fukudome

as most of you know, i've been a die-hard chicago cubs fan all my life, so, of course, i keep track of what they're up to during the off-season. last winter the organization made a big splash with the acquisitions of all-star alfonso soriano, and pitchers ted lilly and jason marquis; they also began the process of retooling the management by hiring legendary manager lou piniella, a process that will continue this season as the ownership changes hands from the tribune co. to the highest bidder. the spending spree of last year's off-season propelled the cubs to a division title and a select status as one of the only clubs in history to go literally from last place in one season to first in the next. this off-season, while not as financially taxing as the last, is starting to pick up steam. at the winter meetings last week, cubs made very little noise with a minor trade involving the atlanta braves for a top relief prospect in jose ascanio, but the buzz among many of the representatives there was whether or not the japanese native kosuke fukudome would leave japan to become the next big-time mlb transplant (following the like of hideki matsui and ichiro suzuki, players to whom fukudome has been likened). just two days ago his agent announced that he would play in the majors, and just last night cubs report that he has agreed to a four year 48 million dollar contract with the cubs, giving them them left-handed hitting power right fielder they sorely needed. you can check out the full story and all of fukudome's stats from his nine year career in japan at cubs.com.

webb (part 2)

i posted not long ago on a musician named derek webb and how one of the songs on his latest album "the ringing bell" impacted me, and two nights ago journey, the college ministry i lead worship for, was able to persuade derek to use one of his days off from touring to join us in worship. his show was amazing. he just brought his twelve-string taylor and his voice and blew us all away. his heart for the world and his views on living a life of discipleship are the kinds of things this world needs to hear more of.

a funny side note: katie and i have decided to use another one of his songs from the new album called "i want to marry you all over again" as the recessional for our wedding coming up in march. our reason behind choosing this catchy tune is a line from the first verse that says, "i want to marry you all over again, i want to meet you and i want to be friends, i want to chase you all the way to tennessee..." as katie more or less chased me here to tennessee we thought it would be fitting. well, before derek's show at journey the other night, the college pastor was having dinner with him and told him about our story; during his first set he decided to dedicate that song to us and played it for everyone...it was hilarious, and now that song will be forever embedded into katie's and my anthology of memorable songs from our relationship.