The Winds are Blowing

Chicago Cubs' Jose Macias, center, and Jerry Hairston Jr., left, celebrate as Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Brian Bruney, right, walks off the field after the Cubs' 4-3 victory Friday, July 29, 2005, in Chicago. Macias scored on a single in the ninth by Aramis Ramirez to give the Cubs the win. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
I would say Jose does his best to copy Todd Walker last year against the A's. I had to leave during the game to go to work, but I got back just in time to see the Cubs knock off the Diamondbacks after back-to-back RBI singles by Aramis Ramirez and Michael Barrett. Dusty Baker continues to play with fire and gets rewarded. I was sure Macias would be taken down for Aramis, but I was wrong and Macias drew a walk.
Matt Murton picked up another hit and punt down a good bunt in the 9th inning. That leads me to my next thing about all these trades. Of course Soriano is being talked about, but I really highly doubt it. Murton has proven he can hit, maybe not for power, but at least he gets on base. If we trade for Soriano it would mean either Murton or Walker would lose playing time.
We shall see. I am sure we will make a trade, just maybe not the big one people are thinking about.

This Old Cub

I had to Tivo "This Old Cub" a couple days ago and finally watched it this morning. If you have not had a chance to see it, WGN will rebroadcast the movie on Saturday before the Cubs and Diamondbacks.
I was able to see the game yesterday and I have to say LaTroy Hawkins can't pitch in Wrigley. I feel bad for him also, because I was so happy when we signed him.
The Cubs face the Diamondbacks starting this afternoon for a four games series. A 3-1 record is a mus to keep our playoff hopes alive.

The youth movement is here

(Top) Chicago Cubs' Jeromy Burnitz, right, follows through on a sacrifice fly to score teammate Ronny Cedeno for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as San Francisco Giants catcher Mike Matheny, left, looks on Monday, July 25, 2005, in Chicago. The Cubs won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
(Bottom) Chicago Cubs' Ronny Cedeno, right, scores the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Jeromy Burnitz as San Francisco Giants catcher Mike Matheny, left, waits for the throw in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Rich Hill gets his first start and goes five innings. I will take it for his major league start. The Cubs find a way to win again. Neifi comes up with another big hit. Now we can just pray that Dusty Baker does not move him up in the order. I did not get to see any of the game as I watched on MLB's Gameday, but hey it is a win. We still need a bunch more.

Neifi is Grand as they come

Chicago Cubs Neifi Perez celebrates with Aramis Ramires as he crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam in the tenth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, July 24, 2005 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.(AP photo/Tom Gannam)
Chicago Cubs' Henry Blanco rounds third base after hitting a fourth-inning solo home run off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jeff Suppan Sunday, July 24, 2005, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
What a day for the Cubs. After Mark Prior gave up three home runs in the first inning, the Cubs come from behind and even blow a lead, but they still find a way to win. Well, Neifi Perez did come up huge with a grand slam in the top of the 10th inning and Derrek Lee saved a ball that would have put two men on in the bottom of the inning.
The Cubs now have three with the Giants and then four with the Diamondbacks.
This is the important stretch before the trading deadline.
Things are looking up.

Tonight is the night

St. Louis Cardinals' Abraham Nunez walks back to the dugout as the Chicago Cubs celebrate after Nunez was doubled off second, on a ball hit by Albert Pujols, to end the game Saturday, July 23, 2005 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Cubs beat the Cardinals 6-5.(AP photo/Tom Gannam)
What a game yesterday and now the news Kerry Wood is headed to the DL. It is put up or shut up time for the Cubs. If they consider themselves contenders winning tonight is a must.

Back later with more.

Anything you can do I can do better

Chicago Cubs' Aramis Ramirez hits a three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds' Luke Hudson in the third inning, Tuesday, July 19, 2005, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
A night after Derek Lee and Todd Walker both go deep twice, Ramirez took matters into his own hand and hit two of his own. The Cubs have now won 8-of-9 and are playing pretty good against bad teams. The real key is can they keep it up against the better ones. Mark Prior was not great tonight, but he was good enough to win and the Cubs look to take the series tomorrow with Kerry Wood heading to the mound.
I still think the Cubs are going to make more trade, but I could not tell you what it might be.

Lee is a golden god

That is about all I can say about the Monster that Derek Lee has become. The man is not human.
Scott Lange, of the Northside Lounge, and I were talking about how that trade has really worked well for the Cubs, even though both of us thought it was a gamble at the time. Of course if we new he was going to turn into Barry Bonds there would have never been a discussion.
The Cubs have won 7-of-8 now and look to continue it heading it to rest of the season.
The Cubs also aquired Jody Gerut from the Indians and now we have three left hand hitting Corner Outfielders. Gerut is no Adam Dunn, but I told Scott today that I felt a move, I was just hoped it would be bigger.

Pirate Crashing

Not the most original headline, but with the new movie out it was time to use a Vince Vaughn picture. That and all the other photos on the wire were nothing special.
The Cubs were able to beat the Pirates 8-2 today and they took 3-of-4, so that is about all you can ask for. The Reds are next and it is another situation of having to beat weaker teams.

Cubs out Duke'ed

Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke ended the Cubs winning streak. The Cubs offense was unable to plate a run even with some golden chances. So today's picture is of the bad guy.

Welcome to the Photo of the Day

I am now going to run a photo of the day. Hopefully they will be some shots from the games that people have not seen.
Come back tomorrow to see more photos from the game.

Time for the second half

Raise your hand if the first half of the season has been a little tough to watch. That looks about right, just about every Cub fan raised their hand. I have seen disapointment in the past, but this group is so hard. For as bad as it has been there has been many great moments. Derek Lee's assualt on National League pitching for one. The injuiries have hurt and Corey Patterson could not hit a bowling ball. I got a great message from a friend while I was on vacation.
Mike Eady is the president of the "Get Corey Patterson Out of Town" Fan Club and has been complaining for weeks Corey needed to go. Little did I know during the message that Corey was already in AAA, because there is no internet or TV at this summer camp I work.
Now that Corey is gone, Mike will now focus his attention on Dusty Baker. I am of the mind that it is just time to forget the past and focus on this season. The pitching staff is now healthy and it is time to make a playoff run. The first half can be a distant memory.
As for me, I am back in El Dorado, Ark. and it is just a couple weeks away from football season. I hope my focus is on the Cubs and not on the upcoming football season.

What an interesting Vacation

So my vacation was really good, but the Cubs were not. They lost eight in a row and then I get back and they win three in a row. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those years are hearts will be ripped from our chests.
We have a new sponser on the right column. Tickets in a Flash has joined the team, so be sure to check out some great deals there.


I wil now take the All-Star break to regroup from my vacation and I hope everybody is geared up for a second half run.