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Click here for a copy of
this report in Word for Windows format
September 24
COPPERFIELDS reserve K Griffey, activate D Roberts.
COPPERFIELDS reserve A Pujols, activate T Clark.
COPPERFIELDS reserve J Edmonds, activate C Floyd.
RUFFINS reserve J Sanchez, activate D Nippert.
RUFFINS sign G Soto for .07, reserve Ja Valentin, waive Jo
Valentin.
KENNDOZA LINE reserve R Klesko, activate C Delgado.
KENNDOZA LINE reserve T Gorzelanny, activate T Cate.
KENNDOZA LINE reserve T Tankersley, activate M Gonzalez.
Click here for updated
rosters in Excel format.
Click here for the 2008
Rotation Draft Pick Tracker
Free Agent Bids and Waiver Claims
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Geovany Soto
.07 Ruffins (Jo Valentin)
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The
End It wasn't until I was preparing my roster moves
this week that I realized that this was the final set of transactions for the
season (and when was the last time you saw a contender reserve three former
all-stars going into the final week?).
Since the final line-ups are set, I'll take this opportunity
to say "best of luck" to every team who is still in there fighting for
something, whether it's the 2007 Championship Trophy, a larger slice of the
prize pool pie, a penny more in the Home Town Discount Budget, or even simple
pride. To those teams who are still in the thick of one race or another
despite their general indifference, may karma deal you a cosmic bite in the ass.
In previous years, the final transactions took effect on
Saturday, which mean rosters were being set for just the last two games of the
season. This year, there's nearly a full week of games after teams make
their final moves, which means those teams have to be a lot more
forward-thinking in their decision-making. This year especially - with
things so close, reserving the wrong player could easily cost a team the
championship.
It also means that a whole lot more can happen between the
time I write up the traditional Race Review and the end of the season.
Speaking of which...
Race
Review Last year in this spot, I bemoaned the fact
that the Ruffins had pretty much locked up the 2006 Championship in early
September, which left me very little work to do. I guess it's a case of
"be careful what you wish for" because with the 2007 pennant race,
I've certainly got my hands full. At the beginning of Sunday's action,
only 5 points separated the top 4 teams, and the points are definitely there for
any of those teams to capture this year's flag.
Setting the stage, Sunday morning saw the standings looking
like this:
93 Kenndoza Line
90 David's Copperfields
88 David's Ruffins
88 Dem Rebels
Without further ado, let's take a stroll through the
categories to identify where points can be won and lost by the contenders in the
final week (the following is being written based on the Live Standings while
Sunday night's game is still in progress).
Runs Batted In
The Copperfields have had a commanding lead in
this category for much of the season, and they, Dem
Rebels, and Ruffins are all secure in
their current rankings. Kenndoza Line,
however, lead the DoorMatts by only 3
RBI, so they could lose a point over the next seven days.
Perhaps the return of Carlos Delgado to the lineup will help stave off the
surging DoorMatts.
Runs Scored The
first of a couple categories where first place Kenndoza
Line and second place Copperfields are
going head-to-head, Kenndoza leads the Copperfields
by 5 RS. Also butting into the race
are the Ruffins, who sit just 3
RS behind the Coppers (8
back of Kenndoza). This category alone
could decide the outcome of the race, as a charge to the top could net a
2-point gain for the Copperfields or 3 points for
the Ruffins. The Rebels
are locked into their current ranking here.
Stolen Bases
Most of the contenders are set in their spots in this category, though an
outstanding week by the Kenndoza basemen could
gain them an insurance point, as they're 6 SB
behind the Graging Bulls. The Ruffins,
however, are currently tied with the DoorMatts,
so they stand to add or lose half a precious point this week.
On Base Percentage
Another category that Kenndoza Line and the Copperfields
will take down to the wire. Kenndoza
currently has a .0004 lead over the Coppers,
which, if the Coppers can overcome, will result
in a 2-point swing in the overall standings. Only .002
behind the Copperfields are Dem
Rebels, so the Coppers could just as
easily lose a point to the Rebels this
week. Further down in the category, the Ruffins
are desperately clinging to a point as the lead Nick's
Picts in the category by less than .0001.
Total Bases
Dem Rebels and the Ruffins
go head-to-head here, with the Rebels holding a
slim 7 TB lead over the Ruffins.
Kenndoza Line, meanwhile, are again being dogged
by the DoorMatts, who are just 6
TB behind them. Only the Copperfields
seem certain of finishing the week where they started it in this category.
Earned Run Average
The Ruffins and Kenndoza
Line have ruled this category all season, and neither one is at risk to
lose a point this week. The Rebels are
sandwiched between teams and could go either way - they trail the Lambchops
by 0.018 and lead the Stones
by 0.025. At this time of year,
things could swing either way for them. The Copperfields,
meanwhile, cling to a slight 0.011 edge
over the DoorMatts.
WHIP The Ruffins
lead this category and are safely in the clear here. Then the fun
starts... Kenndoza Line, Dem
Rebels, and the Copperfields all follow in
short order. Kenndoza leads the Rebels
by a mere 0.008 and the Rebels
stand just 0.004 ahead of the Copperfields.
Lots of points in play here...
K:BB Another
category the Copperfields have dominated from the
start, and they are safe from losing any points. The Rebels,
however, could lose a point to Da Paul Meisters,
who are just 0.018 behind them. Kenndoza
Line trail those same Meisters by 0.023
and could conceivably gain a point, but are even closer to losing a point to
the Red Hots, who are just 0.019
behind. Meanwhile, the Ruffins can pick up
a point if they are able to close the 0.020
gap between them and the Graging Bulls.
Quality Starts
The DoorMatts (projected for 9 starts next week)
will be trying to play spoiler with a team's fortunes here, as they're just 1
QS behind Dem Rebels (projected for 3
starts next week). The Copperfields
(projected for 5 starts) will have their work cut out for them as they try to
catch the Red Hots (projected for 6 starts) who
are 3 QS ahead. Kenndoza
Line and the Ruffins are set here -
neither team will gain or lose a point in this category.
HoSv The Copperfields
look likely to set a new seasonal record in this category, and appear to be
safe from losing any points. The Ruffins
and Kenndoza Line likewise appear to be set in
their current positions. Dem Rebels,
though, hold a slim 1 HoSv lead over the Stones,
so they could drop a point here.
Whew. So that's it - after 25 weeks, there are still
plenty of points in play. How many? by my count, there are 32 points
up for grab among the four contending teams. Here's how they break down:
Team |
"Live Scoring"
Points on 9/23 |
Poss.
Gain |
Poss.
Loss |
Potential
Point Range |
| Kenndoza Line |
93.0 |
+1.0 |
-8.0 |
94 - 85 |
| Copperfields |
90.0 |
+5.0 |
-3.0 |
95 - 87 |
| Dem Rebels |
89.0 |
+3.0 |
-6.0 |
92 - 83 |
|
Ruffins |
87.5 |
+4.5 |
-1.5 |
92 - 86 |
Can you say "anyone's ballgame?" Of course,
these represent the maximum point swings. While Kenndoza Line look
vulnerable, they've held on for a number of weeks now, and there are only a
handful of days left to go.
Good luck to all the contenders! It should be a fun
ride, so fasten those seat belts!
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The Monroe Doctrine |
The world believes that the Cubs are loveable.
Usually the word “losers” follows loveable. My mind started to wander to a
comparison of 2003 and 2007. Is one more “lovable” than the other?
When I think back to my innocence, 1984’s team
is much more “lovable” than 1989. Could be that ’84 was the first time the
Cubs made the playoffs since 1945, could be they were only, what, three innings
away from the World Series.
So below I have a position by position comparison
of
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by Rich Bentel |
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2003 and 2007. The criteria for who “wins” isn’t
necessarily who put up the best stats. It’s who you (I guess I mean “I”)
really enjoyed, could be because of production, could be because he played the
game right, could be because he just had “it”, that indescribable quality
that made me glad he was a Cub.
Alfonso Soriano vs. Moises Alou
This one’s tough. I really liked Alou. Loved his 22 homeruns and 91 ribbies.
But then he goes down the leftfield line in October for a lazy foul flyball.
Doesn’t catch it so he stamps his foot like my 10 year old and throws a
girlie-fit. Soriano has had a couple of good games with clutch hits, but hasn’t
given me the warm fuzzies for any particular reason. This one goes to Alou for
everything until the 8th inning of game 6.
Jacque Jones vs. Corey Patterson
Jones has been maligned and has come back to have a solid year when most guys
would pout for the way the fans have treated him and for being on the bench for
the beginning part of the season. Patterson was on the come and hadn’t yet
become the Corey Patterson we all cringe about. I tell you, for the way Jones
has handled himself this year, I give him the edge.
Cliff Floyd vs. Sammy Sosa
I’m not even going to be objective. Floyd has dealt with a father who passed
away and injuries. Sosa is a moron. I’m sure I enjoyed the homeruns and the
hop, but it never really grew on me. Floyd is much more enjoyable and lovable.
Aramis Ramirez vs. Aramis Ramirez
Ramirez from ’03 was more lovable. He had just come over, put up solid numbers
and was a pleasant change from Bellhorn, Harris, Martinez & Co. Ramirez in
’07 likes to Cadillac his way around the bases and seems to swing at every
damn outside pitch that he makes Shawon Dunston look like a patient man. ’03
Ramirez in a rout.
Ryan Theriot vs. Alex Gonzalez
I was a big, big Gonzalez fan. Loved him all year long, but c’mon Alex, one
damn groundball!!! What is so f***ing hard about that? Theriot is the sparkplug
we haven’t had since Bob Dernier. The guy that didn’t have a position when
the season started and just played ball all year so that Pinella had to give him
the job. How can you not love that? Theriot wins.
Mark DeRosa vs. Mark Grudzielanek
I don’t have strong feelings here. Always liked Grud, even before becoming a
Cub; but this is about the impression of a ballplayer for the ’03 or ’07
team. I don’t have any excessively great or bad feelings toward Grud, while
DeRosa has had a lot of clutch hits so I will give this one to DeRosa and point
to my weakened long-term memory. Correction, DeRosa wins in a landslide due to
his 5 for 5 game and game winning hit against the Reds on Monday night.
Derrek Lee vs. Erik Karros
Isn’t this ironic? Lee was a big reason the Cubs didn’t make it to New York
in ’03 and here he is on our side in ’07. I’m not biased here, Lee is
awesome. While the power numbers haven’t been there, he is a leader, plays
amazing defense and is impossible not to love. Karros was cool and perhaps did
the classiest thing any Cub has ever done by taking out a full page ad after the
’03 season, thanking the fans for the opportunity and support. If he was up
against anyone but Lee, he’d have my vote.
Michael Barrett vs. Damian Miller
Wow, even less interest here than at secondbase. Barrett’s stock keeps
dropping with each passing day and he’s not even a Cub any more. Miller wins
by default. [Side note – I am basing this all on who played the position most
during the year. As we go to press, Barrett still has more ABs than Kendall and
Soto may end up being the fan favorite before the year is out.]
Carlos Zambrano & Ted Lilly vs.
Mark Prior & Kerry Wood Prior and Wood were the Golden Children.
They were supposed to bring us many World Series appearances, and in ’03 it
looked like the beginning of great things. Zambrano (also there in ’03 but
fourth in the rotation behind the Boys and Clement) is hard to love for his
antics. Lilly has been solid and really the ace of ’07. But his name describes
his persona; lily white, nothing to latch on to. Wood and Prior win going away.
Bobby Howry, Carlos Marmol, Ryan
Dempster vs. Mike Remlinger, Kyle Farnsworth, Joe Borowski People
seem to have issues with Howry, though I’ve enjoyed his presence. Marmol has
been just a wonderful surprise and Dempster is, well, this year’s Borowski.
About the only thing memorable or lovable about the ’03 three is when
Farnsworth planted Paul Wilson with the best tackle this city has seen since
Singletary retired. I’ll go with Howry, Marmol and Dempster.
Mike Fontenot vs. Randall Simon
Having plucked Fontenot from the FA pool and watching him get big hits early in
the season might give him an edge, but Simon was The Man when he came over from
Pittsburgh. Seems like every time the Cubs needed a double, homerun or simple
base hit, Simon was there to deliver. Simon gets the nod here.
Lou Pinella vs. Dusty Baker
Neither one captivates me the way Zimmer and Frey did. I will have to admit that
Baker seemed to have the magic until he mismanaged the bullpen against Florida.
Baker seems to have the edge unless Lou somehow gets the Cubs to be the team
that ends the season with a win. If that happens, he’s a god!
I noticed a trend in my mind. I had to keep putting myself
back in “2003 Mode”. After ’03 I have come to hate Baker, Alou, Prior and
Sosa. But during that year I loved Alou and Prior, didn’t mind Baker so much
and probably tolerated Sosa more than I would care to admit. Comments and
analysis are welcome on the CFCL Forum.
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De Aza
(.12)-o-Meter
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| OBP: |
.241 |
| TB: |
37 |
| RS: |
11 |
| RBI: |
6 |
| SB: |
1 |
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Cub NLDS playoff tickets range from 416.66 De
Azas for Bleacher Reserved to 2208.33 De Azas for Dugout Box.
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Hometown Discount Watch
In 2008, the teams that finished in 5th-12th
place in 2007 will receive a budget of up to .06 to use toward reacquiring
players who had played out their option with the team (B-contract players). The
exact amount each team receives will be based on how far behind the 5th
place team they are at the end of the year, in terms of a percentage of the 5th
place team's point total.
|
Team
|
Points
|
%
of
5th Place
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Discount
Budget
|
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Graging
Bulls
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69.0
|
100.00%
|
.06
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DoorMatts
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63.5
|
92.03%
|
.05
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Splendid
Splinters
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54.0
|
78.26%
|
.04
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Nick's
Picts
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52.0
|
75.36%
|
.04
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Steve's
Stones
|
50.5
|
73.19%
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.04
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Mo's
Red Hots
|
46.0
|
66.67%
|
.04
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Eric's
Lambchops
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46.0
|
66.67%
|
.04
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Da
Paul Meisters
|
40.0
|
57.97%
|
.03
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Here’s an early
peek at the players who will probably be HTD-eligible in the 2008 Draft:
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GRAGING BULLS (.06)
X Nady
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DOORMATTS
(.05)
D Willis
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SPLINTERS
(.04)
B Bonds
C Utley
C Cordero
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PICTS
(.04)
P Feliz
E Encarnacion
D Lowe
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STONES
(.04)
R
Madson
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RED
HOTS
(.04)
M Jacobs
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LAMBCHOPS
(.04)
R Church
M Murton
J Patterson
C Tracy
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MEISTERS
(.03)
M Holliday
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Record Book
Week Ending 09/23: The
Copperfields set a new record for HoSv in a week.
| Weekly Records |
|
Seasonal Records |
| CAT |
CFCL TEAM |
STAT |
PERIOD |
|
CAT |
CFCL TEAM |
STAT |
YEAR |
| TB |
Stones |
195 |
7/3/04 |
|
TB |
Ruffins |
3366 |
2006 |
| R |
Da Paul Meisters
Copperfields |
62 |
7/11/03
9/17/04 |
|
R |
Copperfields |
1059 |
2004 |
| RBI |
Copperfields |
70 |
9/12/00 |
|
RBI |
Copperfields |
1201 |
2000 |
| SB |
Ruffins |
20 |
7/29/97 |
|
SB |
Bald Eagles |
312 |
1988 |
| OBA |
Reservoir Dogs |
.4453 |
6/10/05 |
|
OBA |
Da Paul Mesiters |
.3681 |
2004 |
| QS |
Reservoir Dogs
Ruffins
Copperfields
Copperfields |
10 |
4/25/03
8/1/03
5/13/05
5/26/06 |
|
QS |
Da Paul Meisters |
119 |
2005 |
| HoSv |
Copperfields |
13 |
9/23/07 |
|
HoSv |
Da Paul Meisters |
160 |
2004 |
| ERA |
Ruffins |
0.67 |
7/29/07 |
|
ERA |
Mudville Sluggers |
2.828 |
1985 |
| WHIP |
Stones |
0.675 |
5/30/03 |
|
WHIP |
Copperfields |
1.15048 |
1992 |
| K:BB |
Stones |
13.00 |
7/14/06 |
|
K:BB |
Ruffins |
3.04 |
2005 |
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|
OFF |
Ruffins |
59 |
2006 |
|
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|
PIT |
Lambchops |
57 |
2003 |
|
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TOT |
Ruffins |
111 |
2006 |
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