SEASON GRADES

Continuing the tradition from last year, I will now grade the players, and also will compare it to last year's.

CATCHERS
Last Year: D from Miller, D- from Bako
Michael Barrett: B+
Why a B+ Barrett surprised everyone. He had some potential to play good, offensive baseball, but he had never really given a hint that he was capable of a .287 batting average, 16 homeruns, 65 RBI in 134 games, 32 doubles and 6 triples. Barrett only walked 34 times but he, unlike every other guy on this team, is excused. First, he only struck out 64 times. Second, he's a catcher! I'll tolerate 34 walks for the rest of his production.
Why he should return: He'll only be 28 next year. He's under contract, although I believe he's due for arbitration. He reminds me of Jody Davis.
Why he should leave: He shouldn't. I wouldn't expect the same production next year (call me a pessemist, but that's how it has always been... you have a guy produce well, surprisingly, then next year he sucks). Hopefully Barrett will be behind the plate at least for a few more seasons in Chicago.

Paul Bako: F
Why an F: If I called Bako a dissapointment last year, he did nothing to change my mind this year. Sure, maybe he calls a good game, but he's not good for anything else.
Why he should return:: Because he'll probably be a cheap backup next year, even if they overpayed him this past year.
Why he should leave:: He's only going to get worse.

THE INFIELD

First Base: Derrek Lee: A
Last Year: Simon: A, Karros B+, Choi D
Why an A: Aside from being likable (my girlfriend refers to him as her boyfriend, and I'm actually ok with that), Derrek Lee gave the Cubs pretty much what they expected: an upgrade over Karros and Simon. 32 homeruns, 98 RBI, 39 doubles, 12 steals. The only downside, he struck out 130 times and walked a mere 68 times (this from a guy who has walked as many as 98 times in a year).
Why he should return:He's been locked up for at least the next two years. He will be 29 for most of next season. I blame the team's hitting approach to the loss of walks, and hope that that will be changed for 2005.
Why he should leave: I can't think of a single good reason. He'll never be the most popular, nor will he be in Chicago long enough to accumulate the stats for it, but he may be the best first baseman the team has had in decades.

Second Base: Mark Grudzeilanek: C+
Last Year: Grudz B+, Martinez B
Why a C+: Grudz did better than anyone thought he would (show of hands: who expected Grudz to ever bat over .300 in a season again?) However, he was hurt for most of the season, and in my opinion received too much play time. Grudz should have been a back up this year to Todd Walker. However, he didn't Gaetti like anyone thought, so I guess that has to count for something.
Why he should return: He may continue to produce on a small scale. He'll never be an All Star, and on a lot of teams he wouldn't be a starter, either. The Cubs need to upgrade at second, so unless he'd accept a role off the bench, he shouldn't be on the team.
Why he should leave: Because if he stays, even if the Cubs upgrade with a younger, better second baseman, Dusty will be tempted to bench the guy for Grudz, or Walker, or anyone over the age of 30. That would be detrimental.

Todd Walker: B
Why a B: Walker was as advertised. He provided some pop, his fielding wasn't great but wasn't attrocious either, he didn't walk a ton but he didn't strike out a lot, either. In 372 at bats, Walker batted .274 with 15 homeruns, 50 RBI, and had an OBP of .352. He saw most of his at bats in the leadoff position, where he batted .294 with an OBP of .370. He was above average, better than Grudz, but didn't give an A-caliber preformance.
Why he should return: The Cubs are going to have trouble upgrading at second base. There just aren't many guys available who can play the position well. Walker may be a cheap choice to start next year, allowing the Cubs the ability to upgrade elsewhere.
Why he should leave:He just isn't that great a leadoff guy. He doesn't have the speed or ability to throw a pitcher off his game. Unless the Cubs get a leadoff hitter at another position, Walker shouldn't return.

Shortstop: Nomar Garciaparra: B+
Last Year: Gonzalez D+, Ojeda/Womak: F
Why a B+: Nomar was traded at the deadline with the hopes that his potent bat would provide the spark the Cubs needed to slip into the playoffs. It almost worked. Nomar batted .297 as a Cub, hitting 4 homeruns, with 20 RBI, he walked 16 times to only 14 k's, and he hit 14 doubles. Unfortunately, he missed time with injuries, and that missed time is the reason he fails to get an A.
Why he should return: You don't give up the prospects the Cubs gave up for a rental. Brendan Harris has the potential to be a good major leaguer, and Beltran could've been the closer the Cubs long for. With that in mind, Nomar isn't done yet, and should have several more productive years. Much as Derrek Lee is quite possibly the best first baseman since, well, Ernie Banks, Nomar Garciaparra is the best shortstop since, well, Ernie Banks. I hope he returns under the right circumstances.
Why he should leave: A costly price-tag, coupled with a history of injuries, makes Nomar a risk. If there is a good, cheaper alternative to Nomar, the Cubs should go for it. I just don't know if there will be.

Alex Gonzalez: F
Why an F:Alex didn't improve my opinion of him before he was hurt and later dealt from the team. In 37 games for Chicago, he batted .217, hit 3 homeruns, drove in 8 RBI, walked FOUR TIMES, and struck out 26. Nope, I'm not missing Gonzo.
why he should return: If the Cubs go out onto the free agent market and bring back Gonzo, I'll quit my blog. That's how opposed I am to the idea.
Why he should stay GONE: A moment of honesty: I never forgave him for his defensive blunder in game six - the real culprit behind the Cubs defeat to Florida. Gonzo, you suck.

Neifi Perez: As a Cub: A+ Overall: D
Why an A+: He only played 23 games as a Cub. He only had 62 at bats. He hit .371, smacked 5 doubles, 2 homeruns (from a guy who hit 3 homeruns in his previous 647 at bats) and provided the Cubs with some much needed strong play off the bench. That said, he hit .255 over the course of the season, with an OPS of .632.
Why he should return:The Cubs will need a cheap bench player who can play multiple positions. Neifi could do that.
Why he should leave:The Cubs caught lightning in a bottle with Neifi last year. Should he return, they may be left with the stench of sulfur.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez: A+
Last Season: Ramirez A, Bellhorn, Hernandez F-
Why an A+: Last year I speculated that Aramis would be just another flop. I said, "I have this feeling in my gut that it'll never be better for Aramis. He's having his honeymoon with Chicago. Fans love him. He hit well. But he is on an incredibly short leash. He starts out hitting .220 with 10 errors in the first month, fans will be calling for his head." They didn't call for his head. Instead, he hit .318, with 36 homeruns, 103 RBI, and while he only walked 49 times, he only struck out 62 times! Aramis has finally given Cub fans a reason to think of someone other than Ron Santo.
Why he should return: He's going to be the heart of Chicago's offense for years to come, if they can lock him up to a long term deal.
Why he should leave: Insanity on the part of Jim Hendry? I can't think of a single good reason.

Jose Macias/Ramon Martinez: F
I'm not going to go into these guys. I just felt they were considerably disappointing, and hurt our bench greatly. Neither knew how to draw walks, and both were disappointing this year (and do you know just how hard it is for Macias to disappoint, when expectations were so low to begin with?)

Next time, the outfield

SO LONG, STONEY

Steve Stone was an important part in my following of the Chicago Cubs. I started watching games regularly when I was 8 years old, in 1988. In other words, I grew up listening to Steve Stone. The man is absolutely the best I've ever seen, when it comes to doing color for a baseball game. He made me laugh, he brought tears to my eyes, and now because of an unparallelled level of pettiness, he is no longer calling games for the Cubs.

Don't worry. I blame him as well, but you can't blame a guy for feeling unwelcomed. I think the ultimate culprit was Dusty Baker, who could've brought a stop to the problems, but instead allowed them to fester. With Dusty returning, there's no way for Stoney to have known that next year would be better, even if Kent Mercker and Moises Alou were gone.

And so in what should have been a tremendously happy year at Wrigley Field, we instead saw a season of bickering, whining, and failure. Attendance broke three million for the first time in team history. The Cubs improved on last season's record, winning in back-to-back years for the first time since 1972. They were in the race for the post season until the last series of the season.

And yet, all I can think about is what a huge, utter disappointment this year was. Not only because they didn't get into the post season, but because the Cubs, who had been lovable losers for so many years, proved impossible to be lovable winners. No, this was not a team you could like. And chasing Chip Caray and Steve Stone out of the booth was just another nail in a coffin already hammered shut.

I don't know how this team will be fixed next year. I don't know who you can bring in that will make the team easier to play for. I think if I were a Cub right now, amazingly, I don't know how badly I'd want to be a Cub next year. And I love the Cubs.

I'm just rambling. I'll stop now. But I will stay angry for a long time. Thanks Kent, thank you Moises and Dusty. You guys ruined the year for me. I hope you feel justified.

AW, SHIT

Steve Stone has stepped down from the booth. I don't have a whole lot else to say about that right now. It's very frustrating.

I now entirely dislike Dusty Baker, whom I hold responsible.

Kent Merker is a piece of garbage.

Moises Alou, he sucks.

Stoney, I'll miss you.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO

It was just over a year ago that I started this blog. The Cubs had just shockingly lost the NLCS. Steve Bartman was hated in Chicago. And the rest of us Cub fans, we were sort of shell shocked, I think. Me, I'm not a very emotional guy. I don't get angry or excited very often, at least not visibly. When we lost game six, I didn't lash out, but I did have a sinking feeling I'm sure all of you can relate to. That evening, I had a lot of trouble sleeping.

The next day, I was feeling better, and I even felt confident that the Cubs would come back and win it. When they didn't, I still wasn't particularly upset, but I was saddened a bit. I've mentioned before on this blog that upon reflection, I have very little memory of the '03 season, including the playoffs. I guess I blocked it out.

Regardless, I was inspired to start a blog. In my first entry, I wrote:

An edict for this site

This is not going to be a Cubbie-Koolaid blog. When Jim Hendry makes a questionable decision, I will say so. When Dusty Baker leaves a pitcher in for too long, I will complain about it. If a player screws up, same deal.

I am known in certain circles as an unapologetic optimist. I may be optimistic at times, but I still think I can say when the Cubs make bad decisions.

I am not a represenative of the Cub Fan Nation. I just thought it'd make for a spiffy blog title. I obviously just represent myself. However I am not opposed to finding other Cub fans such as myself to share this blog with. I would not be opposed to having a bitter, hardened fan post here. Likewise with an optimist - assuming that said optimist isn't annoying and actually knows his/her stuff.

One other thought... he's been on my mind for a few days now, and I suppose an ultimate goal of this site is to get Steve Bartman as a regular contributor - or at least someone who comes here once in a while.

Possibly later tonight or early tomorrow, I'll post thoughts on the post season. Then, thoughts on the off season. Historically I have had trouble updating a blog (see my personal site as an example). I would like to stay almost daily on this one. We'll see how that works.

Well, I realized from the beginning that a lot of my aspirations were unrealistic. But I think the blog has been relatively successful. I have more readers than I realize, and posting almost daily hasn't been at all a problem. And, soon to come will be a new blog with four contributors called grota.us, which as you know stands for Goat Riders of the Apocalypse. It's not logical, but after watching the Red Sox crush their demons last night, I now absolutely believe the Cubs can win it, and maybe by next year. So, GROTA is a go. When we're ready to go live, you'll hear about it here. I hope I see you then on the GROTA message boards, where we can freely discuss the Cubs.

Other things I said early on that may be relevant:

I have to be honest. I don't expect this next season. I expect the Cubs to compete - I'd be shocked if they won fewer than 81 games. (Although in the coming months you will see me predict a 78 win season. That isn't because I actually believe it, it's because every year I've predicted that they finish over .500, they disappoint me. So far, every year I've predicted 78 wins, they've made the NLCS.) I expect Wood and Prior to finish 1st and 2nd in strikeouts, and both should be in the top 5 in wins. But these are the Cubs we're talking about. The team with an average record of 74-88 after a post season appearance. Something will happen. Sammy will go down for two months. Wood and Prior will spend a prolongued period on the DL.

Sammy getting hurt? Wood and Prior spending a prolongued period of time on the DL? Are the Cubs really that predictable?

*sigh* It's been a long year. I love blogging, I love the Cubs, and I'm glad to be doing it.

By November first, I'll post my grades for the team.

OUR TURN BEGINS

I think the only disappointment anyone can feel about the Red Sox is that they didn't make it interesting. I mean in the sense of beating the Cardinals in less than seven games. But sweep or no sweep, it was one hell of an interesting World Series, and I feel great pride for the Red Sox nation.

Now, the off season begins, and we get to again test the abilities of Jim Hendry. So far, with the exception of a great bullpen, Hendry has shown a keen ability of building winning teams. Unfortunately, you need a bullpen to win a World Series.

I'm very intrigued to see what Hendry does. I may post some speculative thoughts about it at a later date. In the meantime, let's just enjoy the Boston victory. Although, it is ok to feel some degree of jealousy.

Maybe we get to play them next season!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

That just leaves us now. Let's do it next year!

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BLOW IT THIS TIME

Before I delve into the topic of this post, I felt the need to compare and contrast the single greatest difference between the 2004 Red Sox and the 2004 Cubs. The Red Sox are loose, while the Cubs were as high strung as a manic depressive during his manic stage while high on caffeine and speed. The Cubs took an Us v. Them mentality, the Sox took a We're a Bunch of Idiots, Let's Win attitude. The Cubs were bitching and moaning from almost day one, the Sox were having fun.

That's why the Cubs are at home, probably still bitching and moaning, while the Red Sox are a game away from what some would call the impossible.

Now, how are they going to blow it? I don't think they are, by the way. I don't really believe in curses. But there is a little part of me that does, very strongly. And I'm going to give way to that part of me, in order to talk about what will go wrong.

First, Derrek Lowe. I like the guy. He can pitch great baseball, and has done so this post season. But he's a man once known as Captain Constipation, because of the look he'd get on his face during the last year he was a closer for the Red Sox. He'd be called in, and something would go wrong (a base hit, a walk, something) and he'd get this constipated look on his face. That's when you knew things were about to go badly.

Derrek Lowe is the guy the Red Sox are calling on to, if we may call it this, Close out the World Series. He should do fine - or at least no worse than Marquis. But it's still a possibility.

Second, the atrocious defense. You can't have poor defensive play and expect to consistently win. (Ask the Cubs.) A few errors in Game Four (and any subsequent games) could really screw things up.

Third, Wakefield pitches in the possible Game Five. He's a mystery on the mound, but what's true is that he tends to pitch MUCH WORSE against NL teams. He was rocked in Game One, but the Cardinals couldn't close the door on the Red Sox offense. Wakefield is no guarantee for victory if it goes to Game Five.

Fourth, who pitches in a possible Game Six? Does Schilling saddle up and go out there again? How many times can he roll the dice and walk away with a lucky 7? If they can even go to him, it's no guarantee that he'll have it for another six innings. Although he quite likely would.

Fifth, Pedro in Game Seven. Sounds like a good matchup for the Red Sox at home, but again, Pedro is off-and-on. He's been inconsistent in September and October. He should pitch strong if they have to go to him again, but if it actually reaches the seventh game, I would question the Red Sox ability to stop the Cardinals momentum.

Sixth, The Curse. What could possibly be worse than coming back from a three games to none deficit and beat the Yankees, only to have your opposing World Series team do the same thing to you? Is it even really possible? Only if there's a Curse. And I think the Red Sox losing this World Series would be the final proof, the ultimate nail in the coffin for that franchise. I think it would be something so bad that everyone would just have to pony up and admit it: yes, there is a curse.

At that point, if I'm the Boston ownership, I would fold the franchise, move them to Connecticut, and rename them the Hartford Uncursed, or something. Seriously, it would be for the best interests of the Red Sox.

But like I said, I don't believe in curses. I think the Red Sox will win the Series, and probably tonight.

Let's hope God doesn't disagree.

GIMPY = GOD

Curt Schilling is an arrogant, egotistical, me-first diva.

Curt Schilling is so arrogant that he thought he could pitch Game One of the ALCS on a drastically injured ankle, one which would require surgery the moment the season ended. Naturally, he was rocked. He gave up six earned runs in only three innings of play to the dreaded Yankees. The Sox then plummeted, losing the next two games of the series and facing elimination in game four.

Curt Schilling is so egotistical that he demanded a second chance. He forced his team doctors to invent a method toward treading his displaced ankle tendon. They sutured it up, stitching his skin to his tendon to prevent it from popping it in and out every time he tried to throw a pitch. He went seven innings in Game Six against the Yankees, with blood trickling through his sock, hobbling and unable to get his heater up the way he does when he's healthy. He gave up one run.

Curt Schilling is so me-first that he pitched through a pain so severe that when he woke up the day of Game Two of the World Series, "I couldn't walk," he said. "I couldn't move." He drove to the park, and driven by the encouragement of the Boston faithful (or are they the Boston hopeful?) he had one stitch removed and decided to pitch. The result? One unearned run in six innings, and the Red Sox second victory in as many World Series games this year.

Curt Schilling is such a team-hated diva that maybe, just maybe, he will enter Red Sox lore as the Curse Breaker. The great pitcher who gave it his all, risked his career, and somehow managed to win his way into the Hall of Fame.

The Sox have two more games to win. Pundits believe Schilling has thrown his last pitch in the 2004 post season. But I ask you, what happens if the Cardinals somehow manage to fight back? What happens if over the next four games they manage to even up the series? What happens if it's Game Seven? I as you, do you really think Schilling would sit? Would he risk his team losing the Series in order to preserve his arm, his shoulder, his ankle for another year?

I ask you, what would be a better way to win a World Series?

THEY DID IT!

Wow, what a conclusion! Actually, I found it mildly depressing. How come the Red Sox get to overcome all odds and make the World Series, but the Cubs can't? And what happens if the Red Sox win it this year? Then the Cubs are the last cursed team, and still the butt of baseball jokes.

Yeah, you could say I have some issues about it.

But in reality I'm very happy for the Red Sox, and I want to see them win the World Series. My first memory as a baseball fan was the '86 Series, when the Red Sox lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Mets. I was only six years old at the time. Now, as I'm nearing 25, the Red Sox have made it back in, and they have to hold all the confidence in the world. I hope it's enough.

I'll be gone for the weekend, so this is probably my last post until Monday. More GROTA information in early November.

GETTING BETTER

Was it just three days ago that things were looking so bleak? Where the Red Sox were looking like they were about to be swept? The Cardinals looked like they were going to easily pound the Astros?

But in a striking turn of events, the Astros now are one win away from the World Series, while the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees two games in a row; where what once was impossible is now only miraculous.

There are two good reasons to watch the post season this year. The first is obvious: Carlos Beltran is auditioning for free agency, and the Cubs have his number. The second: the Yankees and Red Sox make for some great baseball. Today's fun stat is this: the Yankees have never (NEVER) lost two games straight in post season play. How absurd is that!? Of course the Red Sox are still on the bubble, and it is very likely to burst. Their pen is used up, their ace is one mis-step away from a winter in a wheel chair, and David Ortiz can't possibly win every game with his bat. Can he?

Some GROTA news: The Goat Riders of the Apocalypse are 3/4ths complete. I have been working on an image for the site, and will buy a domain name probably by the first of November (hello birthday money!)

Here's to hoping it gets off the ground. To be honest I want to go to the Cubs Convention with about a thousand GROTA business cards. Might be a good way to get our name out there, eh?

Onward to tonight's Big Finish! I say this: Curt Schilling, you may be an arrogant prick whose teammates hate you, but YOU ROCK!* Go Red Sox!

*The previous statement will be retracted should Curt Schilling lose game six for the Red Sox. It will be replaced with, "and you're a useless hack" or possibly a more effective insult, should I think of one.

NEXT YEAR'S TEAM

It's already time to gear up and start looking to next year. The Cubs have, in my mind, two big holes they need to plug. First, they need a bonafide closer. Second, they need a guy who can bat leadoff. With that in mind, I'm going to predict what will happen.

RETURNING FOR SURE

Michael Barrett, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Corey Patterson

Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Greg Maddux, Mike Remlinger, LaTroy Hawkins, Glendon Rusch, Todd Wellemeyer, Mike Wuertz, Jon Leicester

ON THE BUBBLE

Gabor Bako, Nomar Garciaparra, Ramon Martinez, Todd Walker, Ben Grieve, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa

Kyle Farnsworth, Ryan Dempster

OUR DEARLY DEPARTED

Tom Goodwin, Moises Alou, Jose Macias, Neifi Perez, Mark Grudzielanek

Matt Clement, Kent Mercker

The Cubs have a pretty solid young nucleaus in Barrett, Lee, Ramirez, Patterson, Prior, Wood, and Zambrano. Assuming Barrett doesn't revert, I'd assume these guys will be around for the next half decade or so. But there are a lot of questions regarding everyone else. Should Sammy be dealt? (Can he?) Is Farnsworth worth the aggrevation? Is Nomar resignable, and if he is can the Cubs pursue Beltran? Who closes next year? (You'll notice I didn't include Joe Borowski on any list - to me he's a non-issue at the moment. I don't expect him back, but technically we're stuck with him.)

Let's look at it from dual perspectives.

From the realist:
The Cubs will keep Sosa, they will probably retain Nomar and Walker, their big free agent signing will be Benitez and they will either replace Moises with a player acquired via trade (there are a few talented yet unwanted outfielders out there, and with Mercker and Alou gone the Cubs may need to restock on their obnoxious asshole quotent (note to Carolyn: I like Moises and am not saying he was the worst one, but he did bitch and whine a LOT this year, and quite frankly it annoyed me). Bradley and Gullien would be bargains, but they might come at a price. Otherwise, the Cubs may grab someone like Magglio Ordonez (who is a risk due to his hip problems), or may otherwise grab a mid-level talent like Jermaine Dye, Jeromy Burnitz, or some other stopgap.

From the optimist:
More serious about winning now than ever, Jim Hendry will push the Tribune Corporation into opening up the check books and allowing the Cubs a higher payroll for next season. He will work some of that Hendry magic and deal Sosa to one of two teams: the New York Mets (possibly for Cliff Floyd or another expensive NY bust) or to the Washington D.C. Whoevers, who will be looking for a star player to bring in the fans until the team can secure the revenue for a new stadium. Should the Cubs succeed in dealing him to D.C., they'll get more than they ever hoped for him - Freak Boy Jamey Carroll, who would then serve as a reserve infielder next season.

The Cubs will then heavily pursue Beltran, who they'll lock up to a four year, 60 million dollar contract, along with injury-risk (and high reward) J.D. Drew, who'll come to Chicago for three years for 24 million. Unsatisfied, Hendry will then bring in Armando Benitez for 3 years for 18 million. He'll then either pursue a lead-off type second baseman, or should that fail he'll bring back Walker and acquire Edgar Renteria (3 years, 24 million). Should he succeed in trading for a leadoff hitter who plays second base, Hendry will resign Nomar for 4 years and 40 million. The best choice for leadoff hitting second basemen: Brian Roberts of Baltimore (27, 71 BB last year, 29 steals, 50 2B, making less than a million bucks), Adam Kennedy, (not a great choice), and... well hell, there aren't many great choices at all, are there?

What do I really expect? Hopefully a combination of both. Realistically, who knows? But it's always fun to dream big - up til the point when the Cubs utterly disappoint. But Hendry has proven to be a different kind of GM, and I think he can make at least a few great moves.

IF I HAD MORE MONEY AND MORE TIME

I've had a brilliant idea for a Cubs website. It's the sort of idea where they start talking about you on national radio. The site would be called Goat Riders of the Apocalypse, and the motto would be "Believing the Cubs Will Win the World Series THIS Year, No Matter What the Cost to the World!" The site would need four contributors (Plague, Pestilence, Death, and Bob), all who had to be funny, could expound on relevant statistics, and would moderate on the site's message board, which naturally would have to be the hippest, happeningest place on the net.

Our logo would be four pale riders carrying scythes, but instead of horses, they would naturally be riding atop goats.

If anyone reading this decides to steal the idea and make it their own, all I ask is that I get to be one of the four main contributors. I'd prefer to be Plague, but I'll settle on being Bob.

DESTINY JUST DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN

Although the more popular choice for World Series may be Boston/Houston, it's looking more and more like it'll be the two teams I dislike most: St. Louis and New York. I keep realizing more and more that being a fan of "cursed" teams just makes each and every year a bigger disappointment. At least my favorite soccer team is one of the best out there (hello Arsenal!)

THANK THE SWEET, SWEET LORD

Realizing that to fire him would quite likely cause a riot, the Chicago Cubs are apparently going to retain Steve Stone for the 2005 season. It's not official yet, but things are looking up at least in this sense. Remember folks, we can handle the Cubs losing year in and year out, but not if we have to put up with people like Joe F'n Carter in the booth. Stoney is a godsend.

In other recent Cub news, Wendell Kim has been waived goodbye. Kim was best known for his uncanny ability to have Cub runners thrown out at first by 15 feet. Carolyn and I find him amusing, and if only for that reason, he will be missed. But let's face facts, the guy was a terrible, terrible third base coach. (The Cubs need to hire the Mets third base coach - the guy's possibly even shorter than Wendell!)

The Cubs have also fired trainers Dave Groeschner and assistant Sandy Krum, a move that was expected probably ever since June. At least one Cubs blog thought the move was unecessary. Yes, you can argue that a lot of the BIG injuries to the team were unavoidable, but as Ruz pointed out in his article, they seemed to misdiagnose the sevrity of the injuries and at least in Prior's case, tried to bring him back too soon.

BACK FROM VACATION

No, I haven't forgotten about this blog, nor do I plan on posting only sporadically. However as you might have noticed, I tend to vanish for prolongued periods of time every other weekend, and this one was the same - I was enjoying Canadian Thanksgiving with my girlfriend, who lives in Toronto.

While I was gone, the Sammy Fallout continued, Wendell got the axe, Kenny C. died of a (probably drug-induced) heart attack, Christopher Reeve died, Gene Clines traded jobs with Gary Matthews, and Steve Stone's future remained in question.

Oh, and Gracie is interviewing for D-backs managerial position. I don't know how he'll do as a manager, but I admit that as a child, I used to fantasize about Gracie managing the Cubs someday.

Actually that makes me wonder... of Cubs past and present, who do you think could adequately hold coaching positions? For example, I think Maddux could become a great pitching coach, and I always wanted to see Andre Dawson as a hitting coach (but that's nostalgia for you - the man doesn't know the concept of "walking.")

Oh, and as for the idea of a message board, someone turned my head toward North Side Baseball, so it looks like there's a place already doing what I wanted to do. I've added them to my link section, and I've already begun posting there.

Hopefully it'll be as fun as it looks. Check it out if you get the chance.

A GRAND EXPERIMENT

As I'm sure you notice, a lot of Cub boards out there have comment script. I think this is a neat little tool that facilitates communication, but I think any serious discussion can have comments run long, and that makes it hard to navigate.

So, I am seriously considering the creation of a message board here on my website. There are some risks - a message board can be legendary in the amount of bandwidth it eats up, and if it gets expensive I'd have to kill it. (I would probably throw up a donation link in that case.) Likewise, moderating a message board can be a serious pain in the ass, especially if people who strongly dislike each other show up and vent.

So, I'm going to have to give it some thought, but I want imput. Is there anyone out there who'd like a free, convenient message board where they could discuss all manner of topics regarding the Cubs?

Send me an EMail or an IM if you have any opinion on it.

THE FATUOUS DREAM

I had a dream and when I awoke, the taste of the dusk was practically in my mouth. It was a whimsical thing, this dream. In it, our team proved strong and true. Their curveballs always broke and their fastballs always cut; there was no petty squabbling, no Cub-killing two-strike homers, no collapse.

My fancy fulfilled, I saw them win. I saw men fight against their own limitations with grit and resolution. There were no long-hop outs, no baserunning blunders. Instead there were faceless heroes - it was a team without names, because names don't matter to a team as much as intentions do, and they intended to win.

But I woke up, and was left with the incomparable bleakness of reality.

I don't have to tell you what a World Series means to Chicago fans. It is perhaps the one thing Cub and White Sox fans can come together on (that and a shared love for Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, and perhaps Harry Caray). One must consider then how it feels to come so close to a dream, only to be denied. If there was a price, I'm sure I speak for Cub fans everywhere when I say we would pay it.

Yet reality is never like a dream, and dreams are childish things. But I look at the picture above of Wrigley Field, where the sunset is orange like honey and completes the night sky like a tapestry over a blank wall, and I can't help but dream. I see dreamers like me converge in the streets like triumphant revolutionaries celebrating the slow fall of an iron hand, and I believe in the possibility.

When everything fails, all we are left with is belief. All we have to hold onto is faith. And let us hold onto it now, like a drowning man would cling to a thrown life preserver. In the dark hours after the dusk fades, it's all we have.

RUMORS ABOUND

Not entirely surprisingly, there are a lot of controversies and rumors swirling around the sinking ship that became the Late September Cubs. First, Chip Caray is officially gone. He will be rejoining his father with the Braves. Second, Steve Stone is probably gone, which would be completely and totally atrocious and wrong of the Cubs organization.

Cub fans, I say to you this: if Stoney isn't brought back, on opening day when they announce Dusty Baker's name, boo him hard, and start chanting "Steve Stone," just so Dusty learns his place.

Rumored to be interested in the job is Bob Costas, a man who I would've thought too high profile for the Cubs. Otherwise, Dave Kaplan and Mark Grace are rumored to be interested as well, while some fans are speculating that Pat and Ron would be promoted (or at least Pat, should Stoney remain).

It's going to be a long month full of speculation.

NOW WHAT?

The season is over, and in spite of the Cubs finishing with a better record this year than last, it remains an unequivical disappointment. I'm sure we will see some helpful, new faces next year, but I also think the core is solid. The Cubs have three very talented young starters who will hopefully pitch in Chicago for at least the next decade, coupled with incredibly good corner infielders, and a center fielder who still may turn out to be above average in his career.

In reality, we may see two or three new hitters next year, at left field, second base, and possibly shortstop. We also may see a new starter, closer, and an entirely new bench.

There also have been rumors that Sammy is disenchanted with the Cubs and may seek a trade this off season. The reported team of interest? The New York Mets. I'm not sure what the Cubs could get from such a trade, but it would be nice if the player of choice was Cliff Floyd. I'm more inclined to believe the Cubs would get stuck with Richard Hildalgo, who is set to make at least 12 million next year.

Here's a short list of potential free agents who may be helpful to the Cubs next year:

There are two or three prospective closers, all who bring baggage of some sort: Trevor Hoffman, whose team holds an option on him, Troy Percival, who is an outright free agent but has had arm problems, and Armando Benitez, who has had issues pitching in clutch games in the past. I think Hendry should look for a cheap alternative through a trade, or find someone unproven but with potential, as any one of these guys will cost a ton.

Possible available second basemen include, well, Todd Walker and just about no one else. I don't expect (or hope) the Cubs will bring back Grudz, but Walker deserves a return, and I think he can play full time well.

The two best options for short are Nomar, obviously, and Edgar Renteria, who has a chronic back problem, and while he has speed I don't know if I'd trust him to lead off, although he may be the best free agent choice available. In 2003, Edgar walked 65 times (compared to only 54 k's) and stole 34 bases. This season he's only walked 37 times, struck out 73, stole 17 in 27 attempts, and generally played below expectations. He's still probably less of an injury risk than Nomar, and cheaper to boot.

Available outfielders include Trot Nixon, a player I've always liked who has suffered from injury problems this year, Magglio Ordonez, who is a huge risk as he apparently is suffering from a chronic knee injury and may be forced into an early retirement over it, Carlos Beltran, who will probably be The offseason free agent, and expensive to boot, J.D. Drew, who's great if healthy (and that's a HUGE if), and Lance Berkman, who will possibly command nearly as much as Beltran.

There are also a variety of available role-players; I'm sure the Cubs will find some one(s) who can help the team in that way.

Point is, this is a big off season for the team. I've come to trust Hendry, which means he'll probably deliver a crotch-blow sometime soon (as is the Cub Way). But I do think he'll make some solid moves. I'm dying with anticipation to see what happens, which means that October is going to be a long, slow month for me.

Oh, and I'm officially rooting for the Red Sox, so send some love to Boston. They may have insane, whining fans, but we have insane, whining players. It balances out.

QUITE THE HONOR

Yesterday I was talking to Joe of The View from the Bleachers about an interview he gave to Christian Ruzich of The Cub Reporter. I'm sure anyone who reads my blog realizes that the Cub Reporter is THE Cubs blog, with quality and content above and beyond any of we other Cub blog posers. (No, "posers" was not a typo of "posters.")

Joe told me last night before he posted the interview that Ruz mentioned my blog, to which I replied, "in a good way?" After all - as I just said - compared to the Cub Reporter I'm just a poser. To my shock, the answer was "yes," in a good way. My blog, along with Joe's, The Big Red C, and Al Yellon's and another thing! are the four Cub blogs Ruz checks daily.

I must say I'm quite flattered; I never would've guessed. And just in case there's a single Cub Fan Nation reader out there who hasn't checked out the Cub Reporter, I'd suggest you give it a shot. And for that matter, check out Al Yellon's blog, as well as the Big Red C and The View from the Bleachers. All great reads, consistantly updated with great analysis and fun commentary. ...even if the Cubs do really suck right now.

SPEAKING OF SUCKING

Just in case someone out there was fantasizing about a Cubs sweep of Atlanta, it looks pretty bleak right now. Kerry Wood is on the verge of his first ever losing season as a pitcher.

I can't really bring myself to utter that famous phrase we Cub fans banter about often in September (and often as early as June). But I do hope that next year will end on a better note, as nothing is quite as bitter as falling out of playoff contention with only a week left to play. Wait 'til... aw, forgettaboutit!