I admit it...

[Chuck to Chuck]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

I felt like that in 1985 and 1992. This feels different. And better.

I was so excited for 2004, but we know how that turned out.  This lineup and front office is keeping the "I've seen it too many times" syndrome to a minimum.

The fact that they have a young roster, plenty of pitching (on paper), a manager who does his job better than any other in the game, a front office that won't panic and throw away talent to compound whatever unforeseen problems arise means that any struggles will be at most temporary.

2004 had EVERYTHING resting on the starting rotation dominating and a heavily right-handed and veteran lineup producing enough runs to compensate for a trash ass bullpen and inept field boss. I don't remember much about 1992. I was busy obsessing about the NBA and drugs and trying to lose my virginity.

This shit is so different. We're all grown up now.

No it's not. You still have the NBA. And drugs. And your virginity.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

I felt like that in 1985 and 1992. This feels different. And better.

Pretty sure you mean 1991 not 1992.

[ChuckD]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

I felt like that in 1985 and 1992. This feels different. And better.

Pretty sure you mean 1991 not 1992.

Don't you both mean 1990?

[Eli]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

Yeah. They're going to be good. We all know that doesn't guarantee a World Series or even a deep playoff run. But all you can do is put together a really good team and see what happens in October. I definitely don't want to nervously look past what should be five fantastic, enjoyable months of baseball.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

I felt like that in 1985 and 1992. This feels different. And better.

Pretty sure you mean 1991 not 1992.

Don't you both mean 1990?

1991 was when they signed Damny Jackson, Dave Smith and George Bell.  Added to a team with Dawson, Sandberg, Grace and Dunston (and a rotation that already a had an entering-his-prime Greg Maddux and a still-effective Rick Sutcliffe), hopes were high.  High, I tell you.  But they got buried by a slow start, costing the manager (and eventually the GM) his job, and ushering in the Peak Tribune Era of mediocrity-with-a-packed house that basically marked the entire decade.

[Chuck to Chuck]

This is the most I've ever looked forward to a Cubs season, ever, and that might actually scare me a little bit.

I totally get it - and depending on the day you ask me I might agree with you - but fuck that, I'm done being nervous/scared/filled with doom. This is going to be a great team.

I felt like that in 1985 and 1992. This feels different. And better.

Pretty sure you mean 1991 not 1992.

Don't you both mean 1990?

1991 was when they signed Damny Jackson, Dave Smith and George Bell.  Added to a team with Dawson, Sandberg, Grace and Dunston (and a rotation that already a had an entering-his-prime Greg Maddux and a still-effective Rick Sutcliffe), hopes were high.  High, I tell you.  But they got buried by a slow start, costing the manager (and eventually the GM) his job, and ushering in the Peak Tribune Era of mediocrity-with-a-packed house that basically marked the entire decade.

Yep. 1991. My second year in Section 527.  What a bust.

[Oleg]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

The season ended 10/21/15--that was 92 days ago.

Opening Day is April 4th, which 75 days away.  We're closer to the 2016 season than the 2015 season.  

We can do this.

[Oleg]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

The season ended 10/21/15--that was 92 days ago.

Opening Day is April 4th, which 75 days away.  We're closer to the 2016 season than the 2015 season.  

We can do this.

At this point, I'll settle for pitchers and catchers reporting.  Lousy Smarch weather.

[Slaky]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

The season ended 10/21/15--that was 92 days ago.

Opening Day is April 4th, which 75 days away.  We're closer to the 2016 season than the 2015 season.  

We can do this.

Honestly the 92 days went faster than I'd ever thought they would. I need my Cubs back. I need my boys. Give me my boys.

[Saul Goodman]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

The season ended 10/21/15--that was 92 days ago.

Opening Day is April 4th, which 75 days away.  We're closer to the 2016 season than the 2015 season.  

We can do this.

Honestly the 92 days went faster than I'd ever thought they would. I need my Cubs back. I need my boys. Give me my boys.

I can almost see all the post-hitting head rubbing now.

/Pexbait

[CBStew]

I think what separates this team from others is that we saw the plan come together.  This wasn't just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.  We can clearly see what the FO tried to accomplish and they did it.  The players have to perform but this FO has been amazing in how it has put this team together.

Also, we have much better analytical tools now, as fans, than we did in '91.  I think we all understand how to value the FA signings like Heyward and Zobrist and we see how they fit into the big picture.

Of course shit can go sideways.  It's baseball, after all.  But this team is awesome right now and until something bad happens, it will continue to be awesome. /Deep Thoughts

Can this fucking season begin already?

The season ended 10/21/15--that was 92 days ago.

Opening Day is April 4th, which 75 days away.  We're closer to the 2016 season than the 2015 season.  

We can do this.

Honestly the 92 days went faster than I'd ever thought they would. I need my Cubs back. I need my boys. Give me my boys.

Those 92 days went really fast for me, under the influence of some prescription drugs.  I still can't remember any of December.

[Wheezer]

... I parsed Chuck's "Section 527" comment as a reference to the Internal Revenue Code.

[Quality Start Machine]

...I'm sitting here on the thunder mug in my 3 bedroom duplex at the Aston Kaanapaali Shores, and I see there are 252218 members awaiting approval.

Anybody care to bring me up to speed?

[ChuckD]

...I'm sitting here on the thunder mug in my 3 bedroom duplex at the Aston Kaanapaali Shores, and I see there are 252218 members awaiting approval.

Anybody care to bring me up to speed?

Now you've gone and done it.



Killing Lemmy, Bowie, and Rickman wasn't enough? You monster!