Cubs Home Opener: Start of Season on the Drink

April 8, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

Monday meanderings: There’s nothing quite like the Chicago Cubs’ home opener. The 2013 version occurs Monday (April 8) at Wrigley Field. Meaning you can expect some fans in Wrigleyville to be more than a little intoxicated before the gates open for the game. Something says the 2013 season could drive more than a few Cubs fans to drink. Others will walk. Or stagger.

Ramona Valerie Alb is an international bikini competitor (in case you were wondering — and even if you weren’t).

* Speaking of Wrigleyville, some of us find it difficult to be sympathetic to either side in the Cubs vs. the rooftop owners battle. Something says the loser in all that will be Chicago taxpayers.

* Speaking of the Cubs, right-hander Jeff Samardzija had an impressive outing at Atlanta. He struck out 10 Braves in the first four innings and a career-high 13 overall in 5 2/3 innings. Something says the Cubs’ season will be a lot of finding silver linings in losses.

* The Detroit Pistons ended their 18-game losing streak to the visiting Chicago Bulls with a 99-85 victory. Luol Deng did not play, if that will make Bulls fans feel any better. Which it might, except Deng was held because of an ailing hip.

* Speaking of the Bulls and injuries, Derrick Rose has not ruled out playing this season. Of course, he hasn’t ruled it in either. Rose, who had offseason anterior-cruciate ligament surgery and has been cleared medically to play, said before the team’s shootaround Sunday, “I’ll play whenever I’m ready to play. Who knows when I’m ready to? Right now, all I can do is just cheer on my teammates. … I’m just waiting, just praying about it and hopefully I’ll be out there soon.” The Bulls have six game left in the regular season. And a first-round series. Anything more merely would be prolonging the agony — of Bulls fans, if not of Rose.

* For what it’s worth (and that probably isn’t much), White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo — who hit the game-winning home run in Sunday’s 4-3, 10-inning victory vs. the visiting Seattle Mariners — has no walks in 19 plate appearances this season. Third baseman Jeff Keppinger has none in 21 and center fielder Alejandro De Aza none in 21 at-bats. Keppinger had the day off Sunday because he has only one more hits than walks. For the mathmatically challenged (such as the person typing this), that means he has one hit. And a batting average and on-base percentage that are .048.

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For those of us who were unable to attend John Hansen’s ABA Natural Illinois Championships Saturday at Hinsdale South High in Darien, Ill., all is not lost. While the coverage that the editorial staff has tried to put together is not as good as actually having been there for the figure, bikini, fitness and bodybuilding competition, at least we can provide some video. Thanks to Mike Neumann for having captured the excitement. Here he is with bikini competitor Tammy Prather, a member of Staci Boyer’s and Sandy Wiedmeyer’s Team F.A.B.:

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Speaking of bikini competitors and videos, here is Ramona Valerie Alb showing how to practice posing. Think of this as a public service for any and all who might be interested in competing and/or watching the competitors. The editorial staff at elliottharris.com will be sure to include today’s effort in its Pulitzer Prize for Public Service portfolio (and whatever the cyberspace equivalent might be):