By Marty Gangler
Every Monday (or close to) we here at The Cub Factor try to figure out what we learned from the previous week. A lot of times we learn nothing; we can even forget things on occasion. But this week I want to discuss something that made me more confused than anything. I’d like to discuss rooftops.
I was fortunate enough to get on a rooftop for the Cubs-Dodgers game on Saturday night. And even though I’ve been on a rooftop in the past – one other time – some new questions arose this time.
As you know, the rooftop buildings are across the street from the park – but as you might not know, they follow some rules that are in play inside Wrigley. And this is where the weirdness comes in. You are essentially at someone’s house, yet you couldn’t get a beer until 30 minutes before game time. Which is a rule not even enforced in the park.
Then, your admittance to the rooftop facility gives you all you can eat and drink. Which is certainly different from the park, but then they start serving different types of food whenever they felt like it – which is different from the park. So it’s kind of like watching a game at a strict friend’s house except that when they did the National Anthem, everyone stood up and removed their hats. Which is something no one ever does at home. That I am aware of.
You are also encouraged to tip the people giving you the food and drinks, so it’s kind of like a bar in that vein, yet they stop serving alcohol after the 7th inning. And there isn’t a bar in the world that would do that.
So, I couldn’t tell if I was at the park, at someone’s house, or at a bar. Because the rules were just all weird. And maybe all this shouldn’t matter. I mean, there are worse places to be sequestered for three-plus hours, though when the Cubs are down 5-0 for most of the game, it’s cold out, and the all-you-can-drink beer is wasted on you as you have to drive in a few hours, your mind begins to wonder – where am I? I guess the answer is, the only place in Major League Baseball where you can watch a game that is completely undefinable.
Week in Review: The Cubs went 3-3 for the week, losing the last game of a four-game set with the Phillies on Monday, splitting two against the Reds, including a rainout, and then taking two of three from the Dodgers. It feels like the Cubs played better than 3-3 for the week, but that’s probably because they are kind of not that good, and just going .500 is really good for them.
The Week in Preview: The Cubs stay home for three against the Braves and the Chipper Jones Farewell Tour, and then head up north to Milwaukee for three with the Brew Crew.
The Second Basemen Report: Six games this week with Darwin Barney starting four and Blake DeWitt getting the other two starts. We are finally getting some solid action in The Second Basemen Report. Unfortunately neither guy hit much at all this week and the Cubs don’t even seem to care if they lose Blake to another team as they designated him for assignment to make room for Travis Wood on the roster. But hey, that’s the point of The Second Basemen Report. If the Cubs really had one, it wouldn’t exist. Which is just like The Ghost of Jim Hendry drew it up.
In former second basemen news, DJ LeMahieu is currently playing for the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the Rockies organization. David John is batting .302 with one homer and 14 RBI. He is missed.
Crazy Corners: Ian Stewart continues to unimpress at third base and a spot start by Super Joe Mather at third this week may be a signal of what’s to come. Plus, it also helps anytime your manager calls you “super” and you hit a pinch-hit homer to win a game. Bryan LaHair is proving how little the old Cubs regime knew about their own players.
Weekly Bunting Report: Jeff Samardzija may need a haircut, but he doesn’t need bunting practice with a sweet sacrifice bunt this week trying to help his own cause. Because really, who else’s cause do you really want to help?
The Zam Bomb: Big Z is still 0-2 for the season but did have a good outing, scattering 5 hits and 3 walks over 7 scoreless innings against the Giants for a no decision. Could a change in scenery really have made a difference? He’s having a decent year. This makes Big Z Apologetic.
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Endorsement No-Brainer: Travis Wood for the flu. He’s gotta make it to the big leagues somehow.
Ameritrade Stock Pick of the Week: Shares of Nyquil prepare to open higher this week due to a huge run on the drug on the North Side of Chicago.
Sink or Sveum: 74% Analytical, 26% Emotional. Sveum drops a staggering 10 points on the Dale-O-Meter this week due to actually getting kicked out of a game. Who knew he had it in him? On a scale of Bat Sh#t Crazy, (Charles Manson), Not All There, (random guy with a neck tattoo), Thinking Clearly (Jordi LaForge), and Non-Emotional Robot (Data), Dale is edging into Not All There territory.
And just like your level-headed uncle, Dale can lose it on occasion. The family doesn’t mention that time when Dale got charged full price at the Woolworths when the sign clearly said 20% off on all men’s socks. Dale likes a deal.
Over/Under: The % of baseball fans who think the walk-off walk is easily the lamest way to win in your last at bat: +/- 83% (even the walk-off hit-by-pitch is cooler).
Don’t Hassle The Hoff: Micah Hoffpauir is still a Ham Fighter and I think he’s batting .231. Seems like someone is hassling him.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by The Cub Factor staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that Bryan LaHair is no Hee Sop Choi, and that is a good thing.
The Cub Factor: Unlike Alfonso Soriano, you can catch ’em all!
The White Sox Report: Know the enemy.
Fantasy Fix: Stars out of alignment.
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Posted on May 7, 2012