Is it too late to receive a refund for Rudy Jaramillo?  Seems like he is just as effective at teaching the Cubs how to hit as the last two batting coaches.  If he has been teaching the players how to hit, I wish he would quickly explain how to hit with runners on base.  This lineup is ridiculously unproductive.  

Was all the fanfare we read in the offseason nothing but hype?  How can we produce so little against miserable pitching staffs from Milwaukee, Houston and New York?

Could somone please remind me of the last time Soriano actually made a great defensive or offensive play by actually hustling?  He reminds me of the following quote from shortstop Roger Dorn in the movie Major League:

Jake Taylor: What I was concerned with was why you didn't come up with that grounder that Rockert hit in the 9th
Roger Dorn: It was out of my reach, what do you want me to do dive for it?
Jake Taylor: Rog, it could have meant the game!
Roger Dorn: oh come on cut the rah rah shit Taylor! Year after this I go free agent. Plus me and my agent got a couple of plans for life after baseball. So I am not about to risk major injury or displace this property for a collection of stiffs!

Unfortunately, I doubt whether Sori is actually protecting his body for some post career plans.  I also suspect that his knees are shot.  Watch him run. He runs as if his knees really hurt especially when slowing to approach a base or a ground ball.  I think he is really limited in what he can do physically.  I understand and appreciate that he was a major reason for the Cubs success over the last 2 seasons.  But, the Cubs need to realize that he is no longer the player they signed and mothball him until he starts hitting the ball.  Then, let him go on mini hot-hitting streak and see if they can eat most of his salary while unloading him as a DH on an AL team.  He is a liability on our roster.  It is tough but if he can't perform at the major league level, he shouldn't be playing in the major leagues. 

I wish someone would please tell Soriano to quit waiving his hand in front of his face after hitting homeruns.  That is John Cena's taunt from professional wrestling.  Last night, Soriano looked like a complete idiot running around the bases with his hand in front of his face.  This was after he stood, watched the ball leave the field and then turned to point towards the Houston dugout.  What a jerk.  Soriano disrespects the game with this charade and makes himself look like an ass.  Can't he just let his bat do the talking rather than participate in this childish crap?  His actions speak volumes about his character, or lack thereof.  With this type of behavior MLB will be reduced to the trash-talking crap equivalent of the WWE and the NBA?  I hope that he remembers how to hit the deck tonight when the Astros bring a much deserved beanball to the ballpark.  He has it coming. 

Feel free to disagree with me.  Go ahead, let me have it.

As Cubs fans and baseball fans, we always fall in love with someone who hustles.  Bobby Scales, last year's Fontenot, Reed Johnson, etc.  It ignites the team and the crowd.  It seems to me, we repeatedly get beat because the Cubs get out-hustled.  Pujols hustles.  That is one of the many reasons he is MVP.  Can you say the same for D. Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Bradley?  When was the last time you saw one of the Cubs superstars squeeze a single into a double or make an outstanding play?  Sure, they can do wonderful things with their bats on occasion but why don't they hustle more?  That's my opinion.  'Nuff said.

Am I the only fan who is ticked off that you can't get MLB on your Sirius radio after the long awaited XM/Sirius merger?  Will they get this worked out prior to next year's MLB season?  Why does MLB constantly restrict access to its product by charging for nearly everything ie. gameday radio on the internet?  One would think that you could attract more fans by inundating people with your product rather than making it more difficult to access.  IMO, Football and Basketball have really surpassed MLB in this regard.  Why wouldn't you want every kid in America to be watching or listening to baseball at all times rather than granting access to those few whose parents purchase satellite radio or dish t.v.?  There is more to baseball than just the local market team.  Furthermore, many people live a long ways from any major league team.

Finally, I think the character of America's youth could benefit from the slower, team play of baseball rather than the trash-talking showboating that is so prevalent in basketball.

Go ahead, let me have it.

Sorry I can't directly link but click on the song "Lou Pinella" a ways down the page at the following link: http://www.bobrivers.com/audiovault/tunes/seattletunes.asp

It is from Lou's day's with the Mariners but it needs to be rewritten for Chicago.  It is a superb song that even Wierd Al would admire.  It is well worth your time.  I am sure that you will enjoy the song.  Yada, yada, yada, that should make 75 words.

Al,

Post the magic number.  We, as Cub Nation, need to lose our ingrained fear of impending heartbreak.  I know and understand the paranoid superstition that makes one think that if we post the magic number we are just tempting fate.  Do away with that old way of thinking.

The 2008 Cubs are the best damned team in the National League.  They are going to win the division and the pennant because they are the best and they deserve the championship!  We are not going to sneak in and steal it.  We will walk right through the front door and take it like the championship calibar team that we are! 

Stop hiding behind superstition and post the number so that we can celebrate while we count down to victory!  Have some confidence.