The Five Most Beautiful Words In The English Language

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 4:49 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

... (and yes, if this post looks familiar, I did a nearly identical post last year, too)...

Pitchers and catchers report today!

That's it, really. What more is there to say? Despite the snowstorm in Chicago yesterday, this is the first real sign of spring. The first game is two weeks from tomorrow.

I, for one, cannot wait!

UPDATE [2007-2-14 11:14:19 by Al]: The Cub smileyface is courtesy of BCB reader flyball. Thanks!

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Comments

I never thought I'd see the day when BCB...

...would sell out to Wal-Mart, but lo and behold that day has arrived.

For shame Albert Yellon. For shame.

At least put a Cubs hat on that sum bitch.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Feb 14, 2007 5:09 AM CST reply actions

Sheesh!

I posted the same thing last year and nobody said a word. Got nothin' to do with Walmart, I just found a generic smiley face.

Putting a Cubs hat on it is a good idea, though. Anyone good with Photoshop? If you are, go ahead and do it, email it to me and I'll replace the one here.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 9:25 AM CST up reply actions

heh heh heh heh.....

...looks a lot better Al.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Feb 14, 2007 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Again...

... credit and thanks to flyball.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

BTW...

...nice St. Valentine's Day Massacre reference too.

But why is there no Cubs hat on that sum bitch?

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Feb 14, 2007 5:11 AM CST reply actions

how about some predictions? I am expecting NOTHING from Prior, or Wood. I expect them to be doing towel drills and get injured again. NOTHING! We trusted them for too long. Second, Dempster needs to get his act together.

I'm irritated today.

hey, hey, cubs win.

by cubbyblue137 on Feb 14, 2007 6:38 AM CST reply actions

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

To all you couples out there enjoy your day with your loved one and to all you single people don't eat too much candy alone!!!

by FLCubsFan on Feb 14, 2007 7:18 AM CST reply actions

Happy Holiday!

Happy Holiday everybody! Today is one of my favorite holidays of the year! So exciting. No, I'm not talking about (Bobby) Valentine's Day.

It's Spring Training Day! Rejoice!

by Ghost of Fred Merkle on Feb 14, 2007 7:20 AM CST reply actions

Next year is here!

Yeeeeahhhhhhh!!

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Feb 14, 2007 7:42 AM CST reply actions

Does this mean..

..that we should put these back on now or wait for Opening Day?

Chicks dig the long ball

by Will23 on Feb 14, 2007 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

I put...

... mine on today and I'm not taking it off until the Cubs sweep the Yankees in the World Series!!!

"Winning is the greatest marketing idea of all time." --Cubs President John McDonough

by cubbieblue on Feb 14, 2007 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

I always wear...

my baseball/Cubs charm bracelet that I got for Christmas.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Feb 14, 2007 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

That is good news...

...on a day with a shaky start. Couldn't get to class this AM because there's 2 feet of snow in my parking lot, and I can't get out.

Also, I really just wanted to make sure that Julie got my flowers.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 8:01 AM CST reply actions

Syracuse was front and center

on the Weather Channel this morning. Supposed to get another foot of snow today. Here in O-town it's -5 degrees with a windchill of -23. I love it! One last assault by Old Man Winter before he must give way to the Boys of Summer.

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 8:04 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah

We were supposed to get 6-12 inches overnight, but we ended up getting considerably more than that. And lots more is expected today.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 8:09 AM CST up reply actions

Hooray

for the dawn of new hope. How long shall it last? How long shall it last?

Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Feb 14, 2007 8:02 AM CST reply actions

Not long

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 8:02 AM CST up reply actions

I agree...

Just call me Debbie Downer. But only on Fridays.

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

Debbie Downer

is exactly what I was also going to call myself. I'm excited for baseball, but optimism doesn't spring eternal for me anymore.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 8:11 AM CST up reply actions

I told ya...

we think a lot alike.

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

It seems like it

That might be kinda scary though.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 8:51 AM CST up reply actions

Stop hitting on gravedigger!

It's Valentine's Day. Just come out and say how you feel. . .

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Feb 14, 2007 9:06 AM CST up reply actions

The feeling is mutual

;)

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

Um...

Mark, I like you. It's a confession. In a hetero, I-don't-know-you-at-all-other-than-a-baseball-messageboard-but-if-I-did-and-we-didn't-live-1132-miles-apart-I-might-befriend-you-because-cool-gay-guys-seem-to-have-gorgeous-and-awesome-girlfriends-that-you-c ould-maybe-hook-me-up-with sort of way.

How's that?

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 9:17 AM CST up reply actions

Awwwww

Now was that so hard?

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Feb 14, 2007 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

WHERE'S MY OBD?!?!

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

You're going to have to wait

until I get back from court.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Feb 14, 2007 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

You have...

...some messed up priorities.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

Like I said...

...the feeling is mutual.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

If breakfast in bed wasn't enough

hot damn! This is the best day ever!!!

WOODY!!!!

by Sarah Hope on Feb 14, 2007 8:06 AM CST reply actions

Woo...hoo.

Now the countdown begins to actual baseball.

And in the meantime, let's all continue to speculate about JJ and the outfield.

speculates

I say we trade JJ and Z to the Yankees for A-Rod and just try to hit 20 home runs a game (to make up for having no pitching).

The pending baseball season is helping me get through the struggles of my beloved Kentucky Wildcat basketball team. Those guys just can't focus for 40 minutes.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Feb 14, 2007 8:13 AM CST reply actions

Go Big Orange

I was at the UT/UK game last night. Beautiful thing.

by Ghost of Fred Merkle on Feb 14, 2007 8:21 AM CST up reply actions

The foul call on Bradley with about 8 min left...

It just killed the Cats' momentum.

Crawford tried to turn it on, but from then on, UK just couldn't keep it going.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Feb 14, 2007 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

With the temps

outside at -2 here in Iowa it is so great to know baseball is around the corner. I am so ready to get to Mesa I can't stand the wait. I am sick of this cold weather but optimistic about a great Cubs season.

Spendry!!!

by mrcubsfan on Feb 14, 2007 8:37 AM CST reply actions

Hell yeah.....

Am i the only one tired of watching NBA highlights on SportsCenter? Give me some spring training!!

I'd love to sucker punch the hell out of that smiley face though. reminds me of the moose in "Vacation".

by nashvillecubbie on Feb 14, 2007 8:44 AM CST reply actions

You're not

I can't stand the NBA. Basketball bores the stuffing out of me. Can't wait to see some baseball highlights.

Is it just me, or does every basketball highlight look the same? How many times can you see a slam dunk without getting bored.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Feb 14, 2007 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

Wow

It was awfully sweet of the Cubs to get me this as a birthday gift. How thoughtful of them. It's just what I wanted.

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Feb 14, 2007 9:24 AM CST reply actions

Happy Birthday

But you should have asked for a different team instead.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

Awwwww.

Happy Birthday, buddy! You're a Valentine's baby.

I'm getting a good one, too. Position players report on my birthday. :)

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Feb 14, 2007 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

That's a nice gift as well

Plus, this way, your husband doesn't have to get you anything for your birthday or Valentine's Day, since they Cubs already took care of it :)

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Feb 14, 2007 9:32 AM CST up reply actions

Yes he does

;)

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Feb 14, 2007 9:35 AM CST up reply actions

The wife's birthday

My wife's birhtday was last Friday. I tried to tell her that having the same birthday as BCB was her present. I should have learned my lesson last year. It didnt work this year either.

by MissouriKev on Feb 14, 2007 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

I tried to help him out

He's on his own now

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Feb 14, 2007 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

I usually get

an off day for my Birthday. Last year I got an 18-inning game.

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Feb 14, 2007 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

Hey, you too!

Today is my birthday as well. O happy day, we have the Cubbies reporting and I have no power in my building.

I think I'm gonna name my fantasy team the Love Children.

WARD!

by cubbieboy on Feb 14, 2007 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

Cool

Well, that it's your birthday, not that you have no power in your building. That really sucks. And I thought Starbucks not having the scone I wanted this morning was a bummer.

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Feb 14, 2007 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

WALMART?? WALMART??

THERES NO BASEBALL IN WALMART!!

Oh, and the Bears are who we thought they were.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Feb 14, 2007 9:40 AM CST reply actions

GAH!

It has nothing to do with Walmart!

Click here for a history of the smiley face.

And once again, I ask: if anyone here is better with Photoshop than I am, if you want to Photoshop a Cubs cap on that face, email it to me and I'll replace the one that's there.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

whatever Al...

...You're up to your neck in the quagmire that is the Sam Walton Empire.

And how about you click here, for a history of your future...

BAP!

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Feb 14, 2007 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

Zambrano

I still don't get it. On the day that pitchers and catchers report, I read Zambrano's comments to the Cubs with some dismay (especially since he is talking about himself in the third person). Why aren't the Cubs falling all over themselves trying to make Z happy by loading a Brinks truck up and dumping money on his driveway?

wccubfan

by wccubfan on Feb 14, 2007 9:45 AM CST reply actions

Maybe

if everyone at BCB contributes a dollar. Then he'd have about $200 dumped at his door. He'd get the message.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Feb 14, 2007 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

$200?

There are over 2300 registered users of BCB.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

But who many original posters?

Seems like an awful lot of posts come from a small group of longtime visitors. Not all, but an awful lot.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Feb 14, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

More than you think.

Not all 2300, but not just a handful, either.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

Imagine if....

all 2300 people posted. That would be a crazy amount of posts.

I can't wait for an Open Thread. It's great that pitchers and catchers reported, but it's not good enough for me. Maybe I ask for too much.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Feb 14, 2007 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

Two weeks from tomorrow!

Not so very long to wait.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

It is

an exciting day and I can't wait to see news reports on our team. I feel very optimistic about this year and our team. I may get my heart ripped out but I can't help it.

Happy Birthday to the birthday boys.

COTTS!!!

by sue369 on Feb 14, 2007 10:37 AM CST reply actions

Nice smiley

Flyball. I like the hint of evil it gives :)

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Feb 14, 2007 11:13 AM CST reply actions

Yes...

... I liked that a lot too. Well done!

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 14, 2007 11:22 AM CST up reply actions

Not evil...

Excited intensity!!! Like, "Hell yeah, I'm 'bout to get this s*** done!" Or maybe not.

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

Nothing wrong

with a smiley face with some 'tude. Nice, flyball.

WARD!

by cubbieboy on Feb 14, 2007 11:27 AM CST up reply actions

With all due respect Al

The five most beautiful words in the English language are CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES

FYI NYC is a mess today. Normally I love snow
but with my foot still sprained I am terrified of
reinjuring it and must be very careful.

Gravedigger
Saw Syracuse on the news. Even though my film
convention moved forward two weeks to mid March
from its previous early March date, we ALWAYS get
now. It would not be Syracuse without snow
Enjoy your "off" day

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Feb 14, 2007 11:17 AM CST reply actions

wrong...

...the five most beautiful words are...

...you'll be dead by morning...

That is, if you're tired of living.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Feb 14, 2007 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

All you people and your blizzards...

I love deep snow, and the deepest we've had here in about a decade is 6 inches. :(

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Feb 14, 2007 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

The funny thing is

they didn't cancel school until several people got into accidents trying to make it to the University. SU is stubborn about closing its doors.

So wait, your convention dates have changed since we last spoke? Or do you mean it is later this year than usual?

Hey I'm also applying for this very intriguing job in NYC. My SO really wants me to, and I think I'd like the job, and I'm qualified. But the costs of living in NYC scare me...

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, also

Do you stay in Liverpool or Syracuse when you come? I can get you great rates at a nice hotel in Syracuse if that's where you stay.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

Alas already pushed back dates

I think we figured we literally pass in the night
I arrive about 5 on the 14th and leave at 6AM on the 19th
Is at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool Not surprised they are stubborn on cancelling stuff Like I said we always got lots of snow when it was held the first week in March. One year a giant wind strorm knocked out the power about every ten minutes so we were watching a charming silent film and it had to stop and restart about 5 times until the electricity went for good. We drank at the bar till all the ice melted and the staff escorted us to our rooms with flashlights I loved it

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Feb 14, 2007 3:42 PM CST up reply actions

lol

Sounds like fun. I remember being disappointed about the dates; I just thought you meant it was moved again. Ah, well.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Feb 14, 2007 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

Sweet!!!

I knew I liked that woman!

worthless...

by tyger1147 on Feb 14, 2007 11:18 AM CST reply actions

Way to go Flyball!

n/t

by Scott @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 14, 2007 11:18 AM CST reply actions

thanks all

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Feb 14, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Hey

Haven't congratulated you on taking it to the Dookies last week. Way to go!

Although Carolina stunk it up last night, bleh. Feb. 25: Flyball/Nextyear showdown at College Park!

I very excite about this upcoming season! Jenqui!

by nextyearcub on Feb 14, 2007 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

thanks

it was a fun game to watch, especially with some other Terps, although in true Terp fashion at halftime we were all saying, "its Duke, the lead isn't enough" "they'll make a run" etc etc (we were all at what is refered to as "THE game" in 2001) and the non-Terps were making fun of us, they clearly don't understand

you're on for Feb 25th, Comcast will be rocking, I'm hoping that NESN will show it so I can watch

keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on Feb 14, 2007 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

"The Game"

I remember that. Felt bad for you guys.

I very excite about this upcoming season! Jenqui!

by nextyearcub on Feb 14, 2007 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

WOO HOO!!

Finally, a small step forward in the off-season. I ride Metra into work everyday and the train conductor actually announced that pitchers and catchers report to spring training today. How cool is that?

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Feb 14, 2007 12:46 PM CST reply actions