On Deck: The Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein

Sports are cyclical, I'm sure you have heard from someone at some point.  Sometimes the cycle lasts over 100 years, sorry Cubs fans.  However, there are some teams that seem like they are never out of the hunt year in and year out.  The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees might be the best examples of this, each with their own formula success that allows them to play October baseball more times than not.  Their cycle for winning is much smaller, plain and simple, their formula for success is successful.  Without a successful formula the cycle becomes much, much longer, and then it becomes a drought.  While the results aren't there playing on Wrigley Field 81 times a year yet, I'm here to tell you disgruntled, impatient Cubs fans that your cycle is almost over and there is a formula in place to point towards, be proud about and root for.

What the Phillies? The Scoop on this Year's Draft

7th overall pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Nola

Last Thursday the 2014 First-Year Player Draft started with two rounds that night followed by 3-10 on Friday, concluding with rounds 11-40 on Saturday. The MLB draft differs from the NFL and NBA and to an extent the NHL in the sense that the majority of first round picks don't stroll on to the stage for everyone watching to see their excitement filled faces. For most, not seeing the face of the draft pick that their team is getting puts a damper on the casual fan's desire to view the draft.  On top of that is the fact in most cases baseball players aren't bursting on to the scene immediately after they are drafted like in the NFL and NBA.  NHL prospects sometimes take longer to reach the big club too, but not as long as most MLB prospects.