10 Things that I Think I Think: July 1, 2008

Reprinted with permission from Cubbie Nation - Notes From the Front Office

So Brian Roberts finally made it to Wrigley.

To say it's been an up-and-down week for the Cubs—and their fans—is probably an understatement. After starting the week off well, with a three-game sweep against the White Sox, Chicago got a reminder that injuries affect everybody; dropping two of three to the Orioles, and then getting swept themselves at U.S. Cellular by the Sox. 

Yet, by beating San Francisco last night, they still are tied for the quickest to 50 wins this season. But the secondary story for me was Brian Roberts, who took all of one game at Wrigley to show the casual fan why Cubs management coveted him so, going 3-5, with a triple, while creating havoc all over the basepaths.

For the series, he went 6-14, with a .714 slugging percentage. Now don't get me wrong, because I think Mark DeRosa is a top-flight talent. It seems though, that his talents might be best suited as the primary guy off the bench; spelling everyone, and still getting 400-500 at-bats a season. Versatility will forever be his curse, I suppose.

At one point, it was rumored that Sean Gallagher and Sean Marshall were offered for him, and even today, I would still do that trade if the chance was there. For the Orioles, his upside is a smoother transition to the future. For the Cubs, Brian Roberts—and his ability to be a leadoff man—is a World Series ticket. Don't be a stranger Brian. Some of us hope to see you again soon.

And speaking of a series gone wrong, I still can't figure out what Ozzie Guillen has to complain about with interleague play. Especially the three-game set against the Cubs at Wrigley. You don't like the stadium, Ozzie? Fine. From where I'm sitting though, it's a blessing for you.

Your guys have an extra 25 minutes on their commute, and then they get to sit in a cramped clubhouse for a couple of hours. In exchange for that, they get—considering the off day before or after—an extra three or four days at home; sleeping in their own beds, and getting some extra rest.

What did your counterparts in Detroit and Minnesota get for their interleague troubles? Trips out to the west coast to play the Padres. Count your blessings man.

And congratulations to the White Sox on that sweep, by the way. I'm not a huge fan of the team, but watching them for a few games gave me something of an appreciation for Kenny Williams, who seems to be evolving into a refined evaluator of talent.

I'd mentioned at the beginning of the season that they would be a good team, and fun to watch. But seeing the bullpen that he has assembled, his find of Alexei Ramirez, and really just the general composition of the team, you have to appreciate what's been done down there.

Although, the Detroit Tiger? 42-40, and five games back. Just saying.

All Star voting ends tomorrow, and I'm going to ask—again—that anyone who hasn't voted, please do so. Yes, I know it's a silly popularity contest. Yes, I know that fan voting often leaves the most worthy at home. And yes, I know that the system is somewhat rigged for major-market talent.

It is however, one of the few viable forms of interaction that we as fans have with the game, and we should honor that. If you want to play a game that "counts" with the players that I pick, I say great. Where do I vote?

Besides, I really don't want Braun beating out Kosuke Fukudome for an appearance. I've got friends that are Brewers fans, and I'll never hear the end of it.

And speaking of selections, I did amend my ballots to vote in Milton Bradley as DH. Hell has unofficially frozen over. But while Josh Hamilton is the feel-good story, Milton is a huge part of why that team is over .500, and looking at the possibility of a wild-card berth. Amazing.

Everyone should check out Bill Bavasi's post-firing interview.

My favorite piece?

"On Bedard going only five or six innings and 100 pitches of late, Bavasi says a lot of pitchers can have days where 90 pitches feel like 200. On why Bedard can't go longer, Bavasi says it's a good question, but one that has to be put to Bedard. "He'll have a stupid answer for you, you can count on it,'' Bavasi said. "He'll have some dumbass answer.""

Oh boy. Cubs, acquire at your own risk.

Goodbye Yosh Kawano. I understand that his signature white fishing hat will be on display at the Hall of Fame, and I can't think of a cooler thing in the world for an old baseball rat.

Rich who?

The top four teams in teams in the National League—Cardinals, Cubs, Marlins, and Phillies—went a combined 22-38 in interleague play this season. Considering how quickly they got it back together against the Giants, how much of this streak is the injury situation, and how much is it the AL just having better clubs?

I'm still thinking, and I just can't decide.