GhostRunner

Today is your birthday, too??

I'm bawling ... this is incredible. My mom called me and just said, "Happy Birthday." I was so amped I couldn't even talk to her. Thank you, Zambrano. Thank you, Soto. Thank you, Cubs. This was epic.

Die, ESPN, die.

I swear that I'm going to flip out if this ends up happening - on my birthday, no less - and freakin' MLB has prevented me from watching it on TV. If it ends up happening, and WGN or Comcast doesn't show a replay later, it would be equally ridiculous.

Man, Fukudome probably has the coolest bat-flip in baseball ... too bad we haven't been able to see it more often. :(

... and now you can own all of these amazing moments - and many more - when you buy the upcoming video retrospective, "Anno Catuli: The 2008 Chicago Cubs World Series Championship Season", on DVD or high-def Blu-ray disc. Available in November. Makes a great holiday gift!

During one of the Cubs' Friday games in August (I think it was the 8/22 game vs. the Nationals), it took 5 balls to walk a batter. I remember this clearly as it was a normal Friday 1:20 start and I taped the game to watch after work. Marquis threw a ball in a 3-2 count and nobody did anything ... the batter stayed in the box, Soto tossed it back to the mound. The next pitch was high and the batter finally went down to first. I rewound the tape and watched it just to be sure I wasn't losing my mind. Len actually said something to the effect of, "Oh, I thought that was ball four, but I guess not." Anyone else remember this? Probably happens more often than we realize.

When you enter the lottery, you are included in the drawing for both the NLDS and NLCS. Whether or not you are selected to buy NLDS tix, you will still be qualified for the NLCS drawing. This is per the Cubs.com article.

I seems pretty clear to me that the folks who are miffed about this change are upset solely due to the fact that the Cubs finally wised up to the VWR scamming and replaced it. The reason that it was "easy" to get post-season tickets last year was because of the multiple-windows trick. I have to disagree that the trick is common knowledge, because it if was, then the bandwagoners/scalpers/brokers would be doing the exact same thing, which would cancel out the true fan's multiple windows and just wind up tipping the scales back into balance. It would have been the same as a lottery, more or less. I can't believe that anyone would have gotten "easy" tickets if the VWR exploit was very well-known and used by everyone. The only way to ensure that the true fans get tickets would be for the Cubs to pass out Cubs IQ tests and give priority to the highest scorers. Regardless of the system in place, Wrigley Field will still be overrun with politicians, celebs, baseball-know-nothings, wealthy bandwagoners, and socialites. The true fans are ALWAYS a minority at any post-season sporting event. The lottery is fair. It puts everyone on the same plane - die-hards, brokers, scalpers, trixies, d-bags, etc. Sure, someone will find a way to exploit this, too, but it won't be as widespread as the VWR trick. What if I'm a die-hard Cubs fan (which I am) and I enter the lottery, but I just sell the tickets for more than face if I do get picked? Is that any different than the scalpers? The tickets are a commodity, so they'll get traded as such. The only way I can see to avoid it would be the hand-picking scenario I described above.

Gimme a break. I was obviously referring to the masses of bandwagon fans that will come crawling out of the woodwork once the Cubs clinch a playoff spot, all scrambling to get tickets, thus making it tough for actual die-hards to get theirs. At least the lottery system gives everyone an equal chance, unlike the VWR and it's inherent potential for abuse. Don't take things so personally. Sheesh.

Really? According to the story on Cubs.com, face for NLDS tickets will range from $25 to $100 (bleachers $60), and NLCS tickets will go for $30 to $150 (bleachers $100). Considering what those same tickets will likely go for on StubHub and eBay, these prices are a steal. For those complaining about the lottery system, at least stop and consider that perhaps this gives a better chance for actual Cubs fans to attend the payoff games, rather than a bunch of bandwagoner VWR winners and handshaking Chicago eliterati. Your chances to get tickets may be worse, but your chances to get good seats may be better. EDIT: is anyone else a little concerned that the lottery sign-up page isn't a secure site? They're not asking for SSNs or anything, but I'd be more comfortable with an https.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1702/burgerhotdog2rarticlejl0.jpg

best items I had for lunch today: 1. burger 2. fries No way! All the other sports writers have Fries at #1. And, as usual, no love for Strawberry Shake.

That was the epic 5-game set against the Cardinals ... the DH Game 2 was the only game the Cubs lost in that series.

Hal McRae

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8/9 ... No guarantee that he'll stay on course for that role with Carpenter down, but I don't see them stretching him out when their greatest need is obviously a closer, and he's got experience in that job. Latest news on Carpenter is that he'll miss his next start, and was to be examined today.

I'm also saving up vacation time for the playoffs ... I've got over two weeks to spend, which is actually pretty silly since all the games are at night, and I doubt that I could get to an NLDS or NLCS game. I offered up a kidney for quality WS tickets to all Wrigley home games in 2003. Offer still stands! Non-smoker, no-alcohol, and I drink lots of water! PM for details - serious inquiries only. I reserve the right to refuse any offer. :P

The Cubs.com article specifically states that Fukudome wasn't informed of Lou's concerns face-to-face before Piniella went to the media with it. That's the kind of stuff that turns players bitter on their manager, as pampered and Dusty-esque as it might seem. I doubt anyone would want their boss to make an critique about their performance at a company meeting before they at least spoke with you about it first, right? Fukudome probably isn't too upset, but you can read in his comments that he was a little annoyed by the situation. Best result would be for him to start taking some more pitches; he can't even seem to get a bunt down lately ...

This certainly hurts their chances, but IIRC the Cards were winning without Carpenter before, and they're not going to lay down if Carpenter winds up on the DL again. Also, starting pitching really isn't their primary concern, anyway. If Wainwright stays on track, their closer hole could be filled soon and they could definitely climb back into things.

Not to nitpick, but Milwaukee actually has 6 games remaining against Cincinnati, and all are in September when the Cubs are mostly on the road (Sept. 8-10 & Sept. 19-21). And while it's not quite as worrysome now, St. Louis also still has 9 games vs. Cincinnati remaining (Aug. 15-17, Sept. 16-18, & Sept. 26-28). This is bad news for the Cubs, any way you slice it. Still, put me in the camp that says Dunn can be pitched to. Keep runners off base in front of him (a' la Pujols), and his solo shots won't kill us. Geez, September is going to be one tough month ...

The last issue of TSN suggested that - if a new owner wanted to make splash - they may opt to let Wood walk and get into the sweepstakes for Francisco Rodriguez. It's pure speculation on TSN's part, of course. It would likely take at least 4 years, 50 mil to sign him.

Didn't see any thread on this yet ... opening ceremony finishing up now (on 12-hour delay, that is). Apparently, some wacky Frenchman has called out the U.S. swim team. Michael Phelps may just eat his foie gras after sweeping the golds. Personally, I'm stoked for table tennis and fencing. :grin:

I found some Cubs pixie dust stuffed in a crate from 1908 and put it in Edmonds' Cheerios. Who knew the old stuff still has some potency? Go, Cubs pixie dust, go!

Just a day in the life ... but it's getting better.

In other words, you're OK with building a new ballpark next near. :DI could prolly live with that, yeah. :wink: