Blurred Vision? Epstein Sees Cubs Challenging in 2015

October 1, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: Chicago Cubs president of baseball operation Theo Epstein talked to the media for a season-ending assessment of the team. Incredibly, the Cubs won the World Series this season, as they have since Epstein joined the team. Yeah, well, possibly in an alternate universe.

Look for Playboy Playmate Roxanna June on “Sports & Torts” Thursday on Talkzone.com.

* Speaking of Epstein speaking, he said the Cubs’ goal in 2015 will be competing for the National League Central title. Because nothing says you are ready to do so quite like a 73-89 season. All righty then. If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here is that it most definitely is not), the Cubs did lead the NL in one category: strikeouts. Which would be good if it was a pitching statistic. It is not. It is a hitting — or lack thereof — statistic. Oh, well.

* You want unbelievable (in a good way)? Take the American League wild-card game. There was a point in the game that some of us hoped the game would continue on until it was time for Wednesday’s game.

* In an incredibly entertaining American League wild-card game, the Kansas City Royals defeated the visiting Oakland A’s 9-8 in 12 innings on a run-scoring single off former Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel. It was the only batter Hammel faced.

* Wait, what? Don’t the umpires have to penalize the Royals a run for excessive celebration so the game continues? Where’s an NFL official when you need one?

* Royals manager Ned Yost made curious pitching changes early in the game and ordered four sacrifice bunts. What really is impressive is the Royals executed the bunts. Meaning the Royals had a better night at that than the Cubs or White Sox do some months during the season.

* The Royals had seven stolen bases in the game. Meaning the Royals had a better night at that than the Cubs or White Sox do most months during the season.

* Impressive as the Royals’ stolen bases are, even more amazing is that seven players were involved. Good luck finding seven Cubs or White Sox players who would be able to equal that performance.

* Former White Sox slugger Adam Dunn was on the Oakland roster but not in the A’s lineup for the wild-card game. Meaning that’s as close as he came to the postseason in his career. Dunn, 34, said after the game he was retiring. He does so with a career batting average of .237 and 462 home runs. And no postseason games played. But at least he came closer than if the Sox hadn’t traded him to the A’s this season.

* Coming attractions: On the Oct. 2 edition of “Sports & Torts at noon Central on Talkzone.com, co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris will have October Playboy Playmate Roxanna June and former NFL standout linebacker Wilber Marshall as their guests.

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Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the engaging efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):