Deadspin
The Chicago Cubs are flying high right now; having won 12 of their past 15 following a 7-1 win over the Mets on Monday. Chicago is 13-6, off to its best start since 1985. But obviously some of their players do not understand the cruel workings of fate as it relates to this team. We're talking about you, Ronny Cedeno. You don't know it yet, but you have just doomed your team to failure, doing Steve Bartman one better right from the comfort of your locker room. Poor sap.
Following the game on Monday, Cedeno had this to say to reporters: "We're thinking about the World Series. I think we'll be OK if we keep playing like that." Manager Lou Piniella of course dove toward Cedeno and tried to cover his mouth with a pillow, but it was too late; the shortstop had jinxed his team, dooming fans to their 100th year of futility (or 90th, depending on how you look at it). Piniella quickly went into damage control. "This is a long season," he said. "Let's not get all crazy about this thing. Let's just stay cautionary and let's just keep playing good baseball, that's all." Too late, Lou. You're doomed. Cedeno's two-run single fueled a five-run eighth for the Cubs, who are 6-1 on their homestand. Carlos Zambrano earned his third victory in four decisions, and as you can see, he too was subdued and cautionary. Your Felix Pie update: Home run, 3 RBI in only at-bat.
• Who Needs Rollins? Chase Utley should be encased in Lucite between games, or at least Tupperware. He homered for the fifth straight game on Monday, and also made a diving stop to start a key double play in the third as the Phillies beat the Rockies 9-5 in their first meeting since the first round of the playoffs last season. Oh, and Jayson Werth inside-the-park homer.
• Skip, Don't Run. Skip Schumaker doubled in the go-ahead run in the ninth as St. Louis took a 4-3 win over Milwaukee, who announced that Ben Sheets would miss Wednesday's start with a triceps injury. And guess which Cardinal has reached base safely in every game this season? Anyone?
• Long Live The Hud. The Associated Press called the Nationals "woeful" in their game story today, hitting that mark a full month ahead of last year's pace. Tim Hudson threw six scoreless innings — despite giving up 10 hits — and also had two RBI as the Braves beat the Nationals 7-3, Atlanta's fifth straight win.
Comments
Everyone thinks they're a World Series contender after facing Aaron Heilman.
Oh, and Jayson Werth inside-the-park homer.
O AN HE HOMERED.
And with this ridiculous talk of jinxes, we have now moved into the Bill Simmons Pantheon of Stupidity. I will now light myself on fire.
Can I get a ruling here?
Ellen Degeneres was cheering from the stands. Zambrano was so excited he crapped his pants.
Ronny Cedeno - now officially dubbed the Rory Sabatini of the Chicago Cubs.
Curse of Ronny Cedeno >>> Curse of Roger Cedeno
Big Z is just happy that he now has 4 days off to devote to his online, er, "activities."
Chase Utley should be encased in Lucite between games, or at least Tupperware.
We've wanted the same for Chipper Jones for several years now.....but only to protect him from injury.
Who Needs Rollins?
I do. I'm having a TV Party.
Zambrano is practicing his funneling technique; last time he was with Zumaya his shoulder was flying open too early.
The Pirates have made the Cubs who they are today.
Manager Lou Piniella of course dove toward Cedeno and tried to cover his mouth with a pillow.
"I smell a class action!"
- Rob Dibble
Oh, and Jayson Werth inside-the-park homer.
"Exclamation comma conjunction proper noun adjective common slang" is no way to go through life, Rick. Bring your verbs or stay home.
@Camp Tiger Claw: TONIGHT?
ALLRIGHT!
Hey look, the Indians didn't lose last night.
"We're thinking about the World Series. I think we'll be OK if we keep playing like that."
Looks like the Cubbies aren't eating much Humble Pie these days.
BTW, how'd that work out for the Pats?
nothing says "professional athlete" quite like the physic of Carlos Zambrano.
@Camp Tiger Claw:
If only you gave an approximate time.
"Stay cautionary" was a line that was rejected from the script for The Outsiders.
I could just kiss Ronny Cedeno.
@PeteJayhawk: You forgot one:
Cubs baseball: it's FANNNNNNNNN-TASTIC!
cubbies fans are so happy only 6 people have been shot in chicago since the game went final
If I never see Derrick Turnbow pitch again I'll be a happy man.
@Camp Tiger Claw: We've got nothing better to do.......
@Juancho: Unfortunately they have a strong chance of losing the next 3.
@ltwinslow: That's south of the Loop. That we know of.
When can we expect the racist Cedeno shirts to be available?
"Holy frijoles, ese!"
Maybe Chase Utley could be encased in carbonite.
Can I get a ruling here?
These are our relatively sane Cubs fans.
And guess which Cardinal has reached base safely in every game this season? Anyone?
Jeffrey Leonard?
@BreakfastBourbon: We've got nothing better to do, than to watch TV and have a couple of brews.
Well, if they keep leading the NL in OBP, I like the odds. But maybe let's not jump to conclusions after 19 games.
That said, of course they're talking about the World Series - why shouldn't they? Everyone else is, given that it's the "centennial year" and all, and that gets rammed down our throats every ten seconds.
The Crazy Cat Lady is not amused with your "Felix Pie."
@Camp Tiger Claw: I'll bring a Six Pack.
@PeteJayhawk: There's a pantheon? I thought it was a manifesto.
And guess which former Cardinal has freebased safely before every game this season?
A: Scott Spiezio.
@Magnakai Haaskivi: The Phillies front office will only spring for a fold-over plastic baggie.
@LeagueofShadows: Last season I was in a St. Louis bar while the Brewers were in town, and Kevin Mench, Ben Sheets, and Turnbow came in. The first two had girls surrounding them, and Turnbow just sat there on a couch by himself, sipping water. Thought you'd like that.
@Its The Beer Talking: I'm thinking one featuring the Chinese symbol for "hubris" might end up being more appropriate.
INVISUBLE PENANT
Some crazy old man gave me a ratty looking Honus Wagner card in a Lucite case some years ago. Good thing I threw it away and now have some extra Lucite hanging around.
@Charlie Kerfelds Jetsons Tee: that song is due for an update. The original mentions CHIPS, Dynasty, Fantasy Island and other shows from 25 years ago.
@Jubilation T. Cornpone: I was gonna say, haven't the Cubs played the Pirates, like, 20 times already?
@Carlton_Whitfield: Well, he is married. But yeah, that's pretty awesome. From the summer of 05 to the summer of 06 he was my favorite player. And then he just has imploded.
Chutley's diving stop in the third looked really cool in the super-slow motion instant replay. Like he was diving into a pool full of Jello.
@Carlton_Whitfield: That's sad. I love me some Turnbow.
Think Cedeno's quote will be used on the ESPN message board?
@Sarcastro: Don't talk about anything else
We don't wanna know!
@Its The Beer Talking: Lonnie Smith?
Sun rises in East, taxes, and Cubs leading division in April.