Cubby-Blue

Rich Harden. Cub Hurler.

Little late on this one, but couldn't pass it up.
First we heard, it was the flu.
Then, food poisoning.
Bad chicken salad.
Ewww.
All that mayo and pickle relish, all that chicken.
Re-experienced for days.
Nothing worse.

Okay, heard that the game got "winded" out last night, so Kosuke's '09 spring debut was delayed.
And, uh oh, the Cubs are playing the Sox as I write, and it's already 7 zip Cubs in the second, and Lou just said Kosuke got a hit so...awesome.
Big Z on the mound.
Uh, gotta go.

Big Z

Guys, when it gets too busy or I travel, sometimes I go back to my fav illustrations.
This one's from '04, and just one of the reasons I think Carlos Zambrano is one of the most entertaining athletes we'll ever have in Chicago.
Anyway, crazy busy.
Please keep the comments coming.
I'll be back.

Reed Johnson, You Remember Kosuke Fukudome, Right?

Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome.
Yeah, they're team-mates, probably be platooning in center for the whole year.
But I think we're talking about a couple proud men, and proud men don't like the whole platoon thing no matter how nice a spin anybody wants to put on it, including them.
Reed's been putting up pretty nice numbers this spring.
Kosuke...I don't know how to fairly judge the WBC competition.
He only hit .200 with 7 walks and 4 hits in 20 at bats - he hasn't played nearly the amount of innings (that have stats) as Reed - so I'd rather wait to see what he does when he comes here.
This spring has been blissfully free of any clutter or even a big story.
The pitchers are throwing well and the batters are hitting the ball and you don't really care about wins and losses unless there are too many losses.
But this competition between these two might be pretty interesting.
Hopefully Lou finds playing time for Reed as I'm sure Kosuke will get the vast majority of playing time in center now that he's here and so far behind.
And Lou wants to see how he does in that coveted 2 hole.
Lets watch.

Cub Fans, It's Time To Hand In Your 2 Week Notice

With the Cubs baseball season officially beginning in exactly 2 weeks, you really should think about giving loved ones, co-workers, neighbors, and pets a 2 week notice of resignation from the Off Season. Because at 6:05 on Monday April 6th, your life will change.
No longer will you be that pathetic person with no direction in life.
You'll know exactly what you're doing at 1:20 on a sunny Thursday afternoon.
You'll again know the importance of mustard on a hot dog, of hat removal during our nation's National Anthem, and of course the absolute necessity of flip flops.
A couple weeks ago, I found myself in a Lenscrafters getting a new pair of glasses.
Spur of the moment, I just suddenly hated my glasses.
They have this sign-in thing there, which I didn't notice and apparently this other guy didn't either because we were both sitting in these chairs waiting for someone to help.
We had awkward conversation.
HE: "You getting glasses?"
ME: "Yeah."
HE: "How long you been waiting?"
ME: "Since October."

You see, I've been thinking about Cubs baseball.
Alot.
And in 2 weeks, it'll be a real, tangible thing right there on my television, my radio, and my mind.
I cannot wait.
So anyway, I put a 2 week notice form letter in this post .
Do what you're morally obligated to do - print it out, sign it, and give it out.
You'll feel so much better doing the right thing.

It's Only Spring, Cub Fans, But Still Nice To Beat The Sox

Well that was kinda like last year when the Cubs would put up all those runs with 2 outs in a big inning.
And it was also amazing that it happened when I was sitting in the sun with a cold one and a radio.
Plus, they did damage against Sox lefty stud Mark Buehrle. (Soriano's homer musta gona a mile.)
Yeah, it's only Spring, but it beats losing in Spring.

In the coming week, Lou said he'll make up his mind on who will be the closer.
Marmol or Gregg.
Actually, Gregg's looked pretty good.
But with all this weird, overblown talk about Marmol's head and the Dominican Republic loss, I would bet that Lou can't not pick Carlos for closer.
If he declares Carlos is the set-up guy, it'll open a can of worms about Marmol's head in the press, which will exacerbate the problem.
Besides, Carlos' potential seems much greater than Gregg's.
And Gregg should be an awesome set-up guy.
Ahh, just my guess.

Lastly, the Greg Maddux/Fergie Jenkins double retirement number 31 thing.
Even though you couldn't wear one, I bet people would buy these.