Hi Rich! I can't believe the Phils take game one! GO SCHWARBER!!! Also... you mean the guy who ran Prior and Wood into the ground wasn't a good manager? I do have to give him credit, though. Once he became manager, that was the first time I could remember stars from other teams saying, "I'd play for the Cubs now."

Hi Rich. It was the BEST way to crawl out of my winter cave. And yeah, we've been sort of blessed with amazing gloves over at 1st, and we'll see how Schwindel does. Rivas is supposed to be exceptional, too. After the Pirates, it gets REALLY HARD. Braves, Brewers, White Sox and Dodgers. If they can come close to .500 thru those, it'll be a miracle and you and me will be SO happy.

BAHAHAHAHA! I saw one of the "Taken" movies waaay back when, and there was a part where Liam had to sprint on a dock. It was hilarious and looked like he could run about a 25 second 40. And now, a great second game, Rich! Only game 2, and the Brewers and Cubs are throwing at each other. Oh well, nine to nothin' with a kid pitcher in Steel looking so good is pretty freaking sweet!

Rich! Yeah the money machine kinda got puke on my shoes. But whatever. GO CUBS!

Hey Bud! I'm in your club too! Rich! Yeah Rodgers turned out to be kind of a sneak, and I wasn't expecting that. And trust me, I HOPE HE'S NOT A PACKER NEXT YEAR TOO! I didn't stop being a fan the last time they had a strike, and I doubt I would this time should it happen. But it sure is boneheaded.

Hi Rich! Thanks on the art front! And so far the Cubs got a new backup catcher, Yan Gomes. Ex-Yankee outfielder Clint Frazier. And yesterday starting pitcher Marcus Stroman - one of the best remaining free agent pitchers for 3 yrs/71 mil. So... Stroman is significant! Fingers crossed on Nagy/Pace. And I thought at first you were talking about Packers stock! I think all you have to do is google "stock tips" and you'll be inundated with that crap.

RICH! All my closest Cub buddies want Baez back. There are so many shortstops available... it'll just be sooo interesting to see what happens. And the longer nothing happens, the more intense the angst will become. I don't completely agree with your Bryant assessment, but I know almost everybody feels like "something's a bit lacking." At least part of the problem is just the mountain of expectation we all felt.