They canceled today's game for Lou

Lou Piniella apparently doesn't think his team can perform in cold weather. Said Lou:

"The way we're put together as a team, if we play in 40 degrees all year, I
don't think we're going to do very well because we don't have that type of team.
We have more power in our lineup.

We need to bang it a little more, and once the weather warms up we
will. We have more of a fly-ball-hitting team and we don't have as much team
speed to play the little ball that you need in this environment. For us, the
quicker the weather warms up, the better."

Has Piniella ever been to Chicago in October? If they can even get their act together to make the playoffs, how the hell are they going to perform on a cold October night?

The Cubs have canceled today's game, but I bet Houston's a little pissed. That domed southern team really hasn't had any issues playing in the current "environment" at Wrigley the past few days. I guess they're just "that type of team."

Ya know, the type that goes out and wins games without making excuses.

The start of a bizarre season indeed

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers makes a few interesting points regarding the beginning of what should be quite an interesting season for the White Sox.

I know it's only one game, and I actually feel somewhat stupid for analyzing it at all, but if the pitching staff doesn't get it together this year, expect quite a bit of column inches devoted to questioning GM Kenny Williams and his direction.

And these won't be innocent hints, like in the Rogers piece. These will be more along the lines of "hit you over the head repeatedly until you won't want to work in this city anymore."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the town, Sun-Times' Chris De Luca allows Cubs manager Lou Piniella to all but excuse his team's horrendous game due to the circumstances stemming from the Tribune Co. announcement.

If I was ever allowed to run a baseball team, you can guarantee I wouldn't provide any excuses for my team of professionals. And if, God forbid, I ever get a press pass, you can be sure that I wouldn't let comments like that slide from a manger as high regarded as Piniella.

Cubs start off early

Seven unearned runs in a 9-2 loss to the giants yesterday. Wow.

On the bright side, if the Cubs keep this up, fans won't have to worry about choking as the summer wears on. They could be mathematically eliminated by the end of the spring season.

In other news, Lou Piniella was seen last night rocking back and forth in a corner of HoHoKam's locker room, head in hands, moaning "Why... why?"