Sweet Swinging Billy

Are y'all excited about the long awaited arrival of the MLB Network, like I am? I have waited a long time for a network like this one. Tonight they are going to rebroadcast Larsen's perfect game --I can't wait. On Direct TV, it's on channel 213.

Straight up. Boston is one team that knows how to win. Unfortunately Theo would never do it.

Thanks Cy.

I was blest like many of you, to actually be able to attend Saturday's game when the Cubs clinched the division. I have a brother in-law who has attended more than one Cubs celebration in his life. He says that 2008 is by far the biggest, that there were more Cub fans in the streets than any other year. I got to admit, it was packed and it was a blast! What do y'all think?

Just got in from wild Chicago, man what a blast. Like many of you I had tix to the 9/20 game. I think my brother in-law said that this year's celebration was bigger than the ones in both 1998 and 2003. If I get around to it, I'll put up my pics.

Anyone surprised that Owings is the player? I know he struggled this year and was eventually sent down but in many ways, I wish we had him...although I don't know where we would put him. Have him start in place of Marquis? I don't know. And after all, it is for Dunn. jason marquis is a much better pitcher than micah owings okay. thanks IMB.

That's good news.

Just wondering if anyone knows any Cub fans that might have travelled to Houston for the series. I guess they would be stranded if they did. I'm pretty sure Vance was planning on going to H-town for the series...but I could be wrong on that. I hope he and everyone else is okay. In many ways, I still consider Houston to be my home it's just awful, in terms of the damage that Ike caused them and the rest of the Texas-Louisiana coast.

Anyone surprised that Owings is the player? I know he struggled this year and was eventually sent down but in many ways, I wish we had him...although I don't know where we would put him. Have him start in place of Marquis? I don't know. And after all, it is for Dunn.

You guys are making too much out of nothing. I didn't ACTUALLY expect to speak with Hendry. All I wanted to do was to leave a message and get my two cents in. Just being a enthusiastic Cub fan--nothing more.

Maybe if I told you clowns that I'm also fighting my second round of cancer, you'd be a little more understanding...but probably not. And yes I'm being serious.

Definitely no compassion on NSBB.com

You guys simply amaze me. I try to be helpful and you guys find my post hilarious? Unbelievable. I was sincere in what I posted, thinking that you might want to take the opportunity to express your opinion to Cub management as well...but I guess not.

Sorry for the tease guys and I wasn't really sure whether this post went in transactions or not, so...mods feel to move this wherever you wish. Anyway, I just called (well, probably 45 min. ago) Jim Hendry's office to encourage him to work out a deal for Rich Harden. I know I'm crazy but what can I say? I'm a die-hard Cub fan (45 yrs. plus). His secretary said he was in the office but he was currently in a meeting (maybe with other scouts and personnel working on a deal?), so he couldn't take my call. Hendry's secretary was very nice and I just left a message saying that I know Jim will do his best to swing a trade that will counter the Sabathia trade. I reinterated that I'm hoping that Harden will be that player. His secretary thanked me for my comments and said that Mr. Hendry would appreciate my kind words. In case none of you have this number, I'll give it to you. Call the Cubs at (773) 404-2827 (Cubs). Just remain on the line, ignoring all the prompts and then you will eventually hear a pre- recorded message telling you to "make your selection now or remain on the line and a operator will assist you". When the operator comes on, just ask for Hendry's office. Give Jimbo and call and tell him to do whatever it takes to land Rich Harden (or someone else for that matter). Man, I love this time of year! Every year I look forward to the trading deadline and what the Cubs might do.

Jayson Stark couldn't be more right in his comments on the Cubs being the best team in the NL. I've always thought that. They've showed it thus far and they will continue to dominate the league.

Go vote! I agree with Mizzou. I had chemotherapy this week and feel like crap but I don't care I'm going to do whatever i can to get Fukudome in. 200 votes and counting.

2005 was the year that the White Sox won the World Series right? Or was it 2006? Anyway, I was wondering if any of you knew what the White Sox record was at this point of the season and what their record was at the All-Star break. I'm wondering thus far, as to how the Cubs of this year compare to that 2005 squad. If I'm not mistaken the Southsiders started out like gangbusters that season, only to go into a mini slump as they neared the All-Star break (much like our Cubs) but of course they picked it up again, after that. Just curious. Any thoughts on the matter?

Everybody needs to make it their top priority to vote Koske in the All-Star voting. Thus far he's received 151 votes from me and I'm not done yet. As Vance explained, after you use up your 25 votes, you can use other people's email to vote as well.

What do you guys think? Am I being unrealistic? We all agree that pitching is our top priority and the cubs defininitely need to swing in a deal in getting a Sabaithia or Harden...but what about adding another arm to the rotation --especially if we have to give up Gallagher in a trade? This would probably really deplete our farm system.

Yeah although Edmonds has played well, I think He's gonna go into a massive slump and I predict that come September, Edmonds will be gone. What does everybody else think? Does Edmonds continue to be with the team throughout the rest of the year? I think that he's played well enough that I really don't see him being cut. --- Yeah Vance, you're probably right. I just wanted to disagree with Zamora.

Yeah although Edmonds has played well, I think He's gonna go into a massive slump and I predict that come September, Edmonds will be gone. What does everybody else think? Does Edmonds continue to be with the team throughout the rest of the year?

Uh, thanks guys. It sounds like in so many words (or maybe not enough words), he's happy to be playing with the Cubs.

Hey has any of you seen anything on how Fukudome is adjusting to the U.S., Chicago and playing at Wrigley Field? I would love to read something on some of his experiences. Thanks.

--I would much rather have a strike driven through my heart than to have the Brewers get Sabathia. That would absolutely kill me but I still think we would win the division ---cause this is our year!

Doesn't matter. Neither team will beat the Cubs THIS year.