One Shining Moment (Well, Three Actually)

What, you thought I'd put a picture of the NBA's next Cherokee Parks here? Keep dreaming.

So yesterday wasn't all bad, right? Before the national nightmare came to fruition (Tyler Hansbrough: NCAA Champion), your Chicago Cubs took the field for opening day 2009 and actually managed to win for once. Will wonders never cease? The game was entertaining and gave us a glimpse at what this latest version of Lou's club will play like. There was some good, some bad and some Fuku.

The Good
Aramis and Soriano
Leadoff homers? Check. Both Ramirez and Soriano seemed to be seeing the ball rather well last night and smacked a couple of Oswalt "fastballs" into the seats in left. Good sign. Both are now on pace for 162 HRs this year, which would be a record of some sort.

Big Z
I was a shocked as anyone to see Carlos pitching well on opening day. I guess that the 5th time is the charm. Sinker wasn't really working and he ran out of petrol towards the end, but a win is a win is a win is a win.

Bullpen
Heilman (aka the guy I forgot was on the club) looked decent pitching out of a mini-jam in the 7th. Marmol did his best Scott Schields impersonation (creating drama and then getting out of it) in the 8th and Gregg closed out a shaky 9th for the W. Could have been better, but at least now we know if nothing else, it's gonna be "entertaining" to watch these guys all year.

The Bad
D-Lee
0-fer with a K, two ground outs and one warning track power shot. Is it too early to replace him with Micah? Probably, but remember where you heard it first.

"Guys in the Truck"
Replays kept running over actual live ABs last night. Come on fellas, you are better than this. (Sorry, not a lot to be mad about after a win in the first game of the year.)

The Fuku
The now "acclimated" Fukudome went 0-fer and looked lost (still) at the plate. Brenly mentioned that it would "behoove" him to get off to a hot start which is about a 1000 times nicer than what I was saying about him. He looked so bad I was actually talking myself into a lineup with Bradley in center with Micah in right...and I was sober. Not a good start.

All in all, it was just great to have baseball back. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I found myself watching eight consecutive hours yesterday. God bless you, DirecTV and your free week of MLB Extra Innings.

Go Cubs.

PS. Thanks to Rush the Court, here is last night's One Shining Moment in case you missed it.

The Unified Scene. Plus Baseball. Yay!

As a card carrying member of the loser brigade, I list two things that I would be willing to travel to see. The first of which is baseball (which, of course, will be evident in exactly 28 days when I board a plane to get the hell out of the weather and into AZ for year two of the FOtG Spring Training nerdstravaganza). The second is a Hold Steady show.

The Hold Steady has been the best live band in America for at least the last three years running and regardless of your musical tastes, seeing a Hold Steady show will simply reconfirm your faith in humanity. There are very few things like a show in which five middle aged guys who look more like accountants can produce enough energy that people are willing to furiously and continually jump up and down for two straight hours, pausing for only seconds to slam whatever $2 beer happens to be on special that night. I have seen this band roughly 6-7 times in the last three years and cannot once say I left disappointed.

So to see that the Hold Steady was going to headline the annual Len and Bob bash meant two things: (1.) I need to once again congratulate these two for actually knowing a band that has created relevant music in the last 40 years (something their predecessors behind the mic did not), and (2.) I needed to bite the bullet and, for the first time in years, pay the ridiculous fees Ticketbastard charges (2 $28 tickets=$85. What. The. Fuck.) in order to go to this show.

And, of course, the show didn’t disappoint. I figured I’d compile a few thoughts that crossed my mind during the show:

Girls are angry part one: Ryan Dempster introduced Tom Morello, the opener. My wife’s comment: “Keep track of where he sits. Ryan and I need to have a chat about game one. Asshole.”

Overheard at least 4 times during Morello’s set: “Hey, is this the Guitar Hero Guy?” Ugh.

The two fucksticks behind me felt the need to Boo loudly every time the word “Cubs” was mentioned. At a benefit. For Cubs charities. Which helps kids. Apparently, there were no third base coaches to assault on the way to the show.

Saying Tom Morello is “a little” political is like saying Ronny Cedeno is “kinda” dumb or Cardinals fans “sort of” like jean shorts. The guy has a lot to say about the state of the country.

Morello closed with “This Land is Your Land.” The losers behind me booed again. So far, they hate baseball and America. I hope someone mentions puppies so they can complete the trifecta.

Len and Bob joined the head of Cubs Charities (boo!) to present the check for just over $41,000. Well done, gentlemen.

Girls are angry part two: Accepting the check, the Cubs Charities guy commended the bash by saying “two years of the Len and Bob bash, two division championships!” Some girl in front of me shouts “They’re not paid to win division championships, they’re paid to win the fucking World Series!” Yikes.

The Hold Steady open with “Stay Positive.” Can’t say that about the women in the audience.

After ripping through 7-8 songs, Craig Finn stops to mention his allegiance to the Minnesota Twins who, in his words, “have had a great offseason. We’ve added…nobody. At least we’ll be familiar with all the players next year.”

The waitresses are just walking through the crowd holding cases of Bud Light in the air. And charging $6 per can. Welcome to the House of Blues Sponsored by Bernie Maddof. Can’t they at least try to hide the fact that they’re charging $6 a can for a beer that costs $12 per case at the grocery store? Thanking my waitress for my beers just now kinda felt like high-fiving your rapist.

More Finn: “Everybody here comes from a different place and supports a different team. But there’s one thing we can all agree on: The Yankees suck.”

I always appreciate a musician more when they display even the slightest aptitude for baseball. And don’t wear skinny jeans.

Closing song for the night: “How a Resurrection Really Feels.” As the song kicks into gear after a lull, confetti is dropped into the group, the house lights go up and the crowd explodes. Hooray music.

Valet guys might be the greatest human beings on the planet. God damn its cold. Why the hell do I live here?

All in all, a great set (as usual). Morello was solid and the Hold Steady were, as usual, rawkstars. On a night where the wind chill reached -40 degrees, it was nice to remember that baseball isn’t far away. I can’t wait to start the “hopeful-happy-nervous-happy-nervous-angry” cycle that begins every year in February . Here’s to baseball. And great music.