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The Curse Of The Unknown Pitcher
2007-04-10 16:12
by Phil Bencomo

I wonder: Why is it that the Cubs continue to get dominated by no-name pitchers, often fresh from the minors? It happens time and time again, year after year. I'm sure it has much to do with the lack of information and at-bats against pitchers new to the league, and I doubt the problem is unique to the Cubs, but that doesn't make watching Unknown Pitcher Of The Day Chris Sampson throw five shutout innings any less painful.

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Also painful: Late-inning rallies that come this close to fruition, but ultimately only leave you emotionally exhausted and cursing that moment somewhere in the ninth inning when you foolishly decided the club actually has a shot at winning despite a multi-run deficit and the fact that, really, these are the Cubs, after all.

* * * *

Not so painful: Rich Hill throws tomorrow. :) I like our chances.

Comments
2007-04-10 16:34:15
1.   Josh Wilker
I don't know if this could be a part of the Cubs curse of the unknown pitcher, but maybe it's because of their impatience at the plate. For at least the last few years they've been seriously OBP-challenged. Maybe teams with guys more willing to take a few pitches instead of hacking at the unknown have more luck against new guys.
2007-04-10 20:11:18
2.   chris in illinois
The Braves suffer as well from "Unknown pitcher syndrome".
2007-04-10 23:34:45
3.   Garnered
Haha, I've always said the Astros suffer from that curse every year myself. I wouldn't be surprised if it's something that happens to every team at about the same rate, but it always feels worse/more frequent when it's "your" team. I'll never forget when Kerry Wood made us look like special olympians back in '98. Of course, he wasn't exactly "unkown" at that time, but you don't ever expect ANY rookie to K you 20 freakin times...
2007-04-11 09:58:15
4.   Dennis
Sampson isn't exactly unknown to the Cubs - in his second game ever (June of last year) at Minute Maid he went 7 innings and blanked the Cubs then, too.

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