To Al and all of Jewish faith or ancestry I wish a most pleasant and happy Hannukah.  To all others who celebrate it, Merry Christmas.

Al, you have brought me untold pleasure ever since I first encountered your passion for the Cubs on usenet (seems like decades ago doesn't it?).  Having a place to go to read so much from those who share my passion for the Cubs is truly one of the highlights of my day.  It is the discourse of BCB that has helped me to develop into the crazed, whacked-out, rabid fan that I am.  Thanks Al for all you do.

Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas to all and here's to 2009 being out year.

to all BCB.  I've been waiting for someone to post a holiday diary and so far, nothing.  I guess I'll have to be the first.

Here's wishing the best of the holiday season to you all.  

Al, even though Hanukuh has passed, I wish continued glad tidings to you and yours.

Peace be upon you all.

God, I love this city.

My wife and I had some vacation to burn so we decided to head north.  She, of course, didn't really consider the playoffs because of the myriad other reason we had for a visit to Chicago.  Me?  Well, let's just say that I've had my vacation forecasted at work for quite some time and it had a lot to do with the Cubs.

Continue reading this post »

It is mid May.  The "June Swoon," if it happens, is still a few weeks away.  On paper, the team looks pretty good.   The Pythagorean postulated by some of the stat heads tells me we should be competitive within the admittedly weak NL Central.  Why then, do I have this feeling of doom?

Continue reading this post »

As Pat and Ron sign off for another season and with the resignation of Andy McPhail and the turmoil that is sure to follow, I am struck by the annual emptiness of the coming winter.  Oh sure, the Bears look good, the Irish still have a small shot and the Bulls may find themselves on top once again but it is only mere entertainment.  It is only diversion that could easily be supplanted by a round of golf, a good meal, an enthralling novel.  It is only a way to pass time until there is no time left.  It is not baseball.  It is not the Cubs.

Continue reading this post »

I don't post very often.  I'd rather just read many of the well thought out and insightful posts of the rest of the BCB habitués.  This season, however, has been enough to make even the most reclusive Cubs fan want to stand on a street corner and rave.  As such, I have decided to add my two-cents worth to the mélange of analyses, flames, ravings, and thoughts about who's hot or who's not.

First, I'll establish my credentials.  I am a military man.  I retired from the U.S.A.F. after 24 years of active duty and I am currently a civilian employee of D.A.F.  I put this forth as the foundation of my knowledge of leadership and management, which I feel is extensive and arguably makes me an expert, at least from a military point-of-view and I think these very principles will apply equally to a professional baseball club.

Continue reading this post »

I wonder just how many of the regulars here are not currently living in the greater Chicago area.  I'm a Chicago native who visits the city a couple of times a year (I still have a sister and a couple of cousins up there) but currently reside in Biloxi (what's left of it), MS.

Also, upon visiting the Cubs web site looking for tickets that will greatly influence my next trip up north, I find virtually nothing avaiable with the exception of the very corners of the upper deck in left field.  Are there every gameday tickets available at the box office and what about bleacher ticket availability?