Chicago Cubs Baseball

My Sunday afternoons always consist of two things: lunch with my beloved, soon-to-be married daughter, and running errands. The first is always delightful and the second gives me an opportunity to catch up on national sports talk radio.

Today was an exceptionally long errand day so I was able to tune in to ESPN Radio’s “The Baseball Show” with some Voice whose name escapes me and ex-Chicago Cub and former major leaguer Todd Walker.

While I was in and out of the truck for portions of the two hours of errands, I still managed to catch the majority of the program. After listening to Walker and Voice, I’ve surmised this much about Chicago Cubs baseball 2007: It’s a lot easier for the Cubs to gain attention by punching out each other than it is by punching out wins.

When the topic of the National League’s Central Division came up, Walker’s expert opinion leaned in one direction only - the Milwaukee Brewers. From Prince Fielder as MVP to Ned Yost as Manager of the Year to Ryan Braun as Rookie of the Year, the Brewers have the trifecta - at least through Walker’s eyes.

In all fairness, Walker’s not the only national pundit to cast his vote for Milwaukee. I’ve heard it on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight and on any number of Fox Sports programs.

So what makes the Brewers the sexy pick of ‘07? What is the national media’s infatuation with the Brew Crew?

• Is it the long ball? Milwaukee’s 124 dingers are second only to Cincinnati in all of the major leagues.
• Is it the Brewers’ youth? Milwaukee’s eight regular position players average 27 years old.
• Is it the idea that there’s fresh blood in the Central Division mix? The Brewers haven’t had a winning record since 1992 when they were still part of the American League.
• Or is it because the Brewers consist of a fine blend of home-grown talent and some fill-in free agents, unlike the Cubs and their $325 million off-season spending spree?

Whatever the reason, I do know since the June incidents, the Cubs have compiled a 21-12 mark and enter the second half of the season a modest one game over .500 at 44-43. Central Division-leading Milwaukee is 49-39 and 19-15 over the same period.

Chicago has been winning with occasional strong starting pitching, a rejuvenated bullpen, timely hitting and a defense that is making opposing teams earn their way on base. The Cubs aren’t winning with the long ball or with the familiar names - both of which were expected when the 2007 season began.

But they are winning. And with a little luck and the consistent baseball they’ve been playing, when October rolls around the national media may have no choice but to talk about Chicago Cubs baseball.