I'm not going to go sabremetrics on everyone, I know this will lead to ridicule from all you regulars.  This is strictly based on the good old fashion eye test.  Watching Chicago's southside team tonight, I can't help but notice Baltimore's everyday lineup is better then the Cubs!  With current salaries and trade clauses (I never thought I would think this) is it better to (here it goes) rebuild rather then put pieces here or there?  Castro appears to be the real deal, both in talent and attitude, Colvin seems good, but not really an allstar.  Who else on this roster blows you away?  Marmol is good, but come on, is he going to go down as one of the great closers?  All I'm saying is this team has quite aways to go.  Forget lets just make the playoffs and see what happens.  I'm talking about winning it all!  Jim Hendry deserves alot of the blame for the current situation, but you can make an argument he is best GM this team has seen.  My hats off to Dallas Green, but that was a short stint.  I know I'm all over the place, just not sure about the GM.  Anyhow the jist of this post was to state I think we have to be patient, instead of quick decisions.  The next few years may be frustrating, but could be paving the way...The right way!  By the way...vodka and diet coke...not bad.

I'm definetly going to sound like a meathead, but the story of Sunday nights game to me was Lee's comments afterwards.  "It was a great homestand....."    You have to be kidding me!  I understand it's a long season and there is always another game, but come on.  On this homestand they had a chance to sweep the Phillies and lost, they lost a series to the Astros, and again had a chance to sweep the Cardinals and lost.  Do you think Dempsters upset he put a 3-1 pitch to Pujols right down the middle?  Do you think Theriot is upset he seems to be making numerous MAJOR mistakes per game?  Do you think Soriano is upset he didn't get to second base on his blooper when Soto hit the next pitch into a 6-4-3?  Or are all these guys sleeping good because it was a "great homestand"

Looking at wins and loses the Cubs remaining schedule may appear easy.  This current 7 game trip has 3 in SD where they always struggle, then 4 in LA.  Later in mid September they go on another 10 gamer with 3 in St.L and Mil. then 4 in SF!  Again, it seems like the media hears one guy say something and they all report it.  Then again, if your goal is to win the World Series, you have to beat these teams. 

I'm usually able to laugh off kiss ass local media, but Dave Kaplan and Paul Sullivan really got me going.  Maybe it's just the frustration of this season, but what I heard and read late this week made me sick.  I caught Ryan Theriot's weekly visit on sportscentral a couple of days ago.  Now I know he's a weekly guest and I don't expect Kaplan to get in his face, but the 15 monologue The Riot gave on all the injuries and bad luck this team has encounterd was sickening.  Everyone is well aware of the injuries, we don't need Cubs players and management keep reminding us.  Kaplan allowed Theriot to continue until I think he was out of breathe then asked him about Bob Brenley's comments during the Rockies game were lack of hustle almost cost the Cubs a run.  Kaplan acted as if he was embarrassed to even ask the question and showed zero support to Brenly.  I swear and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't know if i was listening to Ryan Theriot or Kent Mercker.  All Brenly was saying was run hard for 90 feet.  Not a big deal, he wasn't taking a cheap shot.  If he's going to be critical of Soriano for not hustling he has to do the same to the golden boy.  I was really disappointed in the response by one of the players I thought was a stand-up guy on this team........I apologize for rambling.  Real quick Paul Sullivan wrote over the weekend again that Jim Hendry's hands were tied during the trade deadline by the unknown ownership situations.  Again Hendry tied his own hands by his decision making.  Whoever owns this team has been very open to letting Hendry spend freely.  Come on Sully you know thats the truth.  Hendry is coming off back to back division titles, he can stand on his own.  He doesn't need you making excuses for him.

As fans, especially Cub fans, we live not only game by game, but inning by inning.  There is no way a team that has played so lifeless most times this year couldn't use a shot in the arm.  The play of Blanco, Fox, and most recently Sam Fuld have all provided enthusiasm to the roster.  After watching Fuld in those 2 games against Pttsburgh and Milwaukee how or why on Earth would any sane person consider putting hum on the bench.  I'm not saying the guy should get his induction speech ready, but it seems you have to play him till he cools off.  Well, unfortanetly or fortunately for the fan, Lou Pinella is looking at the big picture.  If this team is going to contend for a World Series it's the soriano's, Fukodome's, and Johnson's that will take us there.  Or so we think.  After the roster moves Monday, there's a good chance this youth that has should some life on the field will probably be making plays back in Iowa.  Pinella will have all his guys back in the everyday lineup and this team will excel or continue a somewhat lifeless at times attack.  As goofy as Uncle Lou sounds at times, he has ben pushing the right buttons since he's been here.  Putting all his chips on Soriano, Fukodome, Fotentot...........either way we all know we as Cub fans aren't going anywhere.  We will be there every game, inning, and pitch.

Why do I think with 5 games left and the Cubs 6 games out of first all the 'experts" at the major networks will still be predicting the Cubs to win the division......Can we also send a memo to local media and let them know Hendry's hands aren't tied by the ownership issue, but his mismanaging close to 140 MILLION dollars.....Isn't it odd that all the off-season moves were geared towards getting more left-handed, but our best left handed hitter can't even get consistent at bats(Hoffpauir).....Kudos to Bob Brenley for continuing to call out players for obvious lack of effort mistakes.....Whenever the Pinella era ends do you turn to Trammel, Sandberg, or Brenley....I'm not going to bore you even more with "this would be my batting order if I was manager", but wouldn't you take Bradely out of the 3 hole to try and take a little pressure off him.....

I was in favor of the Bradely signing and still like it.  You have to be kidding me though with the start he's had.  He's already missed games due to injury.  He's already been ejected from a game.  And in my opinion has already shown selfish behavior by appealing his 2 game suspension (2 games he probably wouldn't have played in anyway) because of "principle" .  I understand the suspension is questionable at best, but Milton swallow some pride, be a team player, and take the 2 games now while your not 100% anyway.  Having said that, I'd still rather have him then Abreu, Ibanez, or Burnitz.

Sorry for my ramblings, just have thoughts in my head that I need to release.  I tried talking to my wife about Koyie Hill...she thought I was talking about some resort in Hawaii......Is it just me, or to you grindge everytime a so-called expert states the Cubs will win the Central easily......The way I see it Neal Cotts should make 155 appearances this year.....anyone think the loss of Sabathia and Sheets will be offset by the hire of Macha.......in my 30 some years of following the Cubs, hands down Uncle Lou is the best manager they have had...very goofy in the interview room, but solid in the dugout...just wish we had him for 10 more years.....is it true a injury to Aramis would give ue Miles, Theriot and Fotenot at 3b-ss-2b.....maybe Harry Chapis could come out of retirement to back-up D. Lee...speaking of Miles...I sure am going to miss him coming up to bat in a big situation for the Cardinals.....why do I think I know too much about Michael Brenly.....speaking of the Brenlys..question of the week...is Bob's hat on backward in the Take Me Out To The Ballgame video to look Rock Star cool...or is that the only way he knows to wear it...rumor has it in his famous error filled game at 3b...the bill of the cap kept getting in his eyes......

Anyone catch Steve Stone's act on ESPN1000 the other day?  The guy really has a great baseball mind, but his constant pot shots at the Cubs is just getting old and hurting his credibility in this town.  When asked about the Sox pursuit of Abreu, Stone went on a long winded critique of the Cubs signing of Bradely even though a much superior player in Abreu was out there.  Also, he's totally perplexed at the Derosa trade.  This from a guy who was totally perplexed at the money they signed Derosa too a few years ago.  Finally he couldn't understand letting go "one of the best catchers in the game" for Bako.  Maybe because his neck is about to fall off.  All Cub fans appreciate Henry Blanco, but injuries did hurt his defense last year.  Anyhow, still a very good analyst, he just needs to rid himself of the wrongs he thinks the Cubs have done him.

I know Hendry's moves seem somewhat puzzling, but we really should wait and see how it all turns out.  The Olson-Cedeno trade did free up a spot on the 40 man roster and added a decent ?! major league arm.  It also allows Hendry to offer one of his young all ready major league pitchers for (you guessed it Peavy).  I agree it's scary giving up someone like Vitters for a pitcher with alot of hard innings under his belt.  BUt BUt BUT....if your goal is to WIN the World Series THIS YEAR, you absolutely make that trade!..Believe it or not the Cubs organization will survive without Sean Marshall.

The enthusiasm by all the posters here is awesome.  There's no doubt how big Cub baseball is.  I just have a feeling alot of the talk we hear might not be so accurate, especially since the names seem to change daily.  Bottom line, we just have to trust Jim hendry with our beloved Cubs.  Hendry has proven that his goal is to win it all.  My own opinion, which obviously means nothing, there's no way Hendry thinks a middle infield of Theriot-Fotenot will lead us to the promise land.  I'm all about upgrades and losing Derosa, without Roberts for instance, seems like a step backward.

Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks..Mark Dertosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa sucks.  Mark Derodsa sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  I feel a little better, good night, see you all next year..Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark Derosa Sucks.  Mark derosa Sucks..............................................................................................................................................................................

8 walks in game 1, 4 errors in game 2, boy that Torre can sure manage.............I don't put any of these first 2 games on Pinella, but it's ok pinch hit for our "defenive rightfielder" when were chasing 7 runs........Wouldn't you love to see Ryan Theriot's hit chart, it would probably read  160 hits to rightfield,  0 hits to center,  and negative 3 hits to left.........What a job good old Ned Coletti has done,  where would this team be without Nomar, Kent, Schmidt, Jones, and Pierre........Has Tony Gwynn's head shrunk or has his body gotten bigger?.......All you Bill James' out there can double check this, is it true Cub pitchers have walked Derrick Lowe twice and Manny Ramirez once....I'm proud to say I have never turned my cap inside out....I have put a watermellon on my head though....Seriously though, as depressed, frustrated, and shocked as we all are, you know and I know , we're all going to be on the edge of our seats Saturday night.   We will be rooting this team on like we never have.  Every pitch will be life or death for us fans.  And you know why we do it?  Because we BLEED CUBBIE BLUE!       Come on Harden and Lilly, bring it home.

You can all call me crazy, but I still fear the Brewers the most in theN.L....A Cub Brewer NLCS will not surprise me.....I'll take a divisional clinching game anytime, too bad though it was a FOX telecast....why do I picture Len Kasper sitting on his couch last Saturday talking into a Mr. Microphone....AL, as a TV insider can you please guarantee us working stiffs that the Cubs will be shown in Prime Time.....I know most of us are both excited and fearful of the playoffs after last year.....One nugget of optimism..last years game 1-2-3 starters...Zambrano, Lilly, Hill....this year...Dempster, Harden, Zamrano?.....I too received my Dear John letter from Cubs.com...I'm in the process of talking to Fannie Mae about a loan so I can talk to all the lottery winners on Stub Hub......Can anyone confirm that whenever SunTimes scribe Joe Cowley has a Question for Kenny Williams he just taps him on the shoulder in the middle of the night......This has been such a great baseball summer,,does anyone know when the Bears start.....Finally I'm going to post an award if anyone can get their hands on a pin and deflate Charlie Weis.

Bruce Levine had a great line the other day, "most teams have trouble finding ways to win...the Cubs are having trouble finding ways to lose"........It's hard to pick one MVP on this team, to me it's obvious..Jim Hendry......Tough question..is it better to keep Samardzijia in the pen next year or start him.......I think it's time to give Theriot a few days off, nothing negative , just refresh the batteries....Another tough question..Do you stick with the Aramis grand slam game or watch the Obama speech...I chose Obama...20 years from now I have a feeling I'll still be kicking myself...

It's hard to find many negatives with this yars Cub's, but I think are middle relief had a reality check lately.  From afar Gaudin looks good, but even when he gets guys out he seems to get hit hard.  I know shut down lefties are tough to find, but I still get nervous with Cotts in there................I am amazed and embarressed with the season Ryan Dempster has had.  I really wasn't sure how this would work out, especially in the second half, but he has been consistently GREAT and should be offered a nice contract.............Does anyone mis Rich Hill...........I didn't mind the Edmonds pick-up, but I told myself I'd never get on my feet for him.....probably have done it a dozen times already...........Finally in the Sox game Saturday...up 3-1 on the Rays..top fo 8th..bases loaded..3-2 count...and the fans are attempting to do the WAVE...CUB-SOX banter always bores me...but I don't ever want to hear how Cub fans aren't at wrigley to watch the game...I was embarressed for all of Chicago on this Fox telecast.

I agree with the majority of Cub fans that Soriano has been a disappointment.  There really is no way the Cubs will get their moneys worth out of him.  Having said that, I'm not sure he deserves to be this seasons J. Jones.  If the Cubs need their outfielders banging into walls when their closer comes in that could be a problem.  As far as leading off, he realistically is not ideal.  Pinella knows this, but unfortunately thats probably the best spot for him.  Bat him 5th and I'm pretty sure Ramirez will lead the league in walks.  Fukodome as been solid in that spot and kept teams from pitching around Aramis.  Derosa and Soto both look comfortable in the 6 and 7 hole.  It sounds idiotic, but Soriano does the least damage leading off.  He is going to hit ...he's going to put up solid numbers...you have to agree the lineup with Johnson 8th is solid.  And guess what..if the offense struggles we all know Lou will mix it up.  He may sound like a strange old man, but he's a smart baseball guy.

How did Soriano go the whole off-season without his leg healing....and if it didn't heal during the off-season how is it going to get better as he plays through it?...............How does Rich Hill (an aspiring Major Leaguer) go through the Cubs minor leagues and never have his inability to hold runners on base addressed.  Being a lefty that should be a bonus not a draw back...........Finally, when you watch Felix Pie play...don't you see the perfect speedy, centerfielder , lead-off man.  How does he go his whole minor league career with that big long power hitting swing?  Seems like a very fast lefty would be coached up to take advantage of those talents.

By no means would I be critical of Jim Hendry for signing Soriano.  At the time the Cubs were desperate for an impact corner outfielder.  It just appears that he's a tough piece in Lou's plan for the perfect line-up.  Putting him in the 2 hole makes sense when you consider Lou's point that he'll see alot of fastballs.  His real M.O. though, is that he goes up there hacking.  The last thing he's going to do is take a few pitches so whoever is leading off could attempt to steal.  Fukudome (if he lives up to his past) appears to be ideal behind Ramirez.  You wouldn't think teams would want to pitch around him with a contact hitter who can clear the bases with a shot in the gap.  On the other hand, it seems teams would pitch around Ramirez with Soriano's strike out potential on the deck.   Here's were you can all start calling me stupid...if you haven't already.  The giants are trying to replace a superstar leftfielder.  Any chance we could get them to offer one of those prize young pitchers?  Ofcourse then we'd be hurting for a corner outfielder.  Just a thought....

Like what appears to be so many of you..I too am a fan of Felix Pie.  His defense, speed, and youthful energy are all qualities that will make this team better.  Lets just all make a pact now that were not going to be jumping ship on this guy if his offense struggles.  His stats this spring look great, but it appears his long swing and that big hole on the low inside strike are still there.  In my opinion, no matter what he does at the plate, the guy should be playing everyday.  It seems like the majority agrees now, I'll be curious to see who jumps ship quikest this season.

I've always considered myself a pessimistic Cub fan.  All through my youth everything appeared so rosey with the Cubs as they continued to win 70 games a year.  The looks I would get from people when I actually booed this team at Wrigley were terrifying.  When you look at the way this team is run now, especially compared to other teams around the league, it's unrealistic to be so critical.  With that being said, I can't believe the negativity said or written with our local media on this team.  You can always find areas were they can improve, but their isn't a story about the Cubs that doesn't have some negative spin.  Again you can question certain areas of the makeup of this team, but there is no way you can argue with Hendry trying to win.  As far as the corporate side...the economics are what they are...There is no way the price of going to Wrigley would be what they are unless the public is willing to pay for it.  I have been priced out of going to Wrigley for some time now, but it's hard to complain when the park is continuously filled.  And for the most part the payroll has increased with increased revenue.  By no means do I want the lovable Cubs coverage, but the constant negativity for a team who won their division and has improved their team over the offseason is mind-boggling.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised how stories seem to grow and grow in our local media.  This seems to be especially true with those who cover the Cubs.  Most of the time it's positive such as players or teams maybe getting a little too much hype.  This ongoing dialogue about how Cub fans always booing and in general being extremely critical and harsh on its players is just outright wrong.  The attitude of Cub fans has definetly changed since 2003.  Our expectations and wants are higher now, which they should be.  All players are still beloved when they first take that field though.  When a player does get on the fan's bad side it is usually after quite a long period and in most instances involves something other then performance.  Usually negative reponses toward us fans.  It's just typical garbage from in my opinion a weak local media market.  Any talk about Cub fans I just usually ignore(the one about great attendence in good or bad times still amuses me...how can it be a negative to go to a beautiful ballpark in the summer time and watch a great sport).  When the question of booing fans came up in Fukudome's press conference I just couldn't keep it in anymore.

Seems like the Cubs would have secured that left-handed outfield bat before they traded a Left-handed outfield bat.  Most people would summize Hendry has another deal complete.  I'm sure that's the case, it just seems Hendry has lost an option and now might have to again over pay to save face.  I appreciate his aggressiveness, just wish he had a little more savy.

Did anyone catch the good kid Monday.  Just before the rain delay GN came back from a commercial break.  There was about 5 seconds of dead air, then you hear Pat disgustedly grunt "DAMN-IT!"  He was either unaware or ignored the comment and stated we're under a rain delay.  Just curious if anyone else caught it.

Need some help from someone out there with the Pacific Coast League.  The offensive stats by Cub youngsters are very impressive in the minors, but it doesn't seem to materialize with the big club(Cedeno, Murton, Pie...).We were all very excited about Cedeno's numbers, but even in a limited role, it appeared to be the same old Ronnie when he was called up.  Is it that mile high air in Des Moines?

We all remember Johnny Mac's opening comment about THE GOAL IS TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES.  Ofcourse like Hendry he's very accomodating to the media and in return he is beyond criticsm.  As this team has come back to reality in August lets not forget how this upper management team prepared TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES.  They started the season without a true centerfielder...Wade Miller was in their starting rotation...their corner outfielders lacked power, were injury prone, and ofcourse couldn't throw a baseball.  Now were in August and their answer to WINNING THE WORLD SERIES involves...a bullpen without a lefty...Matt "the great white hope" Murton hitting cleanup...and on and on..

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Although I don't hate jacque like many Cub fans, I'm confused by the recent love.  Agreed he plays a average centerfield, BUT HE CAN'T THROW.  Any plus he gives us offensively is negated by his baserunning and defense.  I'll trust Pinella's judgement about Pie, but I say PLAY THE GUY EVERYDAY!  Maybe mentally he couldn't handle the lack of success.  In the mean time seems like he would learn more about hitting up here with Pinella's tutoring and Pagan is doing fine.  One last prediction.....Jermaine Dye for Ronnie Cedeno...you heard it here first.

I was blind to Sammy when he put up those monster numbers for the Cubs.  The 3 consecutive 60 plus homer years are truly amazing.  Sammy and my relationship was like a first love.  The girl who everyone can see is using you, but your totally blind.  Now its so obvious, the me attitude..."what a great game, I hit 2 jacks, oh by the way we lost"....the phoney persona....the lying...the not owning up and taking resposibility.....PLEASE DON'T LET THIS GUY HAVE A SERIES AGAINST US!

I know if the roles were reversed, we too would have been upset with Soriano's admiration of his blast.  Come on though, who would actually give David Wells any kind of credit for being the spokesmen for "how the game should be played".  He is the ultimate ME guy in a team game.  Show him a hefty pay check and he's all about "I love this team".  Remember David if you don't want to get "shown up", stop throwing up that 82 mph so-called fastball.

 It would just be the Cubs luck that with the possibility of a new GM next year there are major decisions to be made this year.  Is Hendry a lame duck GM?  If so, who's responsible for the future decisions on Zambrano and Barrett.  It's just the Cubs luck that all this is goimg down at the same time.  I don't see Mcdonough letting is buddy go during the season, but who trusts Hendry with the upcoming decisions?  Take away Hendry's first year as GM and you have a decision maker who has struggled.  Ofcourse he's "a nice guy and good interviewer" so the media leaves him alone.  The guy should be getting blasted daily.  How mcdonough handles this will also show if he has what it takes to be a winning president.