Cubs: New Owner, many trades, spring around the corner
Off Season Highlight: Hockey at Wrigley
Low Light: Trading DeRosa
One Thought: We'll Miss You Kerry Wood
NEW OWNER
Happy New Year everyone! It's been awhile since I've written, but got lots going on. To start, the Cubs have a new owner that I don't know too much about. From everything I've read he sounds like a good guy and a dedicated Cubs fan. My hope is that he puts some additional money into payroll, but my biggest concern is he has no extra change to take the Cubs to the next level. Family ownership can be a blessing or a curse. If you look at the Yankess or Angels...its a blessing, but one look at the Dodgers (or to look in Chicago--the f*ckin McCaskys) shows you it can be a bad deal. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
CUBS SWEPT...AGAIN
Like you, I was more than disappointed with the Cub's ousting in the playoffs. Sitting in LA, watching those guys beat us---SUCKED!!! I don't know about you, but I would rather NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS if the team isn't going to show up. Dempster, DeRo, Aram...bumbed me out. I thought these guys would step it up, instead...they FOLDED. I expected Soriano to stink, but not those guys.
EDDIE VEDDER
I had the honor of directing the official video for Eddie Vedder's, "All The Way." I LOVE the song & have always been a big fan of Eddie Vedder. One of my biggest thrills was getting a call from Eddie saying he loved it. I think the video turned out great, but the Cubs got knocked out so fast...it never aired. We might premiere it at the beginning of this season (but we have to take out a few players). I believe it truly celebrates the history of the Cubs. I need to talk with Eddie to see what he wants to do, but I think we'll at least put it up on the web in the spring.
THIS OFF-SEASON
I've had a few e-mails asking me about this off season. I have to agree with all of you...I'M NOT HAPPY with the moves this year. I find myself scratching my head every time I hear of a deal. I do think Miles will be a nice addition, but the other moves...I don't like. That being said, I'll give Hendry the benefit of the doubt. I recall people not liking his acquisition of DeRosa two years ago and that turned out well. We'll see... Best thing to happen this off season was the WINTER CLASSIC!!! It turned out to be a cooler event than I ever imagined.
WHAT'S NEXT
As most of you know I spent the last year producing/hosting a new series for HISTORY channel. The series should premiere this winter, but no official air date has been set by History. TV is a weird business...so who knows when it'll air or what it'll look like. We are also in pre-production on a new feature film. This won't be a docu-comedy like Chasing October, but instead will be scripted and more of a traditional film. Will this be out next year? NOPE...but we're hoping in 2010. Until then we will have a new web-series that should launch this spring...I think you'll get a kick out of it so STAY TUNED.
Thanks again for your e-mails!
Cheers,
Matt
CUBS: IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN!!!
FAITH-O-METER: HIGH
WINS TO WORLD SERIES: 7
QUESTION OF THE DAY: "Are you ALL in?" or still too scared to go all in???
2008 TEAM
What a great 2008 season!!! I don't know about you, but I've never seen a Cubs team like this. The entire season there was little doubt to players, reporters, and, most importantly, the fans, that this team was special. I can't remember watching a Cubs team like this. This is why I think this team is different:
1) CONFIDENCE - They have a 'swagger' and expect they can win no matter what.
2) THE LITTLE THINGS - This Cubs team actually takes a lot of pitches!!! They actually care about OBP!!! And they even know how to bunt!!! Sometimes I have to remind myself I'm watching the Cubs.
3) THE ARE BALANCED AND DEEP - Not one guy is the team's star. Up and down our line up guys are hitting .280, averaging 20 HR, 85 RBIs, and have an OBP of .370. This team looks a bit like the 1998 Yankees. Our bench is solid with several players who could start on a lesser team. The pitching is also solid 1-4. Okay...the bullpen is shaky, but Marmol and Wood are pretty darn good.
4) I LIKE ALL THE GUYS ON THIS TEAM - In years past we've had some real a**holes on the roster. Who can forget that pissy 2004 team...yuck! This team is loaded with good guys with great attitudes. I love the scrappers like Theriot, Fontenot, D-Ro, Johnson, etc.
5) THE UNIVERSE - As strange as the world is right now...it seems like it would only be right for a Cubs win!!!
UPCOMING NEWS
We are hard at work on a few Cubs related projects so stay tuned...got a big announcement hopefully this week!!!
GAMES & PREDICTIONS
I'm going to be at Games 3, 4, 5 (if needed) and hoping to go to all home games in the second round. Dodger Stadium is not my favorite place to see a game, but it's down the street, and I can't wait to see them beat the Dodgers there.
MY DARKHORSE HERO: Fukudome - I know he's had a rough second half, but his glove, legs, or stick, will be part of a BIG play that people will talk about for a long time.
MVP: SOTO (DeRosa may challenge for this)
HEART ATTACK: Wood will make us want to call 911, but will pull through in the end.
MOUND: One of our pitchers will throw a complete game shutout...not sure who?!
SERIES PICK: CUBS IN 4
ONE LAST THING: Be all in Cubs fans...we will be in the World Series!!! JUST BELIEVE!!!!
See some of you here in LA!!! I'll see many of you in the second round.
Cheers,
Matt
CUBS: IN A LITTLE FUNK
PLACE: 1st
FAITH-O-METER: A SEASON LOW...we as fans need to turn it around!!!
ADVICE: "JUST BELIEVE" - more than ever.
BREATH
I'm gonna make this journal short & sweet. I know many of you are getting nervous..."Is this '69 all over again,"..."Are we really gonna blow this,"..."We are cursed!" Let me just say, "TAKE A BREATH...let it out...repeat." We are just fine.
To be honest, I was getting nervous that the Cubs were too hot..ha, ha. I'm serious, teams can peak in August and fold big time once the post season starts in October. The Cubs will get hot again and peak at the right time.
The Brewers are helping us big time...they can get this shitty play out of our systems and be ready to go in the playoffs.
I was at Wrigley two weeks ago. It was soooo great to be there again, hanging with friends, talking with fans, cheering on our Cubs. The confidence in our club was at an all-time high. I felt people were talking about the 90's Bulls, not our lovable Cubs.
I think its important to remember, this team is more like the Bulls than the past Cubs teams. The Bulls would pull out to a lead, slow in the 3rd, and blow'em away in 4th. That's what this Cubs team is going to do...watch!
CALL TO ACTION
I want to encourage EVERYONE reading this to not only KEEP THE FAITH, but to celebrate it...share it. Grab A "W" flag or a "BELIEVE" sign and display it outside your house, your car, your office. SPREAD THE FAITH...our boys need it now and as we say in our film, "thoughts are energy" so send those vibes out to the northside.
As our FAITH gets stronger so will the Cubs play. I'm serious about this...spread the word and you will see our Cubs will begin to win again.
WE ARE CUBS FANS
If you haven't heard about this book yet, you're gonna love it. Our buddy Will Byington put it together so check it out and buy a copy: http://www.wearecubsfans.com
JUST BELIEVE,
Matt
CUBS: First place
ME: Wondering what's next...
1st Half Surprises: Dempster, Soto, Wood, & Theriot
2nd Half Prediction: It's gonna be a wild ride!
BASEBALL IN THE FIRST HALF
What a crazy first half of the season. I gotta say, I knew it was going to be a good one for the Cubs because I was going to be out of the country for a chunk of it ... ha, ha. Seriously, it's been so much fun to watch this team play, it's almost strange to watch them with so much confidence. It makes me think of the old Michael Jordan days. You remember that feeling when the Bulls were down in the 4th quarter, but you knew somehow they would win! This year the Cubs are never out of it ... they do have a swagger. How great has Dempster been? As you know, he's been a big supporter of 'Chasing October' and we've had his back too. This winter he told us how much hard work he was putting in to build up his legs & that he was going to surprise people. Well, I think 10 wins in the first half has more than surprised people. He's been a solid #2 starter & we've needed him. Soto has done a great job & I hope he can hold on through the summer months. I hope Lou gives him a few days off ... same with Marmol.
WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO
As some of you know, I've been traveling the country & world filming a new television show for History Channel. It's been a great experience and I kept a journal of that journey ... there's not much Cubs talk, but I'll share some of it soon. I'm one of the hosts of the show & wear my Cubs hat most of the time. We also mention the Cubs (and baseball in every episode). One of the highlights of my travels was seeing a couple of games in Japan. The new show should premiere in fall or early winter; I'll keep ya posted.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Now for the joyous news. My partners in crime in 'CHASING OCTOBER,' Chris & Allison, gave birth to a healthy baby girl on July 16th!!! It's nice to know there'll be another Cubs fan on the earth ;-) Of course, they've already put a Cubs hat on her. You all witnessed their wedding in the film, now you may see the birth in our sequel ...... just kidding.
SEQUEL?
Yes, we are working on a 'possible' sequel. Nothing is final & we're deciding which road to take with our footage. We're not sure if it would work better as a television show or a full-length film. We have to decide VERY soon. More info coming soon!
RAMBLINGS
Has anyone seen the new Batman movie? Its great!!! Most of the film was shot in Chicago, which doubled for Gotham. The interesting thing is that it's clearly Chicago. Unlike the first film, they used very little CG to cover up Chicago landmarks, and it was hard to see the Windy City. This film looks like it takes place in Chicago, to the point you see Chicago signs in several scenes. If you haven't seen it, check it out, great summer movie!
ONE LAST THING
I'm thinking about moving back to Chicago ... thoughts?
Buckle those seat belts, its gonna be a CRAZY 2nd half!!!
JUST BELIEVE,
Matt
Yes, today is Opening Day!!! I realize baseball fans have been accused of being overly romantic about the sport and I have to admit - I'm guilty. In honor of this 'holiday' I'd like to share a story with you.
A few years back I was working for a tv show, it was Opening Day, and we were out in the middle of nowhere. My friend (and boss at the time) was determined to attend a game despite us filming on location - not close to a ballpark. Later that afternoon, he literally said, "We're going, I don't care if we're finished or not...lets go." We then drove 3 hours to Anaheim to see the Angels play the Yankees. We didn't have tickets and the game was about to start. We finally found a scalper and my friend didn't care what it cost - he just bought two tickets and we raced to the upper deck.
I'd like to mention here that my friend had almost lost his life a few months earlier and was still recuperating ... I couldn't believe how fast he bolted up that ramp. We could only stay a few innings, but that was good enough for our baseball fix. It wasn't til years later that I understood why it was so important for him to go to an Opening Day game. He explained that he gets choked up every Opening Day because it is a reminder of how happy he is to be alive. To him it is like a birthday or New Years ... it's a time to be grateful for another year.
I know the older I get the more special Opening Day becomes. For many, the start of the baseball season means spring is finally here. For some, it means time to plan summer road trips. And for others it's about the hope that this could be the year. Whatever it is for you ... I want to wish you a great season in life and a HAPPY OPENING DAY.
GO CUBS!!!
Just Believe,
Matt
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