College of Idiots: And So It Begins...

Photo courtesy of Hohokam PA Announcer, Tim Sheridan's blog, Boys of Spring

Happy P & C Day!

Yep, it's finally here, the start of the 2010 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs season, at least for those of us who live in the Valley of the Sun. For those of you still stuck in the cold and wintery Midwest, we feel for you ...oh who are we kidding, there are many reasons why Arizona is Chicago West, and the weather that we are just starting to feel is one of those. But enough about sunshine, mid-70s temperatures and blue skies, we're here to talk about the Cubs.

Unlike the last couple years, the starters and bullpen are pretty much set this year. No one competing for a closer position. No questions about a closer becoming a starter. Nope, the only real concern is who will fill in for Cubs team badass, Theodore Roosevelt Lilly (aka TRL, aka the Lillyhammer, aka the Rough Rider, aka the Serial Killer) until he is done rehabbing his shoulder following surgery last November. In a report on Cubs.com this morning, the Tedinator may be even more superhuman than we once thought. His target is Opening Day.

"It feels pretty strong. I expect to be ahead of schedule, whatever schedule comes out. I think the real test is first, when you get on the mound and start throwing downhill off the slope and after that when you get into a game situation and you try to really dial it up with runners in scoring position or whatever it is -- that's when you find out how healthy you really are."

According to the Muskrat, the contenders for Lilly's spot if he isn't ready to go includes Jeff Samardzija, Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Marshall and Rule 5 Draft pick Michael Parisi. And no, that's not the same Rule 5 we kept around all of last year. Guzman has also been rumored to be in the mix, but questions about his injuries and durability make that option far fetched. Oh yeah, and that Carlos Silva guy. How can we forget that brilliant pickup?

So throw back a cold Old Style and let Spring Training begin! Keep tuned to COI for all your Spring Training news, on and off the diamond.

Go Cubs!