When I stopped by the blog the other day and realized it had been nearly two weeks since there had been a new post, I nearly fell out of my chair. A thousand humble apologies, four readers. I have been neglecting you.
It's not that I forgot about the blog or about our Chicago Cubs, it's just there hasn't been a whole lot to talk about. In addition to the slow trickle of news out of Mesa, my Missouri Tigers have made a "historic" run to the Sweet 16 and have kind of taken up all my free time over the last few weeks (Memphis should take care of this problem on Thursday).
That being said, I thought I would make it up to you with a quick post, filled with even quicker thoughts about the 2009 Cubs and a variety of other topics. Think twitter, but more interesting (maybe).
Zambrano Named Opening Day Starter:
Well, we weren't going to go 162-0 anyway, might as well get it out of the way as soon as possible. The collective amnesia surrounding Z and his opening day performances is getting a little re-dunk-ulous at this point.
Bradley Nursing Injuries and/or the Flu:
How many times you think Milton is gonna get the "flu " this year? 20? 40? I have him penciled in for 75 games at this point which is saying something since I am one of the idiots who wanted him here.
Sam Fuld Demoted, Might Not Be That Good:
Experts: Inconceivable!
Me: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Japan Wins WBC:
I watched four innings last night. Seeing how pumped the fans were was pretty entertaining. Listening to Joe Morgan was not.
Marshall Named #5 Starter:
Want an example of how little I've been paying attention? COI broke this story for me. Zing!
Soriano Is Not Hitting Lead-off/Soriano Is Hitting Lead-off:
I don't think there is a storyline I care less about. As long as he hits the ball, he can bat wherever he wants. D-Lee on the other hand...
Fuku's Struggles Where About Making "Cultural Adjustment" to US:
Here I thought it was because he had adopted a "Close Eyes, Spin Like Top" batting style. Shows what I know.
DeRo Still With Indians, Wife Still Sad:
She saw a highlight of him at the WBC and nearly broke into tears. Thankfully, I beat her to it and ran out of the room sobbing.
Fast and Furious Hits Theatres April 3rd:
Let me be the first to say: Best. Movie. Ever.
Go Cubs.
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To build off our blatant oogling of Sean Marshall's wife (nee' Alexis DelChiaro) yesterday, cubs.com has a piece that focuses on the newlyweds' life as “major-league pitcher and hot newscaster wife.” I think Sarah Wood just got replaced in the pole position for “yet another reason why professional baseball players are the luckiest bastards on the planet.” Gotta break this one down into a few separate thoughts:
First of all, under the story's headline, link two presents an option to “customize a Marshall jersey today.” You think I could get a “DelChiaro 45” jersey? Just so we're clear on who we're rooting for...
Furthermore, I simply don't care what Sean Marshall does on the field-would I rather watch Marshall get lit up from time to time while the possibility remains of seeing “hot newscaster wife,” or would I rather watch Jason Marquis get lit up every time and be forced to look at his hobbit-like face on a regular basis?
I guess that's enough on her, although I reserve the right to bring her back during any slow news week this season...
ANYWAY...
The most enjoyable old-guys-are-funny moment I had during Spring Training was when speaking with a guy (about 70-75 or so) about the Cubs and hearing him refer unintentionally, but continuously, to Alfonso Soriano as “Cerrano.” I could have corrected him, but, you know, it actually makes more sense. He hit straight ball very nice, but curve ball...bat afraid.
Bobby Scales and Wellington Castillo were both cut this week, but instead of going over to minor league camp, they were sent to Iowa to “wait until camp moves there.” Let's see, so you've crapped on my major league dream AND made me move from Arizona to that bastion of cosmopolitan life, Des Moines, Iowa? That's kinda like getting kicked in the nuts, and then...well...getting sent to Iowa.
So the Reds signed Paul Bako, Kent Merker, Corey Patterson, and Jerry Hairston. It would have been so much more fun if Steve Stone would have gone to Cincinnati to be their color man. That train wreck would have gotten so much more train wreckier.
Speaking of my new favorite team, the question was asked yesterday whether or not Darren Baker would be in the dugout with the Reds this year. He's got to be too old for this now, right? Its getting to the point of being uncomfortable. Like “Ronnie Woo-Woo uncomfortable.” I'm waiting for the day when a 21-year old Darren sits on his dad's lap during a press conference to deflect the hard questions Dusty might get from the big-bad reporters. It would be great, though, to see a 55 year old J.T. Snow swoop onto the field and save him from getting drilled by yet another player sliding into home.
When Piniella got all angry about the Cubs blowing leads this week, I couldn't help but wonder how he would react when players who might actually sniff the major leagues sometime in the next five years start blowing games. I'm pretty sure that if Shingo Takatsu is out there blowing saves for the Cubs in July, then either (a.) some tragedy has befallen the 15 guys ahead of him on the depth chart, or (b.) Fukudome's interpreter quit and they needed a last-minute replacement.
I was at Lebowski Fest here in Chicago this weekend. I need some jelly shoes. And a marmot.