Ron Santo, 1940-2010

A career .277 hitter with 342 home runs and over 1300 RBI.

A five-time Gold Glover and a nine-time All-Star.

A role model and an inspiration to generations of Cubs fans.

A hero to thousands of children afflicted with juvenile diabetes.

Above all, a legend and a class act.

Rest in peace, Ronnie.

BSD Goes to Game 3, or, No Joy in Mudville

I had the misfortune of being at Wrigley Field tonight for the series-ending Game 3 between the Cubbies and the Diamondbacks. What was a raucous crowd at the beginning was quickly silenced by a first pitch homer by Chris Young (my new least favorite player, thanks to a brief moment of showboating as he crossed the plate). Try as we might to rally our boys to a victory - never before has that stadium been as loud as it was with the bases full with 1 out in the 5th - the Cubs apparently forgot to bring any offense with them to the postseason. On a warm, muggy night, we watched the home team meekly bow out with but a whimper.

Not to take anything away from the D-backs, who played quite well - but you just can't win if you don't hit. Axiomatic, I know. Soriano, DLee, and Aramis combined to hit 6 for 38. Aramis himself was 0-for-12. Just pathetic.

I'm now 0-4 lifetime at Cubs playoff games (I was also in the stands for Games 1, 6, and 7 of the Cubs-Marlins series in '03 - yes, the Bartman game too). I've been to each of the last two series-clinchers. I'm inclined to say I'm the bad luck...but that'd be ignoring the 69 years that came before me.

Wait 'til next year...

NLDS News and Notes

1. The BIG story about the baseball playoffs is, obviously, the historic collapse of the New York Metropolitans. It is simply astounding to me that the Mets blew such a lead - especially because, on paper, I believe they have the most talent. It goes to show the importance of teamwork, dedication, and heart: the Phils have it, and the Mets don't. I don't expect that Tom Glavine's reputation will be stained too much by yesterday - it was, after all, merely one bad start in a career of excellence - but boy, he picked the wrong time to crap the bed.

2. Can anyone out there legitimately gripe about the wild card anymore? When play started Friday, we had seven teams competing for four spots with three games to go. It was a fantastic weekend of baseball...and now we are being rewarded for our patriotism with a rare 163rd game. It's hard not to like San Diego today, even against the red-hot Rockies, because Jake Peavy is a frickin' wizard on the mound.

3. If San Diego wins today's play-in game, I expect them to lose to Philly. Without much thunder in the lineup, and without Peavy for more than one game in the LDS (he won't be ready until Game 3 on Saturday), I don't see the Friars having the tools to take down the surging Phillies.

4. Never before has a Game 1 had more importance than in the Snakes-Cubs series. If Zambrano can best Webb (how's that for a matchup?!?!), the Cubs should ride the success to a series victory. But if the Big Fella loses on Wednesday, he'll feel serious pressure when he returns for Game 4 (if there is one) - and that's a risky proposition for the Cubs' talented but mercurial ace.