Baseball Week #13: Baseball Review #2-The Players

As we conclude lucky Baseball Week #13, I will now announce my All Star and Flop Star teams. I'm thinking the real All Star teams and rosters will be announced sometime soon (maybe today, but I'm not sure). Compare and contrast accordingly.

ALL Major League Team (along with league counterpart and possible backups)

1b. Albert Pujols. Player of the year in my book; no one even close so far.

AL: Kevin Youkilis. Backups: Miguel Cabrerra, Justin Morneau and Prince Fielder

2b. Chase Utley. In my book, the complete package.

AL: Aaron Hill. Backups: Robinson Cano, Freddy Sanchez

ss. Hanley Rameriez. The latest monster at shortstop.

AL: Derek Jeter. Backups: Miguel Tejada, Cristian Guzman

3b. Evan Longoria. Yes, there are some with better stats, but I think already, Longoria has proven himself as the best overall third baseman.

NL: David Wright, Michael Young, Ryan Zimmerman.

c. Joe Mauer. Maybe besides Pujols, the best overall player in baseball today.

NL: Brian McCann, AJ Pierzynski

rf. Ichiro Suzuki. The best pure hitter today.

NL: Brad Hawpe. Backups: Justin Upton, Jermaine Dye

cf. Torii Hunter. Always has had the best tools of any center fielder.

NL: Matt Kemp. Backups: Jacoby Elsbury, Carlos Beltran.

lf. Ryan Braun. Of the best young players in baseball today.

AL: Carl Crawford. Backups: Raul Ibanez and Juan Pierre

sp: Roy Halliday. By far the closest thing we have to a throwback pitcher-he pitches complete games.

NL: Tim Lincecum. Backups: Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Dan Haren, Mark Buehrle, Felix Hernandez

rp: Joe Nathan. Ah, the Papelbon fans will kill me, but I think Nathan has the edge so far.

NL: Ryan Franklin. Backups: Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, Francisco Cordero

manager. Tony LaRussa. A jerk, yes, but he's done the most with the least so far this year.

AL: Terry Francona. Backups: Joe Torre, Mike Scoscia

MVP: Albert Pujols (NL) and Joe Mauer (AL). The two best players in baseball today. Hands down.

The Hunter Flop Team

And now to the ugly...the flop star team. These are the players who are either just plain bad or are playing WAY under expectations:

1b: Jason Giambi. .200BA and 11 HR. Off cycle again??

2b: Kelly Johnson. .214 BA

ss: Jimmy Rollins. .212 BA. The latest in a long line of stars forced to a temporary seat on the bench.

3b: Ryan Freel. .143 BA before being released this week. I would also say Chipper Jones at .295, who is hitting more than 100 points below where he was at this time last year.

OF: Alfonso Soriano. Just has been lost the last month or so. Hitting just .226.

OF: Brian Giles. Also way below what he used to do with a .191 BA.

OF: Grady Sizemore. Injured or not, .226 just not acceptable.

P: Francisco Lriano. So much potential wasted on a 4-8 record and 5.62 ERA

P: Jamie Moyer. Sure, he's 46 or so. How do you have an era over 6 with a 6-6 record??

P: Chien Ming-Wang. How does someone win 19 games in the past have an ERA over 10 now?

P: Rafael Perez. 30 games pitched with a 8.88 ERA

Manager: Eric Wedge. Cleveland was favored to win and now has one of the worst records in baseball

And there you have it....feel free to comment...blast me or whatever...

JP

BREAKING NEWS: Former NFL QB Found Dead

I'm not usually a breaking news kind of guy, but as I was getting caught up on the day's events, I just discovered that former NFL QB Steve McNair was found dead this afternoon of a gunshot wound. I've seen via profootballtalk.com that it might be either a double homicide (involving a woman) or a murder-suicide. Details I'm sure will be forthcoming. As you party today, please say a prayer for his family, as this seems to be (for now) a very tragic death





Again, since I'm not in the breaking news business, stay tuned to the usual suspects; I personally would check http://www.profootball.com/, espn.com, or even national news sites like cnn. I'll have more later this weekend.

Too many celebrity deaths; what next???

Have a safe night...

Jp

Baseball Week #13 Special: July 4 Checkpoint

Happy Fourth Of July to all...perhaps I should sing Happy Birthday to the USA. For baseball, the Fourth of July is also noteworthy because it's another traditional checkpoint as to where the teams are. We are actually (for most teams) at the actual halfway point in terms of games played. (Unfortunately, I don't have the 4th of July statstical data; i'll try for this later on this weekend).


Now I want to check on my predictions vs. actual records.



NL East



NY Mets. Predicted 96-66; actual 39-40; projected 80-82



Florida. Predicted 85-77; actual 41-40; projected 82-80



Philadelphia. Predicted 83-79; actual 40-37; projected 84-78



Atlanta. Predicted 79-83; actual 39-40; projected 80-82



Washington. Predicted 69-93; actual 22-55; projected 46-116



**Close on three teams, although predicted standings are off. Biggest bust: Mets



NL Central



St. Louis. Predicted 89-73; actual 44-38; projected 87-75



Chicago. Predicted 82-80; actual 39-38; projected 82-80



Houston. Predicted 81-81; actual 38-40; projected 79-83



Cincinnati. Predicted 75-87; actual 39-39; projected 81-81



Milwaukee. Predicted 70-92; actual 42-38; projected 85-77



Pittsburgh. Predicted 66-96; actual 37-43; projected 75-87



**Biggest surprises: Milwaukee and Cincinnati. Also note that in the beginning, I felt that St. Louis would win and Chicago would be mediocre at best.



NL West



LA Dodgers. Predicted 93-69; actual 51-29; projected 103-59



San Francisco. Predicted 86-76; actual 43-36; projected 88-74



Arizona. Predicted 84-78; actual 31-49; projected 63-99



Colorado. Predicted 76-86; actual 42-37; projected 86-76



San Diego. Predicted 68-94; actual 34-45; projected 70-92



**All teams but Arizona are projecting better than my predictions.



*** All teams but the Mets are projecting towards the playoffs, although technically, the Mets are still in it. Only one team projects exactly to predicted record (Cubs).



AL East



Boston. Predicted 97-65; actual 48-31; projected 98-64



NY Yankees. Predicted 95-67; actual 46-33; projected 94-68



Tampa Bay. Predicted 87-75; actual 44-37; projected 88-74



Toronto. Predicted 78-84; actual 42-39; projected 84-78



Baltimore. Predicted 74-88; actual 36-44; projected 73-89



** Most predicted records are close (except Toronto). Note that the predicted finishes are perfect so far in this division.



AL Central



Cleveland. Predicted 90-72; actual 32-49; projected 64-98



Minnesota. Predicted 85-77; actual 41-40; projected 82-80



Chicago. Predicted 83-79; actual 42-38; projected 85-77



Detroit. Predicted 79-83; actual 44-35; projected 90-72



Kansas City. Predicted 77-85; actual 33-46; projected 68-94



** Cleveland is clearly a bust and this year's Detroit. Detroit is doing what I predicted last year.



AL West



Anaheim. Predicted 88-74; actual 43-35; projected 88-74



Oakland. Predicted 83-79; actual 33-45; projected 68-94



Texas. Predicted 81-81; actual 43-35; projected 88-74



Seattle. Predicted 75-87; actual 41-38; projected 84-78



** A division full of surprises. Anaheim just the second team that is matching its predicted record.



***Like the NL, just one predicted playoff team not meeting expectations (Cleveland). Unlike the Mets, Cleveland's already looking to 2010.



Happy Fourth!!

Vacation Rant#2: The Week's Rants

I figured being off this week would mean many posts. Hmmm...I figured wrong, but the treat for all of my loyal readers is a week's worth of amusing rants, news and fireworks as we lead in to the Holiday Weekend.

-I hate to start on a sad note, but since the last two weeks has been a period of celebrity deaths, I wanted to mention the passing of boxing great Alexis Arguello. He was probably one of my two or three favorite boxers growing up (Marvin Hagler probably being the other) and certainly one of the best lightweight boxers of all time. His 1982 fight with Aaron Pryor was a classic, somewhat marred by Pryor using a mystery water bottle. Arguello was a mayor in his native Nicaragua. RIP Alexis.

-This weekend starts the three week epic Tour de France. (ZZZZZZZZZZZZ goes my wife-each and every year!!) I am very dismayed that Lance Armstrong is racing. I have this thing where I think athletes overstay their welcome and possibly ruin their legacies. Michael Jordan and Armstrong were champions when they retired; there is no need to come back!! Jordan's legacy will always be that he was the greatest, but playing in DC tarnished that to me. Armstrong won 7 straight Tours. Why is there a need to put yourself through the inevitable physical and emotional trauma??

-Wimbeldon will conclude this weekend (somewhat ironic on the USA's Independence Day, don't you think??). The Williams sisters once again will meet in the finals; we'll know today if Roger Federer will have a chance at Grand Slam history.

-I noticed the "unofficial" NBA free agent signings are taking place. The Chicago Bulls let their top scorer Ben Gordon go. To a divisional rival. I just don't understand what the Bulls do anymore...

-I think there's even a NASCAR event at Daytona on the Fourth. Man, I'm covering all of the fun sports today...

-Okay, let's talk baseball-the TRUE Fourth of July tradition. This weekend marks the return of Manny. That rulebreaking jackal of steroid use, or pregnancy pills, or whatever...everybody seems to be marking this as the return of a hero. Baseball fans, as I have said before....you are stupid. Manny was a selfish and doesn't truly care about you. He proved it in Boston and he's proving it now. The Dodgers are still "comfortably" in first place and surely can win without you.

-NFL Comish Roger Goodell seems to be deliberating on Mike Vick's football future. Here's another selfish jackal. Do the right thing Roger and keep this thug away from the NFL. Talent or no talent, he really showed his true colors. I do not believe for one milisecond that Vick has any remorse. He may seem to feel bad because he got caught!!!

Coming this weekend, I will have the second part of my first half baseball review. This week I will look at the players and reveal my All Star and Flop Star teams. I'm also going to do a bonus Baseball Recap post on where stand on July 4th-another traditional baseball checkpoint. So check it out while in between barbecues and fireworks.

Be safe....

JP

Vacation Rant #1

For those who may not actually believe it...I am on vacation this week. (For us old folks...you gotta love the Go Go's!!) I'm not going anywhere exotic; just sunny Northern Virginia. Half of it will be spent with my parents; the rest of it, who knows?? I don't think I'll partake in any sporting event, since no one local is around. That means I can save money to try and extra Cubs tickets when they play in DC next month.

Anyway....we won't speak anymore (today, at least) of the Cubs and their suckiness. This is a bad team in desperate need of fixing. That's all on that topic.

Actually watched a chunk of a soccer game between the USA and Brazil in some body's Cup final. We were told the USA was winning 2-0, the Cubs were getting crunched, so I figured "Why not?". Well of course from that point Brazil scores three unanswered and the USA loses. Jared Jinx, man-it's a powerful thing.

Brian Mitchell, former Deadskin player and radio guy for the local ESPN affiliate, is claiming he was fired for criticizing the local NFL team, not economics (the official reason for being let go). Is it any coincidence that Deadskins owner Dannyboy Snyder also owns the company that runs the ESPN station?? As announcers/commentators like Jon Miller ( when he was in Baltimore) and Steve Stone (when he was with the Cubs) know, nowadays you do not dis the team you're looking for. You can kiss your team's ass no matter how pathetic they and the decision makers are. Just the state of things nowadays. Unfortunately, it could be argued that these guys were let go for some form of "censorship". Hey, I like it when announcers are honest about their teams. Not everything is hunky dory. With Mitchell, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

It is only June, but I'm already jonesing for football. I think there's just under 70 days to PSU's September 5th opening with Akron.

Be back later on with a Monday recap

Jp

Baseball Week#12: 2009 In Review Part 1-The Teams

After a week full of death-celebrities and the DC Metro tragedy-I thought I would take a different perspective and reflect on the baseball season so far. Over the next two postings-leading into the halfway point-I will look back at 2009 so far. This week's post will look at the teams and into my crystal ball to see what's in store.

It's been a very interesting 2009 to say the least. Maybe I would say that each year, but this year in a lot of ways has been very unique. Most of us are going through a very tough economy-a state of affairs most of us have never seen in our lifetimes. Sure, we've experienced recessions and slow times, but nothing like we've seen this year. For baseball, the proof is in the seats as attendance is down this year. While a lot of teams are either reigning in their spending or creatively marketing their teams, the usual suspects still continue to spend (and you know who you are!!)

What's made this period of time as interesting, especially as we head toward the trading deadline, are the number of teams still fighting for playoff spots. Teams like Atlanta are six games below .500, but only five games out of first place. A last place team like Pittsburgh is also only five games out of first place. Buyers or sellers?? Sure the economy will factor in, especially with low budget, but competitive teams trying to determine what is better-the added expense of a player to help for the stretch run...or trying to make a profit. Interesting decisions...

What's interesting about baseball teams this season is that there is not one single dominating and flawless team out there. I think we could see a playoff free for all this summer as no less than 22 teams are in some sort of playoff fight. If one team looks safe so far, it's probably the LA Dodgers. Even without Manny, the Dodgers stayed steady, as strong pitching as helped them throughout. They're still young, but I would think they should still be the favorite to get to the World Series as I predicted. The only other team in baseball I would think is safe is Boston. The Red Sox have thrived despite Big Papi having a turrible start. But pitching has been Boston's strength and I'm starting to think a Boston-LA Series might be more realistic.

So, as we approach the halfway point, here are my team awards so far:

Best Teams: LA Dodgers and Boston. Both expected playoff runs and both have played the best in their respective leagues so far. Philadelphia and Detroit are not far behind, but flawed enough to be a step or two behind.

Biggest Surprises (Good): St. Louis and Texas. The mainstream media would like you to think that St. Louis is a big surprise. Just remember, in April I predicted this would happen. As far as Texas, they are fading now, but if they get some pitching, they could hang with an injury riddled SoCal Angels. Milwaukee, Detroit and Colorado all are contenders for this category as each team was not given a chance to succeed this year.

Teams That Lurk: This category, like a post I did earlier this month, includes teams that did not start well, but still are close to making waves. Look out for the NY teams (although the Mets may never get there with all of their issues), Minnesota, Tampa, and the Cubs.

Worst Teams: Washington and Cleveland. What's sad in DC, is that fans have been waiting and waiting for the Lerner's plan to bear fruit. How long should they wait? Cleveland's first sign of the white flag is trading Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals. Ughhhh!

Biggest Surprises (Bad): Chicago Cubs, Cleveland , Arizona and Oakland. Excepting Arizona, the other teams were either expected to be at the top, or at least in playoff contention. Okay, of this group, only the Cubs are in playoff contention. And only the Cubs have a chance (maybe they've been toying with us). But these teams have been flops and shame on each of you for wasting your fans' time and money.

Revised Predictions???

I think as I see things now, there isn't much I would revise. But here's what I think we'll see in the second half:

American League

Original predicted playoff teams: Boston, Cleveland, Angels, NY Yankees (wild card).


-Count on Boston in the playoffs. I would say Detroit, given the state of the AL Central, to hang on. Minnesota will scare them, but doesn't have enough to overcome the Tigers. The Angels should be healthier and better down the stretch, so I keep them in. As far as the wild card, I still believe in the Yankees and I wouldn't be surprised if they get into first place at some point. But Boston will overcome them in the end. I did predict the Yanks to win the Series this year; but my revised prediction for the AL pennant will be Boston. I just think the Red Sox have more to offer than anyone else.

National League

Original predicted playoff teams: NY Mets, St.Louis, Los Angeles and San Francisco (wild card).

-The Phillies have surprised and confounded me this year. They have big issues, but compared to the Mets...oh my!! My revised prediction would be to take the Phillies for the NL East. Now the Central proves very interesting as each team is in the playoff hunt. I still think the Cardinals win in the end. I will also stick with the predictions I made for the West. I still believe the Giants will hang in there, but Colorado and Milwaukee will be hot on their trail. I wouldn't be surprised if a team gets 85-87 wins to take the wildcard. I still stand by the Dodgers to win the NL pennant.

The Dodgers and the Red Sox in the end will make a great World Series. I don't believe they have ever met and that makes it a bonus. To me, they are clearly the best right now. My revised prediction would be the Dodgers to take the world championship. Dodger fans, you better hope I didn't jinx you.

Next week: the Players.

JP

Crazy Cubs: Mary Jane and Lost Tempers

I just haven't been able to figure out this year's Cubs team. Up for a few, down for a few. Injuries and a team not built for it. Zambrano's temper. A leaky bullpen. A tea, hitting like it's Mario Mendoza. Lou Pinella's indifference. And sadly, I missed Friday's "carnage" with the crosstown Sox. It must be the "L" series once again.

Let's start with the revelation that Geovanny Soto, last year's NL Rookie of the Year, tested positive for pot during the World Baseball Classic slamboree this past winter. Baseball apparently will not be suspending Soto, but will be banned from internation competition for two years. What if the Cubs and the Blue Jays play in the World Series (insert laugh track here)??

Now, it has been written in this space that I'm starting to wonder about legalizing PED's. But until that happens, why hasn't Soto been disciplined? The whole drug thing and baseball is the keep that just keeps giving. Anyone out there truly pure and clean??

I think the Cubs need to take some anger management classes. Or something. Cubs brass: you knew what you were getting into with signing Milton Bradley. And yet, you sign him anyway. he's been a bust and now's he being a baby. Since I didn't see it, I can't say much. But apparently, Bradley had a little temper tantrum after a plate appearance in the sixth inning (what on earth did the coolers do these players, anyway???). Manager Lou Pinella had had enough and sent Bradley home. Bradley's reward? He'll get to start today. Infreakingcredible. Adam Dunn would sure have looked good at Wrigley. But sadly, we are stuck with Bradley. And I wonder why the Cubs have no world championships since the Dark Ages???

Oh yeah, there was a game yesterday and the Cubs won. Sorry, Mom. Fun series for the family, an item we can discus when we see you tomorrow. Amazingly through this whole clusterfu%k of a season, the Cubs have managed to be only 2 1/2 games out of first place. What can I say???

If you want more baseball hi-jinx, just tune in for tomorrow's episode, as I will do my weekly review. Until then, please be nice to the cooler!!! 50 demerits to those who aren't.

Jp

What Would Larry David Do? (Nats-BoSox Review)

Maybe asking/answering this question is the best way I can recap my Nats ballpark experience from Thursday night. As mentioned in an earlier post, the Nats-BoSox game was the first game I attended this year. It was really a very good...a very fun experience. It actually didn't take as long to drive in as I figured (DC area rush hours are pure hell). As we walked to the ballpark, one thing was very evident: Man, there were so many Red Sox fans!! I had wondered to myself if we were in Boston, not DC. I'm sure games like this were expected and factored into the yearly budget (but let's face it-the Nats really need to start improving so more of their fans show up instead).

Anyway, everything's cool leading up to the game itself. The wife and I (mrs.jp23 was a very capable last second fill in for this game) walk the around the whole park. We ate, we drank. People commented on my Dave Kingman jersey (you know you're around real and old baseball fans when they know who Kingman is). Life is good. Even total strangers we meet behind us are cool. And then the Larry David moment. A lady comes in our row and sits next to us. No problem, right. It becomes real clear real soon that this not your typical female sports fan. She appears very knowledgeable, but she is very obnoxious. Obnoxious beyond the normal of duty. I had to sneak peak at not only my wife, but the people around me. Couldn't sit still. Always chattering. For the whole time we were there. I'm guessing Larry David would have chatted her up. And probably do something stupid. I am not Larry David. I enjoyed the game as best as possible.

Oh yeah, and this game was the first American League game for John Smoltz. And Smoltz was rocked. The Nats actually looked good and beat up on the Sox in a 9-3 victory. We didn't make it past the sixth inning as I faded. And slept in the car on the way home. We'll back in Dc in mid July when the Cubs come to town. And Cub nation will take over.

As we were settling in Thursday night, word was out that Michael Jackson was hospitalized and ultimately passed away. And on the same day Farrah Fawcett passed away as well. Sad sad day for pop culture.

Anyway, the weekend is almost upon us and I'm on vacation after today. Which means many more postings in the next 8 or 9 days. Hope you're ready....

JP

The Very Early Nats-BoSox PreGame Rantathon

After what was a most harrowing workday on Wednesday, I will be trekking to DC later today (via my road clogging car and not the Metro) to partake in the Nationals-Red Sox finale. Tonight's game has a little historical significance because it is the first American League game for long time Atlanta Brave John Smoltz. This is my first game of the season (finally) and will be a hot one at that. I promise a review much later on. Hmm...Twitter might be a good thing..

So...some food for thought today....

-I want to know, with a 50 game suspension from baseball, why the hell is Manny Rameriez allowed to "rehab" in minor league baseball? Is playing minor league baseball a little wrong considering he is "suspended"? And why in the hell are fans going crazy over this? Baseball fans...you are stupid. Yes, I said it. I'm sick of the lax attitude we have over cheaters. Maybe we should listen Ryne Sandberg, who thinks cheaters like Manny and Sammy shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. He's mad; shouldn't the rest of us be mad also??

-Shaq was traded to Cleveland. Another championship buster there. LeBron, hope you're looking for good real estate elsewhere.

-I saw that a top high school football coach from Iowa was shot to death by a former player. I guess the player must never have gotten over the two a days....

-One of Michael Jordan's sons quit the Illinois basketball team to concentrate on his post basketball life. Gutsy and perhaps savvy move here, considering he was only a backup.

-The Cubs. Why oh why?? Just when you think they turn the corner, they drop three in a row.

-Are we ready for college football yet??

-I think the NBA draft is tonight. I think I don't care.

-Do you think for next year's US Golf Open, they may want to invest in rain gear and rafts??

-It must be a slow sports week if the US soccer team beating Spain garners big headlines.

For those who lost family in the tragic Metro crash in DC this week, my thoughts are with you. A very sad thing.

With that...I look forward to the game tonight. If you can get the game on your non dog eared antenna TV, look for me. I'm the one wearing Cub gear.

Jp

Baseball Week #11-Cardiac Cubs and Father's Promises

Last year I did a Father's Day post with baseball's father-son combinations. Since I want to be original and non-repetitive, I will take a different road this year. Back when I was growing up, I believe it was tradition that the children took up their fathers' teams because that was the way things were done. There wasn't ever any forcing on my Dad's part; I think it was a sign of of respect. It never occurred to me that steering away from this was wrong.

Dad...with all due respect, why, oh why, the Cubs?? The title of my post for this week's usually indicates a team who keeps coming back in their wins. The Cubs had 4 wins in their last at-bat this past week, including the last three games. So at my age, as I near 40, maybe the term Cardiac Cubs should have a new meaning-they are giving me a heart attack!! Maybe the come from behind wins this week will jump-start their season and push them (finally) in the direction they need to be.

In the spirit of Father's Day, I will share an anecdote that is really family lore. My Dad's father promised him that the Cubs would win a pennant before he turned 40. Now as Cub fans know, 1984 was truly a heartbreak year for the cubs. They were this close to getting in the World Series. My Dad turned 40 in mid October that year. So I got the same promise my Dad did. And my next biggest heartbreak was in 2003. Steve Bartman. Alex Gonzalez. I'm still another year away. And I don't have kids to make the same the promise to. As my Dad hits a milestone with his 65th birthday later on this Fall, I hope that at some point, we can share a Cubs pennant. (I hear snickers now....)

So this week, I will share two lists: my favorite Cubs moments and the Cubs flops. Have fun with these lists Dad and Happy Father's Day!!

Favorite Cub Moments:

1. Ryne Sandberg's Hall Of Fame Induction. I was there in 2005. Sandberg did his great speech; and who knew it would still be powerful today?

2. Let's play two!! My Dad's fav Cub Ernie Banks' catch phrase.

3. Dave Kingman vs. Mike Schmidt in 1979. I remember back then my uncle promise me tickets to a game if Kingman hit 50 home runs (which was a big deal pre-steroids era). Kingman was just short that year, hitting 48.

4. Ryne Sandberg vs. St. Louis in 1984. NBC's Game Of the Week captured this classic game as I became a Sandberg fan for life. My goodness, that was 25 years ago!! (And I saw this on tv with Dad!!)

5. My first Wrigley Field game in 2007. Wrigley is the best place to watch a baseball game in person.

Honorable mention: Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game in 1998; Rick Sutcliffe's 16-1 record in 1984; the Cubs winning a playoff series in 2003; Carlos Zambrano's no hitter in 2008; even though it was a loss, the infamous 23-22 game in 1979 with the Phillies; Mark Grace's great NLCS in 1989 as a rookie.

Hunter Flops-the worst Cubs moments in my lifetime:

1. The Cubs coming close to the pennant in 1984. My assistant cross country coach, who was a Phillies fan, called my house as soon as they lost to the Padres. My Dad was pissed, just like me.

1. The Cubs coming close to the pennant in 2003. Nothing more needs to be said.

3. The Cubs blowing the wild card in 2004. I remember a late September game that year that the Cubs blew against the Mets; I believe it was the second to last Saturday of the season. I blew many gaskets that day. And that was the beginning of the end for that dysfunctional year. Of course it culminated in Sammy Sosa's boom box being destroyed.

3. 2004 in general-see above. That was when Sammy's bat was corked and blew off the season ender.

5. Sammy Sosa. Of course he was on steroids...now why didn't we know that??

5. Lou Brock. Being constantly reminded how the Cubs truly blew this one. My Dad would always say the Cubs would trade people and they would become BIG stars afterwards. Okay, the trade happening in 1964, but the reminder has always been part of my life!!

Anyway, I'll get back to normal next week with my recap. But I hope this was a fun post, even though the memories may put the die hard fans in cardiac arrest. But as Cub fans, the good and the bad are all a part of it!!

Jp