MikeyLikesCubbies

No way I could ever forget the red ivy he put in his hat or that triple. I was in college at the time and missed several weeks of my stats class to watch the Cubs and failed the next test badly...still was worth it. I remember him really being awful late in the year, and a hopeless feeling when he was called as the pinch hitter. That triple was probably the highlight of that season for me and the moment I really felt they were going to go all the way.

Old blood here...but honestly I haven't logged on all year. I was really hoping the Cubs would be in contention when basketball season ended, but that didn't work out. I guess I could read a book? The Road? The Grapes of Wrath? 1984? All less depressing than being a Cub fan.

Ok, I feel sick about this now. Why didn't Hendry at least make an attempt? WTF??!!!! And now I'm furious.

I'm so bummed about this. He was the best person to pass through this organization this generation. I still have his autograph on a ball from his rookie season...he stayed longer and signed more autographs than anyone. He could have gotten more money elsewhere several times but took less money to stay with the Cubs and make up for injury-ruined seasons. It won't be the same without him. At the same time, I get it. He could get way more on the FA market than we could pay him, and he deserves it at this point. If we gave him what he deserves, there wouldn't be enough money to fix the other issues with the team. I just wish one of our overpaid bums would get busted with a prostitute or something so we could void his contract (à la Denny Neagle) and re sign Woody.

I think most of my friends learned in 03' how sensitive a subject it is. My friend who is serving in Iraq even called to make sure I was doing ok. My friends/co-workers in Denver have been pretty cool...maybe a "what happened?" email or two, but I don't have to del with the Cubs hatred a lot of you do.

I'm gonna give it a week before I overreact.

Wow...I really wish I hadn't even read this thread, but now I'm kind of pissed. I'm gonna agree with the original poster, and a few others that Theriot is our best option at SS, and as a fan, I appreciate how hard he works. That must make me a racist...except that I would have said the same thing about Jaque Jones last year, and even about Juan Pierre. The fact that people felt the need to throw race in there is really offensive, and even though people seem to hate Theriot on this board, Cedeno has yet to show anything more at the major league level, even after many opportunities.

Hey guys, I just confirmed that I'll be visiting Wrigley for the first time in my life this July, (sad, I know) and I'm trying to get a pair of tickets for July 8 & 9. I was waiting to get my vacation approved so I didn't buy early, and there's not much left on Cubs.com ](*,) , so If anyone has extras, or If there are any kind season ticket holders who won't be able to use their tickets to any of these games, and are interested in selling them to me without a huge markup, you'd be awesome, and help make the world a better place for Cub fans. PM me if you can help out...thanks! :D

Ok, if I can't get a second on this, I feel compelled to make a case. 1. Great opening riff that builds in intensity before the first scream of "I'm back!" 2. Good high energy song to fire up the crowd once it gets going 3. ClicheWeb defines "Back in the saddle" as "to return to something, some activity, after a hiatus; to return to a task after an injury or setback" (http://www.cambiaresearch.com/ClicheWeb/Cliche_Details.aspx?id=4096) 4. Maybe a reach- but a saddle makes me think of Texas, his home state. Finally, check out the video the the NFL used for the 2003 kickoff, and tell me this wouldn't be a good song. http://youtube.com/watch?v=tjFQUzMVnsw

I believe that song has already been taken http://z.about.com/d/tvcomedies/1/0/8/-/-/-/112_gob_magic_72.jpg

Aerosmith - Back in the Saddle

Do you think he is going for both? The Figgins' rumors came out after the Roberts' deal cooled. I think Jim is going for one of them and Fukudome, not all three. It doesn't seem like the Cubs could afford all three anyways if they are keeping it around 120 mil. Interest has been rumored the whole time the Roberts thing was going on. Don't we crucify Hendy for having a one track mind and when he doesnt get plan A, we are screwed because he doesnt have plan B? If anything, this shows growth as a GM. Figgins isn't a plan B, he is part of plan A. And it doesn't show growth, it shows another unnecessary obsession. "If a player is left-handed, fast, and can play middle infield, we're interested" "I decided I like guys who can catch the ball" "It would be so much easier if Murton was left handed" Spending big money on relievers. Continually valuing about versatility (Neifi, Macias) Need I go on? At least the guys he's going after have a decent OBP, which hasn't been the case in the past.

What about offering him something like 9-10M with incentives based mostly on innings, like they did with Maddux a few years back. My main concern with him is health, but he's the kind of pitcher who could get us over the hump.

I'm pissed, but this is nothing like 03 or even 04 season's end. I've been thinking "anything could happen," just because of the Cardinals last year, but haven't really gotten myself riled up. I guess I prefer this to 03 when I felt like I was gonna throw up for a few days. If somehow they push it to five games and blow it...then it could get worse.

His stuff wan't good at all. There were a lot of times they just got lucky. The Cubs were hitting the ball hard but couldn't find gaps. I really hate the D-backs.

I don't think it will be as big a deal next year when his leg is healed, but it's killing them now. Why don't we just put Aramis in the leadoff spot? It makes about the same amount of sense.

Nice work IMB! This diary was the bright spot of my night.

I'll be in Chicago if it happens, but there's no way I could justify that much for tickets. I'd be content to stand out on Waveland watching my handheld TV.

I'm rooting for the Rockies for the first time since I was in Jr. High. Anything for a shot to see the Cubs in the playoffs without airfare and hotels.

The Rockies have been on fire for a while and they've got a three game with the Padres starting today, so maybe they can knock them down a few games and keep it tight.

It's stuff like tonight that make people love Theriot. He was 0 for 4, and in the middle of a slump, but he went up there and did what he had to do to help the team win. I can think of quite a few guys that have worn the Cub uniform who would have never done that tonight.

I agree. They had to cut costs and it shows on the inside. The new Busch cost like $350 million and most of that came from the Cardinal ownership. New stadiums like Minnesota, DC, and both NY teams are costing $600 million or more because they're getting tons of public money. The main difference at the new Busch is there's a ton of small to medium sized bathrooms spread out all over the place. It's amazing that one mens bathroom will have a line while another right across from it will have nobody waiting. And you can't see the field at all from the concourses....they are just dark concrete tunnels...with nothing really in them...they could have done a much better job outfitting those areas.... Wow, that's kind of lame. Makes me appreciate Coors.

I just don't get this thread. If you don't want this team to make the playoffs, then why watch? Why dedicate your time to posting messages on this board? Isn't a chance at the World Series what we all want? Now, I'm a Bronco fan, and last year, I said they didn't deserve to go to the playoffs, and honestly didn't want them to go, but only because I knew they didn't stand a chance. Baseball is different though. Every team has a shot, all they have to do is get hot. You guys seriously don't think that the Cubs in June-July couldn't have beat any team in a 7-game series? I would be ok with watching this team lose for another 99 years just to see them win the World Series once. You can't win if you don't play, and I'll take any chance that arises.

Not true. http://slam.canoe.ca/WrestlingImagesReviews/angle_itstrue.jpg

How many FAs at any position are worth half of what they end up getting? FA is a bad investment. Thats why it is pivotal to develop players within your system. The last step of development is the majors. Players need to play to get better in the majors. This is why Pie should be playing. this is completely untrue. In most cases Free Agents are signed at the end or past prime. They will in most cases get paid more than they were getting paid for declining production. Young players coming up get paid less while there production is improving. I know there is individual cases where players are still improving after free agency, but there are cases where it was better to not where a seat belt in a car accident. I would contend that the percentages tend to show free agency as a bad tool to build a winning ballclub(unless you are willing to spend like the Yankees). As for the part of young players need time to develop in the Majors, I dont know what to tell you. For every Pujols and Braun there are 20 DLees and ARams. Most players dont have ROY numbers right off the bat. They need to play to get better. once again, this isn't true No, it's true. The thing that isn't true however is the insinuation that you shouldn't sign any free agent. You have to, there's really no way around it. You have to overpay for some of your production, because it's simply impossible to get it all, and get enough, strictly from the cheap youth. There's no room for error doing it that way. no it isnt true. Great arguments. they really are. its not an argument. it's a point. That's completely untrue.