I Am Not Ready to Deal With The Cubs... Yet

Pitchers and catchers reported on Friday the 13th.  Really, is that a good idea for the Cubs?

I am just not there yet.  Not even close.  People are talking about going to opening day (I have gone the last 5 years now), and I have yet to throw my hat in the ring.  Single day tickets go on sale Friday and I don't think I am going to even try.

Part of it is that the Cubs are getting more expensive every year, and we are trying to save pennies now.  But truth be told, the bigger issue is that I am still pissed.  I am pissed that the Cubs continue to treat their overplay players like fragile eggs.  I am pissed that the team played like crap AGAIN in the playoffs last year.   And I am pissed that despite 100 years of not winning the playoffs it has become virtually impossible to get tickets at face (not to mention the fact the face cost of BLEACHER tickets are $60).

If I was GM I would trade any big contract guy for as many prospects as I could get.  In 4 years I would have a hell of a team.  As the Marlins how many championships they have won in the last 100 years.

So I post the video below in hopes that I get over my disappointment and jump on the Cubs bandwagon again this year.  I am sure the Kool-Aid will taste good when I get to it, but now all I can remember is the very bitter aftertaste.

• There was a good story in the Tribune today about the leadoff spot.  Stuff like this gets me closer to being able to deal with the Cubs, because I immediately get angry when Lou feels he has to coddle Soriano by leading him off.  OBP in the leadoff spot scores more runs. More runs wins games, maybe even playoff games.  I have a feeling the Ewing Theory will take effect after Fonzy leaves.
  

Not Talking About "It" at the Cubs Game

"Yeah, I'll take a light one," Ryan says to the beer guy.

Last Sunday, my good friend Ryan and I decided we would catch up at our favorite spot in neighborhood, Section 127, Wrigley Field. The view was pretty good (see above), the weather was cool but sunny, and he and I had some things to discuss.

It was the fourth inning and the Cubs had just tied the game up at 2 with the Colorado Rockies. Rookie Sean Gallagher was on the mound for the Cubs, and looking pretty good. He would have been in better shape if left fielder Alfonso Soriano hadn't dropped a routine pop fly earlier in the inning (he later made up for it with a monster HR in the 6th).

Both Ryan and I were not quite 100% from the night before (the night before the Zoo 10k, more on that later). As I was finishing my Gatorade that I smuggled into the stadium, Ryan decided it was time to order another beer.

"Yeah, I hope Soriano gets those drops out of his system. We can't have those type of mistakes in the World Series," said the beer dude.

We both grunt in agreement.

"Yeah, that will be $93 for the beer."

"Here you go, keep one for yourself."

"Thanks." [Beer guys walks up the aslie.] "GET YOUR ICE COLD PAIN KILLERS."

I look to Ryan, "I just don't feel comfortable when people refer to it."

"I know what you mean."

"Do you ever think about it? I do all the time. I mean without a doubt this team is a contender. They need another starter, or at least one to really step up so we have three solid starters. That and just a little more middle relief."

Ryan pipes in, "Yeah, but I like how like last year, Lou is shuffling the line ups, sending guys up and down from here to the minors."

"Right, that is what makes me think this time is deep enough to survive the typical injuries that will happen."

"Yeah, like when Soriano went down."

"Right."

"Honestly, I don't even like thinking about it," said Ryan.

"I am ok thinking about it. I just don't like talking about it."

"Yeah, me too."

We will miss you guys when you move.

Notes:

• The Cubbies won that game Sunday 5-3. They swept their entire 7 game home stand.
• Cubs won again tonight. 10 of the last 11. Their Magic Number is 98.
• Speaking of the Cubs' Magic Number... the automated script is working again! (See right)
• The photos with the singled out color were made with my Canon SD700, which has a color accent feature. We had a lot of fun with that one Sunday.