CubinNY

So were the Colts. Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have been on it more than a few times, too. Odd that you bring up Tiger. Sports Illustrated in 2002 did a cover story on its own curse and here is what they found: So while there is rock-solid proof that the cover curse exists, the fact that it's happened 37.2 percent of the time is something of an oddity. No that is not "rock solid" proof of anything. The rate is less than chance levels.

Good luck!

I'm going to stick by the reasoning that because so many boomers grew up in the 60's that everything that comes out of that era is overromanticized. The 2004 team was better than the 1969 team. The 2004 team's collapse was far more ridiculous. The reason why it's "romanticized" is because it was first time the Cubs were in the hunt for first place in many many years. And yet there is one collapse and 2 playoff chokes that should be much more memorable that a team that faded with 2 months to go in the season. I know the others were closer but this was the first for many many Cub fans and you never forget your first. This is true. My first was 2001 (was only 11 and not into the Cubs yet in 1998) and I think about that team quite often. 1984 was more heart breaking than 2003 for me. In 84 the Cubs hadn't been to a post season since 1945.

Both the LA teams signed players to worse contracts than did any other team. Both are CFers and both are medicore at best Sarge Jr. and Juan "Slap Nasty" Pierre.

I think they can continue the hearing if the sides are close to a deal. Cubs should tell Z they are not going to the hearing on time beacuse they are still talking. And then show up, when Z doesn't, the Cubs are sure to win to hearing! Or they should let Aramis run the arby hearing, he'd be late for sure. :D

What kind of crap? Jesus Christ, it's as if people who question the diety that is Aramis Ramirez are completely idiotic for mentioning that it doesn't look good that he's the only one who doesn't show up early. Am I saying that he's an ass for not showing up early? No. Am I saying that I like him less for not showing up early? No, in fact he's one of my favorite Cubs. Am I saying that it doesn't look good? Yes. And it doesn't. He signs a fat contract (at a discount, yes, but still fat) and he's the last to arrive to ST. That's not the way to win over the fans that got on him last year. No. It is completely idiotic to get one's panties in a knot beacasue a player is not yet in camp. It means nothing. Spring training means nothing. It is a time for players to get their timing back, and get use to playing baseball again on a daily basis. The season doesn't start for another six weeks.

I don't know about "strangely" but I am "cautiously" optimistic.

I've definately been jaded by Baker but at this point I'm willing to give Lou the benefit of the doubt. However, I'm real worried abou the Murton/Floyd splits. Floyd is a very streaky hitter. I worry that he starts the season out strong and then hangs on to his job b/c of the hot start. But like I wrote, I've been jaded by Baker.

I've had the same look on my face over the past few seasons ... For me: September 24, 2004 Shea Stadium http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN200409250.shtml

Did you even read that? You have to succeed at least 70% of the time on average with 0 or 1 outs. Soriano was below 70% success rate last season. You'll run yourself into unnecessary outs. You will lose scoring opportunities just for the sake of creating a situation where someone might score a manufactured run. The Cubs appear to be heavy on the SLG side and light on the OBP side of the OPS stat. OPS being the most telling for winning ball clubs. With that in mind, I'd rather not see a ton of stolen base attempts from the Fonz. If he's on the chance that he gets driven home via an extra base hit from Lee, Aramis, JJ, or Floyd are better if he's not sitting in the dugout.

I talked to the Syracuse Chiefs trainer and he said that a lot of the players don't work hard or see the value of keeping in shape until they get hurt. They have this "I'm indestructible" feeling and just think they are every going to need to do the things they need to do to stay healthy and prolong their careers and for many it's too late when they finally realize this. some like Ken griffey Jr. it took a few more injuies to figure it out. I just can't imagine not having a personal off season training, if nothing more they are tax deductable. If I were playing and had the leverage I'd negotiate for one in my contract, and a chef too. If I were a team owner, I'd seriously think about giving the services to my "franchize" players. To me it makes good business sense, like investing in routine maintenance.

Santo has a great rug.

Hendry and Zambrano's his agents were scheduled to meet yesterday (in person or over the phone) and again today. Representatives for Cubs pitching ace Carlos Zambrano met with general manager Jim Hendry on Sunday night in an unsuccessful effort to reach agreement on a one-year contract and avoid a potentially nasty arbitration hearing scheduled for Tuesday. The sides are expected to resume talks today as the Cubs enter the final 24 hours before what would be their first arbitration hearing since 1993 (Mark Grace). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/263259,CST-SPT-cubnt19.article According to http://www.chicagosports.com Big Z says he's "85% signed for a one year deal". I have no idea what that means.

Man Woody looks good.

No I don't.

I wasn't aware that we could only post BREAKING NEWS here. Saying they have similar walk and strikeout rates is not a comparison? I'll keep your comments under advisement.

I posted this in another thread but I think it might deserve its own. Compares him to Daniel Caberrra. Not optimistic http://www.fangraphs.com/

I wonder if the fickle crossover fans will come back to the Cubs if they are the ones winning? God I hope not. It's hard enough to get Cubs tickets as it is. I don't want the bandwagoners showing up to games and asking stupid questions like "Who is that number 34?", or "Why isn't Sosa starting in right field?" That is the majority of the fans of any team. There aren't many people like us. Wrigley is chock full of people just looking to have a good time, whether we want to admit that or not.

See my post above. I was changing it as you typed. Sorry. That written, I'd expect his numbers to be a little better if he only faced RHP. However, I don't think they'd be significantly better.

Even if Jones sits 80% of the time against left-handers (which I fully support and hopefully it's even more than that) he likely will still have the most-at bats because he has an advantage on the other two outfielders with starting against right-handers (Murton because he is right-handed, and Floyd because Floyd would be terrible defensively in RF). Even with Jones getting the most at-bats though, if they are sitting him against left-handers the Cubs outfield will be incredibly productive. I don't expect Jones to come close to the numbers he posted last year, except OBP. http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=735&position=OF&page=0&type=full Fangraphs also has an article on Big Z (not optimistic). http://www.fangraphs.com/ If Jones sits against the vast majority of lefties, his numbers will probably exceed last year's. Or not. It is a faulty assumption born by the ascendence of roto leagues. You can't just look at the numbers and take the ABs away. I'm as much a stat head as anybody, but real life does not work that way.

Even if Jones sits 80% of the time against left-handers (which I fully support and hopefully it's even more than that) he likely will still have the most-at bats because he has an advantage on the other two outfielders with starting against right-handers (Murton because he is right-handed, and Floyd because Floyd would be terrible defensively in RF). Even with Jones getting the most at-bats though, if they are sitting him against left-handers the Cubs outfield will be incredibly productive. I don't expect Jones to come close to the numbers he posted last year, except OBP. http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=735&position=OF&page=0&type=full Fangraphs also has an article on Big Z (not optimistic). http://www.fangraphs.com/

You mean I'm cut already? Spring Training hasn't even started.

My five keys to a successful Cubs season: 1) A healthy and fully recuperated Mark Prior There is nothing bigger than this that is still up in the air. Adding a 2003/2004 Mark Prior to the rotation would make this the team to beat in the NL. 2) Soriano hitting like 2006 instead of 2005 Biggest x factor on the offensive side 3) Hill is for real If Hill can show that his control gains from 2005-2006 and that his home run prevention from 2006 are sustainable...he's going to be a very, very good pitcher. Because he's going to strike a whole bunch of people out. 4) Supplanting Izturis at SS The light bulb that went on for Ronnie in the second half of the winter where his walk rate quadrupled is a very hopeful sign. He may not be the 2003 version of Izturis in the field, but neither is the 2006 version of Izturis. If Ronnie could push Cesar out of a job by the break, it could be great thing for this team. 5) Wood able to close If Kerry is healthy enough to pitch a closer's load from the pen, we don't have to be concerned with whether or not Dempster can close. If Ryan hangs onto the job through great performance, fantastic. Otherwise we have a potential dominator out there if he can go. If these five things go the Cubs way (and they all very well could), this team will be a powerhouse. Heck, if even the first few of them go the Cubs way, we'll be the team to beat in the NL. Not to be a suck up. I agree with your assessment 100%. I'd also list #6: Matt Murton. He is poised to have a breakout season. If he gets enough ABs.

Yeah the Angels are going to trade two of their best prospects and a good young pitcher for one year of Big Z. That's a terrible article. Obviously you are not a student of recent baseball history to make such a sweepingly inaccurate statement. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1) Bagwell for Larry Anderson; 2) Smoltz for Doyle Alexander; 3) Randy Johnson to Hou (for less than one season) for Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and someone else who I cannot recall at this moment; 4) Former Cubs luminary Heathcliff Slocumb for Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe. Anyone wish to add to the above? You can take Doyle Alexander off the list. He pitched a couple of years for the Tigers. Heathcliff was resigned for the next year too but was traded. However, I think a team like the Angles *might* trade those guys for a shot at big Z. He's young enough to be productive for a long time, if he can stay healthy.

Had you taken the time to read MY posts, you would see that I never said that. I've only said that I am not going to get all worried about the possibility forwarded by some uninformed writer that Hill won't be in the rotation until some quote or action by the Cubs organization itself leads me to believe that will be the case. Unfounded? I've read nothing that says that Hill will be in the rotation for the Chicago Cubs. All I've read is that he will be competing for a job. It speaks volumes about Jim Hendry and the Cubs. Volumes. Hill has been the best pitching propspect in the Cubs organization for going on three years now. Instead he's been brought up, used sparingly, demoted to the bullpen, sent down, brought up, used sparingly, sent down, brought up, in trouble with Dusty and Larry, sent down, and brought up again. In my opinion Marquis is supposed to be an insurance policy on Prior. Instad it seems as if he has an inside track in the rotation. Z Lilly Marquis Prior That leaves Miller, Guzman, and Hill fighting it out for the last spot, when perhaps all three of them will be better than Marquis.