Bruiser Chong

I can see them ditching Simon, but Karros wouldn't be a bad guy to have around, even if it's in a part-time role, although I doubt he'd go along with that, so it may be like the situation with Lofton. Choi'll get better and hopefully they'll stick with him until he fully comes around. Even though they'll probably ditch Simon, him swinging at everything isn't that bad, since he rarely strikes out and almost always makes good contact. That tendency however, has limited him from waiting until some very good pitches come his way to hit out of the park.

Granted the Cubs' front office has made some odd choices over the years, but they made some very wise moves this season. Trading Hill was questionable, but Ramirez has really come around as of late and could prove to be a big RBI guy in the future. He's become a better defensive player since coming over to Chicago, and while he's by no means perfect, he's definitely improved. They were playing Choi until he got hurt and even after he came back. Thing was, he still didn't seem fully healed from the injury and when you're in a division race like they were at the time and the other first baseman (Karros) is on such a hot streak, you play the guy who's hot. I'd imagine Choi will get more time next year, but right now, with all the stock these games over the past couple of months held, you had to play the vets and the guys who were hot. I don't expect to see Lofton back next year, which is a shame because he'd be a great guy to have on the bench and in the clubhouse, but Patterson's one of the guys they plan on building the team around, so once he's ready to go, there really won't be much room for Kenny. It's hard to say what they'll do over at first base, since they've got three very good players to choose from.

In regards to the Cubs and Reds, at least the Cubs' management has a fuckin' clue what they're doing, unlike the Reds' management who's pissing on their captain, trading away their talent, and sticking it to the fans. All in a season's work.

I watched for a few minutes, but I couldn't get past the CGI. I know it looks better from a technical standpoint, but I just would hate to be a kid today. Maybe it's just the nostalgia in me, but the cartoons from "my day" were ya know, cartoons and while they weren't quality all the time, they still had that charm that these new CGI shows just don't offer.

I guess people figure if it's not on the first page, it's fair game. Doesn't hurt to search a couple pages. Anyway, this isn't really breaking news, as it was reported a couple of weeks back.

Aladdin.

Scarface Money Clip On the back it says, "The World Is Yours." DH, where'd you find the RoboCop CC DVD? I remember marking out like a bitch when I finally got a copy.

Aladdin.

I'll still tune in to see the Cubs game, even though it doesn't really matter. After two big games yesterday, I can't imagine Baker will be sending out the starters and we'll see basically the B-Team out there with the likes of O' Leary, Glanville, and Goodwin in the outfield, along with guys like Ojeada and Choi on the infield.

...says the Reds fan.

That may be true, but this is a different Cubs team and a different Braves team. The Cubs are the team with the aces now. I think it'll be quite different than past series.

All too often I've heard many around this place claim I bring nothing to the board, and I must object, you couldn't be more wrong. Nevertheless, in another example of me being a standup guy, I thought I'd let the select few of you here that appreciate great film in on a little sale that's going on right now. It's going on over at DVDempire.com right now. For any fan of the Criterion Collection, Christmas has come early this year, as DVDempire has decided to take a select listing of Criterion titles and mark them down as low as 50%. The deal can be found here, and if you were ever going to add some great titles to your collection, the time is now. Most of these retail for at least $40, which makes this deal so great, as most of them round out at $19. Upon seeing this special, I quickly order Straw Dogs, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Throne of Blood. All three were titles I had wanted quite badly since their release, but never wanted to shell out $35-$40 for each one. With this special, my total came out to less than $60, excluding s/h. If making any purchases, there are several online codes that you can use before 9/30/03 that will give you discounts depending on your total. Since mine was below $60, I didn't get any of them, but they could still be of use to others. code 549114 to get $5 off a purchase of $60 or more code 549115 to get $10 off a purchase of $110 or more code 549116 to get $15 off a purchase of $200 or more code 549117 to get $20 off a purchase of $250 or more Anyway, if you see what you like, get 'em now, as this special certainly will be gone just as quickly as it came. I'm sure there's at least one thing from that list that any real fan of cinema would love to grab, and at those prices, you'd be a damn fool not to.

Yeah, I wish it were that way here, but no, shitty FOX couldn't stick with it for 10 minutes over 7 Eastern. I wish I lived in Chicago right now.

*marks the fuck out* Yeah, the detractors are still there with the, "they'll choke" talk, but hey, at least they made the playoffs, unlike the teams that said detractors are fans of.

No, just place the order and they'll send everything out to you once the backordered items are there. I'd order soon though, as I'm not sure how long they're going to honor the prices. Fear and Loathing was out of stock, but they're going to send it with my other two titles once it gets there, at the same discount price. I too was about to pick up Straw Dogs and Fear and Loathing at one point or another over the past couple of months and am glad I didn't.

I wouldn't say the Brewers are anywhere near the worst team in the division. Regardless of what the standings say, they've played some good ball over the past month or so and have always prided themselves on being the playoff buzzsaw, if they weren't going to make postseason. They went into Chicago a couple weeks back and took two of three, and they're aiming to take three of four from the Stros on their home turf tomorrow, although, if the Cubs keep it up tonight, that'll be irrelevant.

The second Cubs game is going on right now and it's already 6-0 in their favor in the third. Of course, instead of just giving us the game straight up, we've gotta settle for the two screen/two game thing, and now we've just got the A's/M's game. Not only is that ridiculous since I'm in Michigan, nowhere near Seattle or Oakland, but the other game actually means something, whereas the A's/M's game means shit. Good to see the Cubs being agressive in the early going, though.

YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! If they can pull off a win later on tonight, I will streak through the streets of downtown Saginaw, Michigan...or maybe not. But if they don't do it tonight, well you may not wanna be around me. I'm hoping someone shows game 2, since it IS a very important game.

Well, I just order TOB from Criterion for $19, but I wanna watch it now, anway. Good stuff.

Meh, I'm waiting for 2 a.m. to roll around and catch Throne of Blood. Perfect movie to follow a pair of Mel Brooks' movies, eh?

Does anyone know if they'll be broadcasting either one of the games on a station other than Fox Sports Net Chicago? I live in Michigan and can't believe that I'm supposedly getting the A's vs. the M's instead of a game that's taking place a couple hours from where I live.

*hearts Richie Sexson and the rest of the Brew Crew...tonight anyway* I hope they can take one more, as I don't see the Cubs winning both tomorrow.

And here come the Tigers as Young doubles to start off the inning, a stolen base by a pinch runner, and a one-out single ties it up. The home plate ump has been pretty bad tonight, btw.

If you're a fan of a team and actually loyal, you stand by the team in just about any situation. Otherwise, you're nothing more than a bandwagon jumper. It's annoying to see so-called fans behind on a team only when the team's winning, but the second they're not, these supposed fans are nowhere to be found. And Mike, I know you feel that way because you're a big fan of the Marlins, and I'm not trying to bring you down. And regardless of how big a fan you are of a team, identifying them as your team is a little much, methinks. I've loved the Cubs since 1994, but I've not referred to them as my team. As for Grace retiring, I think most of us saw it coming and with him having won the ring a couple years back, there's really not anything left for the guy to do. He helped out a lot of the young guys with the DBacks this season, and now he's essentially done all one could ever want to do and more. I've been flipping between the Tigers/Twins game and Braves/Phillies game. With the latter already over much earlier, I'm watching the bonus coverage, but my focus remains on the Tigers/Twins game, and the Astros/Brewers game. What's with the Tigers looking decent all of a sudden? I guess immense pressure can do that to you. And if the Brewers hang on to win, I'll be quite greatful. And just when I mention the Tigers, they let one go in the 10th, which is a shame since they had a good chance to win it in the 9th.

Pretty much, but White Sox fans are fairly loyal, but nowhere near the level that the Cubs fans are. Speaking of the Cubs, today may have been the fatal blow we've been hoping wouldn't hit. With the game cancelled, not only do the Astros have a chance to take a half-game lead in the Central, but it'll be quite hard for the Cubs to take two tomorrow.