Let’s beat them while they’re down
The Cubs open a weekend series with the Washington Nationals today. The Nationals currently have the worst record in baseball (.321) and are the only team yet to reach 10 wins. The Cubs need to win at least 2 of 3 in order to avoid a repeat of last year, when they had no problem beating the best teams (Mets and Cardinals), yet couldn’t find a way to beat the poor ones (Pittsburgh or Milwaukee).
We happily welcome back Ron Santo to the radio booth today! We missed you Ronnie, although Dave Otto did a great job backing you up in the booth.
I don’t think many of us were surprised to hear that the car accident of Cardinals pitcher Hancock was alcohol related. I don’t think this incident will ban beer from the clubhouse. Michael Barrett was on WGN yesterday explaining how some of the players will have a beer or two with dinner after the game. (I didn’t know they were offered dinner in the clubhouse post-game.) He said that the players would say something to another player who seemed to be over-doing it, especially if they had a game the next day. Billy Beane’s Oakland A’s are the only team that doesn’t provide beer to players in the clubhouse. Contrary to prior reports, it’s not banned, the team just doesn’t provide it for the players due to liability concerns.
Of course, when the players leave the clubhouse they are on their own. Many of us remember stories of pitcher Kyle Farnsworth’s infamous late nights out at the local bars.
One last point about Hancock’s accident. He was on his cell phone at the time of the crash. Please don’t cell chat and drive! Even hands-free, you’re distracted. We all want to be around to see who the next owner of the Cubs will be!