Buzz Magazine

Ironically enough I'm the optimistic one in the building....but alas I'm putting up the white flag for a team that is clearly surrounded in a gunfight with only knives to defend themselves.

You get renewed from the energy of the All-Star break. It's like starting over, despite being 12 games back. And you know what, when you're beating the pants off last year's pennant winner two games in a row you start to feel that momentum.Players who haven't done anything all season start living up to expectation, the team seems hungrier, even he parking alot attendants are preaching belief........and the Soto misses the ball at homeplate in a play that could have not only wonthe game, but turned around the entire season. Typical of how this season has been, Tyler Colvin gets the ball back to Soto with plenty of time to tag out the runner at home,and Soto does indeed tag the runner.....if only he had the ball in his glove when he didi it.

Yet the blame can't be just placed on Soto, as he didnt walk 5 guys that inning. Thats on Carlos Marmol...who isn't a bad pitcher at all...he just has this thing where he...well, occassionally sucks. All closers have it,as no oneis perfect (Bobby Thigpen I miss you). And if this game truly is a reflective of whats been going on all season long, then its the entire team's blame to share and cherish. From top to bottom, this puppy has been sick and there's not a vet in the city who wants to touch it. We believe and hope it gets better, as we see the other dogs still around the same size, still there to be caught and played with,yet our dog...our dog acts more like a cat each day.

So what happens next? Well eventually Dave Matthews shows up, and soon the Cards and the Reds will come in with their division-leading records and kick our butts all over the field. While there's time you should do your homework on potential future managers like Bob Brenly or Alan Trammell, and if you're living in that Cubs-drugged dream world of Sandberg as manager and Maddux as GM, remember to puff puff pass. Then again, staranger things have happened. At the end of the season,Lou is going home...and you know what, it'snot all his fault. Not even Rachael Ray or Rick Bayless can make apple pie if you only give them bananas.

The Cubs will do their best to find new homes for Fukudome, Silva, Nady, and fan favorites DLee, Ted Lilly,and Ryan Theriot. Lou has already announced that the Cubs will be sellers the rest of the way, meaning if you'd like to take Carlos Zambrano and his ridiculous contract we'll be happy to pay part of it.There is no Wood or Prior in the minors, but there is Tyler Colvin, just begging for more playing time - and he will get it. Young studs Cashner and Castro will also get alot more action, as well as alot of there young bullpen pitchers, who the Cubs have a lot of faith in for the future, even if their present is filled with inexperience and 9 run 7th innings.

Ironically enough, I still believe....it's only July. I also believe pro wrestling is real. Oh well, let's remember its only Year One. Get your DMB tickets while you can, people.