Last year at this time the Cubs were the defending Central Division champs and we all had them just skipping the regular season crap and getting ready to give that pennant another whack.
This year, it’s the opposite. The Cubs are defending nothing except what little shreds of dignity they cling to, and other than Peter Gammons, nobody’s picking them to do anything.
That ought to last about a month.
Because, these Cubs are actually pretty good.
Sure, a lot could go wrong and derail them. The Franchise starts the season on the DL for chrissakes. That’s never a good thing. But isn’t it nice to have a team where your season is dependant more on bad things not happening to you than on good things inexplicably turning a lousy team into a contender?
These Cubs don’t have to catch lightning in a bottle, they just need to avoid repeatedly being struck by lightning.
Unfortunately, no franchise has a bigger black cloud following them at all times than our Cubs.
I’ve tempered my expectations for them. I’ve promised myself that I won’t let a fast start convince me that they’re actually good. How many times can you get kicked in the groin before you stop letting your guard down?
But it’s April 4. A new baseball season is here. Mark Prior says his elbow feels robust (even though he got lit up in a minor league spring training game Saturday). Kerry Wood’s ready to roll to another 14-11 barnburning season! Nomar’s primed to make a run at the batting title. E-ramis is ready to give the triple crown a shot. The Lawnmower starts mulching today! Even Regular Joe’s hand has decided to heal faster than normal so he can get back in the mix.
So screw it!
Ask me again!
How many times can a guy get kicked in the groin before he stops letting his guard down?
Apparently, one more time!
Barry?
Hit it, man!
You remind me I live in a shell
Safe from the past and doin’ okay but not very well
No jolts, no surprises, no crisis arises
My life goes along as it should
It’s all very nice, not very goodAnd I’m ready to take a chance again
Ready to put my love on the line with you
Been livin’ with nothing for show for it
You get what you get when you go for it
And I’m ready to take a chance again with youWhen she left me, in all my despair
I just held on, my hopes were all gone
Then I found you thereAnd I’m ready to take a chance again
Ready to put my love on the line with you
Been livin’ with nothing for show for it
You get what you get when you go for it
And I’m ready to take a chance again with youAnd I’m ready to take a chance again
Ready to put my love on the line with you
Been livin’ with nothing for show for it
You get what you get when you go for it
And I’m ready to take a chance again with youAnd I’m ready to take a chance again
Ready to take a chance again with you
With you
— Barry Manilow — “Ready to take a chance again”
Hah! Barry Manilow! What a talent.
And I speak for all of us when I say I feel just a little gay for having read those lyrics.
OK, so if an ambigously gay piano player can’t fire you up for 2005, I’m sure this will!
¡Van Los Cubs!
I knew it.
Pennant or bust, 2005!
http://www.comics.com/comics/drabble/archive/drabble-20050402.html
So now DRABBLE is making fun of the Cubs. That’s BS. I hope the Cubs win tonight just to spite that fat fuck.
I’m a $%@# moron.
That is all.
You can ruin a baseball preview section simply by the reader turning the first page.
You have no f@#$ing idea how hard I’m rooting for Illinois.
Can you imagine these crackers I’m surrounded by if Roy wins the national title?
I don’t even want to think about it.
By the way, the Illini are AWE-sum, and they play GUH-reat!
Had to get those in.
Now, off to reglue my toupe!
What percent of brackets correctly called the finals this year? 80%? I hated picking NC and U of I for the finals because it was too obvious for it to happen (but I did because it was just wrong not to).
To answer my own question, of the top 50 Desipio participants about half got the final two right, and 48 of 50 had at least 1.
We are up to are old tricks, we havent had a real third baseman for what, about 30 years. Oh well, lets low ball Aramis and let him walk at the end of the season, we have no third base prospects but figure we can always play Neifi there next year. Oh wait he may be playing shortstop instead!
Enjoy the season!!
I just signed a 4 year 44 million dollar deal, according to the score.
4 years @ 44 million? For 5 inning games?
The cubs are lying, there is no new contract for Aramis.
You’re the one who reported it Georgie!
Has anyone heard anything about Aramis, other than what was reported on the score??
GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jayson Stark just reported it on espn. Supposedly Aramis can opt out after the 06′ season.
Ok, I’ll shut up now, I have some crow to eat!!
The link is to the trib story reporting the deal. Ramirez can opt out after 06, mutual option for 09.
Great signing, Jim Hendry is ok with me, again.
EYE-ELL-ELL….
Thank God.
Let’s start out this season with a nice shutout victory from the Lawnmower man. Also, hopefully Dusty won’t start out with his ignorant managerial moves. Oh what am I saying, that’s a pipe dream. I won’t be the only Baker Basher by the end of the season, and that’s a promise.
Go Heels! This is where the Illini’s dream season will end and Roy Boy will finally win him one. I must say Bruce Weber is one hell of a coach and a had one hell of a team. So props to both teams and to the champion.
If anyone is looking for a good laugh, there is a sox gamecast over at chicago sports.com. Apparently there is a call for Wily Mo Pena, he’ll put them over the top.
Dolan, you ignorant slut! I should of told you that the Illini was not going to beat the tarheels because they have too much big buys.
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