BBTF.org/m/cubs : Bob Brenly leaving the Cubs

Thursday, May 23, 2013

FanGraphs: Cameron: The 2013 Cubs: Better Than We Think

(www.fangraphs.com)

posted 2 days ago by Repoz to cubs, sabermetrics | 44 comment(s)

Light at the end of the ridiculously low-ceilinged tunnel.

The Cubs have actually played pretty good baseball when sequencing is not considered. By wOBA differential, they’ve been a well above average team. Their record is almost entirely a reflection of the power of the timing of various events.

In our Win Probability section, we track a stat called “Clutch”, which basically looks at the wins a team has gained or lost due to the leverage of the game when their positive or negative ...

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. McCoy Wilfong for Money posted on October 17, 2012 at 06:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Man, Theo really is cleaning house.

2. asinwreck posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I imagine Arizona threw a lot of money at him.

3. Walks Clog Up the Bases posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well this sucks. I wonder what the deal is given that he's not looking to seek managerial work.

4. Walks Clog Up the Bases posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:06 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

We've had a few threads where Brenly has been discussed lately, so I won't retread. I'll just say that it was enjoyable hearing him evolve as a commentator over the last eight seasons. And dare I say that as lousy as the team has been the last few seasons, Brenly seemed to become more of a Cubs fan during his tenure. Not in the obnoxious, "I'm getting paid to root for these guys" manner. I recall several moments throughout recent seasons where someone would come up with a big hit and Brenly would make this almost stifled, "YEAH!" noise, as though he was genuinely excited and had sort of lost himself in the moment.

5. asinwreck posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This would be a wonderful opportunity for the Cubs to celebrate the 31st anniversary of landing Harry Caray by stealing Hawk Harrelson away from the Sox.

6. Everybody Loves Tyrus Raymond posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Gracie out of rehab yet? Grace or Stone - let's make it happen.

7. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:19 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

####.

Grace or Stone - let's make it happen.

Hell no and no.

8. McCoy Wilfong for Money posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:25 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wouldn't mind John Smoltz.

9. Tripon posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:46 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Larry Bowa - Cubs broadcaster/GM/Manager. Make it happen.

10. Arnett Mead (Arjun) posted on October 17, 2012 at 07:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This is a real pity. I've liked Brenly a whole lot and I think his relationship with Len Kasper led to a great booth atmosphere. Hopefully they can get someone good to replace him (please not Steve Stone!) and I wish him well. Basically, I agree with all the comments in the other thread about Brenly and also with #4.

11. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:05 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I can never keep Bob Brenly, Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy straight in my head.

12. Hang down your head, Tom Foley posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:05 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I hear Milo Hamilton is available.

13. asinwreck posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I hear Milo Hamilton is available.

Don't be cruel to Cub fans. Especially when they can have Harrelson instead.

14. Pops Freshenmeyer posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This is too bad. I liked Bob quite a bit.

I can't think of any obvious candidates I would like to see replace him.

15. Dr. Vaux posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:31 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Some of the Yankee fans seem to think Joe Girardi might be available.

16. just plain joe posted on October 17, 2012 at 08:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Don't be cruel to Cub fans. Especially when they can have Harrelson instead.

Heck, take 'em both; that way the Hawkeroo can go back to doing color while Hamilton can do the PBP.

17. Walt Davis posted on October 17, 2012 at 09:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Didn't see that coming. Given the national exposure of WGN, there are few more plum broadcasting gigs than the Cubs. I think this is the first time the Cubs have had a broadcaster "stolen" away.

But, yeah, AZ broadcast booth is a mess right now so they may have thrown a ton at him. Or is this a case where Fox/TBS/ESPN wanted to throw money out him to use him 1-2 days a week but WGN wouldn't agree to that?

Anyway, wish him well ... and hope this doesn't mean Moreland on TV. Or, dare I even mention his name ... no.

18. zonk posted on October 17, 2012 at 09:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Clearly, he was doomed by the thread that we said nice things about him...

Let that be a lesson, kids... never say anything nice about anyone to anyone, even to the internet.

19. frannyzoo posted on October 17, 2012 at 09:18 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Speaking of the D'backs, which I'm forced to endure as a NM resident. Does anybody has the full skinny on the Daron Sutton imbroglio? I've researched AZ publications a bit, but it's all vague and a tad ridiculousness, as near as I can tell. Is it really about homerism and/or wearing ties?

20. Bob Tufts posted on October 17, 2012 at 09:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wish Bob well - especially since I screwed up his rookie card thirty years ago.

That said, I'll save a story (or two) on his minor league exploits until the announcement of his next job.

21. Weeks T. Olive posted on October 17, 2012 at 10:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Wow, bummer. I'll miss him - he and Len were a great team.

22. SteveM. posted on October 17, 2012 at 10:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Frannyzoo, where in New Mexico are you at? Albuquerque native here.

23. frannyzoo posted on October 17, 2012 at 10:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Steve: South Valley. South of Rio Bravo Blvd. even. La Raza verdad, ese. Well, except that I'm White trailer trash from outside Foat Wuth and I've got the Jewish wife and all. But still, puro SV, you know. Keeping it real.

Now back to my question...any D'Backs/Sutton gossip/skinny to impart anyone?

24. SteveM. posted on October 17, 2012 at 11:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I know the South Valley. I am from the Heights myself.

25. Boxkutter posted on October 17, 2012 at 11:24 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Denver resident now. Grew up in Las Cruces though.

26. Gold Star - just Gold Star posted on October 18, 2012 at 12:52 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Phoenix TV reporting Brenly is coming back.

27. JE (Jason Epstein)

posted on October 18, 2012 at 12:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Len Kasper never should have written that article.

28. SteveM. posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:02 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Denver resident now. Grew up in Las Cruces though.

I went to State. Keep hoping when I retire I can move back to Cruces so I can play golf over 300 days a year. And watch the Aggies lose during football season of course.

29. Transmission posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:20 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

####.

I shouldn't have wondered how a 101 loss season could get even worse.

30. Cabbage posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:21 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Does Brenly live in AZ? I can't say I'd blame him for leaving the presumably higher-profile Cubs gig if that were the case.

Still, echoing Walks above and the previous threads, this sucks. He was really good, and things can get a whole lot worse.

I vote for Pat Hughes doing solo simulcasts at home, and Len on the road.

31. Howie Menckel posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Brenly a cornerstone of my 1984 Rotisserie ball winner.

I think the original book that spring recommended him as a sleeper off his 10 (out of 17) SB in 1983.

Dirt cheap, and got a .291, 20-80-6 out of him in 506 AB. 10th in NL in SLG and 2B, 131 OPS+ at age 30. Career year.

I have no trouble distinguishing him from Bochy or Melvin
:)

32. Dr. Vaux posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:33 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I was reading the 2001 Baseball Prospectus today. Reading the essay about the Diamondbacks, you'd have thought the team would lose 100 games a year for the next 10 years, not win the World Series that very season.

33. Howie Menckel posted on October 18, 2012 at 01:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

but BARELY, to be fair.
:}

34. Brian C posted on October 18, 2012 at 02:11 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The article at the official site floated Kerry Wood's name (and no others), and I suppose he is an obvious candidate if he wants to do it. I have no idea other than the fact that Wood has made it clear he wants to stay part of the organization.

Wood has always seemed low-key but personable, and not so committed to athlete cliches when interviewed. Those are all good qualities for TV analysts, IMO. Might work or it might not, but as a viewer I'd be willing to give it a shot. Better than bringing in Grace or trying to lure Rick Sutcliffe, the latter of which is a nightmare scenario to me that surpasses even the Harrelson talk above.

35. Hack Wilson posted on October 18, 2012 at 09:17 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

It was reported when Kerry Wood came back to the Cubs for an apparent under-market value contract that he was "promised" a job with the Cubs after his playing days were over.

But has Kerry Wood ever had a "live audition?" I have never heard him say more than a few words. Sure based on most of the other names floated above, sign him up. (I would be afraid Smoltz would sing a hymn during the seventh inning stretch.)

36. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide posted on October 18, 2012 at 09:26 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I have never heard him say more than a few words.

Were those words "Andre Dawson?"?

37. Mark S. is bored posted on October 18, 2012 at 09:45 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Speaking of the D'backs, which I'm forced to endure as a NM resident. Does anybody has the full skinny on the Daron Sutton imbroglio? I've researched AZ publications a bit, but it's all vague and a tad ridiculousness, as near as I can tell. Is it really about homerism and/or wearing ties?

Rumors are that Dutton wanted to wear a suit on the broadcast, while the D-Backs wanted him to wear a D-Backs polo shirt.

38. Charles S., annoyingly insightful posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:49 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I've seen a lot of broadcasters come and go in my 28 years in Chicago, and this is the first time that I'm really sad to see one go. Someone on sports radio yesterday mentioned Doug Glanville as a possible replacement. He has the Cubs connection (1st round pick), and certainly comes across as a thoughtful, knowledgeable guy. I don't know how he'd be on an everyday basis, and who knows if he's even interested, but as far as I'm concerned, Glanville is the most intriguing name I've heard.

39. Pops Freshenmeyer posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:22 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Doug Glanville would definitely intrigue me.

40. Don Geovany Soto (chris h.) posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:48 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Me too. Reading the various columns, etc. he's written, he strikes me as pretty smart. I'd definitely like to see him get a chance.

41. The Non-Catching Molina (sjs1959) posted on October 18, 2012 at 03:36 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

NOT what I wanted to read!

42. zonk posted on October 18, 2012 at 04:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

NOT what I wanted to read!

You beat me to it...

43. just plain joe posted on October 18, 2012 at 04:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

NOT what I wanted to read!

You beat me to it...

Heck, I would listen if the Cubs called.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

/m/cubs

Thursday, May 23, 2013

FanGraphs: Cameron: The 2013 Cubs: Better Than We Think

Reader Comments and Retorts

Cubs Think Factory