Someday We'll Go All the Way!

Okay, here it is at last. This actually made my cry.

Now that's a song I can drink an Old Style to. If you want a copy, just let me know!!!

Once, Upon a Time, I could control myself...

So this morning I was greeted with this story:

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder pens Cubs song
Tribune report
11:24 PM CDT, September 18, 2008

Chicago radio stations and sports bars have begun spinning "All the Way," a Cubs-themed ditty written by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder at the request of Cubs legend Ernie Banks, Billboard.com reports.

The track features lines like "Our heroes wear pinstripes / pinstripes in blue / give us a chance to feel like heroes too." It was recorded last month during Cubs fan Vedder's solo concert at Auditorium Theatre, according to Billboard.com.

The song will be available for downloading in the next few days, according to Pearl Jam's Web site, and may also be sold on CD and "souvenir 45 singles."

Do you believe in miracles? While we've known for a while that EdVed was a die hard Cubbies fan, it looks like he's put his talent where his heart is and blessed us with a new tune. Will this make "Go Cubs Go" irrelevant? I don't know, but I am champing at the bit to hear this song!!!

If I didn't have to go to work today, I would hunt this down. Stay tuned folks - I'll do my best to have this posted soon if it's out there on the web!!!

The Curse Returns?

One thing Slick and I noticed during our excursion to the farmlands of Tennessee was just how immense Cubs Nation is. Seriously, I know a whole generation of us grew up watching Sandberg, Davis, Durham, Berryhill, Dunston, Grace, Dawson, Sutcliffe (and the immortal duo of Hector Villaneuva and Doug Dascenzo), but it's amazing to see just how many of your long suffering bretheren exists. Roo was no exception. You couldn't throw a bong without hitting someone where a Cubs hat, shirt, or Jersey. To make things even more satisfying to us Cubs fans, MLB was sponsor of the festival and had a semi set-up to showcase it's authentic merchandise and to give us poor heat stroke induced fools a place to sit in the shade and play MLB 2K8. If you were drunk enough, you could also take hacks in the batting cages, play cornhole with MLB branded sets, or test your arm against the Juggs radar gun. All fun and games, but also a great place to find your fellow Cubs brethren checking in to see what the score was.

Unfortunately, on the drive down to Murfreesboro on Wednesday, our serene drive time was interrupted with the news of Alfonso Soriano breaking his hand. Yeesh. Last night, things went from bad to worse as Big Z (Carlos Zambrano) left the game with the dreaded sore right shoulder. As visions of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood threaten to implode my brain, I am fighting to tell myself to relax. Sore shoulder does not equate medically necessary surgery. Oh wait - this is the CUBS - OF COURSE IT DOES. To make matters worse, we are (as I type this) about to be swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. ARGH!!!!!

So as I searched for a little levity tonight, I came across this wonderful entry for the always fun Uniwatch on ESPN.com. Paul Lukas points out not only do the Cubbies have one of the best looking uniforms in the game, but also the most original. Give it a read - it's worth your time.

And, if you are so inclined, make sure you offer up an extra prayer for our boys in blue. Looks like we are going to need it! Go Cubbies!!!

The Agony of it All

The first time I mentioned the Cubs and their recent run of success, I was greated with a massive flame out and a fall to third place. But, this is a blog that covers sports and LOVES THE CUBBIES, so we have to point out that the Northsiders are playing really well right now. Thanks to today's 4-0 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres, the Cubs are 25-16 and in first place in the NL Central.

The problem is that we also signed Cub-nemesis and ex St. Louis Cardinal, Jim Edmonds. I mean, I truly HATE this guy. HATE, HATE, HATE. I am so torn right now. He had better play well or they can cut his rear end FAST.

(Thanks to ChicagoSports.com for the picture)

Oh the Humanity!

I am sorry for doing this to those of you who just ate, are about to eat, or have ever eaten. But GOOD LORD! What happened to Carrot Top? Click here for more if you dare.

I am not really sure what is worse, the half naked Carrot Top or the fact that Sports Illustrated is trying to curse my Fuku and the Cubs. At least Fukudome admitted that he can't be jinxed because he had never even heard of Sports Illustrated before they chose to do this cover story. Ha! Take that you old, aging, bastion of yesteryear sports journalism and your God forsaken cover curse!

Go Cubs Go

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the milestone 10,000th win by the Cubs last night. You can read about it here. And they are 15-6 on the year. Do we dare to dream? Nah...

Wow. I am saddened that I laughed.

I know that it isn't right and that it is truly offensive, but my first inclination when seeing the image to the left is to laugh. "All in good fun" and all of that. Sadly, I know (and you know) that I am an idiot. This a Kosuke Fukudome T-shirt that is the hottest-selling item at a souvenir stand that sells unlicensed Cubs-related merchandise across Addison Street from Wrigley Field in Chicago. The always reliable Gordon Wittenmyer has more here.

Wittenmyer sums it up the best when he says, "Regardless, it's not funny. The image feeds not only ugly, arrogant and ignorant Japanese stereotypes, but also the stereotype of the obnoxious, profane, drunken, booing, garbage-throwing Cubs fan. How much truth is there in either image? And how funny is either one?"

Although Fukudome is rightfully offended, he stays classy San Diego. Our favorite new Cub said it best: ''I knew I was coming to a different country, so I expected something like this,'' he said. ''Maybe not necessarily racial, but that anybody could take any context of my words and degrade me if they wanted to. But if I make a big deal out of it, it's not going to benefit me, so I'm not going to make a big deal of it.''

Lazy Sunday

Ah, a lazy Sunday in the Joker household. Several items crossed off the "Honey Do list and I thought I would drop a few points of interest before I settle down to watch the Cubbies versus the Bucs. Being the single guy that he is, Slick is probably just now waking up so let's hope these will tide you over until he can drop some knowledge.

You know of my fascination with ESPN's Colin Cowherd. Read an interview with him here, here, and finally some good gossip about Simmons vs. Cowherd here.

Look out for the Cubbies! A 13-1 win? That continues a strong offensive showing this week, even if the outbursts came against the Reds and Pirates.

Maybe the talent has finally caught up with the hype machine as Danica Patrick has finally won something. 1 for 50. Sounds like Graven's batting average.

In box office news, there is no accounting for taste. Seriously America? I bet you all are chomping at the bit for Saw 227.

And lastly, it is good to see Eddie Van Halen back on stage. E, Slick and I got to watch as Ed and the rest of the Van Halen blew the roof off of Conseco Field House last fall. Good times and that Wolfie ain't too bad on the bass as well. Poor Michael Anthony.

Holy Cow Steve!

Check out this gem from what has to be the early 90's. For the uneducated, a bit from John Caponera's longtime Harry impression was the inspiration for the name of our blog. Enjoy!

-Joker