Closers position

CHICAGO -- Last spring, Kerry Wood, Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol competed for the Cubs' closer job. Wood won, and notched 34 saves in his first season in that role. This year, Wood and Howry are gone, having departed via free agency. It would seem logical that Marmol would inherit the role. Not so fast, Lou Piniella says. The Cubs acquired Kevin Gregg from Florida this offseason, and Piniella doesn't want to declare Marmol the closer until he sees both pitchers this spring. "Let them compete," Piniella said. "I feel comfortable with Marmol, there's no question. But we traded for this other young man, and he was a closer over there with success. Give him a chance, too." Gregg has 61 saves over the last two seasons with the Marlins while Marmol has eight career saves, getting seven of those last year when Wood was injured. Who has the edge? "That's really for Lou to decide," Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "I think Carlos has proved what kind of job he can do in that role. I'd be surprised if there is anybody who can do it better. We're confident in what he can do." Marmol is confident, too. His agent told him at the end of the 2008 season that the Cubs wanted the pitcher to prepare for the job. Marmol stuck to the same offseason routine that he's done the last few years. It's worked so far. "We'll see what happens," Marmol said.

I think that the role for the closer position was interesting because Marmol was my candidate but they got Gregg. He is a good closer and I think that this blog can stir up a good discussion in the Cubs organization about that position. If Marmol isn't the closer he will probably close a lot. He is a hard thrower and that is always helpful during the end of the game. I liked the blog.

Acc Power Conference

The Acc is showing why it is the best conference in basketball. Wake Forest was undefeated and number 1 before they lost to Virginia Tech. The Hokies have a history of beating the top ranked teams. Number 2 Duke is going to be the new number 1 after this week and that will upset the Carolina fans. Number 6 North Carolina just defeated number 9 Clemson in dominating fashion. And by the end of this week the Tarheels will be in the top 5. They were number 1 before they lost to Boston College. The Acc has 4 top ten teams. Tied with the Big East. I am glad the Acc is keeping the tradition of a power conference. My team is Carolina so having them in the top five is great for me. When the Tarheels take on the Blue Devils and Carolina wins, that is always a great day for a Tarheel fan.

Baseball

I am an expert at baseball. I amaze my dad and friends when I know players that they have not even heard of. I know all of the teams and at least one player on every team. I also know the basic rules of the game. I like to quiz my dad on players back in the day that he does not have a clue on.

An out is when the ball beats you to the base and is caught. Also when the ball is caught in the air. A team gets 3 outs per inning. The home team gets the final at-batt if they are losing going into the 9th inning. If they are winning, then they do not bat their 9th time. A single is when the batter gets to first base and nothing further. A double is getting to second base. A triple is getting third base and a homerun is when a player hits the ball over the outfield fence or touches all 4 bases before he is out. That is called an inside the park homerun.

Baseball is america's past time, so it is fitting that I know a lot about the game.