In praise of Greg Maddux

Tonight he's going after an even more prestigious place in the record books with his 350th win against the Diamondbacks. While I'm as excited as all get out, the Man Himself is downplaying the importance of reaching 350. Maybe it's because he already has:

• More than 3,200 strike outs
• 17 consecutive Gold Gloves (1990-2007)
• 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards (1992-1995)

And just think, he's managed to do all that without steroids! When he goes into the Hall of Fame, no one will even mention putting an asterisk after his name (unlike juiced-up Cheater McCheaty Pants Clemens, who -- to be fair -- has racked up even more impressive stats but had to shoot up to do it).

PS Um … He kinda got shellacked. Giving up 6 runs in the first inning alone. But he'll be ready to try again next week!

Well, that was an interesting way to start the day!

Before dawn I woke up suddenly. I didn't know WHY I'd awakened, but I assumed I had a dream. I did what always do first thing when I wake up (after I stop at the little writer's room): I turned on the news. Guess what:

WE HAD AN EARTHQUAKE!

It was a 5.2 tremor down in southern Illinois that shook me from slumber. Earthquakes don't happen much here in Chicagoland. Since no one was hurt, I can just enjoy the fact that Mother Nature just reminded us that she can toss more our way than just tornadoes.