http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1664320,CST-SPT-yosh14.article

Two weeks ago Yosh went to Wrigley to visit members of the ground crew and three security guards approached him and told him he had to leave. The guy only worked there for 65 years and had visited frequently since his retirement and they throw the guy out? It says the executives didn't know of this but will contact him directly. They should have contacted him the day they found out. Yosh deserves better than this.

This didn't help the win Thursday night but maybe it will help tonight. If nothing else it will at least keep us sane not having to listen to the doom and gloomers.

Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!! Go Cubs Go!!

Hope this brings them some luck. Let's do this Cubs!!!

go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go gocubsgo gocubsgo gocubsgo gocubsgo gocubsgo gocubsgo gocubsgo

go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go go cubs go

Hope this thread gives us a win tonight.

Go Cubs Go...Go Cubs Go.....Go Cubs Go......Go Cubs Go......

words words words words words words words words words words words wordswordswords wordswords Go Cubs Go words words words words words words words Go Cubs Go words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words GO Cubs Go words words words words words words words Go Cubs Go words words words words words words words words words

Friday is the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. I was wondering how all of you feel about the games? We love both summer and winter. I know some don't care for them at all.

This summer's games are special as there are three Iowa athletes vying for medals. Shawn Johnson in gymnastics, Lolo Jones in the 100m hurdles and Doug Schwab in men's freestyle wrestling. Shawn and Lolo are expected to get gold medals in their fields. Sports Illustrated says Doug is a threat to medal.

What events will you be watching in the next two weeks?

Let's try this and see if it helps.

[Thanks to sue for today's game thread. Sorry it's up late. -Matt]

This won't be anything like the other game day threads but at least we won't have to go through all of the other posts from Fridays game.

I don't look for a win today but I hope they at least look like they want to win.

We need to get rid of the injury bug soon. If you've never had an abdominal strain they hurt like hell. I admire Thabo playing through his.

Here are a couple of articles from the Energy's first two games of the season. In Sat.'s game he had 24 points and 8 assists.

The teams debut in Des Moines last night the Energy came from behind to win. JamesOn had 21 points in last nights D-League record setting attendance game.

Here are the articles from both games.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/SPORTS04/711250352/1015/SPORTS0 4

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/SPORTS04/71127004/1015

They just have to worry about today's game. Worry about tomorrow then. I hope Rich pitches his best game so far. Offense guys that is what we need. Make it easier on Rich today and get some runs. Score first and score often. Hope the crowd provides the support this team needs.

GO CUBS!!! GO CUBS!!! GO CUBS!!!

Last time we did this the Cubs won in great fashion. Let's hope they do it again tonight. They certainly can't have two horrible offensive games in a row can they? Hopefully Soriano finds his way on base tonight and the others follow his lead. I hope Ted pitches a lights out game.  Let's do this Cubs!!

GO CUBS!!!

for those who are tired of all the ledge jumpers and those who call the players and coaches names.

Hope the Cubs are fired up and get a win tonight and the Brewers lose another one.

For all those going to the game tonight cheer loud and strong for our guys.

I hope there are enough words to post this diary.

We can use this diary to discuss tonights game if needed. Let's act like adults and refrain from calling the players names and saying they suck every time something doesn't go our way.

Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! GO Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!!

The Bulls televised schedule is out. Here is an article on the schedule and the schedule itself. Almost all of the WGN/SSWGN games are on the weekends. I looked at last year's schedule and it wasn't like that.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/tickets/tvschedule_0708.html

http://www.nba.com/media/bulls/schedule_0708.pdf

Looks like Pie will be back with the team tonight. Doesn't say for sure who will be sent down but it does mention maybe Ronny will be on his way back to Iowa. Let's hope the third time works for Pie and he brings a much needed spark to this team.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/08/here-comes-feli.html

Tyrus only played in three games but played very well in those three games. He averaged 16 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.7 stlpg, and 4.7 blkpg. Thabo averaged 15.4 ppg. They both made the first team.

Wish there was a way to see the games this week in SLC. KC reported that TT may not play this week because of the tendinitis in his knee.

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/07sl_stats.html

[From the Diaries. Thanks to Sue for compiling this info. I guess this thread might as well be the open thread for those that will be watching today's game online. -Matt]

I know not everyone likes to watch the summer league games but for those who do here is the schedule -

Orlando -

7-9-07  Chicago/Indiana 2 p.m.
7-10-07 Chicago/Charlotte 6:30 - 7 p.m.
7-11-07 Miami/Chicago 6:30 - 7 p.m.
7-12-07 Chicago/Orlando 4:30 - 5 p.m.
7-13-07 NJ/Chicago 10 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Revue -

7-16-07 Philadelphia/Chicago 1:15 p.m.
7-17-07 Chicago/Atlanta 1:15 p.m.
7-18-07 TBA
7-19-07 Chicago/Seattle 3:30 p.m.
7-20-07 Utah/Chicago 6 p.m. all times CST

According to NBA.com NBA-TV will be carrying 28 of the games and all 55 games will be available as live video webcast on NBA.com. Here is link for that.

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/index.html

I am excited to see how the summer league team does. I just wish Joakim was able to play.

Here is a roster and bios of the Bulls players.

http://www.nba.com/media/bulls/07chicago_summerleague.pdf

The Bears decide not to renew Riveras contract. He and Smith spoke and they decided it was best to not renew him. They will promote linebackers coach Bob Babich to take his place.

I guess I'm surprised by this. I figured he would leave bacause of another job but doesn't sound like he does. I wish him well though.

http://chicago.comcastsportsnet.com/view_content_0p.asp?ID=45363

The guard play has been bothering me all night and I find it very frustrating. You never know who is going to show up, Bjizzle or Bfizzle, Captain Kirk or Captain Quirk, Duhon or Duhoff.

Mostly it's Ben and Kirk that are so inconsistant. It seems like they alternate games. I think there were a couple of games last year where Bfizzle and Captain Quirk both showed up on the same night and it was ugly. Some nights Duhon comes off the bench shooting lights out and other nights you wish he would have just stayed on the bench.

I want to see Kirk and Ben scorch a team for 50 to 60 points one night. You guys have better baksetball minds than I do. Is this even possible?

The Bulls exercised their 4th year options of Deng, Gordon and Khryapa. Here is the link.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/options_061024.html

Wish I could say they have Kirk's done too but it doesn't sound like it's going to get done this year.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/108242,CST-SPT-bullnt24.article

The NBA is cracking down on the abuse of the officials this year. Kirk was the first to find this out (he waved his hand at the official for calling a foul on him). The players will be fined for every technical foul they get.

Here's the article -

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/95097,CST-SPT-bullnt13.article

Kirk made the 15 man roster for team going to Asia. Here is the roster:

Carmello Anthony
Gilbert Arenas
Shane Battier
Chris Bosh
Bruce Bowen
Elton Brand
Kirk Hinrich
Dwight Howard
LeBron James
Antwan Jamison
Joe Johnson
Brad MIller
Chris Paul
Amare Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade

This came across the ticker on the NBA channel.

There is an article in The Chicago Tribune that asks Skiles if he favors Hinrich over Gordon. He says he doesn't favor one player over another but does discuss their different qualities.

Do you think he favors Hinrich over Gordon? I think there are days he doesn't like any of the players. He certainly isn't afraid to take all 5 starters out if he isn't happy with their play.