Almost June

June Swoon Soon?

As of May 29 the top three teams in the National League Central are only one game off pace with the top three teams in the American League East in total victories (and the Yankees are in last place).

Save Ferris

Maddux back to the Cubs?


...only if he brings back that cookie-duster, please.

Discuss.

My Moment of Clarity (Mission Statement)

I had a very "Jerry Maguire" feeling as I made the trek into work today. I know that this baseball season has all the beginnings of what could be a life changing year for my superfandom. The reality for me is that this baseball season has all the makings of being the best summer ever, or quite possibly and probably the absolute worst. I am glad that we have this place to document the victory or collapse of the Chicago Cubs. Chances are, I will probably look back on this log in 5 years and it will take me back to when the Cubs were on top and have everything to look forward to. I am spending my fist year with my son and dream of the day that the curse can be lifted and he can enjoy being a healthy and well-adjusted Cubs fan. The reality may be that he will continue the tradition and torture that comes with the end of almost every season. I think this will bring us closer. I can remember the thrill of almost going to the World Series just a few short years ago, but the bandwagon was starting to fill up and I felt that some fair-weathered fans who happen to have WGN were almost going to ruin it for me. It was a very solemn moment when I actually realized that some of these fans didn't suffer in silence as Steve Garvey laid down the hammer in '84 or experienced the collapse of '69 that was even before my time. The truth of the matter is, I wasn't ready for the Cubs to win the World Series. I think I have fully prepared for this moment either way. Last year was the lead-in that I needed to get to this point. I am ready if the Cubs are willing but must admit, the fact that Jim Edmunds is on the team taints it for me a bit. I really can't get excited when he makes a great play like he did last night on the hill vs. the Astros. Maybe as the summer sets in the mentality will change. But in the end, I am ready for what this season could bring. Now as I am grabbing the fish in the aquarium I ask you..."Who's with me?"

Catcher Run Like Pie

Big Blue Blogs Bleed Cubby Blue Blood

The Cubs have historically - and without exception - never failed to excel in the second half of the first decade of a new century...

As of Monday, May 19 the Cubs have the second-best record in baseball (27-17) and swept a three-game series from the team with the best record (Arizona - 28-16).

...tip of the hat to Cubby Blue Blog

...and he shaved his red Van Dyke!

Wow!

Big Mac sure looks different now that he is not taking those "vitamin supplements"...

Angel in the outfield?

What will happen? If Edmonds passes the physical, he's in. He's cheap (probably league min.) and he can make catches over his head. I say keep RJ and send Pie back to the Minors. He simply needs more at bats.

Will the 38 year old help? Yes. He will give great defense, a solid 7 hitter (my guess) and he has experience that can be passed along to the youngsters. What is the risk? Pie? Ah....he'll be prime for a sub player, September call up, and next year. Simple fact is that Jimmy is better than Pie and not necessary in the all categories but in the right ones.

Plus I am 37 and pull for anyone my age who I feel can play as I think of me...only not as talented, not as much money, and not near the pulling power (don't mean at bat either)!

I Think I'm Turning Japanese

I really think so.
It's hard to pin success on a single player, but I have seen more of the baseball that I have grown up loving in this particular season. The sight of dwindling baseball fundamentals has been building over the years,. But with the resurgence of Japanese players, we are seeing these fundamentals that we hold dear flourish, and I think it's becoming contagious (along with stolen bases). Coupled with an old school coach like Lou, it could be the winning combination that makes all the difference in the end. I have been seeing some great heads up baserunning, effective bunting and players battling themselves into better hitting counts at the plate. Not to mention some great glove work all around. It's made the game so much more fun to watch, even though there will always be times when you fall short. The D-Bags series was exciting in particular. I saw 4 close plays at the plate in the second game alone. It feels even better when you are winning the games on fundamentals and hopefully it continues. Fukudome possesses some of the strongest fundamentals I have seen in a Cubs uniform ever, and I really hope that the younger generation is watching him instead of getting fixated on adjusting batting gloves correctly for the fifteenth time in an at bat. Winning through fundamentals, who would have thunk?

As of May 13 the top three teams in the National League Central have won more games combined than the top three teams in any other division in Major League Baseball.

Discuss.

Huh?

Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals each post franchise record number of wins in April (18 and 19, respectively).

Discuss.

Ozzie Tirade

The White Sox are a rival of any Cub fan. And Ozzie just doesn't understand Cub Baseball! Most fans can't figure it out.........but Cub fans know.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3384466&n8pe6c=3

Cover your kids ears as the South Side has more color to their words.

The Place to go at Millennium Park

I forgot on my last park to make a plug for my favorite Millennium Park watering hole, Tavern at the Park. To be fair it's much more than a watering hole as the food is outstanding and can even be downright fancy. I've had many business lunches here and the client has been impressed. More important is the bar. Big windows looking at Millennium Park, the Pritzker Pavilion and the top of the bean. The owners Pete and Donny are very service oriented and they transfer that attitude to the rest of the staff. Especially at the bar. I suggest the next time you're in town, come by. http://www.tavernatthepark.com/

Tipping Point?

Could this be the tipping point or just a tease? Not only did the 2008 World Series Champion Astros sweep the Brewers, Hunter Pence is getting big hits again, including a walk off two run shot in the 12th yesterday. I never thought .500 would look so good.

On another note, I'm back in Chicago for a couple of days and of course the baby bears are on a road trip. At least there is not snow on the fricking ground. How do you people live here? Yes, Houston may be hot and humid, but I've never had to get up early and shovel hot and humid from my driveway to go to work. I've also never fell on hot and humid and busted my a**. You know what else? If a gorgeous woman is hot, she takes off her clothes. If she's cold SHE PUTS MORE ON! Also there's a reason cold beer is refreshing and it's not to "warm up the insides", but I digress. The sun's out now even in Chi-town.

In talking to people here, they are still not sold on the baby bears. Have a very wait and see attitude. I guess getting your butt kicked by the A-Poo's will do that to you. I actually got more smack from Bears fans talking about the next football season. For those of you that don't know, the Bears are playing in Houston the last week of the season.

Back to work for me!

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Round 1

Well it's the first series between the Cubs and the darkside and I don't know what to expect. It's nice to see they are playing for first place in the league. We are in the fourth inning of the opening game as I attempt to type. It always brings back the memories of my first Cubs/Cards game. Ironically it was in old Busch stadium and it was very cold and I managed to sit at the very top row behind home plate. I would date the game around 1983 and if I can remember correctly the Cards won. But my exercise in futility had already been long standing at that point. Since Hill managed to last only 2/3 of an inning facing six and walking four I would have to say that it's not a good start. Looks like the bullpen is going to be very tired after this series. I am hoping for some drama along the lines of Pujols getting drilled at least once and the Cubs managing to take at least 2.

Kerry Wood is living up to my expectations, which is not a good thing. Lou refused to listen to my advice....again. Couldn't he just throw me a bone and keep Reed in the 1 spot? Also, why not ride the hotness that is Cedeno while you still can? It's shaping up to be a good year but I don't know if my heart and middle regions will be able to withstand another season like last year.

In my pathetic loner way I will continue to LIVE BLOG the rest of the game. If any of you are out there I welcome you to join in on the comments and see what this game is going to shape up to be. If not, I will just continue to fail to amuse myself.