Running of the Bulls

It appears the Bulls are now in deep doo-doo, down 3-2 to the Wizards. However, after last night's amazing comeback from a 22-point deficit, I'm as proud of the Bulls as I would've been if they won. No team in the NBA would've done what they did; they'd all be going through the motions on their way to their posses, pot and PlayStations. This team, as it has shown all year, is different. They play hard 100 percent of the time. As much as I'd like to see them advance, after six years of horrific basketball--and this year's 0-9 start--just being in the playoffs is gravy. I'll remember the comeback far longer than whatever the next result may be. And if they can steal game 6 in D.C., they'll win game 7 back in Chicago.

The Cubs, meanwhile, continue to annoy, losing to the Brewers last night on, of all things, a walk-off walk. I'm in the minority here in that I don't blame Dusty Baker for the team's ills--is it his fault Nomar and Kerry Wood aren't healthy? That normally reliable GM Jim Hendry didn't do anything to shore up an already-crappy bullpen?--but I found the image below pretty amusing.

Funny times in Cubdom these days...with Dusty at the helm, they won 88 games and almost went to the World Series in 2003 and won 89 games last season (admittedly, they gagged away a playoff spot in the final week). When was the last time the Cubs were legit contenders two seasons in a row, with high expectations for the third year? 1908? 1932? Yet Dusty Baker, in the eyes of most Cubs fan these days, is the problem. Right. Frankly, the backlash disgusts me.

p.s. Happy birthday to Jeff.