Happy Valentine's Day, Cub Fans.
I say lets have some candy today since everywhere I look is pretty gloomy.
What was last year except a bunch of injuries, bad results and an overall unlikeable team led by that prick Milton Bradley? I don't want to dwell on him, but man did that guy ever put a whole team on his back and carry them to the promised land of loathing.
So my first piece of candy is simply that he's long gone.
My next piece of candy is the opposite of the first. Probably the most likable Cub isn't gregarious or outgoing or any of that really. We love Ted Lilly because he's all business, and I can guarantee you that right at this moment there isn't a single Cub working harder.
I'm choosing lack of injury as my next piece. Baseball Gods be damned, injuries even out. 2003 had Corey Patterson's knee, but otherwise nothing really stands out injury-wise. 2004 was a giant disaster with Wood and Prior going down. 2008? I think there was an Alfonso leg-tweak or something, but pretty much the Cubs were invincible. 2009? Mother of God what a mess.
So I think 2010 goes the other way.
Next is that green heart there, the 4th piece, which would be our new owners. It cracks me UP how people are trying to rush to judgement already. They're babies, infant owners. Have a little optimism! I can't imagine what it's like, how fast things must be moving for them. But somewhere in the back of my brain for no reason at all, I think they'll settle in a little bit as the season goes along. Get a little comfy and maybe around July give Jim Hendry a little wiggle room to do some of the stuff that didn't happen in the off-season.
The last one, the blue one? That's the one we save for 3 days. Big Z is already there, but there's nothing sweeter than pitchers and catchers reporting when you're looking outside at piles of snow next to the shoveled sidewalks.
Happy Valentine's Day you guys.
