Welcome to Town!!!

Sigh...the hits keep coming...

If you would have got a some freakin' hits in the playoffs...

The Stupid Vote

Oh, about half way through there's a section I would normally find personally offensive. However, it's hard to argue at this point...

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

972 hours

The above is an approximation of the amount of time I have spent since pitchers and catchers reported in the Spring watching them, traveling to/from their park, talking about them, listening to sports radio about them, etc. In that amount of time I could have finished a novel, learned to paint, earned an online degree from the University of Phoenix, or, to quote Steve Martin, had an extended 972 hour orgasm--any of which, as it turns out, may have been a better way to spend my time. I don't even want to think about the money, the tears would ruin my keyboard.

Assuming the near inevitable, will I do it all over again next year? Probably. (Unless I can figure out that extended orgasm thing).

Today's Mail

I hope I get to use them this year.

Grown Men Playing With Balls

First, the Good...

Congrats to my Cubs on clinching the NL Central with a little breathing room to get ready for the playoffs. Although I predicted a Cubs and Angels World Series early this season (and have a Vegas slip to prove it), it's still nice to have step one in the quest out of the way.

Tim McCarver, number four on my list of the worst sports analysts of all time (details to be released later) said something remarkably stupid during the Cubs/Cards broadcast of Fox, Saturday. Well, actually, he said a lot of stupid things, but the most ridiculous thing he said went something like this: Cubs fans need to drop the attitude that "the only thing that will make them happy is a World Series...that's baloney." (I paraphrase, because I find it difficult to pay attention to Tim McBlowhard.

Okay, Timmy, let's review: I've been a Cubs fan long enough to see the team get swept three straight games in San Diego when they needed just one win to make a World Series; I've seen the team come within 5 outs of a World Series appearance with their best pitcher on the mound and fall apart; I've watched last year's division winner fail to show up at all in round one and get swept by the Diamondbacks. Further, I've seen the White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and even the %#*(&$#*((# Cardinals win one in the mean time. I simply will not be satisfied until we get to a World Series. (Winning it, well, that's a different issue. The AL is tough, I won't lie.) Nevertheless, the desire is not "baloney." It's a perfectly reasonable opinion from a fan base tired of giving their emotions and their money for Summers on end only to suffer in the end. You, sir, are an idiot. Please stay out of my broadcast booth.

A tip of the cap...

I don't really remember much about the last no-hitter pitched by a Cub. I was two. Anytime something happens in sport that hasn't happened in nearly 38 years is quite the thing. Great job Big Z. I forgive you the laousy August, but I hope you saved some for October.

An Unlikely MVP Vote...

Believe it or not, I don't get to vote for National League Most Valuable Player. Or American League MVP. Probably I'm in danger of losing my right to vote for elective offices, and my ability to vote for our next American Idol is endangered by the fact that I don't watch the show.

If I did have a vote for NL MVP and assuming the Cubs do finish in first (knock on something, anything, quick) then may I present an unlikely choice for the award, Mr. Mark DeRosa.

Sure, he doesn't have the Bondsian numbers we've expected from the MVP in the past, and maybe that's a good thing. His line, however, is pretty good. .288 20 Hrs 83 RBI's .483 slugging percentage. Plus, it seems like every one of those 83 RBI's have been clutch.

Most importantly, the man has five gloves. I don't know that I've seen a guy play so many positions in a year and still put up these kind of offensive numbers. He starts at 2nd, he plays 3rd, he steps up to right field (when Fukudome decides he doesn't like to hit anymore), once in awhile he shows up in left, and I vaguely remember him playing first base at least once. Last time I was at a game, I think he sold me a dog and a beer between innings.

When it comes time for postseason awards, every year we fans get to hear the same debate...is the MVP the person with the best stats or truly the most valuable. Usually, the award goes to the guy with the best stats, and often times, that person is also the most valuable. This year, by the most valuable criteria, I think there is only one real candidate, and he plays, well, all over the field for the Chicago National League Ball Club.