I don't remember the Cubs trading Lou Brock in 1992.

Wowzah! Jay fancies himself a sadist, struggles with paranoia and delusions, takes a shot at a bulletproof Trib joke on the Sun-Times, and comments on his columns are now enabled? Quit while you're ahead, Jay.

Trading Lou Brock and not keeping Greg Maddux in 1992 were Cubbie occurences.

Then what the heck was getting Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez for garbage then?

I want truth, not mush. That's why I don't read Mariotti.

I say some of you become filled with rage when the mood strikes and will treat anyone like Jacque Jones.

Yeah, Jay, you're right. If Fukudome gets doubled off second base on fly balls to left three times in one month, you can be damn sure we'll treat him like Jaques Jones.

1. I don't understand why he thinks the Cubs need Huston Street. He says Wood will break down, which is very understandable. But then he says Marmol will take over. What's so bad about that? You also have Howry or you could put Dempster, who is a "Proven Closer" back in the pen. While he may not be a great option, he's not bad for a fourth option. The Cubs bullpen seems pretty deep to me.

2. Wow, he really thinks Hill sucks based on one bad game against Colorado and spring training? Hey, Brandon Webb was last seen giving up four runs in six innings against the Rockies, and has a 5.90 spring ERA. He must blow!

I think there are reasons to doubt the Cubs taking the Central, but I'm not sure he correctly identifies any of them. For example, the words "Mark DeRosa" or "Ryan Theriot" are not mentioned once, and "Jason Marquis" is only mentioned in passing.

I think there are reasons to doubt the Cubs taking the Central, but I'm not sure he correctly identifies any of them. For example, the words "Mark DeRosa" or "Ryan Theriot" are not mentioned once.

DeRosa was above average last year, and was the year before, his only other full year. He may not be above average again, but he won't be some albatross that kills the team.

Theriot probably won't either, but I see less upside there.

Then what the heck was getting Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez for garbage then?

IVAN DEJESUS WAS NOT GARBAGE!!!!

Had a Cub moment in my son's LL game last night. Runner on second, two out. Grounder hit to third. Third baseman (who is due up first in the bottom of the inning) fields it, steps on third, tosses the ball toward the mound and trots into the dugout. The runner stays put, but the batter, seeing the ball loose, lights out for second. Meanwhile the fielders, (except the third baseman who is in the dugout putting on his batting helmet), are standing around wondering what to do. I am frantically yelling at the pitcher to get the ball and throw it to the SS and for the SS to tag both runners. He (the pitcher) has no idea why, but does it. The SS is not paying attention and the ball rolls into left center. Meanwhile the first base coach is yelling at the batter to get back to first. The players are still paralyzed. The CF finally picks up the ball and starts walking to second, puzzled as to what good it will do to tag a runner who is on a base. At the same time, the batter finally starts walking to first, and my third baseman now has a bat in his hand and strolls up to the plate. Now, my CF finally reaches second base, and tags the original runner who is still standing on the base, tosses the ball to the mound and starts trotting toward the dugout, which starts an exodus of the entire defense toward the dugout, and the runner on second starts walking toward his dugout.

I think both teams now require counseling.

Worst....Cubs Fan....Ever....

Post #9 shows why little league umpiring of the lowest levels is the hardest. When I umped, we got paid more for higher levels, but it should be the opposite. Umping a 15 year old game is a dream, its real baseball. 6 year olds is herding cats.

Wow.

We don't use umps at this level (7-8 year olds). The coach operating the pitching machine for his batters acts as the ump, but we will defer to the base coaches on close plays. It's pretty casual and friendly and usually very honest. Actually had a parent of the opposing team tell me that my batter got a piece of the ball after his third swing and I was sending him back to the dugout. On the play in post 9, we put the runners on first and second and continued. Had my defense tagged both runners on second, we would have ended the inning. Admittedly, we have never talked about two runners on a base before, so their confusion was understandable