Someone much wiser than me once said, “It’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good.” Upon reflection of this weird, wild week of Chicago Cubs baseball it’s looking like that statement holds true again.

The only problem is, it’s only Thursday. And at off day at that.

The week that almost wasn’t started Monday with a Genesis-like storm that packed more punch that either Houston’s or Chicago’s offense that night. Of course, the players were a little distracted by the evacuation of Wrigley Field while lightning crashed around the Friendly Confines.

“Let me say this: I’ve never been more nervous on the field in my life,” Astros first baseman Lance Berkman said, following his team’s 2-0 win. “Growing up in Texas, you see those kinds of storms all the time. You learn that lightning is nothing to fool around with.”

Following the Astros comments and concerns, it was obvious that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry neither grew up in Texas or got the memo on the dangers of violent storms and baseball parks. Hendry was, in fact, at his politicking best in explaining umpire chief Wally Bell’s decision to continue play.

”You certainly don’t want to have anybody get hurt,” Hendry said. ”Wally did the best he could. It was his call. The game’s in his hands. And obviously no one was hurt, so he made the right call.”

Evidently, physical harm is the measuring stick in Hendry’s “all’s well that end’s well” philosophy. Fortunately for all parties, the Baseball Gods were tossing lucky rather than lightning strikes that night.

The week was just warming up. Tuesday saw the release of left-hander Scott (Stevie) Eyre, while Kerry (Woody) Wood’s was re-activated from the disabled list. It was well known that Eyre and Cubs manager Lou Piniella had their differences in the past two years.

“I don’t think Lou ever got over that,” said Eyre, referring to his early season struggles last season. “I did that to myself.”

Eyre had his moments of success, however. The left-handed reliever set a Chicago Cubs record in June with 33 consecutive scoreless appearances. The streak started in August 2007 and spanned 23 2-3 innings.

But all’s well that end’s well, right Jim? Eyre was traded to Philadelphia today for minor leaguer Brian Schlitter. A 16th-round pick in 2007, Schlitter was 4-3 with six saves and a 2.22 ERA in 34 games for Class A Clearwater. He will report to Class A Daytona Beach.

It’s been that kind of a week.

Yes, Piniella cleans his dog house and picks up a Schlitter.