It wasn't his finest moment. Actually, he didn't have many (any??) fine moments since coming to the Cubs in April....a .202 average with 1 HR and 3 RBIs in 77 games.
Julio's day started well. He was pinch-hitting to lead off the bottom of the ninth with the Cubs trailing the Dodgers 6-2. Recently-traded ex-closer Carlos Marmol was on the hill for LA, greeted by a rousing chorus of boos by the Wrigley faithful, including your's truly.
Sucky Carlos did what we expected him to do--he gave up a lead-off double to Borbon. The Cubs are down by four, but with Marmol on the hill, anything could happen and the top of the order is up next.
Again, Marmol does what we had seen time and time again--he throws a pitch into the dirt and it gets away from the catcher slightly.
So what does Mr. Borbon decide to do? With the Cubs trailing by four, needed lots of runners in the final inning, he decides the ball is far enough away to take third. And of course, he's nailed...out. I thought it was a pretty fundamental thing to not take chances in the last inning when your team needs lots of runs.
But 'ol Julio did a dumb thing and later that day, the Cubs designated him for assignment. I commend Theo and Sveum for sending a strong message to the team and the players throughout the organization--play smart or you're gone.
I hope that Topps wasn't planning to waste a card on Borbon in the update set, so I've created my version of Julio Borbon's card.
Tell us that story about Julio Borbon again, Grandpa Wrigley Wax! Pleeeeeeeease!
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings on that play. Obviously, hindsight is always 20/20 but had Borbon been safe, he'd be praised. I'm a big fan of aggressiveness on the basepaths. If it was any other "closer" on the mound, do you think Borbon would have been more or less aggressive? How many times has Borbon seen Marmol throw them in the dirt. I'm more likely to give credit to the Dodgers catcher than blame to Borbon.
ReplyDeleteBut I may be biased towards Borbon since he signed an autograph for me and liked my customs, haha.
If they were down by one run I'd agree. But they needed four runs. One extra base by him at that point was meaningless. Being aggressive wasn't what the team needed...they needed men on base.
DeleteI won't argue that is wasn't a dumb move. Ultimately it was because he was out. But I stick by what I said. I have a Borbon card to showcase myself, so maybe I'll expand more in a full post.
DeleteGreat custom. It amazes me how you guys work your cardboard magic.
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