Article: CHC 14, MIN 9: It’s Not the Heat, it’s ... Actually, It Is the Heat This Time

[curt1965]

The most impressive performance was by Wendelstedt. Catchers get to sit half the game, and get their gear off. Plate umpires do not. And Hunter doesn't look like he is a full time member of Anytime Fitness. About ten years ago I did a 7 inning game behind the plate in a closed in park with humidity in the 80% range. I got to the point of feeling cold, and Corey Stringer kept flashing through my mind. It's truly a scary feeling, and I was amazed Wendelstedt made it through a game that was excruciating on a nice day. Wilson should have never been allowed to run after he got to first. It was all he could do to get air. And then Molitor jerks him the next inning anyway. (Maybe Molly had him confused with a RP?)

I think many of the posters do not realize how potentially life threatening this was. I have battled several heat stroke scenarios, and the symptoms alone are frightening! I was aware of past experiences, hydrated extremely diligently before going outside, and still had symptoms. These young athletes, with trainers available, certainly prepared for the possibility of dehydration, before and during the game. With 4 players having obvious problems, I hope Major League Baseball looks at ways to prevent this from happening more often.

It was difficult for me to watch this game. Today it WASN’T for the crappy performance by the Twins, as has been the case for much of this year!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I think many of the posters do not realize how potentially life threatening this was. I have battled several heat stroke scenarios, and the symptoms alone are frightening! I was aware of past experiences, hydrated extremely diligently before going outside, and still had symptoms. These young athletes, with trainers available, certainly prepared for the possibility of dehydration, before and during the game. With 4 players having obvious problems, I hope Major League Baseball looks at ways to prevent this from happening more often. It was difficult for me to watch this game. Today it WASN’T for the crappy performance by the Twins, as has been the case for much of this year!

True. I get it. Minnesota fans remember Korey Stringer. I just wonder if players feel invincible and fail to take the precautions seriously. This is where teammates have to watch each other's backs when away from the park. 

[howeda7]

Reed makes me never want to spend multi-year $ on FA bullpen help again. 

[bighat]

 

By contrast, it was good to see sparks from the offense in the past two days. Scoring 15 runs off the second-best pitching staff in the NL offers some hope, particularly when you consider that the Eds were only 4-14, with two extra-base hits, and only had 3 of the 15 RBIs.

A total of 21 hits in two days, when that’s seemed like a week’s worth most of the season. Battling back to tie or take the lead twice today and managing to get a few RISPy hits as well the past two games.

Still not where it needs to be, but a few signs of life.

 

Unfortunately, the Twins are at a point where every loss crushes hope and momentum. Losing 4-out-of-5 ballgames isn't a step in the right direction, no matter how many runs you score.

 

I sure do agree it was nice to see some 2-out hitting today but the weather was a huge factor. Before the game even started, Vegas had this game pegged as the highest scoring game of the day...humid, hot day games at Wrigley produce tons of runs.

[Penthang]

I grew up in Minnesota and moved to Texas 20 years ago. When my son was in Boy Scouts I went to camp with those kids every summer. It took some getting used to but once acclimated you can deal with it. Heat like that is no laughing matter, but if your prepared it can be handled. I feel like the Twins strength and conditioning staff didn’t do what needed to get done. There job is to keep players health and on the field. Not a great day for them, not a great year.

[Danchat]

 

Reed makes me never want to spend multi-year $ on FA bullpen help again. 

But I thought real teams gave out multi-year deals to relievers? What gives?

 

I still think it was a good deal to nab Reed on, and he was lights-out in April, but then he was overused and now even when properly rested, he's struggling. If his velocity is down (I've heard from some here that it is), then maybe a DL stint would help him.

[h2oface]

Amazing how often professional tennis players withstand much more rigorous levels of physical activity for hours..... and stay hydrated and can handle the extreme heat. The Australian Open is always involved with a heat spell, it seems. 

 

Baseball players ..... not so much. It really shows how these guys really aren't in that good of shape, and are not coached to be ready with prep the night before, etc.  

 

But if one is suffering from heat exhaustion, it is nothing to take lightly, that is for sure. 

[Squirrel]

Living in Florida, this is laughable. Anyone want to join us for the the race in Daytona on the 7th.

You see that kind of heat on most days that end in Y in Austin, TX too.

And you are both out in it at the peak of it, in the full sun not the shade, in full athletic gear, playing baseball for 3 hrs and 44 mins? Three days in a row?

 

There is also the issue of being acclimated to it, too.

 

The reports in Chicago were/are for excessive heat. Meaning that it was so hot that there were warnings issued and they had emergency cooling centers open for people without AC, especially the homeless and elderly. I haven’t checked what’s happened so far here but in the past there have usually been a dozen or more heat related deaths when the heat is this severe. At one point the temperature on field was 108 deg with a heat index of 120. Yesterday, I did what I do when I’m in Florida in the summers ... get all my errands and outdoor activities done in the morning and spend the afternoon indoors or in the shade with plenty of water ... not playing baseball for nearly 4 hours in the midday heat, the worst of the heat.

 

Yeah, the Twins are not playing good baseball. And their roster is such they just don’t have the right depth to handle these games, and the outfield was brutal, and there is a lot to complain about this season. But the weather in Chicago yesterday was a HUGE factor that made this situation the worst it could be.

[the_brute_squad]

Let the call ups begin!

[Squirrel]

True. I get it. Minnesota fans remember Korey Stringer. I just wonder if players feel invincible and fail to take the precautions seriously. This is where teammates have to watch each other's backs when away from the park.

 

No, the heat was such yesterday that even if you did take precautions of staying hydrated, you were a target. Especially since they played in it the day before.

 

But it was still bad baseball. The heat was just a major factor in making bad much worse.

[Platoon]

Getting acclimated is exactly what it says. You tend to get used to it. You don't get used to it flying every three days to a different city, nor by playing mostly night games. I am sure the Twins MiLB team in Florida is far better suited to play in Chicago yesterday than the Twins were. (No jokes) One of the reasons Korey Stringer is gone, and Bobby Wilson could have been is the "man up" bravado that precludes admitting you can't tell where the hell you are. And frankly, some people just plain can handle the heat better than others, and some the cold. And I would further bet that a lot of them gravitate towards those climates.

[Squirrel]

I think many of the posters do not realize how potentially life threatening this was. I have battled several heat stroke scenarios, and the symptoms alone are frightening! I was aware of past experiences, hydrated extremely diligently before going outside, and still had symptoms. These young athletes, with trainers available, certainly prepared for the possibility of dehydration, before and during the game. With 4 players having obvious problems, I hope Major League Baseball looks at ways to prevent this from happening more often.

It was difficult for me to watch this game. Today it WASN’T for the crappy performance by the Twins, as has been the case for much of this year!

Maybe this will finally be something that will get the city of Chicago to approve more night games at Wrigley. Part of the reason for day games is there is a city ordinance limiting how many night games they can have at Wrigley. There aren’t night games on Fridays and any concerts they have there also count toward the night game totals. The Cubs have wanted this changed for years, but the Mayor and the City Council have said it’s not changing.

[Squirrel]

I grew up in Minnesota and moved to Texas 20 years ago. When my son was in Boy Scouts I went to camp with those kids every summer. It took some getting used to but once acclimated you can deal with it. Heat like that is no laughing matter, but if your prepared it can be handled. I feel like the Twins strength and conditioning staff didn’t do what needed to get done. There job is to keep players health and on the field. Not a great day for them, not a great year.

Your words ... it took some getting used to ... by next weekend I’m sure it will be fine.

[Squirrel]

Amazing how often professional tennis players withstand much more rigorous levels of physical activity for hours..... and stay hydrated and can handle the extreme heat. The Australian Open is always involved with a heat spell, it seems.

 

Baseball players ..... not so much. It really shows how these guys really aren't in that good of shape, and are not coached to be ready with prep the night before, etc.

 

But if one is suffering from heat exhaustion, it is nothing to take lightly, that is for sure.

 

And there are a lot of calls to change the heat policy at the Aussie Open, especially from doctors, and players do go down with heat exhaustion every year there. The referees can also suspend play if it is too hot. I think there is an actual temperature limit which is less than what it was here yesterday. There is also a retractable roof that they can use, too, which I don’t think really helps much with the heat but at least takes the sun out of the equation. A men’s match averages 2-3 hrs, not nearly 4, and they get to take breathers between side switches on court and breaks between sets. It’s not so continuous as you imply, but there are serious issues at the Aussie open and calls to change it. And the heat DOES make the tennis play worse. Also, not all the matches are played in the worst of it.

 

Again, not excusing bad baseball, but the weather conditions WERE a huge factor making things the worst they could be. I’m not looking forward to sitting through today’s game, but it shouldn’t be as hot today.

[Riverbrian]

 

I grew up in Minnesota and moved to Texas 20 years ago. When my son was in Boy Scouts I went to camp with those kids every summer. It took some getting used to but once acclimated you can deal with it. Heat like that is no laughing matter, but if your prepared it can be handled. I feel like the Twins strength and conditioning staff didn’t do what needed to get done. There job is to keep players health and on the field. Not a great day for them, not a great year.

 

is that telling that the Cubs didn’t have to replace their outfield? Maybe just another of the many basics missing this year in the Twins organization?

 

How does the training staff prepare them for extreme heat? 

[Vanimal46]

And you are both out in it at the peak of it, in the full sun not the shade, in full athletic gear, playing baseball for 3 hrs and 44 mins? Three days in a row?

 

I played golf for 4.5 hours in 101 temps yesterday. Real feel of 109. It didn't take a gutsy performance to finish the round. I drank plenty of water, wet my hat and towel, no heat related issues. Edited July 1, 2018 by Vanimal46

[Squirrel]

I played golf for 4.5 hours in 101 temps yesterday. Real feel of 109. It didn't take a gutsy performance to finish the round. I drank plenty of water, wet my hat and towel, no heat related issues.

You also are used to it. And, I’m sure you ran, not walked, the course, you didn’t cart it from hole to hole, yes?

 

I’m not excusing bad play, but this was severe weather for we northerners, and it was a major factor in making things far worse. The temp on field yesterday was reported at 108 with the heat index upwards of that.

[Vanimal46]

I'm calling for the abolishment of open air stadiums. All April the complaints were it's too cold to play baseball. Now it's too hot.

 

Put domes over every stadium so these athletes can play in the comfort of a 72 degree climate every game.

[Aggies7]

Is there going to be a ballgame today or is it still too hot for our boys? You’ve gotta be kidding me, lol this is baseball, in the summer. It gets hot! So let’s see, we can’t play in April and parts of may because it’s too cold. We can’t play in July or August because it’s too hot. So we’ll start midway though may, play all of June (maybe) and then playoffs for September

 

What a hoot!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

Is hotter than

[hybridbear]

The new WPA list is fantastic! Thanks for adding the additional details!

[bighat]

 

Maybe this will finally be something that will get the city of Chicago to approve more night games at Wrigley. Part of the reason for day games is there is a city ordinance limiting how many night games they can have at Wrigley. There aren’t night games on Fridays and any concerts they have there also count toward the night game totals. The Cubs have wanted this changed for years, but the Mayor and the City Council have said it’s not changing.

 

As you are aware, these regulations are because the stadium is in a residential neighborhood. The lights came on 8/8/88 (I was in the stands that day!) and ever since, neighbors have steadfastly voted for aldermen/women who will ensure that they can have some peace & quiet at night. The Cubs have been asking for more night games for years - and they seem to get a handful more each time they ask. But you have to have some sympathy for the neighbors and residents here.

[Squirrel]

As you are aware, these regulations are because the stadium is in a residential neighborhood. The lights came on 8/8/88 (I was in the stands that day!) and ever since, neighbors have steadfastly voted for aldermen/women who will ensure that they can have some peace & quiet at night. The Cubs have been asking for more night games for years - and they seem to get a handful more each time they ask. But you have to have some sympathy for the neighbors and residents here.

What I read about the ordinance it has more to do with the businesses than the residents, but yeah, the residents fight for fewer night games as well. But the mayor has actually stated that increasing the number of night games isn’t going to happen so I’m not sure even a handful more will be added at this point. It is a major reason why when I purchased a home in the city I didn’t purchase anywhere near there. Of course I deal with Soldier Field idiocy instead, but that is far fewer than Wrigleyville/Lakeview deal with for baseball games.

[Craig Arko]

How does the training staff prepare them for extreme heat?

 

Move the team to Thailand. The Bangkok Twins; kind of catchy, isn’t it?

[jun]

The Cubs players hardly strikeout looking in the game, they just kept swinging and making contact. That's how they got 17 singles and 3 doubles. Like yesterday you will get lucky if you put the ball in play every at bat because it's not easy to field the ball especially on the ground. I don't care too much about walks. I really would like the team to swing at pitches. It would be better to go down on swinging instead of looking. It would be great if all the hitters on the team are contact hitters like Astudillo.

[Riverbrian]

 

As you are aware, these regulations are because the stadium is in a residential neighborhood. The lights came on 8/8/88 (I was in the stands that day!) and ever since, neighbors have steadfastly voted for aldermen/women who will ensure that they can have some peace & quiet at night. The Cubs have been asking for more night games for years - and they seem to get a handful more each time they ask. But you have to have some sympathy for the neighbors and residents here.

 

I'm sure it is much more complicated than I'm about to express... I get that the lights came on in 1988 but Wrigley has been a baseball stadium since 1914. 

 

Home buyers are choosing to live near Wrigley Field and still dictating terms of it's operation?

 

This isn't city council forcing a landfill or prison into the neighborhood. This would be the equivalent of residents moving next to the landfill and demanding that it be less of a landfill.

 

I sit here quite some distance from Chicago but it is my understanding that home prices around Wrigley are 22% higher, therefore home buyers are paying more to live near Wrigley.

 

If the night games are keeping them awake... Move away from Wrigley.

 

Take that 22% and put in your pocket. 

[bighat]

 

What I read about the ordinance it has more to do with the businesses than the residents, but yeah, the residents fight for fewer night games as well. But the mayor has actually stated that increasing the number of night games isn’t going to happen so I’m not sure even a handful more will be added at this point. It is a major reason why when I purchased a home in the city I didn’t purchase anywhere near there. Of course I deal with Soldier Field idiocy instead, but that is far fewer than Wrigleyville/Lakeview deal with for baseball games.

 

I hear you and totally get the argument. We know who buys condos in Wrigley, and we know why...younger couples want to be close to the action and live the urban dream for a few years. They get a dog, then have kids a few years later and move to Schaumberg. Maybe it's not the residents that are inconvenienced as much as the businesses, like you said. With a full slate of night games that area could turn into a bigger sh*t-show than it already is now.

 

It's Sounds like you've got a great location, I love that area over by Soldier Field, it's really developed a ton in the past 15 years. I lived in Ukrainian Village for about 10 years (after my obligatory first Chicago year in Lakeview). I appreciated being only a few blue line stops from downtown but without the crowds. That said, living so close to Western Ave was like being next to a highway sometimes. :-0

 

Haven't been back to Chicago since I sold all my stuff on Craigslist, put a few t-shirts in a backpack and moved to Guatemala 5 years ago. Most of the time I don't miss it, but watching the Cubs games the past few days really bring back some nostalgic feelings.

[Squirrel]

I'm sure it is much more complicated than I'm about to express... I get that the lights came on in 1988 but Wrigley has been a baseball stadium since 1914.

 

Home buyers are choosing to live near Wrigley Field and still dictating terms of it's operation?

 

This isn't city council forcing a landfill or prison into the neighborhood. This would be the equivalent of residents moving next to the landfill and demanding that it be less of a landfill.

 

I sit here quite some distance from Chicago but it is my understanding that home prices around Wrigley are 22% higher, therefore home buyers are paying more to live near Wrigley.

 

If the night games are keeping them awake... Move away from Wrigley.

 

Take that 22% and put in your pocket.

 

That’s not the issue. It’s not about what’s there when they bought. It’s about what the Cubs owners want to expand and change it to that is, by buying up blocks and businesses so that the owner can create and control the area’s businesses and make more of a profit for themselves. One could argue the opposite and suggest the owners also knew what they bought into and now want to change it to make it more profitable for themselves at the cost of the other independent businesses and residents in the area and changing the landscape of an iconic neighborhood in the process. I’m sure the Cubs’ net worth has also gone up since the Rickets bought the team. Maybe they should take that, put it in their pockets and sell if they can’t continue to buy up the neighborhood and change ordinances to increase their wealth. This is part of having a baseball stadium in an already densely populated part of the city ... both sides are not going to get what they want all the time. I think the city has actually done a fairly good job at balancing everyone’s concerns with allowing some expansion but not giving in to everything that the Cubs wealthy owner wants.

 

But this is getting well off topic so perhaps it’s best to steer this topic back to the Twins game.

[jun]

Dioner Navarro plans to sign with Long Island Ducks. He should be an upgrade over Wilson and he's a veteran and one-time All Star. I know they love veterans. Navarro is a good defensive catcher. Rupp has been struggling in AAA. I think they are going to let Rupp go soon. Let's go get Navarro.

Edited July 1, 2018 by jun

[jun]

Red Sox's minor leaguer Adam Lind might be a good backup first baseman if Morrison keeps struggling. Lind can opt out his minor league contact with the Red Sox on Sunday.