October 24, 2004
News from London...
Hello everyone! Sorry it's been a while since I last "blogged". I guess like most people I've been busy and a bit lazy and between the combination of the two... my journal has taken a backseat. In any case, there's so much to talk about.... where do I start? The elections are coming up. I sent in my absentee ballot last week so my job is done. Now it's up to the rest of America to pick a real president. It's so odd to be out of the country when all of this is taking place. The polls show Bush and Kerry pretty close and I get asked a lot, "Don't Americans get that Bush is an idiot?" My response most of the time is, "Yes they know he's an idiot, but sadly half of the population can identify with that." I guess being abroad really shows you what the world thinks of the USA. Unfortunately right now most think we are idiots and well.... until we can prove otherwise I just have to keep my mouth shut. And that's all I have to say about that. In other news, Boston in the world series? How great is that? It would only be better if the Cubs were there as well!! I'll be rooting for Boston because that city and those fans deserve it!! Not that St. Louis isn't a great city with great fans, but it's just different when you haven't won the world series since 1918. In personal news, Julie and I are in the process of buying a flat here in London. We are hoping to be moved in before the baby arrives! If you want a tour of the place CLICK HERE! And speaking of the baby, Julie is getting bigger everyday. Well, before I get in trouble I should say "more pregnant" and DEFINITELY not any bigger. ;) The photo below is almost at the 6 month mark. Just 3 more months to go!! I will keep you more posted as the magic day gets closer and closer. I'm off to watch some good old American football. Talk to ya later!!!
October 08, 2004
Wait 'till next year!
I think I'm about recovered from the debacle that was the Chicago Cubs season. As disappointed that I am, I'm still optimistic just like every other true Cubs fan, that things will get better. "Wait till next year" rings over and over in my head. I just hope the Cubs management doesn't see this team as a TOTAL failure. They have some really great players. I do however have my opinions to why this team didn't work. I think it comes down to the fact that nobody took responsibility for not winning. And when you don't take responsibility then how can you make an effort to fix the problem? I think typically in this situation everyone would blame the manager. But anyone who knows Dusty Baker knows he's not really a manager. He's more of a coach in the sense he helps players, but doesn't truly dictate how a team plays the game. He lets his players be themselves and find their own strengths. This approach has brought him a lot of success, but this year the Cubs really needed someone to step up and "fix" things. And to give Dusty praise, I think he tried to a point but didn't go far enough. Early in the season when Sammy Sosa was struggling and striking out a lot, Dusty told Sammy he needed to step up closer to the plate. Which anyone who watched the games could tell Sammy was way off the plate. But instead of accepting criticism, Sammy backlashes saying Dusty is blaming him for things going wrong. Now for those of you that don't know, Sammy Sosa is the "Captain" of the team. The one player that is suppose to lead the others by example. Now when the Captain of your team blames everyone else and refuses to change... how do you think everyone else will respond? And thus the losing continued. Now I don't mean to get down on Sosa... he's done some amazing things for the Cubs, but one has to ask, "Is someone that hits .253 worth 17 million dollars?" I would say yes, if that .253 hitter was a leader, but Sammy wasn't a leader this year. And to top things off, once the Cubs got mathematically eliminated on the 161st game of the season what did Sammy do? He skipped out on the last game of the season! Just went home when the game started. Now is this the guy you want as captain of your team? I thought the captain was the guy that went down with the ship. You know, the guy that will be there when you haven't won a game all season cheering you on in the ninth inning. The guy that stays to the very end. The one that doesn't give up! The Cubs management was disappointed in Sammy as well and docked him a days pay for skipping the last game. What did Sammy do? He complained about it and said management was just trying to blame him for the failed season. And maybe it wasn't his fault, but dammit, be a man and take some blame. That's all I have to say about that. And so looking to next year... they need to find a leader most of all. Hopefully Sammy will take a long look in the mirror and show up with a better attitude. And in conclusion, on a different note, next year will be the first year since I have been a Cubs fan that there won't be a Caray calling the game for WGN. Harry is off in heaven somewhere drinking a Bud and skip is headed off to hell to work for the Atlanta Braves. Sooo sad. So really there is nothing left to say except, "Wait 'till next year!!!"
