After a dismal 4-12 start to the season, the Cubs finished April winning 4 out of 7 with an 8-15 record. Last place in NL Central (6.5 games behind STL), 12th out of 13 in Wild Card (6 games behind Atlanta).

Team ERA at 4.21 (21st in MLB) with a 1.32 WHIP (18th in MLB). As expected, the bullpen is what's killing Cubs pitching, 4.19 ERA, 1.51 WHIP. Starters: 3.73 ERA, 1.14 WHIP. Even though James Russell has a 0.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP in 7.2 IP, Kerry Wood has an 11.57 ERA, 2.57 WHIP in 2.1 IP. Lendy Castillo isn't too far behind with a 7.94 ERA, 1.94 WHIP in 5.2 IP. Carlos Marmol is 1-for-3 in save opportunities. Marmol has 9 walks and only 6 strikeouts which gives him a 2.09 WHIP and a 5.87 ERA in 7.2 IP. Lets just say that doesn't make the cut for a closing pitcher. Matt Garza has pitched 33.2 innings and has allowed only 10 walks, which is only one more than Marmol.

Speaking of Garza, he is second in starting pitching ERA of 2.67, 0.89 WHIP and an opponent BA of .175 in 33.2 IP. The only other starter with a better ERA and opponent BA is Dempster: 1.33, .157, and 0.93 WHIP. Jeff Samardzija had an excellent first start, then a bad outing, and went back to excellent in his last two starts in April. However, because of his one bad outing, his ERA in April is 4.13, 1.42 WHIP in 24 IP.

As for Cubs hitting, the man with the best batting average, despite only 22 at-bats, is Steve Clevenger (.500 BA). Out of his 11 hits, he has 5 doubles, and 2 RBI. Personally, I really like what I've seen from Clevenger. He still has some work to do with his arm on throws down to second base, but he's been hitting the ball. The batter of the month is Bryan LaHair. He leads the "regular" starters in these categories: .390 AVG, 5 HR, 8 doubles, 14 RBI (tied with Castro), 10 walks (tied with DeJesus), .471 OBP, .780 SLG, and 1.251 OPS in 59 at-bats. However, he leads the team with 25 strikeouts. Now the question is, what happens to LaHair when the Cubs are ready to call-up hot hitting Anthony Rizzo? Would it be best to put LaHair in left field and sit Soriano?

To make a better case for Steve Clevenger's playing time, Geovany Soto has the lowest batting average out of the regular 8 position players with .127. The only other regular starter with a lower number is Marlon Byrd, but I excluded him because he got traded during April. Out of 55 at-bats Soto has 7 hits, 1 double, 1 triple (!), 1 home run, 1 RBI, 7 walks, and 13 strike outs.

Here are the top 5 Win Probability Added Cubs plays from April:

5.) Thu 4/5 vs. WSH (L 1-2): Bottom 9, Cubs trail 1-2, 1 out, bases empty. Ian Stewart hits a triple to deep right field off Brad Lidge. Win Probability Added: 30%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 40%.

4.) Mon 4/30 at PHI (L 4-6): Top 8, Cubs trail 2-4, 1 out, runner on 1st base. Bryan LaHair hits a 2-run home run to deep right-center field off Chad Qualls. Starlin Castro scores and the game is tied at 4. Win Probability Added: 32%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 45%.

3.) Tue 4/24 vs. STL (W 3-2 in 10 innings): Bottom 10, score tied at 2, 2 out, runners on first and second. Alfonso Soriano hits a ground ball single past the second baseman off Fernando Salas. Tony Campana scores and the Cubs win 3-2. WPA: 39%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 100%.

2.) Tue 4/24 vs. STL (W 3-2 in 10 innings): Bottom 9, Cubs trail 1-2, 0 out, bases empty. Bryan LaHair hits a solo home run to deep left-center field off Marc Rzepczynski. WPA: 44%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 63%.

1.) Mon 4/23 vs. STL (W 3-2): Bottom 9, Cubs trail 1-2, 2 out, runners on second and third, 2-2 count. Joe Mather hits a ground ball single to center field off Jason Motte. Bryan LaHair scores, Geovany Soto scores and the Cubs win 3-2. WPA: 77%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 100%.

Here are the bottom 5 Win Probability Subtracted Cubs plays from April:

5.) Thu 4/5 vs. WSH (L 1-2): Bottom 9, Cubs trail 1-2, 1 out, runner on third. Jeff Baker hits into a 5-2 fielder's choice off Brad Lidge; Joe Mather out at home plate. Win Probability Subtracted: 31%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 9%.

4.) Mon 4/30 at PHI (L 4-6): Bottom 8, game tied at 4, 2 out, runners on first and third. Placido Polanco hits a line drive double to deep LF off Rafael Dolis. Juan Pierre scores, Jimmy Rollins scores and the Phillies lead 6-4. Win Probability Subtracted: 34%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 6%.

3.) Thu 4/5 vs. WSH (L 1-2): Top 9, game tied at 1, 2 out, runner on second. Ian Desmond hits a line drive single to short RF off Carlos Marmol. Brett Carroll scores and the Nationals lead 2-1. WPS: 36%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 17%.

2.) Sat 4/7 vs. WSH (L 4-7): Top 8, Cubs lead 4-3, 2 out, bases loaded. Chad Tracy hits a 2-2 pitch for a ground ball single to RF off Carlos Marmol. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche scores. Jayson Werth to third base and the Nationals lead 5-4. WPS: 46%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 24%.

1.) Tue 4/24 vs. STL (W 3-2 in 10 innings): Top 8, Cubs lead 1-0, 2 out, runner on first. Matt Holliday hits a 2-2 pitch to deep CF for a 2-run home-run off Carlos Marmol. Rafael Furcal scores and the Cardinals lead 2-1. WPS: 54%. Cubs Win Expectancy: 28%.

First and foremost, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2011 World Series.  It feels weird to say this, but Game 6 was one of the best baseball games I have ever seen.  I just thank goodness that it was the Rangers and not the Cubs, who were one strike away from winning the series TWICE only to give up a game tying hit. 

Secondly, since a man named Theo Epstein came along, does anyone else around here feel that feeling I feel? You know, that feeling that hasn't been around here since mid-way through the 2009 season? The feeling of hope? That is a nice feeling!  This particular feeling doesn't feel like it's going to be here and go away in a year or two.  This time, this feeling of hope feels like it's going to stay for a while and grow little by little, year after year.  It gets me amped up for Cubs baseball again, and I'm pretty sure it does the same for you as well.  Wait, what time of year is it?  Oh yeah, it's Christmas time, Thanksgiving time.  Sorry, I got confused.  It's the first weekend of November, but apparently all the shopping centers around town have gone from Halloween, to Christmas, and have skipped Thanksgiving completely.  Can we just skip Christmas too?  In fact, lets just skip the entire winter season and move right on into Spring 2012!

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If only the Cubs Carlos Marmol had held on to the lead against the Cardinals on Saturday, September 24, or better yet, held on to win at least one of the two Pujols walk-offs in June.  Then maybe, the Braves would have held on long enough to win the Wild Card.  Now, you and I have to sit and hope that the Cardinals lose a "best of" series before they win 11 more games. 

Up until the last week and a half before the end of the season, I wasn't even thinking about seeing the Cardinals at all in the playoffs.  I guess we gave the Braves some Cubbie mojo when we started rooting for them to hold onto the lead in the Wild Card.  I say "Cubbie mojo" because the way the Braves were losing was a result of not hitting for power, and swandering scoring opportunities.  Well, I'm sitting here complaining about all this but imagine what it would feel like right now to be a Braves fan (or a Red Sox fan for that matter).  I mean the Braves had been leading the Wild Card since the Yankees were in Wrigleyville back in June.  To lead the Wild Card for as long as the Braves and Red Sox did in 2011... only to be eliminated from the playoffs on the last bloody day of the season (I imagine there was more tear shed than blood shed that day), the anguish will resonate with Braves and Red Sox fans for as long as the gates beneath the stadium marquee remain locked until next spring. 

Take it from any Cubs fan, we know.  All of us can relate to that feeling of coming "oh so close", time and time again, only to have all hopes and dreams in, out, extinguished, evaporated, gone, seemingly in the blink of an eye, without a trace.  These summer heroes uniformed in beautiful bright white double-knit polyester, the men of your beloved ballclubs, make their way off of America's favorite back yards, capped heads tilted down, into the dugout, through the tunnel, fading out of sight for the final time, leaving nothing behind but a deceased dream with their fans.  Leaving their fans with more questions than answers to explain what just happened with what was the dream.  The only answer that seems to be clearly evident in the moment, is the feeling of betrayal.  It just doesn't seem fair. 

One can say it's just a game, but when one has invested their heart, their soul, their time, their emotions, their passion and most certainly their money into this "game", over a course of time, this investment makes it more than just a game to simply observe happen, it makes it a way of life. 

I can say one thing about this "game", this "game" has provided me, and I imagine you as well, with some of the most spontaneous moments of joy one may experience in a lifetime.  These moments of joy have made our investment in this "game" become the drive, the motivation to experience it again.  This "game" has provided me, and I imagine you as well, with some of the most spontaneous moments of sorrow one may experience in a lifetime.  These moments of sorrow have made our investment in this "game" become the drive, the motivation to pick it up, and try it again for future endeavors.

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If I had told you before August began that the Cubs were going to fire their General Manager and put Carlos Zambrano on the "Disqualified List", would you have predicted the Cubs would have a winning month, or a losing month of August? Neither would I. 

The Cubs had a 16-13 August, which is the first month since last September the Cubs had a month above .500. It all started with a well played game in St. Louis on July 31 to avoid getting swept. The Cubs went on to Pittsburgh and swept the Pirates... in four games! After the first week of August, the Cubs had a winning streak of 7 games. Before the winning streak, their longest of the season was three wins in a row, which didn't even happen until a couple weeks before the 7 game winning streak.

I am so used to making a monthly recap for a losing month. I almost don't know what to say for this reacap since I usually just bicker about how bad the Cubs played in the month they just completed. No bickering about August. However, I researched some sortable stats for the Cubs from the month of August. Here's what I found:   

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Mercy!  Uncle!  For crying out loud! 

This Cubs team is becoming WAY too predictable.  When the Cubs were in Milwaukee on July 26, they got the bases loaded with nobody out.  The very first thing that went through my mind was: "They're not gonna score any runs".  And that's exactly what happened.  Cubs didn't cash in and they never threatened to score the rest of the night, resulting in a 2-3 loss.  When I was in St. Louis on July 30, they got out to a 5-0 lead after a half inning.  The very first thing that went though my mind was: "They're not gonna hold this lead.  Even if they had a 10-run lead they wouldn't hold it."  And that's exactly what happened.  Not only did the Cubs not hold the lead but they got blown out 5-13.  For all I know the Cubs are going to face a team that's 0-100 and get swept... in a four game series... at home.

Seems like nine games out of ten the Cubs bring their bats to the plate for just one inning.  Usually they'll just load the bases with nobody out... and don't score.  Sometimes we're lucky and get treated to a one-run inning after getting the bases loaded with nobody out.  Other times, the Cubs have a nice three or four run frame early in the game, and then put the bats away.  Then the opposition takes their time coming back.  They score a run here, score a run there, hangs around for a while before pushing the winning run across the plate right at the last possible moment to beat the Cubs. 

My personal analogy for this team is this: This Cubs team is like being broke as a joke with over a week to go before your next paycheck.  You're living off of $50 for the next nine or ten days and you have to use it for gas and food.  You received a lot of money from your last paycheck and you wanted to buy some nice things.  You drove out to the store, bought some overpriced items.  You felt kind of guilty but you knew you deserved it.  As you were driving back home from buying these nice things, your car broke down and you had to pay for an expensive car repair.  Later, you discover that the product(s) you bought worked great, but only for a little while.  The product(s) turn out to be a huge waste of money because of its pathetically low durability.  Later, you discover you didn't read the fine print on the back of the box(es) that tells you "the naked truth" that the advertisement neglected to inform you about before the big purchase.  Now you're stuck.  You have no money to work with and the very expensive stuff you thought was going to be great, really wasn't so great.  Yes, you can lay low for the next week and a half and go with the bare minimum and make the best of what you have.  But no matter how you slice it or dice it, you are stuck with nothing, and it's no fun what-so-ever.  That's what the Cubs are like.  We all know the story of the Cubs from the past few years, because we've re-hashed it over and over on this site, and it's no fun what-so-ever... when they lose the way they've been doing it.  And when I say "lose" I'm not just talking about games, it's all the way to the front office. 

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As of late, there's been talk stirring about a Cubs "fire sale".  Jim Hendry says there's no plans for a "fire sale."  No plans?  Will plans change if the Cubs have another month with a lower winning percentage than the month before: .462 in April, .407 in May, .379 in June (one loss in June moved to May and both months have a .393 winning percentage).  Well I'd agree that the Cubs are playing more structured baseball than they were during the losing streak in late May and early June.  But here's the thing, I don't think Jim has a benchmark set as to when he pulls the trigger on a fire sale.  What I mean by 'benchmark' is: by the All-Star break, if the Cubs have failed to move up in the standings and/or improve with RISP (or something else), then the fire sale will begin with [insert Cubs candidates].  I don't know what Hendry has planned.  Maybe he's just playing it by ear and going with his gut feelings.  I guess for now, Hendry's moves have started with 'Dougy" getting his unconditional release.  

It's much easier to keep this group of Cubs together and see what happens after the last two well fought wins they put together.  That win earlier on Thursday was the feel good win of the season.  Just when the Cubs had me thoroughly convinced that their ability to comeback, work as a team, and complete the win was completely diminished for 2011, they do it on Wednesday night, and Thursday.  Just a fun fact on Wednesday night: it was June 29 and Aramis Ramirez got a walk-off hit, four years to the day when he got another walk-off hit... do you remember that day?  Do you remember where the Cubs went in the standings after that day in 2007?  I'm not saying the same is going to happen this season, but if the Cubs are going to keep winning like this, they might as well be the Cardiac Cubs.

Maybe, if the Cubs keep winning, the name calling around this site will diminish.  "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  I learned that simple rule in elementary schooI.  I don't know what it is.  Maybe those who violate the BCB Guidelines find it easier to violate because a.) they have done it before and have gotten away with it, b.) they know Al personally, or c.) have no respect for rules.  Well I feel like a guest on this site and when I am a guest at someone's place, I like to respect their wishes and rules.        

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Hey did you hear?  The Cubs scored 22 runs today!  That's fantastic!  I'm glad to hear the Cubs won!  Oh I didn't say they won.  The other team scored 23 runs. 

Hey did you hear?  The Cubs held their opponent to 1 run today!  Wow, great pitching!  That means the Cubs won!  Nope.  The Cubs scored zero runs. 

Hey that team looks really good out there!  No wonder they're leading the division!  Actually, they're in last place.  The Cubs are just making them look like a first place team.   

What's that sound?  It sounds like a fading cry for help from remaining survivors of a sunken ship at sea.  Huh? No.  What you hear is the sound of the 9th inning at Wrigley Field.  At Wrigley Field?  It's been cold and raining all month.  I didn't know they played baseball during the winter season.  It couldn't be winter.  Last I checked it's Memorial Day Weekend.   

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Well at least the Cubs aren't doing as bad as the other Chicago baseball team.  After one month of play, the Cubs only have a couple pitching injuries that are coming to an end.  Other than that, all the players are healthy!  But some of them are playing like they are unhealthy.  I don't know what the Cubs have planned for Carlos Pena if he continues to have a batting average below .160.  I know the weather at Wrigley has been unseasonably cold for April, but three out of the four road stadiums the Cubs have played in has a roof, which should be a benefit to the guy who used to play all his home games under a roof.  I would expect the power hitter to have at least, ONE home run by now.  I know home runs are not the main goal, but Pena came advertised as a guy to hit a few out of the park.  So far, it seems like he strikes out, or pop's out.  And when Pena hits a pop-up, it is a mile-high pop-up.  Maybe Pena just hasn't found his sweet spot yet, but he found his sweet spot in his webbing on opening day.  Pena had a tough act to follow after D-Lee's tenure at first, but Pena has had an outstanding glove.  I think Pena should hang around Soriano more in the batting cages to get some of that mojo Soriano has... with 10 home runs!  A new Cubs record for April.  Hey, Pena has to "conquer the now", right NOW! 

One other guy I'm a little concerned about is Marlon Byrd.  Byrd is the fan favorite, he has the 110 percent hustle and the glove, but as a middle of the order guy, like Pena, Byrd has yet to hit a ball over the fence.  However, Byrd said he feels like his funk is about to end.  We'll see what happens. 

Some other guys of concern are Tyler Colvin and Ryan Dempster.  Here are Colvin's numbers: in 21 games played he has 51 at-bats with 7 hits, 2 are home runs and 3 are doubles, giving Colvin a .137 batting average.  I would say Quade could have a difficult decision to make if Colvin's numbers don't improve much in the coming weeks.  I hate to say minor leagues but looking at the Iowa Cubs, three players on the team have a batting average above .300, and they are all outfielders: Lou Mantanez (.416 AVG, .688 SLG, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 3 triples which is the most on the club), Tony Campana (.358 AVG, 4 bases stolen, 0 HR, 6 RBI, must be a top-of-the-order guy), and Bryan LaHair (.343 AVG, .642 SLG, 16 RBI, 4 HR which is most on the club).  Also, none of the players mentioned from Iowa has an error.  I know these numbers don't translate to MLB numbers but that's just a glimpse of the Iowa Cubs after a month of play.  Just for fun, outfielder James Adduci of the Smokies has a .371 AVG with 7 stolen bases and two homers and outfielder Brett Jackson leads the Smokies with 8 stolen bases, he's batting .317 with 3 homers and a couple triples. 

Ryan Dempster, who was given the role of opening day starting pitcher, has the team's highest ERA of 9.18... that's even higher than the ERA of "College of Pitchers" starting pitcher James Russell: 8.31.  As Al mentioned after Demp's start from Thursday, he might have some personal family matters affecting his performance.  If that is the case, rectifying that issue needs to be done.  It's already bad enough that the Cubs are giving away a game every fifth start in the "College of Pitchers", it'll be even worse if Dempster continues to struggle.  It just seems like Dempster gives up a home run at the worst possible time, with the bases loaded, most notably back in the 2008 playoffs, this year's opening day and the game on Thursday. 

There have been some pleasant surprises to note.  For a while it seemed like Jeff Samardzija needed to find his football gear and apply for the NFL Draft.  I think Samardzija's key outing that kind of turned the tide for him was the one he had in game one of the April 20th double-header.  Jeff got out of the 10th inning allowing zero runs after his wild pitch put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Then, he got out of the 11th allowing zero runs after the bases were loaded with one out.  Last year in those situations, Jeff most likely would have imploded. 

Earlier, I mentioned Soriano's surge in home runs.  Now, I would like to mention another offensive surge from Starlin Castro.  Starlin is everything as advertised.  I hope he turns into one of those hall of fame players that stays with one team his entire career... in this case, the Cubs.  I noticed Starlin tends to put a lot of pressure on himself and when he fails to produce in a big spot, he smashes his helmet and gets down on himself.  How could you blame him, considering how young he is. But what he has done for the club is phenomenal. 

Fukudome and Baker have been moving the ball around.  As long as Quade keeps an April calendar in Fukudome's locker, he should be producing his April numbers the rest of the season.  Despite Baker's average (.386) being higher than Darwin Barney (.351), I think Barney's speed around the bases is what's keeping him in the lineup more than Baker, as well as the Cubs facing more righties than lefties. 

With all that said, these guys finished with a 12-14 record in April.  The Cubs played 11 games against teams that currently rank 13th or better on MLB.com's Power Rankings (Cubs are lower than 15th).  The Cubs went 3-8 against those teams (Brewers, Rockies, Dodgers, Rockies again).  The Cubs went 9-6 against teams 16th or worse on the Power Rankings (Pirates, D-backs, Astros, Padres, D-backs again).  Just looking in May, the Cubs face teams 15th or better on the current power rankinigs (with the exception of May 1st vs. D-backs) every day until May 24th when the Cubs take on the Mets at Wrigley.  These teams include: Dodgers (11th), Reds twice (7th), Cardinals (12th), Giants (15th), Marlins (5th), and Red Sox (9th).  So with that information, hopefully the Cubs can go to LA coming off a third straight victory in Arizona today, and keep it going against these tougher opponents.

What do you think of this ballclub so far?  Please vote for your favorite Cubs win from April while you ponder those thoughts.  After the poll, leave your thoughts about the team in the comments.  Happy voting!  

     Most people seem to say replay shouldn’t be enforced on balls and strikes, and I agree, replays would take up too much time for balls and strikes. However, for about a decade or so now, ESPN and other networks have replays on close ball / strike calls and in the replay there’s a computerized “K-Zone” that shows you where the ball actually crossed over the plate. Why not come up with a computerized system that automatically informs the umpire whether it was a ball or strike?
     

     Personally, I’m tired of seeing umpires call strikes on pitches that were clearly out of the zone. For instance, I remember Jim Edmonds got ejected by plate ump Ed Rapuano just for saying: “That’s a ball.” On CSN’s version of “K-Zone”, both pitches called strikes were no where close to the strike zone. Also, there’s times when pitchers get tossed because of body language when they throw a ball right down the middle and the ump just stands there.
     

     I imagine umpires get fatigued by the end of games standing out in the sun especially the games that turn into an extra-inning marathon, or games that get delayed by rain, or a day-night double-header, and that’s when they make crucial judgement errors that influences the outcome of a game.
(Or, umpires just have a dinner reservation waiting after the game and on bang-bang close calls that can go either way, they make the call that gets them one strike, or one out closer to the end of the game.)
     

     Going back to the Edmonds-Rapuano incident, that play happened in the 11th-inning of a game that at one time had the Brewers at 100 percent probability of winning, and the Cubs at 0 percent probability of winning on baseball-reference.com’s “win probability chart” with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and the Cubs down by four runs with nobody on base (thank you Ryan Braun for dropping the final out and thank you Geovany Soto for the 3-run home run). So I imagine Rapuano was getting fatigued and started letting his guard down when the Cubs were one out away from losing in the 9th, then they miraculously came back. Then Rapuano probably got even more fatigued thinking the game was almost over, then it continued, and by the 11th, a full day of sun probably influenced his bad calls against Edmonds. That’s just my speculation but thankfully, Rapuano’s call didn’t keep the Cubs from winning an inning later.
     

     Just on a side note, if replay on close “out” or “safe” calls were enforced back then, the Cubs may have lost. I remember a play late in the game when a Brewers runner was called out at 3rd when he looked safe on replay, and it probably costed the Brewers a run.
     

     So going back to my main idea, I don’t see any harm in trying to devise a computerized system that gets the ball and strike calls correct. I think something like this can be done, but I doubt it ever will. I know some will give me the whole “human element” argument, but personally, I don’t care about the human element in umpires. I care about the human element in relation to baseball players proving that they’re human, not umpires. Bottom line, I want the call right… even on balls and strikes

Earlier today, I made this comment:

"On a side note, here at the Mississippi River on Iowa side of the Quad-Cities, it bagan to snow this afternoon very lightly. It will be our first snow of the season . Personally, I love the snow. The snow is falling at a very quiet and peaceful manner. I want to think this is connected as if Ron is showering us with holiday snow. Well if it is Ron up above giving us his love with a snow shower, then I thank you Ron. I dedicate this snow shower to Ron Santo. Here’s to you Old #10, this Bud’s for you."

After I made that comment, I went out for a car ride and the first song that I heard on the radio was Christmas Canon by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I couldn't help but tear up listening to the song driving through the snow right as dusk started to settle in.  I went to the Dwyer and Michaels friday fest at a local tavern and I was the first guest to win the name drawing.  I went up, claimed my prize and before I turned to go sit down, I asked Dwyer if I could make a quick statement over the microphone.  He said sure, paused the music, and I made a toast to the audience.  I said rest in peace Ron Santo, you are the greatest man, this one's for you.  We had a moment of silence and everybody in the tavern had a drink in Ronnie's honor.

To me the lyrics of this piece is perfect for our relationship with Ron and the relationship he had with us.  Not only that, but the JDRF fundraiser that Ron represented ever since its inception and the donation's we have all made in his honor today and for many days/weeks/months/years to come.  Tonight the people positively affected by JDRF program will pray their lives will show this dream Ron Santo had, each child still knows, they are waiting, they have not forgotten the great Ron Santo.  Here's the music video I would like to share before we all fall asleep tonight. 

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas

The joy that he brings
The joy that he brings
The joy that he brings
The joy that he brings

This night
We pray
Our lives
Will show

This dream
He had
Each child
Still knows

We are waiting
We have not forgotten

On this night
On this night
On this very Christmas night

Now it's time for people to vote from my ballot.  Congrats to all the winners in this years election, congrats to Al Yellon for picking the right team to win the World Series this year and congrats to the Giants on winning the World Series for the first time in San Francisco.  Also, congrats to Mike Quade on being chosen to manage the Cubs in 2011.

All season long after each month was completed I left a poll up asking what your favorite Cubs game was for each respective month.  Thank you for those of you that did vote in my monthy polls, I really appreciate it.  The results of the monthly polls have influenced which games I will include in the Cubs game of 2010 poll for this FanPost.  Below are 20 Cubs games to chose from 2010.  Most of them are the popular votes from the monthly polls earlier in the season and a few are hand selected as "wild-card" candidates that I thought would be a nice honorary mention.

If you would like to refresh your memory on the Cubs 2010 season than here's a link to an mlb.com "year in review" video on the Cubs: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?tcid=mm_chc_vid&c_id=chc.  If not, feel free to pick your favorite, most memorable Cubs game from 2010.  If your favorite isn't listed in the poll, please mention the game in the comments section.  Thank you.

Before I begin, I want to let BCB in on a personal note of mine that I just calculated.  This calculation is an educated approximation of how many miles "less" I would have on my car's odometer if I hadn't driven to any Cubs games starting with the first Cubs game I ever drove up to on March 31, 2008... Opening Day 2008.  This calculation is for all those people who have told me I shouldn't have driven to all those Cubs games the past three seasons.  Why?  I just want to prove that my car would still have a high mileage reading if I hadn't driven 18,864 combined miles to and from Wrigley Field, Miller Park, U.S. Cellular Field, Comerica Park, and the trips to Bourbonais, IL for lodging before I turned 21 (June 26, 2010... Bourbonais lodging accepts 18 or older, anyplace closer to Wrigley you have to be at least 21 to stay).  Without all those trips my odometer is approximately 184,751, is that still high?  I think yes. 

46 trips in my car, 60 Cubs games resulting from the "trips in my car".  The other 26 Cubs games since Opening Day 2008 are from bus trips and riding up with friends and family in other vehicle's.  Doing this marathon has provided me some of the most exciting moments I will ever live through and recently, one of the toughest journey's I've had to take to get where I was going. 

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I don't ever remember feeling this good after a bad Cubs season, but I do.  I think the Cubs finishing 19-10 in the final 29 games after August 31st had something to do with it.  The Cubs were eliminated from playoff contention on Sept. 13, but that's where the fun started: sweeping the Cardinals in St. Louis for the first time since 1988, sweeping the Marlins somewhere in Florida didn't make up for 2003 but still nice; and taking three of four in San Diego which foresighted the Padres missing the playoffs on the last day of the season.  The 75-87 finish ranks along with 1975, 1976, or for young guys like me 1996, and even that's a vague memory for me.

I don't remember 1984 because I didn't exist but it was almost like the Cubs took care of some "unfinished business" with teams that were responsible for breaking our hearts in the past.  With the Padres it was like the Cubs said: "Hey Padre fans, remember us?  1984, Steve [explicit] Garvey?  Now it's our turn."  With the Cardinals, all you have to do is hand them a view master toy so they can flip through images of their precious World Series rings so they don't feel so heartbroken.  And with the Marlins, wait... where are the fans at?  Oh yeah, they're located in a [don't support your team until you're one victory away from a pennant] tropical climate. 

Thank you Mike Quade for sparking this Cubs team.  I don't care who manages the Cubs next year, as long as they win, or make an honest effort to win, but I still prefer Sandberg.  If Ryno is next year's manager, I think "Lou's Crew" will become "Ryno's Sandbergers".  Does that sound catchy?  Whatever.   

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Lately it seems like some of our Cubs have decided to pack things up and walk over to the other team's dugout.  Hopefully none of you have followed suit.  If you're reading this than you haven't.  Fortunately the Cubs got some prospects out of it instead of waiting until the end of the season and get nothing.  Anyway how about those IOWA Cubs!  Nice to know the future is right on deck for the CHICAGO Cubs (hint-hint on the Sandberg manager spot). 

Coming out of August the Cubs sit in 5th place 21.5 games behind Cincinnati at 56-77, Starlin Castro is in the race for a batting title, Lou Piniella is gone, Derrek Lee and Mike Fontenot have moved on, and the only thing there is to hope for now is to put the finishing touches on a St. Louis Cardinals collapse, wouldn't that be nice :)!!!!.  If only we can just flip-flop the Cubs' 1-run record to 30-17.  Then they would be 69-64 (after Aug. 31) and would sit 7.5 games behind CIN and 2.5 games behind STL after you swap the 1-run results vs. CIN and STL and approximately 4 or 5 games out of the Wild Card give or take.

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To start things off, I wish Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot the very best of things to come for their LA stint.  I'm not saying I like the Dodgers or anything but if those guys get themselves a ring, I'll be happy for them, I won't be happy it's with another team though.  Same thing goes for Kerry Wood, now that he's with the Yankees.  As for the team Lilly and Theriot left, they just finished their 1-5 roadtrip that started out so promising after winning the first game in Houston. 

I don't know if it's just me but I wish the Cubs can have a losing season in peace.  It's never fun to watch Sportscenter show highlights from the season of the NL playoff teams and it seems like half of the highlights come at the expense of the Cubs.  But that's the way it is.  It seems lately that rare feats or record setting feats are coming at the expense of the Cubs from the 12-run inning the Rockies had all coming with two outs, to Carlos Gonzalez completing his cycle with a majestic walk-off homer which is the first time someone has done that since the early 80's. 

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(Sigh).  What a god awful month.  You really can't help but run out of superlatives to describe the way the Cubs have been playing all year.  I don't think anything will get this dead team going because when something is dead, you can't get it going... since it's dead.  The Cubs won only ONE series all month out of nine for crying out loud!  I'm pretty sure all of us are sick of watching this little league team make nothing out of nothing and I'm starting to get tired of paying good money to see performances I feel the Cubs should be paying me to sit through. 

Cubs go 10-16 in June, and haven't had a winning month all year long.  Heck even in 2006 the Cubs had a couple winning months in there.  In fact the last time the Cubs went an entire season without a winning month was 2002.  I have a bad feeling this year's team will do the same.  I just don't feel it or see it or... nothing.  Speakig of the 2002 team, the Cubs went out the next year with a new manager and made it to the NLCS in 2003, and sweet sour Lou is in the last year of his contract. 

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Well it's been agonizing to this point to say the least.  I think I enjoy watching a Cubs losing season that's filled with good batting and bad pitching rather than losing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 due to 20 runners left on base and wasted quality starts.  The worst part is when the bats do show up, the pitching goes south.  That's what .500 teams do. 

Also, as much as I hate to blame things as the result of tough luck, I feel like the Cubs have been getting a good dose of tough luck.  Well that's what struggling teams go through, the opponent builds confidence and "tough luck" sets in for the struggling team. 

It also seems like Cubs opponent's get what they need on demand, such as: the opposition needs an inning-ending double play BOOM! a double play.  The opposition needs a miraculous catch to kill a rally BOOM! a miraculous catch.  The opposition needs a power outage to delay the game BOOM! a power outage (laughs).  Yes it's good to have a sense of humor to ease the agony.  Maybe the Cubs should have a sense of humor and loosen up because nothing else seems to be working no matter how many lineup changes the speechless postgame Lou "Point Out the Obvious" Piniella promises to make.

Speaking of the postgame losses Lou Piniella addresses, and I have give credit to Jim Memolo for this point, why doesn't the media ask the important questions?  Like ask: "Lou why didn't you put Mike Fontenot in the lineup today who's a plus .300 lifetime hitter vs Adam Wainwright and bench the sub-.240 hitter in Ryan Theriot vs Wainwright?"  Instead they ask stuff like: "Lou how can you explain..... today's loss?" Lou: "we couldn't hit the ball.  Aehh.  Yeah I'm going to make some lineup changes tomorrow (when you should have made them today, yesterday, the day before).  I mean come on stand up and ask some real questions if you want real answers!  The media might as well ask: "Lou despite the tough loss were you comfortable in the dugout today... was it comfortable enough for you?" (laughs). 

Some things I do appreciate from the first two months is the fact that the Cubs still have a fighting chance in this unusual campaign of the National League.  Some other's are Carlos Silva, the Blackhawks easing the pain, facing the Brewers, Len and Bob making hilarious comments in the midst of blowout losses... well that's about as far as I'll stretch the silver lining on this cloud. 

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Just recently the Cubs added four lapel pin dates to the schedule.  It's a four part series that looks like a baseball when all the pieces are put together.  If I had known about today's giveaway of part one of the series I would have taken today off instead of yesterday's game because I am a big collector on lapel pins. 

I am making this post because I was hoping I could get someone to bum a pin off a Cardinal fan and we could negotiate a deal via paypal.  So... somebody, anybody reading this going to today's game looking for a little extra cash I am your man.  Thank you!

It's almost "deja vu" of 2009.  In the first 21 games last year the Cubs were 10-11, this year is the same story at 10-11 after play on April 27.  Now with a record of 11-13 going into May, the Cubs bats explode on the last day of April with the wind gusting out to left / left-center field.  The only problem is, some days the Cubs bats explode and others the bats haven't been producing while the bullpen struggles. 

The biggest issues on the table for the Cubs have been the bullpen which led to the Big Z switch and the clutch hitting which has become a cliche not only since last year, but in the six playoff games the Cubs have played in since Lou took the helm.  Those issues beg the question: "will the pitching go south when the hitting comes around?"  Or: "Will the Cubs be in too big of a hole in the standings when and if they do put things together and make a run?"  Should Jim Hendry make a trade?  Not necessarily unless Jim can find a solid middle relief guy... I'm not so sure about that.

My opinion is the Cubs have the talent there, they just need someone to step up and be the leader which I thought was going to be Kevin Millar but we all know what happened with that (and don't none of you dare say Mark DeRosa!).   

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Now that the World Series is over (congratulations Yanks for the 27th time) and the MLB offseason officially begins exactly a month after the Cubs offseason began, I'm gonna go ahead and post my poll for the best Cubs games of 2009.  There were actually some pretty good games to remember this year... along with the pretty bad ones as well.  Sometimes it got to the point where to some of you, the best game (later in the year) was the game that didn't happen meaning the off-day in which we didn't have to see the Cubs load the bases with no outs and somehow not drive in a run.  I think it was the comments from the "Come here and vent" post in mid-August is a good example of my last sentence. 

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Hey at least they finished five games above .500.  The first winning season without a playoff appearance since 2004.  Now we get to root for any team that faces the Cardinals.  Who would have thought that a year removed from being swept by the Dodgers, we would be rooting for them to do the same thing to the Cardinals. 

18 wins in the final 32 games.  Ironically, the Cubs started winning when Soriano and ultimately Bradley went home.  It just seems like the Cubs fans were always ahead of the curve at making decisions that should have been made a long time ago.  Decisions such as moving Gregg out of the closers role, how many blown saves did Lou need to see before Marmol took over?  I remember listening to SportsCentral on WGN radio in June/July listening to fans say move Soriano out of the leadoff spot, get Bradley out of there, etc.  I'm not saying Lou did a bad job because there are so many things that just didn't go right this year.  I'm not going to make a huge book about it right now because you know the rest.

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I haven't been this disappointed from a swoon month since the 7-22 month of May in 2006, probably because 2006 was the last time the Cubs didn't go to the playoffs and May 2006 was the month that sunk the Cubs that year for good, I hope the 11-17 August isn't the same. 

August got off to a promising start with the Cubs coming off two 12 run wins against Houston and then winning a wild game in Florida 9-8 in 10 innings.  After a roadtrip that ended in a mile-high thud the Cubs were hoping to get some momentum by taking on the world champion Phillies at home... only to get swept.  Then the Cubs took their frustration out on the Pirates 17-2.  Then the Cubs salvaged two possible sweeps on the West Coast for a 2-5 roadtrip. 

Now our Cubbies look to take advantage of the sub-.500 teams most at home the rest of the way out.  On the bright side the Cubs face Pittsburgh 7 more times.

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The Hot Streak finally came!  What an exciting month to be a Cubs fan.  The Cubs won most of the games they had to win and beat the teams that they should beat e.g. Washington Nationals and the Dusty play of the Reds.  It was especially fun for me because I attended two walk off Cubs wins, one being my first ever walk off home run I attended (I was the guy waving the W flag on a stick pointing to the camera during "Go Cubs Go") on July 27.  I also caught my first bleacher home run which was Ludwick's 2nd home run in the nightcap of the Cubs-Cards doubleheader, and I threw the REAL ball back almost immediately and the reception was awesome. 

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The month of June provided us with plenty of extra Cubs baseball with 21 combined extra innings.  If you take out the one rain out that has yet to be made up, that's still 12 extra innings!  But maybe all those extra innings wore out the Cubs' bats because of the four times the Cubs were shutout which ultimately resulted in an 11-14 month of June which brings the Cubs to 36-38 for a 4th place spot trailing by 4.5 games... only 4.5 games, the Cubs are still in this thing!  The Cubs have their work cut out for them as they go up agianst 1st place Milwaukee and 2nd place St.Louis both in 4-game sets at home. 

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The month of May was so inconsistent that the Cubs were once a half game out of 1st place.  Then they went on an 8 game losing streak to bring them to a 4th place slot at the end of the month trailing Milwaukee by 4.5 games.  On a positive note, the Cubs went 15-12 in May as opposed to 10-11 in April (25-24 overall).  Hey, I'd like it to be much better right now but there's still plenty of time left and, it could easily be a lot worse.

There isn't any game that stands out to me as a shoe-in for the best game for May so i'll just include all 15 wins in the poll and let the Cubs nation vote amongst themselves.

Last tuesday I got my Ernie Banks bobblehead doll and it was beautiful.  I think those commemorative giveaways at wrigley are the best giveaways.  The bobbleheads this year are Cubs legends from their MVP years.  I am disapointed that there's no Ron Santo bobblehead (or Greg Maddux hence the last of the retired Cub jersey).  It's probably because Santo was never the MVP.

I was thinking, next year they should giveaway Cubs broadcasters bobbleheads to make up for the absence of a Ron Santo bobblehead doll for this year.  Wouldn't it be awesome to have a harry caray bobblehead in the mold of him singing the seventh inning stretch?  Or Jack Brickhouse with the hey hey literature at the base of the bobblehead.  Think about it, Ron Santo with a mohawk bobblehead, Pat Hughes, Len Casper, or Bob Brenly. 

Maybe our sportsnation can persuade the people that schedule the promotions every year at Wrigley Field to give out Cubs broadcasters past and present (now that I say past I realized I forgot Chip Caray and Steve Stone or for that case Wayne Larrivee) bobblehead dolls.  What do you think?

Which game stands out to you the most?  Was it Soriano's game winning homer in Milwaukee?  Or was it Reed Johnson's "The Catch II" to sit Prince Fielder down?  Was it Ted Lilly's second 1-hit masterpiece on opening day?  Did Alfonso Soriano's go-ahead homer vs. the Cardinals win you over?  Or was it Aramis Ramirez hitting the walk-off shot the next day do it.  Or was it something else???

Choose wisely and leave comments please.