#88: Jose “Wishes He Was Valentin, But is Just” Nieves
Is it time yet for another crappy middle infielder? I think so. I give you Jose Nieves.
He’s like Jose Valentin. Only with no power, a worse mustache, and similarly bad defensive ability.
Jose Nieves was one of those “no stick, great glove” guys, only he forgot about the “great glove” part. In fact, he pretty much forgot a glove entirely. Seriously. In 1999, Nieves committed 16 errors at shortstop in only 52 games. That is outstandingly bad. That is “just grow a tree out at short and hope the ball runs into it” bad. That’s, well, Jose Valentin bad. It probably doesn’t help Nieves’s “Bottom 126″ case that he looks and plays defense like Valentin, one of my least favorite human beings of all time. Or perhaps it does?
Low Point: Hey, Jose. Word of advice. When Daniel Garibay goes 7 innings, strikes out 6 Colorado Rockies, and only gives up 1 earned run, that’s a game you need to win. Going 0-3 with 3 strikeouts doesn’t do anyone any good, which is what Nieves did on August 1, 2000.
Did You Know? Nieves once slew a Giant. It was the highlight of his career.
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Comments
I was thinking the same thing. What also stuck out from that article (screw you Kermit for making us relive anything from those years, my GOD): “just the Cubs’ eighth win in 24 road games this season.”
Truly, the sign of a great team.
Jeebus, the only thing that Giant Killer game needed was Leo Gomez’s involvement. I know he already clocked in at 118, but is there any chance Gomez makes the list twice? I really despised Gomez for some reason.
You think YOU guys have it bad? I’m the one who has to go through the last couple decades of Cubs baseball and decide whether or not to include guys like Donovan Osbourne.
Never mind, I just looked up that 2000 team on baseball reference. Eric Young? Willie Greene? Damon Buford? Leo Gomez was too good for that team. Ed Lynch should be shot into the sun.
I think I will have covered about 60% of the 2000 25-man roster by the time this list is done. That team was horrendous.
I look at their 65-97 record and think “putrid”. I look at the roster and wonder how on earth they won 65 games.
Yeah, you know Desipio is slow when they’re arguing about voting in February. Not arguing about voting in February. Arguing in February about voting. There. Mom would be proud.
Anyone notice that the people arguing about it are Tonk, Kurt and RD? Notice any similarities there? Good times.
Mike C is now from Argentina. I made it so.
Anyway, looking forward to what Lou has to say about Mark P. Come on Lou, we all know you’re babying him. Fess up.





Look at those names from Jose’s Giant-slaying game.
How am I still a cub fan?