UMFan83

BTW, the more I think about it, the more the 2006 White Sox paralell the 2004 Cubs. -The year prior both teams made long playoff runs (of course the Sox won it and the Cubs didn't) -Both teams upgraded considerably in the offseason and looked better on paper heading in -Expectations were sky high for both teams coming into the year -Both teams fell behind the division pace in the early-mid summer months and conceded playing for the wild card -Both teams led the chase up into the final few weeks when a collapse caused them to be eliminated. That said, at least the White Sox aren't complaining and whining like little girls

Ignore his BA and look at his OBP and tell me if he had a good year. I give him a C-

3 out of the 6 experts so far have chosen the Vikings. Geez how many more points do we have to beat our opponents by to get some respect.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2597721 The Twins and A's are both going to the playoffs this year. Try another lame excuse. I think he's referring to the two 120+ million juggernauts in his own division. They spend far more then any team in the AL Central and West. The White Sox are the next closest I think and their payroll is like 30 million less then the Red Sox

So where do we make our picks? This thread?

Well looks like this protest got some national media pub, more then any protest that Cubs fans have had. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2597721

Any updates on my lead :)

Stop making me cry, I am in a good mood today

Eh, I kinda like the tradition. The baseball parade and whatever, everyone talking about how great baseball tradition is in Cincinnati, and then the Cubs put up 15-16 runs on the Reds, then lose the rest of the games in the series. What's weird is our home opener doesn't come until the next Monday, which kinda stinks. Anyone remember the last time we opened at home? That's not weird at all. This year was the first time in a while that we even had a first-week home series. Last opener at home was 2001 against Montreal. We did in 2005 too

I heard Ron say last night that he hadn't heard anything new and that DLee has been kind of invisible over the last few days.

Eh, I kinda like the tradition. The baseball parade and whatever, everyone talking about how great baseball tradition is in Cincinnati, and then the Cubs put up 15-16 runs on the Reds, then lose the rest of the games in the series. What's weird is our home opener doesn't come until the next Monday, which kinda stinks. Anyone remember the last time we opened at home?

Also on the front of: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ That's not good... Hey now, it's the website, not the magazine... Besides, how many times was Michael Jordan on the cover of SI? :) Or basically anyone else that is/was great in pro sports... I almost guarentee you that if Grossman has another great game and the Bears beat the Vikings, the Bears will be on the cover of SI. An individual leading a team into somewhat suprising dominance is exactly what SI loves to showcase. No other big sports stories this week except the baseball stretch run, but they will probably wait until the week after to make a baseball cover in preparation for the playoffs.

He also said about 5 moves is all we need to get back to contention. As long as some of the names he is considering are Santana, Hafner, Howard, Pujols, and Halladay I believe him

Yes, they have everything on us. Yes they won the world series last year. Yes they were far better this year then the Cubs. Yes they will likely be much better next year then the Cubs. Yes this will likely not change anytime soon. But as a Cubs fan that has suffered through everything in the heart of Wrigleyville the last 2 years, and watched this city turn 180 degrees the other way, give me a tourtured Cubs fan a moment to quietly derive a slight amount of pleasure in this. The thing is, I don't hate the Sox that much (their fans are another story), but to go through the amount of jealousy that I have gone through over the past year, and to watch as Wrigleyville is turned into quasi-Bridgeport North, I deserve a moment of pleasure watching their collapse don't I? I remember the first time I noticed a Sox hat in Wrigleyville. It was in August of 2005. I found it odd, to see someone proudly displaying their Sox hat in the mecca of all that is Cubs. I brushed it off as an abberation. This couldn't become the norm could it? Flashforward 13 months, and now I find myself walking around Wrigleyville counting Cubs hats, hoping to justify that this is still a Cubs neighborhood. I take the El downtown wearing my Cubs hat, and get awkward looks from passers by that proudly wear their team's Black and white cap with the tag still hanging off of it. I wonder is this the same town I moved back to just 2 years ago in August of 2004? The same town that when I met a Sox fan, I was genuinely suprised that I just proved their existance? Anyways, I am rambling. Just wanted to make a thread of this and let us pathetic, tourtured fans of bad baseball comment on the pending elimination of the Southsiders. Yes, lurking White Sox fans will find this thread and laugh about how much we 'obsess' over the White Sox, but whatever. It's hard not to after last season. If you thought this rant was pathetic and gloomy, wait until I get to my Cardinals fans in Chicago rant :):)

Just caught that, also added Dodgers and Rockies. Just went through every NL team's schedule page :)

Added, thanks Vance!

Petition to ban people making outrageous claims about Mark Prior. by outrageous claims do you mean: claiming he is the only key to Cubs success or claiming that he will never be healthy and effective again Heh, the best thing is...we have all winter to argue points like this!

Sad to see them go. Even more disapointed that I never got a chance to catch a game down there. I feel the worst for DJaxx and everyone else that worked hard to build a strong relationship with the team. Ron, stop by anytime, you are more then welcome. You know some of our love for the Cubs rubbed off on you!

I miss caring about the Cubs and caring about various Cubs rehab status. Apologies if this is posted elsewhere Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&ID=3328 Via: Sun-Times

Hey guys, remember Mark Prior? Just wondering.

Wait, we're still doing game threads? 9 more games after today...

Agreed good move. I always liked Chris Harris though, probably because he got the awful Mike Green out of there. I think Harris will still produce in Manning's old role though.

I agree, I can smell upset here. If the game was in Jacksonville, maybe. But not in Indy. Last year in Indy, Peyton threw for only 122 yards. The running game was solid, but without Edge there, I don't know how successful they will be running the ball. Their secondary is loaded with big (good tackling..)hitters who are gonna frustrate the finesse receivers all day. Early line has Indy -7. That's a gutsy call after they just shutout the Steelers. Now the Jags gotta score some points :D Yeah. Peyton also threw for 324 yards in Jacksonville later in the year. And I do know my earlier point was that the game was in Indy and that's why I thought Indy was going to win. We'll have to wait and see. It should be a very good game and hopefully that game will be televised out here. Looking at the schedule, San Diego and Oakland don't play and the 49ers play the later game. Hopefully CBS will do the smart thing and show this game. This site is awesome: http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/ Looks like you will be getting Cin at Pit, which is still a terrific matchup Edit: CBS http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/03-CBS.gif Fox Game 1 http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/03-FOX-E.gif Fox Game 2 http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/03-FOX-L.gif

I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I'm considering driving up to Minnesota this weekend for the game, thats how much I'm getting into this season. I dunno, I'm probably overconfident or just getting overexcited because of the crappy Cubs season, but these first 2 games the Bears looked like a special team. Say what you want about the teams that they've played, last year we would have played teams like this to a 17-10 score, this year we are blowing them out. Anyways, there are still groups of 2 tickets available at the Metrodome for a reasonable price ($46, which is cheaper then any ticket at soldier field), and I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the team in Chicago this season, so I might do it.

I agree, I can smell upset here.