And so we start another set with the inner-division Astros, where Biggio will be leadin....wait a second, no, for the first time in 100 years the Cubbies will face Houston without a man that looked like he was 15 at age 35.  Here's a few things I look forward to and look for...

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Just a handful of things I'd like to hear people's thoughts on...

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I know it's about as early as it gets, but to be honest, I never have really liked this lineup that Lou is throwing out there right now.  And for multiple reasons.  I think the fundamental theory of a baseball line-up AND with the personnel we have, we're ultimately just hurting ourselves in the long run.   And just to be clear, this post would be up even if the Cubbies were 1-0.  Gimme a chance :)  Hear me out.

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There's nothing I like more then writing a post on BCB after a nice Cubbies victory.  I have 6 words that are probably more premature then anything that has ever been said here, I can't wait until the fall.  That's right, I said it.  I guess technically it's 7 words but who cares.  We have a team here, ladies and gentlemen, that's capable of great things.  This is not meant to guarantee anything because, well, nothing in life is guaranteed.  Just like Wood and Prior are no longer guaranteed, but again, who cares.  From what I've seen, I like our chances against anyone...

I've seen signs too Al

The last two games we have looked like a team on a mission.  And although this obviously can't last for 157 more games, but......wait, what if it can?  What if Wade Miller is a solid #5 starter (which I'll take) and our other four starters just keep pitching like they have been?  I'm ranting, let me get back on track here.

I have grown to appreciate MLB.tv because, to tell you the truth, it's nice to hear another team's perspective from their broadcasters.  It's especially nice when all they constantly talk about is how, "this cubbies line-up is gonna do some work this year" or, "YIKES" after Z K's the side in the first inning, or, "there aren't too manyy first basemen who make that play".  It's nice, FOR ONCE, to be respected and almost feared.  That is why I can not wait until the fall, with the talent on this cubbies team (and possibly added talent with wood and/or prior) there is no reason to be contending for something come the time the ivy is going through it's beautiful foliage.    

And of course I can't go through any sort of diary without mentioning Lou Piniella.  Again, it's early, but I absolutely love what he's teaching these 'kids' and just his impeccable timing in every asset of the game.  Let's keep it goin, and until something bad happens, I'm gonna keep writing these random diaries.    

I can't sleep because these thoughts are running through my head at a mile a minute.  So basically, everyone here gets the pleasure of reading this for the reason that I have sleeping issues, but I digress.

Sure, the season is a 'marathon' as everyone calls it, and there are 162 games to play, but no one likes to start 0-2.  Especially when you have half the team swimming in a pool of gold (like the father figure from 'Duck Tales' used to do, anyone remember 'Duck Tales'?).  Anyways, yes, 1-1 and ahead of both the Astros and Cardinals.  Tell you one thing, I'm not liking these young and talented teams coming from PA and WI.

First, things I loved about the W.  Ted Lilly, what more can you say.  Two days after your ace gets aced himself, the $40 million dollar man lives up to billing and shuts down the Reds.  I hate Adam Dunn.  Next thing that comes to mind, Derosa playing a solid game on both sides of the ball.  How hard you think it must of been to play defense on a day like today?  Freezing, just standing there.  I'm usually drinking a beer during softball so I got that going for me.  Derosa, great effort, stressing effort, I think I'm gonna like this guy.  He's like a good Alex Gonzalez of old.  Next, I love to see us win a ballgame when it wasn't exactly the big boppers doing all the bopping.  Lee and Ramirez, I think they'll be just fine.  Cesar came up with a big hit today.  If he was hacking at another first pitch with bases loaded, I was gonna fly to Cincy (I'm in Argentina), and personally [bleep] [bleep] him myself.  I'm gonna go ahead and guess Lou had something to do with his different approach this time around.  Ahhhh and yes, my favorite part of the game, Lou coming out guns blazing in the ninth to set Dempster straight.  I timed it, the meeting lasted exactly 1.237546973 seconds but Lou managed to get at least 8 words in there.  7 and 1/2 of which one should not write on a family site such as this.  I couldn't stop laughing when I read both their post-game statements on what Lou said and they couldn't have been further apart from eachother (like two similar magnetic poles, 6th grade science coming into use).  I love the fire in Lou's eyes, it's contagious.

And there are still of course things I didn't like today.  It seemed like DLee was getting a little frustrated, and who could blame him, Arroyo had some nasty stuff early on and he was looking so good, I'm convinced he could of got ME out.  Let's see, what else didn't I like.....I didn't like my crappy MLB.tv feed....I didn't like the catcher's interference, I haaaated having to listen to Brentley or Brenley or Bramley or whatever his stupid name is.  Howry is an abolute stud as a side note....not really much not to like when you win a ballgame.  Marquis tomorrow, let's see how 'connected' he got with Rothschild in spring training.  I personally think he looked like a machine his last spring training outing.  But then again, that's spring training.  Good night all, hopin there will be some replies to this when I wake up (which should be about 1 hr before first pitch).  Here's to settin' the bar high...  

I have personally contacted all of our favorite people to see what they'll be working on in 2007, so here it is:

A. Ramirez:  I will always hustle out of the box, even if I know I just cracked one onto Waveland.  My bat will be there, so I'll continue to improve playing the hot corner.

M. Barrett:  If I get another chance, I'll sock Pierzynski and make it count this time.  I'll never wear one of those goofy hockey helmets behind the plate.  

A. Soriano:  I won't be content with swimming in my pool of gold coins (Ducktale's style), I'll actually care about winning.  

D. Lee:  I'll continue to bail out bad throws from my teammates.  My wrist will never get in the way of someone running down the first-base line.  More thoughts of a triple crown?

J. Jones:  I'll continue to use the best looking bat in the bigs.

M. Murton:  I won't care what other people think about me, cause I know I'm good.  

C. Izturis:  I'll find ways to stay off the DL and play like the gold-glover that I am.  I'll fulfill much needed productivity from the bottom of the order.  

M. Prior:  I will pitch in full body pads so I can live up to my potential and show all the nay-sayers that I am potentially the best pitcher in the league.  I will name my calves.

L. Piniella:  I promise to bring this team to the promised land, becoming the most loved person in all of Chicago.  I also promise at least one (very entertaining) encounter with an umpire per month.  All three infield bases will--at some point--end up in the outfield.

C. Zambrano:  Edmonds will taste my fury, 105 mph style.  Cy Young.  I will stay with the Cubbies until my arm falls off (in 2020).

K. Wood:  My loyalty will pay off, big time.

Bullpen:  My ERA will collectively be under 4.0, so will our collective college GPA.

And for us, we will continue to be the best fans in the world.  There is something to say about a group of people who devote a big (or small) part of their lives to a team many know as the 'loveable losers'.  Even my own family makes fun of me for having to see every pitch of every possible game--for filling out a scorecard at the Friendly Confines when being down by 6 runs in the 8th inning--for bleeding cubbie blue.  This is the year, I know it, the world is going to change.  Happy New Year everyone.    

I can't help but to think about the Cubs almost every second I'm awake.  Right now I'm spending some time in Argentina so this makes it kind of tough considering they live, breathe and eat (dont ask how) fútbol (soccer) here.  Ultimately, I have no one to share Cubbie passion with, hence, bringing it up with all of you whenever a random thought gets generated in my fragile brain.

The leadoff spot is going to be very intriguing come fall time.  Last year was obviously a no-brainer with Pierre but there are plenty of options for Piniella to tinker with.  First, who knows what our middle infield is going to look like exactly come opening day but guys like Theriot are certainly viable candidates (of course you need to be starting to be in the lead-off spot).  Soriano is constantly brought up but I personally think he's too much of a thumper to be wasted there.  Also, no one can say his SB numbers last year were a little inflated because he was trying to make bank in the offseason (which I'm not sure, did he?).

Personally, I would like to see Murton as our #1 guy.  I know, I know, he doesn't have to wheels that leadoff men generally should but, he works pitchers better then anyone else on the team.  He's also a phenomenal contact hitter than can use every part of the field.  His hair is red so chances of the pitcher being disturbed come first pitch are extremely high and he seems like the kind of guy that would be willing to do anything for the team to win and not come in last place in the division.  Again, the issue arises of, will he be starting opening day?  I certainly hope he is.  

No one needs to be reminded that Zito's new contract has broken records, this I know.  With this, I'd be curious to see how much people think Zambrano will rack up next year.  He has arguable been one of the most consistent pitchers within the last few years, he's extremely young and built like a tank.  I personally think Hendry was dumb not to offer him something already (because as we all see the price of pitchers has experienced inflation worse then gas prices).  Now I'm sure Carlos is licking his chops to cash in whenever he can.  As a side note, the genuine passion Zambrano has for the game is contagious and I think he'd pitch for free if it came down to it, but money is money.  And we all know the more other people have (see Zito, Meche, etc.), the more Big Z is ultimately going to have, especially when you're better then everyone else now wiping their asses with $100 bills.  MY GUESS: AT LEAST 7 YEARS, AT LEAST 150 MILLION