This is to all of you Cub Fans (a.k.a Sheep) who are wondering why you are called sheep. Thanks to cardsfan for the definition:

You are called sheep because you blindly follow that sorry assed team known as the Laughable Losers. You follow them season after season although invariably they lead you to the slaughterhouse season after season. Dumb, blind sheep who still think that the Losers are the greatest team on Earth even after nearly 100 years of mediocrity. You gather in flocks and proclaim yourselves the best fans in Baseball Nation BECAUSE you blindly follow that sorry assed team season after season. You’re called sheep because you act like stupid sheep.

You do stupid things like guarantee a Scubby WS title. You aren’t smart enough to say something like “The Scubs have improved themselves and could contend this year.” No, instead you say “The Losers will win the WS”. You say stupid things like “If Crior gets healthy, he’ll win 20 games and take the Losers to a WS title” instead of saying “Maybe this year Crior can stay healthy and win a few games.” You say “What do you do after the Scubs DO win the World Series?” instead of saying “IF the Scubs were to win the WS”. You know, dumb, stupid sheeplike things. You leave yourselves no out. You make ridiculous predictions and end up eating crow. You walk around all puffed up and proud even when the Losers are 15 games out and 20 under. You know, dumb stupid sheeplike stuff. You mouth and mouth and keep on mouthing just like the flock of sheep that you are.

Attention, Cubs fans’ new book on the 1908 season is just out. (I know because I wrote it). It’s called Crazy ‘08′ How a cast of cranks, rogues, boneheads and magnates created the greatest year in baseball history (HarperCollins, $24.95; foreword by Robert Creamer). The Chicago Tribune reviewed it warmly on March 18, and Sports Illustrated liked it, too (the March Madness cover). Go to crazy08.com for more.

The book takes you from the end of the 1907 World Series, through to spring training, all the way to the Merkle game and then to the replay of the Merkle game. The Cubs, of course, are front and center, with the Giants in second place (just as they were that season) but the almost equally fabulous American League race also gets covered. Moreover, I try to give an idea of what America was like at the time, with short essays on things like Chicago politics, anarchism, the City Beautiful, race in baseball, and the financial panic of ‘07.

The Cubs of this era were the 20th century’s first dynasty, winning four pennants and two World Series in five years. They were renowned for the fire of their play and the toughness of their spirit. These Cubs just may be the finest National League team of the 20th century and 1908 is their finest hour. At least, that’s my case, and I’m sticking to it.

Cait Murphy

A few days back Carlos Zambrano made some bold and crazy predictions. We quote:

“I believe this year, I can win the Cy Young,” Zambrano said, “and besides that, we will win the World Series. I guarantee that. I have faith in that.”

So, you’ll win the Cy Young and the Cubs will win the World Series in 2007?

“Right. I’m saying that,” Zambrano said. “I’m almost sure about that.”

Wait — almost sure?

“I say, almost sure,” he said. “I promise I will do the best I can. I feel good this year, better than the last five years. I will work on that.”

OK Zambrano! Whatever you say buddy. The chances of the Cubs winning the World Series are less than none, but more power to you. You might win the Cy Young - but most Cy Youngs come from teams than win at least 80+ games. Good luck to you - not really!

The Wrigleyville23 blog had a funny little article about Soriano and his usage of the word ‘ball’. Check out this quote.

“That was a real test,” Soriano said of the play. “He didn’t call the ball, I didn’t call the ball, but I saw him close to the ball and I let him get the ball.”

Hilarious.