Sunday, March 31, 2002
Happy Easter everyone! Thanks to everyone who guessed the wonderful news and all the congratulations that were sent to me.
We had mass this morning and breakfast. Now we're relaxing before the relatives start arriving at 2:30 for baskets the hunt and then dinner.
Everything is going so far so good with the pregnancy. A touch of morning sickness but not too bad.
We signed a contract for the addition this week. Work starts next week. Its going to be neat although I will miss having an upstairs bathroom for awhile.
Well opening day is tomorrow so here is my breakdown of the 2002 Cubs:
Predicted Record: 94-68 Second Place. Wildcard berth. Starting pitching will carry them in the playoffs with Wood and Lieber being the best 1-2 in baseball outside of Arizona. We could be dancing in October.
Position by Position:
Starting Pitching: This is the best rotation the Cubs have had since well nobody can remember when. Lieber and Wood would both be #1s on about 3/4s of the other teams. Jason Bere is a solid #3 and if Juan Cruz lives up to half his potential he'd be a 2 or 3 on about half the other teams. Matt Clement was a solid pickup. Of course the Cubs have the ace in the back pocket in Mark Prior if any fail or get injured.
Bullpen: Alfonseca was a huge pickup. Before the pickup I was predicting third place. Now he brings us over the top. Farnsworth and Fassero will be his set up men where they belong and are strongest. The rest is a mix match but so do most teams. This rotation should bring the CUbs late into games though. Also they could get a boost sometime this season from Clement or Cruz when Prior is ready.
Catcher: This is potentially the weakest position on the team but if Hundley can bounce back it is a strong one. But Girardi and Machado are capable backups. My prediction? Todd bounces back and has a decent although not great year and Girardi and Machado provide valuable backup.
1st base: Fred McGriff. He falls out of bed and hits 30 homeruns behind Sammy and in front of Moises. And he has an excellent health history. Solid Defense.
2nd Base: This is where my surprise of 2002 plays. I think Delino will have a solid maybe even great year at the position and in the leadoff slot. And the Cubs have an ace in the pocket in Bobby Hill.
ShortStop: Alex Gonzales may be the steal of the century. Solid defense and pretty good hitting that could be even better in Wrigley. .
Third Base: Bellhorn and Stynes are capable of holding the job down until Mueller comes back. I think this will be a strong position all year even before Bill returns and very strong once he does.
Left Field: Moises Alou if healthy is the best left fielder since Billy Williams. He and Sammy are going to fulfill their long dream of playing together. Batting behind McGriff he provides Fred the protection and he has Gonzales/Hundley behind him. And the Cubs have a solid backup in Rosey Brown.
Centerfield: The time has come for Corey Patterson. I think he will have a very good year. Playing solid defense with power and speed at the plate. Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him hold the second spot in the lineup once Mueller comes back with his speed.
Right Field: Well what else can be said. Sammy Sosa. I think chances are he might have a decent year this year. And now he has solid guys behind him. And we have the spectacular moment coming probably in August when he hits his 50th homerun not only becoming the first player to do it 5 times in a row, but it will be the 500th of his career. I hope its in Wrigley Field. What could be interesting is if he hits #49 on the last game of a road trip and the Cubs are winning or losing by a good margin in the game. Do you pull him?
Overall this is the best Cubs team in a long time. It's going to be a fun summer in Wrigley. Can't wait.
Here is my quotes for the week sorry behind:
Monday: Do Not believe that God's delays are God's denials. The wait makes the prize sweeter at the end.
Tuesday: One year the bad breaks and the bounces will fall the Cubs way. Sometimes all it takes is a few of those breaks to turn a good team into a team of destiny and it's our turn!
Wednesday: For whatever else can be said about you, unless your name is John Holland you didn't trade Brock for Brogilio.
Thursday: There's a bright light at the end of the tunnel and for once in Cubs history it's not a freight train heading our way!
Friday: When you reach your goal remember to salute and thank those who helped you along the way. Remember Jim Frey and Don Zimmer in 1984 and 1989 leading the Cubs in a victory parade at Wrigley in the last home game?
Saturday: I like most Cub fans have let myself think about what I'd do if the Cubs finally win the world series. Weep? yes. Run around screaming like a banshee? Yes. Repent? Yes. Vote Democrat all the time? No. I just don't know what I'd do mentally. Don't get me wrong. I'd gladly trade my sense of the universe for the World Championship.
Sunday: In Chicago there are two seasons Winter and Construction. For Cub fans there is only one and we always think this is the year.
Happy Easter everyone! Happy Opening Day tomorrow!
posted by Steph Newmann 11:05 AM
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Sunday, March 24, 2002
Forgot late but My Thursday Threesome:
One: Sight. It's got to be the first time I saw Ireland in the air the first time I went there. The Emerald Isle. You hear about it, see it in pictures and sing about it but the actual sight is breathtaking.
Two: Smell: Chocolate chips cookies baking can't be beat.
Three: Taste. Oberweiss ice cream. It is really really special. You haven't had an ice cream "o" until you have Oberweiss.
Also forgot sorry Jessica to do my 10 days of Cubs quotes.
For Friday: Not sure who this is from but I apply it to the 1999/2000 awful almost 100 loss season and the dawning of a new era in 2001 and the #1 rated farm system: Sometimes the darkest hour is the hour just before dawn.
Saturday: Tom Dreesen: We love the Cubs because they are survivors and so are we.
Sunday: Not sure "A hot dog at the ballpark beats roast beef at the Ritz any time."
posted by Steph Newmann 10:50 AM
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Happy Palm Sunday everyone! 1 week til Easter and 8 days til opening day in Cincinatti.
Major things going on this week. What is that old saying when you talk about a problem it works itself out? More on that later. Not ready to go public yet much. If you want to guess you can email me (G!) love being mysterious. Here's a little hint. If the Cubs are in the world series I will probably not be able to fly by then to attend road games.
Jon and Chris (old Chris my brother) will be taking over my Dad's company this summer and Dad will officially retire or at least semi-retire and he and Mom can enjoy being retired and travel, enjoy their grandchildren and be silly. They both deserve this so much.
Scanned a picture of Fred, Sammy and Moises that is now my computer wallpaper.
Bobby Hill has got to make the team. He has to.
posted by Steph Newmann 10:44 AM
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Tuesday, March 19, 2002
A tres cool person, Shana and her very cool husband, Chris have inspired me by their own blogs. To my visitors who don't know Shana her link is over there. Visit it and I think you'll agree she is very cool.
I know it's Tuesday but here's my Op Eds: For now I'm just going to tackle 2.
My Best friend:
My best friend and I will be celebrating 20 years of best friendness in August. Yes we're having a party. Her name is Erika. She and I are like peas in the proverbial pod. Her mom is like an aunt to me and my mom is like an aunt to her. I adore her Dad too and she is also close to my brothers. I don't know her brothers very well but from what I do know I want to punch them in the nose because well there are many reasons.
As far as other friends, we have created a very close knit circle in my Cubs group. We first started out going to games together and it was very much on the surface but as a couple of years have gone by, we've attended each other's weddings, christenings and have been there for each other when someone loses someone by always having at least a couple of people go to the wake.
I also have a my Trixie group. I wish like with my Cubs group we all lived closer but we're far flung. But I still think they are the coolest people in the world or tied with my Cubs group people. But you know what? They're basically totally different groups.
2. George W. Bush: I voted for him worked on his campaign locally and for the first time in my life, I am very proud to say that I voted for a candidate. I never was not proud but never was really proud necessarily either if that makes any sense except for George Ryan. George W has gotten me back involved with politics again to the point where I am working for Jim Ryan for Governor. The primary is today. We had 22 years of terrific Governor Jims and we need at least 4 more. If I hadn't gotten sort of the flu on Saturday I might have been able to meet George W and I kick myself. But he'll be back to campaign for Jim in the fall.
Back later with my yearly diatribe on those Cubbies.
posted by Steph Newmann 11:15 AM
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Thursday, March 14, 2002
My first Thursday 3:
Morning Routine: Usually wake up with Jon about 5:45. Make the men in my life brekfast while Jon goes for some Daddy/Son time. We eat and Jon goes off to work. Babysitter arrives for me to do my work at 8:00.
Take lunch at 1 after sitter leaves with Christopher. Trying to eat more nutritiously now for all of us.
Before I hit the hay I check my email check Christopher go online a few minutes at least and then hit the hay.
posted by Steph Newmann 10:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 12, 2002
Prior debate. If he's ready he's ready and bring him north and let him pitch. I get the vapors when thinking of this kid.
News from doctor's office. We're going to just keep trying and trying til we get it right. Just like Andy MacPhail would say "we're working on it"
Had a hysterics almost walking through the checkout line at the Jewel today and saw front of "Weekly World News" "How to Tell If Your Pet is Gay"
For those who are wondering Billy Bob isn't.
posted by Steph Newmann 6:58 PM
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Sunday, March 10, 2002
One more quick thing. My interviews with Kerry and Kyle will probably be published. They should be online soon,
Kerry is such a great kid. Heck is he really a kid anymore? This will be his 5th season this year.
Kyle is so charming, sweet, funny and so dang handsome! And he can pitch too!
posted by Steph Newmann 10:28 PM
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Notes on things and stuff.
Great last episode of Any Day Now. That was such a terrific show. Probably my favorite the last few years. I will really miss it.
Have to get my Billy Peterson fix on CSI every week now after meeting him at the Score Anniversary party.
Have another checkup tomorrow at the doctor's office. We may try something new. We've tried everything else. But they can't find anything wrong. We almost wish they would especially if it could be fixed. Or even if it couldn't at least we'd know.
But heck I'm a Cubs fan, I'm a hopeless optimist. I'm part of a group of people that if stuck in a pile of horse manure would go looking for the pony. We see diamonds where other people see broken glass.
I've found so many great songs i would have loved to use in my wedding but it's too late. Well we will renew our vows next year so I can use them now.
Spring is almost here. We got our season tickets yesterday. Now if we'd just sign Jeff Shaw.
For all my fellow Cub fans reading this. I've seen him. He's real. He may even be better than the hype. Even the Sox players were raving after he pitched against them.
Congrats to Kelly and Jim on their engagement and to think I was the one who encouraged Jim to ask her out. Im so happy!
posted by Steph Newmann 10:26 PM
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Saturday, March 09, 2002
More as to all thats happening in my weird life.
Jon had a checkup with Dr. Schaefer today. Everything is going fine and it was nice to hear from him officially in person that it was. He needs rehab and should be okay in a few months. Maybe we could get a group discount at the PT center?
Right now we're struggling with what is sometimes called secondary infertility. Meaning we had no trouble having our first child but we're having trouble the second time. Doctors can't figure anything out and told us to be patient. Well trying is fun of course but I'm starting to get impatient. That's a big reason I haven't been on the net as much the last few months. Thank God for my friends and family and their support through all this. It's been tough but there's still hope. And we have a beautiful son that we love more than anything in the world.
On a more cheery note Ive been whipping myself into shape and am doing well on that front. Lost weight and am more toned and fit.
Christopher is doing quite well. He's in the 90th percentile of height and has a good vocabulary for a 2 year old. He will go to pre pre K in the fall.
My impressions of this years Cubs? Flash injury hurts but Kyle is ready to go in my humble opinion. I really am psyched that Kevin Orie has a chance now with Mueller's injury.
Wood looks great. So does the Prior kid. Lieber is well Lieber.
Wished we could have seen Moises play but he won't til next week. Sammy is well Sammy.
Sammys my man and Kerrys my boy by the way now. Grace used to be my man but he's gone to Arizona.
Happy birthday to 2 of my first and longest time friends on the net Mark Baker and Shana Powers.
Congratulations to my secret love puppy and Mrs. Secret Love Puppy on their new baby girl.
posted by Steph Newmann 11:29 AM
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Well Im back and blogging again.
Since I last left a note let's see so much has happened.
Had a semester and a month back to school. Everything is going well.
Arizona was fun but Jon has to remember he's 34 years old. He almost really hurt his knee badly this week in Arizona.
Christopher is such a good toddler although he has hit a bit of the terrible twos.
Family is going well.
Lots to blog about more of an update tomorrow. Lots to share.
posted by Steph Newmann 12:22 AM
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