College World Series

I just wanted to take a moment to complain.

TCU is the #18 team in the Country, yet they are a 3 Seed in the Stillwater regional, meaning that the selection commitee felt that there were at least 32 teams better then them. That's crap.

So despite being the 18th best team in the Nation, they have to face off against the #16 team in the nation in the first game of the Regional as an away team.

That's crap.

Hopefully, they'll win despite the slight against them.

Game one is today at 1:00pm CST.

The Cubs meanwhile are the best team in the majors!

Other great news is that an old friend of mine has a major motion picture opening today, The Strangers. Everyone go see it.

Jon Lester steals ESPN Spotlight Meant for Berkman and Soriano

The two hottest hitters going right now (both doing things almost unheard of in baseball history), litterly no one has been as hot as these two hitters have been recently, were featured on ESPN Monday night baseball. Cubs verse Astros.

Instead, the game switched away from the close game to a 7-0 Boston beatdown of the Kansas City Royals.

Why?

Jon Lester was in the midst of a no-hitter. He got it too.

Meanwhile in Houston, Soriano and Berkman each went 0-4 in the Cubs 7-2 win to open the first Cubs/Astros series in Houston that I won't attend any games of since the opening of Minute Maid.

Oh well, you know what they say, good pitching will always beat good pitching. Congratulations to Lester on the first no hitter of the season.

Interleague Play

So, in full disclosure, I will be going to the Ballpark in Arlington today for Rangers vs Astros, but just because I go to the interleague games doesn't mean that I like them.

I feel like interleague play is unnecessary and as currently constructed completely useless.

I understand the theory, you get a chance to see the players from the other league. Fans in American League cities can get a chance to see Albert Pujols, Derek Lee, and Lance Berkman (stars who have played their whole career in the NL) and fans in National League cities can get a chance to see Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero (you get the idea).

The only problem is, it doesn't work that way. Due to the way that the series are set up, chances are that you won't get to see any of those players at your ballpark.

The only matchups that make sense are the natural rivalry series.

Sure, Yankees/Mets, Cubs/White Sox, and Giants/A's (and to a lesser extent Rangers/Astros, Marlins/Rays, and Indians/Reds) all are great fun bragging right type games, but other matchups don't really make sense. And if you're going to have interleague, fans from those areas will demand those matchups which means you've got less of a chance to see other teams, and other teams in your division might get easier matchups that change the equality of the division's scheduales, which isn't fair.

I think that if the MLB is going to stick with interleague, then it should be more like the NFL, NHL, and NBA where it isn't something special that happens only a couple of times a season, but something that happens throughout the year so that the scheduales can be more even within each division.

Ultimately, though, I think baseball was better off when teams didn't play outside their league. Especially since National League baseball and American League baseball are different (the DH actually causes a huge shift in the way the game is played).

The only teams not joining in Interleague Play this weekend are the Cubs and Pirates who are playing each other. The Cubs have faced the Pirates in two seperate three games series so far this season and the Cubs have won all 6 games. They look to make it 9-0 starting today.

100 Years Later Welcomes Jim Edmonds to the Fold

Wow, never thought I'd say this, but Jim Edmonds is a Cub!

How many times I've seen him make unbelievable plays in the outfield to steal hits and runs away from the Cubs, how many times I've seen him hit monsterous homeruns against the Cubs, and now he'll be wearing a Cubs uniform today.

Felix Pie will be sent to Iowa (actually to Austin as the Iowa Cubs are playing the Round Rock Express currently) which is probably for the best as it will give him time to straighten out his offensive woes and hopefully allow him to become the elite player he has it in himself to be. Hopefully the demotion doesn't do any psycological damage.

I know that some people are upset with this move, saying that Edmonds is washed up, but he's been hurt early this season, and San Diego is one of the worst hitters parks in the league, so I'm sure he'll turn it around.

Besides, he's mentioned that he wants to stick it to the Cardinals for dropping him after last year, and what better place to do that then with their main rivals.

I would love for him to do to the Cardinals a little of what he always used to do to us.

Lilly appears back on the right track after winning his fourth straight decision as Soriano and Soto powered the Cubs to a big win yesterday. They go for their second straight series win (and second straight series winning three games) this afternoon with Edmonds reportedly starting.

Should be fun. Go Cubs.

Cubbies Back On Top

Not only in the division, but in the major leagues.

Last week was certainly not one of the best for our Blue Pinstriped Heroes, but they didn't fall too far behind everyone.

After sweeping the Mets (sorry fester) the Cubs went nearly two weeks without winning another series.

They split a two game series with the Rockies, lost 2 of 3 to the Nationals, 2 of 3 to the Brewers, 2 of 3 to the Cardinals, and 2 of 3 to the Reds.

Not a good stretch by any stretch of the imagination.

Then came the Diamondbacks, the best team in baseball. This could be trouble.

Instead, the Cubs came back in all three games to sweep the majors best team (who because of the sweep lost that title to the Florida Marlins).

Then yesterday, the Cubs took care of the Padres in convincing fashion winning 12-3, which coupled with the loss of the Marlins to the Reds meant that the Cubs have ridden their current four game winning streak to the best record in the majors along with a one game lead for the Central division.

In other Cub news, Jim Edmonds, long time Cub killer from the rival Cardinals, was released by the Padres, and the rumor is that if he clears waivers he might join the Cubs as a much needed left handed bat that can play all three outfield positions.

Sure, he's older and has lost a few steps, but I think that he could be a very valuable addition off of the bench.

There were some fun bases loaded moments in baseball last night.

The Cubs held an 8-2 advantage in the 6th inning with the bases loaded, Mark DeRosa up, and two outs. With a 3-2 count, DeRosa hit a ground ball deep in the hole at third.

For those who aren't fully versed in all things baseball, when there is a 3-2 count and two outs with the bases loaded the runners take off on the pitch. If it's ball four, everyone is automatically safe at the next base. If it's strike three, the inning is over. So, the runners were off with the pitch.

San Diego's third baseman, Kevin Kouzmanoff got the ball and attempted to run to tag third before Ramirez arrived hoping to end the inning, but since the runners had left with the pitch, Ramirez beat him to the bag. At this point, Kouzmanoff tried to throw to first to get DeRosa. That probably would have worked and ended the inning if he'd have done that first, but as it was, DeRosa was probably going to beat out the throw, which caused Kouzmanoff to rush the throw which went flying past San Diego first baseman (and former Ranger) Adrian Gonzales. Both Ramirez and Fukudome came around to score as well turning what should have been an inning ending ground ball into a bases clearing infield grounder.

The Padres currently have the worst record in the majors and this just shows that when things are going poorly, it is easy for things to get worse.

The Cubs look for their fifth straight win tonight.

Cubs Win Thanks To Zambrano and New Segment

Zambrano was (again) magnificent pitching 8 innings to lead the Cubs to a 3-0 lead.

Jon Leiber goes against former Ranger Edinson Volquez in today's game which is already in progress. I know, early.

But it gives us the opportunity to start a new segment here at 100 Years Later...

Great Quotes When Taken Out of Context!

"He was alright. He got up, put his head back on, got back on the 4-wheeler, and took another lap around the ballpark."
Bob Brenly of the Cubs broadcast

Here are the results from Yesterday's games.

Enjoy today's games.

Cubs Struggles Continue, Carlos Looks To Right the Ship

Zambrano has been better then ever so far this season (and that's actually saying something). Today he will attempt to end this latest two game losing streak and hopefully put the Cubs back on winning ways.

Rich Hill (who started his last game by walking four consecutive batters) has been sent down to the minors to work on his game and tomorrow will be the first start of Jon Leiber, the last pitcher to win 20 games with the Cubs.

At the rate Big Z is going so far, he should take that title over this season.

Here are yesterday's games, including the disappointing loss by the Cubs to the Reds.

Now it's time for the Standings.....

AL EAST W L GB
Boston 21 13 -
Tampa Bay 16 15 3.5
New York 17 16 3.5
Baltimore 16 16 4.0
Toronto 16 17 4.5

AL CENTRAL W L GB
Minnisota 16 14 -
Chicago 14 16 2.0
Cleveland 14 17 2.5
Kansas City 14 17 2.5
Detroit 14 19 3.5

AL WEST W L GB
Los Angeles 21 13 -
Oakland 20 14 1.0
Seattle 14 19 6.5
Texas 13 20 7.5

NL EAST W L GB
Philidelphia 19 14 -
Florida 17 14 1.0
New York 16 14 1.5
Atlanta 15 15 2.5
Washington 14 18 4.5

NL CENTRAL W L GB
St. Louis 21 12 -
Chicago 18 14 2.5
Milwaukee 16 15 4.0
Houston 16 16 4.5
Cincinatti 13 20 8.0
Pittsburgh 12 19 8.0

NL WEST W L GB
Arizona 21 11 -
Los Angeles 18 14 3.0
San Fransisco 14 18 7.0
Colorado 12 20 9.0
San Diego 12 20 9.0

Here are today's games.

Sunday Night Baseball Means Joe Stupidity, But Does It Even Matter

Cubs are on Sunday Night Baseball. That means Joe Morgan stupidity.

Early on he's already started.

"I think its important (getting on base) for the top of the order. Its not as important for me in the fifth and sixth place hitters but for the top of the order it is so you can score runs for your third and fourth and fifth place hitters"

Um, Joe, getting on base is equally important for everyone. What I think you're trying to say is that getting on base with your early hitters is better because the middle of the lineup is more likely to knock them in, but those guys generally will have to get on base themselves in order to be knocking those runs in, making it actually more important for the middle of the lineup to be getting on, in my opinion.

Joe, have you ever tried thinking before you talk?

No, probably not, but it doesn't really matter, because yesterday it became clear that baseball, like wrestling, is all fixed.

That's right, you read it here first.

How do I know? I was watching Cubs v Cardinals on FOX Saturday Baseball.

In the top of the fourth, it all became clear.

The score was 3-0 Cubs and Mike Fontenot was at bat.

The first pitch was outside for ball one. The little crawl at the top informed us that the pitch was 90mph, then it told us that the Cubs had homered. The score changed to 6-0, the little yellow dots for the runners at second and third disappeared. Meanwhile, the catcher was throwing ball one back to the pitcher.

The guy who spilled the beans, meanwhile was trying to fix his mistake before anyone noticed. The Cubs Homerun notification went away first, then the score changed back to 3-0. Then the little yellow dot showing someone was on second base returned, then the yellow dot showing someone on third returned. All of this in time for the next pitch.

Which Mike Fontenot hit into the right field bleachers for a three run homerun.

The Cubs Homerun notification was back, the yellow dots disappeared, and the score became 6-0.

Of course everyone who had been paying attention knew that it was going to happen.

Yes, the secret is out of the bag, baseball is fixed.

All of the sudden, everything makes more sense. The steroid controversy has been great drama, keeping the sport in the social consciousness throughout the offseason. Vince McMahn has nothing on Bud Selig.

Good thing the writers strike ended in time for baseball season to start.

Of course, the best dramatic thing (and therefore a certainty in this baseball season)?

The Cubs winning the World Series 100 years after their last one.

Mark it down, baseball is fixed, so it's already decided.

Plan the parade route.

Anyway, here are the weekends scores.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Sorry, haven't been feeling well, Cubs haven't helped

Other then game twos, Cubs haven't looked very good in the last couple of series.

But they've looked better then I've felt. I broke down and went to the Doctor yesterday, so here's hoping that I start feeling better soon (come on drugs, why won't you work? Patience, young jedi.)

Anyway, here are the links for the last three day's results.

Tuesday's games

Wednesday's games

Thursday's games

Cubs kick off a series against the rival Cardinals today, who have a half game lead on the Cubs for first place in the division. Exciting.

Here are the rest of today's games.