As a Cardinal fan in Chicago, I spend a great deal of time listening to the constant complaining of area baseball fans throughout the year.  Both sides have their issues, but it breaks down like this-Cub fans complain about every other fan in the world while White Sox fans actually complain about their team.  Yes friends, that's what happens in Chicago each and every year.  The fun part of this is part of the complaint Cub fans annually rant about is how they receive no respect as baseball fans.  And when it comes to listening to White Sox fans, their annual issue is we get no respect for being the great fans we are.  How do the fans of these teams compensate for these feelings of being wronged?  They make stupid best with each other about who will have the better record or more successful year?  Then they spend the offseason fighting over who actually won the bet.  This offseason I think the Cubs regressed, but so did the entire NL Central while the White Sox certainly didn't make a major splash, they made improvements to their club overall.  I expect the Cubs to win the NL Central, with somewhere around 85-90 wins.  I expect to the White Sox to finish in the middle of the AL Central with somewhere around 85-90 to wins.  So I ask you, who will have the better and more impressive season?  They both will have about the same number of wins and the Cubs will have a much higher attendance figure.  But if they fizzle out in the first round again can you really make the case for them being the better team?   

Is anyone really amazed at the steroid era anymore?  I think most of us are pretty well imune to any player being named as a user of PED's.  However in the last 24 hours, I have found one thing remarkably stunning-OWNERSHIP!  Wow, it's as if they didn't realize when they spent years looking the other way, players were actually doing things which any other logical fan would think to be wrong.  As these stories break, does anyone else feel for the players and have a general disdain for the owners who act is if they are the real victims in all this?

While I try and focus on the broad issues impacting the game, it is no secret the Cardinals are my team.  Sitting here tonight, about a month from reporting day, it is fair to say my concerns are deep.  The way things are going, there is some protection in the lineup and while the Cards are not going to lead the league in runs they will put up enough runs to remain competitive.

Unfortunately the concerns around the pitching staff are far more pressing.  Everyone knows Dave Duncan can take a down on his luck pitcher, and revive his career.  However you cannot keep counting on that to work.  Let's just pretend though, that the starting rotation concerns are a larger issues in 2010.  I am still dreading the last 2 innings.  In 2008 it was painful to watch the Cards attempt to close a game and another season like that will simply not be acceptable.  Come October, if the Cubs are in the post-season because the Cardinals don't understand the game last's 9 innings, there will be reason for Cardinal Nation to be calling for heads to roll!

With the Hall of Fame announcement just being handed down, it is now time to move on and focus on the upcoming season.  Don't misunderstand me, I look forward to the HOF announcement as much as anyone-for no other reason than it fills a void in the baseball off-season calendar.  That being said, we are only about a month from P&C reporting day.

The truth is P&C's reporting is tantamount to Kicker's and Punter's reporting early in the NFL.  The pitcher throws 78MPH fastballs, to a catcher with the number 93 on his back for two days, and then Baseball Tonight does a live remote from Phillie's camp for the first morning of Pitcher's Fielding Practice.  None the less, it is exciting.  Certainly we wouldn't tune into to watch Robbie Gould nail 25 yard attempts for two days, but in baseball it symbolizes a new beginning.  Baseball provides the ultimate rebirth and a chance to succeed.

So even though the 2009 HOF class has been finalized, today really symbolizes the end of the 2008 season.  In many ways today is about moving forward and focusing on what is about to happen.  I know that's how I look at today, and my enthusiasm for next month will only grow!

Since tomorrow is going to be the most important day in the professional lives of at least one or two people, perhaps tonight dedicating a bit of prose to the Hall of Fame ballot is in order.  Certainly Rickey Henderson is going to be going in, and rightfully so (even though he has yet to actually formally retire).  Those of us who read blogs-on any topic-are at least reasonably informed on the goings on in the particular area, so it is not worth any of our time to discuss him. 

Going beyond the obvious though, there are certainly some interesting candidates.  A number of people will make the case for Jim Rice and Andre Dawson, both of whom could hit for power and came up with timely hitting more than most.  A few are going to push Tim Raines, who put together about as ood a 7 year stretch as there was during the Montreal days.  And of course with relief pitchers getting in the past few years, certainly the case can be made for Lee Smith who was the best player at his position for a number of years.

I choose to take up my annual cause as well, and that is seeking to gain admission for Bert Blyleven. It seems to me, that there is way to much weight being placed on the magic number of 300 wins when a pitcher like BB is not allowed in the HOF.  There are more important numbers than just wins and losses, but if we must focus on that, than make a case for 287 wins not being enough?  More than just his 287 wins, BB faced more hitters than all but 12 others, had 60 shutouts-leading the league 3 times, has 242 complete games, nearly 5000 IP, and more than 3700 strikeouts.  And friends if that is not enough, he was nearly perfect in 6 post-season decisions, helping win 2 World Series.  I do not expect BB to get elected to the HOF, but clearly the case is worth fighting for!

Unfortunately for all those reading, this post is not quit done, as I am also going to make a case-well not make a case, but raise a valid argument-for Mark Grace.  Let me be clear, Mark Grace will not be an HOF member this year, or any time soon.  But if I do my math right (and by all means correct me if I didn't) Mark Grace led the 1990's in hits.  This may not sound like much until you realize every player who has led a decade in hits, AND is eligible for the HOF, has been voted in.  That doesn't automatically qualify Grace, but it clearly is worth looking into.

<<EDITOR'S NOTE:  I am tire, ergo I am skipping final proof...sorry!>>

It has been several days since my last post, and everyone ought to be thankful for that.  There have been numerous times when the computer has been open, the site logged in to, and thoughts racing.  However each time I was reluctant to share my thoughts on my topic of choice.  As the MLB Network is now up and running, there are clear issues with it.  That being said, thus far I am going to call it a big win!

The reason everyone ought to be thankful for my reluctance to post in the past few days, is because I intended all along to make my next post about this particular topic and until tonight I would have blasted the network.  The feeling was one of being cheated.  For several months baseball fans-and sports fans in general-have been hearing about the launch of the network as if it were bigger than the wheel.  I bought into the hype!

Had I posted this a few days back, as I mentioned, it would have been ugly.  That's right...I bought into the hype!  A week later???  I am all about it!  I think the on-air talent has blended together well and now the network is starting to release some different programs.  So far...so good!  In my meaningless opinion, clearly sports fans are going to be the winners in this.  Here's hoping MLB continues to develop additional programing! 

<<EDITORS NOTE:  It's kind of late, so I am not going to proof this.  SORRY!>>

In 2006 I was an outspoken critic of the WBC (I am sure you have figured out, nobody really cared about my opinion) who some-what came around when I realized quasi-meaningful baseball was on during work days.  Sitting here, nearly 3 years later, I am again a critic of the WBC.  Certainly I will watch the games, and most likely even enjoy them.  And when Team USA goes out early again, I will complain about the results. 

Blame can be laid at the feet of Major League Baseball, the Players Association, and even the media.  The union doesn't do enough to encourage their members to participate and MLB takes an indirect approach instead of taking a hardline stance that players participate; ESPN and Foxsports, among other outlets, will spend the better part of the next few months talking up the WBC and focus their stories on it's many flaws. 

What will receive little discussion over the next few months will be the lack of pride US fans take in events like this.  Let me be clear-Americans love America...but Americans (myself included) are much more interested in celebrating with their team in October, than celebrating for their country in March.  Rarely do I discuss my team-the Cardinals-but I promise you I have the same fears now I had several years back.  I would be totally distraught if the WBC lead to an injury for any player, particularly a Cardinal. 

Unfortunately all most people will hear and read about over the next several months is what players ARE NOT participating.  I say we need to celebrate those players who have said no, and praise their commitment to their team and their fans!  It isn't a lack of national pride, but an influx of baseball pride!

The last couple of days, at least in Chicago, have been seasonably warm and very wet.  So warm and wet in fact, it seems like I ought to turn on the TV and see a ball game.  Alas that is still a ways off.  And while I am anxiously awaiting the start of spring training, my sports fan focus remains on so many wonderful stories happening around me-the Bears have a chance to win the division today, the Blackhawks are one of the top 4 or 5 teams in hockey, and Illinois State begins conference play today as one of the few remaining unbeatens in the nation.

Even with those other things going on, I still need the medicine of baseball.  Baseball calms the nerves and makes everything else seem like it is going to be fine.  Thankfully, as the warmth we have enjoyed will certainly go away, there is plenty to keep me going until Spring Training.  I find myself spending a great deal of time watching baseball movies and documentaries, reading and re-reading books about the great game, and looking forward to the launch of MLB TV on January 1, 2009.  I only hope, at some point soon, they relive the 2006 World Series...that would be time well spent!

As Christmas Day winds down, I thought now is a perfect time to share my holiday wishes, most of which have yet to come true, with my loyal readers:

1)  Fuentes to either make a decision or have one thrust upon him.  Seriously dude, you are not that good where you get to try and dominate the headlines like you are.

2)  A closer for the Cards!  If it ends up being Fuentes fine, but anyone who can go out and lock down a late lead most of the time.  Had the Cards only blown half as many leads as they did last year, they would've won the division.

3)  Little Steinbrenner to learn he is not Mr. Steinbrenner.  The old man main have been a pain at times, but he is a leader to the fullest.  Hank...Hal...sorry cats, but you are not your dad.  Embrace your place and things will be much better for you!

4)  The Rays to win the AL East again-if for no other reason, than to prove their organizational leadership is about as good as their is in baseball.

5)  My brother-in-law to stop talking!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and is looking forward to the 2009 baseball season!

I am nothing more than a fat guy who advertises "breaking" news by hoping he is the first guy to repeat what someone else said on TV.  That in mind, by now everyone has had sufficient time to digest the Rafael Furcal coverage.  However for those of you who have not, let me draw your conclusion for you--Arn Tellem and Co. ought to be thrown out of Major League Baseball forever!

The job of the agent, as we all know, is to get the best possible contract for his or her client.  And while some people become a bit worked up about Scott Boras thinking all his players deserve to be the highest paid players in the game, the bottom line is he gets the Benjamin's for his guys.  And certainly thre is a bit of flair to his work, but he--and most agents--have a certain respect for the process.  Certainly some agents say stupid things (fankly I just don't think some agents are all to smart) and may have a camera lovefest beyond their profile, but what Team Furcal did is absolutely gross.  When a deal is struck and agreed upon, that's the deal.  You don't get to take the signed agreement to other organizations and tell them to beat it.  While that's bad in it's own right, it is still not as bad as how they justified what they did. 

Arguing they were trying to do what's in the best interest of their client was bad enough, but then to hide behind the union and NLRB (BTW-ask the UAW how that has worked out for them this year) is terrible.  The guy's you really need to feel sorry for in this process are the low dollar middle reliever or utility player these yahoo's represent.  The bit player who will never have the chance to suit up for one of the top organizations in the game simply because they employ an Eric Gordon (not the basketball player) approach to business ethics!