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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Arrieta is the best. I'm glad you all jumped on my hot wagon.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Maddux- a BABIP denier! He better take it up with McCracken!

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The Court will accord substantial deference to the government's immigration policies, particularly those that implicate matters of national security.

One guy is a fitness freak and the other guy needed two Big Macs before each start.

Baseball is an amazing game.

I never played golf as a yute, but as I play it now more, I understand exactly what they are talking about. Getting it all going at one time in one direction.

Still doesnt explain how Maddux threw a ball that broke to the other side of the plate for 15 years....

Nothing better than when LaRussa asked the ump to go and check Maddux for objects because the ball was moving so much.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I never said that.

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-- source

Did not realize that Greg was anti thigh highs.

Denier =a unit of weight by which the fineness of silk, rayon, or nylon yarn is measured, equal to the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of the yarn and often used to describe the thickness of hosiery

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I'm sure you know all about BABIP theory as it relates to pitchers. I actually agree with what Maddux says (although now that I re-read his quote he may be simply talking about locating his pitches), and in fact, he is one guy who regularly outperformed the expected .300 BABIP if we accept that said balls are "beyond the pitcher's control". In fact, I hate the use of the word "control" in this context. I prefer "influence". Both the pitcher and the batter are attempting to influence where the batted ball will go. Some do it better than others.

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The Court will accord substantial deference to the government's immigration policies, particularly those that implicate matters of national security.

Love them....thigh highs, not greg...although I do have an affection for greg as well...anyway, so hot...I'll let you decide what I mean

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I had coaches who compared free throw shooting to a golf swing too. Maybe they were just like Greg Maddux too!

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I prefer to use the metronome analogy. However, its the same with shooting a basketball. Repeat a proper form and you will be successful just about every time. It becomes incredibly difficult as your body fatigues so you either have to find a way to become incredibly efficient to avoid fatigue (Maddux) or prepare your body for stamina (Arrietta).

Anyway, enjoy Esteban Arrietta when you are paying him $20 million per year for this career year.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Second straight career year. Guy got Cy Young votes last year.

Same with Rizzo. Cubs are lucky to have multiple guys have multiple career years.

let me guess, Professor Flakey and that old Tribune columnist who looks like a woman have votes

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I think it's entirely likely that Arrieta will continue to pitch exceptionally well, so paying him a lot of money won't bother anyone. It's only an issue when you pay and don't get the performance level you expected. I agree, the cubs are lucky to have multiple guys like Bryant, Rizzo and Arrieta that should (barring injury) have many "career" years. They have several more either at the major league level or currently in the minors that may as well.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I predict that every player who ever puts on a Cubs uniform has a career year at some point.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

10-5 with a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts on a team that was under .500

yep, them's Cy Young numbers

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster

No, but they refute your silly one year wonder argument pretty nicely.

He's been dominant for two years over about 60 starts

I said career year. Prove me wrong.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

gd is right. Arrieta will slump to a 2.00 ERA next season.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

My statement is clearly retroactive, although I do think it is more likely than not he never achieves similar numbers again.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I think this will be his best year in terms of ERA. I do consider him a top pitcher in the league, clearly, and see him competing for the Cy Young at least a couple more times. Sadly, he is already near 30.

But I'm struggling with the definition of career year. I've always used it as a term for when a player has a single year far better than his career norms. A player outperforms his skill and you know the player won't come close to it again.

Arrieta will still be an ace next season. But his 2015 was historic. His second half has never been done in the history of baseball. It isn't outrageous to think it won't be done again for a long time.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

lot of words to say you agree

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Loaiza was a one year wonder. That is the part that I take issue with. He's already done it longer than Loaiza.


Obviously this year could be his best. Its historically great

He may have another great year after he has Tommy John surgery.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Jake Arrieta is so great he could perform his own Tommy John surgery. And then throw a perfect game the next night. While managing.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

They should name the right handed ones after someone else.


Dude he's gonna be siiiiick when he comes back from TJ though.

Hypothetical Tommy John surgery should be named after Chris Sale.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

dolphin really going out on a limb to say a pitcher who had the greatest 2nd half ever in baseball history will not repeat the effort.