It's 3AM, Chicago time, and am taking a break from work. I turn on the internet and what is the first news article I see?

Willie Randolph is fired as New York Met manager.

I don't really have too much of an opinion about Willie. I remember him as a player, and he seemed solid. More so as manager. He appears to be a class act person. It's disappointing when such things happen to good baseball people. However, this has seemed to be coming, especially with the Met collapse of last year, and that they haven't played up to their hype this year.

Bench Coach Jerry Manuel is taking over for the time being. I wonder who they plan on bringing in? Is there any way for them to salvage the season?

Anyway, here is the link I read it on.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080617/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_mets_randolph_fired

Come on Cub fans. State your opinions!

Howdy folks! Hope all is well. Does anybody out here collect the baseball figures from McFarlane toys? I was, but since I have missed a few, I’ve become discouraged. I noticed the other day that in their Cooperstown series, they have a Ryne Sandberg figure. It originally comes in the Cub’s home team uniform, but also comes in a more limited edition blue “away” uniform. I’ve been keeping an eye out for one at my local toy store but have yet to see the Ryno figure. I’m surprised they are all sold out being that I live in the Cardinal country of St. Louis. Maybe Card fans are buying them and burning ‘em? Haha… anyway, does anybody have the figure? What do you think about it? Does anybody collect the Cubs players from McFarlane toys? What do you think of the figures? I believe they look pretty cool. I did see some Alfonso Soriano figures in a Cub uniform there. I need to pick that one up. I believe the only figures I need are and old Wood figure, the orginal Sosa, the rare Maddux in Cubs uniform, and the “Zamzilla” (hope some of you Cub fans remember what I am talking about) figure that came in the Cubs box set.

Answer the poll and write what you all think of the figure line! I hope I didn’t forget any…

Howdy folks. I've been a huge Cub fan since '87. For many different reasons, I've never been able to get up to Chicago to watch a Cubs game at Wrigley. I have wanted too so bad, but for the last 6 years, my wife and I have only been able to take one vacation and we had to keep it in state. Anyway, earlier in the year, my wife made a promise to me that no matter what, we are going to go see the Cubs at Wrigley sometime this season. The date we go is up to me. Of course, the mere thought of this has me excited! I'm in the process now of trying to decide when to go... and I have a question some of you might be able to help me with.

My favorite player/hero as a kid was Andre Dawson. In fact, my son is named Dawson after him. Andre was the hero I needed to keep me out of trouble as a youth and I would love to go to Chicago sometime when he will be there. I know he has sung "take me out to the ballgame" at least once over the last two seasons there. I wonder if anybody knows if (and when) he'll be doing it this season? Haha, I assume they were both in games against the Marlins? Does anybody know if he'll be making any promotional appearences in the city also? Any info or links with info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!

Go Cubs!

You’ve got to read this. The New York Daily News is definitely against it’s home team the Yankees for printing a story like this.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/50693

Man, I have never read anything like this. I guess the secret to the Yankee’s "winning" ways is that it’s star players share wearing a golden thong. Who would have guessed?

The secret is now out. The Yankee’s have built their dynasty upon the helpings of a Golden Thong.

In Game 6 of the ’77 series, Reggie Jackson hit three homeruns. How did he do it? The Magical Golden Thong.

Maris hit 61 in 61… McGwire and Bonds said he used the Thong. Since they didn’t have it in their possession, they used the ‘roids.

Don Larsen’s perfect game? The Brooklyn Dodgers blame the Thong!

Ever wonder why the call the Babe… the Babe? The Thong man… the thong!

Anyway, if the Yankee’s actually do turn it around, I am sure the "Magical Golden Thong" will go down as one of those significant superstitions of Yankee fandom. Who knows, if they turn it around, maybe it will show up in the Hall of Fame someday.

*shutters*

Anyway, I was wondering, besides the goat, has any other Cub players throughout history had any wild superstitions? I seem to remember Turk Wendell used to jump over the white baselines, brush his teeth between innings, and chew black licorice.

Does anybody remember any of these superstitions? Does any of the Cub players today have any? Thanks!

PS. I hope Lou isn’t wearing one of those thongs right now. You never know what kind of habits one picks up from being a Yankee.

Hey folks... I don't know if anybody is interested, but the Boston Herold recently ran an article about Roger Clemens trying to pick up the wife of former WWE(F) wrestler, Brutus the Barber Beefcake. Here is the link...

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1090659&srvc=home&position=also

It's amazing how much stuff has came out on the Rocket in the last six-months or so. With there being so much stuff pop up against him, it just seems impossible to know what's truth and what isn't. I'm really interested to see how all of this plays out in a few years when it's time for the Hall of Fame selection. Anyway, I thought I'd show you all on case anyone was interested.

BTW: If I booked the match, Beefcake would put Clemens to sleep with a sleeperhold, and then cut all his hair off.

Hey guys...

I hope this question doesn't annoy anybody, but I really have no idea what went down concerning why Grace left the Cubs. I have been a Cub fan for over twenty years. One of my favorite players was Mark Grace. While I kept up with how my team was doing in the standings, I didn't read much into the teams "behind the scenes" issues. Anyway, to this day, I still do not know why exactly Mark Grace left the Cubs. I've heard him and Hendry had some problems... but what kind? Grace was an all-star, so there was no reason to let him go. I know "Crime Dog" came in, and did OK stat-wise for us... but still, he wasn't Grace. I was happy to see him in the World Series with the Dbacks, but felt disappointed that it wasn't with the Cubs. Anyway, does anybody have any information about why he left?  Any chance of him coming back and working with the Cubs in another capacity? While I doubt he'll get into the HOF, does anybody here believe he will?

Thanks!

Isn't it just me, but would anybody else LOVE to see Wrigley filled with fans wearing a "marty loves the Cubs" t-shirt? Why doesn’t somebody print some up for the next time the Reds are in town? Make it look like the “I Love The 80’s” logo from VH1. Ha… I would love to hear Marty’s lovable verbals after seeing a shirt like that. Maybe a cartoonist could sketch up a picture of Marty and the Cubs bear hugging, or maybe him holding its arm up in the air and waving "number 1."

Onery... yes I know. Still, I feel something of the sort is deserving.