BigbadB

I'm the same. Always cheer for them to win, especially against division rivals. Didn't get my feelings hurt when Bellamy dropped the ball. To have as many players go down to injury and still be competitive against anyone at this point tells me that there is some decent talent to work with going forward. Seems as though Langford has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. Or they are looking to protect him from aggravating the injury he missed several weeks with. Carey got more carries/plays than Langford yesterday.

I don't think he was ever actually listed as healthy. He was back to return punts, but I can't remember if he just fair caught all of them or let them go by. Nevermind, I just looked at the box and he had one short return. It's probably better to just let the coaching staff grade out the younger kids and see if there is anything worth sparing after the season, so I had no problem with Eddie sitting on the sidelines. I have to say it was pretty weird seeing guys with numbers catching balls that I had no idea who they were. Don't have a clue who Brown is, but that was a nice catch for the first td.

Can we get the best of the rest and have them suit up to help Cleveland win 3 games?

I was reading that they don't believe Gardner has the capacity to play an adequate CF anymore, although on days where he would play against a RHP, he could play RF and Heyward could move to CF. Not knowing what kind of arm Gardner has, maybe he and Schwarber switch OF spots in that instance. We do know Maddon doesn't mind moving people around. Doesn't seem like there is really that much savings from Gardner to Fowler, except in years. I also wonder if the back of the bullpen will be addressed before they make a decision on Fowler since that's likely a more pressing need. How long will Fowler wait? He waited a long time last year, but his suitors are plentiful and likely less patient this year.

Wasn't that Deuce Base? Or Deuce Baseman?

12 missed extra points yesterday. What is the success rate of just going for two?

I may he crazy, but I'd want to keep Almora, but I guess for the right deal you bite the bullet. Baez I keep even if he doesnt have a starting spot penciled in. If Dexter comes back, we have to assume it's a 4 year deal, 3 at the very least. I don't see a need to keep Almora in that case. I think Soler and Almora become trade bait if Dex comes back.

I wore my Cutler jersey to the bar on Sunday. Probably for the final time. It's faded from wear, but I'm just not proud to wear it anymore. Kill Eli!

Yeah, you are not alone that the title has been misleading at this point.

Hey Chis Conte. You sucked as a Chicago Bear. That you got a silly pick 6 isn't some karma that Chicago no longer wanted your ass. You still play on a crappy team and you still suck.

So they want to sign him to...get revenge on us? http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2016/11/report-cardinals-make-play-dexter-fowler.php Bowden is a moron, but Mozeliak certainly isn't. If he goes after Dex, it'll be because he's useful to them and have nothing to do with emotions or revenge. It's hard to fathom guys like Bowden got to run front offices as recently as the last couple years. It would be a lot of fun if Dexter took a lesser contract to stay with the Cubs.

I haven't read the article. Is it now assumed that Brian's struggles all along were because of MS, or has he only recently acquired it? I remember his dizzy spells were originally considered vertigo.

Whoops. I just posted it in the NHL thread. Sad.

Brian Bickell diagnosed with MS. :(

Panarin and Crawford were legendary last night. Great game!

Meh. I don't mind them going into the season without one. We can only trade for one in July if it looks like a glaring problem. It's an awfully expensive purchase in July. If Edwin Jackson, Fowler and Hammel are all coming off the books along with a few others like Cahill and Wood, I would imagine they could at least try to be competitive with offers on the top closers.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17973532/chicago-cubs-catcher-miguel-montero-critical-manager-joe-maddon-role-team-postseason Given all of the good vibes around how likable just about everyone on this team is... I was disappointed to see this so soon after the series. Not cool, he just lost some stock in my book. He needs to resign himself to taking over Ross's role (personal catcher for one of our stud starters, backup/mentor/clubhouse leader the rest of the time). If he can't do that, not sure I would want him on the team next year. I'd skip the personal catcher stuff. He's gone after 2017. He can just be the back up and give Willson some rest here and there.

I would not have made some of the moves Maddon made, but I get why he made them. And I think most of his moves were made moreso to prevent a meltdown loss, knowing that this city has already had too many of those. He was trying to do his part to protect the lead, and I can't fault him for that. He didn't want the Cleveland bats to see Hendricks the third time through the line up, and the first sign of trouble, he was going to Lester. Then the ump screwed Hendricks on that call, and Joe panicked. That's the type of situation that has cost the Cubs before. Angry Hendricks for not getting the call he deserved then loses focus and gives up the long ball. Same can be said about Chapman. He didn't have good stuff that night, and it was time to get him out of there before something bad happened. In the end, it worked out. I'm a huge fan of his work. It might seem crazy, but I'll bet a lot of Maddon's decisions really did hinge on the possibility of a meltdown. He just didn't want to be the guy who lost them another chance at a World Series ring, therefore he overmanaged. With all that said, I have not read this thead yet. That will be on Tuesday when I have enough time in my day to enjoy it in its entirety.

I have a post in the running for best of all time. Blockbuster charged my credit card for late fees for movies that weren't late. Rather than shooting up the place, I just took my blockbuster membership card up to the front counter with a long line of people and I chopped that horsefeathers up with a pair of scissors. They are out of business now. You are welcome! I love you all! :hello:

Rizzo and Bryant are on MLB TV right now. I meant to type MLB Network. Sorry!

I believe his option was for 5m, which we all expected him to decline since he is definitely more valuable than that.

Okay, I am alive. I just checked my pulse and got confirmation. It took me until now to regain my senses and retrieve all the cars we left at the bar last night. Uber picked us up at 3:30am California time and I suppose it was a good call to have them take us home because our Uber driver got pulled over right in front of us. I feel a bit stupid buying the entire bar (mostly Padres fans and not Cub fans) a round of drinks when A) the place was packed and B) I didn't even know some of them, but a lot of them were cheering for the Cubs and helping make the night pretty special so far away from Chicago. My bar tab was $450 (including the tip), but I guess I got off cheep in relation to what people were paying to get into game 7. So many things to take away from this game. Things I hated, but also things I loved. Many or all have probably been talked about here since we are nearing Brian Roberts trade thread territory. Bryant's smile before he even snagged that slow grounder was simply amazing. Ross hitting that home run off of Miller. Rain delaying the game. Baez and Ross both making up for their fielding gaffs with home runs. Schwarber getting that hit, and then Almora taking 2nd on that fly ball which set up everything that happened next. I absolutely loved that game. Glad it's recorded, because I do want to watch it again, sober this time. I love you all. Life is good and the Cubs are the World Series Champions!

Mrs. BigbadB asked me to paint the guest bedroom last night, so I missed the game. Who won and who's pitching tonight?

Welcome back! Go Cubs!