Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the hot stove. . .
The Milton Bradley saga is over (well, not OVER, we're still stuck with Carlos Silva), most of the free agents the Cubs were interested in have been signed by other teams, and I was prepated to settle in for a long winter's nap, when what to my wondering eyes should appear? But a Twitter timeline full of people freaking out about Big Z going to the Yankees.
Knowing that the Yankees are lurking in the weeds, just WAITING to pick off what remains of our starting rotation. . . how can we ever feel safe again?!?!?!?!
After much diligent research, I've determined that this is yet another rumor that orginated in the whimsical mind of Phil Roger's dog.
Maybe the Yankees inquired about Z, maybe they didn't. Teams inquire about all sorts of players this time of year, and it's no secret the Yankees are looking to shore up their starting rotation.
Bottom line, nothing came of said possible inquiry, so let's refrain from going all Milton Bradley on this one, shall we? Don't believe me? Take it from Bruce Miles (or, as I like to call him, "Ol' Reliable"):
For the record, Z's agent, Barry Praver (who is always accessible), sent me an e-mail saying: "Jim (Cubs GM Hendry) has not approached us about Carlos waiving the no-trade provision of his contract nor is Carlos interested in waiving it."
As you know, teams can talk about and ask about and dream about players all day long, but that doesn't mean there is a trade happening. Such is the case here. And as you further know, I think it would be a huge mistake to trade Zambrano. He is his own worst enemy at times, but the Cubs are better off with him than without him. As of now, the rotation has three sure things: Z, Dempster and Randy Wells. Carlos Silva now is in the mix as are Jeff Samardzija and Tom Gorzelanny. Take Z out of that mix and you've really got a potential mess on your hands.
There's precious little news in Cubdom today, as evidenced by the fact that the Sun-Times ran a column about one of their writers not liking the Captain Morgan statue outside Wrigley:
I was strolling by my neighborhood ballpark, and it hit me. What's wrong with this picture? Ernie Banks, Harry Caray and -- Captain Morgan? Statues in tribute to all three stand on the perimeter of Wrigley Field, between Clark and Sheffield.
Captain Morgan is red, white and blue all over, with gold trim. Propped on a cask of "demon" rum, he sports a brace of pistols and defiant grin. His cheesy, colorful monument contrasts vividly with the monochromatic bronze-and-steel renditions of Harry and Ernie.
I'm not a stickler for tradition, but the Cap'n shouldn't be allowed to outshine our hometown heroes. This lifelong Cubs fan is wondering how a statue of the English pirate Captain Morgan dares share the hallowed ground of the nation's most revered ballpark.
I was strolling in my neighborhood the other day and noticed that one of my neighbors really needs to pick up all the doggie waste in their front yard. That doesn't mean I should write a column about it.
For my part, I'll remind you all about the Cubs Fans Meetup (that was for you, Mark) will be taking place on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Kitty O'Shea's in the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Flyball and I will both be there--and we hope you will, too!
And make sure to come on back this afternoon as LOHO unveils the first of its decade-ending retrospectives!
So we have something to talk about this morning, let's have your top three Christmas movies and Christmas songs.
I'll go first:
Movies: "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," "Love, Actually." "Christmas Vacation" is a close runner up.
Songs: "Fairytale of New York," "All Want for Christmas Is You (the Vince Vance version)," and "It's Christmas (Please Come Home)."
Go.
30 Comments
waxpaperbeercup said:
anyone who doesn't think captain morgan is worthy of a statue really should not be writing for a major metropolitan newspaper.
gravedigger said:
As an alcoholic, I agree in theory. However, I do not like spiced rum. So...
waxpaperbeercup said:
i'm with ya gd. i liked it when i was younger. a few captain and cokes in my early 20's and i had to move on to other beverages. that drink is just too sweet for my tastes. still i appreciate statues that honor alcoholic beverages of any kind.
besides this is the cubs we're talking about. they should probably get statues for as many alcoholic beverages as possible around the park. where do i sign the petition?
gravedigger said:
Thank you, Julie. I win. And its no small victory.
JulieDiCaro said:
What did you win?
gravedigger said:
The small concession from you. Meetup.
JulieDiCaro said:
oh ha.
gravedigger said:
Christmas movies are terrible, and the only Christmas song I like is "Baby Its Cold Outside" where Dean Martin is trying to plow that girl and tells her its too cold outside and tries to ply her with liquor so she can't drive and won't take "no" for an answer. That's a great song. Ah, the good ole days.
flyball said:
I'm a sucker for Christmas movies, and sports movies, I like a happy ending
JulieDiCaro said:
Ha. Totally unrealistic song. No girl is trying to leave Dean Martin, scotch, and a roaring fire.
gravedigger said:
I just learned that he died on Christmas. Interesting.
gravedigger said:
Cabrera to Braves, scratch another name off the list.
JulieDiCaro said:
Oh Dammit! He was the only one I actually wanted on the team.
gravedigger said:
For Javier Vazquez. Think the Yankees got the better end of that deal.
JulieDiCaro said:
I can't even begin to imagine how I would go about putting a snuggie on my dog.
gravedigger said:
Your dog does not want to wear a snuggie, so that's one crisis averted.
gravedigger said:
One of the few days where I literally have nothing to do at work. Which means you're all stuck with obnoxious gravedigger today. Sweeeet.
JulieDiCaro said:
It's a Christmas Miracle.
gravedigger said:
You fuckin betcha.
flyball said:
fun!
gravedigger said:
This article is hilarious:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81529fbf&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
"Over and over, coach Lovie Smith kept pointing out that the Chicago Bears are 5-9. If he's trying to keep his job, he might want to use a different approach."
JulieDiCaro said:
I've been defending Lovie all season, but his presser yesterday put me over the edge.
Take him away!
flyball said:
but if he gets fired what will I do with my I
of course the Redskins fans want to fire their entire coaching staff too, so maybe he'll find a job in DC
gravedigger said:
That would be great.
flyball said:
gd, where are you, I thought you were going to start an argument
gravedigger said:
No, I was just generally saying I was here to entertain. But I'm not going to entertain myself if nobody else is around.
gravedigger said:
Ignoring, if you can, the outrageousness of his acquittal, this is maybe the most entertaining story of the year. Seriously awesome story. Some highlights (though you really do have to read the whole thing):
No one disputes that an on-duty Irvine police officer got an erection and ejaculated on a motorist during an early-morning traffic stop in Laguna Beach. The female driver reported it, DNA testing confirmed it and officer David Alex Park finally admitted it.
and
In the wee hours of Dec. 15, 2004, Lucy (only her first name was used during the trial) finished her final shift at Captain Cream in Lake Forest, not far from the Irvine Spectrum. Management had let her go after an incident involving a female customer in a bathroom stall. According to court records, there had been a small amount of cocaine, kissing and breast fondling.
http://www.ocweekly.com/2007-02-08/news/illegally-park-ed/
cubsforever said:
Bobby Cox must have read my tongue and cheek comment from yesterday about Z. for Cabrera and thought it was a good idea - so he traded Vasquez for him. The Braves now have two outfielders that they have acquired since the middle of last year that I would have wanted on the Cubs - McLouth and Cabrera - sure sounds like a much better outfield - especially than Soriano and Bradley and anyone. Also adds a lot to the hitting balance of lefty righty with Lee - Aramis - Soto - Fukodome - Theriot ---- so what is left now - if it isn't by trade - the same bunch of leftovers - Byrd - Posy - Bob Dernier - hey come to think of it - I would take him back. Think of that outfiled in 84 - Sarge - Dernier - Moreland - all righties - and lotsa hustle - but not the greatest defensive outfield you would ever see. And if I recall - how many lefties actually played a lot - the first baseman was the only one to drive in runs from the left side. I guess lefty - righty balance IS overrated. Oh - i forgot the other lefty hitter who could put the ball out of the park - I think his name was Sutcliffe - game one - San Diego - I am sitting in the top row of the right field bleachers - and this rocket went high over my head ----
cubsforever said:
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jtbwriter said:
Afternoon from cold and windy So Cal...
Thanks for the giggles this morning re-Capt Morgan...Only in Chicago. Re fave Christmas Songs/Movies:
1. Merry Christmas Darling-The Carpenters
2. The Grinch Song-Thurl Ravenscroft
3. Do They Know It's Christmas-Band Aid
Movies/Cartoons
1. A Christmas Carol-Alistair Sims/George C Scott's versions
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas
3. Tie between White Christmas and Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
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