10/04/2003 09:26:00 AM by Rob

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Lock

The torch has been passed. If I were Greg Maddux, I would skip the temptation to go into semi-retirement in San Diego, and just step down right here and now. He pitched well, but his offense and defense behind him failed him one last time. I'm sure, to him, it felt like 1987 all over again, there in Wrigley Field, a place he must know as well as anyplace.

We count on Mark Prior to go out and throw 130 pitches, hold the opposition down, win the game, pop back up a few days later, and do it all over again. I know that all of you reading this realizes just how unbelievably insane that sounds. Isn't he gonna break down? Is he gonna have to endure seeing Yarbage in the Alabama airport as he goes to his eventual appointment with Dr. Andrews?

"Howdy, y'all. Dock-ter Andrews heah. Ah'm givin' away Tommy John surgeries, to the first five ballplayers to call me raht now at 1-800-IM-HURTIN!"

The indecent proposition? Risk burning him out for a chance at a World Championship today, or do everything prudent to try to ensure his prolonged physical health?

There are only a couple of guys who can do what he is doing right now, and these guys are all 40 years old, and who gives a rat's ass if they blow themselves out? Clemens and Unit and Schilling can all go pool their money and buy New Mexico as a sanctuary for the fat, ugly, and terminally stupid. We have the ultimate golden goose, are we going to risk squeezing him dry now?

For these are the Cubs, and when was the last time something too good to be true was laid on our doorstep, without any strings attached?

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