SB Nation User Blog: cubnational

OT kinda : Any Gitfiddler Cub fans here have "Go Cubs Go" tabs?

cubnational — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:54:38 -0000

My utterly adorable niece Maggie and nephew Alex, both about 8 and 10 years old each and hopelessly indoctrinated into being Cubs fans by our Cubs-crazy family, have suddenly decided they want to start learning how to play guitar.

I kinda sorta plunk along with it, and am frankly not that great at it, but I want to encourage them to do so. I will be spending some time with them this Christmas and giving them real kid sized guitars to play with to see if they really want to do this long term. And as anyone knows who teaches music to kids, for them to put it all together, you have to help them learn to play something simple quickly that helps them feel like they're achieving something that gives them the payback for the attention to detail they'll have to put into it, plus whatever basic chord/music stuff I can rummage up for them.

I would really like to teach them Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go" but can't find any tabs for it anywhere. Any guitar playing Cubs fans out there who can help me figure them out or know somewhere on the net they might be posted, your help would be really appreciated, plus any other suggestions on simple songs I could direct them to.

Just not "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" .. puhleeze!

When Will Bud Get It? Worst AL Ump Call Of All Time And He Likely Yawns

cubnational — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:56:28 -0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Umpire-Tim-McClelland-makes-the-worst-call-of-al?urn=mlb,197210

Heads up defense by the Angels was, as usual, miffed by their offense and pitching (thank goodness the Cubs didn't get Kazmir) and the Yanks blew them out of the water 10-1.

But there's no doubt in my military mind that yes, that really was probably one of IF not the worst umpiring call of all time in the ALCS game last night in the Angels v Yankees debacle. Preceded of course by that play in which New York's Swisher was picked off at second by a full foot off the bag, and - of course - missed by the ump also.

No, really. As if the Yanks didn't get another break that was pathetic in and of itself when playing the Twins, now this? I had to pick my jaw up when I watched this. I screamed "OUT!" twice when I saw the Angels' catcher nail the two base runners .. and then watch the AL ump call ONE of them out. That is absolutely insane. The reasoning the ump for missing it was specious .. he had several seconds to watch what was going on and he was RIGHT there!

Look, umps are as human as baseball players. They miss their calling on occasion just as the biggest superstar might. But how many more blown calls will we have to endure before Bud Selig decides to join the 21st century and start using the technology available to them to review these things in instant replay just like the NFL does?

The Twins may not have been able to see what happened in the depths of that left field hole in the Bronx they call a stadium in the ALDS, but there's no way you could miss what happened last night in the ALCS. This was absolutely absurd and an affront to this game, and Selig needs a serious check up from the neck up if he's going to keep putting that kind of review option on the shelf. Oh, wait, I forgot about the Magical Fox Wizard manifestation which reflects the equally stupid way they divvy up viewing of MLB games, so what can we expect?

May their lamentation never cease. Congratulations, St. Louis.

cubnational — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:16:41 -0000

May their lamentation never cease.

Congratulations, St. Louis.

Maybe no one cares, but what kind of umpire call was THAT last night?

cubnational — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:45:23 -0000

via blogs.suntimes.com

I really could care less about postseason baseball play this year for obvious reasons. When the Cubs folded their tent a week ago, that was it for me. Just because the Cards have been choking, I decided to watch the game last night between NY and Minnesota. Because there's not a single sports team east of Baltimore that I remotely care for, especially the Yankees, I was rooting for the Twinkies.

And then THAT happened. I was absolutely stunned. Not one but TWO umpires on that line. I can see the one behind the back up missing it. The one RIGHT on top of it, one Phil Cuzzi, blew this so badly my half blinded saintly mom wouldn't have missed it. The picture shows just after landing within the foul line with the little puff of dirt showing the contact point .. and as it was on the bounce back up. Outstanding work by Getty.

That hit would have put Joe Mauer on first base at minimum with no outs and would have, with the three singles in a row after wards by the Twinks, brought him around to break the tie. I have no dog in the hunt, but boy does that call really have to go down as one of the worst of all time. And there was no provision for an appeal to video review of any of this last night? Unbelievable.

Recommendation: Reforming of Cubs Fans In Recovery Support Group

cubnational — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:36:14 -0000

I remember interest back in October 2008 for this.

It now seems incumbent upon us to consider the possibility for the need of our healing community to once again convene. Heck, when we have to start thinking about this in August after the last couple years, then I gots the feeling it's going to be really, really needed come this fall.

I haven't given up on this season yet. Not at all. But prudent preparation is always good.

Even the biggest Cubs fans need a hug now and then. Remember what the Muppet on Sesame Street said, staring into the PBS cameras with plastic button eyes and street smarts: You ain't never too cool to cry.

Once Again, Cubs Are In First .. Where Do They Go From Here?

cubnational — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:44:25 -0000

It was sweet to watch the Cubs today, at least, look like a bunch of professionals playing like they're in synch.

Everyone contributed, and they played like the team we saw last year. It was a work of art. Even during the Philadelphia series, they kept scratching and fighting .. perhaps it was that test with the 2008 champs that really lit a fire up within them because it looks like they haven't looked back. So far.

This team played with a wonderful focus that was a thing of beauty today. Fukudome's cannon at work with his gun down of the Reds runner, Hill's first ever triple, Harden and the bullpen working up a victory and ARam scattering hits and power even though he's still not where he should be was joy to watch. Milton Bradley's continued improvement is certainly a great encouragement, and was that not a sweet basket catch even as he barreled into the Reds bullpen? And anytime we can bring Dusty screaming out of the dugout is fine with me.

NOW, where do the Cubs go from here? God alone only knows, but their destiny is largely going to be in their hands this week in the NL Central when they host a headlong collision with the Astros. Now the all out bar room brawl begins .. the fight to hold the summit and defend their crown.

Do the Cubs have what it takes to hold on? Will Lilly and Dempster return to form and will Soriano launch an offensive streak that will last all the way to a Game Seven? What acquisitions should the Cubs still need to make? Will what we have last to October and beyond?

I just know one thing .. like my nephew Alex said in Cincy: we got a fever in the Martinez household and it don't involve cowbell ..

May the Cubs Nation end up LIKING October baseball more this year than in any other time in many years .. GO CUBS!

Hank Williams Jr. in a Cubs jersey on Fox's Cavuto show .. Didn't know Hank rooted for the boys in...

cubnational — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:47:15 -0000

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?maven_referralObject=4542673&maven_referralPlaylistId=&sRevUrl=http://www.foxnews.com/yourworld/

Hank Williams Jr. in a Cubs jersey on Fox's Cavuto show .. Didn't know Hank rooted for the boys in blue. Don't start the clip if you don't agree with the politics. Just an FYI

Evan the Cubs fan goes all the way on the "Price Is Right" Episode 4724 - Start watching 13:00...

cubnational — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:37:17 -0000

http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_price_is_right/video/video.php?cid=559221502&pid=qkilEwIF6ChMrgEKwFPAYC6HDuqevZJi&category=fullepisodes&play=true

Evan the Cubs fan goes all the way on the "Price Is Right" Episode 4724 - Start watching 13:00 minutes in and hope Evan can donate to the Cubs Fifth Starter Fund. Thanks to my princess Mrs Cubsnational who was watching as she worked her vintage dress store .. Drew's do just looks so bizarre.

Completely OT: my cousin's band in Chicago is regrouping and auditioning for a new lead singer -...

cubnational — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:33:13 -0000

Completely OT: my cousin's band in Chicago is regrouping and auditioning for a new lead singer - MP3's and/or videos being requested, and no karaoke glory hounds. Email me for details.

Would Milton Have Gotten The CATCH RJ Made? (take 2)

cubnational — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:30:31 -0000

After last night's unreal catch that ~~Cliffy~~ Reed made to rob Fielder (and he was classy enough to tip his hat, so you have to respect the man for that), the mind boggles: would Milton have made that catch without going on the DL? I mean I think he'd have made a heck of a try, but would it have happened?

And I'm not here to bomb or blast Milton .. so let's lay off the guy for his groin pull .. just to ask do you think his skill set would have matched that of ~~Cliff's~~ Reed?

(PART II : I promise hereafter to ensure my medications are up to date, properly consumed, and in circulation within my synapses before ever turning to BCB again .. Promise.

Thanks for the Thread Police to keep me straight - YOU have a purpose!)