Say hello to Captain Hunter Pence:

Later on today, the Chicago Cubs will be playing the Houston Astros. I imagine it won't be easy to get tickets to a game in Wrigley this year, even when it's as cold as it has been. I think that, above all others, Cubs fans are fanatical about watching their team play - it seems like every big series has a playoff atmosphere, with all the pressure that comes with it.

The problem is, that pressure isn't constant. It escalates into a rising level of panic should the Cubs actually make the NLDS. That said, even if it is a big boiling pot of stress, I wouldn't miss a playoff game in the world - and I'm pretty confident in saying that the Cubs will make the playoffs this year.

Additionally, I've always been a fan of following the team around the country. I've seen the Cubs play in every city even remotely close to me - Montreal, Pittsburgh, New York, Toronto - and I'm dying to see them play in Philly, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C. No matter where they are, no matter who they play, the Cubs are always worth getting tickets to go see.

Cubs lose, Cubs fans suck

Jesus, you lose two games in spectacular and depressing fashion, and next thing you know, everybody's ready to commit Harry Caray. I can understand feeling frustrated and skeered, but if you are already proclaiming that this season cannot be saved, then you are not a Cubs fan. (Not talking about you, Rob, I don't think you're nearly that far gone.)

Over on GROTA, we've been doing some exciting things. Kevin has added a bunch of promotional things. You can now EMail GROTA stories to your friends (or enemies), you can promote our beloved website on sphere, stumble, blog hype, and facebook!

Hey, we'll take it. Anything to get the word out.

Me, I'll have more content later today, if I fail to fall asleep early like last night.

Goat Riders Stuff

I need to blog here more often, so I think I'm going to turn this particular website into a behind-the-scenes Goat Riders site, where I discuss GROTA activity, behind-the-scenes GROTA news, and I will also be posting upcoming GROTA photoshops here first. Like this one:



In terms of what's upcoming for me, I will shortly be doing the first podcast of the season in which I bury a former GROTA writer for his incredibly unprofessional behavior. Additionally, Jason will be appearing on NPR in the near future, and he will be covering an Ernie Banks wine tasting event that also is upcoming.

It's a pretty good time at Goat Riders. Things are looking up.

More photoshop fun:

Another oldie and a goodie from Goat Riders...

Lineup Roulette:

With the season starting, the Cubs lineup - like usual - remains uncertain. Ideally, I think I would go with a lineup that looks a lot like this...

1. Ryan Theriot. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm crazy. But if Theriot can even get his batting average up to a measly .275-.280, then he'd have an OBP within the acceptable range for a leadoff guy, and he steals a lot of bases. Maybe it's beyond Theriot's ability to do this, but he's in the prime of his career, and if he'll ever be able to do it, it'll be in 2008.

2. Kosuke Fukudome. He's a perfect #2 guy. He walks a lot. He - theoretically - has the capability to hit a lot of doubles and even homeruns. He has speed and may be able to steal 15-20 bases. He makes a lot of contact and, theoretically, should get a lot of hits. Fukudome is an ideal #2 kind of hitter.

3. Derrek Lee. He'll probably never be 2005 MVLee again. That said, he just might still be capable of batting over .300 while hitting 40 or more doubles and knocking out 30 or more homeruns. With two good hitters in front of him, Lee could knock in a lot of runs in 2008.

4. Aramis Ramirez. He's the best pure power hitter on the team. He doesn't walk a lot, but he doesn't strike out a lot, either. Again, this lineup is so loaded that Ramirez could put up MVP caliber numbers.

5. Alfonso Soriano. To be honest, I'd like to see him higher up in the lineup. Hell, bat him cleanup and Ramirez 5th maybe. I dunno. But if he can accept a latter spot in the lineup, and if he can flourish there, then the Cubs might be scary-dangerous. Even if he trades spots with the little Fukker, the lineup will be strong.

6. Mark DeRosa. Not a bad #6 hitter. He could also bat #2 depending on the scenario. DeRosa puts up adequate numbers, and that isn't to be ignored.

7. Geo Soto. If he's not a bust, then Soto will be a solid addition to the lineup. A successful first full season could spell disaster for central division pitchers whenever they face the Cubs. But even if he falls a little flat, the Cubs will still be pretty strong offensively.

8. Felix Pie. Another guy who, if he isn't a bust, could make the Cubs scary good. Will that prove to be the case? Meh, probably not. But like Soto, if Pie can put up respectable numbers, then the Cubs will be truly dangerous and - dare I say it - murderous from top to bottom.

There are other ways to cut it, but this is an ideal lineup in my mind. Will Lou agree? I doubt it, and I won't hold it against him if he doesn't.

I hope everybody is having a happy Easter.

Not too much to note, but to point out a few numbers you may not be aware of...

1. Ryan Theriot has an awesome .362 batting average so far in Spring Training. Who thinks he'll carry it into the bitter cold of Chicago?

2. Derrek Lee - batting .173.

3. Pie is batting .300 ... Fukudome is struggling along at .224, and Soriano is at .277. Methinks that these numbers might look a little different come September.

4. Sam Fuld is trying to start the year in Iowa, although his .341 OBP compared with his .176 batting average makes him almost Ricky Henderson-like.

5. Rich Hill is trying really hard to be the odd man out of the rotation. Will he succeed?

6. Jason Marquis - 2.95 ERA in 5 Spring Training starts. Wake-up call received.

7. Go Cubs.