I am excited too don’t get me wrong. But this is the same way I feel about training camp in football: it’s all a bit disappointing. Nothing will still happen for weeks and all it does is make want the regular season to start. So yes! Spring is on its way, but damn…still too long to opening day.
You won’t rain on my parade, I’ll be in a Mesa for 7 days and watching Cubs baseball every single day.
But, even if your not going to be there in person there are still quite a few ST Cubs games that are televised — No need to wait for opening day, there is baseball to be watched!
This is the day that starts the Cubs ride to try and end this World Series drought. It Seems like just yesterday we were all crushed by there game 3 loss but its a new year as we say just about every year, “This is the year”
Actually, I was implying something a little different
Emelie started with a “Hooray!!” and a cute little cartoon character drawn in a vaguely familiar style. Then Shangai chimed in with a “interject” reference, and the tumblers in my brain all of a sudden lined up and clicked…
"The game was tied at seven all, uh-huh-huh,
When Franklin found he had the ba-hall.
He made a connection, in the other direction,
And the crowd starting shouting out interjections…
Aw! You threw the wrong way! Darn! You just lost the game! Hooray! I’m for the other team!"
or am I the only one old enough to remember schoolhouse rock around here… ;-)
I’m just Rich Hill.
Yes, I’m only Rich Hill.
And I’m wishing I could still throw that pill.
Well, it’s a long, long journey
To the Crabcakes city.
It’s a long, long wait
‘cause it’s starter by committee,
But I’ll be back in the show someday
At least I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just Rich Hill.
in Tempe for last night’s UCLA game. I’m staying 6 miles away from Fitch Park. Maybe I’ll drop by later this morning on the way out of town and get a look at those beautiful blue uniforms out there tossing the ball around.
but does anyone else here have significantly less enthusiasm this year than in the past?
Last year’s team was the best Cubs team, statistically, in 75 years. And we know how that ended up.
I guess what I’m wondering is whether anyone else feels a kind of malaise today (and maybe for the whole season, if not longer) after seeing last year that even the best Cubs teams may not win a championship.
Not really, probably a little more enthusiasm. Going into ST....
Last year: Can Demp do it? This year: Can Harden stay healthy? Wash
Last year: Will Kosuke adapt? This year: Will Bradley have a good/healthy season? Wash
Last year: Would Woody stay healthy? This year: Can Gregg be a late inning stopper? Wash
Last year: Marquis was #5. This year: It’s Marshall, Heilman or Samardzija. Plus
Last year: Theriot at SS. This year: Miles backs up Theriot at SS. Wash
Last year: No real CF guy? This year: Reed’s here but will Kosuke rebound? Plus
Last year: Starting rotation solid This year: Starting rotation more solid. Plus
Last year: Soriano leads off. This year: Soriano may lead off. Plus
Last year: Will Z be a Cy Young top-3? This year: Will Z be a Cy Young top-3? Wash
Last year: Is DeRo really at 2nd? This year: Can Fontenot really do it at 2nd? Wash
Last year: Was Soto’s 1mo+ 2007 for real? This year: Soto is for real. Plus
Last year: Bullpen seems established. This year: Bullpen has more options. Wash
…but I like to think I’m a little more grounded going into this season. Right from the start, last year’s team just seemed so, for lack of a better word, magical at times. The arrival of Fukudome, the emergence of Dempster, the (shall we say) surprising addition of Jim Edmonds, Z’s no-hitter…the list goes on. And then the to have it all end so horribly. I’m just ready to cheer on my team and enjoy the game. Whatever happens, happens.
In 1975 probably one of the top 5 college BB teams of all time, undefeated lost in OT by 2 points in the NCAA Regionals to their rival.
They and all their fans were pissed to no end. The following year that team after graduating their starting forward (one of their leading scorers and best shooter) and #6th man who went on to be drafted and play in the NBA, went undefeated and won the entire championship….they burned and yearned for the next year to come. ’
I think the pain and anguish will be as much a motivating force as Lou’s magic words.
Do you want Lou to wear hideous red plaid blazers when he coaches?
I do think that the failures of the last two years will serve as motivation, and should the Cubs reach the playoffs and get rolling, it’ll be tough to stop.
This is a different team than last season. This is professional baseball played by men cashing a check, Hoosiers it ain’t. What’s the motivating force of the players that weren’t here last season?
Couple of reasons, baseball is back, maybe finally, my cubs can get this albatross off their back and win the WS!
It also means two weeks till I come home. I can’t wait. I didn’t realize all the things that I missed and took for granted till I got deployed. Watching Cubs baseball was one of them. So I’m going to have a blast this year, watching my favorite team play baseball and hopefully bring home that long awaited and long overdue WS trophy!!
When exactly does Jim Hendry plan on signing Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn? I mean, we need a good left handed hitting right fielder, there are two right there that are still free agents.
I, too, always have hope regardless of what happened....
during the previous season. But I’m trying to compare this group of Cubs with the Bulls of the late ’80s and early ’90s, when everyone knew they had the talent, but questioned whether they could really handle the pressure when it mattered most. Each year they got a little closer, and they finally did it. I know this group has the ability somewhere inside them to win a world championship. They just have to overcome their fear. None of us know if they will or not, but is that not what keeps us coming back every February?
For those of you who haven’t been seduced by the intriguing brevity of Twitter, Gordon Wittenmyer has given a couple of updates. I won’t transcribe them word-for-word but, to sum up, Neal Cotts is “bouncing [a] heavy ball off a wall.” (Better than a towel, I suppose.) “It’s early,” Gordo intones. “But his mechanics look good.”
Witty also reports that “Marmol says its OK if [he’s] not named closer.” And Carlos doesn’t foresee a problem with his participation in the WBC, as the Cubs “had him cut off winter bal [sic].” OK, you can all have fun with those last six words.
It’s Friday, Cubs are back, it is nice out (40 degrees and Sunny now constitutes nice), and I get to watch Lou stumble around a press conference on Comcast. The world will once again be back to normal.
First comment
I’m excited…baseball is just around the corner!
Cubs and Hawks fan - February 13, 2009
About bloody
time this day gets here.
Neifi Puppy - February 13, 2009
more beautiful than
Chicago Cubs win the World Series ?
Doggie Stalker - February 13, 2009
Um make that
Cubs win the World Series
( I went one word over)
Doggie Stalker - February 13, 2009
Cubs win World Series
….against Miami?? Who would have known! Hundred to one shot! I wish I could go back to the beginning of the season, put some money on the Cubs.
AndHart120 - February 13, 2009
back to the future
They really need to make a Scene It version of those movies. I would dominate.
cubswynn - February 13, 2009
you and me both!
AndHart120 - February 13, 2009
based on that
you realize that the marlins are going to have to switch over to the AL, right?
granted, i do like to think that the Cubs will win the world series in 2015. There’s a facebook group to that effect as well.
laidbackliam - February 13, 2009
Six more years?
Sigh. I guess after 100, I can wait six more years.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
i'll be ok with winning more
than just 2015!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2230858344
for anyone who has facebook, that’s the link for the Cubs are Going to Win the World Series in 2015.
I have decided that that will be my heartbreak year if they don’t win it. last year hurt, but 2015, will break me ;).
laidbackliam - February 13, 2009
in the movie
they weren’t even the marlins. they were some sort of gator….god i’m a back to the future geek
cubswynn - February 13, 2009
It was the Miami Gators
flachimesa - February 13, 2009
I hit POST to soon
When the movie was filmed (late 80s), Florida did not have a MLB team. The Marlins played their 1st season in 93, the Rays in 98.
flachimesa - February 13, 2009
Yeah
and a lot of people thought that the movie predicted 2003. Talk about not paying attention to the movies..its not even close!
AndHart120 - February 13, 2009
Yep
One former co-worker insisted that in the movie, Florida beat the Cubs in the W.S. He’s one of those who thinks he knows everything about everything.
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
But I thought it was closeenough
and it was indeed fate.
I say bring in Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd this October. No stupider than a bloody priest blessing the dugout.
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
They WILL be the Miami Marlins soon, though.
Getting closer…
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
They'll have to move to the AL before 2015 for the movie to come true, though.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
An NLCS whoppin
as a receipt for ’03 would suffice.
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
that
or the junior league will have to fold.
nothing against the american league, but man i hate the DH. (rant over)
laidbackliam - February 13, 2009
that's exactly what I thought, before I even opened the post... :)
digitalbenjamin - February 13, 2009
Ahhhhh...
Just a matter of days until I’m in Mesa sitting in the sun with a beer and a dog and watching our boys pull a groin muscle or two…
Zeke - February 13, 2009
I hate to rain on everyone's parade
I am excited too don’t get me wrong. But this is the same way I feel about training camp in football: it’s all a bit disappointing. Nothing will still happen for weeks and all it does is make want the regular season to start. So yes! Spring is on its way, but damn…still too long to opening day.
Sam Householder - February 13, 2009
Don't worry
You won’t rain on my parade, I’ll be in a Mesa for 7 days and watching Cubs baseball every single day.
But, even if your not going to be there in person there are still quite a few ST Cubs games that are televised — No need to wait for opening day, there is baseball to be watched!
StevenABQ - February 13, 2009
ENJOY THE SEASON!
And best wishes to the Cubs!
DrCrawdad - February 13, 2009
To your boys as well.
May they lose to the Cubs six in the regular season and 4 in the series. The rest they can win.
N Oakley - February 13, 2009
That'd be rough.
Go 156-6 in the regular season and 7-4 in the postseason. Ouch! Something only a Patriots fan could relate to…
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
Baseball season is upon us(kinda)
This is the day that starts the Cubs ride to try and end this World Series drought. It Seems like just yesterday we were all crushed by there game 3 loss but its a new year as we say just about every year, “This is the year”
Aramis Ramirez - February 13, 2009
hooray!!
Emelie - February 13, 2009
Nice of you to "interject"!
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
I believe
this is what you’re looking for.
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
Thank you
Thank you very much.
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there another part to this quote?
as in… “I’m for the other team.” Hmmm…
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
There's enough anecdotal evidence to indicate otherwise . . . .
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
I'm lost...
Emelie - February 13, 2009
Ok, here are a couple of hints
Ballhawk implied that you root for the “other team” — not that there is anything wrong with that.
You’ve gone on record a few times with your preference of players’ posteriors.
Cleared up?
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
OK I get it now. One track minds at work ;-)
Emelie - February 13, 2009
Actually, I was implying something a little different
Emelie started with a “Hooray!!” and a cute little cartoon character drawn in a vaguely familiar style. Then Shangai chimed in with a “interject” reference, and the tumblers in my brain all of a sudden lined up and clicked…
or am I the only one old enough to remember schoolhouse rock around here… ;-)
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
I remember it...
…but that reference sailed over my head like a Rich Hill fastball. (Too soon?)
daver - February 13, 2009
Never too soon to pile on. To wit...
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
Schoolhouse Rock is why I said "interjecting"
but when you stressed “other team”, I wasn’t sure….
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
Baseball season's underway
better get ready for a brand new day….. somebody should write a song with this in it and let the cubs know.
mrcubsfan - February 13, 2009
Catchy words. You're right.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
Something like "Advance, Baby Bears, Advance."
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
I happen to be
in Tempe for last night’s UCLA game. I’m staying 6 miles away from Fitch Park. Maybe I’ll drop by later this morning on the way out of town and get a look at those beautiful blue uniforms out there tossing the ball around.
paulucla - February 13, 2009
I hate to be Capt. Bringdown
but does anyone else here have significantly less enthusiasm this year than in the past?
Last year’s team was the best Cubs team, statistically, in 75 years. And we know how that ended up.
I guess what I’m wondering is whether anyone else feels a kind of malaise today (and maybe for the whole season, if not longer) after seeing last year that even the best Cubs teams may not win a championship.
SouthsideCub - February 13, 2009
That was last year
This is this year. It’s baseball. You just never know.
cubsonWGN4ever - February 13, 2009
Rec'd
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
rec'd 2
flachimesa - February 13, 2009
rec'd
Madison Cub Fan - February 13, 2009
Nope
We are in the early years of a long dynasty
El Borto - February 13, 2009
If that's true...
… it had better be a dynasty of more than just division titles.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
I'd be satisfied with what the Braves did
Granted, I want more than one championship, but that was one hell of a run.
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
From Shawshank:
“Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” – Andy Dufresne
paulucla - February 13, 2009
Not really, probably a little more enthusiasm. Going into ST....
Last year: Can Demp do it? This year: Can Harden stay healthy? Wash
Last year: Will Kosuke adapt? This year: Will Bradley have a good/healthy season? Wash
Last year: Would Woody stay healthy? This year: Can Gregg be a late inning stopper? Wash
Last year: Marquis was #5. This year: It’s Marshall, Heilman or Samardzija. Plus
Last year: Theriot at SS. This year: Miles backs up Theriot at SS. Wash
Last year: No real CF guy? This year: Reed’s here but will Kosuke rebound? Plus
Last year: Starting rotation solid This year: Starting rotation more solid. Plus
Last year: Soriano leads off. This year: Soriano may lead off. Plus
Last year: Will Z be a Cy Young top-3? This year: Will Z be a Cy Young top-3? Wash
Last year: Is DeRo really at 2nd? This year: Can Fontenot really do it at 2nd? Wash
Last year: Was Soto’s 1mo+ 2007 for real? This year: Soto is for real. Plus
Last year: Bullpen seems established. This year: Bullpen has more options. Wash
blackhawk24 - February 13, 2009
i think that both
heilman and samardzija could very well make the starting rotation.
brian custer - February 13, 2009
Get Lou on the phone
Who do they replace out of Zambrano, Harden, Dempster and Lilly?
Acapulco Taco Pie - February 13, 2009
No malaise for me
I get excited each year regardless. I love this game.
Madison Cub Fan - February 13, 2009
The best is yet to come
Acapulco Taco Pie - February 13, 2009
read
my sig.
drewishdrewid - February 13, 2009
My enthusiasm definitely hasn't waned...
…but I like to think I’m a little more grounded going into this season. Right from the start, last year’s team just seemed so, for lack of a better word, magical at times. The arrival of Fukudome, the emergence of Dempster, the (shall we say) surprising addition of Jim Edmonds, Z’s no-hitter…the list goes on. And then the to have it all end so horribly. I’m just ready to cheer on my team and enjoy the game. Whatever happens, happens.
daver - February 13, 2009
The first sign
That winter is almost over. To heck with the Groundhog, let’s play some ball!!
GO CUBS IN 2009! ! !
Fonzie2178 - February 13, 2009
Been waiting for this for 111 days
Ivy Walls - February 13, 2009
New Day, always what a competitor wants after losing
Ivy Walls - February 13, 2009
Nothing says "spring training"....
… more than a guy wearing “84” on his back.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
Ha!
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
why ivy why
cubswynn - February 13, 2009
let me tell why
In 1975 probably one of the top 5 college BB teams of all time, undefeated lost in OT by 2 points in the NCAA Regionals to their rival.
They and all their fans were pissed to no end. The following year that team after graduating their starting forward (one of their leading scorers and best shooter) and #6th man who went on to be drafted and play in the NBA, went undefeated and won the entire championship….they burned and yearned for the next year to come. ’
I think the pain and anguish will be as much a motivating force as Lou’s magic words.
Ivy Walls - February 13, 2009
Do you want Lou to wear hideous red plaid blazers when he coaches?
I do think that the failures of the last two years will serve as motivation, and should the Cubs reach the playoffs and get rolling, it’ll be tough to stop.
Bill Potter - February 13, 2009
motivating force?
This is a different team than last season. This is professional baseball played by men cashing a check, Hoosiers it ain’t. What’s the motivating force of the players that weren’t here last season?
Acapulco Taco Pie - February 13, 2009
The same as it is for any major league player.
To win a championship.
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
Depressing
Ivy, that just dampened my mood slightly. Makes ME want to work harder…
Hopefully the Cubs can make a few other teams feel that way a few months from now.
Tangled Up In Blue - February 13, 2009
“Pithers and Catchers Report Today” = Beautiful
“Cubs win the World Series” = Divine Ecstasy
tony412 - February 13, 2009
I'm real excited
Couple of reasons, baseball is back, maybe finally, my cubs can get this albatross off their back and win the WS!
It also means two weeks till I come home. I can’t wait. I didn’t realize all the things that I missed and took for granted till I got deployed. Watching Cubs baseball was one of them. So I’m going to have a blast this year, watching my favorite team play baseball and hopefully bring home that long awaited and long overdue WS trophy!!
nmcubsfan - February 13, 2009
Finally!
Hopefully Spring Training will help push ARod to the back-burner, if not off the stove entirely.
Dave in the basement - February 13, 2009
Great Day!
Finally the end of a long cold winter is in sight. To the start of “our year.”
Go Cubs Go!
Tangled Up In Blue - February 13, 2009
here is to many of these this season!
Chanman25 - February 13, 2009
I like the idea, but
I’m not sure how many exactly like that I can take.
N Oakley - February 13, 2009
TWSS!
Chanman25 - February 13, 2009
Arghh!
Yawn, huh….rub sleep from the eyes, hibernation time is over its time to do this!!!!!! Your my boy LOU!
Les Lancaster - February 13, 2009
Where's Milton?!
salparadise23 - February 13, 2009
Bradley doesn't have to show.....
oh….you mean Milton W
flachimesa - February 13, 2009
There he is
Guys….I’m back here….back….here….behind the….oh….nevermind
I’ll see you in April.
flachimesa - February 13, 2009
Priceless
Clutche - February 13, 2009
"Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go!"
socalbob - February 13, 2009
Well played Sir
dbaltman - February 13, 2009
What a beautiful day for baseball!
Let’s watch, errr… play two!
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
When exactly does Jim Hendry plan on signing Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn? I mean, we need a good left handed hitting right fielder, there are two right there that are still free agents.
dutchboy93 - February 13, 2009
eh..
Chanman25 - February 13, 2009
This is a joke, right?
Al Yellon - February 13, 2009
eh’ squared and I don’t think it’s a joke??? is it?
Les Lancaster - February 13, 2009
He must be delrious....check his spring fever temp
Clutche - February 13, 2009
????????????
You are kidding, right?
sloathcheck78 - February 13, 2009
daver - February 13, 2009
Love the Happy Face with the Cubs Cap
I very much hope to see that at the end of the World Series in 2009 in a post on BCB.
memphiscub - February 13, 2009
I, too, always have hope regardless of what happened....
during the previous season. But I’m trying to compare this group of Cubs with the Bulls of the late ’80s and early ’90s, when everyone knew they had the talent, but questioned whether they could really handle the pressure when it mattered most. Each year they got a little closer, and they finally did it. I know this group has the ability somewhere inside them to win a world championship. They just have to overcome their fear. None of us know if they will or not, but is that not what keeps us coming back every February?
ctcoff99 - February 13, 2009
Gordo is Tweeting.
For those of you who haven’t been seduced by the intriguing brevity of Twitter, Gordon Wittenmyer has given a couple of updates. I won’t transcribe them word-for-word but, to sum up, Neal Cotts is “bouncing [a] heavy ball off a wall.” (Better than a towel, I suppose.) “It’s early,” Gordo intones. “But his mechanics look good.”
Witty also reports that “Marmol says its OK if [he’s] not named closer.” And Carlos doesn’t foresee a problem with his participation in the WBC, as the Cubs “had him cut off winter bal [sic].” OK, you can all have fun with those last six words.
daver - February 13, 2009
This thread needs more pics
of wonder woman, milton, or any shots from mesa.
JCD - February 13, 2009
I do what I can.
daver - February 13, 2009
that was a great game.
I don’t remember the score, but it was a good game…
drewishdrewid - February 13, 2009
There was a game involved?
Shanghai Badger - February 13, 2009
Yeah,
counting how many beer cups are accidentally spilled as she makes her way down the aisle.
neverAcquiesce - February 13, 2009
Nice Milton Placement
dbaltman - February 13, 2009
ok, I'm pretty sure Milton is now a fan of the Cleavage Indians...
can’t say that I blame him, either…
ballhawk - February 13, 2009
what a pair...
JCD - February 13, 2009
okeet
Chanman25 - February 13, 2009
Yeah, looks like Padilla had a decent start that night for the Rangers.
Only gave up a pair of earned runs.
Oh, wait.
daver - February 13, 2009
Believe!
dbaltman - February 13, 2009
Great day
It’s Friday, Cubs are back, it is nice out (40 degrees and Sunny now constitutes nice), and I get to watch Lou stumble around a press conference on Comcast. The world will once again be back to normal.
slocs55 - February 13, 2009
PRESS CONFERENCE.....
Sunny out in Northern Michigan also…But 28 degrees…What time is that coverage on Comcast ????
cubs north - February 13, 2009
Now just a little while longer...
Til we hear the 2 most beautiful words in the English Language…
PLAY BALL!
Endrick - February 14, 2009
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