Yeah I know we keep doing this but it is fun.  Here are the possible combinations:

1. Sandberg Sosa Anson Banks
   
2. Sandberg Sosa Banks Anson
   
3. Sandberg Anson Sosa Banks
   
4. Sandberg Banks Sosa Anson
   
5. Sandberg Anson Banks Sosa
   
6. Sandberg Banks Anson Sosa
   
7. Sosa Sandberg Anson Banks
   
8. Sosa Sandberg Banks Anson
   
9. Anson Sandberg Sosa Banks
   
10. Banks Sandberg Sosa Anson
    
11. Anson Sandberg Banks Sosa
    
12. Banks Sandberg Anson Sosa
    
13. Sosa Anson Sandberg Banks
    
14. Sosa Banks Sandberg Anson
    
15. Anson Sosa Sandberg Banks
    
16. Banks Sosa Sandberg Anson
    
17. Anson Banks Sandberg Sosa
    
18. Banks Anson Sandberg Sosa
    
19. Sosa Anson Banks Sandberg
    
20. Sosa Banks Anson Sandberg
    
21. Anson Sosa Banks Sandberg
    
22. Banks Sosa Anson Sandberg
    
23. Anson Banks Sosa Sandberg
    
24. Banks Anson Sosa Sandberg

I tend to think it will be Anson/Sosa in the 3/4 or vice versa, and Banks/Sandberg in the 1/2, or vice versa.  Anyone care to throw out another guess, since nobody has gotten it right yet?  I'm picking line #19, or perhaps #21.

Update [2007-2-14 10:36:26 by gravedigger]: I intended these lists to be read from 4 to 1; so, for instance, #24 would have Banks at #4 and Sandberg at #1.

(Al posted this a really long time ago (I think on his old site), but a recent school project led me to look it up again.)

Have you ever wondered just how widespread Cubs fandom really is?  Geographically speaking, we're everywhere, as evidenced by BCB's readership.  But wouldn't it be nice to be able to look at a map and see how many Cubs fans live in what part of the country?

Such a map actually exists, provided by the CommonConsensus Project.  Check it out here:
http://www.commoncensus.org/sports.php

They've done this for each sport, but I'm interested in the baseball map.  Some interesting things to note:

The Braves have the largest geographic spread of fans

The Cubs seem to have a broader fan base around Chicago than do the White Sox

Dots of Cubs fans show up all over the map; In any given area, Cubs fans seem to be at least #5 in terms of the number of fans in a geographic area

People in the western US don't like baseball, apparently

You can contribute to the statistics by completing the poll data.

The data also helps with the sister project.  That project attempts to draw borders as citizens view them, rather than as they are drawn on maps.  Read about it at the site, where they describe it better.

I figured the poll could use a diary for people to discuss their choices.

Couldn't there be an option for "Ugh. Nobody.  This division blows"?

And who are the delusional people who voted for the Cubs?  Have you seen the Brewers roster, and compared it to the Cubs roster?  I admit that I myself have not, but I have a feeling the Brewers will be a lot better, and all without signing an overhyped player for $118M+, or Jason Marquis (OH GODDAMMIT JASON MARUQUIS).

Anyway, why not discuss why you chose who you chose here?

I contemplated writing this diary for the last few days.  Recently there has been a lot of discussion here about optimism and pessimism, and I would like to see a conversation about this.

I've always been an optimist.  I'm optimistic about things that nobody is optimistic about (like peace in the middle east).  This is even more true when it comes to the Cubs.  Despite the fact that I like to use statistics, I thought the Cubs would win 90+ games last year.  Sometimes I let optimism get in the way of reason.

Well, not any more.  I've been recently labeled a pessimist, and maybe that is true.  I don't have much hope for this team next year.  I think that Jim Hendry - now mind you, I've been his #1 fan - has gone about the "win now" attitude all the wrong way.  If this team wins next year, as it is currently constructed, it will be because the rest of the division is terrible, too.

I know I'm not the only person to lose optimism when it comes to this team.  I'll never give up on them, but I just can't bring myself to feel optimistic about a team that should have won it all in 2003, but didn't, and should have been better in 2004, but wasn't.  The team has finally opened its wallet in a way that we all knew they were capable of, but to what end?  If the team decides to spend money, but spends money foolishly, not only does that not help for next year, but it will hurt the team for years to come.

Any I the only person who has lost optimism?  Does anybody here really, honestly, and genuinely feel optimistic about the direction of this team?  Can anybody help me regain my optimism, or is this a lost cause until the front office is reconstructed?  Did anybody else notice that Jim Hendry justified signing Jason Marquis because he had 14 wins?!?!

Where did/do/will you go to school?

Since nobody else is posting this diary, I will!  It seems as though we at BCB are a pretty educated bunch (if I don't say so myself).  Since we are growing into quite a cohesive community, it would be interesting to know where everyone went to school.  It would also be interesting to see the diaspora of Cubs fans in colleges across the country.  If you want to participate, feel free to list where you went to school, are going to school, or will/want to go to school.  If you want to list anything else (major, degree, any other related details) feel free.

I'll start.
Undergrad - University of Hawaii at Hilo, BA Political Science (grad 2006)
Grad - Syracuse University, MA Political Science, Public Policy (est. grad 2007)

Update [2006-12-4 19:17:48 by gravedigger]: Thanks to Julie for reminding me that we also want to know about those who didn't go to college. How did you end up doing what you are doing? Anyone else?

I do a pretty good job reading most comments on BCB, and I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned.  Roto world is reporting that the Tribune is reporting that Floyd is Hendry's next target.  They've just posted an update saying the talks are 'heated'.

I know how Jessica feels about Floyd, and I agree.  He's a butcher in the field, he's always injured, and he's on the downslope.  I'd prefer that they stick with an outfield of Murton-Soriano-Jones than to sign Floyd.  Other thoughts?

Since nobody else is going to do it, I will.  As they mentioned over at Windy City Gridiron, after this and next week's games, hopefully people will stop questioning whether or not the Bears are "for real".

Uh, what else goes in these?  Ah, iPod top 5 I guess:
Tennessee Stud - Johnny Cash
Thing Thing - El Pus
Scientist - The Dandy Warhols
Cocaine - Eric Clapton
Vicarious - Tool

Julie, perhaps we're not doing so well without you.  No more trips for you!

There was some speculation that Dombrowski might be named Cubs President.  Turns out, speculation is all it ever was.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2647242

It would seem to figure that the Tigers would retain him for a while after this season.  No surprise there.  I think McDonough will keep the job.

Apparently the Giants have decided to hire Bruce Bochy: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2640133

Unless he's a candidate elsewhere, I guess that means BB is back in the Cubs' broadcast booth.

I think it is interesting that the Giants are going with Bochy.  How often do you see managers change teams within the division?  Also makes me wonder who the Padres will hire.  And no, I don't think it will be Baker.

Ryne Sandberg had his number retired again, this time by the AA Reading Phillies, with whom he played in 1980.

This article from minorleaguebaseball.com is about the ceremony, which Ryne attended.

The article mentions that Sandberg no. 26 for the Reading Phillies, played shortstop, was an Eastern League All-Star, had a .310 average and led the league with a .964 fielding percentage.

It is really nice to see Ryno being more visible in the baseball world (after his initial reclusiveness upon retirement), and also receiving the recognition he deserves.

White Sox manager and intellectual Ozzie Guillen called Jay Mariotti a "fag" on Tuesday, according to this article.

In defending his comments, Guillen said:

"I don't have anything against those people. In my country, you call someone something like that and it is not the same as it is in this country."

Yeah, well, you aren't in your country.  You are in the US, where that is unacceptable.  From what I've seen so far, he hasn't really apologized.  Greg Couch apparently wrote an article asking Selig to suspend Guillen.

A suspension might be a bit much, but he should most certainly be admonished.  Or, at the very least, reminded that what passes in Venezuala doesn't necessarily pass here.

Hendry announced today that Garciaparra and Wood will be activated Friday, and Williamson is also likely to be activated that day.

Hendry: "It looks like, without snags this week, we're going to activate all three of them on the same day, which would be very refreshing"

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2120472