First off, what dipshit thought of putting a cardinal on an Illinois license plate?
Or maybe I should ask about who chose the state bird?
What was wrong with the noble robin, the humble sparrow, or maybe a bat?
This is like calling The State of Washington "The Land of Lincoln".
I guess I should be happy there's no Illinois State Sock - surely it would be white.
As this season winds down to an end, I guess all I can say is - here we went again.
Lucy held out the football and we all went flying when we tried to kick.
Next year, it's gonna be one hundred and two years since the Cubs last won a World Series.
Until 1962, each season was 154 games long and then it changed to 162.
So lets see, that's 54 seasons at 154 plus 47 at 162...
At the end of 2009 the Chicago Cubs will have played 15,930 games without winning a championship.
God.
Why did somebody put a calculator on my computer?
Tonight the Cubs play their final homestand of the season - 3 games against the Pirates and then 3 vs. the Diamondbacks.
Remember at the beginning of this year?
I thought the drama would have just ended, the Cubs would be sitting pretty and we'd be thinking about resting some guys for the playoffs.
Instead, I'm writing a post about being pissed off about license plates.
This will sound wacky coming from a guy who apparently hasn't learned from a lifetime of watching the Cubs, but I do believe people learn.
I believe that Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry won't think so much of a batting order that goes lefty-righty-lefty throughout - that if a guy can hit a guy can hit and that's who you play.
I believe we won't see an obvious malcontent become a Cub next year - that management realizes maybe there is something to this "team chemistry" thing.
And finally, I would be shocked if we ever see Aaron Miles pinch hit in a clutch spot for the Cubs ever again.
So for all the talking going on right now about Lou not being around next year, and to those who wish Jim Hendry would go away, I say this horribly twisted year should just be a giant mulligan.
I think Lou Piniella is a proud man, and way too proud to leave his job in this state.
I also think Jim Hendry has an ego from here to Mars, and that's a good thing.
Those two have been responsible for 2 NLCentral championships together, and I think they have one more in them.
We also have a new owner.
Yeah, the fat lady ain't sung for this season yet, but I'm already thinking next year...
It's gotta be better.
Now Ryan Dempster, get out there and beat those awful Pirates.
I've got 6 more Ron and Pat games on Emily's radio.
Make 'em good ones.
Another version of this illustration is in the current issue of VINE LINE.
