There’s A Place For Everything

And usually, I have a place for everything. 

Sometimes, you have to break rank with the usual, and go for the gusto! 

I usually place my observations of the previous day’s play with the Chicago Cubs, and their opponents, elsewhere on this blog.  Kind of like the relationship of the Sports Section to the Front Page of a newspaper.

Today is different.  I am here to give you the end of a 12 game losing streak with an 11-7 victory over San Diego, yesterday. 

That’s not all.  This is the beginning of a Cubs winning dynasty.  An MLB  club that will go down in history as the club that couldn’t stop losing until, they won, and never looked back as they become the envy of every other MLB Baseball franchise as the club that couldn’t stop winning!

The Cubs are, in any case the envy of every baseball club ownership entity.  The fans don’t stop coming out to every ball park in the country, let alone Wrigley.  They have loyal fans pioneering the return of the baseball from the stands to the field, upon any opponent’s home run.

 

Yesterday’s Loss Is Only A Prelude For Today’s Victory

Yes!  I was caught as a defeatist.  All set to go to my Random Notes & The Library page to scoff at another Cubs loss.  It was 2-1 Cardinals in the bottom of the 9th. 

Certainly, we were looking at yet, another loss.  And you think the Cubs don’t execute.  They do.  On losses.  I need to get used to this but, still haven’t over the years.  Something inside of me says to expect the baseball miracle of a lifetime.  When?  Hopefully it is a reference to my lifetime.  None the less, there is a voice inside of me saying, ‘Be patient just a little while longer, and it will come.’ 

I need out of this baseball funk.  The Cubs looked so much more promising during Spring Training.  Where did those Cubs go?

Now it’s the bottom of the 9th, in Chicago with the Cubs down by, a run.  Preparing for the inevitable, and the worst in myself appears.  Don’t follow this any more.  I’ll just get up, go outside, and prepare for a crop of snapshots.

So, I think I’ve got the card formatted in the camera.  Nothing tells me it really, is formatted but, I did everything you’re supposed to do.  I’m assuming all is good.  I start shooting some pictures to take my mind off the Cubs, and relax.

This camera has instructions but, for the most part they just show where each button is located which should be okay….but, it’s not.  No instructions for the variables available at those locations.  No pictures to the card, and none to internal memory.  I’m not getting this, and yes, the camera is on!

I put the camera down, deciding it would be best to clear my head for awhile. 

Get back here to check on the Cubs.  Something’s wrong.  No.  Nothing’s wrong.  Much has been wrong up to now but, I re-checked.  Sure enough, the small miracle of the day.  Cubs win 3-2.  Miraculous!  They scored 2 in the 9th!

Ah, some miracles come in very small doses.  3-2 Cubs.  It made me smile. It restored my faith in watching for, and expecting miracles of all sizes, and doses.  Cause & Effect: One small miracle can ’cause’ many more small miracles.

Why was that a miracle?  I was having a frustrating day, and that little miracle offered me the opportunity to enjoy.  So I did.

Victory!  So, I’m expecting another small miracle, today.  The camera and I as one.  Another small miracle to make me smile.

 

Testing Patience

Want to give your patience a workout?  Become a Cubs fan!  I know.  I am.

The team is moving on a slow; extremely slow start. 

The Cubs are only in need of two things.  Only two things separate them from a World Series victory, this year.  It’s simple, plug those two holes, and the Cubs are in!

The two holes?  The only two things the Cubs need are, pitching & hitting.  Somebody to throw the baseball, and somebody to hit it.

This will be very short as I feel my patience is being tested as I write..

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There Are Winners On Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th.  The St. Louis Cardinals home opener doesn’t go well…..for them.  However, for their opponent, things went very well.

The opposing team was watching as the 2011 World Champion Cardinals receiving their World Champion banner at Busch.  The ceremony for the Cardinals was one their opponents were looking forward to for themselves during their home opener, next year.

What to do?  Ceremonies, come to an end.  Let the games, begin. 

The visiting team is always graciously afforded the first chance to take a swing at the home occupants.  And well they did.  The party would soon be spoiled in the first few minutes of the contest as the visitors piled on 4 runs on 4 hits.

How embarrassing for those world champions.  They were performing in front of their home spectators for the first time in 2012.

Was it Friday, the 13th?  There are some Cardinal fans who, would attribute the fateful combination of Friday, and 13 as the only reason for their dismal beginning.

When it was all over, the visiting Chicago Cubs were victorious over the St. Louis team by, a score of 9-5.  For Cubs fans, would that be because of the same combination?  They won.  On Friday the 13th.

Was it unlucky? Lucky?  Everybody played the game.

There would also be some winners on Friday, the 13th.

 

Anchovies, Returned!

My anchovies are being returned, at least for the moment.

Maybe this isn’t gout.  It could possibly be a mysterious foot swelling implant from somewhere else in the universe.  Consider, everything.  Why is ‘Men In Black 3′ coming out at this time?

My uric acid levels came back, normal.  So, now what?  The foot is still swollen with pain.

Went back to hospital for x-rays, and to continue the mystery, all came back, normal in the picture department.

My negotiations for a reprieve on the diet have paid off.  I am one heck of a negotiator.  I’m sure the doctor had a change of heart due to my expertise on whining, ‘pllleeeaase,’ and this had nothing to do with lab exam results.

New med. for possible infection, and doctor follow-up on Tuesday morning.

On another note, the Cubs have blasted their way in to St. Louis with 4 runs on 4 hits in the 1st.  This calls for a celebration……pass the anchovies, please!

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Cubs Score 8

The Cubs returned yesterday with, a winning 8 runs! 

That was really nice after enduring a 3 game losing streak but, the bigger headline can be characterized by, little to no scoring theatrics by the opposing club in the 9th.

An even bigger headline was, Cubs pitching held the Milwaukee bats to just 3 hits, and the Brewers had no runs to show for it for the entire game! 

The Cubs owned that game, scoring a big 6 in the 3rd inning, and solidifying the outcome with 2 more across in the 4th.

Matt Garza looked very impressive on the hill for Chicago with 9 of the ‘Brew Crew’ caught with 3 strikes.  Garza walked 2, and allowed just 3 hits.

Cubs fans may be able to talk the pitching game, after all!  Just not out of the bullpen.  Cubs win, 8-0.

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The Cubs Do Have A Pitcher

The Cubs squeaked out a win with the usual drama in the ninth inning.  You know, the part where the opposing team scores.  It is a tradition with the Cubs.

This time, Washington came up short by one as the Cubs claim victory, 4-3.  One minute, it was 4-1 with 2 outs, and the next, all the drama with a Nationals, 2 run home run in the 9th.

The Cubs do have a real pitcher.  Jeff Samardzija had a spectacular outing but, couldn’t quite go the distance.

Here’s the problem:  the Cubs have ‘A’ pitcher.  One who measures up, so far.  It is difficult when you don’t have much to go to in the bullpen, and Wood hasn’t given a reason for belief.  At least not, yet.

So, apologies to the front office.  I was wrong.  You do have a pitcher.  That’s still a problem because, so far, it looks like you have a pitcher but, no pitching squad.  Forgot to tell you.  You need at least 4 starting pitchers, and at least 3 to tie up loose ends, as needed.  One more of each is preferable.

So, once again. I implore the Cubs front office to get it done.  To re-phrase; I, with much kindness, ask the front office to, please get it done.

 

Open Letter To Chicago Cubs Front Office

Not to be condescending but, maybe somebody should.

It is my intention to see the Cubs win a World Series in my lifetime, and you seem to be intentionally holding me back. 

Perhaps this franchise goes on as successful as it does because, they lose.  Have you ever thought that, perhaps if the Cubs do this well in profits losing they, just might make more buckets of cash, winning?  Imagine, all the riches you could be counting.

How could you do this?  Let me help you build a winner.

Nine players provide for the successful defense.  You’re doing much better than you used to do but, I think you enjoy leaving a hole, somewhere as you partake in the treasures afforded this very successful loser.  Don’t mess with the status-quo when all is well, right?

What if, a winner becomes the new Cubs status-quo?  The big bucks get bigger? 

I know.  You want to know, if I’m wrong, then, what?  You’ll never know until you try.  Worse case scenario, you could go back to the way it was but, I don’t think so.  Just imagine the Cubs on the way to the Series for the first time in modern baseball history, and maintaining a lock on that, for awhile.  A dynasty, if you will.

Let me explain this to you, and see if you comprehend (understand.)

All of the players are vital to the outcome of the game but, there is one position that is instrumental in every moment of the game.  He is referred to as, a Pitcher.  He’s located about mid-way out within the front end. 

You might recognize that person as he throws the white circle continuously toward that guy with the piece of wood.  The goal, is for him to pick up the white circle which is referred to, as a ball, and throw it really fast so the other guy with the piece of wood, doesn’t hit the ball.  The trick is, to throw the circle over that white thing in the dirt but, up from floor level to the guy with the glove behind the guy with the wood.

Now that you understand the basic concept, you might understand that you have to go buy some good Pitchers to accomplish this task.

Once you do that, you might be making bigger buckets of cash, and I would get to see the Cubs in a World Series in my lifetime.

I have made it as simple as possible.  If there are any questions don’t hesitate to, ask somebody….anybody!

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Capitalizing On Errors

I don’t relish the idea of taking advantage of another person’s mistake.  It somehow rubs me the wrong way.  Doesn’t feel right with my ethical standards.

I never stopped to think there could be a reason to compromise my ethics, and always thought personal accomplishment was the higher road.

As you know, I’m a baseball fan, and more specifically, a Chicago Cubs fan.

I considered this concept of capitalizing on someone’s mistake in the context of baseball or, any sport for that matter.  It turns out, taking advantage of an opponent’s error is woven in to the strategy of a game.  It is part of how a game is played. The higher road if, you are playing the game correctly.

Though early, with only a few spring games completed, I am seeing a far better Cubs team than, I’ve seen in a few years.

So, what’s different?

The new Manager, Dale Sveum has them on the edge, taking advantage of every opportunity.  Sure, he began his duties with the Cubs by, emphasizing fundamentals but, being aware of every opportunity, and taking advantage is, after all, just that; Fundamental to the fabric of the game.

There are times, I couldn’t cross that line of ethical standards but, there are times I expect capitalization on someone’s mistake, and consider it quite ethical.

At work; No.  At the ball park; I hope so.

 

Cubs Report: No Re-build This Year

The Chicago Cubs have reported for Spring Training.  The team was informed by, their Manager, Dale Sveum, not to expect a ‘rebuilding year’ in 2012.

Sveum was very definite about a no re-build year.  Next year?  Come on, this has gone on literally longer than my lifetime. The Cubs last World Series victory was in 1908.

Sveum outlined the team’s line-up complete with the positive points of each player.  No re-building in 2012.  That was final.  Sveum made it clear, and definite.

Instead, Sveum told the Cubs there was no reason this club could not combine for the win in 2012.  Not any win.  The win.  The coveted World Series crown.  He fully expected the combination of players he had in front of him to win it all in 2012.  I know.  That’s what I’ve been saying. 

2012 is the year, and I have expectations no less than Sveum.  A world championship.

Sveum’s first day in camp was spent focused on his number one activity to produce winning results; Fundamentals!

Sveum spent his playing days in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.