speeds with his fastball as he often gets caught up in hitting high 90's rather than mixing in a low 90 fastball here and there to keep the hitters honest. Reportedly, he was working on a changeup in the Cape Cod League this summer, if he gets it down, he'll be just nasty.

Personally, he's my pick that I think the Cubs will take. He's NOT my pick, I reserve that for Weiters but I don't think he'll slip to us and if Price is gone, then Brackman starts looking good.

James Adkins - LHP (Tennessee) 6'6 225lb R/L

Adkins is a lefty who has the stuff and frame to go in the top 10 selections. His fastball isn't dominating, usually sitting around 88-92 mph with little movement. But he uses it effectively with the best breaking ball in the draft. It's very Wood-esque, in that it's not a slider nor a curve but rather a "slurve". The pitch registers 86-88 mph and is absolutely filthy, there is no question it's already an MLB pitch. Again like Wood, he has some serious control problems and has a tendency to throw across his body.

J.P. Arencibia - C (Tennessee) 6'1 195lbs R/R

The righty hitter went to the same high school as A-Rod (Westminster Christian in Miami, FL), where he tied Alex's school homerun record. He has a good eye at the plate and a knowledge of the strikezone, allowing him to work counts. He's not afraid to get two strikes on him as he has strong contact ability along with very nice power potential. Defensively, he's not nearly as well rounded, he's adequate behind the plate in blocking pitches. His arm is above average but he needs some work on his footwork and accuracy to the bag. His value is as a catcher but with such a mild abilities behind the plate and a developed bat, a position switch could be in his future.

Joe Savery - LHP/1B (Rice) 6'3 215lbs L/L

The lefties' fastball sits around 92-94 mph with heavy sinking motion and works in a 90 mph slider that just mystifies hitters. Not only is he the best starting pitcher for one of the best college teams in the nation, but he's also a great hitter. Featuring a smooth sweet swing, some power potential, and a good eye at the plate along with playing stellar defense at first base. When he's drafted though, his arm is too big of a commidity to keep him as a hitter. Unfortunately Savery suffered a shoulder injury and had some minor surgery, that's why he pulled out of all summer ball this year. He's still expected back for the 2007 season.

Cole St. Clair - LHP (Rice) 6'5 225lb L/L

Look out for this guy, as he'll probably be the guy who makes it to the MLB the quickest. Much like Huston Street from a few years back and Tim Linecum in 2006, St. Clair has been groomed to close big games in college and he has the stuff to translate to the bigs. Of course, there isn't much of a ceiling to the kid, what you see is what you're going to get. Of all the players in the draft, he's the most projectable as he's a finished product. He features a fastball that dances despite the 94-96 mph velocity and an incredible curveball that he works in well. To boot, he has good control, knows how to pitch, and is fearless. He still has a changeup in his arsenal but he's scraped it , in the future he could easily bring it back though.

Sequoyah Stonecipher - OF HS (CA) 6'0 185lb R/R

When scouts talk about players with tools, Stonecipher is their holy grail. He's extremely athletic, with well above average power, speed, contact, glove, and arm. He's easily the player with the most tools in the draft, the only question is if he'll learn how to use them properly. If he does, then he'll be a top 5 pick and with the Cubs history, we might have a match.

Blake Beavan - RHP HS (TX) 6'7 205lb R/R

He's from the same hometown as Kerry Wood (Irving, TX) but that's the end of their similarities. Unlike Wood, Beaven has solid mechanics, throwing the ball at a low 3/4 approach and getting good movement. His fastball sits around 92-94 mph and topped out at 96 mph, with heavy sink. He works in a tight slider that's tough to hit and usually around 82-84 mph, an overhand curveball and a developing changeup. Scouts have compared him alot to Padres ace Jake Peavy.

Nick Schmidt - LHP (Arkansas) 6'5 220lb L/L

Schmidt's fastball usually is in the 92-94 range touching 96 mph several times this past year. He's polished and that's why he'll definately go in the first round. He's got a very deceptive delivery along with a good curve which led to his very low H/9 along with solid K/BB, K/9, BB/9.

Eric Berger - LHP (Arizona) 6'1 190lb L/L

The lefty Berger is a darkhorse to look out for, going into the 2006 season he was one of the top pitchers to be available in the 2007 draft. But he suffered an elbow injury and endured a Tommy John operation in early June. He'll be ready for the start of the 2007 Arizona season, and if he's healthy, he could go still go early in the first round. Before his injury, he was consistantly at 90-92 mph topping out at 95 mph with real good movement. His secondary pitches are advanced, throwing a sharp curve and a tight slider. Still with his injury, Berger doesn't have much of a shot at climbing high in the first round, but he could slip to the Cubs in the second round.

Sean Doolittle - LHP (Virginia) 6'2 180lb L/L

He's like Savery, just not as hyped. His fastball is around 91-93 mph which is deadly wiith his delivery and a very good slider. He's still working on his changeup which he'll probably throw more in 2007. Doolittle gives up alot of flyballs as his fastball doesn't have much movement and he often makes mistakes with it. He's got a good bat, but he'll be drafted for his pitching ability and not his bat.


Matt Harvey - RHP HS (CT) 6'4 190lb R/R

Harvey has a nice fluid delivery along with explosive stuff. His fastball is already sitting around 93-95 mph mixing in a nasty power breaking ball. I'll get more on him as the season progresses.


Wes Roemer RHP (CS-Fullerton) 6'0 185lb R/R

Roemer doesn't get much talk but he's a control artist with the good stuff. This season in 155 IP, he threw 3 comple games and gave up 145 K to just 7 BB. Yeah he struck out 138 more guys than he walked which is just an outstanding rate, he faced 254 batters this season before giving up his first base on balls. Another season like that and he'll definately be a top 10 talent. He throws a low 90's fastball with excellent control, along with an adequate slider and changeup that made great improvements since 2005. Roemer has excellent mound presence, everytime he faces a hitter, he has the confidence that he'll win the battle. He's a throwback to the old school pitcher, in that he is not afraid to plunk a batter crowding his plate as seen in his high HBP (23) to his BB (7).







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A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder | 9 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, October 08 2006 @ 05:30 PM EDT
hey bob: who would you choose at this point if Weiters is already taken? I'm already salivating over this draft class, and the seven footer, brackman, sounds particularly appealing. Watching guys like Randy Johnson and Chris Young, it becomes evident how deceptive these extremely tall pitchers can be (although Young's deception can probably be attributed more to his shortarm delivery, I think)
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, October 08 2006 @ 08:21 PM EDT
Just an fyi, Brackman has yet to make a decision on playing basketball. He will do so in the next week or two.

JP from TopCubsProspects.blogspot.com

A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Bob Sacamento on Monday, October 09 2006 @ 12:41 AM EDT
If Weiters is gone, I'd still go with Price over Brackman, even though Brackman's ceiling is higher. Price is just so polished and poised that he can help a team immediately, and it doesn't hurt that he's a lefty. But like I said in the article, if the Brackman and Price are there for the Cubs, I expect us to go Brackman.
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, October 09 2006 @ 05:07 AM EDT
what do you think, Bob: does Tampa bay go for a less highly touted, but more signable prospect, or do they take one of these previously discussed top 3 talents? You seem to have already suggested that KC will almost assuredly be taking one of the premium talents. Hopefully, the additional variable of Scott Boras will help the Cubs.
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Bob Sacamento on Monday, October 09 2006 @ 12:41 PM EDT
If the draft were in the next month, Tampa would probably take either Price or Brackman, with odds more likely on Price. Tampa doesn't seem shy to spend on "can't miss" prospects. Then the Royals would take Weiter they too haven't had much of a problem of dealing with high salary demands. If that happened that would leave Brackman to the Cubs, something we'd wet ourselves over. Of course ALOT can happen (injury, HSer comes out of nowhere, signing bonus) in the next year, but these three are definately the favorites going into next year.

A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, October 09 2006 @ 08:16 PM EDT
hey, you forgot to include perhaps the best player out of the 2001 draft: Mark Teixeira.

Looking at all those players, it is unbelievable how talented that draft class was.

A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, October 10 2006 @ 01:26 AM EDT
No expert here, but Wes Roemer seems tough and tremendous. It'd be nice to have a star who stays healthy. He was something special in Creighton.
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, October 10 2006 @ 04:51 PM EDT
Wait till next year...He'll be even better...
A Look at Cubs Possible 2007 First Rounder
Authored by: Bob Sacamento on Tuesday, October 10 2006 @ 05:18 PM EDT
Roemer is definately a guy who can climb up this list. If he gets a handle on his secondary pitches like he does with his fastball then he's someone to watch out for this year. Still it's going to take alot to leapfrog either Price or Brackman as top college pitcher.
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Yes-Its time to move on. Thank you Farid, and everybody else. Thank you.
 
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