What a goon

Isn't there a place for a crazy Marlin fan to go to?? I have never liked anything about the Marlins. The Owner seems to know how to win a World series but never holds onto his players to see if they can do it again. Candle puncher go fight evil forces somewhere else. This is a place for Cub fans and No CUB fan should ever have to apologize to a Marlin fan on a Cubs website. Especially when the player DESERVES IT.

CANDLE fighter eitehr you think you are funny, or you have a severe mental issue. Uggla is sooo great---great showing in the all star game with his offensive and defensive performance......

Lew, i don't blow. Screw you, Lew.

I am named CANDLE fighter because all it takes is a candle to fight the dark forces within this world. Hence, I fight the dark forces with a candle. If you fight the dark forces or something else with a sword, you would call yourself a SWORD fighter.

It's all new to you, Lew. Go eat beef stew! I'm trying to get Cubs fans to unite and weep for us with Marlins fans. We have a poor attendance at home. The Cubs have a great attendance at home. That's what I envy about the Cubs. They are always faithful. Maybe not always understanding, but always faithful. I want the same fortitude from the Marlins.

You have my respect. Please, Lew! I'm not the most coherent person in the world, but I have feelings too. Just stay humble Cubs fans, don't get cocky. You're great. Hopefully I'll see a Cubs/Marlins NLCS like I did earlier in the decade.

Peace out, to all my hippies!

elliot, thanks a lot, man! you don't know what that means to me coming from a different franchise rooter. You're forgiven. As for the comments, I was steamed up, you aren't all cocky and candy-land dreamers. I shouldn't have spoken for all. There's some fans that keep things together. Really, I shouldn't have generalized.

I couldn't understand it. But I do root for the cubs as long as they aren't playing the marlins or rays.

Spread the good word. The Candle has spoken.

Wow, Candle Fighter is aptly named. He came on here looking for a fight. To me that's disrespectful. Oh, and one more thing, there's no need to fight a candle... you need only remember one thing... You Blow.

Elliot...thank you. That was a long time ago, and a frustrating season. Yes, Nick left the first comment on the CCO and I never would have thought it would have grown the way it has.

Candle,

Yes, I criticized Dan Uggla a few days back, but have you heard my criticisms of D-Lee? He frustrates me to no avail.

I actually do respect the Marlins as a franchise. They make do in one of the smallest markets around, and have learned to thrive despite playing in front of a minor-league attendance. In 2003, they were better than the Cubs. I never blamed Bartman. I actually feel sorry for the guy. Wrong place, wrong time. Plus, the Marlins had a clear team captain that took charge offensively, defensively, and single-handedly turned a very promising group of young pitchers into confident veterans. Who did the Cubs have? Barrett? He sure turned out to be useless. Anyways, if you are going to take offense at comments directed at "your" players, then I hope you also realize that the criticisms flow freely towards the Cubs directions as well. And please don't call us all "arrogant and disrespectful idiots."

elliot, i don't need meds. I want an apoligy from at-leat 3 fans here for disrespecting Uggla. He's NOT a member of your team. He's a member of my team, the Florida Marlins. It's not fair to cut-down players from OTHER teams. You can criticize your players, but not mine.

Incase you're wondering why a Marlins fan is on a Cubs site, it's because the Cubs were by 3rd favorite team after Florida and Tampa Bay. That may change.

Thank you Dusty Dixon! Can I get 2 more testimonies.

20 games over folks for the 5th time.

TIME # RECORD

1 45-25

2 48-28

3 49-29

4 57-37

5 64-44

LET'S GO 21 OVER TOMORROW FOR THE 1ST TIME!

The Cubs FLEW by the BREW CREW.

CANDLE Fighter, I apoligize. We here at CCO do show respect to other teams. It just so happens that no one here respect rivals that much. We happen to be fans of the Chicago Cubs.

I'll assure you that you are welcome here to your own opinions, but stop showing that title drought dilemma. We know. Don't rub it in.

Remember me when I go to N.C. State on August 18th. I won't be able to post too often afterwards.

Yes, when it comes to baseball I'm a ten year old. Its a ten year old's game.

Again, Aaron that wasn't a cheap shot. Was just picking!! I'm not trying to be offensive. I wish everyone here could be on the same page. Don't take me so serious. I'm too laid back for people to take my words so serious.

I argue with spam and jest with "impostors". So its really hard to take me that serious, right?

To anyone who I offended:

Yes dear.

Youre right.

I'm sorry.

Neil, I hate to add to the burden of your cell problems with the site but my PSP won't recognize my email adress either. It does the same thing that Agustin's phone does.

As for the game!!!

SO COOL!!!

Dempster's dealing and is actually a Cy Young threat. Unbelievable.

I wonder if Trader Jim as one more move left in him. I worried about Woody. So an extra arm wouldnt hurt, right?

Candle fighter...?

Weird. I won't start. I promoise.

Candle Fighter needs to be on meds.

Hey guys. Why so much hate for Aaron? I like this guy. He is critical (as a fan should be), suggests improvement, lives and dies with every win, but in the end, we all want that elusive world series win. I find it amusing how we are all from different areas of the country, yet all unite on this site every night to discuss Cubs baseball. My wife thinks I'm the biggest dork in the world for spending the amount of time I do on this site, looking up baseball stats, and watching every TiVO'd Cubs game in its entirety. Plus I, as well as many of you i'm sure, watch SportsCenter highlights on the Cubs over, and over, and OVER again. How pathetic is that? But this site would not be what it is without everyone contributing.

You know, Neil, I went online this morning and searched through all the archived blogs and posts dating back to 2005. Your blogs were awesome back then, and very thought provoking, and I began to reminence on my own feelings during that 2005 season. However, you blogged faithfully despite ZERO comments, and I believe it was Nick who wrote the first comment, then Jason B from Az, then eventually the rest became history, to what we know as CCO today.

Anyways, I enjoy the comments by everybody, all the time. Some of you guys (myself included), make some RETARDED suggestions here and there, but for the most part, they are made from personal biases, favorites, and good and crappy research. But throwing out suggestions never hurt anybody, and if you guys are getting too riled up because somebody made a SUGGESTION or OPINION, then you need to be on meds.

What the...?

What the heck?

World Series Champions through the years...

1903 NOT THE CUBS

1904 NO SERIES

1905 NOT THE CUBS

1906 NOT THE CUBS

1907 CUBS

1908 CUBS*

1909 NOT THE CUBS

1910-1919 NOT THE CUBS

1920-1929 NOT THE CUBS

1930-1939 NOT THE CUBS

1940-1949 NOT THE CUBS

1950-1959 NOT THE CUBS

1960-1969 NOT THE CUBS

1970-1979 NOT THE CUBS

1980-1989 NOT THE CUBS

1990-1993 NOT THE CUBS

1994 NO SERIES

1995-1999 NOT THE CUBS

2000 NOT THE CUBS

2001 NOT THE CUBS

2002 NOT THE CUBS

2003 NOT THE CUBS

2004 NOT THE CUBS

2005 NOT THE CUBS

2006 NOT THE CUBS

2007 NOT THE CUBS

2008 CUBS?

Why do you brag about the Cubs? You all are arrogant and disrespectful idiots. Can't accept losing to the Marlins in 2003, who was the better team. Blame it on Alex S. Gonzales, not Steve Bartman. You can't handle criticism. That's why you are Cubs fans. It's an easy escape route. That's why I like the Marlins. They have NO excuses. You blame Dan Uggla on not having the home field advantage for the NL. The AL won fair in square. Give them their credit. He doesn't deserve that. Show some respect and grow up. Dan is the man. He plays as hard as anyone. I did like the Cubs as my 3rd favorite team after Florida and Tampa Bay until you blamed him and ridicule our player. The Marlins have as much right as everyone else to boast this season, but it makes you mad when the Marlins boasts over the Cubs with a split and winning a ring in 2003, in which you still have nightmares about. Quit showing a double standard and give others their proper due if you want respect from others. The Candle is speaking. Don't upset me or I'll go berserk typing on this comment board. Incase you get too cocky, the Cubs have NEVER clinched a post-season series at home through 2007.

1907 clinched in detroit

1908 clinched in detroit

2003 clinched in atlanta

P.S. If you sincerely appoligize, I will accept. But, if you don't, it'll be HELL to PAY.

What's your choice? The Candle is speaking.

Gramps is happy again! Very happy! And excited!!!!

If you can't get excited about your team winning 3 straight from their closest competition, when can you get excited?

Dunn in RF for the Cubs? He can't play left for the Reds! He is a great power hitter who walks and strikes out a lot. He is a designated hitter defined.

Here's hoping Gramps is happy again tomorrow and REALLY EXCITED! GO CUBS!

Great win Cubbies. This team has shown what they are capable of the last three games.

Aaron, your posts give me a headache. Glad to know that you TAPED the games while you were out of town.

Comments like this make people sick and find another platform to express their excitement and enthusiasum for this team. See below.

(that's great, but nothing to be excited about considering they essentially gave away the lead to begin with in the division while playing bad teams to boot)

The last few days have been nice w/o your negativity, regardless of your facts and stats that you use to back up your negative rants.

Go Cubbies. Keep it up...thankfully Jim Hendry is your GM and Aaron is still an "arm chair GM w/o connections" WOW

Hey I dig DLee as much as all of you....he just frustrates me...BAD! I want him to be the elite powerhouse and he's not. Why can't a guy bitch about a player on this site? I live and die with each win or loss and I spend entirely too much time on the internet looking at stats and such. So get off my back if I complain about your favorite player.... trust me I know...he's probably on my fantasy team and unlike some of you I have a job and it's for money!

3 down, 1 to go!

I'm going Scuba...Happy as a Hippo!

Can it be true..... 3 days without getting mad at the team? Thats what winning does... I'll be thrilled if they do this for the next 10 games and put a 6-7 game lead on the Brewers.... Cut their hearts out.

Yeah that's right...a few days ago the Cubs were scuffling badly and this serious looked scary. Now the Cubs offense has come back to life and beat down the Brewers in the first 3 games. But nothing to be excited about. A good team would have won by 40 tonight. Hendry should be fired. DLee should be traded for minor leaguers. Blah, blah, blah. Let's find every negative.

And Aaron, your posts do seem to rise exponentially the worse the Cubs are doing and mysteriously dwindle when the they are hot.

LET'S GET THE SWEEP TOMORROW AND HARDEN HIS FIRST WIN IN BLUE!

We played like a championship team again tonight against tough competition. Keep that up and we will have the wind at our backs in October. Stay focussed Blue and do what you are capable of doing.

hell yes!!!!!! that was a great win. Demp pitched his ass off tonight, and man, the little man and Soriano at the top----I love it!

Lows....must admit...kind of right...I'm kind of a scrapper, but I think it's fun to debate and have serious conversations.....I hate it when people just dismiss my comments sometimes as being completely negative, and yet they have nothing to say beyond that, and don't even debate what I comment on...and I don't mean just, "you're ridiculous, or blah blah blah"...Okay, you think I am, then back it up with something constructive like say, a counter trade proposal. I think it's fun to think of how to improve a team, which is why if I had the right connections, I'd aspire to be a GM one day, but the only control I have right now in baseball is who I put on my pitching staff at the college I work for, so I kind of have to play arm-chair GM sometimes, which is not really fair always, I must admit, as there are extenuating circumstances none of us are privvy to as they happen behind the scenes, plus, we're all playing with monopoly money. Still, there are times when Hendry deserves harsh criticism, and he's largely been spared that from most of the media. I will say this though, he's far better than anything we've had in his seat in YEARS, which is to his credit. However, not trading the likes of Cruz, C. Patterson, Farnsworth, Pie, etc., and getting decent returns has really retarded the progress of our system, and hurt the big club in the process.

Anyhow, most of us on here regard Marquis, Wuertz (though he's since been demoted), Eyre, and Howry, as SERIOUS liabilities in the pen and rotation. That's why I made the comment about upgrading it, and Piniella has been adamant about having another big bat, because he knows what happens without one of ARAM, Lee, or Soriano in the lineup. Fact is, I was thinking logically, as to who was available out there, and obviously, Nady's been traded, Bay is about to be traded with Manny going in the same trade, and all of the other big sluggers are not going to be available. That would leave Dunn and Griffey as the only ones out there, and while Dunn is not pretty in the field, would you rather have Ibanez, who many say has regressed to the same point as Dunn in the field? I think of what it'd take to get Dunn, and all you have to look at is what it took for Teixeira as a good measure. It took a major league ready player at his position, and an average AA relief pitcher. I'd say Fuld/Pie and Hart for Dunn. I'd say Hart for Griffey. I mean, that's about the going rate that you measure trades for as a GM. You look at similar position players, and Manny, Bay, and Teixeira would fit that bill.

Anyways, just food for thought, because if you're all thinking playoffs, you have to think of possible match-ups and how you'd fare against them: Brewers, Cards, Marlins, Mets, and D'Backs.

Brewers-we have an edge on both offense and pitching

Cards-we have an edge pitching-wise, albeit slight, given Duncan's abilities

Marlins-pitching we have an edge

Mets-edge on both offense and pitching

D'Backs-edge on offense

So, in a few cases, we have an edge offense-wise. In a few, we have edges pitching-wise. What does that tell you? I mean, getting a bat would definitely help, and so would relief help. I'm not even mentioning AL playoff-hopefuls, but we're about even or behind with the likes of the Angels, White Sox, Yankees, BoSox, and Rays, so if you make the WS, you have to match up with their firepower, and sans the Yankees (which can be debated now without Hawkins and Farnsworth's blown games), we have an inferior pen. We also have equal hitting to those teams, sans OBP, which we lead the majors I think still. Anyway, it's just my opinion, and considering Lou's comments, he's thinking the same way too----long-term, and not just first-round get swept again.

Now it is time for us to get Harden a win tomorrow.

A good win!!!

CUBS WIN!!!

NATION REPRESENT!

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

I live in Ohio, and my friends, who are mostly Reds fans, would love to see Dunn go, they are actually begging for him to be traded. Does he have a ton of power, yes. But he also is slower than dirt, not good in the outfield at all, and strikes out a ton. I for one would NOt want him on the Cubs. Dunn is an DH in the AL and that is all.

Hey Nick...

That's what happens when a pitcher does not throw strikes with a lead. 3-0 on Fielder then he launched the 3-1 pitch.

2-0 to Hart...c'mon Cotts.

Hey fella's

Got in late tonight. I am loving this. Great outing by Dempster tonight!!

Theriot with a big night....

Lee has 11 game winning RBI's...tied for 2nd in the National League

Ah, so Brian knows what I'm talking about, about the DLee thing.

ya know...Lee seems to be "unclutch" and I even told a friend that the other day because he loves DLee and I was like dude, come on, but he pointed out to me that he has something like 12 game winning hits or RBIs this season, which is tied for first in all of MLB. I don't remember the exact comment, I was drunk, but he IS hitting .300 and is heating up again. Let's not be so gloomy, we are beating the piss out of the "2nd best team in the national league". By the way Aaron, are you serious with those "proposed trades/moves"...come on.....We're a power arm away, a power bat away...geez. Also to say that Harden is our best pitcher is nuts...Big Z is ridiculous and wins without his best stuff, the guy is flat out awesome, and I really like Harden too, he's great, but Z is our guy. I sometimes think you write some of the stuff you do to get a rise and get some conversations going.

But I must agree with Aaron, we can't get too excited.

I am not defending D. Lee's performance with the plethora of double plays and ground balls. But our short memories forget Monday night. And, please, someone answer this question:

Where does Derrek Lee rank in game-winning RBI's?

Nothing to be excited about???? What have you been watching? My blind grandfather can play better defense than Dunn and you want to out him into RF at Wrigley. The Cubs came out of the break flat but guess what things seem to be picking up again. I am getting so sick and tired of all the negativity when they play bad for a week. If you can't handle the ups and downs of a 162 game season, pick another sport you will live longer. Not totally directed at you Aaron, just the straw.

Hey Aaron, nice to have you back! As I said earlier, I meant to cheer the Cubs to help you out...I hoped winning games will help you be more relaxed! I didn't mean to offend you!

Matt,

What are you like, 10? meow, hiss? LOL, that's like what a 10 year old would say, not to mention taking a cheap shot at yours truly while I've been out of town....but I guess you and Duas never do that, huh?

They have won 3 straight, and are winning tonight...that's great, but nothing to be excited about considering they essentially gave away the lead to begin with in the division while playing bad teams to boot. It's not being negative either, it's just a fact...look at the schedule, and see what are record for July is...I'm not even going to bring that up....I'll let you do the research.

When I got home today, I looked up the previous stats, and was horrified that we lost ANOTHER Rich Harden in which he gave up 1 run or less, and was leading when he left. Winning teams CANNOT do that with their BEST starter...yeah, I said it...even better than Z. Did you guys see the stat the other week when he started....when he leaves the game with the lead, his teams are something like 34-0....well.....until he reached the Cubs. you can now say 34-1 (maybe 2, I'm too tired to look up his other starts). I mean, we have a far better offense than his A's teams, so it makes it even more ridiculous.

We're still a power bat (b/c Lee hasn't proven he's clutch at all) away, getting rid of Marquis, and another reliever, from doing some damage in our league.

I'm pleased with the way we've played the last few days, don't get me wrong, but it's also no reason to get all excited. Let's see how this plays out, and keep in mind, as the ESPN guys did...that each team plays the other better (talking about Brewers and Cubs) better on the road than at home.

I taped the games while I was gone, and I love Samardzija, but we're still another power arm away in the pen, and as I mentioned before getting rid of Marquis (as I also taped his game, and he was DREADFUL). IMO, Dunn hasn't been mentioned in any reports, but I really would love his bat in our lineup, and would give Pie away for him easily, but with Manny going to the Marlins and Bay to the BoSox in the proposed deal, I just don't see any alternatives in the big bat category on the market. I mean, I know reports said his swing has regressed, but if you look at Griffey's stats, sans the batting average, he has about the same stats as Lee, but better in the K/BB ratio, so maybe he'd be an option for cheap? If you get Dunn, then you move Fuk to CF.

DEPSTAH IN DA'HOUSE!!!he is smokin' Da Crew.

Cory, I think you are being a little hard on DLee, he is not going to kill the ball every day. He might need a breather though.

Hey what is up with this clown holding the electronic sign in the ESPN live commercials?

Jason B. from Az...to use Lou's words..."Let's not get too giddy"...lol...I know its tempting, but let's not tempt fate

are the Brewers still planning on sweeping the Cubs?

bwahahahahahahaha!

Oh...and Rich Harden pitches tomorrow.

muahahahahahahahaahahh!!!!!!

THERIOT!!!!!!!!!! Or maybe Ethroit as Harry might have called him!

Neil thanks for checking. I have an iphone but I posted from it untill the all-star almost every day.

Hey a couple more runs and your dog will be free walking the house!

I was just thinking, how can Theriot have such a high average but so few RBIs? Then Bingo!

If the Cubs can hold on, they have a day game tomorrow. That should make for a tired and over anxious Brew Crew......the perfect setup for Harden to strike out about 20.

Very nice Lee...Lou give him a day off!

Atta baby Riot!!!!!! You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

THERIOT!!! His 43rd multi-hit game.

yessss

Agustin...off topic question. Been looking into the cell problem on the CCO. Do you mind me asking what type of phone you have?

Keith...not to defend Kendall, but it appeared to me Yost called for the pitch out.

Hello Guys...

I was really scared with that attempt by Reed and Soriano...we can't loose either of them.

How about a 4 spot inning right now???Lets go!

LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!

If Kendall stays put, the Brew gets one run on Parra's triple, and another on the grounder to third, to take a one-run lead. Thank you Jason Kendall.

Dempster, note to self. Parra can hit.

WOW!! Parra with another hit....he has 2 of the 4 off Dempster.

grounder to short

grounder to short

grounder to short

it's getting bold Lee

66 pitches aldready for Parra

A very agressive inning. They need to make Parra work and get to the pen.....

Damnit Blanco! Granted it was a bad pitch, but you gotta block that! I think they credited Dempster with a wild pitch.

Watching the Brewers broadcast fo the game and listening to them whine how the Cubs have capitolizde on every mistake by the Brew Crew this series.... and it's true!

I agree with Neil, I'd rather have Pie back up than Ibanez! Although hell I'd sell the farm to get Manny for a few months!! In Wrigley?? Are you kidding me??

Maddux appearently wants to stay on the west coast...leaving just the Dodgers as a trade partner for the Padres. That sucks....why wouldnt he want Wrigley for a couple of months and be part of history......

Mr. Hendry....please suprise us with a trick up your sleeve before the deadline tomorrow afternoon......

DeRosa with the big 2-out RBI

What a gift.

It says here that we won't be seeing Ibanez or Maddox in Cubs' blue. Come on Demp!! Give us another strong outing.

That's why you hustle to first! Cough Kosuke Cough

Now let's see. Kyle Farnsworth gets the Yankees Pudge Rodriquez. Maybe Jason Marquis and cash gets us Fuentes. I know. Pudge is a free agent at the end of the year. But did anyone ever dream that Farnsworth could be traded for Pudge? The Yankees have added Marte and Nady too--so they're aiming high.

I am definately with you on that especially with Fontenot a left hander that is doing well off the bench.

I definately think if we can get something good for Eyre (prospect or 2) they should pull the trigger.

It is good to see that Soriano is starting to run really well.

I love the aggressiveness by Soriano. Started to show why he's a 40 SB kind of guy!

Jason....no! The offense he could supply would be given back by his defense. Ibanez in right at Wrigley would not be good, at all. Rather see them keep Pie and bring him up if Edmonds cannot stay healthy.

What is going on with the Ibanez trade? WHat you all think about that possibility? Ibanez for Pie and another minor leaguer?

WGN just reported no simulated game today for Wood and Piniella said he is not close to returning. Will update if I hear more....

And what does this mean?

"just as Matt is for turning this site into his own multiples posts a day on anything he wants to vent on"

I've been to a few Cub minor league games. Ive been posting on that. I asked about Chicago weather.

ChicagoCubsOnline.

That sums up my posts lately. Cubs and Chicago.

Unless youre talking about the mass confusion that Oddball Matt Haggard brought about.

What if someone started using your name!

Meowmeow-HISS-HISS!

I didnt mean for my post to be as harsh as it came out to be. I meant to cheer the Cubs to help out Aaron...winning games will help him be more relaxed!

Hey, I was joking!

I made a Aaron-esqe post regarding how much I liked the guy's posts a while back, remember. Comparing him to a Jay Mariotti (who I also like)!

I miss the dude's posts. Wished I could read a novella about the winning streak though.

Matt and Duas...that wasn't really necessary regarding Aaron. The guy is entitled to his own personal opinion, just as Matt is for turning this site into his own multiples posts a day on anything he wants to vent on.

Low blow Duas!

I know he can make it hard sometimes but dont antagonize, haha!

(But between you and me, I noticed) =D

Hi all,

I think Blanco will be just fine today. On a side note, Aaron seems to be absent for the last two days with the Cubs winning. Let's continue on our winning ways and keep his negativity down!

Go Cubs!

If I may add a little on Soto.

Soto received little time off in Soriano's absense. He did an admirable job and he deserves a breather. Its okay that he is out of the lineup with Sori back and hot.

Also, did ya'll know Blanco is hitting .300 exactly this year in limited action? That tells me that Lou knows exactly how to use him so far this year.

I'm okay with it.

Also re. Soto, he's 6 for 36 in his last 10--which says he needs a game on the bench. Blanco is 6 for 23 in his last 10 and has hit .379 against lefties this year. He's capable of a key hit, and tonight's the night.

Night game followed by a day game. Soto will be getting more time off.

y is blanco starting in a big game like this?

Tonight's lineup:

Soriano - LF

Theriot - SS

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Johnson - CF

DeRosa - 2B

Fukudome - RF

Blanco - C

Dempster - P