Charlie Mitsdarfer asks where all the Cubs fans went. A lot of the fair-weather fans and "Chicago fans" have, yes, gone back to the blue and orange. What we, the hardcore Cubs fans who know what AC005895 means, did was sit down to catch up on all of the school work the Sox and Cardinal nations had plenty of time for in early October (and Mets fans in late April, for comparison). What else have we done? We've gone back to the drawing board. We know what our holes are — middle relief, offense behind the plate, leadoff man — and have already begun doing the amateur scouting of who we want to see fill up the vacated roster spots. We know that Grudzielanek, Karros and Guthrie can be re-signed for $17.2 million or let go with a combined $1.8 million buyout. Estes, Alfonseca, Veres, O'Leary, Goodwin, Simon and Bako can pack their bags to free up about $12.5 million. Ten players potentially free up about $30 million to spend on the Three Aces and free agents. Sosa can opt out of his $16 million for a $1.75 million severance package. Where have the Cubs fans gone, Mitsdarfer? We're joining up with every other major league team's fandom other than the Evil Empire and the Fighting Fish. The Cubs broke our hearts like they always do, but, unlike the ChiSox and the Cardinals, this time they did it in mid-October. This time I say, "Wait 'til next year!" with optimism and pride.

EAMUS CATULI!