hire Ben Cherington.  I will explain later…

Hundreds of youths riot in Montreal

MONTREAL — Police regained control of the downtown core early Thursday after firing tear gas at hundreds of bottle-tossing youths who looted businesses following the Montreal Canadiens’ Game 7 victory in Pittsburgh.

The vandalism occurred after most of the tens of thousands of jubilant hockey fans left the area.

Looters wrapped their faces in garments — in some cases the ones they’d stolen — and dashed into a liquor store. With their identities concealed, they leaped through the smashed front window and emerged moments later with their arms full.

One man warned his female friend to be careful with the loot.

“Hide the bottle,” he snapped. “The police.”

He was referring to the line of officers who watched impassively from the closest street corner. Their reinforcements were on the way.

Rows of black-clad riot officers charged in from the peripheries, rattling their shields as a warning to the crowd before firing tear-gas canisters. Police said about 25 people were arrested and two officers sustained minor injuries.

Shortly after the Canadiens’ 5-2 victory over the Penguins, fireworks erupted over Ste-Catherine Street as people crowd-surfed and held aloft trinkets including Stanley Cup replicas and a stuffed penguin.

The flag-waving crowd was as euphoric as the 21,000 fans who crammed into the Bell Centre to watch the game on giant screens. After the game, they spilled out into the streets chanting, “We want the Cup! We want the Cup!

Montreal has a history of hockey-related violence.

Cars were burned and downtown stores were trashed and looted after the Canadiens beat Boston in the 2008 playoffs, and there also were riots after Montreal’s Stanley Cup victories in 1986 and 1993. The most famous riot was in 1955 when Habs great Maurice Richard was suspended and fans took to the street to cause such havoc that Richard had to make a public appeal for calm.

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Couple things here…

1. You should never riot. But if you do, do it after you win a championship!  WHO RIOTS FOR WINNING A 2ND ROUND SERIES!!!!!????

2. Learn to handle winning.  Montreal riots every time they win anything. It’s embarrasing.

I went to the game with 3 of my buddies.  We had no clue what we were in store for…

This game was a 2:00 PM start on a Saturday for the record.

We get there to discover a already moderately to heavily boozed up middle aged man sitting in the row in front of us.  The moment we got to our seats “Lenny” as we have called him, turns to me and says “what a move by the bears.”  The NFL Draft was going on simultaneously.  I said “yeah can’t go wrong getting value at the QB position in the late rounds.”  The guy instantly fell in love with us. Then things took a turn for the weird/awesome.

This guy was a typical 45 year old guy.  About 6’2 and a little overweight maybe 240 lbs.  Not obese but a big dude.  Slightly balding, sporting a white Hawks Jersey.  He was there with his friend who was a little mousey guy who said nothing.  Lenny’s intensity was off the charts.  He spent the entire game on an emotional roller coaster.  He had epic highs when the Hawks scored.  This would lead him to air humping, high fiving everyone, frantic fist pumping, more air humping and screaming.  And his devastating lows where he was almost reduced to tears.  During the Preds 3 straight goals he just sat there.  Kept looking back at us and saying “there done” and he would leave frequently to “go to the bathroom”  I believe he was leaving to cry.  All the while we were there with him each step of the way.  For his highs he would turn around and celebrate with us. We would rub his head, spill beer on him he loved it.  For the lows we tried to keep him up.

The game itself was amazing.  the Hawks were up 3-1.  Blew that lead to trail 4-3 and Marian Hossa committed a 5 minute boarding penalty with the Hawks trailing and about 1:00 minute left.  Things looked very bleak.  “Lenny” walked out.  We all thought he left.  With 13 seconds to play Patrick Kane netted the game tying goal and the place went crazy.  It was freaking bedlam.  Beer everywhere, I almost tackled my buddy Danny causing him to spill 1/2 his beer on some other bald guy who did’t even care.  All of a sudden firing up the stairs comes “Lenny” air humping his way all the way back to his seat.  Lots of head rubs and towel whips and beer spills from us and Lenny was back!  The game hits OT and the Hawks kill 4:00 minutes of the Hossa Penalty. Just as Hossa comes out of the box he goes to the net and puts home a Sopel rebound to win the game 5-4 Hawks!  they pull off a miracle tying the game with 13 seconds left and winning in OT.  The celebration this time is even bigger.  While me and my 3 buddies are hugging, screaming, jumping up and down. There is beer raining down upon everyone in the UC.  All of a sudden we all go flying back against our seats.  It was like we were hit with a damn freight train.  We look down and Lenny is bear hugging all four of us at once.  He now has tears of joy in his eyes and all is right in the world.  The whole stadium stayed and cheered for the next 10 minutes.  It was a great experience.  And a huge win for the Hawks. 

Not only was it an epic game that will be talked about for years.  Lenny was there to provide lots of entertainment and comic relief.  That guy was great.  I wish I could watch every game with him. 

Game 5 Blackhawks vs. Preds… What a game.

that is all.

It has been bad people, real bad.  5-9 start against the teams they have played is horrific.  It has been the same old story.  They have issues with the lineup and huge problems in the bullpen.  There is enough time and enough talent for the Cubs to turn this thing around.  However, they would have to take some action and quickly.  I believe a combination of using your young players and acquiring an arm or 2 for the bullpen is just what this team needs. 

The hardest part of my solution requires the Cubs to get rid of one of my favorite players, Ryan Theriot.  But for good reason.  Young Starlin Castro is hitting .380 with a .400 OBP and 3 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR and 4 steals in 11 games.  Not to mention that he plays an outstanding shortstop.  He provides much needed range and athleticism up the middle of the cubs defense.  His presence in the lineup would also be a huge boost.  I would continue to bat him #2 in the order.  He would provide a spark to this lineup by getting on and stealing bases.  He has also shown that he has decent pop in his bat.  He is the real deal and is only 20 years old.  The Cubs can’t afford to wait any longer.

Theriot is really a 2nd baseman who has been playing SS.  He has mediocre range and and has seemed to lose a step in the field this season.  Moving him to 2B is a real option but with Fontenot and Baker playing well it may be tough to sit one down.  unless their is an injury or a fall or in production from either of the current 2nd basemen I would look to trade Theriot.  Ryan Theriot has been a solid major league player for the Cubs, but there comes a time to move on.  That time is now.  Starlin Castro is for real. 

On to the more pressing issue, THE BULLPEN sucks.  The Cubs need to add 2 legitamte right handed set up guys to the pen.  There are a few places to look…

Free Agents:

John Smoltz-  Future Hall of Famer who may not want to play this year.  He has both started and pitched out of the pen if definitely worth a phone call.

Braden Looper-  Looper is a former closer turned starter.  He had a bad year with Milwaukee last year as a starter, but he can be had for nothing and is worth taking a flier on.

Minor league system:

Andrew Cashner- One of the Cubs top prospects is currently a starter in AA Tennessee.  Cashner has great stuff and was a closer in college.  So far the Cubs have expressed a desire to continue his development as a starter in the minors.  He could be an answer in the bullpen ala what Adam Wainwright did for the STL Cardinals in 2006.

Blake Parker- The closer in AAA Iowa was a PCL all-star last season.  he has an explosive fastball and if off to a great start.  He has a poor spring which may make the Cubs tentative to bring him up.  Anything is better than the status quo and Parker has the stuff to be a very effective pitcher.

Trades:

Most likely you will not see a trade until late May at the earliest or more likely June-July.  The best available I see in a few categories.

Best Available and most expensive:

Heath Bell- All-Star closer in San Diego would cost a top prospect and other pieces.

J. Soria- Closer for the KC Royals.  Young stud would also command a big return.

Next tier- not as expensive but will cost you a solid piece or two:

Matt Capps- Closer in Washington. The Cubs failed to sign him as a free agent in the offseason.  He would look great in the 8th inning.  Ryan Theriot could be centerpiece of this deal.

O. Dotel- Pittsburgh.  Veteran, lots of experience good stuff.

The guy I want.

Mike Adams- Set up man in San Diego.  I think you can get Adams for a combo of Ryan Theriot, James Russell and another prospect.  He has been lights out the last two years and would help shore up the bullpen right away.

By adding Adams or anyone to the pen and calling up Starlin Castro the Cubs could turn things around.

The Cubs got their first win on the 2010 season yesterday.  2-0 over the Braves.  It was a huge win because you don’t want to start the season getting swept.  Randy Wells was great and so was Caridad.  Tyler Colvin hit his 1st career HR and Marolon Byrd hit his 2nd of the season.  Cubs win Cubs win.

With that said, this team needs to score more.  They are looking a lot like the 2009 version who could not score runs.  But it’s is very early and no time to panic.

After beating their chests and acting like idiots on Monday after 1 win.  White Sox fans sit 3 days into the season with the same record as the Cubs.  I hope you feel like f-ing morons for all of your false bravado……

Another thing, saying Jack Buck was over rated in no way says anything about his character and the person he was.  It speaks to his greatly over rated broadcasting ability.  Cardinal fans are so insecure….

Big Z sucked

Samardjza was awful

Soriano cant hit

the umps missed a dropped ball.  That did’t matter to the outcome but come on.  I expect a major league umpire crew to get that one right. 

White Sox fans in the city acting like they went 162-0 and won the World Series.  It’s one fucking game morons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I’m going to watch Butler try and win a national title.

Tom Gorzelanny has been pitching very well since he started working with Greg Maddux.  I think he could be setting himself up for a nice season

Tyler Colvin could really help the ball club if he is for real.

The bullpen makes me nervous

Carlos Silva still sucks no matter what you read

If this team stays healthy they are a threat to win this division

Milwaukee has no pitching, ST. Louis is way overrated and are due for key injuries to injury prone players…(Chris Carpenter I’m talking about you soul patch mcgee)

The St. Louis Cardinals

Matt Holliday

Tim Tebow

The Chicago White Sox

Jon Scheyer

Lane Kiffin

France

Bud Light

Todd McShay

Snickers

LA

Andy Grabowski

ATT U-Verse

Sidney Crosby

Anything having to do with “NASCAR”

“Lost”

Frank Mir

Curtis Granderson

Joe Buck

Jack Buck

Culver’s

KFC

Calling Michigan State just “State”

SEC Football