'You don't want to get in the habit of getting your [butts] kic...

MESA, Ariz. - There may be no such thing as a must-win game before St. Patrick's Day , but Monday's game against Kansas City may be the next-closest thing for the Cubs .

[southside]

They have been getting their ass kicked for 100 years. This is not some new breaking story.

[PJW]

The 1984 Cubs had a horrible spring training. The 1985 Cubs had a great spring training.

Now, two data points basically gives an anecdote. However, historically, there has been no relationship between spring training and the regular season.

Otherwise, we would have had a lot of Mets vs. Senators World Series in the 1960's.....

[TeePee]

And it will continue for this year, too.

[Chad]

Stop pickin' on the Cubs!

[Arch Stanton]

Yawn. Ignore Mount Piniella.

[Typical Sox Fan]

Yawn

[Missy]

Stupid article. Spring training means nothing. The Cubs will be just fine... and I'm a Sox fan!

[Stephen]

I am still pissed off about the playoffs. Its been 5 months and I still can't believe they got swept in the first round and their bats didn't show up again. After the dominant regular season they had, everything was set up perfectly for them. Then they remembered that they were all losers.

I just can't get into the Cubs right now.

[Tom]

Interesting to note that the Cubs 5 & 7 record merits comments about the upcoming season.

The sox have an almost identical record of 5 & 6.

As Lou (and I would guess most managers) would say - the spring don't count.

Rock on Missy ! This year we get our city series.

[Nan]

Stephen wrote:

I am still **** off about the playoffs. Its been 5 months and I still can't believe they got swept in the first round and their bats didn't show up again. After the dominant regular season they had, everything was set up perfectly for them. Then they remembered that they were all losers.
I just can't get into the Cubs right now.

Boy talk about someone holding it in all these months! Look someone had got to rip these players a new you know what and get them into the right frame of mind.... And that person is Lou Pinella....After what Ive seen with him duking it out with the umpires,and getting thrown out...Maybe he ought to employ that same strategy with the team...Cmon Cubbies...regular season is weeks away....PLAY BALL!!!!!!

[MNCubFan]

PJW wrote:

The 1984 Cubs had a horrible spring training. The 1985 Cubs had a great spring training.
Now, two data points basically gives an anecdote. However, historically, there has been no relationship between spring training and the regular season.
Otherwise, we would have had a lot of Mets vs. Senators World Series in the 1960's.....

You speak the truth: Spring training records mean nothing. But there is one more truth to add: Lou can rant, scream, and get fired up all he wants, but he can't create heart on a team that doesn't have one.

[Bruno]

Sullivan,you are kidding,right?Since when is a 6 game losing streak,during spring break,newsworthy? Especially when you consider that Soto,Lily and Marmol aren't even with the team because they're playing in the WBC. Ramirez,Lee and Soriano aren't going to overwork themselves and the position players know their jobs are safe.Who was the last Cactus League Champion to win the World Series? Sometimes I think Rosenloser uses your name and I think this might be one of those times.At least I hope so! GO CUBS!!!!!!!

[Eddie]

I got a new name for Wrigley, "Field of Dreams"! CUBS SUCK! keep dreaming of your world series losers!

[Roberto]

Gimme a break, this is completely overblown. Pinella probably said something about losing in passing and the Trib is sensationalizing it. No manager worth a squat cares about winning exhibition games.

[Bruno]

MNCubFan wrote:

<quoted text>
You speak the truth: Spring training records mean nothing. But there is one more truth to add: Lou can rant, scream, and get fired up all he wants, but he can't create heart on a team that doesn't have one.

I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from here.I was devastated when we got swept out of the playoffs last year and the year before BUT I don't think you can honestly believe that this team doesn't have heart.They won 97 games last year for christ sake.I think some of us need to think back to those teams from the 70's and 80's that had absolutely no shot at the playoffs or winning a World Series.We still watched every damn out because we're true Cub fans.It's in our blood;like it or not.We can't turn the TV off even if we're 10 runs down.Alot of those teams from the 70's and 80's had no chance of winning anything and the players knew it.Hendry has done a fantastic job putting together a team that has a chance every year and the players know how good they are as a team.So don't dare say this team doesn't have heart.Think back to the days when the highlights consisted of Dave Kingman hitting towering solo homers in a 12-3 loss.GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!

[Larry]

Whats missing from the Cubs offense is a left handed hitting first baseman with power who can get on base, when Derrick Lee contract is up in two years and Prince Fielder contract up in two years I would certainly pursue Fielder in two years.

[Bruno]

Eddie wrote:

I got a new name for Wrigley, "Field of Dreams"! CUBS SUCK! keep dreaming of your world series losers!

No one else to talk to tonight,Eddie? If the "CUBS SUCK" and we're all losers then why would you bother reading an article about the Cubs? You must be suffering from a case of CUBBIE ENVY.It's okay to admit it,don't be afraid!

[smokielink]

Hey Bruno, get ready to be devastated again this year. I guess what's really important is what self-promoting moron is singing the seventh inning yawn everyday. You want to remember Harry?...play a tape and let him rest in peace. If he were alive he'd call out every one of those clowns for screwing up and he wouldn't get fired like Stone Pony.

[Missy]

Bruno wrote:

<quoted text>No one else to talk to tonight,Eddie? If the "CUBS SUCK" and we're all losers then why would you bother reading an article about the Cubs? You must be suffering from a case of CUBBIE ENVY.It's okay to admit it,don't be afraid!

Why do you take the bait? Sox fans aren't envious of the Cubs, but some like to irriate Cub fans as a hobby. You're just giving them what they want when you respond. Everyone has fun in their own way. And before I get jumped on, I'm a Sox fan myself~you know you guys are just being instigators!:)

[David]

Most of Lou's commentary this spring has pertained to the need for giving his team rest. Now he's worried about the quality of the team's play?

Go a little easier on the prickly pear marguarita's, Lou.