Tis the Off-Season

By Neil on December 25, 2009 19 Vote 0 Votes

Merry Christmas to all of the Faithful from everyone here at the CCO!

In what has become a Christmas tradition at the CCO, here is a familiar carol with a new twist ...

Deck the Cubs Clubhouse

Deck the clubhouse with healthy players,
Fa la la la la, la la la.
Tis the season to make the team better
Fa la la la la, la la la.

Don we now our Cubs apparel,
Fa la la la la, la la la.
2010 could be the last under Piniella
Fa la la la la, la la la.

See the blazing Zambrano fastball,
Fa la la la la, la la la.
Watch Marmol strike 'em out to end it all
Fa la la la la, la la la.

Follow another Ramirez tape measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la.
Ted Lilly has been a true treasure
Fa la la la la, la la la.

Soriano takes few free passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la.
Hail new owners and remember Harry's glasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la.

Sing joyous GO CUBS GO!
Fa la la la la, la la la.
Pitchers and catchers report in seven weeks,
In case you didn't know.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the CCO!

Joe S. (San Diego)

Didnt make it on during the day....but I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! I enjoyed having my daughter Abby for our first Christmas since I took custody of her. It was also the first one we spent together in three years.

Look forward to spring training starting and getting the Cubs banter going full throttle here!

SuzyS

Late Christmas night musings...the holidays are a time to make new memories

and remember the old...just got finished rereading one of JimK's posts..."The Cubs Win Line-Up" first posted Oct. 28th, 2008 and reprinted in "Tip of the Cap" Nov 1rst,2009.

In that post...JimK posed a cheap solution to centerfield...Seth Smith

of the Colorado Rockies...platooning

with Pie in center.

Well, fast forward 14 months later...

and centerfield is still a problem.

(I'm not a proponent of Marlon Byrd)

Smith actually surpassed JimKs anticipated production as the Rockies

left fielder last season by 20 points

in BA (.300) and had 15 HR which was spot on Jim's prediction.

What about it guys? Should JH investigate a trade for SS to platoon with Fuld?

At the time, Jim K felt Hart,Atkins, and Clevenger would get the trade done.

Hart's gone and considering what Soto did

last year...it might not be wise to include Clevenger in a trade.

I'm assuming Colvin goes back to AAA

or is traded.

1rst question - do you think a Seth Smith/Fuld platoon would work?

2nd - What would it now take to pry

Smith from the Rockies?

3rd - Any other trade proposals out there for CF??? (No FA allowed)

Jim finished his post with his trademark humor...

"The Lady of the night said: It's a business doing pleasure with you."

-Jim K.

With a nod and a wink...once again...

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!!

CubsfaninBama

Merry Christmas to everyone at the CCO!

Mark

Merry Christmas Neil!

Merry Christmas everyone participating on the CCO!

Merry Christmas Cubs!

GO CUBS GO!!!

CharlesnTexas

Merry Christmas to all from a Cub fan way down here in the heart of Texas. Hope some great surprises are in store for all of us in 2010!

waldo7239117

Merry Christimas to all and thanks Neil for your great work about the Cubs. I have not been posting much but am always reading it.

Chuck Divine

Merry Christmas to all from Florida and the future spring training home of the Cubs. Am looking forward to the Cubs Convention and seeing how JH will be treated this year.

ripsnorter

Merry Christmas to all from the Ripsnorters! Merry Christmas and a blessed 2010 to you and yours from the Owens'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6A0-79k4pY

GaryLeeT

That was awesome. You don't see families that size any more, you must be Catholic, like me. They all have a great voice, especially your youngest. How did the rest of them not crack up with him singing?

ripsnorter

Not Catholic; Baptist. How did they not crack up at his singing? They live with him and he does crazy things all the time. Have a great 2010!

Bender

Ripsnorter,

I noticed on your youtube video that it said Thoman/Owens. My last name is Thoman and that is not very common name. Wondering who the Thoman in your family is.

Merry christmas to all and as always, Go Cubs Go!!!

Barry

To all of my CUB FANatics,

I hope this comment finds all of you and your families in good health and that all of our hopes for Spring training and beyond will be realized!

I am sitting in the USO here at Rhine Main AFB, Germany en-route to afghanistan! Not wanting or needing any comments of condolence but conversely I want to thank Neil and Brian and Joe and Suzy and everyone else that makes me chuckle and and/or rekindles my hopes for the up and coming season!

I told my Dad about OUR site and so Dad, if you log in just know your Son Loves you and I hope that we can meet here at chicagocubsonline.com everyday!!

You know how you and Mom always ask why have I not been writing any Email? Well, if you're here reading this then you know!! Most all of my computer time is spent here first and then mlbtraderumors.com!

To Aaron lol, Dude, lets try to be just alittle more supportive of JH!! lol He is somewhat frustrating but at least we know that many great ballplayers want to come to the North side because of the way they are treated!! "best Forrest Gump voice" That's all I have to say about that!!

Only sustanitive comment I have for today CUBS Fans is I want to believe the Hype!! The hype w/regard to Soto and Z and Soriano working hard in the off-season to maximize their GOD given talents in "2010"

Being an Army guy for 26 yrs I'm telling all of you..... The human Spirit can overcome all pessimism, self-doubt, and history!! I am not some dreamer dude either. I have seen Soldiers who I would not take into battle to save my life and with a significant emotional event (SEE) and something just unlocks their true potential!! Something just happens and they never look back.

Happy Holidays CUBS Fans.... I will be monitoring all of you from the field of battle. Crappy weather here in Germany today.... anticipating the SUN of Spring and all of our hopes for a WS Championship burning bright!!

GO CUBBIES!!!

Joe S. (San Diego)

Thanks Barry!!

Stay safe out there!!

SuzyS

Merry Christmas to all...everywhere.

Barry, no condolences, but many, many

thanks.

Your Christmas comment will resonate with me each day as we follow the travails of the beloved Cubs.

And warm wishes always.

Please keep your eyes on the ball and unlike Milton...always remember how many outs there are. Stay safe...and pass on

these well wishes from this Cubs fan to your friends.

-Suzy

Neil

Barry, thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Jim C (Tinley Park, IL)

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!

woody34

I will be making pizzas all day long for those that don't have family,etc to spend holidays with or are here in hotels. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all. Maybe somebody will spike Mr. Hendry's eggnog today - and it will inspire him to make a good move this week.