Better News

Several things have happened in the past couple of days that make me feel like maybe the fortunes of the Chicago Cubs are about to turn around from their sorry beginnings.

· Mark Prior is out for season.
· Ryan Theriot has been named the starting shortstop.
· Felix Pie was not sent back to AAA
· Alfonzo Soriano has been moved from center field to left field.
· Ted Lilly pitched well again
· Angel Guzman will likely pitch on May 1st.
· Lou Piniella has told the team to lighten up and have fun.

All of these are pieces of a puzzle coming together. The Cubs do not need to be distracted for another year with Mark Prior. The hope of his return has been an ongoing affair for years now. Let’s worry about Mark Prior next year. He will probably start out in AAA at that time anyway.

Ryan Theriot has proven he can consistently hit major league pitching. Let’s get him in there everyday. They still haven’t made the next obvious move of sending away Ronnie Cedeno in favor of Koyie Hill, but there is still time for that.

Felix Pie needs to play everyday. The Cubs do not need to have him lead off. Have Soriano lead and Theriot bat second. Pie can be a dangerous bat low in the lineup. He can win more games for the Cubs in the field than at the plate. Let Lee, Ramirez, Barrett and Soriano provide the bang. Pie can provide the glove they desperately need.

Soriano belongs in left. ‘Nuff said.

The pitching has been remarkably good. Scott Eyre may be coming out of his funk. Howry spins his wheels occasionally, but otherwise we can be happy with the staff Hendry has assembled. If Wade Miller can stay on the disabled list and Guzman can continue as a starter where he left off in the pen, there are clearer skies ahead.

Finally, Lou Piniella has taken off the ‘tough guy’ face and reminded the team that this is a boys game and should be played for fun. It is hard to win when you are trying not to lose. This team has played not to lose in the close games this year. I like the quote: “Relax and play. You're going to get a paycheck if you win or lose; your wife's going to love you; the dog's going to bark when you come home.

"Go out there and relax and play. I like the kids we have here. We've got a good group of men. We've got to get over the hump and get these games that are getting away from us."

I liked this team on opening day. I continue to like this team today. If they can hit as a team and continue to throw as they have, we are still going to have fun this summer.