Cinco de Mayo, Goodbye to the BOB, and Eamus Catuli!

Cinco de Mayo. Today is the Cinco de Mayo. Many people think that 5 de mayo must be Mexican Independence Day. It is not! Mexican gained its independence from Spain on September 16, 1821. The Cinco de Mayo comes 41 years later, as Mexico has called for a 2 year moratorium on their foreign debt. Napoleon II (nephew of Bonaparte) was Emperor in France, and the French army was considered the best in the world. The French landed at Veracruz, and planned to march on Mexico City to depose President Benito Juárez, and to install a new President. May 5, 1862 was the Cinco de Mayo in which Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza battled against a larger battalion of the French at Puebla, Mexico, about 100 miles east of Mexico City. The tenacity of the Mexican defenders inflicted many more casualties that they suffered, and the French army retreated. The French would return one year later, bringing many more troops, and successfully installing a government of their own liking. The Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory at the Battle of Puebla, honoring the bravery of General Zaragoza's small, outnumbered militia.

The BOB is no more. During the summer of 2004, we went to the North American Christian Convention in Phoenix. One of the highlights of my trip was going to an interleague game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Minnesota Twins. We went to the BOB (Bank One Ballpark). I had been there before, with a huge family group. It is a beautiful ballpark. In July of 2004, I got to see Randy Johnson (The Big Unit) pitch. We had great seats, right down the first base line, about even with the pitcher's mound. The Big Unit looked very imposing. I missed a foul ball that was hit about a row behind me. I got two fingers on it. It was officially scored "Error, Fish." The BOB is no more. Now they call is Chase Field. Such is our world where bank mergers make us learn new names!

Eamus Catuli! The Diamondback certainly chased the Cubbies off of their field. Come on, Cubs! You can plan better than that! Currently, the Cubbies are still above .500, but looking back on recent games, one must wonder for how much longer they can hold on. The are 4-6 over their last 10 games, but if you look to the last 7 games, they are only 2-5! It gets worse. They have been shut out 3 of their last 5 games. In those five games, they have scored only 3 runs while allowing 29! Sometimes we Cub fans are deluded, but come on, Cubbies, you have to score more runs than your opponents if you are going to win! I hope they turn it around, starting tonight in San Diego!

Peace,

DGF