Maybe I panicked too soon ...

... Well, my Cubs are actually playing pretty well right now, though you wouldn't know it by their 5-7 record.

But they did beat up the Royals 13-1 yesterday. Ryan Dempster is looking good as he makes the move back to starter from closer. And it's too bad Daryle Ward doesn't play very good defense because the guy is hitting a ton. He was 4-for-4 yesterday and is hitting .692 this spring.

I had been worried because a slew of injuries had suddenly taken down guys like Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa, Aramis Ramirez and Felix Pie. But all those guys are back in the lineup, or will be shortly. And the pitching staff is coming together nicely.

I still say the Cubs should get Brian Roberts from the Orioles, but DeRosa would become a super-utility guy and his at-bats would suffer. I really like both players. I'm sure the Cubs can make it work if it happens.

About the only thing Lou Piniella has to worry about now is what to do with Jason Marquis if he doesn't make the starting five. Rumors have had him going to the Tigers and Red Sox, but who knows? The guy does carry a little bit of baggage (a HUGE ego).

So, with opening day a little more than 21 days away, things are looking good. I'm feeling as good about this team as I have in a LONG time -- thus, the tattoo. My neighbor said something to the effect of "they haven't won the World Series. Now you've jinxed them." Whatever Mary.

No matter what happens this season, I'm a Cub fan for life. And with the tattoo, the afterlife too.

Little brown bears and gnats

So baseball season is upon us, with Opening Day only a month away.

So far so good in the Cubs camp, though Mark DeRosa's heart procedure -- he had an irregular heartbeat -- does concern me, even though the team says he'll be back on the field next week. Makes me wonder how long GM Jim Hendry will wait before finally pulling the trigger on getting second baseman Brian Roberts from the Orioles. If, of course, owner Peter Angelos signs off on it.

And the Washington Nationals are counting down to the opening of their brand spanking new ballpark. There are still a lot of issues to be resolved -- like traffic, parking and a so far unfinished Navy Yard Metro stop. We have tickets to the exhibition game on March 29 against the Orioles and the opener the following night against the Braves on ESPN.

There could be mayhem.

It's the start of Fantasy season, too. I'm in a league again with my friend K.C. and sister Cheryl. My team name this year is "Got Fuku?" I got the idea from some t-shirts I saw for sale on bleedcubbieblue.com after the Cubs signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

And if it ever warms up, we might be able to get out on the practice fields for softball.

I guess I need to remember it's still winter.

The five most beautiful words in the English language

With thanks and appreciation, I stole this from bleedcubbieblue.com.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT TODAY!

Opening Day

It's only January, but baseball is already in the air for me, especially with such a disappointing football season now in my rear-view mirror. And the fact it's been 70-75 degrees the past few days in the D.C. area.

According to bleedcubbieblue.com, Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs is a little more than 82 days away; the first spring game is only 50 days away.

And the Washington Nationals are getting ready to move into their new ballpark. An exhibition against the Baltimore Orioles kicks things off on March 29, followed by the nationally televised (ESPN) opener the following night against the hated Atlanta Braves.

I didn't think the new park would be done in time, but by golly it looks like the $611 million was spent wisely and correctly. Check out this cam shot of the new digs. Pretty cool...

Go Cubs Go!

Ain't this a great T-shirt?? My sentiments exactly.

They did it. National League Central Division champions.

No more yelling at the TV. No more turning it off because I can't watch anymore. The motto this season was "It's Gonna Happen." I truly believe it now.

Today is the final day of the regular season, with the Cubs traveling most likely to Arizona for the Division Series opener Wednesday. Let's hope Carlos Zambrano pitches like he did Friday when the Cubs shut out the Reds 6-0 to clinch.

The Milwaukee Brewers put up quite a fight, but in the end the better team really did win out.

Thanks Cubs -- first to my three favorite players, Mark DeRosa, Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot. The other difference-makers? Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee and last but not least, Jacque Jones. And how can I not mention Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry and Daryle Ward?

Michael Barrett? Sorry buddy. Your fight with Z banished you to San Diego. But you will forever be one of my all-time favorites for sucker-punching A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox last season.

Bleedcubbieblue.com is an excellent Cubs blog and should be checked out. Also, the Go Cubs Go! song has been remixed. Check it out here.

Now if the Bears could just get their act together. Canning Rex Grossman was a good start.

World Series or bust baby. I can feel it.

Just Jack

This is Jack Munz with his dad Chris. They live in Maine with mom Julie Munz. Chris is Ed's little brother. I can't wait to finally meet Jack, who I of course consider my nephew.

Jack appears to be a very happy child, though I know he -- and his father -- would look much better in Bears shirts. The Nationals hat Chris is wearing is a good one, though it's sad that the Nats are probably going to have a 100-loss season in 2007.

Pitchers and catchers are only 7-10 days away from reporting. It's 18 days, 21 hours, 10 minutes until the first spring game and 50 days, 19 hours, 16 minutes until Opening Day. This information courtesy www.bleedcubbieblue.com, the best Chicago Cubs blog on the planet.

And check out Chris' blog at www.therecreationist.blogspot.com.