Some common definitions of pre-gaming:

1. The time alloted before the start of an event where players and or coaches review strategy and overall  organizational coherence.

2. The time alloted before the start of an event dedicated to fans gathering and drinking heavily therefore avoiding outrageous stadium alcohol prices.

3. Two University of Wyoming coeds dancing and sipping from a bottle of crown while you wait four hours to go to a bar that oddly enough also hosted shots of crown and music for dancing(this is the one I’m stuck with since it was the first time I’d ever heard it used this way. Needless to say “pre-gaming” isn’t in my lexicon.)

…In an effort to keep this one short(The game starts in like twenty minutes) I am going to give you some basic things to look for: (more…)

…Or maybe not.

I was trying to post video directly to the page, thereby avoiding linking you to an outside source–BUT, as it turns out, I have no clue how to do that.

So here you go.

Onto Cub related news.

CUBS WIN!…SOME MORE…

The team rolled into spring training the way they rolled out of last season–winning( There was no October in 2008. Weird, I know.)

And the team that they beat?

Yep. (more…)

What? It’s science…

And in other out of shape, sweaty guy news, former Cubs closer Joe Borowski has decided to retire.

Borowski, a thirteen year veteran, pitched in both leagues as a reliever for a total of eight different teams.

But who cares about those guys.

Sweaty Joe will always be remembered by Cub fans as that one guy who was even scarier to watch close games than this guy.

And for his three years on the northside, most notably the 2003 debacle/division championship season.

So goodbye to you Joe, your mediocre fastball,  your “You’re a professional baseball player?–F%$K you” physique, and your “Really– Joe Borowski?” 2007 AL saves leading season.

And goodbye to this post that has been built upon being as lackluster and factually ambiguous as this guy.

I know what some of you may be thinking.

Or quite possibly none of you.

But why did I? Oh HOW. COULD. I. have not mentioned the departure of the one and only, slider low and away, slider low and away, slider low and away,

Slider low and away

Slider low and away tossing Michael Wuertz. It’s simple.

I forgot. (more…)

The Cubs are back!

Once again haunting Ho Ho Kam park in preparation for the 2009 season. Full squad workouts began at their Mesa, Arizona facility  on the 20th with only one notable name missing, that being their pirouetting, non-righty hitting, early season mania-inducing only to be disappointed/confused at WHAT EXACTLY IS HE SWINGING AT?! right center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

But more on him later. (more…)

Mesa will soon become a battle ground. To the victor goes the final spot on the Cubs starting staff. The losers may get a spot in the pen, or may not make the major league club at all. From veteran hurlers to rookie phenoms, from crafty lefties to hard throwing righties, I cannot remember the last time the Chicago Cubs had so much talent battling for the last spot in the rotation. Just three years ago Glendon Rusch left spring training as the number 3 man on the Cubs staff. Dark times…

I cannot say I was heartbroken to see Jason Marquis traded to the Colorado Rockies earlier this year. Jason was brought in after the disastrous 2006 season in which no pitcher except for Carlos Zambrano started more than 25 games. Marquis was brought in to bring stability to the Cubs rotation, and to eat innings. In all honesty Marquis did what he was brought in to do. He also blew countless leads, and gave many Cubs fans heart attacks any time he was on the mound. Although the Cubs made the playoffs in the last two years, Jason did not start in any of the six games. Jason just wasn’t part of the long term Cub plan. Now the fifth spot in the rotation is open.

In the days before Spring Training officially kicks off I will write blogs about all of the guys competing for the final spot in the rotation. Starting with Chad Gaudin, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, and ending with Aaron Heilman, I will give you my analysis on each pitcher.

Sorry I haven’t been around as much lately. I was very busy over the holidays when the Cubs traded utility player Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians for three pitching prospects. I’m like most Cubs fans out there that do not agree with the trade but not a whole lot we can do when we aren’t Jim Hendry!

Soon after the DeRosa trade, their were reports that Jason Marquis would be traded to the Colorado Rockies for a relief pitcher. Now, it looks like that trade will happen this week so look for Marquis to be moved while the Cubs will pick up part of his salary.

Last but not least, on Monday afternoon the Cubs and Milton Bradley agreed on a three year contract as long as he can pass his physical in Chicago. Bradley will be paid $30 million over the three years as long as he can stay healthy.

Hey everyone, just wanted to pass a long a nice website we came across that has some great deals on baseball equipment. If you are looking to buy some gifts for baseball fans, then you need to check these guys out

BaseballRampage.com is a full service retailer of baseball equipment from all the major manufacturers including Easton, Louisville Slugger, and DeMarini. Choose from a wide selection of gear at discount prices with fast free shipping over $99. Order baseball shoes, batting helmets, and much more today!

The Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Ryan Dempster have signed a new four year contract ESPN.Com is reporting. The four year deal will pay Dempster $52 million total including a $4 million dollar signing bonus. The contract will pay Dempster $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. Dempster has a 2012 option for $14 million

It is a decent contract, but I would have preferred for it to be around $45 million total and not so backloaded but I can see why Jim Hendry and management did it this way. They had to break the $50 million mark or you know Dempster would have been very serious about leaving Chicago and signing with another team. By back loading the contact, it also lets the team still actively look at trading for Jake Peavy.

Say what Cubs Fans?

The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday that they would not be re-signing closer Kerry Wood after he has spend the last ten seasons with the team. General manager Jim Hendry said that Wood deserves the three or four year contract that he is asking for but right now the Cubs just can’t give that to him.

To fill Wood’s role, the Cubs traded for Kevin Gregg on Thursday as well. The Cubs will be sending Jose Ceda to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Gregg. Gregg wasn’t that great last year in the closers role so I hope he a setup mane for Carlos Marmol. Marmol needs to be the closer of this team in my opinion.

What do you think Cubs fans?